CHAPTER 2

WHOOPS, WE CHEAT DEATH!

PERCY.

TWO MONTHS LATER!

Want to know what falling into an endless pit is like? It's not nice! Annabeth clung to my hand all the time, which I didn't mind, but what I didn't expect next...was for us to disappear and re-appear in a field of nettles. I didn't care about the stings all over me. I was just wondering how we were out of Tartarus. Annabeth fell to her knee's - tears in her eyes.

"Thank the gods", she gasped. "Hera saved us!" She kissed me, leaving me smiling like an idiot, then pulled me along to a roadside. "Oh Gods", she said, cursing under her breath. "We're in Virginia". She didn't seem happy whatsoever. I frowned confused. "We have to travel back to camp!" she groaned. "Gods your dull". I laughed for the first time for ever and we just walked along the road.

Watching the sunset was nice, and because Virginia wasn't full of lights - at night the sky lit up with stars - way more than you could see at home. I could see why Annabeth loved this place. I thought about us settling down here when we grew up - sure we'd still be target's but it'd be worth it!

For the next while, we passed miles and miles of fields, forests and meadows, until we came upon a town. Annabeth sighed and led the way. Oh, I thought, her dad lives here. We stood in front of a big cream house. Annabeth knocked at the door hesitantly. I squeezed her hand for support but let go as soon as the door swung open.

"Annabeth", Mr Chase smiled. "Percy, I'm so glad you're okay!" He awkwardly hugged Annabeth, but I could see and improvement since last time. We stumbled inside and Mr Chase kindly set up two sofa's for us to sleep on. Annabeth didn't want to use her old pink bedroom - I could see why. Annabeth crashed straight away - but my ADHD kicked in immediately and I examined every detail in the room.

I eventually fell asleep and awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs - Annabeth was cooking. I jogged into the kitchen to see she had packed everything she could into two bags, cooked breakfast and left a note to her dad - already.

Munching down the food gratefully, we sprinted down the driveway to Mr Chase's old Cadillac and hopped in - I was driving. "Remember Percy - my dad said, he doesn't need this car, so don't be careful". Strange coming from Annabeth, but I sped down the road anyways, feeling a rush of adrenalin pump through me.

We only stopped twice - first time: to get gas - second time: Annabeth spotted an old diner so we headed in. About a day passed and we found ourselves back in Manhattan - so we took our time too visit my mom.

"Percy!" my mom cried hugging Annabeth and I. Paul also squished us happily. My mom was now in tears. "They told me you two had fallen into Tartarus". Annabeth hugged my mom. "We're okay Sally - Hera saved us". Hearing my mom laugh was great. She knew about Annabeth's hatred of Hera, and agreed with her.

Then without another word - the door burst down and none other than Octavian stepped in with two kids by the scruffs of their necks. A boy and a girl a bit younger than me.

My mom yelped. She screamed two words which I wasn't expecting. "MY DAUGHTER!"