Author's Note: Sorry this is late again, guys! Instead of taking a hiatus, I have decided that from now on, I am just going to post once a week, every Monday. In the future, I may start posting two chapters a week again, but for right now, I am just going to stick with one. Once again, thanks for all of the positive reviews! I really appreciate it!
Chapter Nineteen: Annabeth POV: Caught
As Milo, Layla, and I continued on down the path we had chosen, the light began to get dimmer and dimmer. We came across another three path cross roads and selected the right one. The stones that had previously comprised the walls and floor of the tunnel faded into more modern tile and plaster.
I began to second-guess myself. This didn't seem right. Was I sure I had chosen the correct path? A warm, putrid smell blew past us, and we all covered our noses. I stopped dead in my tracks, causing Milo and Layla to nearly run into me. "Wait," I said. "This isn't right. We need to turn around. Now!"
We started running back the way we came, but sadly, we weren't fast enough. I should have known it was a trap. I silently scolded myself.
"Ha ha ha!" A shrill voice giggled. A shiver ran down my spine.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared in front of us, and we screeched to a halt. A light switched on from somewhere, although I couldn't see the source. I looked down and saw a small creature.
"Well, you've fallen right into my little trap! Stupid demigods!" the creature chuckled again. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the creature looked very much like the goblins I had read about in fairy tales as a child. About three feet tall, it had grey-tinged skin, a tuft of grey hair on the top if its head, tall, pointed ears, large black eyes, and large feet.
I looked behind me to Layla and Milo. Layla was rolling her eyes in annoyance. I could tell neither of them thought the creature in front of us was very frightening. Neither did I, but I shot them both a warning look not to show it. I was sure that the creature would be a lot more frightening if we made him mad.
He extended a hand and touched the wall. The whole tunnel rumbled, and the creature stared at us smugly. Before I could tell the others that we needed to make a run for it, even if it meant running right into the clutches of whatever was behind us, the ground split and we fell into total blackness.
