But Annabeth was in no shape for jumping. She stumbled and yelled, “Percy!” I caught her hand as the pavement fell, crumbling into dust. For a second I thought she was going to pull us both over. Her feet dangled in the open air. Her hand started to slip until I was holding her only by her fingers. Then Grover and Thalia grabbed my legs, and I found extra strength. Annabeth was not going to fall. I pulled her up and we lay trembling on the pavement. I didn’t realize we had our arms around each other until she suddenly tensed. “Um, thanks,” she muttered. I tried to say Don’t mention it, but it
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