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The a became a dull throb Annabeth knew she was still in ht away It ht speed up the process, but best-case scenario, she wouldn’t be able to put any weight on her foot for a day or more

She tried to reach her knife, but it was too far away She scooted in that direction Pain flared again, like nails were piercing her foot Her face beaded with sweat, but after one er

She felt better holding it--not just for light and protection, but also because it was so familiar

What next? Grover’s survival class hadfor rescue, but that wasn’t going to happen Even if Percy soed to trace her steps, the cavern of Mithras had collapsed

She could try contacting soet a signal down here Besides, ould she call? She couldn’t text anyone as close enough to help Denals attracted too mucharound checking their e-e? She had water, but she doubted that she could ht for a rainbow The only coin she had was her silver Athenian drachreat tribute

There was another proble for help: this was supposed to be a solo quest If Annabeth did get rescued, she’d be ad told her that the Mark of Athena would no longer guide her She could wander down here forever, and she’d never find the Athena Parthenos

So…no good staying put and waiting for help Whichon her own

She opened her water bottle and drank She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was When the bottle was eutter and refilled it

The water was cold and ht be safe to drink She filled her bottle, then cupped some water in her hands and splashed her face Immediately she felt more alert She washed off and cleaned her scrapes as best she could

Annabeth sat up and glared at her ankle

"You had to break," she scolded it

The ankle did not reply

She’d have to immobilize it in some sort of cast That was the only way she’d be able to er and inspected the rooht Now that she was closer to the open doorway, she liked it even less It led into a dark silent corridor The air wafting out smelled sickly sweet and somehow evil Unfortunately, Annabeth didn’t see any other way she could go

With a lot of gasping and blinking back tears, she crawled over to the wreckage of the stairs She found two planks that were in fairly good shape and long enough for a splint Then she scooted over to the wicker boxes and used her knife to cut off the leather straps

While she was psyching herself up to immobilize her ankle, she noticed some faded words on one of the wooden crates: HERMES EXPRESS

Annabeth scooted excitedly toward the box

She had no idea what it was doing here, but Herods, spirits, and even deo to help deods like her with this quest

She pried it open and pulled out several sheets of Bubble Wrap, but whatever had been inside was gone

"Herluear, and she realized the wrapping was a gift "Oh…that’s perfect!"

Annabeth covered her broken ankle in a Bubble Wrap cast She set it with the luether with the leather straps

Once before, in first aid practice, she’d splinted a fake broken leg for another cained she’d have to make a splint for herself

It was hard, painful work, but finally it was done She searched the wreckage of the stairs until she found part of the railing--a narrow board about four feet long that could serve as a crutch She put her back against the wall, got her good leg ready, and hauled herself up

"Whoa" Black spots danced in her eyes, but she stayed upright

"Next tiht a monster Much easier"

Above the open doorway, the Mark of Athena blazed to life against the arch

The fiery owl see her expectantly, as if to say: About tiht this way!

Annabeth wondered if that burning mark was based on a real sacred owl If so, when she survived, she was going to find that owl and punch it in the face

That thought lifted her spirits She made it across the trench and hobbled slowly into the corridor

Chapter 36

The tunnel ran straight and smooth, but after her fall, Annabeth decided to take no chances She used the wall for support and tapped the floor in front of her with her crutch to make sure there were no traps

As she walked, the sickly sweet se The sound of running water faded behind her In its place came a dry chorus of whispers like afro louder

Annabeth tried to speed up, but she couldn’t goher broken ankle She hobbled onward, convinced that soether, getting closer