I'm sorry I took so long to update- our internet was cut off for TWO WEEKS! But it gave me time to catch up on all my stories, at least. I vow to never leave for that long AGAIN!
It's been a hard fourteen days, folks. But I made it out alive. A hint of advice: NEVER let ANYONE cut off your internet. It's pure torture.
And I just have to say to one reviewer:
Katara43- I just have to say that I am a huge fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I personally prefer the cartoons to the animated reality movie, because Sokka's such a prude in the Real Movie! Have you seen all the episodes? I have! And I just fell in love with Zuko when his hair grew out long and shaggy. Sorry about the rant. Just had to get that off my chest. :)
Somebody asked whether the sleepover scene with Percy and Rachel was implying adultery- no, it was just a sleepover, nothing- er, grown- up happened that night.
Also, a reviewer mentioned in their review that they didn't want there to be a 'slash pairing' in this story. I don't like to admit that I don't know, but, well, I really have no idea what you are talking about. And, if someone would be so kind as to answer, could you also please explain what Alternate World means in the same review? It would be much appreciated.
If you guys actually read my Authors Notes, can those of you who have bothered to read to this point put in your reviews somewhere: 'Pizza shapes are awesome!'.
Thanks!
Chapter 9 (already?):
Desires and Promises
Thalia woke to a vicious headache. Her temple throbbed so bad she groaned softly and closed her eyes again, resting her forehead on the cool ground- wait. Was the ground moving? She opened her eyes and sat up quickly, which she regretted immediately. What was up with her head? Sure, she'd had minor headaches from dehydration and whatnot before, but this- this was just unbearable. Black spots danced in front of her vision. It didn't help that the surface she sat on was swaying- rocking, really.
Was she imagining it? Or did Annabeth feel it too- Annabeth! Thalia widened her eyes. She remembered now- the men abandoning them on the side of the road. Her burning, blistering feet. Being kicked violently in the temple.
But where was Annabeth? In fact, where was Thalia?
The dumbfounded girl slowly straightened out, her abused head protesting vehemently. She seemed to be in a wagon of some sort. It would at least explain the rocking. An annoying strand of dark hair interrupted her field of vision.
She went to brush it behind her ear, but found she couldn't move her hands. Of course. Of course they would be bound behind her back with course rope that did the tender skin of her wrists absolutely no favours at all.
Thalia cautiously leaned forward, scanning the wagon. She twisted slightly. Then there was Annabeth- her once magnificent dress dusty and torn, her feet bare, her eyes closed, curled into the foetal position in a corner of the wagon.
Thalia couldn't determine for sure whether Annabeth was breathing or not.
"Awwe, looky at that, Chris, the bastard's awake!" Thalia froze. How did they- whoever 'they' was- know that she was a bastard child? Or was the word 'bastard' just used as an insult?
Thalia turned her head to the source of the voice. Three boys were huddled at the head of the chariot, gulping from mugs of what Thalia guessed to be some sort of alcohol, if the strong, nose- wrinkling scent was any indication. Thalia guessed the boys would be about her age- 21- give or take a few years.
She tried to stand, but her balance was off. She stumbled to the floor, absolutely humiliated as the three boys chortled.
"Who are you to tie me up like a- like I'm no better than a dog?" Thalia demanded furiously.
None answered. This was even more frustrating. Especially to an ADHD person like Thalia. "Answer me!" she shouted. "Where are you taking us? Who the Hades are you?!"
"Oh, don't blow a fuse, missy. Can't afford to fix it."
This time, Thalia succeeded in standing without stumbling. "Oh, how dare you_"
"Ooh, watch out, Andy. She's gonna blow!"
Thalia clenched her fists behind her back and growled.
"Hello? What's going on here?" Thalia stopped short and whipped around. She regretted it. Her head thudded painfully and she screamed shortly, dropping to her knees.
"Annabeth," she groaned. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. Just a bit thirsty. You?" Annabeth was sitting up, looking completely at ease, like they weren't being kidnapped by a trio of lunatics.
"Does it look like I'm fine?" Thalia yelled, swearing. She got up shakily and turned to face the three amused boys. "I'm deadly serious when I say we have to get to- to- some place that starts with M_"
The big Hispanic guy, who the third Nameless guy had called Chris, smirked and said, "Marmarinou Agalmatos Tes Ges?"
