Chapter 6

Annabeth had to do something. She wasn't going to let this dracaena wannabe kill her boyfriend.

With a battle cry, she ran before plunging her Celestial bronze knife into Mia's hide. The lamia turned, her yellow eyes glaring at the daughter of Athena. "And what do you think you're doing?" she asked.

"Let my boyfriend go," Annabeth replied. Her voice almost sounded like a hiss.

Mia laughed. Hysterically, actually. Percy shook while she did this, his eyes bulging and his cheeks looking a little green. Annabeth took advantage of the moment, slicing the lamia's tail away and getting Percy free. He fell to the floor, gasping, but was soon back to normal. This was when Mia stopped and looked down at her wounded tail.

Annabeth was angry. What takes this snake woman to crumble into dust? she thought.

Percy must have been thinking the same thing, and he was determined to get it done. "Hey!" he yelled. "Too weak to pick me up again, are you?"

What is he… Then Annabeth figured it out. Gods, Percy was awesome.

The lamia growled. "What? Of course not! Come here, you stupid waterboy!"

"Stupid?" Percy asked as he raised his arms to let Mia wrap her tail around his waist. "I don't think so." As she raised him to her lips, ready to bite, Percy plunged Riptide into her face.

She howled in pain and dropped the son of Poseidon, who landed with a thump but otherwise seemed okay. "Come on, Percy!" Annabeth urged. "Let's get out of here." She took his hand and the two headed for the door.

"COME BACK!" Mia yelled, her voice echoing throughout the room. "I must make you my dinner!" But then, she was silent, and Annabeth knew she must have crumbled to dust.

She and Percy bust out of the Children's Fun House and back onto the boardwalk, running until they reached their boat. The orcas were still there, yipping before they took off, speeding down the current while Percy and Annabeth caught their breaths.

"That was insane," Percy said.

"Yeah. But you were great."

Percy smiled. "You, too. You okay, though?"

"Yeah, but… I'm still hungry."

Percy's smile only widened. He took something out of his pocket, and Annabeth could see that it was a wrapped up club sandwich, divided in two so that she and her boyfriend could each have a piece.

"How did you -"

"I have my ways."

Annabeth gave him a look.

"Naw, I just slipped it into my pocket on the way out."

He handed her half of the sandwich and, gladly, Annabeth bit into it. The taste of meat and vegetables (animal meat, thank gods) encased her mouth. "Mmm," Annabeth mumbled. "Food never tasted so good."

"Are you sure about that?" Percy asked. "Considering we just fought a human-eating lamia?"

They both laughed. For the first time since the beginning of the quest, worry seemed off of their shoulders. Sure, they had nearly gotten killed by a snake woman, but they were alive and on their way to Atlanta. They could defeat those gods, Annabeth was sure. Everything was going to be okay.

They sailed along the current, the orcas yipping at each other as their tails splashed against the water. At this rate, going full speed with the wind whipping in Annabeth's face, they would reach Atlanta in about a day.

She sat back, leaning against Percy's shoulder. "I have to say, this is pretty romantic."

"Okay, daughter of Aphrodite."

Annabeth gave him that signature glare. "Come on, Per -"

"Just joking. This is great."

At that time, Annabeth heard the flatness in his voice. She glanced up and saw that a imaginary cloud of darkness had washed over his face. She knew what he was thinking about, the other female in Percy's life that he loved so dearly. His mother.

Annabeth sighed, knowing that the moment of happiness couldn't last forever.

"It's okay," she assured, giving him a hug. "You'll get to see your mom again."

"Okay…" Percy seemed to give her a fake smile.

"Look," Annabeth continued. "We've been through countless adventures. We've even defeated a Titan! We can punch old Phorcys and Keto in the face."

"I know, but what if they've already hurt her? What if we're too late?"

Annabeth hadn't considered that. Sure, Phorcys and Keto were waiting for her and Annabeth, but she didn't know how long they'd wait. What if it was too late?

Stop it, she told herself. We're going as fast as we can.

"We're not," she decided. "I don't think it's just your mother that Phorcys and Keto want revenge on. It's you."

"Revenge for what? I still don't understand."

Annabeth tapped her chin. "Me, either."

Percy managed a smirk. "Wow, I've never heard you say those words before."

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain."

They both laughed, and happiness seemed to once again overcome. But this time, Annabeth didn't want it to leave.