"Mrs. O'Leary," I said. "Please, Chiron's under there. If anyone can dig him

out, you can. Find him!

 

Help him!"

 

I'm not sure how much she understood, but she bounded to the pile and started to

dig. Annabeth, Thalia, Grover, and I raced for the elevators.

 

NINETEEN

 

WE TRASH THE ETERNAL CITY

 

The bridge to Olympus was dissolving. We stepped out of the elevator onto the

white marble walkway, and immediately cracks appeared at our feet.

 

"Jump!" Grover said, which was easy for him since he's part mountain goat.

 

He sprang to the next slab of stone while ours tilted sickeningly.

 

"Gods, I hate heights!" Thalia yelled as she and I leaped. But Annabeth was in

no shape for jumping.

 

She stumbled and yelled, "Percy!"

 

I caught her hand as the pavement fell, crumbling into dust. For a second I