"Yes. That. We must get there_"
"No problems there, missy. That's where you're going. Wouldn't be gentlemanly to leave two unprotected pretty young ladies on the side of the road, now, would it?"
Thalia didn't have much experience with strangers, but she knew there were hidden implications in Chris's voice. She shuddered.
"Who are you?" Thalia had forgotten that Annabeth was present as well. The blond had been quietly observing the three boys, assessing their hidden motives. Thalia could never understand how Annabeth read people so well- she had a natural talent for it, Thalia supposed.
"Us?" The guy that Nameless had called Andy smirked. "I'm Andrew Jabawaki. This here," he gestured to Chris, "is Christopher Rodriguez. And he," Andy pointed to Nameless, "Is Ethan Nakamura."
Thalia's every fibre told her that something was terribly wrong. She shouldn't trust these three.
Annabeth was clutching at her throat, like she was-
"Hey, Blondie, you thirsty?" the littlest of the trio, Andy, asked.
Annabeth looked suspicious for a minute, but she gave in and nodded eventually. Her hands were still at her throat. "Quite, actually. Have you any water?"
"Water? Only wimps drink water. I got something even better for you. Go on, try it. It's non alcoholic," Andy urged, putting his cup to Annabeth's lips. She sipped apprehensively, but soon her eyes widened. She snatched the cup off of Andy and guzzled it.
"Woah, easy, girl," Andy said, taking the cup off her. "So, what's your names?"
"I'm Annabeth," Annabeth gushed. She fluttered her eyelashes at Andy. "Annabeth Sagesse Chase. Pleased to meet you." Thalia shot Annabeth a warning look. Annabeth paid no heed.
"Oh, but the pleasure is mine," Andy murmured. His unnerving gaze settled on Annabeth's bosom a little longer than necessary. He helped Annabeth up and Thalia pretended not to notice when Annabeth brushed her hand against Andy's chest.
Thalia backed up to the chariot wall. Something sharp and cold poked her in the behind. "Ooh!" she said in surprise. She glanced around suddenly, but no one was paying any attention to her. She looked down at the sharp culprit on the wall. It was an exposed nail.
A plan formed in Thalia's mind. It was perfect, just what she would need to get out of here. She'd just slice her rope on the nail, cut Annabeth's rope with Killian's knife that was inside Thalia's corset and then- just then Thalia heard a sound that she thought she would never ever hear in her life. A sound that she wished she hadn't heard.
Annabeth was giggling, and purring. Something was up. Thalia once again glanced at the cup in Andy's hand- Andy's hand! It was- it was- Thalia gulped- in a place on Annabeth's body that it was most definitely not supposed to be. Andy put the cup to Annabeth's lips. She greedily gulped the liquid inside. And then Annabeth was moaning-
Thalia looked at the cup in Andy's hand. It was seeping lilac smoke. Thalia couldn't hold in her gasp of contempt. She'd read about this. It was a magic spell that could only be cast by the most powerful shamans- the spell of desire.
Desire. Of course.
Andy took another sip of his drink- of his potion. His hand moved down and-
Thalia yanked her hands up. The rope was cut clean on the nail. She stuck her hand down her dress, into her tight corset, into the depths of her bosom and drew Killian's knife. She screamed something unintelligible and charged Andy.
"You rotten, perving mongrel, you bastard, you disgusting mutt_"
She heedlessly stabbed him through the gut, grabbed Annabeth, and pulled her to the front of the chariot. Thalia jumped out the front window of the chariot, onto the horse that was harnessed up. Thalia made sure Annabeth was on safely, then she cut the bindings that kept the horse chained to the chariot. Thalia used her hand to slap the horse's rump, and the horse neighed in contempt. "Don't make me whip you, horse," Thalia growled. She slapped the horse again, and it took off. Thalia grabbed the reigns and Annabeth grabbed Thalia's petite waist. The two girls, finally, were off, Annabeth in a mind- stricken daze.
They were ready to start a new life, with no delays.
Thalia could only hope that they were headed in the right direction.
