Annabeth crouched beneath the half-collapsed frame of a department store's broken skylight, watching as rats moved through what had once been a perfume counter. The mall hadn't changed since they'd first exited through it; vines hung from the ceiling like limp streamers, and the glass of the storefronts was clouded with dust. The floor littered with rubbish became the breeding ground for more rats.
The only place that seemed remotely intact was the wooden door that led to the Labyrinth. At its feet, there was no rubbish; even the rats were smart enough to avoid going near here.
As Annabeth opened the door and stepped inside, silence overwhelmed her. Even in the mall, there was still a breeze, or maybe some background sound like the rats or birds in the distance, but in the Labyrinth? It was only her breathing.
She tugged Ariadne's string tighter in her fist, hoping it would continue working like last time. She wasn't willing to think about the consequences if it didn't, and she got lost in here.
It was early morning when she emerged from the Labyrinth, appearing from the same hole at Zeus's fist. She didn't attempt to enter the camp, knowing that if she were spotted, Kratos and his goons would catch her, perhaps in punishment for leaving the camp without permission, or maybe to lure Thalia back.
No, instead of going into camp and searching for Argus herself, she figured she could talk to Chiron and ask him to bring Argus to her. She wouldn't be worried about getting caught as she trusted Chiron.
She knew where she had to go.
The Big House.
She stuck to the forest and bushes, making sure any passing camper couldn't spot her. Though she was at risk of being found by any satyr or dryad, he doubted they would care for a random demigod. Soon, she stalked up the hill's slope, reaching the treeline around the big house, overlooking the camp.
The windows of the Big House were dim, curtains drawn against the morning sun. But there were voices on the porch, one of them very animated.
She ducked behind a hedge and peered through the branches.
Chiron sat in his wheelchair form, his front legs beneath a blanket, while his back legs were hidden in the magic wheelchair. A cup of tea in hand, as he watched the other two individuals. Mr. D reclined beside him on a deck chair with a goblet balanced lazily in one hand, sunglasses perched low on his nose.
And standing at the edge of the porch, her posture taut with restrained fury, was Bia.
She was dressed in her usual crimson armor, marked in scars from old battles. Her voice was sharp, carrying a hidden edge of her anger.
"You're wasting time and resources here. It's a camp to train them to be warriors. Get rid of that stupid volleyball court and those pointless late-night campfires. Install the-"
Mr. D sighed, waving his goblet dismissively. "Please, darling, if I wanted to hear another lecture on efficiency, I'd ask Athena. Shoo. Go practice looking intimidating somewhere else."
Bia stiffened, her chin lifting as if to argue, but then her head snapped towards the bushes.
Her eyes swept across where she felt a gaze come from.
Annabeth held her breath, keeping very still and avoiding looking at Bia. Bia narrowed her gaze in suspicion, looking at the hedges that rustled in the breeze.
Then Mr. D waved her off again. "Go on. There's a satyr in the woods. Go scowl at him instead of doing it here."
Reluctantly, Bia turned back to Mr. D, giving him one last glare. That seemed to amuse him, for he chuckled, releasing his divine power to pressure Bia into taking a step back, causing her to lower her head in shame, anger, and apology. Bia gave a last look towards the bush before turning and leaving, ignoring Chiro and heading back to the cabin grounds.
As soon as she was gone, Mr. D took a sip from his goblet and muttered, "Now. Come out, girl. You're giving me a headache, and I only recently recovered from the one when your little band disappeared."
Annabeth stood slowly, brushing leaves from her hoodie. She stepped out from behind the hedge and crossed the lawn, climbing the steps to the porch. Chiron blinked in surprise at seeing her, then gave a fatherly smile at her return.
"Annabeth," he said gently. "It's good to see you. Though I wish you'd returned more... officially."
Annabeth gave a small smile in return. "It's nice to see you again, too, Chiron, but I haven't come to stay," she replied. "I need a favor. From Argus."
Chiron tilted his head. "Argus? That's a rare request. Why?"
Annabeth hesitated. The truth hovered on her tongue. Lucas needs them, but she swallowed it. She wouldn't risk drawing attention to him, not here.
"I can't say," she answered simply.
Chiron studied her for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Alright. Wait here."
He turned and disappeared into the house.
Mr. D didn't look at her again. He muttered something about kids and trouble, then flicked his goblet. The Diet Coke changed to Wine, but when he tried drinking it, it returned to being Diet Coke, causing him to spout some curses at his father and his punishments.
A few minutes later, the porch creaked again. Chiron returned, and behind him stepped Argus.
He looked exactly as she remembered: blond hair, bronzed skin, a body that rippled with a thousand eyes. Most were closed, but a few blinked lazily across his shoulders and arms. He wore a loose button-up shirt and cargo pants.
He didn't speak because he had always been self-conscious about the eye on his tongue. Instead, he just tilted his head at her.
"Hi, Argus," she said softly.
One eye blinked in response from his cheek.
Chiron stepped aside, dragging Mr. D along with him. "I'll give you two a moment."
Annabeth nodded, waiting until both Mr. D and Chiron were out of earshot. Then she stepped closer.
"I need your help. Or more exactly, I need some of your tears."
She waited.
Then, Argus nodded.
It was well known in camp that if Argus did cry, it could easily become a flood due to how many eyes there were, so she quickly explained she didn't need much.
Annabeth pulled out a small vial, enough to gather the necessary amount of tears, and held it to one of Argus's eyes on his hand. A single tear welled there, before turning into a small stream, quickly filling the vial.
Annabeth took the vial back, gently corking it before putting it away. "Thank you."
With the vial tucked safely in her pocket, she turned away, retreating into the bushes.
Argus stayed behind, eyes blinking slowly in unison, watching over her. As a protector of the children in the camp, unless ordered by his creator, Hera, he would always help them when needed. It's because of this that he bonded so well with the young Annabeth when she first came here with Thalia, Luke, and Lucas.
So later that day, when Bia confronted him about who was hiding at the big house, he kept silent.