The Blood of Olympus

Chapter 22: Annabeth

Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait, I had a REALLY bad case of writer's block. But anyways, I had a great time in Alaska! I got to go hiking on glaciers, white-water rafting, a whole lot of hiking in the wilderness- the scenery was UNBELIEVABLE. And although I had the scariest moments of my life numbers 1-4 (lets just say I was so terrified I almost started crying), I had a blast!

Also, there was one other thing. As we all know (and are freaking out about) BoO is the last book in the Percy Jackson series, and although it's been lots of fun writing fanfiction, I think that it's probably going to be my last fanfiction as well -at least my last that I'm actually committed to. This is in part because I've started to gain interest in writing original stories. I've already written and posted a bunch of original short stories called The Red Dot, Terminated, and Condemned to Remember - if you're reading this, it would be great if you could check them out! - and I'm slowly pulling together ideas for a sci-fi book, so just saying, stay tuned for any anouncements on that!

And now, without further ado, may I present: Chapter 22!

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Chapter 22: Annabeth

Annabeth should have expected a monster attack. The Seven were grouped in Piper's cabin, no one on watch, all distracted because thirty seconds ago she had been acting like she had been possessed by Drew, and then returned to sanity by conking her head on the floor.

So naturally the alarms chose that moment to blare out.

Leo jumped to his feet like he had been electrocuted and immediately shot up to the deck, no doubt to relay orders to Festus. But everyone else stayed where they were, grouped around Piper, who was shaking her head like she was trying to get water out.

"Pipes?" Jason asked, and Annabeth could understand why his voice was quivering, "Are you...are you ok?"

Piper blinked in confusion and looked up at them, her eyes wide, "I don't know what you're talking about." she said slowly, "I'm fine. At least - " she looked down at her clothes with obvious disgust, "I will be once I get these things off me."

"Yeah," Percy said sarcastically, "You spent the meeting before Frank, Annabeth, and I went to Pylos crushing all of our hopes for this war, saying stupid stuff about our fatal flaws, then we get back and you're acting like a demented clown. Sure. You're fine."

Annabeth glared at Percy, who caught her eyes and shrugged. Piper looked at him, tilting her head as though considering his comments.

"I'm sorry, ok?" she said in a low voice, "I don't know what came over me during the meeting, it was like...like I - "

But what Piper had felt like during their meeting, Annabeth didn't find out, because at that moment Leo burst back into the cabin, breathing heavily, with chunks torn out of his hair. His face was twisted in pain.

"Leo- " Annabeth started to say, but she stopped short when she noticed the blood pooling at Leo's feet, spilling from wounds on his legs, arms, and chests.

"Demon grandmothers!" Leo gasped.

Jason frowned. "What?"

"Demon grandmothers! Old, wrinkly, smoky, scary, ladies! A little help? Anybody?"

Leo's eyes were wide open, his pupils dilated, and his face pale from loss of blood.

"Look Leo," Hazel said nervously, "calm down, I'm sure -"

"You don't get it!" Leo insisted, "They took Festus!"

"What?" Jason yelped. Annabeth felt a pang of fear. Even she had started to grow fond of the bronze dragon - even if it was only a head.