Chap 8
Fun fact: I'm left handed. (How's that a fun fact ya bum?!)
Annabeth's pov:
Grover constantly gnawing and chewing at his tin can was annoying me, I was trying to think things through while laying down on the grass. I thought that maybe Grover could talk with me and I could finally have a normal day.
"Will you stop chewing so much, Grover?" I asked, adjusting my position.
Grover bleated again. "I need my daily vitamins."
I scoffed playfully. "There's no vitamins in tin cans."
Grover gasped, standing up. "I'll have you know that there are a lot of vitamins in -"
"Annabeth!" Will's voice cut Grover off. "We need you at the infirmary."
I groaned. "Well then, bye." I said as I walked back to the infirmary, my frown deepening as I realised what I was needed for.
I opened the door quickly and quietly, crossing my arms once inside.
"So what are we going to do?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
I could tell from Will's face exactly what I was going to do. For starters, he looked nervous, constantly running his hand through his hair, the usual smile gone from his face.
"We're going to work on your memories." Will said.
"Right now?"
Will nodded, then gestured across the room. My eyes widened as I looked across. The whole wall was plastered with pictures of me at camp, posing with other campers.
"What's this going to do?" I asked, still staring at the wall.
"Tell me if you know any of these pictures." Will ordered.
I looked hard at every single one, my eyes narrowed and the only thing my mind was focusing on were the pictures shown. I gulped as I realised I had known none of the pictures Will had presented.
Will, sensing my discomfort, shook his head. "Nothing?" He asked.
I shook my head too, looking at hin sympathetically.
He waved it off. "No reason for you to feel sorry," he said. "We've still got more theories."
He shut the door, looking at me carefully.
"I'm going to have to ask you a couple of questions."
. . .
Couple of questions? Will had been asking me questions for the last hour, and I was completely out of it.
"Did anyone ever talk to you?" Will asked. "Like in your mind?"
I vaguely remembered someone, not my voice, speaking to me, giving me advice I didn't know I needed till later.
"No." I lied.
"Not even one voice?" Will sighed, clearly tired.
"Listen," I said. "Nothing is working and I don't really mind, we might as well just stop here."
Will tilted his head to the side, as if in thought. "We'll stop-" I let out a huge sigh of relief. "For now, we're doing this tomorrow."
I groaned. "So now what do I do?"
Will laughed. "Go meet the campers, talk to people."
I sat up. "I talk to you."
"You have to talk to me." He said, raising an eyebrow. "Chiron told me he might move you back to the Athena cabin tomorrow."
"What?" I roared. "Why does he always make decisions without my consent?"
I got up and left the infirmary, thinking to myself. The Athena cabin was filled with brainy, mostly blonde kids. She must have a thing for blondes. I thought. I didn't know how I would be able to fit in there, with the whisperings and mumbled that were surely going to be of me. In fact, I was the main gossip of the camp, thanks to the Aphrodite cabin.
Talk to someone. I remembered Will saying that to me, and that one line greatly annoyed me. People here probably thought I was a loner, since I spoke to no one. New campers usually steered away from me, whispering to their friends excitedly.
Hazel. Her name constantly rang through my mind, no matter how hard I tried to just let it go. Out of everyone I hated, she was not on that long list. Although I despised her friends, I constantly thought that maybe I could at least talk to her, and maybe, just maybe, we could one day become friends again.
I didn't even notice I was at the training area until I heard loud cries of shouting and laughter.
Hazel was sparring another girl, I could tell she was going easy on her as the other girl seemed like a first year camper.
I watched them spar, marveling at the swords clashing on each other. Hazel seemed out of it though, like her mind was elsewhere. Once they were finished, Hazel sat on a bench drinking water tiredly, wiping some sweat off her forehead.
"Hey Hazel?" I called as I was walking to her, some of her baby hairs were stuck to her forehead, almost making her look comical.
She dropped the water bottle in suprise, picking it up quickly. "Oh," she said. "Hello Annabeth."
"Hey," I said shyly, waving my right hand slowly.
"You want to sit and talk?" She asked softly, patting the seat beside her.
I nodded politely, sitting down on the seat she had gestured to. "Um . . . well, I don't know where to start."
Hazel smiled. "I have all day."
