Chapter Text
ANNABETH's feet pounded on the sidewalk, gasps that stung her throat forcing their way out.
The cyclops bellowed in rage, shaking the concrete as he ran after her.
She didn't know what to do.
She didn't have a weapon, aside from a measly hammer, and she'd only packed the main essentials in her bag.
Annabeth turned a corner, slamming right into the brick wall in front of her. She stumbled back onto her behind, pain shooting up her nose.
Grey eyes flicked widely around the space, trying to find something, anything, that could help her.
There! A dumpster!
It wasn't the most convenient or clean hiding space, but it would work to cover her scent and keep the monster from finding her.
She climbed into the bin, letting herself fall between the bags, until she hit the bottom.
The girl listened as the cyclops stomped around the corner, sniffing the air.
She pressed a hand to her mouth. Blood was dripping down her nose, but she didn't care for that right now.
The minutes ticked by, and, finally, the monster growled in anger, storming off with a few curse words.
The girl let out a shaky breath only when she officially knew the cyclops was gone. Her eyes stung, but she fiercely wiped the tears away before they could sprout.
She wasn't a baby. She wasn't going to cry. Warriors don't cry.
The demi-god clambered out of the dumpster, landing wobbly on her feet, grabbing her backpack—which she had slung in there too—and swung it back over her shoulders.
She wiped the blood from her face, marching on towards. . .well, she didn't know.
But anywhere besides home would work.
Just as the girl was leaving the alley, a hoot echoed.
Annabeth paused, blinking up at the building rail above.
A tiny white owl stared down at her.
She gasped, frantically locating the ladder to the railing.
That must be her mother! Maybe she sent the owl to help!
Annabeth found the ladder, jumping as high as she could to climb onto it. The owl hooted in fear, while the demi-god scrambled her way up to it.
"Hello!"
She breathed, successfully right next to it. Her hands were scraped, and her nose was bleeding even more now, but it was worth it.
"Were you sent here by my mom?"
The owl tilted its head, pecking her gently on the forehead. Annabeth giggled, wiping more blood from her nose.
"That must mean yes, right? Oh, that's great! Is she here?"
The girl whipped her head around, but no goddess appeared to give her a hug.
Instead, a bright white light exploded right next to her, causing her to scream.
Annabeth did the safe thing, and curled up in a ball on the floor, making sure nothing could hurt her.
Once the light had died down a little, she peaked an eye open.
A portal! It's a portal!
She gasped again, sitting up to get a better look at the white vortex.
It was wiggly, moving like water, and nothing could be seen on the other side except for a white void.
The demi-god tentatively put her hand out, poking it, only for her hand to get sucked in.
She yelped, pulling it back out immediately. It felt weird, like her bones were made of cotton all of a sudden.
The girl gulped, looking to the side for the owl, but it was gone.
Maybe it got scared away? Or maybe it went through the portal?
Is this portal my mom's magic?
She massaged her hand, weighing the idea of going in versus staying.
Her scream probably alerted every hungry monster in the area, and she was too weak to fight them back right now.
Besides, the portal only showed up when she thought of her mom, so it must be hers!
Swallowing her nerves, Annabeth got to her feet, and ran straight into the portal.
THE OWL flapped widely through the sky, tumbling into its masters office with panicked hoots.
Athena turned around wide eyed.
"Nyctimene? What is it? Why fly here in such a hurry?"
Athena furrowed her brows, setting her work down to get near her owl companion.
"What? You visited Annabeth? Why?"
The goddess's entire body went rigid.
"What appeared?"
"And she-?"
"Oh gods, no!"
Athena scrambled from her quarters, racing down the halls of Olympus.
"We must call a meeting about this! A different pantheon stealing a Greek is unheard of!"
She has been transfered safely.
Good.
The rest will join her, won't they?
Of course.
I do hope they are not all difficult to transport.
THE FATES will do a wonderful job, I am sure.