νεκρός || Annabeth Chase x Fem!OC

Vol. 2-16: REEEEEEEEEEEEEET

PERCY

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I was saved from trying to explain my non-eavesdropping of Bianca and Zoe when Zoe, Tempest, and Grover arrived with the drinks and pastries, and with Tempest and Zoe about to fight. Hot chocolate for Bianca and me. Coffee for Grover. A bow for Zoe and a wicked sword for Tempest.

"Guys!" Bianca called, throwing herself off the railing. She jumped between Tempest and Zoe. I stayed put, not wanting to get involved in that craziness. They'd probably receive Bianca better than me anyway, since I'm a guy. I guess I was right, because Zoe and Tempest put their weapons away.

"What's this about?" Bianca asked.

Tempest had a terrifying look in her eyes. Everyone was silent until Zoe finally said, "Personal matters."

I glanced at Tempest, wondering if she was going to elaborate on these "personal matters", but she just turned her eyes away from Zoe and slowly sipped her coffee.

"We should do the tracking spell," Zoe said. "Grover, do you have any acorns left?"

"Umm," Grover mumbled. He was chewing on a bran muffin, wrapper and all, and his eyes were wide with fear. "I think so. I just need to-"

He froze.

I was about to ask what was wrong, when a warm breeze rustled past, like a gust of springtime had gotten lost in the middle of winter. Fresh air seasoned with wildflowers and sunshine. And something else- almost like a voice, trying to say something. A warning.

Zoe gasped. "Grover, thy cup."

Grover dropped his coffee cup, which was decorated with pictures of birds. Suddenly the birds peeled off the cup and flew away- a flock of tiny doves. My rubber rat squeaked. It scampered off the railing and into the trees- real fur, real whiskers. Tempest's own cup turned into a bunch of poppies, and she awkwardly held them and wrinkled her nose.

Grover collapsed next to his coffee, which steamed against the snow. We gathered around him and tried to wake him up. He groaned, his eyes fluttering.

"Hey!" Thalia said, running up from the street. "I just... What's wrong with Grover?"

"I don't know," I said. "He collapsed."

"Uuuuuhhhh," Grover groaned.

"Well, get him up!" Thalia said. She had her spear in her hand. She looked behind her as if she were being followed. "We have to get out of here."

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We made it to the edge of the town before the first two skeleton warriors appeared. They stepped from the trees on either side of the road. Instead of gray camouflage, they were now wearing blue New Mexico State Police uniforms, but they had the same transparent gray skin and yellow eyes.

They drew their handguns. I'll admit I used to think it would be kind of cool to learn how to shoot a gun, but I changed my mind as soon as the skeleton warriors pointed theirs at me.

Thalia tapped her bracelet. Aegis spiraled to life on her arm, but the warriors didn't flinch. Their glowing yellow eyes bored right into me.