The warm breeze carried a hint of tropic with it. Amanda tilted her head allowing the sweet scent to carry past her, bathing her in its warm caress. Leaning over the windowsill she watched the Atlantic ocean waves crash on pink tinted sand. Why is it so beautiful here? She couldnt help but wonder, it was almost sinful for one location to be so breath taking. The sunlight seemed to tease the water, enticing the waves to jump higher and higher just for a gentle caress. For a moment the world was perfect, a world of endless water and a single pink beach. Am I supposed to use a Riiing Riiiing or use a then it ended, a single phone call shattering the perfection? Then it ended, a single phone call shattering the perfection.
“Hello, Amanda speaking.” She said, surprised at the irritation in her voice.
“Amanda! Weve been trying to reach you for over an hour! What have you been doing? You were supposed to meet us at the dock!” The voice on the other end of the line was was Trei, the energetic girl who convinced her to move all the way out to the Bermuda in the first place. She could almost see her, with her neon pink hair and permanently tan skin practicly dancing from agitation.
“Oh shit! Im so sorry, I totally forgot, I was... distracted for a moment.” She cleared her voice and mind, bringing herself back to reality. “Ill be there shortly, please say you waited up.”
“Of course we waited! Whats the point of us going Scuba Diving if your not going too? Geez your such a nucklehead sometimes.”
Amanda grinned as the line went dead, somehow she always seemed to be moving a million miles an hour and yet never tired out.

Wind rushed through her hair as she drove the familiar distance to the docks. They had been planning this scuba session for weeks, their first expadition into the mysterious Bermuda Triangle. No two people had the same views on it, one person would say it was nothing more then regular ocean while the next one would call it the work of the devil himself. Personally she leaned twords the “regular” ocean idea and considering its bad reputation they would be one of the first to actually dive through the water, who knew what was at the bottom of its depths? Glancing over the edge of the seat she double checked the scuba suites, full body suits “borrowed” from the reaserch facility that Trei worked at, strictly speaking they were for reaserching natural ocean life and their habitats. But as Trei had said, there was sure to be some wildlife in the triangle. They were deceptive looking pieces, supposedly they were made of something that made deeper pressures bearable for the frail human body. Something about “state of the art” materials and advancements. But as far as she could tell they were ordinary suites. Blue, yellow, and green material that clung to the body, complete with oversized air tank and goggles. Hopefully all the lessons she had paid for were suitable for “state of the art” suites. Maybe she should have asked about that before agreeing to this, she didnt want to have a volatile air tank explode on her while “borrowing” reaserch suites. That would be kinda hard to explain to the Bermudian authorities. She could see Trei trying to convince a firm tanned guard that they had never seen the suites before in their lives. The result was a fit of giggles that left her gasping for air as the other drivers glanced at her worridly. The road she was taking was relatively tourist populated, the majority of which were sitting comfortably in their taxies headed to one beach or another, while the occasional boater and native headed to the docks for a beautiful day on the water.

The beach and dock pulled into sight, along with the five individuals waiting for her, two gentlemen, one grizzled looking captain, and Trei and her sister Jamie. Pulling up beside the white van that Trei had shipped up here from her fathers home in the states, the custom and regualtions made it take nearly the entire year for it to arrive and since it had Trei was neigh inseperable from it. It dwarfed her small rental, a fact that Trei never stopped teasing her about.
“Anabeths here!” should I change anabeths name? It sounds like I stole it from lightning thief. A general clamour sounded as they rushed down the boardwalk and up to her, Jayce, the tall blond guy that Trei's sister had invited stepped up next to her.
“Need any help with the equipment?” His voice was sweet as he extended a hand in a gesture at the suites.
“Yeah, please do. Its nice to know that chivalry isnt dead afterall.” she said glaring pointededly at the dark haired Vinny who lingered next to Trei.
