Chapter Seven: Quest
Melody's POV:
I hadn't chosen Clarisse because her arrogant demeanour annoyed me and she didn't seem the most friendly. No other members of the eight questioned that. When Larka asked me why I hadn't chosen George or Dan, I didn't reply. I just shrugged.
I knew well it was quite a selfish action when I didn't choose George and Dan. I knew we all could have used their help. But in truth, I wanted to keep them both safe. The prophecy scared me. I'd spent enough of last night haunted by images from it. If Dan didn't go on the quest, those images wouldn't happen, right?
After dinner, all eight of us met outside the big house. We'd packed a large backpack each, and had weapons hidden. Needle (which was what I'd named my sword) was strapped on to my bag-hidden between my bag and my back. The dagger was strapped to my wrist, underneath my sleeve. I made sure the blade was fully sheathed: I'm squeamish around sharp objects near my wrists.
It seemed slightly unreal as we left camp and were driven to New York by a man who was covered in eyes. When we reached New York, I couldn't help but admire it. Tonight, we were spending the night in Manhattan, where Percy's Mum (well, he says 'Mom'- I personally am not used to talking like an American. We've had a long debate about that) had just bought a house and we could stay the night. The next morning, we'd be going to a labyrinth entrance. I was oddly excited- a kind of crazy rush.
Percy's POV:
My main worry was not being able to find our way. This time, we had no sight of a clear-sighted mortal with us.
We hopped on the subway to Manhattan. I knew all the British demigods were in awe of the city. I was so used to it that I didn't really care about the lights and skyscrapers. Melody had been taking loads of snapshots on her phone of random things. I was almost glad to be underground on a plain train where she couldn't find anything of interest to photograph; the sound of blackberry camera shutters irritates me.
When we reached Manhattan, me and Annabeth led everyone to my Mom's house. I remembered when it was once a flat; I felt a surge of pride as I thought of how my Mom had finally brought herself the real house, even though it wasn't the mansion she deserved. She'd had her first novel published, which brought in a fair amount of money.
I knocked on the door. Mom had been expecting us, as I'd called her on Annabeth's phone when we were on the train. She opened the door before I'd even finished knocking.
"Percy!" She smiled, and brought me in for a hug. Most kids are embarrassed when their mothers do this, but I never am. "Hey Mom." I grinned. I could smell soap mixed in with cooking and sweets from the sweet shop she'd still stuck to having a part time job at.
When she let go, she greeted Annabeth and smiled at all of the others, before inviting us all inside.
Dan's POV:
I wasn't usually one to break rules, but this quest felt important somehow.
That night, I glanced towards where Thalia was sleeping. I hadn't zipped up my sleeping bag, but had a blanket over me to cover the fact it was unzipped, and that I was already dressed.
I carefully slipped out of my sleeping bag, and grabbed my bag. Many nights of sneaking out to visit George worked to my advantage, but Zeus still glared at me in a disapproving manner, as if he knew what I was doing.
Once I was outside the door, I zipped up my brown boots and pulled my beanie hat onto my head.
As if it was just meeting George to spend time together, instead of spending time with him and Clarisse shadowing a quest.
Darius' POV:
I hadn't been to Percy's house before. I'd only been on an apparent holiday to America when I got lost and stumbled upon camp. That was where I found out what I was, and they'd told me to keep an eye out for British demigods.
Which I'd obeyed.
I was glad Percy's Mom wasn't the sort to hang around and fuss. She could see we were all tired, and made us all blue hot chocolate (sounds weird but tastes good) and let us fall asleep in peace after.
The next morning, after a breakfast of blueberry pancakes we set out to go into the labyrinth.
Now, I don't know about you, but I'm used to walls. Not dark underground tunnels.
Now, I was NOT afraid. I was just unaccustomed to it. And...not looking for any excuses at all, right?
Larka's POV:
I felt a hand grabbing mine. My eyes had adjusted to the non-existent light, and I saw the hand covered in freckles with a glint by the wrist.
Darius.
Darius was holding my hand...
I was glad it was just Alex behind us.
The first corridor we walked down was old, dull except for faint torches hanging from the walls. I mean, small battery-powered torches, some of which batteries had already died. Percy stopped and Annabeth had stopped suddenly. We all did the same.
"Tunnel gets dark." Percy stated. "How about, we get a rope out to stay together." Annabeth dug into her bag for a rope. "Hold the rope with your right hand, and follow the wall with your left hand."
I couldn't help feeling disappointed as Darius hastily pulled his hand away. As the coarse rope, instead of soft skin was all I could feel.
Eventually, after we'd walked for what seemed like forever, Leo shouted.
"Hey! I feel something!" No sooner as he said that, a blue greek delta glowed, and a ladder dropped down. "Sweet." Leo dropped the rope and began to climb up, before any of us decided whether we should.
Before we knew it, we all stood in bright sunlight.
