The Creek

The creek swirled and gurgled by Annabeth’s toes as she sat on a rock by the water’s edge. The shade of several ancient oaks that grew around the bend of the creek cooled her from the afternoon sun. Sometimes a leaf floated by. Sometimes a water bug scooted across the bend. Sometimes circles of ripples caught her attention. Was it a fish—or a turtle—hiding beneath the surface of the murky water? Annabeth could spend hours sitting here, thinking, watching the water and listening to the crows caw...