Thank you all so much for the reviews! They made me smile :) Well here's chapter 3.
Chapter 3
I paced the length of my cell, anxiously awaiting the signal that could make or break our future. My nerves were shot; Butterflies were fluttering angrily in my gut, doing nothing but causing my heart rate to quicken and my palms to persperate. I'd gone over the plan with Thalia, Rachel, and Nico countless times until I was certain every twist and turn was embedded in their brains, able to recite it word for word even in their sleep. A small part of me that I lost all respect for repeatedly whispered in my head to leave them, go off on my own, every man for himself. But another part, a bigger part, urged me to stay, no matter what, for better or for worse, and help my friends through this even it cost me my life. Which I would no doubt pay if it came down to me and them. I'd give my life to save theirs, no doubt in my mind.
Leaning my back against the chilly, stone wall, I inhaled, trying desperately to calm myself, but failing miserable. That's when I heard it. The clank clanking of heeled boots stomping the hall floors and the clinking of keys as someone approached. The watchman. Right on time as always. Perfect. So far everything was going according to plan. You see, there's only three watchmen who patrol the halls; once they're out of the picture, we'll be able to sneak throughout the interior of the prison, no problem.
He strolled lazily up and down the hallway, past row after row of inmates trapped behind steel bars, humming softly to himself. Stopping his rounds only when the lights flickered which seemed to hold little importance to him, but meant the weight of the world to me. That was the signal…er… the most subtle one that crossed our minds that is.
Showtime.
"Excuse me, sir." I called out to the burly man who paused when he'd heard my voice.
"What do you want?" The deep voiced man bellowed, his voice gruff and authoritive. I'd gotten his attention, but I didn't get him to approach the bars. Time was ticking and I knew I had to get those keys before Annabeth initiates her part of the plan.
"I found a pair of those missing keys from the other night and wanted to return them to their rightful owner." I said, hurriedly making an excuse for him to come closer.
"Alright." He crossed the distance between us in seconds and unhooked the keys from his belt, sifting through the key ring for the appropriate key. I launched my fist forward, his eye getting the blunt of the force. He was thrown off balance and hit the floor with a soft thud, covering his now swollen eye with his palm.
Taking my chance, I scooped the keys up off the floor and thrust the key into the lock, twisting until I heard a familiar click. I pushed the door open and stepped out into the hall, the man writhing in pain at my feet. A moan escaped his lips and bounced around the hall. I delivered a swift kick to the head which rendered him unconscious so his cries wouldn't be heard. I didn't want to hurt him, I really didn't, but there was no other way.
The once flickering lights now shut off entirely and along with them the power. Go Annabeth. The only lights remaining were an emergency light placed every ten feet. You see, the power runs not only the lights, but the security cameras and motion sensors within the jail, saving us the time and energy of having to knock all them out ourselves. Unfortunately, the spotlights outside are run by a back up generator which Annabeth doesn't have access to so that obstacle we're going to have no help with.
I crept my way down the hallway before turning down a another that lead to the cells holding Thalia and Nico who were conveniently placed rather close.
About halfway down, stood the second watchman, looking almost identical to the one I'd knocked out, but his hair was dark while the other man's had been blond and his gray shirt was untucked.
Creeping closer, staying in the shadows where the emergency lights couldn't reach, I snuck within an arm's length away, just about to send him into LaLa land like the other watchman, when he unexpectedly spun around, eyes widening as he saw me.
I raised my fist and swung, but he sidestepped just in time and sent a forceful blow to my abdomen. I doubled over, the breath knocked out of me, and the watchmen threw a flying kick, his foot catching me in the face. I saw stars momentarily before I righted myself and sent a hard kick to his kneecap, causing him to stumble and clutch his most likely broken knee. Taking his weakness to my advantage, I delivered several punches to which had him staggering through the hall before leaning heavily on the bars of one of the cells. As I approached him, he cowered, putting on the persona that he was weak and defenseless which we both knew clearly wasn't the case.
Before I could reach him, he sprinted past me down the way I'd come. I chased after him, pumping my legs harder and harder. Gotta stop him. Gotta stop him. That was my mantra. I repeated it over and over, encouraging myself to push harder.
But I was too late, he slapped his massive hand on a large, red lever, pulling it down. A loud siren emitted from overhead speakers and the emergency lights turned from white to vibrant red in seconds.
"Too late, boy. Good luck now." He chuckled, but it lacked humor and was cruel.
