𝑨𝑪𝑻 𝑶𝑵𝑬 ━ 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑾𝑬𝑳𝑽𝑬

𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐃, The Queen Anne's Revenge responded to Percy's every command. He knew which ropes to hoist, which sails to raise, which direction to steer. Iris couldn't help but stare as he worked, she knew it had something to do with the fact that he was Poseidon's son, but still — it was kind of weird.

She walked towards him, trying to see if there was anything she could do, after all, he was doing most of the sailing, even Annabeth wanted to help, helping with the lookout part. Though she did rethink her decision more than 10 times, as she walked towards them, her ego didn't want her to help him, but she knew she had to help. 

Iris could tell Annie was getting a bit tired or well maybe sicker than she looked before, and she knew that she'd start getting seasick. After a few swaying back and forth, her face turned almost green, and after Iris yelled at her to go lay down, she went below to lie in a hammock having no energy to argue.

Iris walked up towards the railing, the moon looked majestic, and she couldn't stay away from its silver glow. She watched the horizon; the moon was a bright white that shone on her face cooling her up, the ocean breeze was refreshing, and the atmosphere was light. Iris could stare at the scenery for ages, her smile was brighter than usual. Percy noticed.

He was watching her from afar, of course, he didn't mean to stare. She wasn't really a big fan of him, so he tried to avoid any provoking interactions with her. But he couldn't help but stare at her warm face, illuminated by the silver glow of the moon.

Walking closer to her, Percy swore she shone brighter, was that even possible? He was now almost by her side; he towered over her. Iris turned, feeling like someone was next to her. Seeing as it was Percy, she turned back and didn't say anything opting to watch the sunset instead. 

   "So. . ." started Percy only to be interrupted by Iris who didn't turn her head, he looked down at her. 

   "Percy. I'm sorry. . .about Tyson, uhm I know he meant a lot to you." said Iris as she turned her head at the last word. 

She knew that he missed him, and even if her and Percy weren't the greatest to each other, she knew that she needed to say something to him.

Percy nodded; he didn't say anything knowing it wouldn't be any help. He did miss Tyson, he missed Tyson a lot more than he'd think he would. Percy knew that Tyson was important to him, a half-brother, was more of a brother than anyone would have ever been. 

Looking back at her, Percy hesitated before continuing, "Uhm yeah. . .I know he was important to you too, you guys seemed close."

Iris nodded, she didn't know what to say, Percy and Iris didn't really have a good relation, never did and never should. They couldn't even talk for more than a minute without arguing. Iris sighed and turned to leave; she didn't want to be stuck in an awkward situation.

 As she turned to leave, Iris felt Percy shift his eyes from the moon to her and before she could even take a step away from him, she felt his calloused hand grab her wrist. Stopping in her steps, she turned slightly to look at him, heart racing and breath hitching. 

She didn't want to know what was going through his mind, his ocean blue eyes stared at her. No one moved, they stayed in place for what seemed like ages. Iris couldn't move a muscle, her brown eyes were staring into his, specks of blue and stripes of dark blue.

Percy stepped closer slowly now only a few metres away from her, the response he got was Iris's straight face slightly frowning, so he stood still for a moment. Iris couldn't breathe, what was happening right now? What was he doing? 

Percy couldn't think, his mind was focused on one thing only, her eyes. Iris's eyes were shining in the moonlight. Her brown eyes looked absolutely magical, and he couldn't keep his eyes off of her, specks of gold and stripes of brown. Gods, what am I doing? Percy stop, look away, she probably doesn't want to even be in your presence. Her eyes look magnificent. Gods, I hate her.

Iris broke their eye contact; her stomach was turning with nervousness. She didn't know what to do. Iris swore that she felt her breath hitch. What is he doing? He shouldn't be this close, he shouldn't be. Gods, I hate him. 

Just as he was about to say something, Annabeth came up on deck, well more like sprinting up to the deck. Percy and Iris jumped apart, Annabeth not even noticing the two. Just then, Iris noticed that they were near a smoking volcano island. 

The sea bubbled and steamed around the shore. "One of the forges of Hephaestus," Annabeth said, still unaware of her two friend's moment second ago. "Where he makes his metal monsters." 

   "Like the bronze bulls?" asked Percy, his mind now on the task at hand. 

She nodded, turning to finally look at the two who were now almost on opposite sides of her, far apart. "Go around. Far around."

No one needed to be told twice. They steered clear of the island, and almost as soon as they steered the island was just a red patch of haze behind them. Iris looked back at the red blur that was left behind, thoughts in shambles.

Iris was brought back to the present when she heard Percy talk. "The reason you hate Cyclopes so much...the story about how Thalia really died. What happened?" He looked at Annabeth.

