Demigods at Hogwarts | the rescue mission ✔

32| Mermaids Are Mean

Percy's POV

I plunged into the water headfirst, water pouring into my mouth. Grunting, I spat it out.

  The first thing I noticed that this water was not the kind I was used to. I could still breathe and swim better than normal people, but it somehow felt like the water was resisting me. It could be because of the fact that this wasn't State water, but something felt sinister.

   I started swimming in a random direction, not sure where I should go. I knew that I only had one hour, but I had literally no idea where to start. I didn't even see any of the other champions around me.

   After fifteen minutes, I had decided that I was lost. Miserably lost. Sighing, I started swimming in the opposite direction. I didn't have much time left, and the other champions had probably finished the task already. On the bright side, I wouldn't drown even if the hour was up.

  Suddenly, a heard a chorus of eerie voices hum softly. My heart hammering in my chest, I swam faster in the direction I was headed---could  this be it? The voices grew louder and louder.

   Oh God.

   A few thousand yards away were creatures with greyish skin, dark green hair and yellow eyes that creeped me out. And they had tails---as in mermaid tails. I groaned silently. Great, now I had to deal with merpeople too. I swam closer to get a better view, then nearly fainted.

   The merpeople were surrounding a few unconscious bodies. I recognized Hermione among them, and Ron. I gasped as I saw Piper in the midst of the bodies---how the heck had she gotten here? Every inch of me screamed at me to get her quick, but I knew I had to be careful. Those merpeople did not look friendly, and I did not want to get killed. Trying to be as silent as possible, I crept up from behind. I was only one metre away from Piper when one of the merpeople turned around to face me. It was even uglier than the rest, with decaying teeth which was an unappetizing shade of gray-black.  It let out a hiss as the others turned to face me, their eyes narrowed. I gulped as I started backing away. "Look, I don't mean to-"

   "Percy Jackson," they hissed in unison, their voices low and menacing. They sounded nothing like the voices I had heard coming from the egg. "We've been waiting for you."

     "Well, that's great!" I stammered, my voice strained. "Um, maybe you gals can move aside so I can grab my friend...please?" I added when one of the merpeople snarled.

     Suddenly, I felt very, very angry. They had kidnapped Piper, held her hostage, and now they were being a pain. Gritting my teeth, I swam forward with all the force that I had, pushing past the merpeople.

  I grabbed Piper's waist, holding her tight to me. But before I could swim upwards, the merpeople surrounded me, their claws extended and fangs bared. They meant business and I could see that.

Not wanting to waste one more second, I started kicking towards the surface. The merpeople clawed at me, trying to pull me down. I could feel the sharp nails take my skin, drawing blood. I kicked harder as I swam upwards as fast as I could, pursued by the merpeople. I finally emerged from the water, squinting as I was blinded by the light. I could feel crowds cheering, screaming my name.

  Trying not to collapse, I made my way towards land as my friends rushed over to greet me. Feeling increasingly nauseous and lightheaded, I watched as Thalia and Frank started drying Piper, who had just regained consciousness, with a towel.

  Suddenly, I heard someone gasp and scream my name. Hazel was staring at me, her eyes widened in alarm.

  And then everything went black.