Okay, I'll leave Fate up…for now. So, for the time being, Fate and Help are in…um…different dimensions *laughs nervously* ahem. Use your imagination for me, K? I'll delete Fate…soon…or maybe not at all. Jus' depends. This is set in the 7th book, the first place they camp out at. I want ya'lls opinion on this!
Me: HEY! RILEY!
Riley: *runs down the stairs* WHAT?
Me: Do I…own PJO, by any chance?
Riley: *rolls her eyes* Hon, we've been over this. NO YOU DO NOT!
Me: Well…what about Harry Potter?
Riley: *says dramatically* Yes, Emmy, you do own Harry Potter.
Me: REALLY?
Riley: NO! Now shut up and get on with the story!
Me: *sighs sadly and turns to readers* There you have it. I do not own.
Riley: WHO are you talking to?
It was dark. Dark and dank and cold. Shadows tugged on her clothes and hair, adding to her discomfort. Strange sound echoed through her ears, jostling around in her panicked brain. Yeah, she was scared, and she hated shadow traveling with a passion.
Would she admit that?
Oh, Hades no. Not in this lifetime.
She felt numb, and clammy, and she couldn't see anything through the suffocating darkness. But she could feel. She could feel Percy next to her, an arm looped protectively around her waist, for which she was grateful.
Of course, she would never admit that either.
Those few seconds in the darkness felt long and agonizing, and ridiculously slow-mo, as if the odd little trio were attempting to shadow-travel through jello. Finally, a shard of light broke through the murk, and another, and another.
And suddenly, she was somewhere else. People rushed by her, buffeting her in her already queasy state. She leaned across Percy and hissed to Nico, "This isn't Percy's apartment."
They had been on their way from camp, to go celebrate Percy's birthday all together, now that they were finally free of their impending doom that had been looming over their heads since they were twelve.
Nico looked around, his face hazy with exhaustion. He leaned on Percy and looked around fuzzily. "It…isn't?"
Annabeth rolled her eyes, feeling irritated. "No, it isn't! Nico, how many time have I told you to concentrate when you shadow-travel with us!"
Nico rubbed his face and looked up at her, his expression agitated. "Would you stop talking for one second? I'm too tired to make a witty comeback," he muttered.
Percy looked around, with that adorable lost-puppy look that made her heart melt, and her knees weak. "So, uh, where are we, exactly?" he looked expectantly at Nico, who shrugged, replying, "Hey, don't ask me. I just work here."
Annabeth bit her tongue, wishing she could just smack the little twerp upside the head. She surveyed the area, flitting through her brain's storage, trying to mach up anything that might give her a clue. Finally, she recognized the building shapes from a picture she had seen. Realization hit her like a brick.
"We're on Tottenham Court Road!" she cried, not even believing how off Nico had been.
Percy scratched his head. "I'm guessing that's not in New York."
"No, it's not! It's not even in America! We're in England!" she yelled, her arms up in exasperation. A few people stole glances at the trio.
Nico's head snapped towards her so fast she could have sworn she heard a whoosh. Talk about whiplash.
"We're WHAT?" He yelled "How could I have been that off? That's not even possible!"
Percy raised an eyebrow. "You've landed me in China before, dude. It's more than possible." Nico crossed his arms, pouting like a small child.
"Yeah, but I've been practicing. This kind of thing shouldn't be happening anymore."
Annabeth pinched the bridge of her nose, taking a deep breath.
"Okay guys, here's the plan. We'll stick around for a bit 'till Nico can muster up enough strength to get us back to New York, hopefully in time for Percy's birthday tomorrow. Got it?"
The boys nodded dutifully.
"So…" Percy began, dodging people here and there. "what now?"
Annabeth shrugged. "We…find a place to rest?"
Nico yawned tiredly, rubbing an eye. "Zeus knows I need it." Thunder crackled across the sky. Nico waved it off irritably.
Annabeth nodded, proud of herself for keeping her head…mostly. She glanced around, hoping to spot a suitable place to stop and rest for a bit. She saw a group of drunken men across the road, jeering at three teenagers about their age (aside from Nico, who was only thirteen. Annabeth was 17, and Percy would be tomorrow.) . She saw the girl glare at the men, before leading the two boys into a small, shabby overnight café. She smiled.
Perfect.
"C'mon, boys." She grabbed both their arms, all but dragging them towards that same Café, ignoring when the men wolf whistled. One grinned at her and slurred, "Hey, princess! How bout you, eh? Do you fancy a drink? C'mon, why don't you come with me and have a pint?"
Annabeth felt Percy's hands tense, like he was about to storm over there and sock the gross man in the eye. Annabeth gave him a look, like don't you dare. If anyone was going to punch the guy, it would be her. But she wasn't going to.
Percy glared murderously in the men's direction (something he'd been working on—he actually looked a bit frightening) before following Annabeth quietly in the diner, though he didn't look happy about it.
The shortness makes me embarrassed, but oh well. So, was it any good? At all? …Action to come in chapter 2. I have MUCH planned. MUHAHAHAHAHAHA-*cough sputter cough* ahem. Anyway, WARNING: THERE WILL BE SOME CHARACTER "DEATH" IN LATER CHAPTERS, aside from…well, if you've read the book you know. I won't spoil it till later for those who have not.
