Snow White- Percy Jackson¹ (Slow Updates)

Chapter Eleven

Annabeth Tries to Swim Home

🍎

It felt like Snow had just closed her eyes when she was shaken awake by Annabeth. When she asked, the blonde said Snow was out for a few hours. 

As they walked to Percy’s room to wake him up, Annabeth walked with urgency, so much so, Snow had to walk a little faster to match her brisk pace. 

“What’s going on? Are we threatened with an attack? Are we almost to the island?” Snow asked, alert. 

“No.” Annabeth responded simply.

“Then why–why are you walking so fast?” 

Annabeth didn’t answer. When they reached Percy’s room, they found him in a deep slumber, rolling back and forth. His eyes were shut tight, his eyebrows pinched. Instantly, the girls knew he was having a nightmare. They both shook and called his name for a few minutes before he jumped and sat upright. 

“Ah!’ he exclaimed. 

“Calm down,” Snow soothed, rubbing his right shoulder. “You were having a nightmare.” 

Her rubbing his shoulders helped Percy calm down a bit. But when he turned to Annabeth, he stiffened in alarm at her serious expression. 

“What–what is it?” Percy rubbed his eyes. “What’s wrong?” 

“Land,” she said grimly. “We’re approaching the island of the Sirens.” 

Snow and Percy could barely make out the island ahead of them–just a dark spot in the mist. 

“I want you to do me a favour,” Annabeth said to them. “The Sirens… we’ll be in range of their singing soon.” 

Snow knew where this was going. Sirens are a popular myth, even to those not familiar with Greek mythology. Sirens were creatures that would lure sailors to their death via singing. But while some would say that they do this by trapping the men with lovestruck gazes, the real Sirens actually lure you by making the victim imagine their wildest dreams. Once a person is hit with their singing, they would envision themselves living out their greatest desires. 

“No problem,” Percy assured her. “We can just stop our ears. There’s a big tub of candle wax below deck–” 

“I want to hear them.” 

Snow and Percy faltered. 

“Why…?” Snow said in surprise. 

“They say the Sirens sing the truth about what you desire. They tell you things about yourself you didn’t even realize. That’s what’s so enchanting. If you survive…you become wiser. I want to hear them. How often will I get that chance?”

Snow couldn’t understand her. To both her and Percy, Annabeth was already wise. But thinking deeper, it doesn’t surprise Snow that she would want to seek further knowledge. But using the Sirens is a very risky and dangerous way to do it. 

“Couldn’t you acquire this in a different way?” asked Snow.

Annabeth shook her head stubbornly. “No. This is the only way, who knows when I can get this chance again.”

To her surprise, Percy agreed, even though he sounded reluctant. So seeing she was overruled by this, Snow had to cave in and listen to Annabeth’s plan as well as help her get ready with Percy. 

As soon as the rocky coastline of the island came into view, Percy ordered one of the ropes to wrap around Annabeth’s waist, tying her to the foremast.