Percy found it hard to see her expression in the dark. "I guess you deserve to know," she said finally, looking over at Iris who walked closer to the two. She just nodded to Annie.

   "The night Grover was escorting us to camp, he got confused, took some wrong turns. You remember he told you that once?" Percy nodded. "Well, the worst wrong turn was into a Cyclops's lair in Brooklyn."

   "They've got Cyclopes in Brooklyn?" Percy asked. Iris resisted the urge to say anything. 

   "You wouldn't believe how many, but that's not the point. This Cyclops, he tricked us. He managed to split us up inside this maze of corridors in an old house in Flatbush. And he could sound like anyone, Percy." She continued, with a small pause. 

   "Just the way Tyson did aboard the Princess Andromeda. He lured us, one at time. Thalia thought she was running to save Luke. Luke thought he heard me scream for help. And me...I was alone in the dark. I was eight years old. I couldn't even find the exit." She brushed the hair out of her face. She was fourteen now, and it had been six years since this, it haunted her still.

   "I remember finding the main room. There were bones all over the floor. And there were Thalia and Luke and Grover, tied up and gagged, hanging from the ceiling like smoked hams. The Cyclops was starting a fire in the middle of the floor. I drew my knife, but he heard me. He turned and smiled. He spoke, and somehow, he knew my dad's voice. I guess he just plucked it out of my mind. He said, 'Now, Annabeth, don't you worry. I love you. You can stay here with me. You can stay forever.'"

Iris shivered, every time she'd heard this, it was the same, she always thought about how troublesome Annie's journey to camp was. Percy seemed like he was scared, the way she told it was always —even now, six years later—freaked him out worse than any ghost story he'd ever heard. "What did you do?"

   "I stabbed him in the foot."

Percy stared at her, baffled. "Are you fucking kidding? You were eight years old, and you stabbed a grown Cyclops in the foot? Damn"

   "Oh, he would've killed me. But I surprised him. It gave me just enough time to run to Thalia and cut the ropes on her hands. She took it from there." 

   "Yeah, but still...you were pretty brave, Annie, for an eight-year-old." said Iris, smiling slightly at her best friend.

She shook her head. "We barely got out alive. I still have nightmares. The way that Cyclops talked in my father's voice. It was his fault we took so long getting to camp. All the monsters who'd been chasing us had time to catch up. That's really why Thalia died. If it hadn't been for that Cyclops, she'd still be alive today."

They all sat on the deck, watching the Hercules constellation rise in the dark night sky, full of dots of white, stars and moon dimmer than before. 

   "Go below," Annabeth told Percy after a while of silence. "You really need some rest."

Percy could only do one thing, he nodded and went forwards walking, he glanced up to Iris who was already looking towards him as he walked but she turned as quickly as she could. Percy wanted to smile at her but couldn't bring himself to do it, so he stalked on. 

Iris turned to Annabeth as soon as Percy was below. She could tell, Annabeth didn't want to talk about what had happened to Thalia. Iris didn't know Thalia personally, but she knew the girl was a strong one, a fierce one, and she knew that Annabeth got some of her courage from her. 

   "Hey. . .Annie." said Iris, moving closer towards her. "You had to. I know you didn't—." 

Annabeth turned and hugged Iris so quickly, the girls almost fell to the ground. Iris chuckled and hugged her back knowing she needed it. Annabeth sighed.

   "I had to tell him that's for sure but is it bad that I feel so shitty." replied Annabeth to which Iris aggressively shook her head, "No! No, of course not, it's not bad. It's a memory you don't like, of course you can feel bad."

   "I swear to the Gods, I don't know what I'd do without you." said Annabeth, slighting laughing. 

   "I don't either, believe me." added Iris, laughing out loud when Annabeth hit her arm, the two girls hadn't had any time together lately. It felt nice for the both of them. 

   "So, wanna tell me what I saw earlier." asked Annabeth, her face filled with curiosity and teasing. Iris frowned; Annabeth tilted her head and added almost immediately after, "Don't pull that face to me, you know what I mean, with Percy?"

Iris almost laughed out loud again, she couldn't be serious right now, right? But she only shook her, "That was nothing, he—."

But before she could continue, Iris saw something in the horizon that made her eyes widen, she looked back at Annabeth who noticed her face changed and Annabeth turned around and saw what Iris had been looking at. An island but not any island. The Island of the Sirens. 

Annabeth looked back at Iris, "Well, shit. . .you better go wake Percy up." Iris nodded, not even thinking of complaining. 

She bolted below, leaving Annie on the deck, towards the hammocks, only to find him twisting and turning around, sweaty and mumbling. He was having a nightmare. Gods, not now. 

