𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐜𝐡𝟏𝟓|No, Aunty Em, this is not my idea of fun

Annabeth

On my long list of days out I want to do with my boyfriend, shopping was one of them. Monster fighting was not.

After being told 'should we have a little fun?' , I figured this would only be Aunty Em's idea of fun.

"Percy! Open your eyes!"
"Uhh, Annabeth, is that a Cyclops or you? Cuz um, I don't think that's the best idea when we're fighting Medusa."
I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. I knew that Gaia wouldn't let Medusa turn us to stone - that would ruin her plans, so therefore we should be able to open our eyes (preferably without becoming statues).

"It's me, Seaweed Brain!!" I shouted back, rolling my eyes.

Hesitantly, he opened his eyes and they met mine. Whirlpools of sea green against my steely grey.

First things first, surroundings. Always take in your surroundings. To the front, Medusa stood in front of the store, her veil across her face, her fists balled. To my right, Percy stood, twirling his sword casually, his eyes boring into Medusa's veil.
To my left, there was an entrance to some kind of park. There were benches and a pond, trees growing tall beside them. Just beyond Percy, the street continued. The atmosphere was desolate; there were no mortals in sight.

Wait. At the edge of the road, I could see a crowd travel towards us.

They weren't human.

Percy saw them too and we exchanged a look that went something like really?

"Oh yes, I have - what do you mortals call it nowadays - back-up," Medusa said triumphantly.

"Oh yeah, you'll need it," Percy smirked.

"What about Leo?" I said, glancing at the doors worriedly.
"We need to get him out," Percy confirmed.
"Well... I'm afraid you'll have to go through me," Medusa smiled.

__________

Percy and I ran at Medusa in sync. She was fast and strong, she barely flinched when I ran my knife across her arm. Her snake hair snapped at me and I reared away, it narrowly missed my face.

I dared a glance behind us, the army was close. A group of empousa and hellhounds were advancing, fast.

Percy was a whirlwind, he'd been training so much - none of Medusa's hits came anywhere near him.

Suddenly, the army arrived and Percy leapt to my open side, while I dueled Medusa. There were so many, but he managed to keep them at bay so I could defeat Medusa.

She lashed out with her claw. Sluggishly, I attempted to jump out of the way, but it collided with my side. I cried out as pain erupted from my hip.

Percy whirled around and his eyes widened. Was it bad? I didn't even know - I was just trying to hold off Medusa. It wasn't fair, how was she so much stronger?

"I'm fine - just keep covering me!" I managed and Percy nodded. The other monsters seemed to be easy to deal with; Percy was killing them quick as they were slow and dumb. Oh how I wished Medusa was too.

Medusa leapt forward and I leapt to her left and dug my dagger into her side. Her blood spattered and nearly touched me. That wouldn't be good - anything from the right side of the body of a Gorgon could kill.

Of course.

I tapped Percy on the shoulder and winked at him. He gave me a funny look and then realised I was just telling him I had a trick up my sleeve. He nodded and went back to fighting, his movements so fast they blurred in my darkening vision.

My vision... I'm blacking out. Time to hurry.

"OH MY GODS!" I screeched at the top of my lungs and pointed to the left, where the park was. I put on a mask of fake terror and pretended to tremble.

It was the oldest trick in the book, and Aunty Em fell for it.

I could almost sense her frown behind her veil as she whirled to face where I had pointed. This left her right side open. I drove my dagger into it and she screamed in fury, her blood gushed out. This is gross, I thought before taking the blood off of my dagger and smearing it across my wound.

The blood on the right side of a Gorgons body can cure anything.

Suddenly, I felt revitalised as my wound closed up and I felt a surge of energy and power. It was like ambrosia, but faster, more powerful, more awakening.

With my senses and strength on overdrive, I kicked her so hard that she flew back a few meters onto the ground. I heard her scream in pain.

I ran up to her, my dagger raised for the kill.

"UGH! YOU CAN'T HAVE THIS ONE GAIA!" Aunty Em screeched before whipping off her veil.

It seemed to happen in slow motion.
I stood mesmerized. I wondered what Medusa looked like. Maybe she was a beautiful woman? I was about to find out.

She took off her veil and...

Percy barreled into me. All of the air was forced out of my lungs. We landed on the ground, rolling together, coughing and spluttering.

Our eyes met, lying next to eachother.

"Not very wise, Wise Girl."
"Shut up."

I stood up with my eyes firmly planted on the ground. I heard a cackle behind me and without thinking, I swung my dagger round. I heard a soft thump as the voice was cut off.

Slowly, I turned around and prayed to all the gods (yes, all of them) that she was dead. All I saw was Medusa's lonely head lying on the floor, snake side up. Thank Gods.

Another souvenir. Maybe it would look nice on my desk in cabin six - obviously with its face covered. Nevermind, the Stoll brothers would find it. I don't think I'd want to be on the other end of that prank.

Suddenly, I remembered the monsters and turned around quickly. Percy stood there, his arms splayed out shakily.

I saw the remains of a wave wash over the last of them. Most of them were already on the floor. I glanced at the pond. Empty. He must have chucked the water at them hard, because they'd been thrown back about 50 meters.

"Why didn't you do that in the first place?" I questioned.
"Didn't want to hit you by mistake," he replied sheepishly.
"Aw, how sweet."

He grinned. His cute, troublemaker grin lighting up his scarred features.

I opened my mouth to say something, but then two things happened at once.

One: An explosion racked the inside of the store and fire billowed out of the top. Leo.

Two: The monsters picked themselves up and charged. They were heading straight for us.