Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Percy sighed as he looked out across the beach. It had been a long day of cleaning up after the most recent battle.

“Hey, Seaweed brain. Everyone's been looking for you” Percy glances up to see Annabeth standing just behind him with a plate of food. “Come on, you should eat something.”

“Thanks, Beth”
As he reached for the plate a light flashed in front of both of them.

☆

Noise filled his head as Percy looked around disorientated. Are they on Olympus? Why? Just when everything was wrapping up. He finds the familiar faces of his friends, and somehow the gods. He stands up and grips the familiar handle of Riptide in defence, body tense and alert. Yelling and accusations fill the air around Percy until the room quiets with a bang.
“Hello, demigods, mortals and Gods.” The Fates greet, their voices echoing in the centre of the throne room. Annabeth and Percy exchange a look. If the Fates are involved it can’t be good. “Demigods, the gods that you see in this room are not the gods you are familiar with. These gods are from the past. The summer of 2005 to be specific.”

“Are you serious?”

“What!?”

“No way…”

Exclamations broke out across the room. The gods, specifically Hera, grimace at the sheer amount of noise that fills the space. One of the Fates holds up a wrinkled finger and the room falls silent.

“You will see the adventures of Perseus Jackson. The challenges and trials of the demigods. You will listen, and hear the effects that your actions, or lack thereof, have on your children. Unfortunately, Perseus we must inform you of a negative effect. It is unavoidable. You will experience everything as if you were there. Injuries, emotions and environmental surroundings.”

Hazel gasps next to Percy, and Annabeth claps a hand to her mouth. All he can think of is all of the near-death experiences he has had over the years.
The Fates disappear with a crack, leaving a box with five bronze devices. Behind the gods who were standing off towards the back, couches and beanbags appear with blankets and various snacks.

“Wait so we just have to watch Percy’s life for however long?” Leo asks grinning. Frank walks up behind him and slaps him lightly on the head

“Did you not hear the part where Percy's going to feel everything?” Frank scolds lightly.

“I think we should do introductions. The Gods don’t know us.” Annabeth says crossing her arms over her chest looking at the rest of the seven.

“Hm yeah you’re right as always” Piper says, “I’m Piper Mclean daughter of Aphrodite.”
Aphrodite looks up and smiles kindly at her, twirling her hair around her fingers.

“Me next! Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus at your service!” Leo grins spinning a wrench in his hand.
Percy zones out as Clarisse, Will, Reyna and the rest of the seven introduce themselves. He looks up in shock when he sees his mom and Paul walk out in front of the crowd. His body almost moves to crush his mom in a hug, but he stops himself. Annabeth nudges him with her elbow, and he flicks his gaze upwards to the centre of the room.

“Oh... uh. My name is Percy Jackson. Son of Poseidon.” Percy looks out across the gods and meets Hestia’s gaze. He smiles slightly at her and walks back as Zeus and Poseidon go back and forth about all of them breaking the oath.

Percy finds himself squeezed between Annabeth and Grover on a bean bag, with Hazel behind him playing with his hair. Nico next to Hazel with Jason and Piper sitting beside him with Leo chatting their ears off about something or other. Thalia is sitting with Reyna just off to the side and Will and Clarisse sit together on beanbags. The Gods sit across from the room, Zeus and Hera looking at the couches with disdain while Hermes and Apollo happily plop down onto the couches. His mom and Paul sit with Rachel just outside of the Gods’ area.

“Percy, I think you’ll have to start the projection” Annabeth says pointing to the box. He nods and walks towards the box. The box has 22 metallic buttons that have a symbol on the little circle. He presses the first one down and the box glows with a blue-greenish light that expands and fills the room.

A forest is shown in the projection and as Percy walks back to his spot on the floor the projection zooms into a bus driving onto the highway. Percy felt pit form in his stomach. Dread fills his body as he hears the first sentence spoken into the room

“Look I didn’t want to be a Half-blood”

Chapter Text

“Look I didn’t want to be a Half-blood.”

His jaw drops as he hears his voice echo around the room. Everyone’s eyes spin towards him as the projections follows the bus.

“Dude.. are those your thoughts?” Jason asks looking between him and the projections.

“Yeah” Percy says “Oh shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Annabeth asks looking at him.

“I probably should apologize pre-emptively for my thoughts. I’ve thought some pretty ungodly things about the gods.” He says sighing. “Uh, I just want to say I’m sorry for whatever my thoughts say about you guys.”

“Being a half-blood is dangerous. It’s scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways.”

