Annabeth Chase and the Lightning Thief

Chapter 25 - We ride the inhumane zoo express

It was the worst zoo I've ever seen.

The only light we had was the faint bronze light from Percy's sword, Riptide. But that was enough to see the inhumane way the animals had been treated. There was a zebra with chewing gum through its mane, an antelope with a silver balloon tied to its horns and a scrawny male albino lion with flies buzzing around it.

The whole trailer stunk like a dumping ground and the lion had a sack of turnips to munch on, although he wasn't particularly interested. The zebra and the antelope each had a tray of hamburger meat, but unless they suddenly turned carnivorous, they weren't going to eat it.

"This is kindness?" Grover yelled, practically spitting fire. "Humane zoo transport?"

He made to go out and bash the truckers with his reed pipes, and Percy and I were ready to help him, although I doubted he would need any, but then the engine started. We quickly found places to sit as the trailer started shaking and we began our illegal journey.

We did our best to help the animals by dragging our their mismatched food with Riptide and giving the lion the meat and the two herbivores the turnips, although they still didn't look inclined to eat it. I didn't blame them. I didn't like turnips either.

I wanted to break them out right then and there but Percy pointed out that there was no point until the truck stopped and they could actually escape. Besides, he seemed more concerned about the lion and its preferred taste for warm meat.

Grover talked to the animals in goat bleats while Percy filled their water bowls and I cut the balloon off the antelope's horn with my knife. I wanted to cut the gum out from the zebra's mane also, but then decided it was too risky with the truck moving. One bump and I could accidentally kill the poor creature. Although, that could be considered a mercy in its current state.

Grover promised the animals that we'd help them more in the morning then curled on a turnip sack miserably. Percy and I huddled in the corner, trying to ignore the smell and heat and flies. I started nibbling on the Double Stuff Oreos and offered some to Percy, but he was too distracted.

I couldn't help but feel guilty about how I'd reacted at the park. Not to the idea of going on the Thrill Ride O Love with Percy, but when the spiders came out. I just had no control over myself. Spiders always did that to me. I freak out. All reasoning and rational thoughts fly out of my head. For a child of Athena, when we have to rely on our heads to survive, it's a serious weakness. Almost as bad as a personal flaw.

I felt like I owed Percy now, for saving me and getting me out of there. And also for failing when he needed my help most. Although, he'd done pretty good by himself.

"Hey," I said before I could chicken out. "I'm sorry for freaking out back at the water park, Percy."

"That's okay," he said, smiling at me, but it didn't make me feel much better. I felt the need to explain.

"It's just . . ." I shuddered. "Spiders."

"Because of the Arachne story," Percy said, shocking me by even knowing about that. "She got turned into a spider for challenging your mom to a weaving contest, right?"

I nodded. "Arachne's children have been taking revenge on the children of Athena ever since. If there's a spider within a mile of me, it'll find me. I hate the creepy little things. Anyway, I owe you."

"We're a team, remember? Besides, Grover did the fancy flying."

"I was pretty amazing, wasn't I?" he mumbled surprising Percy and I by being awake.

We laughed and for a moment, I felt happy. I broke apart an Oreo and handed Percy half, feeling like this was what any ordinary kid would be doing. Chilling with their friends, munching junk food.