TWP: The World's People

Chapter 2

Hazel’s POV

Torches lined the walls of the dirt tunnel. Only the first four torches were lit. I went to grab one of them, and it floated right out of its place into my hands. It startled me so much I dropped it.

There was some type of oil on the floor right next to the wall. It caught flame and traveled down the tunnel. I took a step back and watched the flames go so high that it skimmed the ceiling.

I suddenly got a cold feeling all around me. I turned around to see if anyone else felt it too. Everyone gave me the I-can’t-believe-you-just-did-that look.

“What? It was an accident!” I said.

Percy started to freak out, “We’re going to die!” He sat against the other wall, and cradled his knees. He rocked back and forth mumbling something under his breath.

Annabeth laughed hysterically, “If we stay away from the wall, we’re not going to burn to death.” As soon as she said that word, death, I figured out what that cold feeling was.

Someone was going to die.

“What about the smoke? Can’t we suffocate, or something?” Piper said. The cold feeling got stronger.

Behind Piper was a shadowy figure. I squinted to make it out. It was person reaching their arms out to Piper’s shoulders.

I pushed Piper away from it. She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off, “Run!”

I lead the sprint down the tunnel. We ran into crossroads, and I quickly figured out which way we should go. We ran for what felt like hours.

I wasn’t looking where I was going, and would have fallen into a cavern if Frank didn’t pull me back. I mumbled a thank you and stood up. The drop was thousand feet, easy.

The cold feeling was even stronger over here.

Jason panted, “What now?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but I closed it right after. What was there to say? We stood there for a few minutes, catching our breath.

Piper asked, “What exactly were we running from?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know.” I said.

Annabeth put her hand up, “Do you guys hear that?”

I listened for a sound, and I got one. It sounded like a crying baby.

Almost immediately, Percy said, “Hear what?”

“Sshh,” Piper said, “It sounds like . . . a baby.”

“I don’t hear anything.” Frank said.

“Neither do I.” Jason added.

“Are you guys sure you’re not imagining it?” Percy asked.

“It’s definitely a baby.” I said.

Annabeth’s POV

It was dark, but I managed to make out what was across the cavern. There were three tunnels leading off. I stared at them, and guessed that the noise was coming from the middle one.

Hazel went to the edge of the cavern, and said, “Hold hands everyone. We’re crossing over.”

Frank’s eyes went wide, “Are you kidding me?!” Hazel grabbed his hand in response. Piper grabbed her other hand.

Jason ran over and grabbed Piper’s hand, “If we fall, I want to make sure I can catch you.”

Percy grabbed his hand, “Aww thanks, Jason.” I rolled my eyes and grabbed Percy’s hand.