“It wouldnt be fair to make you carry them all, they look heavy.” He grinned, catching her not quiet hidden jab at his friend. “Any decent man would help out.” he added lifting two of the suites and carrying them back to the boat. With a scowl Vinny grabbed a suite and nearly dropped it with a startled, rather unmanly yelp.
“What the hell? These things weigha ton!” Vinny cursed colorfully, lifting the suit again and slowly marche back to the boat.
“Oh stop being a wuss Vin. Theyre not that heavy, I can even pick them up.” Trei pitched in, following Vin's laboured steps.
“Why dont you try lifting it then if your so strong?” He growled through gritted teeth.
“Alright, fine. I will. Hand it here.” She reached out and easily lifted it out of his arms. “See? Your just being a big pansy cuz you didnt want to help out.”
“How are you doing that? That thing easily weighs a ton!” Vin stared at her increndulously as she easily carried it to the boat. Walking past Jayce she rolled her eyes, to which he simply replied with a small smile.
“Wow Vinny, you must be really out of shape if Trei can lift more then you can.” He said with a laugh. “Maybe doing a little swimming will bulk ya up enough so that you can help us put these in Trei's truck after were done.” Jayce said patting Vin on the back as he walked past, reaching for the rest of the equipment.
“Im not lieing, how are you all picking this shit up? I couldnt even lift that suit, let alone carry it, and yall are picking em up like theyre nuthin.” Vins voice cracked as he spoke, obviousley distressed. “Cmon, stop screwing with me, your setting me op arent you?”
“Ha, how do you suppose were doing that? What I made the suites to be heavier just for you? Get real.” Jayce grinned, shaking his head.
“Do we have everything Anabeth?” Trei asked, holding up a small bottle to her lips, Anabeth nearly laughed at the hungry expression in Vinns eyes. “Whats so funny? Do I have something on my face?”
“No, its nothing.” She smiled over Trei's shoulder at Vinn, mouthing “Im onto you.” While Trei anxiously wiped her face.
“Did I get it off? Its off right? Anabeth!”
“Huh? Oh sorry, yeah you got it off, your beautiful again.” Anabeth said with a laugh, turning her attention back to her friend.
“Good. I dont want to look unpretty now do I? So do we have everything or not?”
“I brought the suites you “borrowed”” Anabeth made quotations in the air with her fingers. “Youd have to ask the boys if they brought the rest.”
Trei nodded absentmindedly. “Yeah, Jayce has the food and Vinn brought the camera. I think thats everything.” Turning to the three laughing men on the deck of the boat she cupped her hands and yelled. “You bums ready for the greatest scuba mission of your lives?”
They responded with a their own cheers. Jayce gave a thumbs up while the elderly captain ducked around to the stearing room. ((find name of stearing room)).
“Shes ready for ya, if ya are ready to get goin.” The old man called over. “Id like to get going while im still young you know.”
“Alright were going then? Good. Lets go!” Trei dashed up and onto the boats deck. “Cmon Anabeth! Lets get going!'
Anabeth turned back to the land, watching the beautiful world she had just stepped from. A sinking feeling filled her, like she was never going to look at this island the same way again if she left now.
“Anabeth! Comon! Lets go!” Treis voice filled the air, shaking her from her repreieve.
“Im coming! Hold your horses, geeze.” Anabeth said stepping back away from the alluring beauty of the island. “Alright, lets go.”



The open sea was a altogether different kind of beauty, a more aweinspiring passionate beauty that existed unaltered by human hands. Anabeth watched the water with a riveted fascination, constantly trying to see a little deeper then she already could, like if she could just look past the limit of her sight she could see a whole new world underneath.
“Looking for Atlantis?” Anabeth jerked back from the rail startled, turning around she found herself inches away from Jayces broad grin. Eye to tooth as a matter of fact.
“Jeeze Jayce, your scared me half to death!” Anabeth scolded playfully.
