For the short time that the 'study group' was in existence, Percy felt as if he were back on the Argo II. There was hushed laughter that turned to sombre faces when they were made to actually study. Despite the fact that they were reborn, many of the demigods shared the same personality traits they had in their previous lives. Leo was still excessively ADHD. Nico still had a habit of waggling his eyebrows and grinning maniacally in an effort to scare Leo. Jason was an honest and just kind of guy. Annabeth was still terrified by spiders. She even confieded in Percy that she thought she was mad because she believed spiders targeted her. Percy had said he believed her, and she had smiled in relief.
Everything seemed good—until the sound of something bellowing echoed down the halls. Soon, there was howling. It looked like have so many children of the gods together had attracted monsters after all.
"Um, what was that?" Ann asked.
"Something really bad," Percy and Thalia said in unison, just as two hell hounds came crashing through the door, followed by the Minotaur and other monsters.
Percy and Thalia worked in tandem, slashing and hacking until not a single monster was left. The other demigods looked on in amazement.
"That was..." Lenny started, then broke out into a massive grin, "totally AMAZING. How did you guys do that?"
"We'll explain later. Right now, we have to move," Percy insisted.
"But, what were those things?" Ann asked, a spark of curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Listen, Annie, I'll explain everything when we reach somewhere safe, but right now, we have to move. More of them will be showing up soon," Percy said in a rushed tone. He could already hear more monsters coming down the halls, the screams of mortals telling him how close they were. There must have been something in his tone, because no one argued with him.
000
The school bus drove fast down the country roads, as Percy deftly steered it around oncoming traffic. Lenny/Leo had been fascinated watching Percy hotwire it.
"You owe us an explanation," Ann/Annabeth said.
"In a few minutes," Percy said, glancing in the rear-view mirror at her.
"Now," she said, frowning and putting her hands on her hips—a warning sign on Annabeth. By the reactions of the others on the bus, it was a warning sign with Ann.
"What do you know about Greek mythology?" Percy asked.
000
By the time they pulled up at the base of Half Blood Hill, most of the kids were convinced. Or maybe they just wanted desperately to believe in something. Ann wasn't totally convinced though.
"Ann, listen," Percy said softly. "Have you ever seen something you can't explain? Something that no one else can see? Have you ever had a moment where you have done something no one thought was humanly possible?"
Ann glanced at him, and nodded.
"Trust me," Percy pleaded, pulling the 'baby seal' eyes again, "the answers to all your questions lie at the other side of that hill, just past the pine tree."
As if on impulse, Ann grabbed his hand, studying him with steely grey eyes.
"Then come on then. Knowledge is power," she said.
