Chapter 3

"Where the heck are we even going to start looking for Annabeth?" Pollux complained as he looked at all the buildings.

"We're going to start where they captured Annabeth." I snapped.

I led them down the backstreet. "Spread out, look for any traces of Annabeth or those hunters!" Clarisse said.

I scanned the ground for any clue to where the Demigod Hunters could be. Blood was still on the ground from our fight with them. "Yo, Percy!" Jake called.

I ran toward him. "I uh, found something you might want." his voice trembled.

Jake held his hand out to me. His hand contained Annabeth's camp necklace. Jake placed it in my hand. "I'm sorry, Percy." Jake said in a hushed voice.

"Continue searching." I told him bitterly.

He nodded and walked away from me. For a few moments, I just stood there, starring at Annabeth's necklace. Then I tied it around my neck. I will find Annabeth. I promised myself.

I started walking farther down the street. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Clarisse grabbed my shoulder.

"For a walk." I shook her hand off.

Clarisse rolled her eyes. As I walked down the street, I noticed all the houses. Most of them were rundown, but still had people living in them. The few children that were playing outside, ran inside when I came close to them. Not that I blamed them. I was a stranger after all. The wind started to pick up. Then there was a figure up ahead. The great godess Athena. Great. Just what I needed. She glared at me, like she always did when she saw me. "Where is my daughter?" Athena asked folding her arms.

"Yeah, nice to see you too." I mumbled.

"I said 'Where is my daughter?'" Athena became more serious.

"You're a god, you should know." I snapped. I wasn't in the mood to fight with her at the moment.

"Yes, I am a god. But when were you planning on telling me, that Annabeth is missing?" she growled.

"Once again, you. Are. A. God. I didn't need to tell you. You'd find out one way or another. Plus, I was busy trying to find Annabeth." I said.

"Then tell me, why are you not searching for Annabeth now?" she stepped a little closer to me.

"I am. I just..." I didn't know what to say.

"If anything happens to my daughter, the blame will be on you." Athena was in my face now.

I felt blood rush to my face. "Look, Athena, I don't think you understand the problem. First of all, I don't even know where Annabeth is. But I will tell you, I WILL do everything in my power to get her back! And I tried to help her, when we were attacked. But the spears the humans were using, drain any demigod's power when they touch it. I know you don't like me but...Annabeth means a lot to me and I'm not going to let them kill her. OK?"

Athena's face twisted. She was probably ticked off now. "Even though, I don't like you, Percy Jackson, I am touched by your concern for my daughter." Athena sighed.

"Athena, do you know where Annabeth is?" I asked.

"No. I must go now. Good luck, Percy." Athena disappeared.

Wow. She actually called me Percy. Weird. That's what annoyed me about the gods. They always sent heros to do their crap. I heard the crunch of boots behind me and I ducked. A lightning bolt smashed into the brick wall behind me. I drew Backbiter. The person that shot at me was dressed in all black. His face was covered with a ski mask. I swung Backbiter at him. He jumped back and laughed, "You can't hurt me with that blade!"

I ran at him and cut his arm. "Really?" I mocked.

He tried to stab me with his spear, but I stepped back. Blood ran down the side of his arm. He gripped his arm trying to stop the bleeding. Suddenly, blue lightning came at me. Stupidly, I raised Backbiter. The shock traveled through Backbiter to me. Lucky, it didn't hurt me too bad. His spear came crashing down on Backbiter. I pushed him back and he stumbled. "Who is that blade touching me?" the man growled. "Tempered steal." I panted.

"Michael!" he cried.

Michael. That name, he was one of the men holding Annabeth. Michael walked out from behind a house. "Well, what do ya know? It's that little Poseidon brat." Michael chuckled.

I charged at him, but he easily knocked me aside. "Don't rush into a battle, kid." he growled.

"Where is Annabeth?" I demanded.

He swiftly kicked my stomach. I was falling to the ground, when Michael grabbed my hair. He threw me into a wall. I slashed Backbiter at him. Michael grabbed the blade. It didn't cut him or anything! "How-?!" I said.

"Just a trick I learned." Michael shrugged and threw Backbiter out of my hands.

The guy in the ski mask twisted my hand behind my back. "Cain said we wouldn't have to look for you. He was right. But it would of taken you forever to find us." Michael said.

Then a sharp pain hit the back of my knee. I fell to the ground. There was no way I could call for help. I couldn't beat these guys on my own. Get up, Jackson. a voice commanded in my head.

It wasn't my voice. Who are you? I asked.

Get up. Are you just going to let Annabeth die? the voice snarled.

It couldn't be! Luke?

There was silence for a moment. Jackson, are you going to let Annabeth die? Or are you going to fight?

It was Luke. It had to be.

No. But I'm-

Then get up and fight!

Luke, how are you talking to me?

There is no time to explain. Now fight.

I didn't ask anymore questions. Backbiter was a few inches away from me. I grabbed it quickly and kicked Michael in the chest. When he fell back, I jumped up and cut the other guy's leg. He cursed me under his breath. Michael tried to punch me but I held Backbiter to his throat. The ski mask guy pointed his spear at me. It was aimed at my head. I shut my eyes. Then he cried out in pain. I opened my eyes. An arrow was sticking out of his back. Michael ran from me and to his fallen teammate. A black haired girl stood a few yards from them. "Thalia!" I cried happily.

Michael said, "We'll see you soon, son of Poseidon." He picked up the ski mask guy and hit a button on his watch. Then disappeared.

"Yo, Percy." Thalia said.

"So what are you doing here?" I asked walking up to her.

"Same as you. Searching for Annabeth." Thalia shrugged and put her bow away.

"Any luck?" I said.

"No. But when we do find Annabeth, I'll buy you guys some cheeseburgers." Thalia smiled.

What was it with Thalia and cheeseburgers? "Uh, OK." I blinked.

"So who else is missing?" Thalia asked.

"Nico. And the Demigod Hunters took this other demigod with them." I explained.

"Do you think we'll ever get a break?" Thalia groaned.

"We're demigods, so probably not." I said.

Thalia and I walked back to the other campers. "Hey, you guys find anything?" I asked.

"No." Clarisse snapped.

Katie bent close to the ground and picked something shiny up. "Percy, have a look at this!" Katie called.

I hurried over, "What is it?"

"I-I think, it's part of one of those spears you said they shocked you with." she held it to me.

I took it from her hand and observed it. Katie started shaking her hand. My hand felt weird, like my whole body did when I touched the whole spear. "Yeah. This is has to be a part of one of those spears." I decided.

A tiny lightning bolt shimmered on the metal. Well, now we were getting somewhere.

Sorry. I had to have some of Luke in this story. He's one of my favorite charactors. I'll updated as soon as I can.