{1} Princess - P. Jackson 🔱

"Annabeth decides to go cliff-diving."

🕊️

I didn't know what kind of monster Dr. Thorn was, but he was fast.

We were being pushed out of the school, my mind trying to process that this is really happening. I'm going to die and even worse, I put these two kids in danger. I glanced over at Percy, who had his eyes closed.

"What are you doing, Jackson?" hissed Dr. Thorn. "Keep moving!"

He opened his eyes and kept shuffling forward. "It's my shoulder," I could sense the lie in his tone, trying to sound miserable. "It burns."

"Bah! My poison causes pain. It will not kill you. Walk!" Thorn marched us into the woods. We took a snowy path dimly lit by old-fashioned lamplights.

"There is a clearing ahead," Thorn said. "We will summon your ride."

"What ride?" Bianca demanded. "Where are you taking us?"

"Silence, you insufferable girl!"

"Don't talk to my sister that way!" Nico said. His voice quivered, but I was impressed that he had the guts to say anything at all.

Dr. Thorn made a growling sound. I regret coming to this rescue mission.

"Halt," Thorn said.

The woods had opened up. We'd reached a cliff overlooking the sea.

The sea. I looked over Percy, he was looking down the cliff. Our eyes met, I tried to communicate with him but he didn't understand.

Dr. Thorn pushed us toward the edge. Percy stumbled but I caught him.

"Thanks," He murmured.

"Can you jump with them and keep them safe in the water?" I whispered. "I can try to distract him."

"What? And leave you here?"

"I'm scared," Nico mumbled. He was fiddling with something—a little metal toy soldier of some kind.

"What is he, anyways?" Bianca had her eyes wide.

"Stop talking!" Dr. Thorn said. "Face me!"

We turned.

Thorn's two-tone eyes glittered hungrily. He pulled something from under his coat. At first I thought it was a switchblade, but it was only a phone. He pressed the side button and said, "The package— it is ready to deliver."

There was a garbled reply, and I realized Thorn was in walkie-talkie mode. This seemed way too modern and creepy—a monster using a mobile phone. Why can he and I can't?

I glanced behind me, wondering how far the drop was.

Dr. Thorn laughed. "By all means, Son of Poseidon. Listen to your friend and jump! There is the sea. Save yourself."

"What did he call you?" Bianca muttered.

"I'll explain later," Percy said.

"You do have a plan, right?"

"Yes." I said. She looked at me so deep into my eyes that made me uncomfortable. "Maybe..." I scratched my arm.