“Bit ominous there, Kelp Head.” Thalia says grinning. He punches her arm, leaning over Grover.

“Please, it cannot be that bad. You’re only being dramatic; mortals have a tendency to exaggerate” Hera dismisses waving her hand non-committedly.

Percy quickly grips Annabeth’s arm pulling her down from jumping the goddess.

The projection flicks to 12-year-old Percy sitting on the bus with Grover.

“My name is Percy Jackson. I’m twelve years old. Until a few months ago, I was a boarding student at Yancy Academy, a private school for troubled kids in upstate New York.”

“Awwwww! You were so tiny!” Hazel coos looking at the projection.

“Yeah dude, you were so scrawny what happened?” Frank says squinting at the projection as if trying to reconcile the image of Percy in his head to this tiny 12yr old.

“Training and quests I guess” he says shrugging.

“Am I a troubled kid?”

“Absolutely”

“Uh-huh”

“Yep”

Poseidon looked around at the demigods who were nodding, agreeing with the idea that his son is troubled. How troubled could he be?

“Wow thanks guys. Really feeling the love.” Percy says grinning, trying to hold back a laugh.

“Yeah. You could say that.”

“See even you agree!”

Sally chuckled, watching her son bicker with his friends. She had missed him so much, but it was reassuring to see him acting normal and relaxed with his friends. So far, she wasn’t sure how to feel about the projection. She wanted her son to relax and not have to worry about mythological beings and their incessant demands. But the projection gave her a chance to see all of Percy’s adventures.

Percy is sitting in the bus next to Grover who is ducking to avoid Nancy Bobofit’s sandwich

“Our sixth-grade class took a field trip to Manhattan—twenty-eight mental-case kids and two teachers on a yellow school bus, heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to look at ancient Greek and Roman stuff.”

“That sounds fun, actually” Annabeth hums

“To you maybe. For the rest of us, Owl head, it sounds like torture” Clarisse interrupts rolling her eyes.

“I know—it sounds like torture. Most Yancy field trips were.”

Giggles erupt in the room as Clarisse scowls.

The projection focuses onto Chiron or Mr Brunner.

“But Mr. Brunner, our Latin teacher…..so he was the only teacher whose class didn’t put me to sleep.”

Percy smiled at the thought of Chiron. He had missed the wise advice and steadfast support that the centaur had always given.

“Why does he sound so familiar?” Leo asked Jason. He just shrugged not remembering anyone with that description.

“We’ll probably find out anyway.” Jason replied thinking over who it could be.

“I hoped the trip would be okay. At least, I hoped that for once I wouldn’t get in trouble.”

“Oh, seaweed brain, that won’t happen. Your luck is awful.” Annabeth said smiling at him.

“Hey! Where is your faith in me?” Percy said pouting at her. She just chuckled at pecked his cheek. He leant back into his beanbag, Hazels hands plaiting his hair as she giggles at them.

“Boy, was I wrong.”

Laughter erupts from the demigods, Apollo and Hermes.

“See, bad things happen to me on field trips ……. Well, you get the idea.”

Leo’s jaw dropped. He immediately turned to Percy with sparkles in his eyes.

“Dude! You have to tell me more stories!” He said excitedly, accidentally lighting the tip of his nose on fire.

“You’re crazy, Prissy” Clarisse mutters eyebrows raising in shock. Percy just rolled his eyes turned back to the projection.

“This trip, I was determined to be good”

“How’d that work out for you Kelp Head?” Thalia said snickering.

“I- It wasn’t my fault this time!” Percy joked, poking his tongue out at Thalia. Annabeth just rolled her eyes fondly at the two of them, looking back to the projection.

“All the way into the city, I put up with Nancy Bobofit, the freckly, redheaded kleptomaniac girl, hitting my best friend Grover in the back of the head with chunks of peanut butter-and-ketchup sandwich.”

Annabeth scowled, glaring daggers at the redhead in the projection. Percy simply unfolded her clenched fists and interlaced his hands into hers. She looked over and grumbled, leaning back into their beanbag.

Grover winced at the memory, remembering the ketchup that had been stuck in his hair all day. It was not a fun experience.

Over with the Gods, Dionysus gripped his diet coke can tightly, the can crinkling under the pressure. Nobody messes with the satyrs, let alone a mortal.

“Grover was an easy target……You should’ve seen him run when it was enchilada day in the cafeteria.”

Grover’s jaw dropped.

“Hey!” He yelled sitting up. Percy yelped scrambling to stabilize himself after Grover had rocked the beanbag.

