I run towards the crest of the hill Luke if beside me, panting to keep up with the goat-man. The stupid goat prances easily up the steep slope. Thalia is behind me. Then, I feel her stop. "Keep going! I'll hold them off!"
"NO!" I scream as I fall. Pain flares. I pound on Luke's back as he comes over and slips me safely over his shoulder. "We have to go back to get her! How can you leave Thalia? We have to go back!"
And then I wake up.
Even though I'm nearly 18 now and weeks away from graduation, I still have nightmares about something that happened ten years ago. Most teens' idea of a nightmare includes failing their exams, or being a mess in front of their crush, but for me, the worst thing that could happen, (literally) is someone I love dying, and me being helpless to stop it. I check the clock. 6:57. Oh well, might as well get ready for school. I take a long hot water shower, and wrap up in my favorite gray towel that's got owls all over it. Obviously. I slowly go back to my room (Sally and Paul got a new house after they married), leaving water in the form of footprints behind me. Percy could (and probably would) have done better. 7:23. I quickly dress in the t-shirt and jeans I set out last night and went into the kitchen to grab some food.
"You won't be needing that caffeine," I warned.
"Good morning to you too!" Percy turned around, smiling "I made you a cup too. Hazelnut."
"Cool," I say, laying some bread on the counter and reached for the ham.
I walk to school slowly, munching on a piece of peanut-buttered toast, with my nose deep down in a book. I went to the "BAG" school, where I studied architecture, and design. About two streets away from school, I put my book away and waited under a stop sign for my friend, Sadie. We'd became friends after our many adventures together.
But after 10 minutes, I got worried. Sadie wasn't normally late, unless some divine emergency required her attention. Just as I was about to leave, Sadie raced down the road, with several feral cats meowing and hissing, chasing after her. She skidded to a halt and the felines were right there, at her heels. This wasn't the first time. But I understood. It wasn't like Mom sent little baby owls after me that one time, when I was 10, or that a certain Percy sent a bunch of tropical fish to look after me, While I was on land! Not exactly his best idea ever!