Annabeth Chase and the Last Olympian

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

We gathered in the rec room like always. Chiron cleared his throat and everyone quieted. "It seems that Percy has contacted Annabeth through her cell phone," he said, "which, by the way, she is not supposed to have," he said, looking at me pointedly. I rolled my eyes. "Well, go on then," he huffed.

I sighed and told the group of the message Percy had sent me. "Percy needs us," I said. "Kronos will be there and so will all of his forces. We have to go to him and fight. We won't ever be more ready."

The counselors looked at each other nervously. Clarisse snorted and casually walked out of the room, but not before I threw her a full-hearted "Screw you!"

Silena was the first one to speak. "I'll come. And so will the rest of my cabin." I smiled at my friend gratefully.

"Count us in!" Connor said.

"Hermes cabin, at your service," Travis said, bowing deeply.

Then, one by one, the others agreed to come as well, and I felt a tremendous sense of bonding. We were actually going to do this. Together. A warmth expanded through my chest.

Once all of the cabins had agreed to come, that is, all except the Ares cabin, we filed out of the rec room and gave our orders to our cabins. Everything flew by from then. I made sure that all of our equipment was packed and loaded into the trunks while other cabins oversaw that there was enough food and supplies. We worked like crazy to make sure we had everything we needed.

Before we had lunch, though, I went to see Chiron. It was hard to think of a minute that I was actually at peace. I needed someone to vent to, but I also needed some advice.  

I knocked on the Big House door before entering. Chiron was too busy folding into his wheelchair to answer. I rushed over to help him.

"Hey, Chiron," I said, as I held the back of his wheelchair.

"Hello, Annabeth," he grunted. "Oh, how I hate this wheelchair."

I laughed. "We still have a lot of time until we leave, you know. No point getting in early."

"Ah, but it takes time to get used to. I get terrible pins and needles unless I sit in the same spot for at least an hour." He got himself situated and I turned towards him so he wouldn't have to move.

His forehead wrinkled. "Are you alright, Annabeth?"

I nodded at first, but then I shook my head.

"What's wrong?"

I sighed. "I'm just really worried."

He raised his eyebrows. "About the prophecy?"

I nodded. "I know that there's no use worrying about it, but he's my best friend. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to him." I started tearing up. I pressed my palms to my eyes to keep the tears from falling out, but it was no use.

Chiron opened his arms, and I gratefully went into them. He stroked my hair and spoke gently. "Annabeth, your feelings towards Percy are no mystery to me. I know how much you care for him." He released me. "You just have to trust that everything will be alright."

"But how?" I said desperately, the tears falling freely, the emotions finally breaking free from weeks of worry. "You heard the prophecy yourself. Can you promise me that nothing will happen to him?" I gasped for air, my nose filling up.

Chiron pursed his lips. "Annabeth, you are being irrational. I expect better from you."

I went to his desk and grabbed a fistful of Kleenex. "I know, I know, I'm sorry." I said, covering my face with the Kleenex. "It's hard to be rational when it's about him."