“Look G-man, I’m not wrong, am I?” Percy said sheepishly, holding his hands up in defence. He grinned, trying to sit back onto the beanbag properly.

“No… I guess. Didn’t have to be so mean about it though” Grover mumbled crossing his arms jokingly, pouting at the screen. Percy just laughed and turned his attention back to the projection which had started to play.

Nancy Bobofit continues throwing sandwich pieces at Grover and Percy, multiple pieces sticking into Grovers hair.

“She knew I couldn’t do anything back to her because I was already on probation. The headmaster had threatened me with death by in-school suspension if anything bad, embarrassing, or even mildly entertaining happened on this trip.”

“Damn dude, what did you even do?” Jason asked curiously, peering over to him.

“Eh… I actually don’t remember.” Percy said shrugging non-committedly.

Jason rolled his eyes, smiling and looking back at the projection.

“I’m going to kill her”

“It’s okay. I like peanut butter.”

Nancy throws another piece of sandwich and it hits him in the head.

“That’s it.”

Younger Percy moved to stand up Grover grabbing his arm and brushing the sandwich crumbs out of his hair.

Annabeth looked at Grover with an incredulous look.

“In your hair? Really?” Annabeth said sarcastically. Giggles were heard behind them. Hazel was giggling behind them at their interaction, fingers carding their way through Percy’s hair.

Percy tilted his head back, breathing in and out, trying desperately to breathe through his anger. He knew it was only going to get worse from here.

Looking back on it, I wish I’d decked Nancy Bobofit right then and there. In-school suspension would’ve been nothing compared to the mess I was about to get myself into.

Annabeth sighed, looking over towards her boyfriend. This was going to be hard, she knew that, but she hated seeing him struggle to control his emotions when he had worked so hard to keep them in check. She reached for his hand, her thumb rubbing the back of his hand gently.

A reminder that she was there for him. A reminder that she will always be there.

Mr Brunner wheeled the class through various exhibits, showcasing the ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. Eventually he led the class to a stele with carvings all along the side. A teacher in a leather jacket is seeing evil eyeing Percy and Grover.

Mrs. Dodds was this little math teacher from Georgia…... I knew I was going to get after-school detention for a month.

Nico looked at her puzzled for a moment before the pieces clicked. He looked over at Percy in slight shock.

“Is that how she knew you?” He asked frowning at him. He was confused because in the projection, Percy is only twelve. How in the Hades did he survive?

“Yeah.. she wasn’t too happy with me after this.” Percy said his mouth twitching upwards into a small smirk.

Poseidon and Hades glanced at each other, unsure what their children were talking about. Poseidon twirled his smaller sized trident in his hands as he considered his nephew and sons words. Maybe a monster? But if so which one? How did Percy get out of this? Perhaps help from Chiron?

“One time, after she’d made me erase answers out of old math workbooks until midnight, I told Grover I didn’t think Mrs. Dodds was human. He looked at me, real serious, and said, “You’re absolutely right.”

Percy is seen erasing books and complaining to Grover

“Real subtle there Grover!” Thalia teased from across the couches, chuckling to herself.

Mr Brunner continues talking about the stele when Nancy Bobofit mentions something to her friends. Younger Percy’s faces turns down into a frown and turns around.

“Will you shut up?”

It came out louder than I meant it to.

“Mr. Jackson,” Mr Brunner said, “did you have a comment?”

“Ouch” Leo grimaced knowing exactly how Percy felt. Getting in trouble even though you did nothing wrong was the story of his life.

Percy’s face is bright red as Chiron raises an eyebrow at him

“No, sir.”

“Perhaps you’ll tell us what this picture represents?”

Mr Brunner points to a picture on the stele. It depicts Kronos eating his children.

I looked at the carving, and felt a flush of relief, because I actually recognized it

“That’s Kronos eating his kids, right?”

Annabeth felt a shiver run through her body. What unfortunate timing.

The 6 gods mentioned in the tale sigh and look away from the projection. Why was it always that one that the mortals remember so well?

“Yes, and he did this because…?”

Mr Brunner urges Younger Percy to continue.

“Well… Kronos was the king god, and-“

“God?”

“Titan. And…he didn’t trust his kids, who were the gods. So, um, Kronos ate them, right? But his wife hid baby Zeus, and gave Kronos a rock to eat instead. And later, when Zeus grew up, he tricked his dad, Kronos, into barfing up his brothers and sisters—”

One of the girls behind Younger Percy squeals, yelling out ew to her friends. Younger Percy ignores her and continues.

