𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋¹ || 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐋𝐗𝐈𝐗

✦ 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒, 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓 ✦

THE ATMOSPHERE WAS TENSE AS AURORA, ANNABETH, GROVER, TYSON, AND NICO WERE TOSSED INTO THE CORNER OF THE RANCH HOUSE DECK. Their wrists were bound tightly behind them and their ankles tied together. They exchanged worried glances, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination.

Inside the ranch house, the atmosphere was lively yet unsettling. The deck had been transformed into a festive setting, adorned with colorful streamers and balloons that danced in the gentle breeze. The scent of sizzling burgers filled the air as Geryon expertly flipped them on a massive barbecue cooker fashioned from an oil drum.

At a picnic table nearby, Eurytion lounged casually, idly picking at his fingernails with a knife. His demeanor was relaxed, belying the tension that lingered in the air. Meanwhile, Orthus, the two-headed dog, prowled around the grill, sniffing eagerly at the ribs and burgers cooking on the fiery grill.

Despite the festive decorations and the mouthwatering aroma of food, an underlying sense of unease permeated the scene. It was clear that beneath the facade of hospitality, something sinister lurked, casting a shadow over the seemingly cheerful gathering.

Aurora's silvery-white hair fell messily around her face as she shifted uncomfortably against the ropes binding her.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration.

Annabeth nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting the same determination. "We need to find a way out of here," she said, her eyes scanning the area for any potential escape route.

Grover chewed nervously on his lip, his eyes darting between their captors and his friends. "Percy has a plan," he said bleated, his voice tinged with worry.

Tyson grunted in agreement, his massive form hunched over in the corner. "Yes. Percy will come," he rumbled, his voice filled with unwavering confidence.

As they huddled together, bound and determined to find a way out of their predicament, they knew that their only hope lay in the arrival of Percy, who they trusted would come to their rescue.

As Geryon went about his barbecue cooking, he couldn't shake the feeling of a piercing glare directed his way. Sensing the intensity of the gaze, he turned to find Aurora fixating on him with a fierce, unwavering stare.

There was a fiery determination in her eyes that sent a shiver down his spine, momentarily unsettling the usually confident ranch owner.

Caught off guard by Aurora's intense glare, Geryon couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling her gaze stirred within him.

"Something on your mind, sweetheart?" he asked, attempting to maintain his facade of nonchalance despite the prickling sensation of her scrutiny.

Aurora kept quiet, her gaze still on Geryon while her friends watched her, scared she was gonna explode (literally). She shot Geryon a withering glare, her eyes ablaze with defiance.