The Darkness Within

Chapter 25

Percy POV

On my first quest, Annabeth, Grover, and I traveled upon the Amtrak train. The universe thinks it's only fitting that we return upon a train. The memories of all my past quests come flooding back.

I sigh. What happened in the past is not important. What is important is that we may not make it on time. All of the campers' lives are at stake. Including those Pax and I saved. Including those who still believed in me. They're all counting on us.

Piper twirled her knife between her hands, no tears left to cry. She held up her knife and cut up a large portion of her already choppy hair. Leo put his hand on her shoulder, nodding his support.

Everyone else is scattered around the train cabin, trying to kill time. The train seems to tread along the tracks too slowly.

Hazel stands up from her seat, gazing through the window.

"Is it just me, or does this place feel familiar..." She muses.

I stand up and walk up to her. She freezes at my sudden movement but relaxes as I look out the window.

"Thank Hermes for a speedy travel!" Pax smiles as I shout. "We're in the forest near Camp, although I didn't remember a train coming near here.

Piper nods. "Let's not press our good luck. We need to get out of the train, now!"

Everyone looks around and gasps. Leo starts unscrewing the emergency exit on the roof. Mortals blink twice before looking away.

Frank takes the lead, making up for Jason's lost leadership.

"Annabeth, Piper, go get something we can use to climb up to the ceiling. Hazel, help Leo unscrew the exit. Pax, Percy...can you please go try to stall or slow down the train?"

I look at Pax and she nods. She races to the control car as I run after her.

The driver looks at the both of us.

"Hey you aren't supposed to be here..."

His head flops down as Pax holds up the flat side of one of her swords.

"Nice knowing you, Monsieur Conductor." She smirks.

I chuckle and search the panel for an emergency switch. A red lever pops up into my vision and I immediately pull it. The train slams into a halt and passengers start shouting. They all start walking towards the control car.

"Oh mother of Zeus..." Pax mutters.

We push through a swarm of mortals as they pull out cellphones and start calling the police.

I rush through the cars until we reach the escape exit. Pax quickly locks the door and we are alone in the cabin. Annabeth stood on top of the roof waiting to pull us up.

I help Pax onto the dangling ladder, "So much for laying low..."

Annabeth helps Pax up then bends over and offers me her hand.

I remember both of us dangling over Tartarus the first time, swearing to never be apart. We broke that promise.

"Hurry up, Seaweed Brain!" She pleads.

I start climbing alone but the mob of mortals are banging on the locked door. I can almost hear police cars in the distance.

Suddenly, two hands grab my wrists and pull me up.

It is Pax and Annabeth.

Pax looks a bit cross. "You almost got us all caught. Come on! The rest of us are already running into camp!"

The three of us jump down, running towards the camp.

A/N

SO.

I'm sorry I haven't updated.

I don't really have an excuse, just a mixture of lack of interest and writer's block.

BUT BUT BUT BUT I am NOT abandoning the project. I am back from my impromptu hiatus AND double updating to make up. I hate it when authors don't continue their projects, so 

I GOT YOU! 😁