Kidnapped

3: The Heat

Percy POV

"Surprisingly, this food isn't bad," Leo commented. He had taken a bite of mashed potatoes as soon as he received his tray.

Fourteen trays were on a metal shelf in the middle of the cafeteria. A note had informed us that three meals would be served each day to sustain us. Leo was correct that the food was all right. I expected worse in a prisoner situation.

"Gods, this stuff is disgusting. How could you say that?" Rachel asked dramatically. She spit the chicken out onto her plate. Drew mimicked her with a gag response.

"This is the only food we're getting besides the snacks in the room. I think that we should eat it whether it's good or not," Jason expressed calmly.

About half of us had come to the cafeteria because we were hungry. The cafeteria had two round tables to sit at, and we were situated at one table.

I quietly continued to eat my food as I looked around. I had already analyzed each room in Sector 3, but I couldn't find an escape. The only way out seemed to be the steel doors that locked us in this hallway.

The cafeteria was large but mostly empty. There were two tables with seven chairs each and a metal shelf for the trays. I noticed that the cafeteria doors would automatically close a half hour before each meal. They'd open again five minutes later with the trays set up.

That meant that there had to be a way out via the cafeteria, but I couldn't see anything substantial.

"Guys, they said that we'd have more phases. It's been over a day since we got here, and I'm getting really anxious," Hazel said quietly.

I nodded. So was I.

"Why do you want to participate in their sick games?" Rachel asked. She was simply picking at her food much to my annoyance.

"Because I want to get out of here," Hazel shot back. "You heard the boss lady. If we want to get out, we have to pass the tests."

"It's naive for you to think that you'll survive the tests," Drew said slyly.

She emphasized the word, you'll as if trying to insult Hazel. And, it had its intended effect. I watched as Hazel's face fell, and she quietened.

"Don't listen to her, Hazel. We'll get through this," I said firmly.

My voice has risen to warn Rachel and Drew to not push their limits. Rachel sighed before nodding. However, Drew simply twirled her hair and batted her eyes at me. I rolled my eyes before focusing on my lunch.

"Thanks, Percy," Hazel said in a grateful tone.

"I have a question," Jason started. "Did any of us know each other before coming here or were we all randomly selected?"

"Leo and I both attend NYU," Hazel said softly. "We didn't know each other though."

"You both are from New York. So am I," I acknowledged.

"Do you think that all of us are from New York? It would make sense that they kidnapped random students off the street," Leo suggested.

"I'm not a student though," I commented.

I was far from a student. I held two part-time jobs, and I spent way too much time at the hospital. Because of my life, I didn't have the time or interest to partake in school.

"Piper's from Washington, and I study in California," Jason said.

"And, I live in Philadelphia with my friends. We were getting prepared for the baby's arrival in a few months" Thalia joined. She rubbed her pregnant belly as a far-away expression entered her eyes. I could tell that even though she was having a baby (which was an amazing thing), it was complicated.