{Excerpt from "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan}
The next morning, Annabeth and I stood at the top of Half-Blood Hill. We watched the buses and vans pull away, taking most of the campers back to the real world. A few old-timers would be staying behind, and a few of the newcomers, but I was heading back to Goode High School for my sophomore year—the first time in my life I'd ever done two years at the same school.
"Good-bye," Rachel said to us as she shouldered her bag. She looked pretty nervous, but she was keeping a promise to her father and attending Clarion Academy in New Hampshire. It would be next summer before we got our Oracle back.
"You'll do great." Annabeth hugged her...
{End of Excerpt}
Just as they pulled away we heard a scream and as we turned towards the road we saw two kids-one boy and one girl- running with a satyr up the Hill away from at least ten empousai. The boy had midnight black hair and a long claw mark bleeding down his cheek, his eyes showed of pain and exhaustion. The girl had black hair just like the boy and was badly limping half walking, half being dragged by what i assumed was her brother. Everyone started to scatter, running to find their weapons and help the newcomer. Annabeth and I met eyes knowing what to do, this wasn't the first time we were in this rodeo. I pulled out and uncapped Riptide while Annabeth pulled out her dagger. We saw Nico run up with his Stygian iron sword and the Apollo kids close behind with their arrows at the ready.
"On the count of 3 shot your arrows!" One of the Apollo kids commanded "1..2..3!" and in a flash, a sea of arrows was shot turning half the empousai into the golden monster dust. Just as the arrows hit the ground the rest of us, lead by Clarisse and her deafening battle cry, started one on one combat with the remaining empousai. Annabeth and I stood back to back, battling two different empousai. Until suddenly heard a cry of pain shattering all awareness and I felt Annabeth slowly sliding down my back. I remember screaming for Will - one of the best Apollo healers- to get Annabeth and I started battling both the empousai. I was exhausted but i ran on pure adrenaline. Two of the Ares children ran to help me but i felt too angry to notice them much. I was infuriated they had hurt Annabeth and i was going to send them to Tartus to make them pay. My forehead was burning with sweat and my legs felt weak but i fought on. I clung to Riptide sticking it through the empousa's chest and kicking the other as she went for my leg. I pulled Riptide from the monster and Ichor fell from her chest. I quickly spin and my sword went through the others waist, just as she lunges at me, her teeth go through my neck causing me to fall on my knees. After that things went blurry, i saw a figure rush towards and start too pick me up, until everything went black.
I groaned as i slowly opened my eyes slightly aware of the pain in my neck and stinging on my legs.
"Oh, good you're awake." i heard Will's familiar voice, i groaned again in response. "I'll have to tell Annabeth your awake, she was worried sick." at Annabeth's name i bolt upright
"Is she ok?" i asked urgently, trying to get out of bed.
"She's fine, but you're not! You have another hour in the infirmary." Will declared pushing me back into a lying position.
"Can she come here than?" I asked impatiently sitting up again, earning a nasty look from Will. Before Will could respond his sister Kayla replied.
"She's in the dining palvin, she just left to eat, besides that she's been at your side. I can get her if you'd like?" before Will could object, I responded with a grateful 'yes, please' and off she went.
A few moments later she returned with Annabeth. The moment I saw her my heart filled with glee. I called her over and a moment later i was enveloped in a bear hug.
"I thought you were dead seaweed brain! Never do that again!"she said through cries on my shoulder.
"I didn't exactly like it, Wise Girl." I replied with a chuckle. Annabeth pulled away from the hug and started fussing over me, when I saw the boy with the black hair, out of the corner of my eye. I tried to wave but Kayla walked over to him and started taking his blood pressure.
"Hey Will what's the new kid's name?" Annabeth asked as she followed my gaze.
"Oh, him?" he gestured towards the boy while taking some of my IV's out "His name is Ash. Him and his sister, Raven, were claimed by Thanatos. The god's are keeping their promise."
