𝒊𝒊. 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆

𝒙𝒊𝒗.

"I got Nobody!" Polyphemus gloated.

Noelle felt the drip of blood down her temple from a rock cutting her. Polyphemus's grip was constricting her movement and left her breathing short breaths. Her chest felt like it was on fire, but her arms were free. She still had a hold onto her silver throwing knife.

"Hah!" the Cyclops said. "Nasty invisible girl! Already got two wives, three would be too many. Means you gotta be grilled with mango chutney!"

Noelle grit her teeth, flexing the arm with her knife in hand. Her vision was beginning to get blurry and she began to wonder how bad the cut on her forehead was.

"At least I'll die savory," Noelle choked out, loud enough for him to hear.

Polyphemus chuckled evilly. He wasn't prepared for what happened next.

Noelle threw her knife with everything that she could muster. Polyphemus howled in pain and his eye made a squelching sound as the knife impaled it.

Polyphemus let go of Noelle, bringing both his hands to his eye. Noelle screamed as she fell to the ground. Her feet hit the ground first, a horrible crunching sound following as the rest of her crumbled to the ground.

Clarisse, Annabeth, and Grover winced at the sound, while Percy screamed out, "No!"

Rage filled him as he turned to a wobbling Polyphemus. "I hope you missed Tartarus, because you're about to go back!"

Clarisse and Annabeth drew their weapons as well.

Annabeth grabbed her invisibility cap before she told Grover, "Get Noelle."

With that the demigods charged the Cyclops while Grover ran to Noelle. Polyphemus could only see the faint outlines of his attackers, swatting at them or attempting to step on them.

Noelle wasn't unconscious, but she didn't feel at strength to speak or move. Besides, she was biting the inside of her cheeks to help her keep the pain of her legs out of her mind. She could taste the blood from them, but she didn't stop.

Her eyes were open as she watched Grover run over to her. "That is not how legs should look," he said.

Both of them knew she couldn't walk, but Grover helped her stand up anyways. He knew he wasn't strong enough to simply carry the girl, and Noelle wouldn't want him to. So, she toughed it out with Grover's help, who practically dragged her with him.

They made a wide arch around their friends and Polyphemus, heading for the bridge. Grover's goat climbing skills really came in handy to not help them fall into the chasm. Once on the other side, Grover set Noelle down on the grass far enough away from the carnivorous sheep.

Annabeth was the first one to follow after them, collapsing on her knees next to Noelle. "Oh my gods. Do you have any ambrosia?"

Noelle found enough strength to shake her head no. Annabeth grabbed her hand, tears welling in her eyes. They heard yelling, but only Grover moved, grabbing Annabeth's knife from where she dropped it next to her.

"I know I promised, but I didn't think it'd actually come to this," Annabeth admitted. "You can't leave like this, Noelle."

Noelle noticed how Annabeth had intentionally avoided using the word "die." She only managed to give Annabeth's hand a small squeezing. A silent message: I'm not dying yet.

Right as Noelle was going to close her eyes, Percy grabbed her face in his hands. "Don't close your eyes, please," he said. "Keep them open for me. Hey, look at me."

Percy turned her head to look at him, her eyes half closed. He could practically hear his heart crack. He hadn't even looked at her legs, he couldn't stand to, the cut on her forehead was bad enough. But she still mustered a smile at him.