Lost

The Tunnel

Lost

Chapter Five
Annabeth's POV

"So, what exactly is Camp Jupiter?" Jason asked as we walked through a small town.

"Reyna says that it's a place people like us can live in peace," I replied. "We don't have to worry about monsters there."

"Oh," he paused. "How can it be so safe when the rest of the world isn't?"

I shrugged; Reyna hadn't mentioned how the camp was kept safe. "I don't know," I said.

"How do you know that we can trust her, then?" he asked.

"How do I know that I can trust you?" I countered.

Jason was quiet for a moment. "True," he said slowly.

"Annabeth, Jason," Reyna said and we looked at her. She motioned for us to catch up to her and we did. "we'll stop here for the night and be at camp tomorrow."

She led them into an alleyway. She had told us before that the smell of the garbage in the dumpsters would prevent monsters from picking up our own scent and finding them.

"We'll be at the Caldecott Tunnel tomorrow afternoon," Reyna said as we settled down for the night. "A service tunnel there will take us to the camp."

She woke us up early the next morning and we began the final trek to Camp Jupiter. Around eleven A.M., Reyna glanced back at us and said with a smile, "There's the tunnel. We're almost there."

We continued towards the heavily-trafficked highway. As we got closer, a screech filled the air. We all turned to find the source of the sound: A harpy circling us. "Get to the tunnel," Reyna ordered. "I'll be right behind you."

Jason grabbed my hand and started running down the hill and towards the highway. The harpy screeched loudly and we could hear Reyna behind us trying to fight it off. We stopped abruptly when we reached the side of the road. Reyna quickly appeared beside us, breathing heavily, and looked at the on-coming traffic. She glanced back at the momentarily-stunned harpy then pushed us into the road.

"Let's go," she said and ran across the first lane, pausing as a van rushed by, blaring the horn.

Jason and I followed close behind and soon we were in the middle of the divided highway where the entrance was. Two guards stood on either side of the door, watching us and behind us for harpies or other creatures that may have been following us.

Then there was another screech, followed by several others. We turned back to see multiple harpies flying toward us. Reyna pushed us toward the entrance. "Go!" she yelled, unsheathing her sword.

We immediately took off, only yards away from safety. I heard Jason yell in shock and turned around to see a harpy gripping his arm with its claws. I grabbed him, pulling him away as he kicked at the creature.

We reached the entrance a moment later and one of the guards let us in while the other was busy helping Reyna. The entrance closed as soon as they were inside.