Let’s just say shadow traveling was odd for Annabeth. She knew the boys had both done it before but neither of them could give a clear description of what to expect. Percy had said it being similar to a roller-coaster thrill. Nico had just said how tiring it was for him. And neither of those came close to what Annabeth experienced.

Now it’s not like she’s scared of the dark, but since Tartarus things were different. Besides this wasn’t just regular darkness, they literally became it. They became the void, and the blackness, and the emptiness. It was like she couldn’t see again and she was being dragged further and further away from what she needed.

She couldn’t feel Percy’s hand anymore. She wasn’t stupid; she knew she was holding him. She could feel something in her hands and she could tell it was him, but it wasn’t. He wasn’t squeezing her hand back, and at a moment like this why wouldn’t he. He knew she’d be scared, he had seen it in her face before the left with Nico. Why would he just stop holding on. She was relying on him, she was trusting him. HA! Trust! A pathetic excuse! You should trust no one girl; it will only end in death! The awful voice from her dream was there again. Just echoing back the worst of her fears. The fears it had planted in her brain.

---

She was snapped back to reality (thank the gods), and she was there trying to support two people. The shadow travel had clearly exhausted Nico, just like he had warned. And Percy wasn’t even conscious. He would’ve collapsed straight on to the floor if when they left he hadn’t already been leaning heavily on Annabeth. Despite his own obvious lack of wellbeing, Nico had rushed over to try and help.

“Ah,” Said a voice that sounded oddly familiar even though Annabeth couldn’t place it. “I see someone’s showed up a little early. I hope he doesn’t expect a cheaper fair, I’ll have no exceptions.”

“Shut up, Charon!” Nico snapped. Of course, Annabeth thought to herself, not realising why it hadn’t clicked sooner (though that was probably something to do with her unconscious boyfriend). They had met Charon on their first quest together. Nico said he was going to take them to an entrance to the underworld; it only makes sense for it to be this one. “And no he hasn’t come early, this isn’t a permanent trip. We need three seats down and none of us will be paying.”

“Yes, Sir.” Charon said, clearly not pleased. “But when that one doesn’t make it back,” he added pointing at Percy, “I want his payment.”

Nico hurled round, which he definitely shouldn’t have done in his state, and rounded on Charon. “No, you’ll have no such thing!” He tried to interrupt but Nico was on a roll, “You are paid to do as my father and anyone in his family says. That includes me. Now do what you’re paid for!”

Charon snorted, “Not paid enough though, am I? Especially for having to deal with demigods.” He shook his head, “Last ones I dealt with got a ride across, promised to mention a pay rise, and nothing came of it. Half-bloods!” He scoffed, and then looked directly at Nico. “Can’t trust ‘em.”

“We mentioned your pay rise.” Annabeth said nonchalantly, still keeping her attention on trying to wake up Percy. “Not our problem if your boss didn’t listen, and we did have our own problems to deal with.”

“Hmm, thought you two looked familiar, you and the dead one.” That earned him a scowl from Nico, but Annabeth hadn’t turned around yet, she didn’t dare take her eyes off Percy for a moment; even if Charon deserved a punch in the face. “Yeah, you were here with a satyr, right? That was…ten years ago?”

“Eight.” Annabeth corrected, out of habit more than anything else, she really couldn’t care less how long it had been since she, Percy and Grover were last at this entrance.

“So…” Nico prompted, “Our ride?” Charon was about to add something but before he could- “And I’ll mention your help to my dad, ask him for your raise.” He nodded satisfied.

“Right then,” Charon smiled, clearly much happier now about helping. “Shall we get you on board?”

Annabeth shook her head, tears threatening to start falling. “We can’t. Percy still isn’t awake. Ambrosia and nectar aren’t helping. He isn’t waking up.”

“They aren’t going to help, remember Annabeth. Will tried before, nothing happened. Just think on what I said, once we’re in the underworld he’ll start to improve, we just need to get him on Charon’s boat.”

“He’ll start to improve because he’s dyin-“

“CHARON!” Nico shouted. “STOP! Just…just help us carry him.” He arched an eyebrow. “Please.” Nico added with an exasperated sigh and an eye roll.

Nico and Charon together lifted Percy and carried him onto the boat. Charon could’ve easily done it himself but I think Nico just didn’t trust him. Annabeth stayed rooted in her spot, still staring blankly at the space where Percy’s lifeless body had laid.

Notes

Yeah I know it's been a few days, sorry. But I was doing mock exams in school then I was ill but it's here, the next chapter.