She quickly walked closer to him, grabbing his arms and shaking him, "Hey Jackson, you need to wake up!"

"Ah!" Percy sat bolt upright in the hammock. Iris was still shaking him. "Percy, you were having a nightmare. You need to get up."

"Wh—what is it?" He rubbed his eyes and slowly stood up, now in front of her. "What's wrong?"

"Land," she said grimly. "We're approaching the Island of the Sirens."

𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐔𝐏 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐊, 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 was only questioning her as they walked to the decks, Iris swore if he asked one more time, she would lose it. Annabeth was going to explain everything to him either way. Percy opened his mouth to say something but noticed the look Iris gave him, and quite literally shut up. 

   "I want you to do me a favour," Annabeth said as soon as they walked near her. "The Sirens...we'll be in range of their singing soon."

Percy remembered the stories about the Sirens he was told about. They sang so sickly it was sweet, their voices enchanted sailors and lured them to their unknown death. Iris always thought they were eerie, beautiful to the eyes and ears but deadly to the living who unknowingly trust their bewitching voice.

   "No problem," He assured her. "We can just stop up our ears. There's a big tub of candle wax below deck—"

   "I want to hear them." He blinked, not knowing what she meant. And so, he asked "Why?"

   "They say the Sirens sing the truth about what you desire. They tell you things about yourself you didn't even realize. That's what's so enchanting. If you survive...you become wiser. I want to hear them. How often will I get that chance?"

Coming from most people, this would've made no sense, Iris was one of them but she knew Annabeth would not give up. Annabeth being who she was—well, if she could struggle through Ancient Greek architecture books and enjoy documentaries on the History Channel, Sirens would appeal to her, too. 

She told them her plan and reluctantly, Percy helped her get ready. Iris was still sceptical but knew that Annabeth would do what she wanted to get more knowledge, and Iris would always support that, even if the idea was as crazy as what Annie had said. 

As soon as the rocky coastline of the island came into view, Percy ordered one of the ropes to wrap around Annabeth's waist, tying her to the foremast. "Don't untie me," she said, "No matter what happens or how much I plead. I'll want to go straight over the edge and drown myself."

   "Gods, sometimes I truly think you're crazy, Annie." said Iris as she helped Annabeth. She only smiled crookedly, knowing how Iris felt.

   "Are you trying to tempt me?"

   "Ha-ha." Percy promised he'd keep her secure and Iris would make sure of that. Though he did take two large wads of candle wax, kneaded them into earplugs, and stuffed his ears with them, he turned and gave some to Iris. Iris turned to look at him strangely but took them either way.

Annabeth nodded sarcastically, but he only made a face at joking her and turned to the pilot's wheel. The silence that followed was eerie. As they approached the island, jagged rocks loomed out of the fog. Iris thought it looked straight out of a horror movie. 

Percy willed the Queen Anne's Revenge to skirt around them, if they sailed any closer to these, those rocks would shred their hull like blender blades. Iris glanced back at Annie, she was not close enough to see anything but as she moved closer, she saw. At first, Annabeth seemed totally normal. Then she got a puzzled look on her face. Her eyes widened.

She strained against the ropes. She called Percy's name, he knew—Iris could tell just from reading her lips. Her expression was clear: She had to get out. This was life or death. Percy had to let her out of the ropes right now. Iris didn't know what to do, only Percy could help right now. 

She seemed so miserable to Percy; it was hard not to cut her free. He forced himself to look away and he urged the Queen Anne's Revenge to go faster. He still couldn't see much of the island—just mist and rocks—but floating in the water were pieces of wood and fiberglass, the wreckage of old ships, even some flotation cushions from airplanes.

   "Percy!?" shouted Iris, not knowing what he was doing. Annabeth was pleading with him, tears were streaming down her cheeks as she strained against the ropes, as if they were holding her back from everything she cared about. 

She looked like she was asking Percy something, how could you be so cruel? I thought you were my friend.

Percy glared at the misty island. Iris was confused as to what he was doing, but either way she knew that Annie would want help if she truly needed it. Percy tried hard not to look at Annabeth, the boy had only managed it for about five minutes. 

Iris was nearing Annabeth at that point, still too far but knowing her friend still had her weapon on her, she knew Annabeth would have quickly cut her ropes. But what she didn't know, was that Annabeth had already done so. 

She walked closer and all she saw was heap of cut ropes, an empty mast and Annabeth's bronze knife lay on the deck. Somehow, she'd managed to wriggle it into her hand. I'd totally forgotten to disarm her.

   "Annie!?" Iris screamed as she saw her.

