[ Percy feels the renewed squeeze of her arms around him, and he appreciates the extra support — the camaraderie. He knows he's not alone in feeling this exact brand of fear, but he kinda hates that anyone else knows what it's like. Annabeth, especially.

Because it sucks, and it's constant, like it's been tattooed into the back of his eyelids even when he closes his eyes at night.

He doesn't think he'd wish this kind of nightmare on even his worst enemies. ]

Hey, I thought I was doing a pretty good job at pronunciation. [ he retorts, joking. ] Maybe the horses are just immune. Not that I'd know 'cause I can't even understand them right now.

It's weird.