Through Annabeth's Mind: Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief (Annabeth's POV)

9) Percy's determined (in both ways)

The howl ripped through the forest. The growl came from somewhere close by. The cheering of the campers died instantly and Chiron shouted: "Stand ready! My bow!" in Ancient Greek. I drew my dagger.

There, on the rocks, just above us, was a black hound the size of a rhino, with lava-red eyes and fangs the size of my dagger, and they looked just as sharp. It was looking straight at Percy.

Nobody moved, so I yelled, "Percy, run" and tried to step in front of him, but the hound was faster than I expected. It leaped over me and hit Percy, making him stumble backward. It ripped through his armor and sank his teeth in his chest. I watched with horror. I snapped out of it immediately and signaled the Apollo kids to shoot, as well as Chiron, who was one step ahead of me. They shot the monster with arrows, and the hellhound fell dead next to Percy's feet. Even with the armor, I could make out a fresh and gory bite in his chest. I hoped they didn't shoot too late. I hoped I hadn't reacted too late and this was when Percy died, and why he saw the Fates cut the yarn.

Somehow, Percy was still conscious. He lifted his head and watched Chiron trot up next to us with his bow, his face seemed to have aged, I feel it always does when he gets worried.

"Di immortales," I said. "That's a hellhound from the Fields of Punishment. They don't... they're not supposed to..."

"Someone summoned it," Chiron said, finishing my thought. "Someone inside camp."

Luke came over, the banner in his hand forgotten, his moment of glory gone. Something about the way he looked at Percy bothered me, but I decided to ignore it since we had bigger problems.

Clarisse suddenly yelled, "It's all Percy's fault! Percy summoned it!"

"Be quiet, child," Chiron told her sternly.

We watched the body of the hellhound melt into shadow, soaking into the ground until it disappeared.

"You're wounded," I told him urgently. "Quick, Percy, get in the water."

"I'm okay." he obliged, even though he was bleeding. A lot.

"No, you're not," I insisted. "Chiron, watch this."

It was the perfect time to prove my theory, even though I really hoped I was wrong. Everyone gathered around him, waiting to see what would happen, curiosity killing us.

As he stepped into the creek, his clothes absorbed the water, his cuts started to heal, making him instantly feel better. Everyone gasped, not because of what happened, but because of the symbol that started glowing over his head. NO WAY. I just stared, for the millionth time, not being able to process what had happened and all it meant.

"Look, I—I don't know why," he said, trying to apologize. "I'm sorry. . . ." he trailed off, realizing everyone was staring not at him, but at the symbol that blazed above his head.

"Percy," I told him, pointing upwards. "Um . . ."

A green three-tipped spear gleamed in the moonlight: a trident.

"Your father," I murmured. "This is really not good." It really wasn't.

"It is determined," Chiron announced.

All around, campers started kneeling, so did I. Even the Ares cabin, though they didn't look happy about it.

"My father?" he asked, completely bewildered.

"Poseidon," said Chiron. "Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God."