Lost

22

The next morning Piper and Jason arrived, both of them yawning but eager to help.

All the demigods who were set to go met up at The Big House where Chiron was already up and waiting for them.

"I managed to secure you all one way plane tickets," Chiron said as he handed me and envelope. "Pass those around once you get to the airport. There are backpacks filled with supplies waiting for you in the camp store."

We thanked him before heading to the camp store to pick up the aforementioned backpacks. We were then given twenty minutes to pack extra things and say our goodbyes.

I spent this time alone in my cabin as I didn't have much to pack and anyone who I truly cared about was coming with me, and for the others who won't I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye.

I thought about my mom, who, Chiron informed me, had frantically rushed to camp after not hearing from me for a few days and nearly had a panic attack.

Then I thought about Annabeth. What would she say if she knew we were all coming to save her, if she was even alive anyways.

But this mission wasn't just about Annabeth now. It was about Nico and Reyna, too. Their lives depended on us, too.

Before I could spiral even further, a soft knock at the door snapped me out of it. I realized it was nearly time to go, so I swung my backpack over my shoulder and went to the door.

Standing there was Piper, who was staring down at the ground, her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket.

"Pipes?" I asked.

She looked up and smiled weakly at me. "Hey. I never got to really say hi since we arrived. Can I come in?"

I nodded as I opened the door and led her inside. "The cabin's kinda a mess...."

"Really? This is nothing compared to the Aphrodite cabin," Piper admitted as she shut the door behind herself. "With so many kids there and fights constantly, I suppose having a messy cabin is a given."

"Yeah, I guess I'm lucky I only have to share with Tyson. And he always cleans before he leaves," I replied with a smile. "So, are we going now?"

Piper shook her head as she peered at the fountain in the middle of the room. "No, not yet. In a few minutes, that's why I came here. And to talk."

"What about?" I asked, although I feared I already knew the answer. They all talked to me about the same thing.

"I know asking you how you are is a load of crap," she replied honestly. "I know you won't tell me, anyways. Instead, are you ready?"

I smiled weakly. Piper was always honest with me, and I don't know if it was her charmspeak or what, but I wanted to reply honestly. "I'll never be ready, Pipes. For this, anyways. We don't have much information about what we're fighting, so how can I be ready?"

"I feel we are," she responded. "I mean, we're demigods. We can figure it out."

"I wish I could believe that, but do we even know where we're going?" I asked, my voice slowly raising. Piper's eyes widened. "Like, when we get there, where do we go? We can't search all of Rome, Piper!"

Piper frowned. "I know that, Percy, but—"

"What if it's too late?" I asked. "What if we can't find anything there, huh? Do we just go back to camp, spend another month mulling on it?"

"No, I wasn't suggesting that—"

"Then what are we supposed to do, huh?!"

Piper blinked slowly and took a deep breath. "Percy, you're not thinking clearly. Try to stay positive. I suppose the best place to look is where the Athena Parthenos was buried."

"Near the pit to...to...?" I asked, unable to say it. Ever since I'd lost Annabeth, the dreams had become unbearable. The dreams of her dying, which were true. Although these were worst. At least I didn't see her die in real life. Or be kidnapped. But if I had at least I could've tried to stop it.

She nodded slowly. "I...I guess that would be a good place to look. But this time will be different, I swear."

Although I knew it was her charmspeak, she made me feel more assured. Assured enough to stop arguing with her.

"Let's get going now," she said softly as she neared the door. "Everyone'll be waiting for us."

And so we left.