Η Κάθριν Χασέ (K.C. Jackson)

Chapter 20

*K.C. POV*

Madelyn was acting weird. At least more the usual. She kept fidgeting with her bow and pants. I snapped a finger in front if her face.

"Madelyn! Are you....okay?"

"I'm fine." She quickly responded.

I obviously knew everything was not alright.

"Come on, Maddie. You can tell me." I put a hand on her shoulder.

She bit her lip, quivering.

"Have you ever being worrying about......Sam? Like, we haven't seen him since Percy well lost it. And I'm worried about him. He's like a brother to me and I know how much he means to you after what......." She trailed off.

"After what?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You said "I know how much he means to you after what.." What?"

"Well.....after......Ethan."

I knew she also did not want me to get worked up with emotions right before a battle. I respected how she thought so highly of me.

"Madelyn.....it's ok. I guess, I mean we will find him. I just have a feeling."

I didn't say anymore. I did not have to. She understood, and we just kept walking toward the Statue of Liberty to see what we were up against.

*Percy POV*

Turns out the old math teacher wasn't going to kill me. Instead he oops I mean she yanked me by the arm toward a small clearing in the clumps of trees surrounding us. There were the two other Furies waiting with their flaming whips, grinning deviously.

They forced me to my knees, pain shocking me because of the blow I received earlier on. But I couldn't show I was in pain. They wrapped their whips around my wrists, tearing into my flesh. The fire flooded into my body, making it unbearable. I stayed on my knees, not showing the horrible pain I was in. Gritting my teeth I spat,

"What? Is this it? I thought you wanted revenge."

Mrs.Dodds hissed and bared her fangs.

"The torture is just beginning, Percy Jackson."

Black smoke formed suddenly, swirling and spreading out on the forest floor.

A figure rose from the substance, taking the form of a demon. Oh, sorry Manasseh.

I lunged at him, but the leather from the whips held me back.

"What have you done with Annabeth and K.C.?!"

"Oh, I see you are already worrying about your family, Perseus. They're fine, or will be fine."

The way he sounded so calm flared anger up in me.

"It's Percy. My name is Percy. What do you want, Manasseh?"

"So, you're not scared to say my name. Good, good. That takes guts. Would you being willing to join me if........your precious Annabeth was to somehow get involved? Let's make a deal, Perseus. Will you help me or will Annabeth have to die?"

The very mention of Annabeth dying but me in such an irate state of mind the Furies almost lost the grip of their whips.

"You hurt Annabeth......or anyone else I care about.......I swear to the gods......I will sent you to Tartarus for a very long time."

In the strangest way, he laughed. A very distorted echoic laugh. The hopelessness of the situation was starting to sink in. I looked up at him, eyes most likely looking like flames.