Legend of Perseus 3: Curse of Atlas

~Chapter 3~

Closing my eyes I focused on mana to thin it out and leave a trail. Grover should be able to sense it.

"What are you doing, Jackson?" hissed Dr. Thorn. "Keep moving!"

I opened my eyes but stayed silent as Thorn herded us outside, he inarched us into the woods. We took a snowy path dimly lit by old-fashioned lamplights. My shoulder finally healed itself, not wanting Thorn to know my shoulder was healing, I had to slow it down quite a bit.

"There is a clearing ahead," Thorn said. "We will summon your ride."

"What ride?" Bianca demanded. "Where are you taking us?"

"Silence, you insufferable girl!"

"Don't talk to my sister that way.'" Nico said. His voice quivered, but I was impressed that he had the guts to say anything at all.

Dr. Thorn made a growling sound that definitely wasn't human. It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, but I forced myself to keep walking and pretend I was being a good little captive.

"Halt," Thorn said.

The woods had opened up. We'd reached a cliff overlooking the sea. At least, I sensed the sea was down there, hundreds of feet below. I could hear the waves churning and I could smell the cold salty froth. But all I could see was mist and darkness.

Dr. Thorn pushed us toward the edge. I stumbled, and Bianca caught me.

"Thanks," I murmured.

"What is he?" she whispered. "How do we fight him?"

"He is a Manticore, don't worry I can take care of him." I whispered back. "I just didn't want to destroy the school"

"A manticore?" Nico gasped. He was fiddling with something—a little metal toy soldier of some kind. "He's got three thousand attack power and plus five to saving throws!"

"Stop talking!" Dr. Thorn said. "Face me!"

We turned.

Thorn's two-tone eyes glittered hungrily. He pulled something from under his coat. At first I thought it was a switchblade, but it was only a phone. He pressed the side button and said, "The package—it is ready to deliver."

There was a garbled reply, and I realized Thorn was in walkie-talkie mode. This seemed way too modern and creepy—a monster using a mobile phone.

I glanced behind me, wondering how far the drop was.

Dr. Thorn laughed. "By all means, Son of Poseidon. Jump! There is the sea. Save yourself."

"What did he call you?" Bianca muttered.

"I will explain it to you later," I said. "I am surprised you didn't reconize me though."

"Wait are you that boy we say in that hotel?"

"Ding, ding. we have a winner."

"I would kill you before you ever reached the water," Dr. Thorn said, as if reading my thoughts. "You do not realize who I am, do you?"

A flicker of movement behind him, and another missile whistled so close to me that it nicked my ear. Something had sprung up behind Dr. Thorn—like a catapult, but more flexible... almost like a tail.

"Unfortunately," Thorn said, "you are wanted alive, if possible. Otherwise you would already be dead."

"Who wants us?" Bianca demanded. "Because if you think you'll get a ransom, you're wrong. We don't have any family. Nico and I..." Her voice broke a little. "We've got no one but each other."