Thanks for your patience with me. I was having some trouble writing this chapter and with everything going on lately I've been a bit busy. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. Sorry this is short; I am not sure how long the following ones will be until I figure out where the story is heading right now. Please leave a review and have a spectacular day!
We rushed to the storage closet. When I threw myself against the door while trying to turn the handle at the same time, I bounced back. Pain sparked in my shoulder. No matter how much I jiggled the handle the door stayed locked. Annabeth pushed me aside and knelt. Fiddling with a bobbie pin for a few moments there was a click and we stepped in. The shelves were stocked with cleaning supplies, toilet paper and other necessities for a school to stay clean. It was empty.
"Look," Percy squeezed behind the water heater where a narrow door stood ajar. It led to a short hallway in which the only light came from behind us. The stench of mold filled my nose. Another door opened into the afternoon sunlight, momentarily blinding me. On the grass field the students could be seen lining up, the last few classes trickling out of the building. Hoping not to be spotted I took the lead, skirting around the corner in the direction of the parking lot. It seemed the most logical way for Ms. Cordova to take the kids, seeing as any other direction would have bypassed the rest of the school and drawn attention.
"I think we need to split up," I turned to the others. "Try to make it to the road before she has time to escape." They nodded and Percy took the left, Annabeth took the right. That left me the middle of the lot. Ducking from one car to the next I strained to hear any sound. There was a gentle noise I would have failed to catch had I been any further away. It sounded like a door was being closed as quietly as possible. Heart pounding, I ran in the direction, stooping behind an Explorer. There were three people gagged and bound sitting in the bed of a pickup. Ms. Cordova-or whatever her real name was- said calmly, "You can come out, now. No demigod, as sneaky as they may seem, can hide from me." I stepped into view, spear clutched in my left hand.
"Let them go," I demanded. My voice was loud and steady, not displaying anything else I was experiencing. She merely chuckled.
"How brave, but I am afraid the answer is no. You see-"
"Save your breath; I know exactly why you need them and it isn't going to happen, sister."
"Oh, but you have underestimated me. Did you honestly think I would come alone?" Her smirk widened as she watched the realization dawn on me. Annabeth and Percy. Oh my gosh, what did I put them up to? What did I do, what did I do... Anger overpowered fear and I charged, bringing my spear down. If she had not jumped sideways I would have cleanly split her in two. "The last demigod who challenged me lost dearly-actually, the last dozen." I swung again and nicked her arm. Golden ichor slowly trailed down her arm.
As I watched the woman morphed into a snakelike creature. The dracaena hissed and slithered forward, clawed fingers reaching for me. She blocked my thrust and advanced more. I ran to meet her, turning the metal on my bracelet, and bashed her in the face at the last second with my shield. She recoiled and I took the opportunity to drive the point into her torso. With a wail she burst into dust.
I wanted to search for the others but knew my main priority right now were the triplets. Turning slowly I saw the identical look of horror in their eyes. "I told you it was crazy but you needed to believe me. Now do you understand why?" They nodded in unison. I sliced the ropes on their hands and feet and pulled the cloth from their mouths.
"How...what..." Lucas tried to comprehend what just happened.
I cut him off, "Not now. I promise to explain everything better later." Turning on my heel I raced through the rows, searching for the others. Three sets of feet followed behind me, questions flowing unceasingly. I gave a small shriek in surprise when I collided with someone else. I groaned and Percy rubbed his forehead where we bashed together.
"Good, you found them."
"Where's Annabeth?"
"I thought she was with you." We exchanged a look and bolted off. "Annabeth!" we called. The parking lot seemed endless. There were footfalls and she emerged. After checking they were alright I turned to the others. My first instinct was to go to their house and leave a note for their mom if she was not already home while they packed some clothes. But Ms. Cordova had not struck me as a careless lady, even if she was a monster. Most likely she had their home being watched. Our best bet would probably be heading straight back to Camp. I pulled Annabeth and Percy away and explained my train of thought to them.
"But we can't just go all the way back on foot," Annabeth pointed out.
"And we won't have to. All we need to do is get to somewhere I know there'll be help."
"Where?"
I smiled, "my home."
