The scene shifted. The three demigods were running through the woods. It must've

been several days later, maybe even weeks. All of them looked beat up, like

they'd seen some battles. Annabeth was wearing new clothes — jeans and an

oversize army jacket.

 

"Just a little farther! " Luke promised. Annabeth stumbled, and he took her

hand. Thalia brought up the rear, brandishing her shield like she was driving

back whatever pursued them. She was limping on her left leg.

 

They scrambled to a ridge and looked down the other side at a white Colonial

house — May Castellan's place.

 

"All right," Luke said, breathing hard. "I'll just sneak in and grab some food

and medicine. Wait here."

 

"Luke, are you sure?" Thalia asked. "You swore you'd never come back here. If

she catches you — "

 

"We don't have a choice!" he growled. "They burned our nearest safe house. And

you've got to treat that leg wound."

 

"This is your house?" Annabeth said with amazement.

 

"It was my house," Luke muttered. "Believe me, if it wasn't an emergency — "