Chapter 3: Annabeth POV

When Percy, Grover, and I arrived at the school parking lot, I was worried and confused. When Chiron said that the school is the same one that Jason, Piper, and Leo went to, I was expecting Nevada, not New York.

We trudged forward to the front doors of the school building. I shivered in the cool air and Percy wrapped his arms around me.

"I have some details I need to share with you," Percy admitted.

Great, I thought. Horrible news to add to this.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well, some details about this quest and what I got from my dad," Percy said. "He came to me in a dream before this quest. He gave me what the demi-gods look like."

"Really?" I asked, "Can you explain?"

Percy didn't seem like he wanted to, but he explained what the demi-gods looked like, how his dad was keeping things from him. He explained more about the demi-gods personality, but after that, he didn't say anymore.

"Oh, so we're finding a girl and a boy?" Grover butted in.

"Yeah, I guess so," I glanced at Percy, his expression seemed to darken, but it could've been the light.

We walked up to the doors and opened them. A blast of warm air and weird-smelling food came from inside.

"Any smell of monsters?" I asked Grover.

"Not that I can tell right now," Grover said, "But there's still a chance of monsters."

We walked through the doors and they closed behind us, making me jump. I hated when doors shut behind you for no apparent reason. It's like someone trying to make you scream, and I know how that's like, thanks to the Stoll brothers and the rest of the Hermes' kids.

Percy had uncapped Riptide for light in the dark halls, and someone came towards us.

"Who are you three?" Someone yelled down the hall.

Uh-oh, I thought. Trouble.

Percy capped Riptide, "What do you mean? We're students."

"What? Then why aren't you three in your dorms?" The lady demanded.

"I was looking for a guy with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, have you seen him?" Percy asked, "My friend and I were looking for him so we can study."

"Hmm, you mean Adam? He's in his dorm, 23-A," The lady explained. "And you missy," pointed a finger at me, "what are you doing outside your dorm?"

"I was looking for my friend with black, wavy long hair with bright green eyes, so we can study for the big test tomorrow," I said with a blonde smile.

"Oh, you mean Stella? Yeah, she never leaves Adam's side, which I should check on those two, but I guess I'll take you with," The lady sighed and led the way to Adam and Stella.

The lady led us through a few hallways full of empty classrooms and lockers. Our footsteps echoed through the halls and by the time we got to a stairwell, Grover stopped.

"What?" I asked.

"M-monsters," Grover muttered.

Percy and I exchanged glances, Uh-oh.

"Let's keep going, Greg," Percy winked at Grover.

"Y-yeah let's keep going. I was just remembering all of our homework and studying that Paul and I have to do with Adam," Grover said, winking at Percy.

Great nicknames, I thought, but I knew that's the best way.

"Come on, before I change my mind on bringing you three," The lady urged.

"Come on, Addison," Grover said, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes, "Yes, Greg," I said while trying not to laugh.

We walked up about three flights of stairs before we got to the floor Adam and Stella are on. My legs were sore and I stumbled on the last step and Percy had to catch me.

"Thanks," I told Percy.

"Yeah, no problem. We don't need you to fall three flights of stairs," Percy said.

The lady grunted, "Yeah, and I'd lose my license, let's keep going."

The lady led us down the hall of dorms, some lights were on and some were off. I could hear some laughter coming from down the hall. The lady seemed to be mumbling to herself about the laughter.

"Here we are," The lady gestured to some dorm rooms.

"So they're in there?" Percy asked.

"Most likely, they never seem to listen to the rules," The lady complained.

"Oh, that's horrible," I agreed.

"I'm glad you understand," The lady expressed. "Why can't more teens be more like you?"

"Hm, I don't know. I just know better," I said.

The lady seemed to be enjoying that thought. She knocked on the door 23-A and a boy answered.

"Yeah?" The boy said.

"Adam, where's Stella?" The lady asked.

"I'm right here, Mr. Polski, no need to worry," A girl said, appearing in the doorway.

"Hmph, you're supposed to be in your dorm, Stella," Mrs. Polski complained.

"I was studying and helping Adam with his homework," Stella protested.

"Oh, I know what that means, back to your dorm, missy!" Mrs. Polski yelled.

"Sounds like Coach Hedge," I whispered to Percy and he laughed.

"What's so funny?" Mrs. Polski demanded.

"Nothing," I immediately said.

"Hm, sure," She said and turned back to Adam and Stella, "So explain what you are studying."

"For our history test. It's about the Greeks and their gods," Stella explained.

"Can I talk to you guys?" I asked.

"Uh, we don't know you," Adam said.

"Yes you do," Grover winked, "We're your friends."

"Uh–" Adam tried to say, but Mrs. Polski whistled so loud my ears ringed and suddenly two more ladies were by her side.

"You aren't going anywhere, half-bloods," One lady said.

"Yeah, we must take you to our master," The other said.

"Master? What master?" Adam demanded, "We don't have a master here!"

"Guys, they're not who you think they are," I tried to explain, "They're monsters."

"Like the Greek monsters?" Stella asked nervously.

"Kinda, can we get out of here?" Grover asked.

"Yes, let's go!" Percy shouted.

"No, you don't!" Mrs. Polski blocked our way.

Percy uncapped Riptide, "Move it!"

Mrs. Polski backed away from Ripide's reach, but I knew that won't keep her away. Mrs. Polski and her friends turned into Furries– great we needed them– and one of them lunged at Percy, but he dodged the attack.

"Go! Take Adam and Stella outta here!" Percy shouted. I can't let him fight by himself, but also we can't leave Adam and Stella defenseless and scared.

"I can't just leave you!" I cried.

"Annabeth, let's go!" Grover urged.

"It seems she loves you, Percy Jackson. What are you going to do?" Mrs. Polski asked.

Percy charges at Mrs. Polski and makes her into monster dust, but the others charged. Percy dodged most attacks, but one scratched his left shoulder. He yelped but swung and missed.

Grover grabs my hand and drags me away, I can't leave Percy. Adam and Stella followed behind, leaving Percy to fight alone, with an injured shoulder. I screamed Percy's name when I saw one Fury tackled him. I can't leave him, I can't.

I loosened Grover's grip and ran for Percy, he can't be gone, not yet. I have to help him.

Grover was screaming my name, but I just kept running. One Fury looked at me and hissed. She opened her wings and dived for me, but Percy appeared from thin air and got attacked by her. He tried to attack her, but she expected the move and struck his sword arm.

His shirt was drenched in blood, and he was on the ground, trying to get Riptide.

"No, Perseus Jackson, you're not going to win this time," The Fury said.