“Least you didnt fall in. You looked so peacefull I just couldnt help but disturb you.” His grin broadened at her dark glare. “Oh cmon, you know im teasing, captain wanted me to tell ya that were almost there.”
“You could have done it more gently Jayce.” She said sternly
“And wheres the fun in that? Cmon, weve gotta get suited up. I think that leaving Vinn with Trei was a bad idea.”
“You actually left them alone together? You know that Trei will kill you for that right?”
“Yeah, but Vinn begged me to, hes been dieing to be alone with her.” He said with a sly wink.
“Thats why shes going to kill you, she doesnt want to deal with Vinns immature crush, she made that mistake back in highschool.” Anabeth shook her head. “Dont you boys ever learn?”
“In his defense, she broke up with him. He still thinks it would have worked out.”
“They were Sixteen! That sort of thing doesnt work at that age!”
A small shriek erupted from the rear of the boat, Anabeth and Jayce glanced at eachother in surprise. “You dont think that Vinn would....?” Jayce trailled off.
“Oh god, we better get to him before she hurts him for real this time.” Anabeth started to run off to save Vinn when Jayces hand clamped onto her arm.
“What do you mean, 'this time?'”
“Pray you dont have to find out.” Anabeth said slipping out of his hand. “Cmon, we have to save your friend.”
“Hey! Hes your friend to ya know!”
“Not when Treis involved. Girls over boys, you know.”
It took a matter of seconds to navagate around to the scuba suites, Anabeth stops dead in her tracks at the sight of two wriggling bodies, one of them Trei with her arm wrapped around the others neck.
“Say uncle! Say it!” Trei called tauntingly, pinning the helpless form of Vinn to the deck.
“Uncle you crazy witch! I said Uncle! Leggo!” He spat.
“Thata boy Vinn.” she said with a smile. “I told you that you couldnt beat me in a wrestle.”
“Fine! Theres no reason to try an kill me though!” Vinn managed between gasps of air.
“Oh please, stop being such a baby. I was barely restraining you and you know it.” Trei followed Vinns eyes and looked at Jayce. “Thats why you gave up so fast. Couldnt stand to lose yor manliness points?”
“Manliness points?” Jayce laughed. “He lost those long ago. I think hes in debt by now actually.”
“Boys and girls, welcome to the Devils Waters.” The old mans voice startled them all, causing them to jump.
“This is it? How long until were in the center?” Trei asked excitedly.
“anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour.” He replied with a nervous glance out to the water. “If we make it at all.”
“Geeze, could you be any creepier Captn McClaen?” Trei responded with her usual bluntness.
“Perhaps. Maybe ill show you if we get out alive.” He grined and turns back to the machinery.
“Alright! Lets suite up and get ready for the time of our lives!” Trei lifted her fist into the air, accompanied by Vinns disaproving glare, Jayce casually unfolding his suite, and Anabeths own excited air pumping.

After thirty minutes of struggle Anabeth and the others finally manage to squeeze into the enhanced suites. Leaning against the rail Jayce checked and double checked the air tanks, making sure that everything was adjusted properly. Vinn paced back and forth, carefully avoiding Trei as she and Anabeth talked and waited.
“Damn it, I still cant get a signal.” Trei glared unhappily at her “Neon Pink” phone, which despite its name was actually more of a neon green. “That was the one thing I wish that wasnt true about the Bermuda Triangle.” She grumbled.
“What, your ok with us being kidnapped by aliens, eaten by sea monsters, or even assaulted by pirates?” Jayce said casually, dropping the airtank to the deck after its twentieth inspection.
“Well as long as the pirate looks like Captn Jack Sparrow, then yes im fine with it.” Trei said with a wink.
“And here I was thinking more along the lines of BlackBeard.” Jayce laughed again, holding out a hand for Anabeth. Curiouse she accepted and allowed him to lift her to her feet, then with a deft swoop picked her up and carried her to the bow of the boat. Extending their arms he held themselves arms out, soaring over the water.
