Forgotten Paradise by Average Canadian

Chapter 2: The Start of Something Wonderful

Annabeth had inhaled her breakfast the following morning. She didn't stop to give her confused mother an explanation. Changing out of her PJ's she got on her purple swimsuit then slipped on a white cotton sundress as a coverup. She jumped into the woods and decided (ironically) to take her time in getting to the beach, meandering on the hard packed earthen path along the rice paddy fields. 

As she pushed passed the final branches blocking her path she instantly spotted Percy standing on the edge of the waves. Yelling to him she tromped through the scorching sand eager to reach the cool surf. Percy spun around shooting a smile that seemed naturally labelled on his face. 

Annabeth slowly approached and put her green plastic bucket only containing her leather bound journal on a safe spot. The wind tickled her legs and pushed her white sundress around. Gulls and parrots squawked as they rode the warmed breeze buffeting the jungle and made the waves somersault. 

For a few minutes they just stood there looking at each other in dead silence, only hearing the water and the wind. 

"So?" Percy started breaking the less-than-awkward silence. 

"So what?" 

"So what now?" he clarified. 

Annabeth shrugged and furrowed her brows seriously "I don't know, how about you think of something you blockhead." 

Percy tapped his chin thoughtfully. He was just kicking the white powder sand when his face lit up "I know! How about we go on an adventure!" 

"What type of adventure?"Annabeth scoffed.Percy gave a smirk and motioned for him to follow her. Picking up her green pail she followed in wonder at this green eyed wild child. 

They paraded through untamed areas of the forest making Annabeth stick close to Percy allowing her to examine his back in detail. 

His white shirt had been washed but he was still wearing the same swim trunks which were crusty with salt. His gait was smooth, moving with ease through such a rough terrain. 

What was Percy's story? How had he ended up here? He obviously wasn't born on these islands, his English was perfect. Was he in a situation like her and her mom? Why hadn't she seen Percy in the small market before? 

"Percy, where do you live on this island?" she asked unconsciously while following his footsteps. 

Percy half chuckled "I don't live on this island, I live on the next island over." 

Annabeth blinked "Then how do you get over here?" 

"You'll see" he answered mysteriously. 

Annabeth sighed impatiently and kept following his winding path left to wonder alone as they walked. 

By the time Percy stopped Annabeth wasn't paying attention and bumped right into him. Offering a polite apology Annabeth scanned their surroundings. 

It looked as if they were near ocean facing dock. Where all the fisherman kept their boats. And yet they were a little off from that area. More to the right, on the smallest sandbar on the clump of land. The sand was decorated by only a few palm trees and some boulders. Pulled up onto the beach was a small wooden row boat. Peeling mint paint scabbed the sides and the oars hung out loosely like dead arms. 

"Meet Ole Daisy." Percy said proudly. 

"I'm pretty sure that's the titanic brought back from the dead." 

Percy rolled his eyes at her."Hop in" he stated unfazed. 

Annabeth pulled herself into the bow of the rowboat and sat on the splintering wooden board that served as a seat. It was gruff and uncomfortable plus it was pulling at her sundress like burrs. Securing her green bucket in between her feet she hoped that it wouldn't get wet. If it did you could guarantee that Percy would get a piece of her mind.