“—and so there was this big fight between the gods and the Titans, and the gods won.”

Zeus and Poseidon stared at Percy in shock at the simple explanation. The intense long and arduous battle described by this mortal as a “big fight”.

Annabeth just chuckled and hit his arm. “Seaweed Brain, you can’t just describe the century long war as a ‘big fight’.”

“I was twelve. You know how slow I was back then” Percy pouted rubbing his arm where she had hit.

The group of students snicker amongst themselves. Nancy rolls her eyes and turns to her friends.

“Like we’re going to use this in real life. Like it’s going to say on our job applications, ‘Please explain why Kronos ate his kids.’”

“And why, Mr. Jackson, to paraphrase Miss Bobofit’s excellent question, does this matter in real life?”

“Busted” Grover muttered

“Shut up” Nancy said a blush creeping onto her face.

At least Nancy got packed, too. Mr. Brunner was the only one who ever caught her saying anything wrong. He had radar ears.

“No, horse ears instead.” Leo said with a deadly serious face.

Laughter filled the mortal half of the room as the Gods look on incredulously.

Younger Percy shrugged and answered

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Well, half credit Mr. Jackson. Zeus did indeed feed Kronos a mixture of mustard and wine, which made him disgorge his other five children, who, of course, being immortal gods, had been living and growing up completely undigested in the Titan’s stomach. The gods defeated their father, sliced him to pieces with his own scythe, and scattered his remains in Tartarus, the darkest part of the Underworld. On that happy note, it’s time for lunch. Mrs. Dodds, would you lead us back outside?”

“How is that a happy note?” Frank asks confused and slightly worried. He looks at Percy who simply shrugs and looks back to the projection.

The class makes their way out of the museum, the girl clutching their stomachs and the boys shoving each other jokingly. Mr Brunner stops and gestures for Percy to stay back slightly.

“Sir?”

“You must learn the answer to my question,”

“About the Titans?”

“About real life. And how your studies apply to it.”

“Oh”

“What you learn from me, is vitally important. I expect you to treat it as such. I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson.”

I wanted to get angry, this guy pushed me so hard.

Jason looked down at the ground. He empathised with Percy, being pushed so hard to do something that you thought was either impossible or out of the question. He knew this feeling well and it hurt to see that Percy also experienced it. And by the looks on his friends faces they had also felt it.

I mean, sure, it was kind of cool on tournament days…... And I just couldn’t learn all those names and facts, much less spell them correctly.

Frank looked around at his friends, their resigned faces and thanked whatever fate, or god gave him lactose intolerance instead of dyslexia.

I mumbled something about trying harder, while Mr. Brunner took one long sad look at the stele, like he’d been at this girl’s funeral.

Percy began walking outside towards where the rest of the class was sitting and eating lunch.

“He most likely was at that girl’s funeral” Annabeth said solemnly. Percy just nodded, pushing down the feeling of inferiority that had spiked from the projection.

Outside, a storm was brewing. Dark clouds covered the horizon and flashes of lightning were scattered across the massive cloud. Nancy Bobofit was attempting to pickpocket a lady and Grover and Percy were sat on the fountain, opening the sandwich packets.

“Detention?” Grover asked

“Nah, not from Brunner. I just wish he’d lay off me sometimes. I mean—I’m not a genius.”

I thought he was going to give me some deep philosophical comment to make me feel better.

“Can I have your apple?”

Laughter erupted from the demigods as Grover turned red.

“I was hungry!” He pouted, crossing his arms and sinking further into the beanbag.

I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I let him take it

Jason gasped and Hazel’s hands paused in his hair. Annabeth looked at him incredulously, eyebrow raised in question.

“What?” Percy asked looking around at the shocked looks.

“You didn’t have an appetite? Seriously? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that, and I’ve known you since we were twelve.” Annabeth said, inspecting Percy as if he were an imposter.

“Nah… he didn’t eat once before. That winter.” Thalia said solemnly. Percy looked down at his hands, fidgeting with Riptide. Annabeth looked at him sadly and brushed her thumb across his knuckles.

Hazel looked at the change in demeanour from Percy and Annabeth. That winter clearly meant something to the two of them, something bad. Hazel didn’t ask, didn’t push. She understood wanting to keep things to herself, not wanting to expose her vulnerabilities to everyone. Although, she supposes, Percy doesn’t really have a choice.

Percy watches cabs stream down the street as Grover eats the apple that he was given by Percy.

