"What are you doing here? You already caused everyone enough pain."

"Nice to see you too." Hera said. She placed her hand on Annabeth's forhead.

"Seriously, what do you want from us?" He felt rage build up inside him.

"Why, I am here out of generosity. You young heroes have done well for me these past few years, and I believe if anyone could find my golden apples, it would be you and your friends. But in two days? That is impossible. Precisely two days, 16 hours, 32 minutes, 26 seconds, 25, 24..."

"Okay, okay I get it. What do you want us to do then."

"Well, I am here to extend your time. I will give the daughter of Athena one week to live. You have exactly seven days until young Annabeth's time is up. Better hurry, for when her time comes, I cannot heal her."

Percy wanted to scream. But he kept it in. "So when we get your golden apples back, you will heal her right?"

"What do you think I am? I am nothing if not one of my word." She crossed her arms. "And of course. I have brought you this to keep track of time." She reached over to the nightstand next to Annabeth to grab a branch with seven purple leaves on it. "This branch is enchanted, one leaf for each day you have left. You have until the last leaf falls off the branch to return me my golden apples. Otherwise my magic can no longer save your friend. The poison will take over."

Hera gave Percy the small branch. It was about the size of his middle finger. Percy heard Annabeth mutter "Percy" in her sleep. Percy fought back tears. Percy had never been so emotional in his life. He didn't even know what emotions exactly...sadness... anger...regret... But he did know one thing for sure. Annabeth wasn't going to die. They had been through too much for her to just die from some smoke poison.

"I cannot stay any longer. Remember, seven days. Good luck, my young hero."

And just like that, she was gone.