Book 3: Chapter 53: Annabeth

Book 3: Chapter 53: Annabeth
Annabeth

The plan was easy. Probably one of the more simple plans we'd ever created. Not that we really had time for an elaborate plan. I knew Lexy was probably annoyed that we didn't already have a contingency plan after the attack on the last house we stayed in, but she was just getting back on her feet, and the rest of us had other things to worry about. Not all of us could be ten steps ahead all the time. That was her specialty, not mine. Or at least it had been. 
Jake's eyes met mine as Alex met with a couple of the Captains of Camp Hellion, and we stood outside the tent uselessly. We had portalled as close to the Camp as we could even though it was only a couple miles away. Everyone was paired with a buddy. Rae with Calynn. Matt with Lexy and Alex. And Jake with me. I thought the buddy system was a little childish, but it seemed to make everyone feel a little more comfortable, so I didn't complain. Jake was almost always my buddy. Not that we really talked anymore. Not since I had started dating Austin. But yet he was also who I felt the most comfortable around. I didn't know what that really meant, and I didn't know if Austin and I were even still dating after our fight the other day. 
I knew it was a big deal that the Allasigh stone had been discovered in the werewolves' possession, but I hadn't even begun to process all that. Especially since Lexy had first met Austin in the maze in a fight for the singular piece of the Allasigh stone that we did have. It felt a bit like a set-up if I thought too hard about it, and I wasn't really ready to ask those questions yet. 
"So, are things sorted?" I asked as Alex exited the tent behind the Captains and Officers who had been debriefed on the situation. 
"As sorted as they can be. They're prepared for an attack and know how to reach us if it comes to blows. They have a couple of tricks up their sleeves for moments like this that will hopefully keep them hidden and protected." 
"What if it doesn't?" Lexy asked quietly. She was gripping her backpack straps so tightly her knuckles were white. 
"Then they know what to do." Alex responded, not looking at her. 
"I can't sacrifice myself, but you can sacrifice a whole camp?" 
"Lexy." He sighed, and I knew it was taking everything in him not to yell at her. "We aren't doing this right now." 
She glowered at him but didn't say anything. The new Lexy was quieter. I don't know if I'd call her more restrained, but she definitely wasn't nearly as pushy as she used to be. 
Jake grabbed my arm and started leading the way toward the edge of camp. We were expecting an ambush, but if they were in our woods, I knew they wouldn't take too long to figure out we were there. 
Lexy followed without another word, Alex hot on her heels. Rae and Calynn had the portal set up and ready for us, and I was grateful for the efficiency of our group. 
The disgruntled, nervous soldiers worried me a little. They had spotted something in the trees that made everyone nervous, but we weren't sticking around to see what it was. Not when it was us that they wanted. It was our best chance at protecting them. 
Everyone paired back up, and Simon appeared to pair with Alex, who didn't look thrilled with the new pairing. Alex kept Simon away from us most of the time, I had always wondered if it was because of us or if it was because of Simon. Both seemed equally as plausible. Every time Simon was in the room he was pleasant enough, but I couldn't help but think there was more to it. 
"There is." Lexy whispered as we waited for the secure message Rae was going to send shortly. 
"There is what?" I asked in surprise. 
"More to it." 
"At least a bit anyway." She added as an afterthought. 
I gave her a curious look, but she didn't look back at me. I didn't know if we were truly friends or if we were just strangers with too much information fighting for the same cause, and I didn't know what I wanted it to be either. 
She didn't say anything else... She just sat down on the ground and stared toward the camp entrance with a dazed expression as if she was just waiting for someone. My stomach sank as I realized she probably was... I also didn't miss the way Seth kept staring at her, his gaze full of concern and conflicting feelings. 
"She'll be fine." Matt whispered in my ear as the portal came to life now that we were all gathered together again, our various tasks all completed. 
I gave an incredulous look as to say I don't believe him, but he just shrugged before saying, 
“It’s just a lot. She has been the only one making decisions in her life for a long time. She may not seem it, but she’s terrified. And being close to you terrifies her even more. It’s not that she doesn’t trust you. She doesn’t trust them. She doesn’t just have to worry about herself or you. She has to worry about Calynn. And her parents. And everyone else in between. So, it’s not that she doesn’t trust you. It’s not that she doesn’t care about your opinion. She just only takes calculated risks. And this one is big. This one could blow up in our faces. They followed her for years. She’s not stupid. She’s just scared. So cut her some slack, okay?”  
"She could say that," I mumbled as she got up and jumped through the portal without her buddy. 
"She could." Matt agreed. "But she won't. It's not in her nature. And you of all people know that, Annabeth."  
I sighed, hating that I did.