“You do remember the guy dies in that movie right? Along with everybody else.” Anabeth smiles over her shoulder, not totally unhappy with the closeness between their bodies.
“Yeah, but not until after he and the girl got it going on in that car. Which we sadly seem to be lacking right now.”
“Were here.” with a squeal Anabeth spun around violently. Behind Jayce the old captain stood staring out into the water.
“You do this on purpose dont you?” She accused around Jayces shoulder.
“Yes I do, you would to if you were my age.” He smiled coyly at her. “Anyways, you two get any closer and id have to turn around out of embarassment, and Im sure you dont want to see me try to drive my boat backwards, it aint a pretty sight.”
“You say that like you had to do it before.” Jayce noted cooly.
“Lets just say that some of my clients arent as polite as you two.” the captain said with a wink. “Now lets get this over with. I want to go home to a nice cup of hot tea.”
“And I want to get out of this creepy-ass water, theyre giving me the creeps.” Vinn inserted in his casualy unhelpfull manor. “It feels like its sizing me up so it can take a nice big bite.” He glared at the water as if daring it to continue contemplating it.
“Your such a baby Vinn, theres not going to be anything “wanting a bite of you”. Trei said, smiling while making air quotes with her fingers. “The aliens arent going to abduct us for taking a peek for those ships anyways.” ((((Change reason for coming down to they were looking for sunken ships that no one could find about two or three years ago.... Reaserch?))))


Slipping into the water she drew an involuntary gasp as the cold washed over her.
(COULD BE WARM)“This is ridiculous! Its freezing!” Vinn cursed colorfully, trying desperatly to keep as much of himself out of the water as possible.
“Your only prolonging it, just jump in and youll quickly forget about the cold.” Trei said leaning over and prying his fingers from the boat. “Now here you go!” She laughed as he went flailing under the water. “Remember to keep your head above the water until your mask is on silly!”
“You she devil! Just wait till I get my hands on you!” Vinn erupted from the water, grabbing her around her waist and pulling her in with him. She fell in with a shriek of laughter.
“No fair! Your cheating!” She lauged, playfully struggling to get out of his embrace. “This waters too cold!”
Shaking her head Anabeth glanced down at the dark blue water suddenly eager to get under the surface as quickly as possible. “Comon guys, lets go.” Anabeth said, gesturing at the water under them. “This is a chance of a lifetime, lets not waste it.”
“Anabeths got a point, lets get going.” Jayce said slipping his goggles on, he was quickly mirrored by the others as they readied themselves. “Alright everybody, check your equipment, im going to go through the list.”
Anabeths eyes drifted over the expanse of blue, amazed by the sheer size, the raw power of the water around her. This is like a whole new world, a world of beauty that no one can take away. Something flashed out of the corner of her eye, quickly turning Anabeth managed to catch a glimpse of a water shined fin slip back under the water. What kind of fish was that? She wonders quizicly, leaning in for a closer look.
“Anabeth! Were you even listening?” Jayce's voice shattered her thoughts with her nose an inch above the water. “Seriously Anabeth, stop screwing around. This is important.”
“Huh? Sorry.... I saw something....” Anabeth said, desperatly trying to describe the rainbow like fin that she had glimpsed.
“Jeeze Anabeth, getting distracted at every shiny thing you see.” Vinn joked, playfully splashing some water in Anabeths direction, completley missing her and hitting Trei square in the face.
“Hey! Jerk! Im going to get you for that!” She squeals, retaliating with her own wave of water. Grinning he ducks under the water, only to reapear behind her and proptly pull her under after him.
“Stop fooling around Vinn.” Jayce sighed exasperated. “Anabeth, wanna be my partner? I dont think theyre going to be finished playing around for a while yet, and Id like to get a longer look at the water.” Jayce offered trying not to sound too eager. Anabeth hesitated a moment, glancing at her long time friend uncertainly before responding with a smile and a nod.
