Ack I was so busy all week (started dance camp, was meeting with relatives and stuff) so I didn't get to writing :( So sorry about the long wait! However this fic is almost done, so I won't have to worry about updating this one soon and can concentrate on other ones forming in my head. Disclaimer: I don't own Class of the Titans.


Another Chance
Chapter Six: Retreat

Archie and Atlanta braced themselves, ready for an onslaught of thorny leafed snakes. But just as the thin woman floating above them was about to direct the menacing flowers dancing about her, they heard a shout from over their shoulders.

As their concentration broke and they turned in surprise, Jay exploded from the shadowed trees, closely followed by Herry and Theresa (Neil had decided last-minute to stay and help Odie). In a furtive glance to the woman above them, Atlanta noticed she was just as stunned as them at this outburst and had temporarily forgotten her next move as this new pawn came into play.

Atlanta glanced at Archie and he seemed to have seen it too. With a confident grin he nodded and brought his whip into view to show he knew what she meant. Atlanta reached for her bolas carefully and raised her eyebrows in signal.

What occurred next happened so fast that it was as if all the heroes were operating on Atlanta's cue. As she and Archie swung their weapons into the writhing vines, Jay and Theresa jumped between the woman and the vines which Herry had pulled down and tied together. With a leg up from Jay, Theresa flew into the air and caught the small woman in a soaring side-tackle, bringing the brown-haired maiden down with her as she landed on the soft grass in the clearing.

The vines shooting out from the forest, which were currently knotted and squirming, contracted suddenly then began to smoke as a short afro head popped out of the tangled trees.

"I found the source," Odie grinned, holding up his PMR whose antenna was smoking like the vines. The green ropes began to shrink and recede as the rest of the team returned his smile.

Neil stepped out from behind Odie with a satisfied smirk and dusted off his hands. "Good job everyone, great team effort," he said, putting his hands on his hips and surveying the now-calm clearing.

The communal eye-rolling occurred without Neil noticing, or at least Neil pretending not to notice, until Theresa kneeled and called the others over. "She's waking up," Theresa said of the woman on the ground, who had fallen unconscious after Theresa's tackle but was now beginning to stir.

The heroes around her who had crowded at Theresa's call now murmured to each other, debating what they should do with the petite woman.

"She was definitely being controlled by something," Atlanta pitched in. "I don't think she would normally be evil."

"Well who is she?" asked Jay, whose vast knowledge of Greek mythology was, for once, leaving him at a blank.

"Uh, guys?" Neil's voice drifted from outside the group.

"She probably needs medical attention," noted Theresa, observing small cuts and swellings springing from the maiden's pale skin. "Should we take her to Hera?"

"Well wherever you take her, you'd better decide soon!" Neil squealed, his back to the group. One hand was pointing a shaking finger at the forest, the other clenched under his chin.

Spinning around, Herry voiced what Neil was choking on in fear. "The forest is closing in!"

The rest of the teens turned as well, Theresa picking up the small woman in her arms. "Run!" she yelled, though it was unnecessary as everyone had already darted between the trees that weren't slowly engulfing the green clearing.

Theresa maneuvered as best she could through dark trees, trying to get out as quickly as possible and not bothering to find the others. The woman in her arms was awake but groggy and she wanted to get her to the gods before anything else happened.

She could see faint light through thinning trees and she knew she was nearing the track. Behind her she could hear the rustles and random shouts of her teammates, but she didn't slow her pace. Just a little farther, she encouraged herself, shifting her hold on the woman who was now awake and clearly confused.

Jay stopped at the edge of the trees, waiting for the rest of the team to emerge. He had to be sure everyone was safe before he could continue. He knew Theresa had run ahead and despite his strong desire to go with her he stayed and waited.

Atlanta then Archie were the first ones out, right behind each other and panting, seeming to have raced the last stretch of forest. Jay was pleased for more than one reason to see they were laughing and Atlanta even had a hand on Archie's semi-recumbent shoulder. Herry and Odie were next, followed lastly by Neil who loudly announced he was never going near another forest ever again while inspecting his ruined cashmere t-shirt.

"Is everyone okay?" Jay demanded, looking around the group. Everyone nodded and Jay took that as cue to cross the track. "Theresa is headed to Hera with the woman," he explained, thoughmost had already assumed that's where she went. "Let's just be glad we got out of that forest," Jay added, as dusk was slowly beginning to settle on the rustling trees behind them.


Augh we still haven't found out who that woman is! I've really drawn out these chapters, I'm annoyed at myself. I hope I can get the next one out sooner, and finally explain everything. Thanks for bearing with, and keep up the reviews please et merci!