I launched my leg forward in a roundhouse kick, my foot hitting him in the temple, and he too fell unconscious.
Sprinting back to the hall holding my friends, I ran to their cells and unlatched them.
"Good to see you, Perce." Nico said at the same time Thalia said:
" 'Bout time."
"Ignore her. What happened with the guard?"
"He's unconscious, but he managed to sound the alarm before I took him out. So we're going to have some company if we don't shut up, get Rachel, and go before we're killed."
"Spoken like a true demigod." Thalia said.
We took off running down the last hallway on the right and found Rachel, hands clutching the bars, mouth agape as she watched Thalia sucker punch the watchman with a battle cry of "You're an asshole". He was out like a light.
The four of us took the route that Annabeth had so kindly mapped out for us, leading us straight to an exit. After running for several agonizing minutes, we spotted the red exit sign at the end of the hall and pumped our legs harder. So close.
"Stop right there!" A booming voice shouted angrily before thumping footsteps were heard.
Horde after horde of guards surged toward us, hollering for us to stop, which went in one ear and out the other. Instead of slowing to a stop, all of us picked up the pace, muscles propelling us forward.
The door was so close. 15 feet. 10 feet. 5 feet. I shoved the door open, barreling outside, holding it open for my friends, and slammed it closed after all had made it out. Sadly, the door didn't lock which in my opinion was incredibly stupid, an exit without a lock. With no other choice, I leaned my body into the center of the door, using my weight to keep it closed and hopefully, keep our pursurers at bay until the others get away.
I could hear them, pounding and screaming on the other side, angry shouts and curses. Their strength overpowered mine and they managed to open the door about a fourth of the way. Hands emerged from the openly, blindly clawing for me.
"Nico! I need help; I can't hold it by myself."
Nico ran over to me and threw himself against the metal door, managing to knock a few of the guards on the other side off balance. But even with Nico's help it wasn't enough. Any minute they'd break through and we'd be overwhelmed. I knew what I had to do, what I prepared myself for since the beginning. This descision I didn't even need to give a second thought. And that's why I didn't hesitate when I said:
"Guys, go. Get out of here, I'll hold them off."
"But, Percy, you can't-" Rachel began before I cut her off.
"I'll be fine. Just get going." My voice sounded more confident than I felt and for that I was grateful for. I didn't want my friends to know how hopless this was, I didn't want them to know that I wouldn't make it through this.
" See you on the other side, Perce." Thalia muttered, her voice deflated-I think she figured it out that I didn't plan on making it out. "And I want you to know that I really appreciate what you're doing." And with that, Thalia grabbed Rachel by the arm and dragged her away at a full sprint. Only Nico remained.
"Go. I can't hold it forever."
"I can't just leave you, Percy. They'll kill you and I can't let them do that. You're my friend, you've been there for me when nobody else has, and how can I repay you for that if you're dead."
"I don't want you to repay me, everything I did, I wanted to do, to help you. So please, go, take care of the others."
He nodded once and slowly took his weight off the door.
"You're a great guy, Percy, and an even better friend. If they lock you back up, I'll be back to break you out. And that's a promise." He bolted after Thalia and Rachel before I could protest.
I was alone. No one would have to witness my death, no one would have to watch as I writhed in agony. Gratitude washed over me; I didn't want any of them to have to see that, see me at my weakest, see me unable to stand and fight for them.
My body tired and my muscles ached and I knew that this was it. This was when I'd have to let go, move out of the way, let them come. Just as I began to ease my weight off the door, I heard a distinct feminine voice ask:
"Need any help?" I turned shocked and locked eyes with none other than Annabeth, a smug smiling adorning her face. Right then I was thrown back and the door burst open.
The army of guards eyed us up and down, analyzing us, trying to guess our strengths and weaknesses.
"Take this." Annabeth held out her left hand to me, in it was a familiar ball-point pen gleaming proudly. Picking it up, I gave it a click and before my eyes the pen had transformed into….Riptide. My beautiful sword was the same as it had been the last time I'd seen it, about five, long months ago. It sparkled brightly as if it had been recently polished, its grip still molded perfectly to fit my hand.
I stood before them, feet ready, breathing slowed, eyes locked on my targets, mind set only on the problem at hand. Annabeth was at my side, clutching her dagger, her unoccupied hand wrapped tightly around mine. She tapped her index finger against my palm three times and I nodded subtly, informing her that I understood what she meant. She touched her finger to my palm again. Tap. One. Pause. Tap. Two. Pause. Tap. Three. We struck together, as one, as we had for as long as I could remember.
