Book 3: Chapter 54: Annabeth

Book 3: Chapter 54: Annabeth
Annabeth

Traveling through the portal on a good day was disconcerting enough, but travelling with luggage was a whole different story. My hand ripped violently from Jake's, and the ground came rushing up too fast to even attempt to get my feet under me. I didn't know what happened in the portal, but my bag hit the ground just inches away from my face where I had crashed into the grass. 
"Shitttt." Jake groaned as he pulled himself off the ground and offered me a hand. "Are you okay Princess?" 
I took his hand and nodded. I was a little sore, but I was fine. But to my surprise, the portal was closed behind us. I looked around for everybody else, but there was a flurry of chaos that I had a hard time making sense of anything. We must have landed on the Gala side of the border as my brain slowly processed that I recognized some of the people around from when I was there a few days ago. 
“Princess Annabeth,” A young girl, no older than 12, walked over to us. “Mr. Graening. Are you guys okay?" 
I looked back at the portal that was closed and wondered where my brother and Simon were, and had Rae and Calynn come through yet? I didn't see them... Had they intentionally closed the portal? That felt unlikely, but I didn't know why else it would have closed like that. 
"Fine," I answered trying to shake off the weird feeling I felt taking over. 
"I'm Izzy. If you’d come with me, I can show you where Lexy suggested you stay.”   
I looked around scanning the people who were around for Lexy. The girl seemed to know her well... Or at least well enough. 
I nodded uncertainly, but I was determined not to show that I was beginning to get a bad feeling about this.   
“Where is Lexy?” Jake asked, as he reached his hand out to me, and I grabbed it, gracious he could read me so well. 
“She's over there.” The girl paused, pointing in the opposite direction that we were going. “She's gonna stay on the Gala side. I could tell it’s been a long day for her. She was very pale, and her cheeks were flushed. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but Ms. Leah told me to leave her alone for a while and let her get settled. But I’ve missed her so much. It’s hard not to just go over and hug her for a 1000 years.”   
“Leah Steele is here?” I asked, that fact taking me by surprise. 
“Yes. She brought us here right after she heard from Lexy what the plan was.”   
“Us?” It was Jake’s turn to be surprised.   
“Yes. Lexy left us in Ms. Leah’s care, when she had to return to Calina a while ago. She said it wasn't safe to stay with her anymore.” The girl, Izzy, said matter-of-factly, 
“Who is us?” Jake questioned, looking at me confused, his face asking if I had known this, but I was just as lost as him.   
“Jamie, me, and Lysabeth. We lived with Lexy for a while. She helped us look for our parents, we think they’re still alive somewhere in Locke, but it’s been a long time.”   
“Oh, you’re siblings.” I stated, understanding a little bit better. At least I thought I did. 
“No,” The girl answered quickly. “Jamie and I are friends, and we found Lyssa in a prison when she was real little.”   
My heart clenched for these children and I was reminded of that vision I had had a while ago. 
“Izzy!” A boy called out and the name rang a bell as a memory came creeping back. 
“Jamie!” She cried happily as he approached.   
“I just saw Lexy. Matt is helping her move her stuff closer to the border. She looks rough."  
I felt another jolt of surprise rush through me. They were only children, but they knew Lexy had a long day. They probably knew Lexy better than I did at this point.   
I could see her in the distance now, but she looked normal to me. She was interacting with people, and smiling as though everything was fine, but the kids were right, her face pale and flushed.  
“Your majesty,” The dark hair boy brought me out of my thoughts as he bowed in front of me. “I meant no disrespect.”   
I waved him off, and elbowed Jake, who was trying not to laugh. 
“I live with a bunch of idiot boys,” I smiled. “You’re perfectly fine.”   
He smiled up at me nervously. He looked just a tad older than the girl, Izzy did, he was maybe thirteen?   
“Lexy has told us that you're incredible. I can’t believe I finally got to meet you.”  Izzy enthused.  
I couldn't look at him. Lexy told people I was incredible, and I told people she was scum and couldn’t be trusted. I didn't even know what to do with that thought. 
"Anyway, come on, I'll show you where you can setup." 
"Set up? We don't have anything to set up..." 
“It’ll all make sense in a minute,” Izzy smiled mischievously as we stopped walking finally. 
“Here, I’ll let you do this,” She had such a bright smile as she handed me a little ball that looked much like a bath bomb.   
“Do what?” I felt absolutely bewildered.   
“You throw it,” She said simply. “As hard as you can. And I wouldn’t waste too much time, it’ll be dark soon, and Gala’s camp won’t be able to light here.”   
I looked at Jake, who just shrugged, and so I took my best shot and threw it.   
And right before my eyes, a large tent began to unfold.   
“Whoa,” Jake said.   
“Whoa,” I confirmed.   
And in just under a minute, it was all set up.   
“Come on,” Izzy gestured wildly for us to follow her. 
I shrugged at Jake and followed the little girl in. 
To my surprise, it was completely furnished and looked exactly like how I would have designed it.   
“Lexy had it made a while ago,” Jamie started a little more nervously than Izzy seemed to be. “I hope it’s okay. She had it made for you and Mr. Graening, but we can find other sleeping arrangements if you two don’t want to share.”   
I looked around. It did not look like she had made it awhile ago. In fact, it seemed to be absolutely perfect. It was warm and cozy with all sorts of fun trinkets on the walls, a kitchen, a bed, a couch, and even a bathroom area.   
“No, Jake can stay with me.” I stated before he could argue. 
Jamie nodded his understanding. 
“Is there anything you guys need, your majesty?” Izzy asked.   
I looked around. “No, I think we’re good.” I replied, still in awe of what was in front of us. 
“Okay.” Jame smiled. “Lexy’s tent is right next to the border. You can’t miss it. Miss. Rae and Mr. Matty will be right next door now that your tent is set up.” She paused. “And Miss. Kris is on the other side.” She said in a disapproving voice.  
I could only imagine what stories Lexy had told them about Kris. She had never liked her from the beginning. But it didn't matter. Not now as they slipped out the door, Jake and I both settled in for the night in our new 'home'.