Chapter 13: The quizz show of doom
Sadies POV
The next 3 days are torturous. We slowly make our way across the country. Driving all day was horrible. Once I recovered from the out of date nectar they gave me I felt a lot better about being concussed though.
Yeah. I should have been stronger. I should have kicked some fire sprite butt. He took me by surprise though. I gave the fifty dollar note for fuel and asked for the change. He shook his head and gleefully sniffed the cash. That's when I lost my temper. We had only gotten thirty dollars' worth of fuel, Jesh. I would have given him a tip.
Anyway, when we finally reached San Fran cisco we were all rested and ready to fight. I had sharpened the arrowheads and my dagger. Annabeth had been teaching me some fighting moves. She really threw herself into it. I was grateful even though after her training sessions I would not be able to move.
We parked at beside a beach. The weather was bright and the water looked so inviting. The beach was packed with people.
We all hopped out of the car and Annabeth pegged a map of san Fran cisco she had brought onto the windscreen.
"Okay we're here. And we need to find the iron sisters." Annabeth draws a circle.
I survey the map. We were on the very coast but San Francisco and its suburbs looked huge.
"Where on earth?" I start to say.
"Exactly!" Annabeth let out a little yelp. "Where on earth … Sadie, you're a genius."
I stare at her then carter, Percy and Walt. "Do you guys know what's she's on about?"
"Nope."
Annabeth folded the map up. "The sisters are not going to be on earth. They'll be somewhere magical. Come on. I think we're going to Alcatraz."
We leave the hummer parked at the docks and sign up for the prison tour. Annabeth tucks her dagger into her pocket.
"You expecting trouble?" Carter asks nervously.
Annabeth glared at him. "When you're a demigod. You always expect trouble."
"But won't the mortals see my weapons?" I mean I don't think they are going to let me walk around with a real bow and arrow on my back.
Percy grins. "Mist is a powerful thing."
The boat drops us off on the island. We quietly follow along the back of the tour. The guide leads us deeper and deeper into the dark depths of the once prison. I lose track of time. At some point Percy and Annabeth pull me down a side corridor.
"Where are going?" Carter looks around hesitantly.
Annabeth was leading; she had her hand held straight up in front of her.
"She is sensing magic." Percy tells us.
Annabeth hand spins to point at a dark heavy door. It doesn't look very inviting. Iron bands crisscross over it.
Walt slowly drags it open.
The room has stone walls and could fit a football fit. There aren't any windows or other doors. Just plain stone. Oh and I should mention the skeletons lining the wall. Once we have all entered the room, the door slams shut behind us. Percy spins around and yanks the door handle. It wouldn't budge.
A voice suddenly filled the room. It was loud but in a mystic kind of way.
"Approach demigods. Your time is near. Find the pattern or be in fear. The door will remain locked until the puzzle is solved. Then may you leave or then may you enter.
Carefully ponder the thought."
I glare at the ceiling. What puzzle?
"There!" Carter says.
In the middle of the room five symbols had lit up in a green glowing mist.
The first symbol or more like drawing was of a person holding a sword and preparing to bring it down on a beast with two heads. The second was of a priestess I could tell because in one hand she held a dagger and in the other a kind of staff thing. The next one a girl hunting, bow drawn and head cocked to the side. The fourth one was of a man using an axe to chop down a tree and the last one chilled me to my bones.
Five figures stood, in battle positions weapons poised. Across from them three ladies stood holding hands. A symbol of what was coming.
"How are we meant find a pattern in that?" Percy did not sound impressed.
"He doesn't like being locked in." Annabeth told me.
We all stare at the figures for what seems like ages.
"Okay. The voice said pattern. What's the common factor in all of them?" Annabeth asks.
"Weapons." Walt chimes in.
I nod.
Percy doesn't seem to be thinking much he is hugging his arms and staring at his feet. Another few minutes pass then a giant light bulb appears over my head. "Without weapons there is no life!" I yell as loudly as I can.
I hope those sisters can hear me.
Annabeth glanced sadly at me.
On the other side of the room, the stone parted to reveal more stone steps. Yuck. Somehow I can tell the door behind us will open.
We all just stare for a minute. Then I start walking towards the doorway. I hear three steps of foot steps behind me. Someone isn't following.
Turning around I see Annabeth still staring at the puzzle.
"Come on, Annabeth." Percy grabs her hand and pulls her along .We head up the staircase in a single file.
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