"Well, um." I scratched the back of my neck nervously. "You're nice and all, and I thought maybe." I laughed. "We could be friends an-"
Hazel stopped me with a hug. "Of course we could be friends," she said, her arms still around me.
She stopped hugging me, looking at me straight in the eye. "Want to go spar?" Her eyes lit up mischievously, one of her eyebrows raised slightly.
I smiled, back to my old self. "Sure."
Hazel led me to the daggers. "Here," she gave me a particularly small one. "I think you'd suit this."
"How'd you know I wanted a dagger?" I asked, quite suprised.
Hazel just winked at me, grabbing a sword and poised ready to attack. "Now come on, let's see what you got."
I tightened my ponytail with a smirk, "Oh I don't know, you might not be ready for me."
"Really?" Hazel nodded slightly.
I grabbed my dagger, doing the same position as Hazel. "Really," I replied.
Hazel started off, her sword jabbing st me half heartedly. I swiftly turned to the left, letting out a smile. "Come on!" I urged playfully. "Show me some real skill."
Hazel shrugged, laughing a little. "Well, you asked for it."
I smiled, holding my dagger firm on my right hand. Hazel jabbed at my lower torso, and I turned quickly, pointing my dagger at her, my arm outstretched.
Hazel smiled. "I didn't know you'd be this good."
I twirled my dagger triumphantly. "Neither did -"
Hazel didn't let me finish, only kicking at me with her left leg, trying to catch my right. She managed to grab my arm in the process, turning me so her sword was under my throat.
"You shouldn't have spoken." Hazel smiled.
I rolled my eyes, quickly grabbing her sword arm, and twisting it. I still had my dagger and I lunged with my dagger on her arm.
Hazel saw this, and dodged the blow, seemingly dropping her sword in the process. She turned as the sword dropped, I smiled triumphantly, seeing this as my chance, and used my leg to kick out hers. She fell onto the ground with a loud thump, and I grabbed her sword, my dagger still with me.
Using both weapons, I aimed them at her throat. "You were saying?"
Hazel laughed. "You win, you win." I let out my hand for her to grab, pulling her up from the floor.
"When did you learn to fight like that?" Hazel asked after we sat down. I grabbed a nearby towel, and mopped my face with it, I was dripping with sweat.
"Had training when I was young." Technically, that wasn't a lie.
Hazel nodded slowly. "I don't seem suprised."
. . .
Me and Hazel continued talking till nightfall, and all the campers were getting ready to sleep.
Hazel gave me a smile. "It was nice talking to you Annabeth."
I smiled back. "Thanks," I said. "You sure you don't mind me talking to you?"
Hazel gave me a look. "Why would I mind talking to you?" She asked. "Maybe you'll get to talk to the others as well."
I made a face. "Maybe, probably not though."
Hazel looked at me sympathetically. "They're good people, you know." She stared at the other campers. "Worried sick about you, especially Percy. He hasn't come out of his cabin since you had that small argument, and everyone's worried."
"About him?"
"About you and him." She said, then smiled and turned back towards me. "Now come on, I don't want to get snacked on by harpies."
I laughed, slightly suprised with the change of subject and we walked together to the cabins. "Bye, Hazel."
Hazel gave me a small wave and a smile, then went to the Hades cabin. I smiled to myself, I had finally gotten a friend. Will's going to be happy, I thought to myself as I trudged over to the infirmary, a slight skip in my step due to the past events.
"Hey," I said as I swung open the door.
Will was sitting down, looking at some papers. "Hey, I see you've befriended Hazel."
I smiled uncertainly. "How did you know?"
Will shrugged. "Word goes fast around camp, most people saw you guys were sparring."
"Yeah," I said. "I must admit, that was really fun."
Will smiled. "I know, now come on, hit the decks." He smiled. "We've got capture the flag tomorrow."
"Capture the flag?" I asked. "Is that some kind of game -"
"I'll tell you everything tomorrow."
. . .
"Hey Hazel." Hazel turned to me. "What's capture the flag?"
"I haven't really played it that much." Hazel said. "You should go ask Will."
"I did." I insisted. "But he just laughed and said 'I'll tell you later'." I mimicked in a horrible voice.
Hazel laughed. "He doesn't sound like that."
"He sure does." We laughed at each other for about one minute till Chiron's voice boomed across the camp.