“Yeah, lets go. Thatll teach them a lesson.” She said teasingly before pulling the mask onto her face, wincing as it suctioned to her skin. Glancing at Jayce she saw him give a thumbs up, returning it they both gently slipped underneath the swell. Anabeth squinted, trying to see something, anything in the darkness. Looking around she looked to Jayce for guidance. No way im going to ask him how to operate this thing.... Hed give me no end of grief for not listening to him in the first place. Copying his movements exactly she traced a small button on the edge of her goggles, pressing it in she gasped as the world below her lit up. It was like the outlines of everything weere suddenly traced by a giant neon blue line, burning itself into her mind temporarily before fading away. Hitting the button again she carefully marked the lines in her mind, nothing much besides a few fish and some kind of rock formation further down. Gesturing to Jayce she pointed down, waiting until his nod of agreement before she set off deeper. Looking back she made sure the Yellow line was still attached between her and the boat. Satisfied she wasnt going to drift off she turned back to the deep blue and propelled herself downward. Pressing the button again the outline flashed again, this time clearer and more precise. The closer she got the more certain she became, the outcrop streached down seemingly infinitly, streaching beyond even the sensors reach. She knew that Jayce was only a short distance away, but she felt completley alone in the water, it was just her and the twisting spiral. Reaching out a hand she forced herself a little closer. The water cleared until she felt like she was swimming through liquid glass. The rock pulsed under her touch, a steady heated pulse that reverberated through her body. She gasped as it receded, reavealing a golden chain that hung suspended in the water in front of her. Releasing the stone she reached up and gripped the chain between her fingers, lifting it higher to admire the multitude of miniscule golden leaves, each one perfectly crafted to the point that she could swear that they had just fallen from a gold ladened tree. Its so beautiful, where did this come from? Something else flashed from inside the rock, catching her eye, turning back to the stone she found herself staring at another piece of gold, this time something as foul as the necklace was beautiful. A twisted bottle nestled in the rock, resting in the spirals tendrils. A thousand carvings were etched into its sides, a mixture of letters and images twisting together to form a visage of a cruel face caught in midsnarl. The face was ladened with scars streaching from the back of his eyes then spiderwebbing down his jaw, both scars perfect mirror images of eachother. The eyes were locked in a powerfull glare, the light darkened around them, making them apear nearly pitch black. Anabeth was frozen, her body refusing to move as those eyes searched her. Then it was over, the life dissapearing from them as suddenly as they had appeared. Anabeth realeased a sigh that she didnt know she had been holding, pushing herself closer again she made sure the chain was wrapped securley around her arm before reaching out for the rock again. The bottle was scalding hot to the touch, she released it in shock and desperatley examined her hand for the burn she was certain shed have. The fabric was completley untouched, she could only hope her hand was in as good of condition. Looking back to the container she reached around for the rope which she quickly looped around its neck and knotted in place, planting both feet against the rock and gripping the rope in both hands she planted her feet against the over heated stone and pulled. The bottle stubbornly didnt budge, she pulled until she couldnt pull anymore. Exhausted she turned around to ask Jayce for help, only to reallize that they had dissapeared. There was nothing, no boat, no friends, only her rope streaching up into the darkness. Shocked, she turned back to the bottle and watched the rope float past her, the end completley frayed and blackened. The bottle glared at her from its stone prison, daring her to stay and try again as her only way back floated away. With a curse Anabeth turned her back to the anomaly and fought her way back to the rope, grabbing it and looping it back around her waist. When she looked back the bottle and Stone were gone, taking their light with them. Fighting her way back to the surface felt like ages, all the while she realized her breaths were becoming shorter, each one more of an effort then the last. My air is running out. She realized, a jolt of fear running down her spine. I have to make it back to the surface quickly. Her time was running out and she knew it. She struggled upwards with a new ferocity, there was no way she was going to die now. Not before I find out whats in that bottle. She thought vicously. Her body screamed as she cut through the water, her lungs burned as the world darkened. Hitting the button on her goggles she saw nothing, no lines, no formations. Could they be that far up? Or can I just not see anything anymore? Which would be worse? Her body struggled to keep moving, but it was useless. Slowly she stopped struggling, giving the rope one last pull she flet her eyes close. Right before she sank into the darkness a single face passed through her vision, the face from the bottle, only this time kinder, the anger seemingly melted away, a single hand reached out and closed around her arm, melding to the kind touch she closed her eyes with a feeling of happiness she couldnt describe.

