Mom Says Hello

Introduction

Annabeth's PoV

    A tear slips down Mom's face as the pounding on the door grows louder yet. She places a hand on my cheek, slipping the other into the pocket of her dress. From the pocket she produces two worn photo's, only one of which I recognize. The first is a picture of her holding me the day I was born, smiling into the camera as my small hands grabbed at her hair. The next, is of a scrawny man I don't recognize, yet looks so familiar. Before another thought of it can cross my mind, Mom shoves the two photos into my hands, gesturing for me to hide them. Quickly, I shove them in the pocket of my own dress as Mom begins to speak.

    "I cannot fight them," She whispers, her normally strong voice quivering. "I'm strong but not strong enough."

    "Mom, I'm scared." My hands tremble as she buries me in a hug.

    "I know. I know you're afraid." She runs a hand through my hair, holding me as if I would never see her again. "But, you must be strong. Stronger than me."

    She pulls away just enough to see my face, "And use those when the time is right."

    Her hand points to my pocket where her photographs now reside.

    "How will I know?" Tears of fear run down my cheeks, quickly brushed away by her slim fingers.

    "You'll know." A faint smile appears on her lips and she tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. "And Annabeth?"

    "Yes?"

    "If he's still alive," The door falls to the ground and a hand snatches at my arm. "Tell your Father I said hello."

    "MOM!" I screech, kicking at the man who drags me away from my only family.

    The man silences me with a hand to the mouth, dragging me towards the shattered door as more men hold my mother back. Tears run down our cheeks in harmony, one drop after the other as we scream our final goodbyes. I don't want to leave.

    "MOM!!" It's too late, we're too far and she can't hear me. "Mom..."

~*~
*6 Months Later*

    The pain is unbearable as they drag me away once again, along with the long haired man who had fought beside me in training. Blood drips from the gash on my forehead, blocking my view as we are pulled towards the pods. Once again my life is ripped away from me. Even is this life is only torture and pain, living without Mom forever. It's still something. I still had to find the man in the picture. I still had to hug Mom one more time. I still have to figure out these terrifying powers they gave me, I have to learn how to control them and get the hell out of here. But, they shove me into the freezing pod nonetheless. My hands bang at the glass in front of me, my lungs burning as I scream in protest. But, it's no use. The gas enters the pod, numbing my senses. My vision blurs. My muscles relax. And my eyelids close. Will I find Mom after this? Will she be waiting for me across the bridge of death? Or will there only be pain? Or sleep. So warm and soft here. My head leans back against the cool metal of the pod, and I sleep