"Attention, campers!" He said. "As you know, we all have Capture the Flag later on today." The whole camp cheered excitedly. "I want you all to play fair." He looked at the Ares kids pointedly. "And hopefully no fatal injuries. Today's teams will be Ares, Aphrodite, Zeus, Dionysus, Poseidon and Nike on blue team. Hades, Athena, Hermes, Haphaestus, Dionysus, Demeter and Apollo on the other team. I will allow the cabins to use their powers" He finished, and I tilted my head to the side in suprise. Some campers started arguing.
"Fatal injuries?" I cried.
Hazel shrugged. "It happens sometimes, though I'm kind of scared too. I've rarely played this game since I come here so little."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Did Will tell you about the Roamm. camps?" Hazel asked me, I nodded in reply.
"Yeah, well me, Frank and Jason go there, we're just staying here since we found out -" She stopped. "Never mind."
"Just tell me." I pleaded.
"Since we found out you were back." She said hesitantly, wincing a little.
I let out a sigh, my voice kind of shaky. "It's okay, Hazel. It doesn't really bug me."
Hazel smiled. "Glad you understand."
"Wait." She stopped, looking at me quizzically. "Do I still have to play?"
Hazel shrugged. "Go ask Chiron."
I made a face, but still walked over to Chiron. "Ah, Annabeth." He said. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine." I waved it off. "Anyways, do I have to play Capture the Flag?"
Chiron laughed. "Well of course you do, even first years play it. You are no exception."
"But I know nothing about fighting."
"And?" He said, eyebrows raised. "Your spar with Hazel told me otherwise."
I grunted in reply, walking back to Hazel.
"What did he say?" Hazel asked, though th frown on my face already told it.
"I have to play."
"That's okay." She said, giving me a playful shove. "You'll be great at it."
"What cabin are the rest of you guys in?" I asked.
"Well," she counted on her fingers. "I'm in the Hades cabin for now, Frank in the Ares, Jason is in the Zeus, Piper in the Aphrodite, Leo in the Haphaestus and Percy in the Poseidon cabin."
"Oh, so we'll be versing Jason, Piper, Percy and Frank." I said, Hazel nodded in reply.
I groaned. "This is not good."
"Why?"
"Percy is in the opossite team. What if we meet, and -" I sighed. "It's going to be seriously awkward."
Hazel laughed under her breath. "The chances of you two meeting are very unlikely."
. . .
"Go!" Chiron's voice and whistle jostled the campers, and we started in position.
Me being very inexperienced, I had to be following Hazel who would be trying to get their flag whilst most of the Demeter cabin distracted the opposing team.
Hazel turned towards me. "Come on, the enemy team will be arriving." She said. "That'll be our call."
I nodded, waiting for the battle cries of the blue team. In under five minutes I heard the Ares cabin charging with their swords and spears out, their faces red in fury.
"Do they know that this is just a game?" I whispered to Hazel, we were behind two massive rocks, ready to run.
"Yeah," she whispered back. "But they don't care."
I gulped. Hazel, noticing my discomfort, changed the subject. "Come on, they're busy fighting." She said. "Let's go to the spring, that's where they always put their flag."
"Why?" I wondered aloud.
"Because," she said. "Percy will be there, and since water is his specialty, the flag will be great over there." She made a face. "I think it's cheating, really."
I laughed, me and Hazel both sprinting past the trees. "Be careful," she said. "There'll be rogue campers her-"
Clarisse came running to us, charging at both of us with all her might. I sidestepped right before her spear pierced the area I had previously stood on.
Whilst Clarisse ran to get the spear, Hazel took out her own and lunged at Clarisse. I took out my dagger, golding it at Clarisse's throat.
I was about to say something before Clarisse rolled her eyes and started talking, much to my dismay. "Oh shut up, and just put me to -"
"I wasn't going to say anything." Hazel said, laughing a little.
"I was talking to princess over here."
Clarisse replied.
I rolled my eyes. "Don't call me that."
"I can call you whatever I want." Clarisse scoffed, Hazel holding her and making her walk back to our area.
"Hey Hazel!" I cried, pointing at myself. "What about me?"
Hazel turned towards me. "Go to the other team's flag, I'll be right behind you."
I nodded, and ran to the supposed spring, turning my head to the left and right out of caution.