Her eyes flew open at the feeling of lips pressed to hers, she struggled sluggishly as it forced its own hot air into her. For a moment she found herself staring at the man from the bottle, but with a jolt it changed to the kind, accented face that unmistakably belonged to Jayce. He jumped back at her sudden revival. “Anabeth! Your alive!” He said excitedly, gripping her shoulders. “Anabeth, can you hear me?” Anabeth opened her mouth to respond but found her voice gone. Closing it she nodded uncertainly
“Guys! Shes awake! Wheres the rescue crew?” Jayce calls over his shoulder. Hazily Anabeth lifts her head and looked to who he was talking to, for a moment she was staring at the forms of Trei and Vinn and then the next she was staring into the two strangers faces, angelic faces. Reaching up she rubbed at her eyes with a trembling hand, opening her eyes to her friends concerned faces. What is happening to me? ((((HAVE HER SCAMBLE FOR THE WAIST POUCH (OR DEMAND IT) TO REASURE HERSELF THAT THE NECKLACE IS STILL IN IT.... SHE DOESNT TELL THEM ABOUT IT...... or do so at the hospital.... idk?????)))))
“Are you ok Anabeth?” Trei reached out, placing a tender hand on her cheak before turning to Jayce. “Is she ok? Why isnt she answering me?”
“Shes breathing at least, and theres something wrong with her voice. Now back up and give her some room to breath.” Anabeth could feel her worried stare as she backed away. “Now is the emergency crew coming or not?”
“Yeah, they said to stay put and that theyed be hear shortly.” Trei responded shakily. “Are you sure shes going to be ok? Should we really involve them in this?”
“Yes we should, now go get her a blanket ok? She needs to stay warm.” Dismissing her with a wave of his hand Jayce turned to Vinn. “Vinn! Get over here and secure the equipment, were going to follow Anabeth to the hospital and I dont want to lose our stuff in the process.”
“One step ahead of you.” Vinn replied with a smile, holding up the equipment he had been tieing to the rail.
“Thank... you....” Anabeth says with a sigh at the sight of the gold chain hanging around her wrist.
“Anabeth? Anabe-” Anabeth watches Jayce mouth words before the darkness closing in again.
((((instead OF HAVING HER GLANCE AT HER WRIST HAVE HER FRANTICLY REACH FOR THE SATCHEL THAT SHE HAD FOR THE TRIP, TRYING DESPERATLY TO BE UNOTICED, SHE DOESNT WANT ANYONE TO TAKE IT AWAY BECAUSE IT MAY BE A ARTIFACT OR IMPORTANT.... IT FEELS LIKE ITS HERS AND HERS ALONE. READ BACK OF PAGE WITH MOMS NOTES>>>>> WORK ON LATER)))

The world brightened again, this time revealing a white hospital room, complete with an ocean view. Anabeth groaned at the pain of turning her head to view the room, but was rewarded by the sight of her friends sitting in uncomfortable looking chairs by her side. Jayce opened his eyes at her sound of pain, his expression lighting up.
“Trei, vinn! Shes awake!” He hissed, shaking his compainions awake. “Wake up!” Annabeth grinned weakly at his enthusiasm.
“What, whats your problem Jayce?” Trei grumbled trying to twist out of his reach.
“Anabeths awake jackass! Get up!” with a well aimed kick, he sends both chairs flying out from under their occupants, ungraciously dumping them onto the ground.
