Thunderstorms and Ocean Waves (book 3)

Loot the Candy Store

Ari

(Sorry, but it's a good song and kinda sets the mood)

I watched as Annabeth used the shield to look over the city and the Stolls told her back up to the candy store.
"Dude, it's open. And everyone is asleep. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Connor asked his brother.
"Connor! This is serious. You're not going to loot a candy store in the middle of a war!" Katie Gardner scolded, sounding a lot like her mother, Demeter. I zoned out until Percy grabbed my arm and pulled me along with him down to the river. It was a long walk, so we borrowed a guy's Vespa scooter and made it all the way to the Hudson and the East Rivers came together.
"Wait here." He said.
"Absolutely not. You're not going alone." I said as he sighed and we dove into the murky water. He decided that insulting the New York River Gods would be beneficial. I zoned out one more for quite a bit but still stepped in when I was needed, until we crawled back on shore.
"Hey, we need to get to the Williamsburg Bridge, a Minotaur is leading the army." I said as he whistled for Blackjack and Stormie. I gave them some sugar cubes before we got on and rode over to the bridge.
"Blackjack dive!" Percy yelled as Stormie did the same as a white limo was flung at us.
"Stormie, drop us down behind the lines with the Apollo cabin. Stay within ear shot of us, but stay out of danger." I said as she nodded and they dropped us  off and Michael Yew ran up to us.
"How do you plan to do that?" Michael laughed as I brought myself back to reality and Percy drew his sword and so did I.
"No, Bella I need you to stay safe." Percy said.
"You know I can't die." I said.
"But you can be hurt." He countered.
"I've been hurt worse." I tried.
"Please?" He asked as I gave up and nodded.
"Fine. Just be safe." I whispered.
"Don't I get a kiss for luck? It's kind of a tradition, right?" He asked as I rolled my eyes and pressed my lips into his in a chaste kiss before I pulled back to see the stupid look on his face.
"Come back for me, ok, Seaweed Brain?" I said before he nodded and ran into battle.

***

After a while, most of the monsters were dead and that's when Annabeth called him back.
"Percy!" I called to him as he came back. "Start retreating, they'll be coming quickly." I said to Annabeth as she pushed everyone back.
"Retreat!" Percy yelled. "I'll hold them!"
In a matter of seconds, they were on us.
Michael and his archers, along with Annabeth, tried to retreat, but I stayed right next to him right until the moment that I took a poisoned dagger in the arm. I let out a yelp before I fell to the ground.
"Ariannah!" Percy screamed before I blacked out.