The four of us walked aimlessly through the woods, following the New Jersey riverbank. Behind us New York glowed yellow in the darkness. Annie ushered us along, wanting to put as much distance between us and the bus. The boys walked hastily, being dragged by the girl while I brought up the rear. I swapped my sword for the bow, carrying it on my shoulder. Should we meet any more trouble.
Poor Grover couldn't stop shaking as he mumbled about the kindly ones. Scared that all three had decided to attack. Which caused a realization to form in my head. If we're trudging to the underworld to confront Hades about stealing the bolt, why would he send his best monsters after us.
They said that Hades would have our souls and Zeus was mad at Percy. Making me think that it wasn't Hades who took the bolt. Something's weren't adding up and my intuition told me that there was a bigger picture to all of this. I was about to voice my finding to the group, however Annie and Percy started arguing. In true Poseidon and Athena fashion.
"All our stuff was back there. Including our food and money," Percy states causing Annabeth to stop in her tracks. A look of anger on her face.
"Well if you hadn't decided to jump into the fight–––" she started however he cut her off.
"Oh and let you all die!" He retorts getting in her face, until I pulled him back.
"ENOUGH BOTH OF YOU!" I yelled a bolt of lightning hitting the ground close to my feet, making them flinch as electricity crackled in the air. Since the storm let up it was coming from me.
Everything became quiet as I continued walking and soon the two came into step with me. And Annie apologized to Percy. Saying that it was brave of him to come to our rescue, and I already knew that Percy would eventually come to help us. He's incredibly loyal, which at times is a good thing.
As it turned out Annie didn't want us to die because if we did then it meant the quest was over. She wanted to actually see the world, as she'd never left the camp since she first came. Apart from small field trips. And her home life wasn't the best, which was why she was a year round camper. The camp was her only home.
"Alright sappy times over. You're both amazing and we love you both," I state pointing at Grover and myself. In the darkness it was hard to see but I thought they blushed. As the walk continued Grover found his reed pipes which still worked. He tried playing a song to find a path, however the only thing that came out was something that sounded like Hilary Duff.
I heard a thump and turned to see Percy get slapped in the face with a whole ass tree. Which would leave a decent bump on his head. Laughter left my lips and I went to help him up.
"Gods you're quite the klutz there kelp head," I teased and for a mile or so we all tripped our way through the woods. Not really sure if we were heading in the right direction. I began giving up hope when a flash of neon was seen in the distance.
We made our way towards it, and across the road was this garden depot. Statues were scattered around the place, and the more I looked at them the more uneasy I felt. Something didn't add up about this place, yet the others didn't seem to pick up on it.
"What does the sign say?" Percy asked squinting trying to decipher the words. However neon signs were incredibly difficult for dyslexic people to read.
"I don't know," Annabeth says shaking her head getting frustrated.
"Aunty Em's garden gnome emporium," Grover and I translated for them. Not wanting them to struggle any further. Percy started crossing the street, following the smell of hamburgers that was wafting from the building.
"Hey guys I've got a bad feeling about this," I voiced trying to stop Annabeth who trailed behind Percy. It was almost like they were in a trance.
"Me too Memes," Grover says as we shared a look, finding this whole ordeal to be creepy. What were the odds that this building just randomly showed up in our path. Not great when you are a demigod, I'll tell you that.
We followed closely behind them doing our best to try and prevent them from going inside. However our attempts were in vain. This whole place gave the two of us very bad vibes and it was almost like the statues were watching us.
"That looks like my uncle Fernand," Grover said as we passed one of a satyr playing reed pipes. A clear look of terror within the statues eyes "And I smell monsters,"
That's when it clicked, we were about to enter Medusa's lair. Before I could tell them, the two food driven demigods entered the building, meaning Grover and I had to follow. He clutched my arm, shaking as we passed over the threshold.
The instant we entered all my body hair stood straight up, casting an eery feeling through me. Grover tried talking the two into leaving but all they could think about was the food. Not remembering that I had food and money in my bag. Since I had kept it with me the whole time on the bus.
Suddenly a door opened and a woman in a black gown entered. She sounded middle eastern, but I saw right past her facade. Despite the veil covering her head, my eyes took in the snakes hiding beneath it. Why did my realisations always have to be right?
Annie and Percy were talking to her. Saying we were orphans and a part of a travelling circus. I tried tuning them out however anger filled within me when I heard Annabeth call Percy a kelp head.
"Hey watch it Blondie that's my nickname for him," I scold my eyes shooting daggers at her, then shook my head not knowing what over came me. I shouldn't worry about what she called him, only on finding a way out of here. It seemed Grover and I would have to get them to see reason. Make them clear their heads, which for Percy might be hard. I was so focused on making a plan that I hadn't even noticed we were in a different room. Surrounded by food.
Medusa came back shortly serving up the different foods. Percy and Annabeth dug in with no problem but Grover and I sat still. Listening to the conversation they were having with the Gorgon. I took note of the fact she called us by name, even though we never told her our names. Another red flag that the others were blinded by, however Grover and I shared a silent look. One that meant we needed to do something.
I'm not sure how we were going to get out of this one....
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In A Flash of Lightning (Percy Jackson)
Fanfiction(On Hold) Naomie Miller was what society would deem as a troublemaker. Which the majority of times was due to no fault of her own, as she was different from most kids her age. Not that she knew it of course, however because of her obliviousness on t...
