From Diferrent Years

Chapter 10: Rescue Mission Gone Wrong

Percy's PoV

We entered the Gym. The Gym is full of people, music heard from the speaker. Grover had told us about the new demigods, and that Dr. Thorn is the monster. I could see that, I mean, his French accent sounded weird. Unlike the Frenchmen back at Ypres. Anyway, Thalia and Grover had gone dancing, while Annabeth and I are left here. Annabeth started to talk about architecture, something about the Twin Towers, which I read had been destroyed. She talked about the facade and things. I tried to listen, but I got bored easily. I know she wants to be an architect when she's older, but I don't understand a word which she said.

I got tired of listening, so I interrupted.

"Ok, now, I don't understand a word, so now it's my turn," I said. I then proceeded to tell her about my school days, trying hard to not mention my past. I recited part of 'Horatio on the bridge' to her, making her impressed a bit. That's when I realized something.

"...to every man who lives on earth, d– hey, they're gone!"

"Who?"

"The Di Angelo!"

She then ran off to find Grover and Thalia, while I try to find them.

I found them backed off by a wall, staring towards me.

"Calm down, I won't hurt you"
They stayed silent.
"My name's Percy. I'm here to save you," I said. Then Bianca's eye widened, and she stared behind me.

I realized she's not scared of me. She's warning me.

I took my revolver and spun around. Something sharp hits me in the chest and I am thrown into the wall.

I pointed my revolver forward, ready to shoot.

"Yes, Perseus Jackson," Thorn said. His accent made my name sounds wrong as if I'm French. Seriously, it sounds like Jacques. Come on, you arsehole prick, I thought. "I know who you are."

Another spike struck me. I got thrown at the wall, and then I see him.

He forced us to follow him out towards the opening by the shore.

"I hate high school dances," Thorn said distastefully.

That's when the others appeared. Thalia is holding her Aegis while Annabeth unsheathed her blade. Grover had his panpipe near his mouth.

I quickly took the shield Tyson made me and opened my pen. Riptide sprung open, the shiny trident on its handle lit up.

The Di Angelos hid by a nearby tree while the 4 of us prepared to fight Thorn. He then sprung out his tail. It looked hideous. "A Manticore!" shouted Annabeth.

"Oh fuck." If that's the manticore, then the spikes from before were his spikes.

Thorn then launched spikes towards us. Some hit Thalia's shield, a few hit my shield, while Annabeth managed to dodge the spikes coming her way. We started to advance slowly, afraid that the spikes might hit us when a hunting horn is heard in the distance.

Twenty, thirty teenage girls wearing silver outfits came out of the woods.

"Impossible! This is against the law!" Thorn cried out. "Not really," says another girl. She looked about 12. "The hunt of all wild monsters is in my domain. And you, beast, is a monster," she continued. "Zoe, permission granted."

Thorn growled. He then jumped towards Thalia and me. Annabeth jumped towards him and stabbed him in the neck. "Let loose!" Zoe ordered.

"Nay!" I shouted. But the arrows had hit their mark. One pierced his neck, another struck his chest. He started to fall, with Annabeth still hanging on his back. I ran towards them, but they had already fallen towards the ocean below.

I stood upon the edge, looking down to the murky waters down below.

"Nay! Thorn, ye prick!" I shouted. Zoe and the 12-year-old girl came and hold me. "She's gone," the 12-year-old said. "No use to search for her," she said.

"Who are ye to tell me what to do?" I snapped at her. Zoe lifted her hands, but the girl stopped her.

"I do not sense disrespect. He is confused," she said.

Then, she continued. "I am Artemis, goddess of the hunt."