I thought about my mom’s apartment. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas…..I wouldn’t be able to stand that sad look she’d give me.

Sally sighed, she had missed her son so much but back then home wasn’t safe for him. With Gabe and his friends, it was like walking through a minefield. She hated sending him away but anything to keep out of the house.

Percy looked over at his mom, wanting a hug so bad but he didn’t want to disrupt the projection. He can’t wait until the next break.

Mr Brunner sets up camp with his celery and book up near the stairs. Percy looks down at his lap and begins to unwrap his sandwich. Nancy Bobofit abruptly walks in front of Percy and Grover. She drops her half-eaten lunch in Grovers lap.

“Oops” She said grinning

I tried to stay cool. The school counselor had told me a million times, “Count to ten, get control of your temper.” But I was so mad my mind went blank. A wave roared in my ears.

Water from the fountain grips Nancy by her shoulders and lifts her into the fountain. Unceremoniously. She sits up drenched, hair dripping while Percy breathes heavily, his fists clenched.

Thalia laughed loudly clutching her stomach, “Serves her right!”

Percy was taking deep breaths, his anger settling just underneath his skin.

Mrs Dodds materialises next to Percy with a menacing look on her face

“Did you see—” “—the water—” “—like it grabbed her—”

I didn’t know what they were talking about. All I knew was that I was in trouble again.……There was a triumphant fire in her eyes, as if I’d done something she’d been waiting for all semester.

“Now, honey—”

“I know, a month erasing workbooks.”

Leo gasped, “You never guess your punishment! That’s like ‘Getting in Trouble 101’”

Percy just stuck his tongue out at him.

Poseidon stared at his son watching as he easily interacted with the children of his brothers. It was confusing to say the least. He was sure that in his entire immortal lifetime that he would never see a child of Hades, Zeus and himself getting along, acting as if they were a family. But here they are. It shocked him to his core.

That wasn’t the right thing to say.

“Come with me,” she said in a shrill, rough voice.

“Wait! It was me. I pushed her” Grover yelped.

Percy stared at Grover as if he had grown a second head.

I couldn’t believe he was trying to cover for me. Mrs. Dodds scared Grover to death.

“You’re very brave Grover” Hazel said smiling down at the satyr, “Much braver than the fauns we have back at our camp”

“She’s right G-man. Wouldn’t have gotten this far without you” Percy said slinging an arm around his shoulder and pulling him in for a half-hug.

Grover just grinned at Percy and turned back to the projection.

Mrs Dodds glared at Grover so intently that he trembled slightly.

“I don’t think so, Mr. Underwood,” she said.

“But—”

“You—will—stay—here.”

“Jeez, what is her problem?” Piper huffed looking at the teacher intently, as if the projection was going to answer her.

Grover looked back over to Percy with a desperate look. Percy just waves it off.

“It’s okay, man, thanks for trying.”

“Honey,” Mrs. Dodds barked “Now.”

Nancy smirked at Percy

I gave her my deluxe I’ll-kill-you-later stare.

Nico shudders inconspicuously, remembering the river incident and the aftermath. Will gives him a weird look but he just ignores him. Will Solace had been hanging around him in the last couple of days, making sure that he was eating, drinking and sleeping. It was odd. He hadn’t had anyone look out for him like that since Bi-

Woah let’s not go there right now. He shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts and turns his attention back to the projection.

Percy turned to face Mrs Dodds but she is found to be at the top of the stairs rather than where she was before. Percy is visibly confused until he follows her up the steps.

How’d she get there so fast? I have moments like that a lot, when my brain falls asleep or something…… my brain misinterpreting things. I wasn’t so sure.

Annabeth hummed quietly, “I don’t know if you remember, but when you first came to camp I think I mention the fact that some counsellors and doctors prescribe medicine to demigods to weaken the battle sense. That could be what was happening here.”

“I’m not sure… I never saw her again so it doesn’t really matter” Percy said shrugging and wrapping an arm around Annabeth

Percy glanced back at Grover who is looking nervously between him and Mr Brunner. However Mr Brunner was wrapped up in his novel. Percy continued following after Mrs Dodds, bypassing the gift store and going further into the museum. They are alone in the exhibit. She stood with her arms crossed growling at Percy

“You’ve been giving us problems, honey,”

I did the safe thing, “Yes, ma’am.”

“You? You of all people did the safe thing??” Annabeth said incredulously.

“I can do the safe thing once in a while” Percy pouts, looking away.

