Chapter 8 close call

Luke's POV

We boarded a bus not long after we touched down in New York, the flight itself had been uneventful. Now we just need to survive a bus ride through the city and a hike in the countryside. I smiled at Sarah, she was staring in awe at our surroundings. I had forgotten she had never been in a big city before, as the bus came to the next stop my heart almost stopped with it. Waiting to board, was an athletically built young woman. She had long honey colored hair that fell in perfect princess curls, sharp gray eyes that didn't miss much. A dagger hung from a belt at her waist. Confidence radiated from Annabeth Chase, as she stepped lightly onto the bus. Slowly not wanting to call attention to myself, I lowered my head pretending to look for something in the bag at my feet. I couldn't hear Annabeth moving on the bus, but I could feel her gaze. Once I deemed she had passed I pulled a hat out of my bag, placing it on my face. I fained sleep, the bus moved on, my heart hammered inside my chest. Every so often I could feel Annabeth's alert gaze sweep over me. I wondered if she was looking for something. No sooner than I had the thought, a bump in the road caused my hat to slip. Quickly I resettled it, and instantly felt Annabeth's pricing eyes on me. That settled it, I thought, she was definitely looking for something. Unfortunately, I didn't have to wait long to find out what it was. As the bus pulled away from the last stop, Sarah gasped. She grabbed my hand and whispered,

"Luke, something just got on the bus."

Without looking I whispered back. "Try not to look at it, pretend you can't see it. Trust me."

I slumped in my seat as I listened to heavy footsteps coming closer. A deep gruff voice said.

"Half-Blood, I smell Half-Blood."

Sarah's grip tightened on my hand, the monster sniffed the air. Still I did nothing.

"I know you're here Half-Blood, come forward so I can eat you."

I was busy contemplating why monsters always said something stupid. Which made the next series of events catch me off guard. Someone, probably Annabeth, pulled the emergency stop cord. The sudden stop through every one out of their seats, including me. Something whistled over the seat where I had been only a moment ago. I pulled Sarah close, shielding her with my body as all Hades broke loose. Mortals were screaming, trying to exit the bus. The large humanoid was blowing, Annabeth was shouting insults. Random things flew through the air as the monster swung his club.

"I really hate Thursdays." I grumbled as I pulled Sarah up,

"What!?" She cried,

"Never mind!" I told her, "Come on!"

I pulled her into the aisle with me, still doing my best to shield her from mass chaos. The mortals were all screaming and shoving each other at the front of the bus.

Sarah yelled, "WHY IS NO ONE GETTING OFF!?"

A panicked voice answered. "THE DOORS ARE STUCK!"

"Grate." I muttered, then in the voice I had used to command army's, I ordered.

"LET ME THROUGH!"

The mortals fell silent, surprised. I pulled myself up to my full height, adopting my old poster as a war leader. Then ordered again,

"MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!"

The passengers hurried to comply as I stepped forward. I kept hold of Sarah's hand so she couldn't get separated from me, once at the doors I addressed the passengers.

"After I open the door exit in an orderly fashion. No pushing or shoving, upon your departure go to the left of the bus." I placed my hand on the door, felt it unlock, and pried it open. I lifted Sarah off the bus before she could get trampled in the mad rush of people. As the mortals disembarked I pulled Sarah behind the nearest billing.

"Luke, you have to help her!" Sarah pointed at Annabeth, who was still on the bus fighting the six armed Ogre.

"Don't worry, she can handle it."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I've seen her take on much worse."

"You know her?"

"Oh yes, we go way back."

I glanced at Sarah, she didn't seem happy with my words so I explained.

"I found Annabeth when she was a little kid, she was a runaway. I took care of her until we got to camp."

Sarah nodded as she watched the fight. I couldn't help but feel a small surge of pride for Annabeth. After all, I had taught her most of what she knows about fighting and moving without being seen. We continued watching as Annabeth evaded every strike from the Ogre's club. Then stepped inside the monster's guard stabbing him in the chest. She dove off the bus rolling behind cover, just as the bus exploded. Once shrapnel and other pieces of burning wreckage stopped raining down around her. Annabeth got up dusted off for jeans, and disappeared into the crowd.

"Come on," I said, "time to go."