Percy barged through the door, his hair full of moisture and his shirt soaked through with sweat. He ran every morning, but with summer fast approaching, it most definitely not the most suitable weather for exercise. Percy would rather swim laps every morning, but the closest pool was at school, and he tried to avoid that dreaded place as much as he could. He wouldn't walk to school every morning. Running was good enough.
He entered the bathroom, trying to be as quiet as he could while getting ready for the shower. He wasn't used to being quiet- his mother usually left for work hours before he got up, but Rachel was still asleep in his room. He didn't want to wake her up.
He showered quickly and threw on a pair of cotton trousers. It was too hot for a shirt, so he left his chest bare.
Percy walked into his bedroom and smiled down at Rachel's sleeping face. She was so innocently pretty, with her curly red hair untamed, her face pale and freckles prominent.
Percy climbed back into bed and kissed her lightly on the forehead. She snorted in her sleep and rolled so close to the edge of the bed Percy thought she was going to fall off. But, miraculously, she managed to stay on the mattress.
Another five minutes or so, and there was a knocking on the door. Rachel jolted up quickly, her back turned to Percy. She was rubbing her eyes and muttering things like, "What? Who? How- where the hell am I?"
Percy grinned and slipped his arms around her waist. "Morning, RED. Have a nice sleep, drooling all over my pillows?"
Rachel tensed for a moment, but soon caught on to the joke. "In your dreams, Jackson. It's your own drool I'd be worried about."
The knocking sounded on the door again. Percy sighed and unwound his arms. "I should probably get that," he muttered, his face buried in Rachel's hair.
"You probably should," she agreed.
"In a minuteā¦" Percy mumbled, pressing his lips to Rachel's.
Then there were thuds up the stairs. The sounds didn't quite register with Percy until it was too late. "Percy? Percy! I know you're here! Did you sleep in again- oh. Oh, sorry." The door to Percy's room had burst open so suddenly that he and Rachel hadn't separated fast enough.
Percy, blushing bright red, pushed Rachel away, then went to greet his best friend, who was standing awkwardly at the door, his fingers nervously fiddling with his set of reed pipes which were in his hands.
"Hey, man. Wasn't expecting you," Percy said to Grover.
"Wasn't expecting that, either," Grover mumbled under his breath, his own neck starting to flush.
"So, what's up?" Percy asked. Rachel was trying to sink into the duvet. Her face was still flaming red, so much so she put her brilliant hair to shame.
"Erm, I was wondering, if, you know, ah_"
"Please just get to the point," Percy said impatiently. Side effect of ADHD- a short attention span.
Grover cleared his throat. "I thought you might come with me to see the Shaman. I want her to enchant my reed pipes, so that when I play for Juniper_"
"Awwe, Grover's gone and got himself a girlfwiend!" Percy laughed.
Now it was Grover's turn to blush. "Shut it, Perce. She's not my girlfriend. And it's not like you were so subtle about Rachel all those years you liked her_"
-A stifled snort from under the duvet-
"Alright, alright. I'll come. Just let me get a shirt on. Meet you at the Market place, at Old Oak?" Old Oak was a giant, sweeping oak tree that was centuries old and had been part of the village's lands for generations. It was located in the centre of the Market place, used as a navigation device. The markets were so huge- it was nice to have a point of orientation.
"Yeah, okay. See you, man." Grover scampered off.
Percy looked at Rachel. "I still have a minute. From where we left off, milady?" Percy held out a hand, bowing graciously. Rachel, laughing, took it. Percy yanked her off the bed and held her against his bare chest.
"Promise me we'll always be together." He murmured in her ear.
Rachel shivered, and it had nothing to do with her body temperature, which was already over heated in the high humidity. "Promise."
Percy slipped on his shirt and went to meet Grover at Old Oak.
I know, you're probably ready to start planning my murder. Will I have to duck any flying obstacles thrown by angry fans? Percabeth is coming! Just be patient, my darlings.
Just a few things to clear up: Sagesse, Annabeth's middle name, which I made up. It means 'wisdom' in Greek; and Andrew Jabawaki is my OC. Like the characters of PJO, he will appear in some of my other stories, not necessarily a bad boy. I just needed a third character to fit the description, but I couldn't think of a PJO character, so I made my own.
To sum up: who's the Shaman? Will Thalia and Annabeth make it to Jupiter's Land safely?
Find out in Chapter 10!
Buh bye, petals! (For now)
