You're Not Getting Away From Me

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Waking Up

Percy's POV 

I opened my eyes to a wet darkness. Like, there was a little bit of watery light, but mostly dark. I could just make out my hand in front of me. And the smell. It was musty and rotten, all rolled into one. It burned my throat and made my eyes water. I could tell I was laying on cold, hard ground, but that was about it. I couldn't even remember how I got here. Think Percy, think. The safe house, the black monster things. It all came rushing back. Annabeth.

I scrambled into a sitting position, only to be greeted by a pounding in my head. I tried to ignore it as I groped around in the darkness to find something, anything. What was I doing? I didn't know where I was, and I'm just searching around with no light? Annabeth would kill me for being so stupid. Annabeth. Annabeth. I have to find her.

Even though fear gripped my heart, I forced myself to think logically. I felt my pocket for my sword. It was there. I pulled it out and uncapped it for light. The bronze glow nearly blinded me. I blinked and swung Riptide around. Bathed in the familiar glow, the room, or cell, I was in was small. I could see all four walls from where I was. There didn't appear to be a door. That's not very promising. I lowered my sword to the ground and saw something reflecting the light. Blond hair.

I dropped to my knees next to my fiancee.

"Annabeth," I muttered with worry laced in my voice. When she didn't react, I checked her pulse. Not fantastic, but fine. I relaxed slightly.

"Annabeth," I said again, pulling her into my chest. "Wake up, Annabeth," I nearly pleaded. I rubbed my thumb across her cheek. I looked around to see if her backpack had come with us. It had ambrosia, nectar, and other helpful things. But of course it hadn't. She wasn't wearing it when we had been attacked. Even if she had been, I doubt we would still have it. Her knife was no where I could tell, either.  Whoever captured us probably confiscated Riptide, too, but didn't realize it would always return to me.

I mumbled, "Come on, Wise Girl," and gently shook her shoulder. Amazingly, she stirred in my arms. I propped her up against my shoulder and her eyes fluttered open. The glowing light seemed to make figures dance in her eyes.

"Percy," she breathed and threw her arms around my neck. I hugged her back, tight, and buried my face in her hair. "How did we end up in this mess?" she whispered into my shirt. I just squeezed tighter.

"Well," I said after we pulled away, "never put me on guard again." I looked down. "It's my fault, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," she reassured me. "I screwed up too. I had a dream about them coming, but I didn't wake up fast enough. In fact, I wouldn't have woken up if it wasn't for our friend."

"Wait... who's 'them'? And who's our friend?"

"It was the usual gang." Names have power. Right. "And our long lost friend is-" but she never got to finish her sentence because my least favorite cheerleader stepped into our view.