Annabeth Chase and the Lightning Thief

Chapter 15 - Percy's father's former girlfriend doesn't like us

Unfortunately, Percy didn't realize that we were in the lair of a snake-haired sculptor. He was smiling contentedly, looking like a real doofus. I shook him to try wake him up but it didn't have much effect.

"Percy?" I said. "Maybe we should go. I mean, the ringmaster will be waiting."

"Such beautiful grey eyes," Medusa said, smiling maliciously at me. "My, yes, it had been a long time since I've seen grey eyes like those."

She reached out for me, but I hurriedly scrambled back. I knew she had a vengeance against Athena and her children. I really wished my mother didn't have to make such horrid enemies. As if Arachne and her spiders wasn't enough.

"We really should go," I said, trying to catch Grover's attention so he'd help me with Percy.

He understood and leapt to his feet, swallowing the last of his wax paper.

"Yes! The ringmaster is waiting! Right!"

I would have face palmed myself if it wasn't for the fact that we were in danger of becoming demigod statues.

"Please, dears," Medusa said sweetly. "I so rarely get to be with children. Before you go, won't you at least sit for a pose?"

What was she up to?

"A pose?" I asked warily.

"A photograph. I will use it to model a new statue set. Children are so popular, you see. Everyone loves children."

Oh no, I am not falling for that.

"I don't think we can, ma'am," I told her, desperately thinking of a way we could get out of our predicament. "Come on, Percy -"

"Sure we can," Percy said suddenly, looking at me reproachfully. "It's just a photo, Annabeth. What's the harm?"

What's the harm? How about being turned into a statue? Did he really not see what was happening? How could he not realise who she was?

"Yes, Annabeth," Medusa purred. "No harm."

I wanted to hit her in the face, but I didn't see how I could get away with it without been frozen. Instead, I followed cautiously as the monster led us into the garden of statues, Percy trotting happily along behind her. She directed us to a park bench, having me sit in between Percy and Grover and backed away as if to admire the sight of us lined up like hams ready for picking.

"Not much light for a photo," Percy commented as Grover and I shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh, enough," Medusa said. "Enough for us to see each other, yes?"

"Where's your camera?" Grover asked.

She ignored him, smiling as she studied us.

"Now, the face is the most difficult. Can you smile for me please, everyone? A large smile?"

"That sure does look like Uncle Ferdinand," Grover mumbled, glancing at the satyr statue beside him.

"Grover, look this way dear," Medusa chided.

We were running out of time and Percy still wasn't aware of anything wrong.

"Percy -" I began, but Medusa cut me off.

"I will be just a moment," she said. "You know, I can't see you very well in this curse veil . . ."

"Percy, something's wrong," I hissed at him, feeling panic beginning to stir in me at the sight of Medusa reaching up to undo her wrap.

"Wrong?" she asked. "Not at all, dear. I have such noble company tonight. What could be wrong?"

"That is Uncle Ferdinand!" Grover yelled.