Previously, on MoA:
"Percy and Nico,
I know we've had our differences in the past, but we have to help each other. You must stop Kelli and the MoA, and I'll help you free Annabeth. Hopefully they haven't killed her yet. If you still don't know where you are, you're in our headquarters, in a secret building in Mt. St. Helen's. Ethan can lead you out." The guard stopped reading to tell us he was Ethan. "Annabeth is in room 36. It's a prison can take you there. You can trust him by the way, he's a spy for the rebellion. Act as though you're prisoners. I've told Ethan how to sneak you in and out. Once you get out of Headquarters, Ethan will lead you to my car. The keys are in the envelope. There's a GPS, and all you have to type in is home. You can hide out at my house as long as you need to. My mom is still in the insane asylum, so the house will be yours. I also called the school a couple months ago, to say you three will be attending on November 20th, so I hope you'll take my offer. The school is Yancy Academy, and it's a boarding school, so you should have a few days to get ready. So I guess you won't be using my stuff that much anyway. Good Luck.
-Luke
PS. You might find it easier if the MoA and Kronos's Army is in a group, and then call the FBI to arrest them. I'm sure Ethan will tell any other spies to flee." Ethan handed the letter back to us.
"So what's the plan?" Nico asked.
"We don't have much time before Kelli starts looking for us. I'm going to take you to the prison cell that Annabeth's in, and you'll be my prisoners. From there, there's an extra room that only Luke's card will be able to open. In there, we'll get you three a disguise. I'll leave, and you follow a few feet behind. Act casual, we have to act normal. No raising suspicion. I'll only be able to lead you to the elevator that takes you to the tunnel at the base of the mountain."
"Volcano," Nico corrected.
"whatever. Anyway, there'll be a path that leads you to a nearby fast food restaurant. His car is a black pick-up truck. There's a red plaid blanket laid out in the back." Nico rubbed his hands together.
"Let's get started."
Seeing as I took me a long time to update, I think that might help to refresh your memory^
"I remember why I hate handcuffs," Nico grumbled.
"It's only for about half an hour at the most," I tried to reassure, trying not to rub my wrists against the metal.
"I have to put bags over your heads," Ethan told us. He seemed to be enjoying this a little too much. We stayed quiet as we were enveloped in darkness. Ethan led us through the hall by our shoulders, holding a knife casually against our collar bone. I assumed it was both of us anyway. I was nervous. We were on enemy territory, trusting someone we just met, who happened to be on the enemy's side. We didn't have any reason to trust Luke anyway, and what would stop Ethan from carrying out his part of the plan?
Eventually, after many turns, we were shoved into a room, and heard the door close behind us. I heard Ethan flick on a light switch, and the bags were taken off our heads. Ethan fiddled with the cuffs until they were released, and I rubbed my sore wrists. I looked around the room, seeing cells on one side of the wall, and the other room had weapons. I winced as I saw the blood on them. These were torture weapons. I swear, if they used those on Annabeth-
"Percy," Nico said, nodding his head at the last cell. A figure was in the corner, knees to the chest, head resting on their knees. I immediately recognized the curly blonde hair.
"Annabeth!" I rushed towards the cell, and the other two followed me. She lifted her head.
"Percy? Nico?" she asked weakly.
"Hold on, we're getting you out of here." I turned to Ethan. "You have the key, right?" He shook his head.
"This isn't my department." I cursed under my breath. I fished around my pockets looking for two paper clips.
"Wait, Percy! Don't-" I put the clips in, and felt an electric surge pass through me. A faint buzzing sensation came over me and I couldn't seem to move. I finally managed to pull away, and I smelled a faint burning coming from my clothes. Nico was laughing, Ethan was just giving a small half smile, and Annabeth looked like she was about to face palm.
"I tried to warn you Seaweed Brain, but would you listen? No." I only then noticed the bags under her eyes, and how she didn't hold herself up as high as she usually did. She looked exhausted. She was leaning on the wall, and I noticed scars on the insides of her arms.
I felt a coolness on my neck that I wasn't used to, so I reached up and noted my hair was sticking up.