Percy had already rushed to the side of the boat where Iris was and saw Annabeth, paddling madly for the island, the waves carrying her straight toward the jagged rocks.

Percy also screamed her name, but if she heard them, it didn't do any good. She was entranced, swimming toward her death and Iris didn't know how to stop it. Percy looked back at the pilot's wheel and yelled, "Stay!" 

He looked towards Iris, and said in a stern voice, "Stay on deck."

Then he jumped over the side.

   "What the—" Iris scoffed, against the railing and yelled out before jumping in after him, not listening. Iris was a good swimmer, always had been, was she confident she would make it, no. But was she going to make it, yes. 

Percy sliced into the water and willed the currents to bend around him, making a jet stream that shot him forward. Iris wondered how she would survive this, Percy could, obviously. He's the son of the Sea God. Why did she think this was a good idea? To jump in after him. Only the Gods would know. And that she did.

   She watched over her. Always.

Iris had no choice, none, her best friend was swimming to her death, and she was not going to let that happen. So, she plunged after her, ignoring the words of the Jackson boy. She dove under the waves, the dark engulfed her, the water swallowed her and all she could see was the blurry moonlight over the waves, slowly going deeper and darker. 

Before she could even think about anything, Iris's eyes widened in fright, and she desperately swam upwards, her lungs felt thick, her throat tightened and just when she thought she wouldn't make it towards the surface. 

She felt herself break through the surface of the water, air filling her lungs, taking in deep breaths as she tried to calm down. She tried not to think about how deep the sea was right now as she looked around as the waves pushed and pulled her. 

The island was only a few metres away from her, the jagged rocks and wrecks were visible but not Annabeth nor Percy. She couldn't see them. 

Iris started swimming towards the rocks, she saw a small beach just near them, the current was pushing her towards the rocks, and with all the force left in her, she swam. She swam and swam, until she reached the sandy shore. Iris crawled on the sand, thick black volcanic sand, the bay was almost crescent shaped. 

She could hear the voices, Sirens. 

   "IRIS!?" yelled someone. Iris quickly turned towards the voice, turning in every direction until she saw someone in the distance. In the dark mist, someone stood, a woman. She looked angelic, even if no one could properly see her, but it wasn't her who spoke.

   "Be safe, sweetheart." said the voice, as angelic as the figure, Iris couldn't see. Aphrodite. As soon as the voice has said something, the figure disappeared. 

   "Who's there?" shouted Iris, her voice trembling slightly. 

Iris looked around desperately for Annabeth, or even Percy, she just wanted to see someone she knew. The sand felt cold, the wind picked up, Iris looked around. No one, she was alone, or so she thought.

   "IRIS!?" yelled someone. "I told you to stay onboard!"

Iris recognised the voice, Percy. It was Percy. 

   "PERCY!?" Iris yelled out. "Where are you?"

   "Right here." said Percy behind Iris. She jumped slightly, not expecting him to be this close, and mumbled, "Gods."

Percy was trembling from the cold, his hair was in shambles, and he looked quite dishevelled but Iris didn't care. She couldn't help but smile, she felt better now that someone was with her but she did wish Annabeth was here too.

   "Where's Annabeth?" asked Iris, immediately, "Did you see her?"

He only shook his head, his face darkened. But they both nodded, and started looking around, mostly towards the sea. She looked near the rocks, and there she was. Luckily or unluckily, Annabeth was a strong swimmer. She'd made it past the mines and the rocks. She was almost to the black beach.

But then, the mist cleared and the two saw them—the Sirens.

They were like flock of vultures the size of people—with dirty black plumage, grey talons, and wrinkled pink necks, with human heads on top of those necks, but the human heads kept changing. Iris frowned and stared at them, she could see people, people she knew.

Her dad, Aphrodite, Grover, Tyson, Chiron, Silena. All the people she most wanted to see, to go back to, she wanted to reach out to but couldn't.

They smiled reassuringly, inviting her forward. But no matter what shape they took, their mouths were dark, greasy and caked with the remnants of old meals. Like vultures, they'd been eating with their faces, and it didn't look like they'd been feasting on Monster Donuts. 

And Annabeth was swimming right into their trap, right toward them. . .

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❪ ៸ 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ━━━━━ ! ﹆◞ ❫
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❪ . . . the 12th chapter for LOVE STORY everyone, I think his chapter gives off a lot of thriller vibes and i love it AND THE TENSION OMLLL ❫
❪ . . . This is like 3.8k which way less than I expected but this has been long overdue so enjoy anyways! ❫
❪ . . . PLEASE tell me how you guys feel about it ??❫
❪ . . .PLEASE don't be a ghost reader, comment and vote, I love to reply to everyone and interact with my readers, love all of you darlings <33 ❫