Percy's POV
Terror is all I am now. I've been moved around to every torture device in this cavern. I've held the sky for long periods of time. But Atlas likes to put me in the water. It's terrifying, horrifying that when I'm dunked under the freezing cold water I
can't breathe. The water stings my eyes so I hold them shut, tight. I can't breathe. The water is so cold I go numb. I feel my blood slowing down without oxygen. I feel myself about to black out when I'm yanked back into the hazards air.
I can drown now. And I'm scared. My silliest, worst fear has come to life. No, it's my second worst fear. My first is Annabeth dying. And she's so close to dying, we all are. I can tell she's in pain and I can tell she's trying to think of a plan to get
us out of here. I can also tell she's beating herself up about this. But she shouldn't. I can feel her watching me sometimes when I can't watch her. When we're in positions to watch each other our eyes never stray. It's a little bit of comfort to
know she's still with me and that she's still there.
As I'm wrenched from the water once again I find Annabeth holding the sky. Her eyes are knitted together and she's scowling. She's thinking. Her brow relaxes and her eyes widen. That's when I know, she has a plan.
Annabeth's POV
Tartarus. I never thought I'd be back here. But now I am. I'm being tortured and so is my boyfriend and so are my friends. I've been trying to figure ways out of here but I can never find anything. I'm Athena's child. I have to come up with a plan. But
I don't know how. I look for patterns. I look around and try to focus. But I can't think through the pain. The only time I can think is when I'm holding the sky. I can look around. But it's hard to think and look when you have to be so focused on
holding the sky.
Holding the sky is like holding ten grand pianos above you. But the difference is you can't drop this load, you can't put it down. You have to hold it or the world ends. Sometime I feel like I'm not strong enough. I'm all ready weakened from the other
torture devices. But I have to hold it. My arms wobbles. I kneel, swaying, trying to stay upright. I ignore the pain in my stomach from lack of food. I ignore the dryness of my throat and mouth from lack of water. I ignore the pain surrounding me
like an aura from the devices. But I can't ignore the way Percy looks as he's pulled out of the water then back up. I can't ignore his look of fear but then concern as he tries to find me. I can't ignore the way the sky threatens to crush me, taking
me away from Percy. I try to focus on a plan. A plan, that's what's keeping me sane. The plan and Percy. Seeing Percy's eyes gives me confidences and comfort that we will make it out of here.
That's when the plan comes to me.
Atlas always takes a break to sleep or eat in room well concealed from us. The hellhound is gone. The demons are a problem, as is the Cyclops. But if I can kill the Cyclops while Atlas is taking a break maybe the others could catch on and muster enough
strength to kill the other demons. It's a long shot and it's very risky. First I have to get my sword. Then I have to get the others there weapons. Then we have to kill the monsters without waking Atlas. But we have to do this all half alive and exhausted.
If Atlas puts me in the electricity box I could knock the cage that holds riptide over and set riptide free. Then the sword will find it's ay to Percy. Then when I'm put back under the sky and Percy is out, he can attack the Cyclops. But how do I tell
him the plan. How do I tell him to wait for Atlas is asleep? How do I tell him to go after the Cyclops without making a noise? How can he get the others out?
What if Riptide appeared in his pocket, then when no one is looking and Atlas is alsleep or doing whatever it is he does, Percy throws me the pen and I break out. Then I can kill the Cyclops, the ice demon, and the poison demon. I can set my friends free
and get us all out of here. I just have to be patient and hope Percy knows me as well as I know him.
I prey to the only god I like right now. I prey to Artemis who has always tried to help me and my friends.
Please let this work. Let me save my friends, Lady Artemis.