“Far below, I heard Cacus bellowing as millions, maybe even thousands of filthy gallons of water slammed into him. Meanwhile, Annabeth alternately shouted, gagged, hit me, called me endearing pet names like, "Idiot! Stupid--dirty--moron--" and topped it all off with "Kill you!”

“The Cyclops was about to roll the stone back into place, when from somewhere outside Annabeth shouted, "Hello, ugly!"Polyphemus stiffened. "Who said that?""Nobody!" Annabeth yelled.That got exactl;y the reaction she'd been hoping for. The monster's face turned red with rage."Nobody!" Polyphemus yelled back. "I remember you!""You're too stupid to remember anybody," Annabeth taunted. "Much less Nobody."I hoped to the gods she was already moving when she said that, because Polyphemus bellowed furiously, grabbed the nearest boulder (which happened to be his front door) and threw it toward the sound of Annabeth's voice. I heard the rock smash into a thousand fragments.To a terrible moment, there was silence. Then Annabeth shouted, "You haven't learned to throw any better, either!"Polyphemus howled. "Come here! Let me kill you, Nobody!""You can't kill Nobody, you stupid oaf," she taunted. "Come find me!"Polyphemus barreled down the hill toward her voice.Now, the "Nobody" thing would have confused anybody, but Annabeth had explained to me that it was the name Odysseus had used to trick Polyphemus centuries ago, right before he poked the Cyclops's eye out with a large hot stick. Annabeth had figured Polyphemus would still have a grudge about that name, and she was right. In his frenzy to find his old enemy, he forgot about resealing the cave entrance. Apparently, he did even stop to consider that Annabeth's voice was female, whereas the first Nobody had been male. On the other hand, he'd wanted to marry Grover, so he couldn't have been all that bright about the whole male/female thing.I just hoped Annabeth could stay alive and keep distracting him long enough for me to find Grover and Clarisse.”

“Cacus.” I’d had years of practice looking dumb when people threw out Greek names I didn’t know. It’s a skill of mine. Annabeth keeps telling me to read a book of Greek myths, but I don’t see the need. It’s easier just to have folks explain stuff.”

“Annabeth: Hey, Seaweed Brain.Percy: Will you stop calling me that?Annabeth: You know you love it.”

“But you'll be killed!""I'll be fine. Besides, we've got no choice."Annabeth glared at me like she was going to punch me. And then she did something that surprised me even more. She kissed me.”

“I smiled at the giant. “Actually, Cacus, I have another secret weapon.”The giant’s eyes lit up with greed. “Another weapon? I will steal it! I will copy it and sell the knockoffs for a profit! What is this secret weapon?”“Her name is Annabeth,” I said. “And she’s one of a kind.”

“Dance you guys!" Thalia ordered. "You look stupid just standing there." I looked nervously at Annabeth, then at the groups of girls who were roaming the gym. "Well?" Annabeth asked. "Um, who should I ask?"She punched me in the gut. "Me, Seaweed Brain." "Oh. Oh right.”