Chapter 4: The Ambush

To be honest, I had no idea what to think. What started out as a quiet and relaxing early morning turned into two confusing conversations that did not help me out at all. Aphrodite's words lingered in my thoughts as I made my way back to the center of camp where the other campers were sure to be at. Can you feel it inside your heart that you are happy with Annabeth, or do you just think you are happy with her. I tried pushing those thoughts away but the more I tried the more they resurfaced. A large part of me just wanted to stay inside my cabin all day like Thalia. If I was in my cabin I would be able to escape from all my problems, at least temporarily.

I almost had my hand on the door when I heard Annabeth call out to me. I froze momentarily before turning around. Annabeth was approaching me wearing her usual attire. She looked happy and energetic.

"What are you doing up so early out of your cabin?" She asked with a playful smile.

"I just felt like going out on an early morning walk."

"Are those bags under your eyes?" She asked. When I shrugged she took advantage of the opportunity and continued, "Can't sleep cause you're too excited I'm here?" I forced out a little laugh as she gave me a smirk.

"I was actually up thinking last night too, though probably not as long as you were. I thought of a great idea. Would you want to come to Olympus with me to see how the rebuilding is going? I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner but it would be a win-win-win. We'd get to spend some time together, I'd be able to go back and you'd get to get out of camp! How does that sound? I know I said that I wouldn't go back until the end of the break but I just can't help it! And I'm really excited to show you what I've been doing."

That actually sounded like a lot of fun to me. Maybe changing my surroundings and getting out of camp would help clear my head. And being with Annabeth would definitely help.

"I would love that."

She looked at me as if she was thinking about what to say next. She finally made up her mind. "Not to point out the obvious or anything but it seems like there is something bothering you. You haven't been too much like yourself since I got here yesterday. Is everything ok?"

I knew Annabeth would be able to read into me a lot more than I would have liked. I was hoping to avoid her for a bit longer until I could compose myself a bit better. I really didn't feel like opening up to her about something as big as what was going on. Especially not in front of the cabins where all the other campers could see us.

"No I'm good. Really." I responded.

Annabeth raised her eyebrows as if that answer didn't satisfy her.

I though quickly of something else to say. Something believable. Something real. "It's just... I miss you, I guess. Maybe I haven't realized it because you've been away for so long. Autumn wasn't so bad cause I was able to visit you a couple times, but we haven't done that in such a long time it feels like. I thought I'd be okay once I saw you but maybe its impacting me more than I realize."

Annabeth looked down. "I'm sorry, Percy. I'm just as new to this whole relationship thing as you are. I need to learn to balance things better. You are really important to me and maybe I'm not doing a good job of making you feel that way. I promise that I'll be better in the future. I'll take time each week to see you in person and we'll talk everyday when I'm in Olympus." She paused as she looked deep into my eyes. "I'm really sorry. I can be better."

I thought about what my life would look like if I were to be with Thalia. I knew that I wouldn't have to beg to spend time with her or go weeks without seeing her. I knew that she would be aware of my feelings and would always do her best to let me know that she she loves me. Annabeth hadn't sacrificed anything to be with me. But Thalia had sacrificed almost everything with just the chance to be with me. I'm not the brightest person but I realized that things weren't adding up.

"Its ok. I'm still learning too." I couldn't help but smile. "Part of me thinks that our relationship was easier when we were always fighting monsters."

"Probably because we were too busy worrying about so many other things." She laughed.

"Maybe times were simpler back then."

"Maybe Seaweed Brain."

I don't think Annabeth had the slightest idea about what I was actually referring to.

Just like yesterday, Annabeth and I spend most of the day together. We planned on leaving for Olympus in the early afternoon. I really was looking forward to spending a lot of time with Annabeth on Olympus. I knew it would be great for me and help me figure out what to do with it relationship.

Before we knew it we were packed ready to go and it was time to leave. The only thing we needed was the camp van. And the only way to get access to the camp van was to ask our lovely camp director. We were hoping that he would be in a good mood, considering our fun date plan rested on him giving us permission, which was kind of ridiculous because we are both 16 years old.

We approached the big house with our backpacks slung over our shoulders. Despite the cold weather, Mr. D was sitting out on the porch playing his usual stupid game.