"So tell me Nico," I began. "Do I look like a mad scientist?" We both started laughing.
"You two better shut up before someone hears," Ethan warned. We shut up.
"So how do we get Annabeth out?"
"It needs a key code," Annabeth told us, lazily pointing at a spot on the wall. Ethan walked over and removed a panel, to reveal a set of numbers. I turned to Annabeth.
"8-1-5-6." Ethan punched in the numbers, and the cell door opened. Annabeth stood up hesitantly and walked towards us, but her steps weren't straight. When was the last time she had slept? I grabbed her shoulder, trying to keep her steady, but I think that's when exhaustion over took her. She slumped forward, and I managed to grab her before she fell. She clutched my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her waist to support her, and she kept holding onto my shoulder.
"I-I can do this."
"Annabeth, you need rest," I tried prompting.
"Not until we get out."
"We don't have time for this," Ethan told us impatiently. "Get in," he ordered, motioning towards a door he was holding open.
"Where did that door come from?" Nico wondered aloud, walking into the new room. I followed with Annabeth stumbling beside me. Ethan closed the door behind us. The room was a beige colour, with mirrors on two of the walls that were perpendicular to each other. The floor was hardwood, and was littered with empty makeup kits and face paints. On one of the shelves, there were those head mannequin things modelling masks and wigs. There were also cases of fake noses and ears, along with a series of fake facial hair. On another counter, there were new make up kits, and some hair products. Against one wall, there was one of those hair washing stations that you often find at a hairdresser's. Ethan rubbed his hands together, a glint in his eyes.
"Okay, let's get started. Annabeth, you're weaker than expected, so we'll pose you as a newbie who got beat up."
"I'm not weak," she protested weakly. She turned to me. "What's going on?"
"Your escape." I explained the plan to her, completely zoning out Ethan's explanations.
"You okay with that Percy?" he asked.
"What? Oh, uh, yeah. Sure." He nodded.
"I'll do Nico first." Ethan lead him to the hair washing station and began his work.
LINEBREAK
By the end of our "makeovers," Nico's hair was slicked back neatly, showing off his large forehead. Well, I guess it wasn't that large, but I expected it to be a bit smaller. I never really saw it before, Nico's hair covering his face half the time and all. Anyway, Ethan had applied some makeup to his face, so his face wasn't its usual milk white. It was more of a light tan. Anyway, he was wearing grey skinny jeans and a green T-shirt that showed off his biceps. Definitely not his style.
Annabeth's hair was straightened and let down, with a few strands sticking out. Ethan had used his stage makeup or whatever to give her a convincing black eye, and her red long sleeved shirt had one arm ripped off, and a bandage wrapped around her bicep with a red blotch that was used as blood. She was wearing black jeans that were splattered with mud, and a fake nose ring.
My hair had been spiked, and the ends were dyed blue. I was wearing brown contact lenses (I took out Athena's first though), and was wearing assassin pants and a loose, black T-shirt, along with a red tie I would never wear. Ethan had also given me a bigger, rounder nose. The point was to make it as convincing as possible that we weren't the enemy, which included our appearance. Something about clothing that gives away your personality. I think that's a load of bull, but I'll go with it, as long as it was over soon. The extra weight on my neck and face was already starting to annoy me.
"I wouldn't have expected this to be your hobby," Nico said, looking distastefully at himself in the mirror.
"It's not one I enjoy."
"You seemed very enthusiastic about it," I countered. He glared at me.
"I swear if you bring this up to anyone, you'll wish you were in the deepest parts of hell instead."
"Whatever, let's just get out of here. I want to get to Connecticut before everyone realizes we're the enemy." This time Nico supported Annabeth, and Ethan told Nico and Annabeth to wait a few steps before following him, and for me to follow them fifteen feet away. Ethan handed me the keys to the room, and instructed me to make sure it was locked. Annabeth stood by the door watching Ethan.
"Okay Nico. We can go," she said quietly. "Good luck Percy." They left and I went to watch their retreating figures. I soon followed, locking the door behind me. I walked silently, keeping Nico and Annabeth in my line of vision. My nose started itch. Stupid fake nose. I didn't see the reason for wearing these disguises, I mean, I haven't seen anybody yet. I felt someone tap my shoulder. I froze. Shit. Someone found me.