Sally nervously began fiddling with the loose threads on the couch she was sitting on. She had a bad feeling about this. She vaguely remembered her son stammering something about this field trip when she first dropped him off to camp. But after everything that went down that night she doesn’t remember much.

“Did you really think you would get away with it?”

The look in her eyes was beyond mad. It was evil. She’s a teacher, I thought nervously. It’s not like she’s going to hurt me.

“I’ll—I’ll try harder, ma’am.”

Thunder booms around them

“We are not fools, Percy Jackson. It was only a matter of time before we found you out. Confess, and you will suffer less pain.”

I didn’t know what she was talking about……..Or worse, they were going to make me read the book.

Leo burst out into laughter, grin spreading across his face as he faces towards Percy.

“I have so many new ideas now” Leo said smirking, eyes glittering with determination.

Athena looked aghast at the idea of him plagiarising his assignment. The goddess settled for just glaring at the child as not to interrupt the projection

“Well?” she demanded.

 “Ma’am, I don’t…”

“Your time is up,” she hissed.

Mrs Dodds began to change into a Fury. Eyes glowing yellow and fingers elongating into claws. Teeth stretching into fangs and wings growing from her back. Mr Brunner shows up at the entrance of the exhibit with a pen clenched in his hand, Percy turns towards him confused and scared.

“What ho, Percy!” he shouted.

He tossed the pen towards Percy who caught it and looked up at Mrs Dodds who is now lunging towards him. Percy dodges Mrs Dodds’ advances, barely missing the slash of claws aimed at his head.

The pen changes into a bronze sword, specifically the bronze sword Mr. Brunner is seen using on tournament days.

Jason and Piper exchange a glance.

“Isn’t that Riptide, Percy?” Piper asked.

“Yeah it is.” Percy said clenching and unclenching his hands, trying to rid the shaking from his limbs

Mrs Dodds spun towards Percy with a murderous look in her eyes

My knees were jelly. My hands were shaking so bad I almost dropped the sword.

“I would be the same, I can’t believe the first monster he faced was a fury of all things” Will said nervously looking at the projection.

“It makes sense though” Nico mumbled thinking of all of the times that Percy had interacted with the furies.

“Die, honey!”

Mrs Dodds flew directly at Percy.

Absolute terror ran through my body. I did the only thing that came naturally: I swung the sword.

“That comes naturally??” Frank yelped, looking at Percy in shock.

Jason, Leo and Piper looked at Percy in a new light. His first reaction at twelve years old was to swing the sword rather than, you know, run.

Poseidon, who had been clenching the arm of his couch chair so tightly that it had dented it, smiled slightly at the battle reflexes that his son was already showing.

The blade clears through Mrs Dodds like water, yellow powder bursting into the air and flowing away in the air like sand. Percy stood there panting, looking around confused.

I was alone.

There was a ballpoint pen in my hand. Mr. Brunner wasn’t there. Nobody was there but me. My hands were still trembling. My lunch must’ve been contaminated with magic mushrooms or something.

Had I imagined the whole thing?

Thalia sighed “Unfortunately not”

Percy laid his head back onto the beanbag, Hazel absentmindedly tracking her hands through his hair. The fear and adrenaline had finally left his body letting his brain relax slightly.

Meanwhile, the gods gaped at the projection. Had this mortal child really defeated a fury in one swing? Without any training? That was practically unheard of.

Percy shakily walks back outside where it has began to rain. Grover had a map tented over his hand to stop the rain from soaking him. Nancy Bobofit walked over smugly.

“I hope Mrs Kerr whipped your butt.”

“Who?”

“Our teacher. Duh!”

Nancy rolled her eyes and walked away. Percy turned to Grover and asked where Mrs Dodds was. He pauses before asking who.

“Not funny, man, this is serious”

Thunder booms above Percy and Grover.

Tensions rose in the room as Percy began to become more agitated. Annabeth looked over to Percy and lent her head on his shoulder in an effort to calm him down.

“Man, Grover you cannot lie at all” Thalia said teasingly. She was doing her best to keep the atmosphere lighter than before. Tensions were high and it was only the first part.

Percy exhaled slowly and lent his head on top of hers. He turned his eyes to the projection.

Percy moved over to where Mr Brunner was sitting by the stairs. Mr Brunner looks up from his book and notices Percy still holding Riptide.

“Ah, that would be my pen. Please bring your own writing utensil in the future, Mr. Jackson.”

“Sir, where’s Mrs. Dodds?”

“Who?”

“The other chaperone. Mrs. Dodds. The pre-algebra teacher.”

“You were so confused” Hazel said frowning, “How long until someone tells you everything?”

