Chpt 5 We Fight the Werewolf Things (So Not Cool)

Percy's P.O.V.

The morning after Leo's homecoming ,I woke up to a loud rapping on my door. Annabeth poked her head inside.

"Hey Seaweed Brain" she said cheerfully, "'Wanna go for a walk in Central Park?"

I jumped out of my bunk. "Sounds like a plan. See you in a few Wise Girl."

Fifteen minutes later Annabeth and I were walking hand and hand in Central Park. We had snuck out via the ocean. I fingered the ring I had in my pocket.

"So how about we go someplace nice for dinner tonight," I asked nonchalantly. (That's right I know a big word)

Annabeth smiled. "Sure! Where too?"

"Well," I began nonchalantly, "I happen to know a certain sea god who wouldn't mind if we, say, wanted to have a nice dinner in his amazing underwater palace."

The bear hug she gave me was a perfectly adequate answer. "I love You," Annabeth murmured into my chest. I had a grin on my face to rival the Cheshire Cat as I picked her up and spun her around. Then I kissed her.

I could've stayed there all day, kissing my Wise girl. Sadly, because this is my life, that was when we heard sounds of growling and fighting. Because that was exactly what I felt like doing. (Feeling the sarcasm?)

Annabeth broke away. "Uh, Seaweed Brain, what was that?"

"Absolutely no idea," I replied, "Let's go check it out. Someone might need help."

She sighed, and we ran towards the noises, drawing our weapons. Sooner than I anticipated (geez, Annabeth is really rubbing off on me) we found the fight. And it was not what I expected.

About twenty werewolf things had surrounded five kids. Amazingly the kids looked like they were holding out okay on their own, but more of those things were coming out of the trees. While Annabeth and I were taking stock of the situation, a boy, about fourteen, ran into the clearing and stopped short.

As we watched his face took on an extremely ticked off expression. With a roar, he launched himself into the fight, battling his way to the other kids.

I looked at Annabeth, and she nodded. Together we charged. As my sword sliced into the first monster, I noticed something odd. At first I couldn't place it. Then Annabeth yelled.

"They aren't monsters, Percy. They should've dissolved by now."

"And they aren't mortals either," I yelled back. "We can hit them."

We didn't have time to dwell on this new development, because we were too busy slicing and dicing. Gradually we fought our way to where the strange kids were fighting. Schist, they were good! All of them were unarmed, and younger than me, bet they punched and kicked like a buncha kung-fu ninja warriors or something. For now they were holding up okay, but they were definitely wearing down.

The oldest girl had a bloody nose and scratches on her arms. The way she was holding herself made me think that she might have a bruised rib. The boy we'd seen earlier had a black eye and a gash on his leg. The others weren't without their own injuries.

The oldest girl looked at us in surprise, but she didn't have time to comment. Then suddenly all of the fighting stopped. The werewolf things stepped back and parted. Another one, even bigger and more hulking came forward. I heard gasps and a little shriek come from the kids. They all looked shocked, but the oldest girl was looking downright horrified.

"Ari," she choked out. The hulking wolf-dude grinned evilly.

"Max," he sneered, "long time, no fight. How's your puny flock doin', sis?"

"Ari," this time it was a snarl, from one of the older boys: the one we'd seen run into the clearing; with the shaggy black hair.

Huh. So they know this creep. Ari? I guess Max must be the girl. Sis? They obviously hate each other. For that matter what was with the flock? Annabeth voiced my confusion "Who are you people?"

Ari's eyes shot to us. "Look," he said, "I'd love to stay and beat you to a pulp," his eyes flickered to the dark haired boy. "But I got places to be." With that he pulled something out of his pocket, that when he pressed a button, filled the clearing with an impenetrable smoke.