I STARED UP into a red sky, with crimson clouds arcing over a desolate landscape, pus-like lava oozing out of lumps the size of hills. A fiery waterfall glowed in the darkness and the poisonous air.
I was in Tartarus. I'd only read this in books. I never thought I would be here.
Every breath I took set my lungs aflame. Before me, monsters moved like massive herds of wildebeest in an Attenborough documentary. Suddenly I saw a woman climb onto the ledge where the ebony Doors of Death were, and stare earnestly at them. The woman's scarred face was a ghastly white, and in her hand was an arrow. Taking a closer look, I saw scratches on the doors.
The arrow screeched as the woman scraped it down the doors, leaving a white mark, but nothing more. The ghoul's ugly shriek of frustration almost shattered my eardrums.
I bolted up on the dorm bed, gasping for air.
Someone was trying to open the doors of death.
The night breeze was cool and refreshing compared to the acidic winds of Tartarus. The moon shined through the window, the silver light casting eerie shadows on the dark stone walls.
I've got to warn them.
I tried to go to sleep but to no avail. I waited and waited, lying still in the night, until the sun came up, turning the black sky blue.
The potions classroom smelt strong but oddly sweet. The professor's monotone droning made me want to sleep even more.
'Does anybody know the final ingredient to make a bottle of Skele-Gro?'
Will put his hand up.
'Solace,' Called the professor
'Five scarab beetles, sir.' Will answered. 'But isn't the puffer fish poisonous?'
'The Chinese chomping cabbages devour the poisonous parts, Mr. Solace' replied the teacher.
The class was a small underground cavern lit with old torches, only, the flames were pure white. I stared at our shadows, dancing to the flickering light's silent song. Percy sat at the desk across mine, doodling in his book and Annabeth sat next to him, listening to the teacher intently, her grey eyes sharp and intimidating.
I need to tell them that dream… but they look so content. I don't want to ruin their school life here.
No.
My head interrupted me.
You have to. Only they would understand what's going on.
'... and that concludes our introduction on healing potions.' the professor finished. 'Please read the first five pages of chapter one and do the questions for homework.'
As the students flooded out of the classroom I walked up to Annabeth. After all, she was the most level-headed one out of us.
'Hey, Annabeth,' I called out to her.
'Yes?' she turned around.
'Uhh...I need to talk to you. It's urgent.'