The Forbidden Child

Chapter 23: Time to Say Goodbye

Annabeth POV

Jason greeted everyone and made himself comfortable on the ground. Everyone else sat down, waiting for him to speak. Annabeth noticed Jason looking towards Helena like she was a ticking bomb. That reminded her of the talk she had with him the day he came back to camp...

"Camp Jupiter is in trouble. We're missing a few campers. Two boys and a girl. Ella foresaw you three," Jason nodded towards Piper, Leo, and Percy, "arriving at camp. We think you're supposed to help us."

"That's funny. Well not the missing campers, but we were talking about going to California for our quest." Leo said.

"We leave tonight. Reyna arranged for some pegasus to take us back to camp. I'll let you guys pack and we can meet at the stables at 7."

They all nodded and decided to end the meeting. Annabeth grabbed Percy's hand and led him further back into the Bunker. Leo yelled after them, "Try not to break anything!" Annabeth ignored him and as soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to Percy.

"Percy, be careful. I can't lose you. Not again. Promise me you'll do your best to come back in one piece." She had tears in her eyes. She hated being apart from her boyfriend, especially when they were trying to recover from a war.

Percy kissed the top of her head. "I will be back before you know it. I love you, Annabeth."

She sighed, knowing that he will try his best no matter what. "There's something else you should know. The day Jason came back, he talked to me privately about Helena."

Percy had a surprised look on his face. "What did he say?"

"A few years ago, there was a prophecy about a child of the gods who had powers so great that the ending of their story is generally a sad one.The gods cast the child to a life on Earth and they're destined for either greatness or pure evil. Jason got a message personally from Zeus in a dream, telling him to go to Camp Half Blood. There, he will find a demigod who seems out of place. Zeus was talking about Helena, Percy."

Percy was silent. He seemed to be repeating this spiel to himself. Helena? Powerful? Annabeth didn't want to underestimate her, but what damage could Helena do?

"If Helena is so powerful, why is her background such a mystery? And what do you mean by sad ending? Is Helena going to die?" Percy finally spoke up.

"I don't know. And it bothers me that I can't figure her out." Annabeth huffed. "But Jason thinks her past is complicated. Her memory is for her to discover and we have to help along the way. She might be intertwined with the two camps. She might also be part of this quest, especially now that we know her mom is in danger."

"Who do you think her mom is? Do you still think it's Hera?"

"No, Helena is kind, unlike She- who- shall- not- be- named. If I find more information, I'll Iris message you guys."

They shared one last kiss before leaving the bunker. Annabeth wanted to find out more about this mysterious goddess. She decided to ask the one person in her life who shared information with her. Time to make a visit to the Big House.