“The hell Jayce? Cant a body get his sleep?” Vinn hissed, fixing him with slitted glare. Anabeth doubled over as she laughed, triggering another spasm of pain through the back of her head and down her spine. Jayce was by her side, holding her gently in his arms as he stroaked her hair. After a long moment it finally subsided, lifting a hand she took a deep calming breath.
“That hurt. A lot.” she smiled resting her hand on the one he had wrapped around her shoulders. “Thank you.”
At the sound of Anabeths voice both Trei and Vinn jumped to their feet, all traces of sleep replaced by worry as they crowded the bed.
“Anabeth are you ok? Where does it hurt? Should I get the doctor?” Trei interrogated at lighting speed, each question crowding for an answer.
“Trei, she needs her space and a doctor.” Vinn interuppted, gently touching her shoulder.
“If she needs her space then why does Jayce get to be there?” she asked accusationally, glaring at Jayce.
“Trei lay off it, just give her some space to breath ok?” Then to Jayce he said. “Ill go get the doctor.” Jayce noded appreaciatlively as Vinn walked around them to the door. “Its good to see your up Anabeth.” He said simply, dissapearing through the door, refusing her a chance to respond.
“Hes was just worried.” Trei answed her unspoken question when Anabeth turned back to her. “Weve been here for ages.”
“What happened? Howd I get here?” Anabeth said, shocked by the fragility of her voice.
“You were under for nearly two whole hours Anabeth, we couldnt find you at all, even the signal given off by the suit dissapeared.” She looks back to the window, and the sea beyond it before continuing. “Then you just reapeared, nearly suffocated. Anabeth where did you go? Theres nothing in that water for miles down.”
“I dont know, I cant remember anything really... nothing solid.” Anabeth says thinking back on the container, and the face, how she nearly was trapped down there with it.
Him. You were nearly trapped down with him. Give the man a little respect wont you? Anabeth Jerked back in surprise, a cry of pain escaping her lips as she clipped Jayces jaw with her head.
“You ok Anabeth?” Jayce grits through his teeth, rubbing at his jaw.
“Yeah im fi-”
“Get off that bed young man! Give the injured their space!” Anabeth was cut off by a balding man in scrubs at the door. “Go on! Move it!” Jayce hurridly complies, sliding off the bed, giving her a gentle hug before stepping out of the doctors reach. “Alright young lady, lay back down please.” Turning to her friends he roughly gestures at the door in a uncerimouniously obvious dismissal.
“Well be back soon Anabeth.” Trei says gently, as they walked out.
“Now im going to give you a simple shot ok? This will only hurt for a second.” A prick followed by an avalanch of darkness swept Anabeth away from her body and enveloped her.

She was swimming, no she was floating, floating in an ocean of black. Nothing existed, nothing mattered, it was only her in an empty ocean. She was free of emotions, pain, even free of thought itself.
Anabeth. Anabeth, where are you? A voice drifted across her, echoing through her, filling her from head to toe, giving her a body again. Her eyes opened, this time not to a hospital room in the Bahamas, but instead to the breathtaking sight of an ocean paradise. A small island extended from the ocean floor below, an invisible bubble keeping the water away. And there, on the paradise surrounded by water was a man with his back to her, she stared at him as a feeling of familiarity crept over her, where had she seen him before? And what was this feeling creeping through her so slowly? Something about his broad tanned back and the tussled black hair called to her. Even the scars that ran from his shoulder down below the edge of his black pants were hauntingly familiar, she could almost feel them under her fingers, the feel of his arms around her, lips faintly brushing hers, a voice whispered through her. Anabeth, find me.
“Im here.”
He turned around.

The light burst through as she opened her eyes with a start. She was back in the hospital room, by her sides were her friends, on her wrist the small golden leafed chain, and the world of man all around her. She never felt so dissapointed.



