Kidnapped

9: The Blood

Percy POV

"Ok, we only have one hour to figure out the four-digit code and escape," Annabeth said firmly. She was already on her feet, searching for clues.

"What are we trying to find?" I asked.

"Anything suspicious. Numbers and/or letters."

Annabeth was currently at the table and chairs looking for any clues. I had no idea what we were trying to find. Regardless, I went to the far side of the pool to look in the boxes and equipment piles.

There were dozens of crates and boxes filled with swim equipment ranging from scuba gear to pool toys. There was even a whole box filled with goggles. Elysium was smart in the sense that this room was packed with hiding spots for clues.

Almost 20 minutes passed with zero progress.

"Annabeth, this is hopeless. There are so many places where a small clue could hide. It doesn't make sense for them to make us search everything in an hour," I said loudly.

She paused and looked up from a nearby barrel crate. Her eyes widened as she seemed to make a realization.

"Oh my god, Percy, you're totally correct," she expressed much to my surprise. "They only gave us an hour to find an escape. It's highly improbable that they want us to search everything."

"So, what are you saying?" I asked. I picked up a toy boat and threw it into the pool, where it initially sank before floating.

"We should look near places that are more open and obvious," Annabeth said firmly.

She turned away from the far side of the pool and walked back to the middle. Her eyes scanned the walls and general architecture of the room. My eyes narrowed at the wall between the two Olympics posters near the northeast corner of the pool area.

There was a secret door and hallway. I know what I saw before they took me to the race. I assumed that Sector 3 had many similar secret doors.

"There's a locked box on the lifeguard platform," Annabeth exclaimed.

The lifeguard platform was in the middle of the east length of the pool. Lifeguards had to climb a metal structure to reach the floorboard with a chair. A lifebuoy was on the chair. Under it was a small black box (it was hard to see, but it was an obvious location).

Annabeth climbed onto the top of the platform. She almost slipped on the first step, and I instinctually reached out to her. However, she was a whole pool length away.

"Annabeth-"

"I got it," Annabeth exclaimed as she held up the black box.

Suddenly, a loud buzz exploded through the room. The lifeguard platform exploded. I watched in horror as Annabeth was launched into the pool. I simply froze as I watched Annabeth sink into the pool. A streak of red was permeating the water.

The explosion shot metal planks and rods through the room. One of them evidently hit Annabeth who was slowly sinking to the deep end of the pool.

"Wise Girl," I shouted frantically as I dived into the pool.

I was a fast swimmer, and I reached her in no time. I swam into the deep end and wrapped my arms around an unconscious Annabeth.

Her blonde hair blotted my vision as I swam to the surface. Red blood was stemming from a gash on Annabeth's upper arm. Oh God.

I pulled her out of the water. My sore muscles ached as I climbed out of the pool and crouched next to her. I was hardcore panicking right now. I couldn't lose her. We entered this together, and I needed her to live.