Bad Idea

Annabeth POV

My least favorite part of being a camp leader is having to tell the guards to go on another raid. We're immediately in danger when we step outside the camp's perimeter. I hate having to ask people to put themselves in danger, especially for products that won't contribute to immediate survival.

Food, water, and clothes are important. Most people would argue that epinephrine for the sake of research isn't as important in the grand scheme of things.

"Chiron, when are you going to ask people on a raid?" I asked quietly.

We were sitting in the dining area. I decided to ditch Thalia and Piper today so that I could talk to Chiron in private. Hestia joined our conversation though, but I didn't mind. Hestia knows everything that goes on at camp, so there are no keeping secrets from her.

"This may not be the best place to discuss the matter," Chiron responded. He looked around the large cafeteria. Everyone was doing their own thing though.

"It's fine, Chiron," Hestia said. "No one is around us."

"Well, I still have to discuss the details with the guards. Luke isn't aware of our need to go on another raid. He'll be able to coordinate the raid," Chiron suggested.

"I have a different idea. We should keep this one quiet."

"What is your reasoning, Annabeth?" Hestia asked curiously. Both Chiron and Hestia looked at me while awaiting a response.

"Well, we don't need a whole raid. We have enough food for two more weeks. We recently brought back technology as well. We only need a few medical supplies," I stated. "We don't need a large group for that."

"She's right, Chiron. Technically, one person will suffice," Hestia supported my idea. Chiron smiled before nodding. "This will also ensure maximum safety."

I looked around the room and nodded.

My gaze fixated on Percy and Stella. The baby was sitting on top of the dining table, and Percy was feeding Stella with a baby spoon. He was playing airplane noises while flying the food 'plane' into Stella's mouth. He looked so adorable.

Then, I shifted my look to Grover and Juniper. They were sitting next to Percy, and they were all happily talking about random things. Juniper looked so happy today, and every so often, she'd look at her finger. A beautiful engagement ring was sparkling on her pale (practically green) skin.

I was finally starting to understand the importance of a romantic relationship. Love gives people hope, and it gives them happiness.

We need hope and happiness in a zombie apocalypse.

"Annabeth, are you listening to me?" Chiron asked.

I shifted my gaze back to Chiron. "Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. There are a lot of people in the cafeteria at once. Anyway, what were you saying?"

"We should take one or two volunteers. As Hestia mentioned, one person is enough for the raid. It will be safer for him or her to go alone as well."

"Yup. Fewer zombies will be attracted to their location," I replied.

"I'll ask the guards for a volunteer. Of course, after what happened on the last raid, they're going to be hesitant about going out. I'll do my best to reassure everyone of their valuable survival skills."

I nodded at Chiron in gratitude. At least, he was taking the responsibility out of my hands. I wouldn't have to get my hands dirty.

Also, I don't intend to volunteer.

The truth is that I don't want to go out of the camp unless I have to. As a logical human being, I'm not risking my life (and by extension, my brothers' lives) by going out for some epinephrine. As important as a vaccine is, I'm not risking my life for it.

I refuse to do stupid things. That's just not me.

***

Chiron called all the guards for a meeting the next day.

Even though we lost Charles and Silena, we also gained Calypso as a guard. However, Cally won't be going on any raids soon because she has a mild concussion according to Will. Our numbers aren't dwindling, which is a good thing.

We need all the help we can get. However, we're also strong enough that a few deaths won't harm our chances of survival. Beckendorf was a great engineer though. His traps will be missed, but Leo was slowly taking over the department. Leo is more than capable of handling the traps and generators of the museum.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you all for coming today. We want to go over a few things will all the guards. Also, we'd like to rework the guard duty schedule," Chirons stated.

Everyone nodded while Chiron asked everyone to sign up for three-guard shifts a week. One shift is twelve hours. It's an easy duty.

After a couple of minutes of scheduling, Chiron called our attention again.

"Next, I need a volunteer or two volunteers to go on a raid. I will provide the specific details after I get the appropriate volunteers." A few guards shifted uncomfortably. Nex to me, Luke shook his head at Chiron's request. He didn't want a raid.

"Luke, you don't have to volunteer. It's not always on you," I whispered.

"I'm a leader of the camp, Annabeth. I have to help everyone when I can. They are all relying on me," Luke answered.

"No one is relying on you to go on a dangerous mission. Luke, listen to me. Chiron is asking for volunteers for a reason. If you don't want to risk yourself, don't volunteer. For instance, I'm not volunteering."

"Do you think that's okay?" Luke asked quietly. He genuinely wanted to help, but he didn't want to run into the zombies outside. I understand his dilemma.

"It's okay, Luke. You do enough for everyone here."

That's the truth. Luke goes on almost every raid and mission. He takes on the most guard duty shifts so that the others won't have to do as much. Luke is a good camp leader, and he acts under a set of principles. Sometimes, the pressure can make him strict or force him to make certain decisions that not everyone agrees with.