Slashing and swinging in the heart of battle, my instincts kicked in and I went into battle mode. Swing. Parry. Jab. Dodge. Swing. Slice. Block. Roll. Kick. Swing. My body became a machine, plowing down enemies, leaving them face down in my wake, only stopping when not a single one stood standing. Ragged breaths and pants were all that was heard. Silence. No guards, no shouts, no sounds of fighting, nothing, but our breathing.
"Woah. That was amazing." Annabeth said in awe, admiration dripping off her tone.
"Ditto."
"Let's get going. Maybe, we can catch up to Nico and everyone."
We continued on, Annabeth in front leading me while I had her back, constantly surveying the area to ensure no stragglers were running amuck. I thought I was certain there wasn't. Boy, was I wrong. I was roughly tackled from behind and hit the ground. Hard. My head throbbed, my palms scratched and bloodied from throwing them out to break my fall, the person's knee dug painfully into my spine.
"So, you thought you could get away from me, did you, Percy?" A voice whispered menacingly in my ear.
I was flipped onto my back, his knee now pressing into my sternum, and I got a good look at his face. Blue eyes. Blond hair. Long scar. Oh joy, it's Luke.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment, no idea how long I waited to finally spill your blood through this jail. I begged Kronos, begged him, to let me kill you, but he refused. He thought were you special, useful, so he kept you around. Then, one day, he asked me to bring you in, bring you here, and I knew that you'd try to escape, I knew I'd get my chance to end your sorry excuse for a life. And now, it's finally here. Any last words, Perseus Jackson?"
"Just one. Duck." His face painted on an expression of confusion, but he didn't have much time to think it over because he was tackled off me by the one and only, Annabeth Chase.
Getting back on my feet and dusting off my pants, I looked over at Luke who was pinned against the wall of the prison with Annabeth, who was laughably shorter than him, pressing her dagger into his jugular, her grip confident and strong.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now." Annabeth mumbled in his ear.
"Because I can help you."
"Sure you can. Just like you helped me discover what the ground tastes like or how it feels to be in complete solitude for 22 hours of the day. Or how you turned Annabeth against me. Or-" I yelled furiously, wiping away his smug smile.
"I admit to the other things, but Annabeth traded sides on her own; I had nothing to do with that."
"Of course you didn't," I rolled my eyes, not at all believing his pathetic excuses.
"Believe what you want, but if I were you, I'd ask Annabeth now…..before it's too late." A wicked smirk darkened his features and his hand went behind his back toward his pocket. I barreled toward him and shouted:
"Annabeth! Look out!" Everything felt like it was in slow motion, Luke yanking his arm around, a flash of metal catching the light, the determination to save her life, a blood-curdling scream, the horror I felt when the knife hit its mark. She crumpled to the ground in a motionless heap, blood seaping from the wound, staining the lush green grass an ugly shade of red.
A deep sadness cut through me before it was replaced by inconsumable rage. All I saw was red, red like a rose, red like a fire truck, and now, red like Annabeth's blood. Anger and adrenaline willed my body forward and I scooped up Annabeth's fallen knife. Luke backed away, face full of panic as we locked eyes, mine no doubt as petrifying as Medusa's. Satifactsion filled me; I wanted him to be afraid, fear me, beg me for mercy as I complete the task that has long been overdue. Kill Luke Castellan.
I let out a shout and charged toward, knife raised high over my head. Now, I'm pretty sure the average person would think I was psycho, especially from the expression of full on rage glued to my face.
"I'll see you in Tartarus," I growled, plunging the blade into his chest to which he let out a gasp. But to my surprise, a brilliant smile lit up his features and he had a knowing gleam in his eye. And before I knew it, he was flat out chuckling and those chuckles then became laughter. He was giggling histerically now, his whole body jolting as each laugh left him.
"Oh, Percy," He said, recoving from his laughing fit, wiping a non-existant tear from the corner of his eye. "You're so silly when you're clueless." He noticed my confusion and elaborated. "Did you honestly think I'd let you kill me so easily? Oh my Lord Kronos, Percy, you must feel so stupid. The thing is that I can't die, moron, wounded, yes. But I cannot die, I am immortal, undying, and I'll be healthy and young while you wither away with age. Nice try, buddy boy, but no matter how many times you injure me, I'll just bounce right back, same as I had been before I was ever hurt. So long, cuz, hope you enjoy Annabeth's company…you know, while she's still alive, that is. Which will be for about…er…maybe….15 minutes." With a puff of shimmering gold smoke, he evaporated, disappearing from beneath me.