Percy just laughed bitterly, “You might have to wait a bit Haze, I didn’t get many answers to begin with. I was very confused for a while”

Hazel’s frown deepened. It should be normal, if a child shows traits of being a demigod than someone needs to explain why everything is happening the way it is.

Mr Brunner sits forward, concern written on his face

“Percy, there is no Mrs. Dodds on this trip. As far as I know, there has never been a Mrs. Dodds at Yancy Academy. Are you feeling all right?”

As the projection closed, black filling the screen, Leo laughed.

“Mr Brunner, master gaslighter of all time.” He said grinning.

Percy chuckled, standing up from the beanbag to start the next part of the projection.

Chapter Text

Percy clicked the second button down and made his way back to the beanbag. The projection started up again and showed Percy going about his daily life at Yancy, if a little confused.

I was used to the occasional weird experience, but usually they were over quickly…..had been our prealgebra teacher since Christmas.

Thalia snickered, “You look so confused Kelp Head” She said grinning.

Percy, very mature 17 year old that he is, stuck his tongue out at her. She laughed loudly and settled back into her seat.

Every so often I would spring a Mrs. Dodds reference on somebody……Mrs. Dodds had never existed.

Almost.

“Ten bucks, Grover is the reason” Clarisse said to the room crossing her arms with a mischievous grin on her face. Grover turned to her affronted, a offended gasp escaping him.

But Grover couldn’t fool me. When I mentioned the name Dodds to him, he would hesitate, then claim she didn’t exist. But I knew he was lying

Clarisse laughed loudly, “Told you!”

Grover just rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath, “I’ve gotten better at lying.”

“Sure G-man, whatever floats your boat” Percy said patting his shoulder sympathetically. Grover jokingly glared at him and turned back to the projection.

Something was going on. Something had happened at the museum…….. unusual number of small planes that had gone down in sudden squalls in the Atlantic that year

The freak weather flashes by in a series of images across the projection and Percy is seen waking up in a cold sweat from nightmares

Leo winced. Nightmares are never fun, and it looks like younger Percy hadn’t even begun getting the standard demigod special.

Annabeth hummed remembering the weather that summer. It had been so weird but looking back on it, it made sense. Two major gods battling over a stolen weapon would cause some major weather issues.

Demeter sighed looking over at Zeus and Poseidon. Those two always fight over the strangest things. She wondered what had gotten the two of them so worked up this time. Hurricanes and storms had Zeus and Poseidon written all over it.

I started feeling cranky and irritable most of the time. My grades slipped from Ds to Fs. I got into more fights with Nancy Bobofit and her friends. I was sent out into the hallway in almost every class.

Annabeth frowned slightly, looking over at Percy.

“Wait…” Leo said grinning slightly, “Does that mean that Percy’s grades were… below C level?”

Percy just stared at him with this deadpan look as giggles erupted around the room.

Finally, when our English teacher…..I would not be invited back next year to Yancy Academy.

Thalia scowled, “That old man doesn’t understand how dyslexia works, clearly.”  She said glaring at the image of the man.

Reyna looked at her warily, electricity sparking off of her arms uncontrollably. She discreetly moved her arm away from her.

Fine, I told myself. Just fine.

I was homesick.

Sally glanced over at her son with a fond smile. She had missed him so much while he was away on the big quests.

I wanted to be with my mom in our little apartment on the Upper East Side, even if I had to go to public school and put up with my obnoxious stepfather and his stupid poker parties.

Tension rose in the room as Percy ducked his head in anger and memories. Sally’s grip on the couch arm tightened almost imperceptibly, but Paul noticed and rubbed his hand over her arm. Annabeth looked over at Percy and noticed the tense atmosphere around him. She gently held his hand and lent her head against his shoulder. He relaxed slightly, exhaling quietly.

Leo looked over at Percy confused, exchanging glances with Jason and Piper. Last, he had heard Percy spoke quite kindly of his stepfather, no mentions of poker parties or anything like that. What had changed?

Clarisse looked over at Percy, her brows furrowed and expression unreadable.

Poseidon’s expression was thunderous, which considering his brother, was quite the feat. His eyes were clouded with rage and the only reason he didn’t get up to interrogate his son was the placating hand resting on his arm from his wife.

And yet…there were things I’d miss at Yancy. The view of the woods out my dorm window, the Hudson River in the distance, the smell of pine trees. I’d miss Grover, who’d been a good friend, even if he was a little strange. I worried how he’d survive next year without me.

