Ugh! This is so boring! I have been staring out this window for an hour. How much longer? It's so hard to control my ADHD. Anyway after we met Sparky, Grover told us if we returned her back to her owners we would earn money and we did. Now we are on a train to Colorado. Ladies and Gentlemen that's how I ended up here. Suddenly our train screeches to a stop. Oh it's the three hour break. Thank the Hades! Percy, Annabeth, and Grover all wake up.
"Let's go to the Gateway Arch!" squeals Annabeth as we get off the train.
I sigh and say "Sure." We might as well do it. There is nothing else to do. After a few minutes of walking and Percy and Grover fighting over a bag of Skittles we are finally standing in front of the Gateway Arch. Annabeth walks over to the elevator to get in. We all just stare at her. I don't know about anyone else but I thought we were just going to see the Gateway Arch not go into it. I nervously start to play with my fingers. The Arch is really high up. If we go that high Zeus will have a chance to strike us down. I quickly close my eyes and pray to every God I can think of. I open my eyes seeing Grover do the same. Now Percy's staring at both of us.
"We'll tell you later" I explain to Percy. He just nods his head and makes his way to Annabeth. Aww they are going to make such a cute couple. Ugh! Brain get back to the subject! I gasp. I remember something that I totally forgot. The deal Hades made with Percy, did he accept it? I hope not. Hades is just playing tricks with Percy.
"Grace, come on!" yells Grover bringing me out of my thoughts. I quickly hurry over to where Grover, Percy, and Annabeth are standing. For some reason I start to feel nervous. The only other people who are waiting for an elevator are a couple and their five year old child and a woman with her Chihuahua. I wonder if the family can see past the mist. They took one look at us and started shifting uncomfortably. But then if they saw past the mist why would they still be here? Wouldn't they be contacting the police? Finally the elevator opens and squish into it. The little girl starts giggling as the elevator goes up. I smile. The girl is sooooo cute! The elevator stops and we all shuffle out.
"Oh my god guys just look at the view isn't it amazing!?" exclaims Annabeth. I roll my eyes once Annabeth gets into Architect mode she becomes terribly boring. She is going to go on ranting like this for another hour.
However before we can do something the announcement comes on "The Gateway Arch will be closing in 10 minutes." Annabeth looks so crestfallen. Well at least we are not going to stay here for another hour. We all start to make our way to the elevator when a huge crowd is in the elevator. I hadn't noticed there were other people up here. The elevator is so full only two people can still be in the elevator.
"You guys go, I will wait here for the elevator" says Percy.
"Are you sure?" Annabeth asks worriedly.
"Positive" Percy murmurs.
"Well, Grace stay up here" says Annabeth reluctantly. I nod. I know why Annabeth told me to stay up here with Percy. There could be monsters anywhere and they will do everything in their power to get Percy alone to steal the Lightning Bolt. But that's not going to happen with me around. I'm determined. Grover and Annabeth walk into the elevator and the elevator closes. Percy and I are officially left alone with the woman with the dog and the family. Suddenly the lady with the dog hisses. She opens her mouth showing her forked tongue and the dog turns in to a Chimera. I gulp. Well what do you know it's Echidna and Chimera. Oh Great. Chimera immediately lunges for Percy and starts snapping at him while Echidna laughs.
"I'll make him stop if you tell me where the Lightning Bolt is" Echidna cackles. Gaaah she makes me so angry. Wait a minute! I have to bring the family to safety. I take my eyes off of Percy and look at the family. They are staring in shock at the scene that is unraveling. Yep, they can definitely see past the mist. I start to run over to them but unfortunately Echidna gets to them first. She snatches up the five year old girl and puts the knife to her throat. The girl whimpers.
"Tell me where the Lightning Bolt is or this girl dies" snarls Echidna. Percy is lying on the ground and groaning. I have to help Percy and the family, but how? I rack my brain for some ideas. Suddenly I get an idea. Since Echidna's eyes are on Percy I can probably sneak up on Chimera. I disappear into the shadows and walk stealthily behind the Chimera. I take my dagger and stab the Chimera's tail with it. Chimera howls in pain and Echidna drops the girl. I quickly run over to the girl and pick her up. I hand her over to her parents but they shake their heads.
"We can't take care of her she's a demigod. Take her to camp" the mom says urgently. I nod my head and keep the girl in my arms.
"What's your name hun?" I whisper to her.
"Rosy" she whispers back. I keep her close to me.
"You insolent girl! You will pay for this!" seethes Echidna. Suddenly I notice that Percy is standing next to me. He gets a hold of my hand and starts running grabbing me with him. I wonder what he's doing? He jumps off the building taking me with him. We land in the water. Suddenly a water nymph is in front of us.
"You did well Percy Jackson and Grace Lyde. You have earned the three pearls that will get you to the underworld" she says handing Percy the pearls.
"Wait how do I contact my father? How do I get to him?" Percy asks urgently.
"I'm sorry I cannot answer these questions" says the nymph shaking her head and smiling sadly. Slowly she starts to fade away. Then everything goes black.