Daughter of Neptune

Traps Galore

My hands were shaking; I didn’t know how I would hold my shield. Hannah grabbed my hand, “Don’t worry you’ll be fine.” I smiled to show I wasn’t scared, but on the inside I was terrified.

 Percy, Hannah and I had decided to stay together. This way we could take care of each other. Percy looked at both of us, “We are going to go for the flag. Annabeth decided you two were ready for some action.”

 Hannah looked at me and I looked at her. Our nerves were replaced with strength and courage. “Let’s go.” Hannah said. We heard a conch shell blow and we ran forward. We were jumping over rocks and fallen tree branches.

 Our swords were raised and we were running to the right side of the forest. Away from the river, Percy said the other campers would expect us to go along the river. We kept running until Percy pulled up. Hannah and I stopped running and stood next to Percy.

 We saw no one around so I was confused why we had stopped. Trees surrounded us everywhere except for the clearing up ahead. There was no sound of movement or battle. It almost seemed to quiet. We stood still, listening for a sound of fighting, but there was none. I decided it was safe and took a step into the clearing.

 “No Bri!” Percy exclaimed, but it was too late. Hannah held her breath and I looked down at my feet. Someone had come and set traps in the clearing. My foot was on top of a pressure plate. Some grass popped up out of the ground to my right and I realised what was going to happen. I prepared myself.

 When the arrows shot out of the grass tower I jumped forward. I don’t know how but I managed to jump at the right second. Tens of arrows shot at the spot where I was just standing. I looked at the tree; it had arrows lodged in its bark. I had a smile on my face for my ability to avoid being skewered.

 I looked down at my feet again and my smile faded. I was standing on another pressure plate. I looked around the clearing, wondering what would come at me. The ground started to shake and I got rolled to my left. Just in time too.

 The ground opened up to a large hole. If I were to fall I surely wouldn’t get out. I couldn’t see the bottom. I quickly stood up and looked around. Nothing was out of the ordinary but I wasn’t taking any chances. I listened hard for any sound of machinery, but it was silent again in the clearing.

I turned my head and looked at Hannah and Percy. Hannah was squeezing Percy’s hand. Percy’s eyes showed how scared he was. He obviously didn’t expect these sorts of traps.

 I was now in the middle of the clearing. I asked the obvious question, “What do I do know?”

 “Stay there, we’ll come to you.” Percy says, stepping forward. Hannah steps forward as well.

“No, It’s to dangerous the traps might reset when you step on the pressure plates. I’ll come back to you.”

 Percy stops moving and waits for me to move. Hannah is frozen with fear and is clutching Percy’s hand like he might make a run for it. I smile to show I am confident and the focus on the task ahead. I get down on all fours, being careful where I put my hands and legs. I don’t want to set off another trap.

 I see the trapdoor pressure plate just ahead of me. I crawl over to it and am just about to reach it when something ticks. It starts slow but then becomes more rapid and before I can move to safety, flames explode and I am thrown across the other side of the clearing. The flames dance across the treetops from tree to tree.

Percy and Hannah are on the ground. Percy starts to get up and then looks at the trees. He realises what he must do and summons water. He directs the water to the flaming trees and the flames die down. Then helps Hannah up of the ground. 

I am sprawled on the ground, my body is aching from the explosion. I move my arm to see how bad I am hurt. The pain is so intense; I thought it was still on fire.

Just before I black out I see a familiar face above me. I feel arms around my body that lift me up. Then my head rolls onto my shoulder and I black out.