Percy Jackson's Last Breath

<CHAPTER 11>

~Percy's POV~

I was breathing hard. My chest moving up and down at a fast pace. Beads of sweat trickle down my face. The heat in Tartarus was becoming unbearable.

I groan as I lean against a wall and used it to slowly slide down and sit. I've  been walking around in this heat for hours. Fortunately, I haven't come across any monsters. Hades know I don't need any more of their company.

My mouth was as dry as a safari dessert. My lips were no doubt chapped, my body was as stiff as a board, and my muscles ached.

Sitting down, I lean my head back against the wall. I sigh deeply and try and stretch out my limbs. I stifled a yelp when my muscles screamed in pain.

"Ughhh f**k!" I wince at how loud I was.

I curse at myself for the slip up when I hear a noise. Something scratched at the stone floor making a screeching sound. My teeth clench together as my ears felt like they were bleeding.

The disturbing noise got louder and louder. My heart thumped rapidly as I feared that it was going to find me. Unfortunately for me, I can't see whether or not the thing was coming towards me or not.

The screeching stopped and my eyes were as wide as saucers when I anxiously look around only to see nothing. Curse my eyesight, it's useless now.

I breathed heavily through my nose, trying not to make any noise to bring attention to myself. I almost jumped out of my skin when I feel a breeze against my cheek.

Chills ran down my spine as I slowly turn my head to the left. Spit and saliva hit my face as I close my eyes. I cringe at the sickening smell. I grip my ballpoint pen tightly, ready to use it if necessary. Against my own accord, my body was trembling.

"You smell delicious." I sat, frozen. Did...did I just hear what I think I heard?

What felt like a wet, slimy nose, touched my forehead. My hand, which held the pen, was shaking violently.

"Wh- Who's there?" I stutter, scared sh*tless.

"Oh, no one you need to worry about." The voice was deep and husky. It sounded very similar to an animalistic growl.  It sounded as if it was talking to itself.

Trying to seem unfazed, I answer. "I'll be the judge of that." Thankfully, my voice didn't shake.

There was an alarming sound coming from the monster. "Wa-wait! You can understand me?"

My eyes widen, I hadn't realized that I was talking to a monster.

My heart sped up. So the arai really weren't kidding about the curse. I clench my jaw. Dammit all to hell! I was breathing roughly from anger and frustration.

"Yes, I can." I glowered. "Sadly," I added quietly to myself.

"How is that even possible. Never in all my 22 years of living here, have I ever met a Demi- god that can understand me. That's crazy."

"Yeah, I know. All thanks to the Arai," I tell it bitterly.

I heard a soft whimper. I would have missed it if it hadn't been so quiet here. My eyes trail off to the side, despite the fact that I can't see.