Not wasting another second, I rushed over to Annabeth and kneeled at her side, feeling the outside of her neck for a pulse. I breathed a sigh of relief as her heart beat thrummed through my fingers; it was faint and slow, but better than not beating at all. Her chest rose and fell with ragged, struggled breaths. The gray t-shirt was soaked through with crimson blood and was now being splattered with soft tears that streamed from my eyes, down the slope of my nose, and onto Annabeth. My heart was breaking, tearing into tiny fragments so microscopic I wouldn't be able to find them to piece my heart back together again. She was my best friend, traitor or not, and I won't just sit here and let the life leave her right before my eyes.
I slid my hand under her head, the other on the back her knees, and cradled her against me, leaving the knife still in her chest to avoid rupturing an important organ by wiggling it out. The wind whipped though her soft curls as I took off toward the field the inmates were brought to when the keys went missing.
It looked no different than before, but now not a single guard was seen or even heard. Every last one of them laid face down in the grass, eyes glassy and lifeless, staring ahead not blinking even as a blade of grass poked one in the eye. The spotlights positioned at the guard tower remained still, no longer did they sweep the field back and forth, seeking out a potential threat. A barren area once covered with grass stood of to my right, blackened and charred like a fire burned through, bright and scorching. And there, standing proudly in the center, was my friends.
"Took you long enough. I thought I'd have gray hair and wrinkles by the time you caught up." Thalia grumbled, attempting to sound angry, but came up short and her voice sounded relieved.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm glad to see you, too, but Annabeth's been hurt, badly. We need help, medical supplies, ambrosia, nectar, The Golden Fle-"
"Percy! Take a deep breath. Everything's going to be fine, okay? Come on." She lead me over the barbed wire fence on the outskirts of the prison. The metal still stood strong, but a large, person-sized hole now cut through the metal links.
"Ladies first," Thalia said, gesturing for me to go through.
Not even stopping to protest the lady comment, I crouched low, still holding Annabeth close, and pushed through the hole. The others followed suit before taking off into the dense woodland in front of us.
Trees and leaves and wood. The occasional animal. That's all I managed to spot as we sprinted through the forest, moving as far away from the prison as possible, leaving our painful past in the distance behind us. We stopped moments later at a small creak and seeing no other option, I kneeled before the cool, clear water and prayed to my father, Poseidon, god of the seas. Father, please, help me. Annabeth is hurt; we need help. No reply.
Time passed. I don't know how long. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? To me, it felt like an eternity sitting in the forest, hopelessness weaseling its way into my heart.
"Did someone call a doctor?" A voice enthusiastically called from behind us.
Spinning around quickly, I glanced at the stranger, immediately recognizing the tall figure standing a few feet away. Apollo.
Gratitude and emotion clogged my throat, preventing me from speaking the words I wanted to say, so I instead pointed to Annabeth. Apollo stepped forward, examined the situation, and quickly got to work, speaking an incantation under his breath, unheard by our ears. At an instant, the blood that coated her shirt receded and was seeping through her wound back into her pale, seemingly lifeless body, returning the color to her face. He pulled the dagger, still protruding from her chest, out slowly and the deep gash sealed itself before our eyes. A thin, white scar remained, a constant reminder of the time she was almost taken from me.
"Let her get some rest, get her strength back. Percy, you can carry her. We need to get moving if were going to make it before sunset while we still have the cover of night." Apollo said, rising from the ground, towering over us. "Oh, and Percy, you're father told me tell you he's very proud of you, willing to risk your life to save someone else's. I'm certain Poseidon couldn't have asked for a better son."
"Thank you," I replied shyly, not used to receiving such compliments.
"Well, lets get going. We have a lot of walking to do."
And together, huddled close, we set off into a dark forest headed Zeus knows where with no light, strange noises, my unconscious ex-girlfriend, and a crazy, poetry spouting, medicine god.
Oh joy.
Well, that's chapter 3. Hope you liked it! Leave a review and let me know what you think. :) Let's try to get up to15 reviews for this story. Only seven more to go.
Also, school has picked up once again. *Cue loud booing* So I don't know how often I'll be able to update. If things get too hectic, I'll only be updating on Saturdays to help me manage between my school work and my stories. R.I.P Summer!
Thanks,
~TwistedTrident~