“Damnit!” he was so close, she had been right there! Right under his fingertips! He stared at the wall of water that surrounded the island, his prison. Closing his eyes he conjured up her image, there was no doubt about it, it was definitly her, she hadnt changed even after all this time. Green eyes that pierced the soul, her lips gently pressed against his, a ghost of their shared love.
“Dont mope around so, it makes you look depresing Thrayce.” (Thetis and Eurynome ) Turning back around he was face to face with a beautifull young woman, golden seaweed curled through her hair, wrapping around into a circlet across her brow.
“Thetis.” he said simply, gritting his jaw. “Why havent you let me go by now? You know Im not to blame for him. He knew his fate when he left.”
“Your right, its Patroklos' fault that he met his fate. But it was your fault Patroklos ever laid hands on that armor. If you had given taken it away when it was refused he would still be alive.” Thetis' eyes watered as she spoke, her body shaking under the pale blue dress. “Why do you bring up the past? Cant you just stay here and take his place? Is that so much to ask for my sons life?”
“You know he would die. Hera told you herself, and yet you let him go. No, there is no justice in this. I am not your son, and I never will be. What would father say to this? Do you not love him like your son as well? Why hurt him this way?”
“Your father left as well, leaving us for a mother that did not love him. He left us alone again, my child taken by the woman who never loved him. She takes all my children! Is it not fair that im allowed to keep at least one?” Her voice shook, the water around her vibrating with it.
“You know this is wrong, he didnt leave you for her. He left to prove that he was just as good as his parents. He had to prove his honor. Your child is not gone from you, he has simply continued on his path.” Thrayce gestured wildly at the cealing of water above him. “If you were to just release me id tell him how lonely you are, hed bring you and Euryonome to visit him, if you asked hed even allow you to stay with him in olympus! Just let me get him for you!”
“No, you will just leave and never return, they all leave without looking back, they all leave me behind without thinking of their mother. No, you killed my son, now you must replace him. Just as your brother said.” her voice faded as she submerged, dissapearing into the water.
“I did not kill Achillies! His blood is his own fate! Let me leave in the name of your child let me leave!” Thrayce called desperatley, slamming his fist into the water. “Let me go, give me back.”


The next few days were a blur for Anabeth, she was back on her feet in under a week, and feeling as good as new in two. Eventually life went back to normal, Trei and Vinn went back to the company and Jayce stopped calling her everynight to check on her after the second week, settling instead for every other night. Her experiences under the water were brushed off as hallucinations brought on by extreme pressure and a lack of oxygen, though noone had an explanation for the bracelet. She briefly allowed Trei to handle it but she just handed back shaking her head, saying: “Sorry darlin, ive never seen it before in my life... are you sure you didnt buy it on the way here?” Briefly she wondered if they were right, maybe she had bought the bracelet, maybe her memories were still a litlle muggy from her brush with death. But then why did you dissapear for so long? And what about him? Theres no way you could make him up... is there?
A sharp ringing shook her out of her thoughts, the phone next to her sounded smugly.
“Damn you, I should just toss you out of the window.” She mutters angrily as she lifts it off of its stand. “Yes, hello?”


Anabeth found herself staring at it again, the golden bracelet played with the last red gold rays of the setting sun. The clasp was undone, and she brought it to her neck for the tenth time in the last hour, and following the same patter that she did the last nine times she hesitated before she could clasp the ends together. Repeating the same thing she did all nine times before she lowered it from her neck and stared at it again, her bare feet pressing against the worn deck boards as she leaned forward to make it catch more of the light. Hundreds of tinly leaves cauht the perfect light, bathing golden edges in oranges and reds, reminding her of the Fall's back home in the states.
“Beautifull.” She wispered, as much to herself as to the necklace.
As are you.
She gasped as the voice echoed inside her head, its warmth sending chills down her back.
“Who are you?” She said cautiously, clenching the necklace to her chest. But the voice was gone.