A/N-

Hey guys I'm updating again. Now I'm going to warn you, this chapter may seem a bit rushed, but I really want to get to the main portion of the story. Sorry if some of the stuff is confusing, it made scene in my head, but on paper it doesn't sound as good.

Thanks to everyone that favorite, reviewed, or subscribed to this story you guy are the reason I have the drive to keep written. Off topic question: Do you guys want me to start responding to reviews? If haven't been so far, but I always like getting a response to one of my reviews, so I think I might start responding to them.

I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Now, without further ado, here's the next chapter.

.

.

.

Then, a figure appeared at the opening of the crevasse. The sight of it made my skin crawl. It was a dark silhouette of a huge guy, like a football player. He seemed to be holding a blanket over his head. His top half was bulky and fuzzy. His upraised hands made it look like he had horns. But of course, I knew that it wasn't really a football player lumbering towards me. There was no blanket. The bulky, fuzzy mass that was too big to be his head ... was his head. And the points that looked like horns…*

I reached over and frantically pressed the button Beckendorf and showed me, but nothing happened.

.

.

.

Chapter 7-

.

.

.

The monster beat it's foot into the ground like a bull before it charged at the cage. With a loud clang the monster rammed into the medal bars. I was backed up as far the tight space allowed, but it didn't seem to be far enough. When the bull-man had stampeded towards me, both of its horns had slipped through the bars of the cage. On either side of me were large bull horns with sharp, obsidian black tips.

My hand was repeatedly slamming down on the button next to me, but nothing happened.

The half-bull began wildly thrashing its head from side to side attempting to break loss. The bars were strong, but they were bending at the strength of the monster. I knew it wouldn't be long before the beast broke loose from the bars. Whether the whole cage broke or it slipped free, I'd be screwed if I just continued to stand here like a sitting duck.

So, I did the first thing that popped into my mind. I grabbed on to one of the horns swinging violently in front of me. My added weight seemed to give the monster the power it needed to destroy the enclosure. I clung on to the horn for dear life as the monster straightened up. By some stroke of luck, I was able to swing my legs around its head so that I was sitting on the bull-man's shoulders.

The monster began charging and flinging its head in random direction in an attempt to throw me off, but I grasped the horn with all my might. However, I knew that I wouldn't be able to hold on forever, so I yanked the horn with everything I had. For a moment nothing happened, then there was a snap and the horn broke off in my hand.

The bull-man roared in pain, but I ignored it as I reached down and rammed the horn under the ribcage of the monster. Next thing I knew, I was falling to the ground as the monster turned into a shower of golden dust. I hit the ground and everything went black.

.

.

.

I woke up on an old, moth eaten couch. It took me a few blinks to realize that I was in a medium sized basement. It had cement flooring and the walls were unfinished. There were a few boxes sitting ina corner, and a door that most likely lead upstairs. The couch was pushed up against one of the walls.

I tried to reposition myself, but it only lead to my beck erupting in protest. I couldn't tell whether it was aching from sleeping on the musty couch, or if it had to do with the monster.

The monster. I'd always heard stories about terrify beasts that dragged traitor off during the night, but I hadn't seen anything more horrifying then a dracaenae up close. The bull-man was different. It wasn't a monster the Titan's would just casually let run around. I remembered Helen taking about he breed of new monsters, but making new Minotaurs?

I shook my head in an attempt to get those thoughts out of my head.

I signed, before ignoring my pain as I walked over to the door. It was lock from the outside. Great, I thought, I locked in an unfinished basement with nothing but a stained couch.

.

.

.

I was lying on the bed counting the number of cob webs in the room when the door opened. Beckendorf ran in. "Percy! Thank gods!" he said, "I can't believe that monster disabled the button."

"What are you talking about?"

"Geryon disabled all the buttons in the gorge. Apparently that Minotaur was one of the farms newer prototypes. The monster breeding group had managed to enhance its strength. Geryon disabled the buttons so that they could also assess the amount of damage it could do to the arena and whatever demigod it found."

"Oh."

"The thing I don't get, is why it found you first."

"What do you mean?"

"I put you in the newbie cage. It's the furthest one from monster's entrance and the best hidden. Monsters rarely get past the first few demigods."

Great, I thought, I guess that means monster must really like me… or at least they like to eat me. "So, what happens now? And why am I locked down here?" I asked.

At this, Beckendorf started nervously playing with his fingers. "Well," he said, "Apparently that new prototype you killed was extremely expensive, and that was the only one they had. To make matters even worse, Geryon told the army that it would be finished by the end of the week."

"That's not going to happen," I said timidly.

"No, it most certainly won't. And that leads into the farm's next issue, what to do with you. Geryon will most likely put the blame on you for the prototype not being ready. You'll be accused of insubordination, and the Titans don't take well to rebellion, especially from demigods. You'll be lucky to get locked in some secret base for the rest of your life."

"Oh," was all I could say.

"Perce, in this case, I think your best chance is to try and escape."

I contemplated this; escape, getting away from this ranch. The thought alone seemed like a dream, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel guilty even considering it. There were so many people that have been here longer than. I haven't even gone through anything that bad. "What about everyone else?"

"What do you mean?" he asked with a confused expression.

"You… and Helen… and everyone else, you guys will still be stuck here."

At that, a sad smile appeared on Beckendorf's face, "Perce, we've been here a lot longer than you, and we've been to a lot of other place. In truth, this is one of the better slave home's to be in. You on the other hand, you're meant for something better than this life. I have a feeling you're to get out of here and change this world in way people have only dreamed about. It won't do you any good to be stuck here."

After thinking about it, I realized that Beckendorf was right. I'd heard of places much, much worse than the ranch. "How do you suggest I leave then?"

A wide grin spread across Beckendorf's face, "Now we're talking. It would probably be easiest to to sneak out through the cattle guard off the pasture Apollo's cows are kept in. There's a road headed off that direction, so in must lead somewhere. Follow it long enough and your bond to end to get somewhere."

I nodded in confirmation before asking when I'd leave.

"I'll make sure Helen is sent to bring you breakfast tomorrow, she'll help you out then."

"I guess I'll just be waiting for her then."

Beckendorf smile nervously before pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket. "Hey Percy, I don't know what you plan on doing when you get out of here, but if you're path ever leads to the resistance, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what do you want me to do?"

"There a friend of mine is there, I just saw her on the news with that museum getting blown up, can you give her a letter for me. Her name's Silena Beauregard. She's a daughter of Aphrodite," he said, while a faint blush spread across his checks.

I nodded before talking the letter. He sent me a thankful smile before standing up and walking back up the stairs.

.

.

.

A/N-

Well guys, what did you think? Was it too rushed? What's your guess as to what happens next? Please review and tell me want you thought!

If I continue how I am planning, there will be four books in this series (this may change depending on how long it takes me to finish this story). I'm also still working on Tempting Fate, but last night I got an idea for a "Mark of Athena" type story and I started writing out a pot for it. So, should I…

Finish this story before continuing to work on Tempting Fate or the "Mark of Athena" idea

Work on both this story and Tempting Fate

Work on this story and the "Mark of Athena" idea

Work on all three

Keep in mind that the more stories I work on, the slower I will update because I won't be able to keep up with all of them. Thanks guys, please review with our suggestion.

~ELM