"Hey, do you know where the bathroom is? I get sort of lost sometimes. I looked around and saw a boy about fourteen blushing.
"Sure." I pointed the way I was coming from. "Take the second turn to the right, third to the left, and the next left. It's one of those doors," I improvised.
"Thanks, I owe you." I turned back to follow Nico and Annabeth again. They were gone. Well this really wasn't my day. I started rushing the way they were going, but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to go left or right. I chose right. I mean, right is always right, right? Unfortunately, I ran into a girl with blue hair and light brown eyes that almost looked orange.
"Hey watch it!" she yelped. "What's your rush?" She glared at me. I glared right back. May as well give off a tough expression.
"Well I wasn't the one standing in the middle of the hall."
"I wasn't the one not watching where he was going," she shot back.
"I wasn't the one who got all worked up about getting bumped into."
"Whatever. What do you need help with?" She stopped glaring, but she kept staring at me in an unnerving way.
"What makes you think I need help?"
"You're a newbie. Newbies need help with everything."
"What makes you think I'm new?"
"You're wearing black and red."
"Then what do grey and green represent?"
"Insanity. Didn't they teach you this at orientation?"
"I don't tend to pay attention," I said, making it clear to drop the subject.
"Well you better not make that mistake again. Severe consequences and al that. Now back to the previous question: what do you need help with?"
"Why would you help me?"
"Because you're cute. What do you need help with?" she repeated for the third time. I wasn't expecting her answer, but I replied nonetheless.
"Where the nearest exit?" A look of understanding crossed her face.
"Don't worry. Everyone gets lost. I've been here five years and I still lose my way." She pointed to the ceiling. "Follow the black dots. I looked up and saw a trail of small dots that were separated by three foot intervals.
"Huh. Thanks I guess." She winked at me.
"Catch ya later cutie." She started walking away. So much for wanting to kill me for running into her. I looked up and started following the dots. Turns out, I should have taken the left turn. Oh well.
I finally found the exit and jogged down the slope until I reached the parking lot that was mentioned in Luke's letter. I looked around, panting slightly, until I saw Nico leaning against a pick up truck, looking around wearily. He spotted me, and his face turned into anger. I walked to him, and when I got in front of him, he punched me in the face.
"Ow," I muttered, holding my cheek bone.
"Serves you right for having us worried sick. Get in. I'm taking first shift.
"Where's Annabeth?"
"She fell unconscious as soon as I mentioned this was our ride. She was exhausted. Ethan went off somewhere after showing us the exit, but he didn't know you went missing."
"I didn't go missing. I got delayed. I'm going to get a cold drink. I'm thirsty and I need something for my face."
"Hurry up." He started up the ignition. I went into the 7-Eleven and bought a can of coke.
"What's the occasion? The guy asked, motioning to my tie and taking my money.
"No occasion," I growled. I'm starting to hate ties that are worn for no occasion.
When I got back to the car, I saw Nico had attempted to mess up his hair. It didn't work too well. I pressed the cold can against my sore face. That felt much better.
"Took you long enough," Nico grumbled, leaving the parking lot. I peeled off the extra material used for my nose, and took off my tie.
"Wait!" Nico looked at me in annoyance. "I have to get my mom's box. And the photo album!"
"We don't have time."
"It's the only thing I have left of Mom."
"It's not like I have anything left of Bianca. Suck it up."
"You have that Hades figurine from mythomagic, don't you? The one Bianca got you for your birthday? And there are pictures of her in the album," I pleaded.
"You risk our lives too often Percy. As long as you hurry up." I relaxed in my seat.
"Thanks."
"Don't get used to it." I looked over at Nico and chuckled to myself.
"What?" Nico glanced at me from the side of his eye, then started glaring at the road again.
"He made you wear black and green."
LINEBREAK
I pulled over to the side of the road and shook Nico awake.
"Why did you wake me up?" he complained. "I was having a good dream for once."
"Your shift Nico. If it makes you feel any better, it's only half an hour."
