I walk with my head down, letting strands of blonde hair fall across my face as I navigate the crowded hallway. If I had my way, I’d be at home, immersed in architectural design videos.
Walking without looking is a challenge, especially when you have a friend like Daniel. He has a knack for appearing at the most inconvenient moments.
“Hey Annabeth, what’s wrong?” he asks, bumping me playfully with his elbow.
“Nothing,” I reply, annoyance simmering beneath the surface.
“Oh really?” he counters, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
“Yeah. Really.” I snap, and push past him, speeding down the hall to escape his relentless teasing.
Barely a thought is spared for my classes. All I can think about is Percy. Every time his name crosses my mind, my heart feels like it’s performing a frantic jump-rope routine. I absentmindedly doodle in my notebook, and look up to see my seventh-period teacher about to reprimand me. Then, the bell rings. It’s the reason they say “Saved by the bell.” I could feel the teacher’s reprimand building, but it’s Friday. Dealing with her will be a Monday problem. With that thought, I continue walking towards the door.
**********
I know my San Francisco neighborhood is dangerous, but I never imagined it would be like this. As I started to unlock my bike from the rack, I heard a hiss. “Not now,” I thought, but I know the dracnaenae won’t disappear. And, predictably, she caught me without my dagger. I turn around, “What do you want?”
“Last summer, dearie, you killed me in the Titan War.” she replies, her voice dripping with malice.
“Yeah? I killed a lot of dracnaenae. And I won’t hesitate to do it again,” I sneer, trying to project confidence.
“But, my sweet Annabeth. My sisters will simply let it slide. But I didn’t take my death lightly.”
With that, she lunged, her claws extended. Luckily, I rolled to the side just in time, her claws whistling past my head.
“I’ll make it quick, dearie,” she hisses, her eyes burning with hatred.
I sprint towards the nearest trash can, wrench off the lid, and hurl it at her head like a frisbee. It connects with a resounding thump, and she topples to the ground. But I know she isn’t dead yet.
“How— how dare you!” she screeches, her voice filled with rage.
I run in the opposite direction, my energy reserves dwindling with each stride. I want to collapse, but I force myself to keep running. “How can I kill her?” I think, my mind racing. Going home to retrieve a weapon is too risky; if the serpent followed me, my stepmother would kick me to the curb. Come on, Annabeth, think! Then I remember. Our school has an archery team! If only I could access their supplies…
I make a sharp turn to the back of the school, and, miraculously, find a supply closet unlocked. I open the door and see bows and arrows. I send a silent prayer to the gods for this stroke of luck. I grab the first bow and a quiver of arrows, just as the dracnaenae rounds the corner. I draw back the bow and release an arrow, hitting her squarely in the chest, piercing her heart. She lets out a screech so awful, I’m certain Percy could hear it all the way in New York.
“Next time, dearie.”
With that, she dissolves into a pile of yellow dust. I exhale slowly, relief washing over me. I carefully replace the bow and arrows, hoping no one notices the missing arrow. I finish untying my bike and start to ride home. Just my luck, I run into Daniel again.
“Hey, Beth,” he says with a goofy grin.
I stop the bike so abruptly I almost lose my balance.
“What did you just call me?” I ask, glaring playfully.
“Beth.” he said coolly. “No need to give me a death stare, I was just trying to get your attention.”
“Don’t ever say that again,” I laugh, shaking my head.
I get back on my bike, wanting nothing more than to get home after the ordeal with the dracnaenae.
“Well, would you like to—"
I don’t let him finish. I just ride off, leaving him in a cloud of dust.