But, at the end of the day, the people at camp survive. A large reason why the members are safe is because of his efforts.

Everyone was having their own conversations. The murmurs were spreading through the crowd. No one wanted to volunteer as I was expecting.

"Let me be clear, the raid will be dangerous. You will be going out into the city for some resources," Chiron affirmed.

"You all survived this long based on your considerable skills. I know what happened last time is unfortunate, but it's not the norm. You all are capable of going out, fighting, and coming back with stuff for the camp. I have faith in all of you."

"Furthermore, we do need a volunteer or two to go into the city. We ran out of some medicines, and we need more just in case."

"I CAN DO IT," a voice rang out.

Everyone's eyes turned to Percy Jackson. He shifted under everyone's gaze before coming to the front of the group.

"I'll go, Chiron," Percy repeated.

My eyes narrowed on Percy's back. I didn't want him to go. Sending him out on a raid was a bad idea. At least, under my standards, it's a bad idea. I don't want Percy to risk his life for epinephrine. Percy doesn't even believe in the work that happens in South Secor. According to him, the zombies should be put to rest.

They shouldn't be experimented on like this. People are going to have different opinions about the research. His different views don't bother me.

However, I don't want him to go out of the camp.

"Thank you for volunteering, Percy. I knew someone would come forward. Are there any more volunteers?" Chiron asked in relief.

No one else stepped forward.

Ugh. Stupid Percy.

Why did he have to volunteer? Why does Seaweed Brain want to leave the safe confines of the museum?

***

"You are such an idiot," I exclaimed.

Percy sighed while brushing his hair with his hands. The wind violently blew his hair in all directions, and he couldn't control it. I was wearing a baseball cap and a ponytail, so I wasn't having any problem.

"Why the hell would you volunteer to go on a raid? The point of the volunteer system is to not have people go out," I continued my rant.

"WISE GIRL," Percy shouted. "Wise Girl, calm down."

"No, you calm down," I snapped.

"I am calm. You're the one that's freaking out for no reason. Seriously, I didn't realize you care this much about me," he expressed.

Percy chuckled at me, which only made me angrier. He came forward and placed his hands over my arms. His warm grasp singed my skin but in a good way. I took a deep breath while looking into his sparkling sea-green eyes.

He has one-of-a-kind deep-set eyes.

"Look, Annabeth. I volunteered because I have to get resources for Stella anyway. We're close to running out of diapers, Gerber food, and ointments. Stella is the only baby in the camp. It doesn't seem right to make others get her things. I knew I have to go out anyway, so I volunteered to help," Percy explained calmly.

It took me a few seconds to process his words. However, they made sense. He was being self-reliant for the sake of his baby sister.

"Wise Girl, I'll be fine out there," he whispered.

Percy's face got closer to mine as his eyes ensured the truth of his words. "I know you can take care of yourself and survive. I still can't help but worry."

He smirked at me.

"WHAT?" I snapped in annoyance.

"Do you know what this means?" he retorted. "It means that you finally like me, Wise Girl. At least, you like me enough to care about me."

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain."

"Actions speak louder than words, Wise Girl," he cooed. I jabbed his stomach before pulling away from him. My hands rested against the railing of the roof. I looked over Central Park with a deep exhale. I love looking out from this spot.

"You don't have to worry about me," Percy expressed. "You have this entire camp to worry about, Annabeth. You don't need me on top of that."

I tilted my head to Percy. He was already looking at me intently.

"You're right, Percy. I don't need you on top of everything else, but I want you. I want you to be around," I stated.

"Wise Girl-"

I held my hand up to stop him. "I know it's not rational. It makes absolutely no sense, but I don't want you to go. I don't want you to die."

"Annabeth, I'm going to be fine. I'll only be gone one day," Percy said softly. After a few seconds, he continued. "I didn't realize you felt this way about me."

I shook my head and looked at the park again.

We simply stood in silence. Neither of us knew what to say. I wasn't even planning on getting out of control like this. I usually take so much pride in my self-control, but when it comes to Percy, I fail in holding things together.

He's not a weakness though. He's a strength. Despite only knowing him for a short while, Percy is the only person I can lose control to.

Percy is the only one I can break down in front of.

And, he'll never judge me for it.

Suddenly, I turned around again. I jabbed his stomach for the second time. Percy winced before rubbing his stomach. "You have to stop doing that," he frustrated.

"You are not allowed to die. Do you understand?" I asked.

"Yeah, I understand."

"Good," I replied.

We hung out for a few more minutes. It was early morning. After he dropped Stella at Hestia's daycare, he came to the roof with me. He'd be leaving soon. I didn't intend to explode all my feelings at him, but it just happened.

Percy didn't seem to mind though.

He reassuringly squeezed my hand with his own. We shared a mutual smile before he nodded at me. Then, he disappeared.

I'm confident Seaweed Brain will be back though.