I rolled out of the way as its leg rammed into the ground where I was laying. I stood up and uncapped Riptide. I slashed my sword in an attempt to cut off one of its legs, but it was faster than it looked.

I looked back to see if Annabeth was there, but she had probably went to find the horses so we could make a getaway.

I rolled under it and stabbed upward. It only went in a few inches, but the monster roared in pain. I ran out the other side, expecting an easy opening for a kill. But instead, it shot a ball of web at my eyes.

And boy did it burn.

I dropped Riptide and started to claw at my eyes, desperate to get it off, but I knew it was no use. I was rammed up against the tree, face first. I had a feeling it knew where my Achilles spot was.

I was expecting to be run through with one of its fangs, but instead I heard a roar. I was dropped to the ground.

"Percy!"

I felt someone help get off the webbing. When I rubbed my sore, red eyes I saw Annabeth covered in monster dust.

"How did… did you…wow," I mumbled like an idiot.

She smiled proudly. "Let's go. I'll tell you on the way."

Keroth and Arimus were already hooked in the harness and ready to go.

"Are you ok, my lord?" asked Keroth.

"I thought you were a gonner!" said Arimus, who surprisingly talked.

"I'm ok," I told them. "Thanks to Annabeth."

They looked at each other and seemed to share a mocking expression, if horses could do that.

I took the reins and we set off. The rising sun made the water looked orange and pink.

"So," I said. "Thanks for saving me back there. How did you do it? I mean, weren't you terrified?"

She looked down. "I put on my Yankee's cap and tried to hide. I figured you'd take care of it, like you always do."

"But when the spider blinded you, I knew you needed my help. I've faced titans, giants, and yet I was afraid of a spider? I couldn't let it hurt you, so while it pinned you against the tree, I jumped up on its back and stabbed it on the head."

I put my arm around her. "You are the bravest person I know. You not only took on one of your greatest fears, but you defeated it. I'm so proud of you."

She blushed then hugged me tightly. "Thanks, Seaweed Brain. Sometimes, you do know what to say."

I smiled and hugged her back. We kept riding until we pulled over to a gas station to get some food. I parked the chariot figuring the Mist would confuse the mortals.

"Do you guys want anything?" I asked the horses.

"Tums!" they yelled together.

"Why Tums?" I asked.

"Tums are like candy! Plus, they keep you regular. You should have some!" stated Arimus.

"No thanks, I'm good. We'll be back in a minute."

Annabeth and I walked inside. While she got food and other stuff we might need, I got us some coffee. We'd only be driving for another day, but she insisted on getting them anyway.

"You never know what will happen."

I returned with the coffee as Annabeth finished checking out. I looked over all the extra stuff she got. She had a lighter, a couple of blankets, 2 pillow pets, and a First Aid Kit. They all seemed pretty practical, so I handed her the $10 bill I had in my pocket.

The lady at the counter eyed the stuff suspiciously. "So, you guys going on a camping trip?" she asked.

"Yes," replied Annabeth. The lady picked up the pack of Tums.

"They're for me," I said hastily. "You don't want to know."

She put them in the bag. We paid and left the store. I took out the Tums and each let them have a few.

"MM-MM!" they said. "Thank you, my lord."

"Don't call me lord. Just call me Percy."

"Whatever you want, my lord- I mean Percy. As long as you keep some Tums on you." said Keroth. I rolled my eyes and got in the chariot.

We took off. Annabeth and I both had a granola bar and a bottle of Gatorade. I few more hours went by uneventfully.

"OW!"

We swerved off the side of a road. I got control of the chariot just before we crashed into a tree.

"What's wrong?"

"Keroth doesn't look to good," said Arimus.

Keroth was lying on the ground with 2 punctures on his front leg. While Annabeth got the First Aid Kit, I went out onto the road. I looked around. Off to the edge, I saw a tale slither into the woods.

I went back to Annabeth. "It's a snake bite," I said. I saw it go off the side of the road.

"Ohhhh," moaned Keroth. "I hate snakes. I'll probably die. But I'll die a majestic and heroic death."

Arimus started to cry.

"Calm down. You aren't going to die…is he?"

"No," said Annabeth. "It wasn't a very venomous species. He'll be fine. But he definitely cannot run until tomorrow."

I patted Keroth on the flank. "I'm sorry I ruined it, my lord," he said.

"You didn't ruin anything," I told him. "We still have tomorrow morning. If we leave first thing, we should make it in time. Don't worry about it. Now get some rest."

He laid his head on the ground. Arimus walked over. "Can you tell the girl I said thank you for helping my brother?"

I smiled reassuringly at him. "I will."

A/N: I just wanna give a shout out to my BFF and author-extraordinaire, Queen-Mim! She is AMAZING, and if anyone here is a fan of the musical Wicked/Idina Menzel, you guys should really check it out! Its called No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. REVIEW!