"Put your dagger down." Piper's voice echoed into my mind, her voice dripping with so much charmspeak that I nearly dropped my own. I had learnt of that 'charm' a few weeks ago, and I was suprised at how good it was.
I noticed Katie Gardner, a Demeter girl, behind Piper saying a few incantations. I looked down at Piper's leg, smiling triumphantly as a thick vine snaked around it.
Piper looked down too, and gasped. I heard her mutter 'crap' as the vine pulled her up towards the canopy of the trees.
"Katie!" She called. "Put me down!"
Katie Gardner's face was full of concentration, starting to become red. "Go," she called. "I can only hold her for so long."
I nodded and sprinted off to the flag, I could see a small blue marker. Smiling triumphantly, I sprinted towards it. I was panting now, my breath becoming ragged after running for so long.
"What's this?" Jason asked teasingly.
I groaned in reply. "Are you kidding me?"
Jason sent a gust of wind at my feet, causing me to fall. "You really should go back to your base."
"Why? You can't fight me?" I answered, holding a tree to get up from the ground. "Too good for you?"
Jason laughed, setting back down. "Old school?"
I shrugged. "It'll only make it fair."
Jason ignored my last comment, and used his spear to stab my arm. I dodged, though the tip still grazed my elbow.
"Ouch." I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You need a bandage?" Jason replied, and I rolled my eyes, he was coming closer now. I could use that as an advantage.
Suprisingly, Jason lunged at my head, and I ducked behind a tree. The spear was lodged into the tree trunk, and I laughed. Using my dagger, I aimed at his throat.
"I think you know what's next."
He muttered a few curses, and I shouted for someone to come. A Haphaestus kid I didn't know the name of came over, holding Jason and carrying him back.
This was easy, I thought, as I plucked the flag out from the ground. Too easy.
"Did you really think no one was guarding the flag?" Percy asked, he was in the spring, a sword in his hand.
I didn't reply, only shrugged and took off. Well, I tried to, the water in the spring was making it hard for me to run. I cursed loudly.
"Stupid water powers, of course." I muttered.
He was coming closer now, and a crud was forming. I'm about to be humiliated in front of a crowd, I thought. Yay me.
"Do you want to fight?" Percy asked. "Or just hand it back to me."
I pretended to be in thought. "I think I'll fight if that's all right with you."
Percy smiled, and lunged with his sword at my legs, and I dodged. Why do I always dodge? I thought to myself.
The flag in my hand was slowing me down, and I threw it on the ground, taking out my dagger.
The smell of the spring was starting to increase, and I turned too late, only to see a wave of water crash down on me. I dropped to the ground coughing, trying to get my hair out of my face.
"That's not fair!" I cried, his campers whooping in excitement.
I looked around while Percy was coming towards me, and noticed Leo standing there, looking at me in the eye. I didn't know what he was planning to do, but I needed it.
I nodded slightly, but Percy saw. "What are you doin-"
His voice was drowned out by the waves of fire coming his way. Percy managed to make a wall of water, blocking the attack. Leo, however, kept on doing it, throwing with all his might, Percy concentrating on not getting burned to remember about me.
Using this as my chance, I grabbed the blue flag and ran as fast as my legs could. My lungs were pounding in reply, but I carried on, knowing that the next day I would have painful cramps.
My team were cheering in reply, but I couldn't cheer with them, because Percy was running to me now, and so were all of his team.
A massive gust of wind made me trip over, but I threw the flag at Hazel, who was a couple of metres ahead of me.
"Go!" I cried, "get to our base!"
Hazel ran, there were only a few metres now, and I was laying on the floor watching, too tired and sore to get up. The whoops and cheers from my team signified that we had won, and I half heartedly raised one of my arms in reply.
"Woohoo!" I said, though my throat was burning.
"Want some help?" I turned around, Percy holding out his hand. I took it whilst thanking him.
"You cheat." He said playfully, and I rolled my eyes whilst smirking.
"All's fair in love and war." I replied, quoting one of my most favourite Shakespeare quotes, one that I used a lot in my essays.
Percy froze for a second. "Woah woah woah, you said 'love'."
I scoffed, stuttering a little. "I, I meant the war bit." I insisted. "You know that."
"You still said love." Percy smirked.
I walked faster, sending out a reply.
"You know what I meant!"
His voice was muffled due to the shouts but I could still hear the words he said.
"You still said love!"
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