I was losing the fight. The pain was too much. My hands and feet were melting

into the water, my soul was being ripped from my body. I couldn't remember who I

was. The pain of Kronos's scythe had been nothing compared to this.

 

The cord, a familiar voice said. Remember your lifeline, dummy!

 

Suddenly there was a tug in my lower back. The current pulled at me, but it

wasn't carrying me away anymore. I imagined the string in my back keeping me

tied to the shore.

 

"Hold on, Seaweed Brain." It was Annabeth's voice, much clearer now. "You're not

getting away from me that easily."

 

The cord strengthened.

 

I could see Annabeth now — standing barefoot above me on the canoe lake pier.

I'd fallen out of my canoe. That was it. She was reaching out her hand to haul

me up, and she was trying not to laugh. She wore her orange camp T-shirt and

jeans. Her hair was tucked up in her Ya nk ees cap, which was strange because

that should have made her invisible.

 

"You are such an idiot sometimes." She smiled. "Come on. Take my hand."

 

Memories came flooding back to me — sharper and more colorful. I stopped