Chapter 1
Never Let a Cyclops Catch You:
I run. Then run some more and dodge passing mortals. My legs are killing me, and I want to stop so badly but he is right behind me. I speed up when I heard growling behind me, "MOVE! CATCH THAT GIRL!" When you live in San Francesco that usually means I stole something… Which I do steal things. Just not from crazy big men with ripped muscles and that they will tear you to shreds. My heart races as I dodge a couple sharing an ice cream cone and they yell curses as the ice cream falls to the ground. I finally make it to the busiest part of where I live, and walk quickly into the large crowd and scan my surroundings. He isn't anywhere in sight. I think as I keep my head down from all the people surrounding me.
Let me give you a word of advice. Never, ever live in San Francesco when you're a demigod. Never. The only reason I'm alive is because I have street smarts, and a couple of enchanted weapons to help me set anyone straight if they mess with me. As I walk through the crowd my heart thumps against my chest and I try to slow my breathing because monsters smell fears, especially on demigods. I slowly press my Poseidon charm on my enchanted imperial gold bracelet and slip the knife under my long jacket sleeve. My eyes dart over the sea of people and I stay close to my protection, the water floating next to me. As I hide my "beautiful" sea green eyes, and my long curly dark brown hair I keep my head down and avoid eye contact. I'm almost to my orphanage when a hand grabs me from an alley. "HEL-" I scream but am cut off as a humungous burly hand wraps its fingers around my mouth. I squirm and fight as the monster begins to push me down the alley closer to the dead-end.
I'm doomed… All the money I saved. All the hard beatings I got for trying to find my brother… Lost. And all because a dumb ass Cyclops catches me before I can save myself. Why dad? Why? Can't you see I'm about to die? Can't u help me? I plead and beg in my mind as I'm dragged closer to my death.
The Cyclops throws me against the floor, and feel something break inside my chest. I bite my lip retraining myself from crying. I force my eyes to look up at the Cyclops and hold my head high to show I'm going to die with dignity and respect. He slowly brushes his hand against my cheek and licks his lips.
"You will be a yummy demigod, eh? So young and sweet… Beautiful and sweet-smelling at the same time. You will be a good feast my beautiful Princess of the Sea…" His voice has a ring to it and then it hits me. It's my moms and my throat dries up, and I blink back tears. He knows her voice… I stare at him breathing hard and let him shove me up into his face. "Oh, how sweet you smell… Did you know that Poseidon kids are always the best for eating, hmm?" He looks at me wanting to see my fear and me cowering in the corner, but I won't because I'm going to show that Poseidon kids don't show fear. I glance at the sea and feel a tug at my gut and I smile but he smashes my head and I lose the feeling and everything around me turns fuzzy.
I remember my knife and move it down into the palm of my hand. Its slick, smooth surface glides over my skin easily. He's not gonna win... No without a fight.
As he glides closer I shakily stand my left hand clutching my ribs while the knife presses into my right palm. The Cyclops moves closer and when he touches my cheek I slice my knife threw the air and into his chest. He does not die though. A slow menacing smile spreads across his lips and I back away shakily my ribs puncturing my chest. "No lil' girl. Just let me take you." His hand wraps itself delicately around my neck. I try to call the water again but he squeezes my throat closing off air too my lungs.
"Nu uh… I'm not losing my precious meal to the sea again." He purrs and pulls out a knife and lifts it above my head. Everything begins to slow down as the cold smooth weapon slams into my head. I see the face of Hades beckon me towards his world. Beauty and happiness dot the faces of the people walking around showing me the place heroes go. I reach my hand out towards him and he smiles not looking scary at all, but then he begins to fade…
"Step. Away. From. The. Girl." Speaks a deep cocky tone. I try to lift my head but it feels like a million pounds is keeping me from doing so. I feel a cold, abnormally large hand wrap its long puffy fingers around my neck tighter. "No." The raspy voice speaks and it begins squeezing my neck harder this time. I feel my air drain from me and his grip tightens. With my last ounce of strength I claw at his hand. He lifts me up and I see 3 blurry figures standing opposite of my killer.
In a flash an arrow stabs the hand holding me, and I drop to the ground and everything speeds up. I see a dark-haired boy leap on to the monster slashing and stabbing with incredible skills. The arrow came from a teenage boy with a buzz cut, and he continues to shoot arrows and comes to my side. "Your going to be alright I promise… Percy and Clarisse will give me enough time to get you outta' here." His voice is strong but has a soft tone to it and I allow him to gather me in his arms. I notice a fast girl with straight brown hair running with amazing speed stab the monster. Everything crashes back to me. The Cyclops. My almost terrifying death. Then the realization these 3 people are saving me from this monster.
A girl's voice screams with a sort of raspy deep tone, "Kill the beast Jackson! Do not make me call you a prissy pants Percy Jackson!" My eyes widen and I open my mouth to say my lasts name Jackson too. Yet a knife stabs my arm and blood pours out. The sight of my blood flowing from my arm like Niagara Falls makes my vision blurry and everything engulfs itself into darkness.