"So why can't you drive?"
"I'm going to pass out any minute."
"Fine." We got out of the truck, but I checked up on Annabeth in the back. I pulled back the blanket that was covering her, and she was still sleeping soundly. Her hair had started to curl up again on her pillow. I was surprised she could sleep through all those bumps. I scrunched my eyebrows up in worry. What if she wasn't okay? Of course she's not okay. She just spent over two weeks with Kronos's army.
"She okay?" Nico asked tiredly.
"Still asleep."
"Good. She needs rest. Who knows how much sleep she got in that cell? Or wherever she was during the time they replaced her. You should get some sleep too, Perce."
"It's been two days Nico. She hasn't woken up yet."
"You're not the only one that's worried about her. We'll worry more when we arrive to Luke's. Now sleep."
My thoughts drifted to different things throughout the half hour. I hope Annabeth will be okay. They couldn't have hurt her that bad, right? She was strong. I'm tired. I don't want to go to a boarding school. I have to tell Annabeth the truth. I can't lie to her any longer. That tree looks weird.
"We're here Percy," Nico said, waking me after I dozed off again. We carefully picked up Annabeth from the back, and I held her bridal-style, while Nico took the box and album. He unlocked the door to Luke's old home, and we stepped inside. The first thing I thought was dark, but then I remembered it was 1:00am. Nico flipped on the lights, and I walked to where I assumed the living room was. I placed Annabeth on the couch, and went to get some water. Luckily, there were still cups and plates and utensils and stuff. I washed off the dust, and filled it with clean water from the tap.
"Why are there still expired Kool-Aid bags and burnt cookies in the fridge?" Nico wondered aloud. "Why isn't there any real food."
"If there was, it would probably be spoiled. Luke said he hasn't been here for years." Nico continued muttering about his hunger. "Whatever. I'm going to sleep. You're buying food tomorrow. Better be before I wake up too." I rolled my eyes.
"You won't be up until six in the evening. I don't have anything to worry about." He scowled at me before going upstairs to look for a room. I went back to the living room and knelt down beside Annabeth. I trickled some water into her mouth, and instead of it dripping out from the side of her mouth like the previous times we tried, she swallowed it. That was a good sign. She was regaining consciousness. I think. I hope. I trickled more into her mouth, a bit faster this time. When I took away the cup from her mouth, she groaned. I moved her a bit, so she was sort of sitting.
"Annabeth? Can you hear me?" I whispered. Her eyes opened slowly.
"Percy?" What-" I interrupted by grabbing her face in my hands and pressing my lips onto hers.
How many of you saw the official trailer for the SoM movie? My thoughts throughout it were basically: No. That is not what happens Ooohh...nice effects. NO THAT IS WRONG GROVER WHY ARE YOU THERE? Inaccuracies.
Happy Easter!
Blackwolfy – Thanks :3
Pirate-Spy-Demigod-Wizard – Yeah, it was an awesome movie. Of course I'll continue! I just get distracted easily so...
KirbyGamzeeGirl – Well, Luke died a hero, right?
ShadyRach – Well I think to that extent to people I hate, but you know, it's good to know you're a nicer person than me. Tammi is always an exception ;) Lots of movies are predictable. Thanks for the luck.
BookDevourer52 – Thanks :)
SonOfTheOcean – He killed himself by destroying the chip that controls him even if he's dead. Only he knew where it was and they were running out of time, so he used the last bit of his...free will to destroy what was controlling him.
csarcher3 – T hanks :)
DaughterofPoseidon917 – I have to do that too with stories that take a while to update. Sorry 'bout that :/
ElmoDaHorse – Sorry :/ I hate it when I have to do that...
Katerina Riley – I'm clever that way :P
ChildOfWisdom - :3 Thanks
Emchmi999 – Thanks :)
Mayhaah – Percabeth is in Tartarus. Your threat to get rid of them is no longer convincing enough for me :P But sure, he's one of Luke's cookies (::)) Sorry about it being burnt...and old...but it's the only thing in this chapter and there's none left in our house :/
SeaweedBrain'sWiseGurl393 – Kk. Thanks. And sorry about the wait...