The nine of them, Jason, Leo, Piper, Frank, Calypso, Hazel, Nico, Reyna, and Percy, sat down at a table in the cafeteria. None of them had food. We were all too distressed about Annabeth. Their clothes were all sloppy, and it looks like no one had brushed their hair. Jason had a cowlick to one side of his hair and his glasses were crooked, the buttons on his shirt were in the wrong button hole. Piper had on the same singed clothes she had on from the battle with the smoke spirits. Hazel and Piper's eyes both were red from tears and lack of sleep. None of the rest of them looked like they had any sleep either.

Percy knew for one thing he hasn't eaten or slept all night after finding out there could be a cure... that was if there was enough time to get to it. He kept thinking how if he would have paid more attention... no. He couldn't blame himself, Annabeth wouldn't want him to hate himself his whole life if she were to die. Percy clenched his fist and tried to hold back a sob. Piper looked over at him with sympathy. She frowned. Percy blinked away tears. Percy had fought and defeated the titan Kronos, he had fallen into Tartarus and escaped, he had defeated Gaea's army. Looking back on that, all of that pain felt like a trip to Disney World compared to this. Percy would rather get stabbed a thousand times in the heart, it would probably hurt a lot less than the aching he is facing now.

"Alright everyone," said Nico. "We think we know what could cure Annabeth of the smoke poison." Just then everyone suddenly became alert with their full attention on Nico. "I recieved a dream from Hera last night. Her golden apples have been stolen from her. Percy says he might have information on where and who might have taken them." He looked at Percy, who was picking at Riptide's cap. "Percy?" Percy was still distracted by his pen.

Jason touched his shoulder. "Hey, Percy bro." Percy jumped, then he suddenly became aware that everyone was staring at him.

"Right," Percy said, he put Riptide back in his pocket, "so yeah. Um, the person who took the apples." He paused to look at the ceiling for a brief moment. Then he looked back at everyone. "So when Annabeth and I were in Tartarus, we met this God of poison, Akhlys. She tried to kill us, but I managed to defeat her, temporarily. I believe that she has returned from Tartarus and has not only captured the golden apples, but captured the Goddess of smoke, Hestia." He turned to Leo. "Do you think you could build a boat or something?"

Leo paused for a three count, "I don't know man, that takes a while, it could take a few weeks or so-"

"We don't have a few days, Leo! Annabeth is dying. She might only have three days to live!" Percy couldn't finish his sentence. He broke. He sobbed into his hands and said Annabeth's name. Piper walked over to him and she wrapped her arms around him.

"Percy its okay. We are going to find these apples and so help me Gods, Hera will cure her." She patted his back softly. "But we need to be strong, and confident. Annabeth needs to have some reassurance, that is the best we can do for her right now."

"Your right." He wiped his eyes with his sleeves. He stood up. "I am going to check on Annabeth. Wait." Percy's eyes brightened. He faced Leo again. "Leo! Your dragon! Festus. Do you think he could take all of us?"

"Can Festus carry nine people? Schist, he could carry half of Camp Half-Blood! I am going to go give Festus some fuel! Be back in a minute!" Leo bolted out of the room.

Calypso stood. "I should go help him." She ran outside after Leo.

Percy smiled half-heartily. He walked down the hallway to Annabeth's room. When he turned to walk into her room he froze in his place. He saw a familiar figure sitting on the bed, staring at Annabeth. Her auburn hair was braided greek style. She wore a long white dress.

"Please, come in my young hero." She smiled at him.

"Hera."