When we reached his table he looked up, unamused. "Where do you two think you're going?"

"We were wondering if we could use the van to go visit Olympus." Annabeth said.

"I don't think so young lady." Was his short reply.

"But Mr. D!" She exclaimed "After everything we have done for -"

"Don't play that card." Mr. D interrupted. Annabeth was persistent and gave a plethora of other good reasons why we should be able to use the van, just for one night. This back and forth went on longer than I thought. Our camp leader was probably in a good mood, just not good enough.

"Enough!" He finally shouted. His eyes brightened. Annabeth knew she was beat and we walked away.

Once we were out of earshot from the cabin Annabeth stomped her feet in frustration. "How are we going to get to Olympus now?" We had spend some of our time earlier brainstorming that question. I hadn't seen Blackjack and his friends in a couple days. We were thinking about stealing the key from Argus but Annabeth had left her invisibility hat on Olympus. We didn't have enough money for a taxi. And we definitely didn't feel like walking or swimming.

We walked back to the cabins with our heads hung low. I don't know why I thought in the first place that Mr. D would have let us use the van. I felt pretty dumb.

We were walking around camp trying to think of anything that could get us to New York when we noticed that the door to Artemis' cabin was cracked open.

"I thought all of the hunters left." Annabeth mused as she gravitated towards to door. Her ADHD must have kicked in because she opened the door without a second thought.

I had never been in the hunters cabin before. The walls were made of logs to make the cabin look like a legit log cabin. Animal pelts were neatly laid on the ground as rugs. The heads of countless animals were displayed along the walls. There were also the heads of some monsters that made me shudder. The bunk beds were made of thick wood. Even though the cabin hardly ever had any people in it, it felt warm and inviting.

Over by one bed there was a teenage girl bending over like she was packing some things. She spun around in surprise when she heard us enter.

"Thalia I thought you had left with the other hunters! I'm really happy to see you!"

Thalia eased up. "Hi Annabeth, what are you two doing here?"

Annabeth's face turned red. "We just saw that the door was opened just a little and got a little curious. And by we I mean me." She let out a little laugh. "Are you heading out?"

"Yup. I had to stay behind to get a couple things taken care of. I was just leaving." She finished putting the rest of her things in her bag and walked closer to us. She looked even more tired than when I had talked to her earlier this morning. The skin under her eyes was definitely darker. "You guys look a little down. Did anything happen?"

Annabeth explained to her our plans to take the van to Olympus but that Mr. D wasn't having any of it today.

"You know, on my adventures I was able to learn a couple tricks. Like how to hot wire a car." She smirked. "And drive". She added.

"Well what are we waiting for then!?"

If I would have known we wouldn't even get close to Olympus after we left, I would have never even considered leaving camp.

The three of us left the cabin and made our way up to the camp borders. The three of us made some small talk but then became quiet as we approached the van. It was just sitting parked on the other side of the big house. We checked to make sure that Mr. D wasn't at his table and lucked out big time. We assumed (and hoped) that he was somewhere far away.

Thalia went to work. I don't know how she did it or where she even learned it from, but she got the door open and the engine started. We hopped in before any one else could realize what was going on. Thalia drove, Annabeth sat next to her and I sat in the back.

Once we were a good distance from camp Annabeth broke the silence. "What have you been up to Thal? I feel like we haven't talked or got caught up in ages."

"I know, things have been... busy. There's a lot going on in the outside world. Even after all the fighting in New York a couple months ago there are still a lot of straggling monsters that are causing trouble."

As Annabeth and Thalia continued talking I couldn't help but wonder how long it would take for Annabeth to realize that Thalia wasn't immortal anymore and if she would suspect anything going on between Thalia and I. I then remembered that Annabeth is smart with many things, but romance and relationships aren't really her strong suit.

Thalia and Annabeth talked for a while. Their faces frequently lit up with smiles as they shared about their lives. I could tell that Annabeth loved listening to her friend as much as she loved talking about architecture.

"I don't know if I've said this before but one thing that is still hard for me to grasp is that we are pretty much the same age. I've always looked at you as my big sister, and I still do, but its just a funny feeling knowing that I'm just as old as you now." They both laughed.

