Percy Jackson's Last Breath

<CHAPTER 10>

~Annabeth's POV~

I walked alongside Chiron to the pavilion. His hooves thumped on the ground as he walked with purpose. He was nervous, no doubt about it. Telling the Olympians will be difficult.

Chiron glances at me from the corner of his eye, "Annabeth?" He asks, his voice questioning.

I hummed in response. I pause mid step when he abruptly stops walking. I turn my body to face him while looking at his face for any emotions. "Please don't leave us." He whispered softly.

Confusion clouds my mind. "What?"

He looks down, avoiding any eye contact with me. His mouth turned downward; forming a soft frown. I walked forward, worried for him. "Please don't leave me." He spoke softly, sounding tired and wistful. His tone didn't sit with me well. Chiron was worried all the time, he's wise and has experienced a lot. But I have never heard him sound so... scared. This was so unlike him.

"Annabeth, please promise me you won't leave. I need you, here, with me." He raised his head but didn't look at me. My mouth was open from shock. I tried to say something, anything, but no words came out.

"I've lost so many things, Annabeth. I've lost many loved ones. But, never have I been so hurt as I am now." He continues. His eyes catch mine and a soft gasp escapes my lips.

His eyes were shiny and a tear streamed down his face. Chiron was crying.

"I- I don't..." I trail off. What do I say? How do I comfort him? " Why are you telling me this?" I whisper to him.

"Because..." He trailed off as he wiped his tears. He sighs in defeat, "Because I don't want to lose anything or anyone anymore. Call me selfish but I can't just stand here, watching as you leave."

"Chiron, I'm not leaving." I frown at him. Just the idea of leaving this place made me shiver.

"You may not be leaving the camp, Annabeth, but you're still drifting away from us. You're shutting us out. You're shutting me out. And that hurts Annabeth." His eyes search mine and I look away, feeling guilty. I didn't know what to say. The shock still hasn't worn off and I didn't want to lie to him. If I told him that I was just grieving or that I'm just going through a faze, I'd be lying. But I also didn't want to tell him the hurtful truth. That I was pushing everyone away. I'm not trying to, I just am. I need my space right now. I haven't been myself lately and I don't think I will be until I have Percy. I need him to be here, with me.

"Annabeth," he walked closer to me until we were feet apart. He grabbed my hand and my eyes found his, "I already lost Percy." His voice shook and a few more tears slipped down his cheek. "I can't lose you too."

I give him a sad smile as a tear fell down from my eyes. His arms snaked around my body and gave me a comforting hug. We silently cried together, seeking each other's comfort. Chiron has always been a fatherly figure for me and so this hug meant so much to me. It gave me the boost of energy I can use when I face the gods.

Remembering what we had to do, I pulled away from the hug. I wiped at my eyes and smiled softly, "We should go. We don't want to keep the gods waiting."

"Yes, of course." He wiped at his own tears. We continued to walk to the pavilion in silence.

As we arrive at the pavilion, my eyes widen when I see all the campers sitting down quietly. It was dead silence. Everyone looked sad and uncomfortable. It was obvious something was wrong.