Annabeth

Cold.

That's all I feel.

I can't move.

I can't talk.

But I can hear.

I can hear him.

My Seaweed Brain.

But I can't return his words.

I can feel his touch, but I can not feel the warmth of his hands as he holds mine.

I can tell that he's looking at me with such an overwhelming love, but I can not see his beautiful sea green eyes.

I could feel the spider crawling across my body, but all I could think was I wish that it would just kill me, so that Percy could move on.

I felt Will's touch as he was healing the wounds that the spider produced.

I reacted to his touch...

Yet I could not Percy's...

I heard Will tell Nico that I'm pregnant...

But I don't understand how that's possible...

Percy and I have never done anything to permit a child...

We we've never even discussed having children.

I know Percy wants to, I do as well... I'm just not sure if I would be a good mother.

Percy had an example of a good parent, even if that parent was his mother. He also had Paul. Paul taught him how to be a good man.

I've had no one...

My father was always at work, even during the summer.

My stepmother felt nothing towards me but Pure Hate.

I feel lost...

Helpless...

Like I've betrayed Percy...

I feel... Broken.

I feel like I have the weight of the world in my shoulders again.

But this time... Percy can't help me.

He'll just end up getting himself hurt.

You understand now, don't you? I hear.

"What do you mean "I understand now"?" I ask the black oblivion.

You understand what it's like to love someone... And to never be able to have them in the way that you want to have them, but to create life without ever being together.

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

You'd think, after the hints or just hearing my voice you'd be able to recognize your own mother.

Athena... But... How?

You'll understand. You always do when the time is right. Annabeth, Perseus will be going on a quest to save you. If he succeeds, you have my blessing.

"Your blessing? For what?"

All in due time.