I noticed that the longer they talked I was able to see more flashes of pain in Thalia's eyes through the rear view mirror, as if talking to Annabeth was like repeatedly touching a hot stove.

We were enjoying our drive through the forest on the windy road to Manhattan. Annabeth and I were in an fun argument about which god would be the most likely to host a sleep over party when out of nowhere Thalia slammed on her brakes. The tires squealed followed by a loud boom. Before we knew it the van was flipping over. The loud sound of breaking metal filled my ears. We rolled over for a longer time than I thought possible.

We finally stopped rolling over. As I tried orienting myself I realized that the van was flipped over on its driver's side. It took me a while to focus on the windshield that was cracked in every way like a spider's web. I went to unbuckle my seat belt but winced in pain. I looked over at my arm and saw that it was already starting to swell. Thalia sat limp in the drivers seat. She had a cut on her head and must have been knocked out from the crash. Annabeth had already undone her seat belt and was checking on Thalia.

"She'll be ok. But I'm not in any position to pull her out. You don't look to good yourself."

Annabeth grabbed her back pack and we both climbed out of the van. We sluggishly looked around for what had caused the van to flip. Out in the distance we saw two rather slender figures. They started coming closer. I reached for my pocket and took out my sword Riptide. Annabeth fished around in her bag and drew out her dagger. My arm was still hurting so I had to hold my sword in my non dominate hand. The two creatures got close enough for me and Annabeth to hear the sounds of a hundred snakes.

"Look away!" Annabeth shouted. We both looked away and at each other. I saw a wave of panic go over Annabeth. I probably didn't look much better.

I didn't have to think twice about listening to her. I had heard this sound before, and I did not feel like getting turned into stone. The monsters' footsteps gradually became as loud as the snakes. They were so close to us.

"I wouldn't worry about the the whole stone ordeal, darlingsss." One of them hissed. Her voice was raspy and feminine. Filled with malice.

"Unfortunately we're not as blessed as our other sister." The other one added.

I certainly did not want to risk looking at them. But I knew Medusa's voice personally, and neither of those voices - as awful as they were - belonged to her. I tried to remember the mythological story of the two snake-like women, but it was hard to think after the big crash. I knew they were called something kinda weird. Florgins? Wargons?

"Gorgons." Annabeth muttered as if she had read my mind. "What are you doing out here and what do you want?"

"Jussst you, my dear." The first gorgon replied.

Before we could think of a witty comeback they jumped towards us. I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. The two monsters knocked us over. We went flying back and I felt like I was just as dazed as when the van had crashed.

"We can look at them!" Annabeth yelled at me. I got up on my feet and prepared to take a swing at one of them. The gorgons looked just like Medusa. They were significantly larger than us and had dark green skin. Instead of hair they had way too many snakes on their heads. Even though their eyes didn't turn me into stone, a rush of fear came over me as I remembered my first encounter with their sister. The large knife that they wielded definitely didn't help either. I wasn't nearly a good a fighter with my main arm injured and the two gorgons quickly caught on. They were fast. Faster than a normal human. Or even a normal monster for that matter. Every time I raise my sword to attack them they would easily strafe out of the way and it would take all my skill to deflect the jabs with their knifes.

This cycle went on for some time. Swing. Strafe. Block. The two gorgons positioned themselves so that Annabeth and I were separated. I felt like I was beginning to overpower one of them when I heard Annabeth cry out in pain. One of the monsters had managed to make a decent size cut down her arm. The other monster saw how distracted I was and took a powerful swing at my head with the hilt of her blade. The impact was decimating. I crumbled to the floor as the two monsters rushed over to Annabeth. My vision became blurry and began to darken. I tried to get up but I was too dazed. The last thing I remember before passing out was the gorgons picking up Annabeth's limp body and disappearing into the forest.

Thank you for reading! If you have made it this far don't forget to follow the story so you get updates when I post a new chapter! Also I want to give a shout out to Le Connoisseur for the fanfic he'se working on PJO Fandom review! If you're working on a fanfic, PJO FandomReview has a lot of useful and insightful information about writing characters and plots. You should go check it out! Until next time!