We ran through the tunnel and came upon another passageway branching out from the main stem.
We stopped and caught our breaths,
"Which way should we go?" I asked,
"We should continue going forward, according to-"
"Help… Annab… Save...me" A voice called from the side tunnel and my heart almost stopped.
No… It can't be. He was dead. I saw him get taken away. I thought. But it was like the voices had magic, it felt like it was pulling me towards it.
I locked eyes with Annabeth, but her eyes were misty.
"Percy! We have to save him!"
"No, Annabeth, it's just an illusion, I saw him get taken away, WE saw him."
Annabeth looked angry, "Is this what you want? Just to let him die? I am going after him Percy, and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"Annabeth!" I shouted, but she was already on her way. I ran after her.
It was easy following her, but it was hard to not get distracted myself.
"Help me, Percy," I heard my mother's voice, "Come to me."
No, I thought, you are not real.
Annabeth took a turn and I lost her, then I heard her screaming and the sound of flesh getting torn apart.
I shook my head trying to focus, I poured on my speed and Annabeth appeared in my sights again.
Finally, I saw her stop running, looking around as if she was confused about how she got here.
"Percy," She asked, "where are we?"
"Annabeth, thank Posiden you're ok,"
"Wha-What happened?"
"Uh, you got a little distracted,"
I told her about Luke's voice.
"Oh, gods Percy." Annabeth lowered her head, "I didn't do anything helpful on this trip, did I,"
"You're fine, Wise girl, besides it was you that told me to pray to Dionysus."
"Ok, I guess but-"
Suddenly a low growling sound echoed through the tunnel and a monster with the body of the horse and the head of a lion dropped out from the ceiling.