Forgotten memories

Memory of the wild

Percy's hands shook as he picked up Grover's cap. It was crumpled and filthy, mud caked into the fabric, as if it had been stepped on by a massive, muddy boot. After everything we'd gone through today, just the thought that something might have happened to Grover too made my stomach twist.

Then I noticed the floor. The cave was slick and wet from the constant drip of stalactites above, and there were footprints pressed into the mud—huge ones, like Tyson's, and smaller, split-hoofed prints that could only belong to Grover. They led off to the left, disappearing around a bend in the tunnel.

"We have to follow them," Percy said urgently. "They went that way. Must have been recent."

Nico hesitated, arms crossed. "What about Camp Half-Blood? We don't have time for this."

Annabeth's jaw tightened. "We can't just leave them. They're our friends."

She picked up Grover's battered cap and forged ahead without another word. I fell in line behind her, bracing myself for whatever we'd find. The tunnel was treacherous—slopes at odd angles, mud-slicked rock underfoot, water dripping from the ceiling and turning everything slippery. Half the time we were sliding and scrambling rather than actually walking.

Finally, we came to the bottom of a slope and stepped into a massive cavern. Huge stalagmites rose like natural columns, casting eerie shadows in the dim light. A river ran through the center, slow and dark, and sitting on the far bank was Tyson, cradling Grover in his massive arms.

Grover's eyes were closed. His body was trembling like he was freezing to death.

"Tyson!" Percy yelled, panic in his voice.

"Percy! Come quick!" Tyson's voice rumbled like distant thunder.

We rushed over. Relief washed over me—Grover wasn't dead—but seeing him like this made my heart pound in my chest.

"What happened?" I asked, crouching next to him.

"So many things..." Tyson murmured. "A huge snake. Big dogs. Men with swords. We fought... but then, we got close here. Grover ran ahead, excited. Then... he fell. Hit his head on the rocks, like this."

Percy knelt beside him. "Did he say anything before he passed out?"

Tyson shook his head slowly. "He said, 'We're close.' Then... hit the rocks and went out."

I reached out, brushing Grover's damp hair from his face. The only other time I'd seen him pass out like this was in New Mexico, when he'd felt Pan's presence. I swung my flashlight around the cavern, taking in the massive stalagmites and the glittering wet walls. At the far end, I saw the entrance to another cave, framed by towering crystal columns that sparkled like diamonds. Beyond that doorway... something powerful waited.

"Grover," I murmured softly. "Wake up."

He groaned, a muffled, "Uhhhhhhhh," and Christine knelt beside him, splashing icy river water on his face.

"Splurg!" Grover's eyelids fluttered. "Percy? Where...?"

"It's okay," Percy said gently. "You passed out. The presence... it was too much for you."

"I—I remember..." Grover's voice was weak. "Pan..."

"Yeah," I said quietly, eyes on the glimmering doorway ahead. "Something powerful... is just beyond there."

***

Percy made quick introductions, since Tyson and Grover had never met Rachel before. Tyson, in his usual blunt way, told her she was pretty, which immediately made Annabeth's nostrils flare like she was about to blow steam.