End of the Line

#3 - The Prophecy

Chapter 3 - The Prophecy
published: Wednesday, 2 January 2019

Annabeth opened her eyes and the infirmary came into view. She recognised the smell and the white walls from being in there often enough.

She shifted slowly, feeling herself on a comfortable mattress. To her right, Jason was slumbering peacefully, his face still a worrisome shade of white and purple.

Annabeth glanced to her left, where Connor Stoll was lying on the bed, eyes closed and unmoving. Travis stood next to his bed, catching his hand with tears brimming in his eyes.

Annabeth struggled to get up. The cuts on her wrists were already sealed up, probably from ambrosia or nectar. She spotted the golden drink on her bedside table and took a quick sip. Instantly, she felt a million times better.

Annabeth sighed as the previous day flooded back into her mind.

Piper had been kidnapped. Jason had been stabbed right through his gut. She didn't know how her other friends were doing, but Annabeth made a silent prayer.

"You okay?" Annabeth asked Travis in a low voice.

He glanced up at her with red-rimmed eyes. He didn't reply.

"How is he?" Annabeth glanced at Connor. "What happened.

"The cloaked guy got to him," Travis said miserably. "I knew I should've held him back. I'm supposed to protect him. He's my little brother." His voice cracked at the last word.

Annabeth wished she could hug Travis. He was one of her oldest friends, and they'd known each other practically since she arrived at camp. "It'll be fine." She wished she could give him a more convincing arguement.

"Yeah. He'll be fine." Travis sounded like he was trying to reassure himself.

The infirmary door opened and Will Solace stride in, clipboard in hand and medical coat donned, like a real doctor. "Hey, Annabeth."

He walked up to Travis and whispered something to him.

Annabeth caught some words in their conversation. "...sleep...awake all night..."

Travis started to protest, when Will tapped his clipboard. "Doctor's orders."

Travis reluctantly left after a few minutes, forcing Will to promise to send word if anything changed with Connor.

"Sorry about that," Will told Annabeth. "At least you're awake now."

She nodded. "I feel great."

Will raised an eyebrow. "Really? You passed out from a loss of blood."

"I feel great," Annabeth repeated.

Will walked closer to her and seemed to be having officially in pushing out his words. "Annabeth, while I was healing you, I noticed...have you been eating well?"

Annabeth frowned. "Of course, why would you ask me that?"

"I mean, you're so close to being malnutritioned that it's worrying, Annabeth. From what I've seen, it looks like you're starving."

Annabeth snorted. "Yeah, right. Why would I starve myself?"

Will shifted his weight uncomfortably. "See, there's this mortal condition—"

"Hey, Will," Nico greeted as he walked in. He kissed his boyfriend and then turned to Annabeth. "Oh, you're awake. Just in time. Chiron's calling a meeting of head counsellors. Are you okay to go?"

"Yes," Annabeth said immediately, sliding out of her bed. Will looked like he wanted to protest, but Annabeth shot him a look. "I'm fine," she insisted.