The Prince of the Pit: Lightning Thief

Chapter 5: The Gorgon

About the time we stopped running, the sun started to set, and we were met with a rundown shop. Neon Cursive Text was above the entrance, which was horrible. Stone statues of people, and animals were littered around the warehouse sized building.

"Translation?" I asked. "Auntie Em's Garden Gnome Emporium," Grover answered. "Thank you," I replied. We trudged forward, and inspected the statues. They had insane detail, bud the faces were marred. Always a look of fear, never a smile.

We arrived at the door. "Do you smell that?" Annabeth asked, almost dreamily. "Fast Food," I answered blatantly. I knocked on the door. A middle aged, middle eastern woman opened the door.

She wore a turban, shades, and a white dress. "Children? Why are you out so late?" She asked, her voice like honey. "I'm sorry to barge in, miss. But we have been traveling for quite some time, and are starving. We smelled your food, and were wondering if we could have some?" I asked, tears streaming down my face.

"Oh dear, of course. Come in come in," she said, leading us through. Although, I did notice she locked us in.

"How'd you cry on command?" Annabeth asked. "I didn't. I condensed the air, to place water on my face," I answered. Almost immediately after, the faded away.

We entered a courtyard, with steel tables. The woman went to a back room, that looked like a kitchen. We sat down, and I looked around. The same married face was on all the statues of people. The animals looked like they were about to attack something.

I narrowed my eyes, something was off. I was kicked from my musings, by the woman setting food on our table. She sat down with us, and just...watched. She didn't eat, she didn't relax, she didn't even remove the turban and glasses.

"So, you sell statues?" I asked. "Oh yes, but not so much now. I mostly sell out, but never get much customers anymore," she answered. "Do you make these yourself?" I asked. I noticed Grover and Annabeth getting woozy as they ate.

"Yes, I do. I used to have sisters to help, but they have long since passed," the woman said sadly. I set down my burger. "Are you from Greece?" I asked. "I was born there, yes," she answered warily.

I stood up abruptly. "Thank you for the food, but I think we'll take our leave, Medusa," I said. Annabeth seemed to wake up, jump away from the woman. Grover was already asleep.

"I'd mistake you for a Son of Athena, Perseus. If it weren't for the blatant scent of Poseidon," Medusa said, and before I could turn away, she whipped away her shades.

I stood there, staring into the eyes of the most feared Gorgon, somehow not turning to stone. "H-How?!" Medusa shrieked in confusion. "Honestly, I have no sweet clue," I answered.

I glanced to the side, and Annabeth disappeared. I retrieved Riptide, and uncapped. The sword sprang out, glowing in the room. "You wouldn't harm an old woman, would you?" Medusa asked, her voice enchanting.

"Sorry, but you're way past your expiration date," I replied. I was tempted to activate my shield, given the talons, but that would probably just enrage her.

"Then you'll die by my hands, Perseus Jackson. No matter if Poseidon is your father," Medusa called, and leapt at me. I rolled to the left, out of reach. When Medusa turned, she was met with a punch to the face.

She fell back, wailing. In another second, she was decapitated, her body returning to the depths. "Annabeth!" I called. "No need to shout," Annabeth exclaimed, appearing beside me. "Get a bag from the kitchen. Try and find some more supplies," I ordered. She nodded, and ran off.

I walked over to Grover. "Grover! Watch out for the Cyclops!" I screamed in his ear. He jumped up 3 feet, and fell to the floor, panting heavily. "Good, you're up," I said, and moved to Medusa's head.

"T-That wasn't f-funny," Grover stuttered. "It was a little, and it worked," I replied. Annabeth came back with...a lot of stuff. A box, that read Hermes Express in Greek. A bag with what I assume to be Drachma. And a plastic bag.

"I also found the Billing Address for the Underworld," Annabeth said, plopping the stuff on the table. I took the bag, and double wrapped Medusa's Head.

"Why didn't the Curse affect you?" Annabeth asked. "I'm not sure of that myself, not even the sleep drugs affected me," I answered. I put the bag in the Hermes box.

The Gods, Mount Olympus. 600th floor Empire State Building. Signed, Percy Jackson. "They won't like that," Grover said. I placed a Drachma on it, and it disappeared. "Why not? 2 Heroes and a asleep Satyr defeated Medusa, protecting future Demigods. This is just proof," I replied.

I opened my Duffel Bag, and put the Drachma in it. "Wait, that actually work as a bag?" Annabeth questioned. "Of course. My shield works as a watch, my spear can have setting switch to work as a pen, and I need a way for storage," I replied.

"I also had Dad enchant them to return to me, like Riptide," I added. "Now, what was that address?" I asked. "DOA Studios, San Francisco, CA," Annabeth recited.

"Let's find somewhere to rest, then we move in the morning," I concluded. The 2 nodded, and followed me outside. We walked into the forest, and found a clearing. Unfortunately, teens used it for a party.

"We'll camp here. Don't make a fire, don't want to attract any unwanted attention," I ordered. Grover grumbled, and decided to climb a tree. Annabeth went to the rusting pickup, and laid on the hood.

I rested against a boulder, and fell asleep.

Dream:
I was standing on the edge of a massive hole. Behind me laid Erebus, the Underworld's wall, not the Deity. I heard the Fields of Punishment, and saw the Elysian Fields' glow in the distance.

"Welcome, Percy Jackson," a hoarse voice called. "Hello. I assume you are a Titan?" I questioned. "You are indeed correct, but for which Titan I am, will remain a mystery," the voice answered.

"So, why have you summoned me to the Underworld entrance to Tartarus?" I asked. He chuckled. "Tread carefully, Perseus," He said. "I want you to join me."

"And if I decline?" I asked. "You will be the first to die," he answered with a growl. "Tempting. But I'll have to decline," I answered. He growled. "Then you'll die a painful death," he said. I awoke a second later.