“Aw thanks man” Grover said smiling at Percy. He missed the view from Yancy as well, it was so beautiful seeing the woods every morning, no matter how annoying it was to retake 6^th grade.

I’d miss Latin class, too—Mr. Brunner’s crazy tournament days…..I’d started to believe him.

Percy is seen studying with time moving around him.

Clarisse nodded approvingly. She remembered her experiences and watching Percy slowly but surely catch on to the whole idea. Now looking at him, it’s like he is a different person. Still an annoying little shit but he’s helped the camp more times than she can count.

Percy threw his latin textbook across the room angrily as he paced the room in frustration.

The letters doing one-eighties as if they were riding skateboards. ….I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson.

“I hope you know the difference now” Thalia said with an amused look on her face.

“Yes, yes I know now.” Percy said “Helps that I’ve met most of them now” He mumbled under his breath.

Percy took a deep breath and picked up the mythology book.

I’d never asked a teacher for help before…. I didn’t want to leave Yancy Academy with him thinking I hadn’t tried.

Sally looked at her son proudly. She knew it was hard for him to ask for help but she knew how much Chiron and his classes mattered to Percy.

Percy walked downstairs and stopped abruptly seeing shadows lit up in the room. He presses an ear to the door and hears Grover’s voice and Mr Brunner’s voice. His face drops in shock and then quickly moves to intrigue.

“…worried about Percy, sir.”

Percy froze

I’m not usually an eavesdropper, but I dare you to try not listening if you hear your best friend talking about you to an adult.

Thalia let out a barking laugh. She shook her head incredulously

“You of all people cannot be saying that” She said grinning at Percy. He just poked his tongue out her and crossed his arms.

“Whatever Pine cone face” He said mumbling under his breath. Annabeth just laughed and settled back into the beanbag

Percy inched closer to the door

“…alone this summer, I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too—”

“We would only make matters worse by rushing him, we need the boy to mature more.”

“They’ll be waiting awhile” Clarisse said smirking at Percy.

“What is it? Hate on Percy day?” Percy said scrunching his nose at Clarisse.

“Everyday” she replied grinning.

“But he may not have time. The summer solstice deadline—”

“Will have to be resolved without him, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can.”

“Sir, he saw her.…”

“His imagination, The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince him of that.”

“Sir, I…I can’t fail in my duties again. You know what that would mean.”

Thalia sat straight up her face filled with determination as she faced Grover with lightning speed.

“Again? You didn’t fail the first time either.” She said firmly. Her eyes bore into Grover, challenging him to disagree. Grover just looked down at his hands, trembling slightly.

“Grover, look at me.” Percy said softly. Grover looked up, tears welling in his eyes. Percy could feel the guilt tugging at the back of his mind from the remnants of the empathy link. “You didn’t fail. You never did.” Percy said firmly mimicking Thalia. Grover sniffled and nodded meekly before turning to the projection. Percy glanced over at Thalia with a questioning glance. She nodded and turned back to the projection with a satisfied huff.

Jason exchanged a glance with Piper and Leo. All of them wondering what that was about.

“You haven’t failed, Grover, I should have seen her for what she was. Now let’s just worry about keeping Percy alive until next fall—”

Percy drops the mythology book out of shock. He looks up slightly, picking up the book and rushes to hide in an empty classroom. Mr Brunner and Grover went silent. Percy sees a tall figure with a bow and arrow standing in the light of the doorway. A clop-clop-clop sound echoes around the auditorium with snuffling sounds. Percy holds his hand over his mouth, muffling any sounds. A bead of sweat trickles down his neck.

“Nothing,” Mr Brunner murmured. “My nerves haven’t been right since the winter solstice.”

“Mine neither,” Grover said. “But I could have sworn…”

“Go back to the dorm,” Mr. Brunner told him. “You’ve got a long day of exams tomorrow.”

 “Don’t remind me.”

The lights went out in Mr Brunner’s office. Percy continues to wait for a while waiting for everything to settle. He slips out of the dark classroom and back to his dorm.

Grover looked at him in offence, “So you were there from like the start?!” He said incredulously turning to Percy.

Percy just shrugged, with a sheepish grin on his face.

Grover is lying on the bed with his Latin exam notes, looking as he had been studying all night.

“Hey,” he said, bleary-eyed. “You going to be ready for this test?”

Percy didn’t answer, avoiding his eyes.

“You look awful.” He frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Just…tired.”

Grover’s brow furrowed and Percy turned away from him.

I didn’t understand what I’d heard downstairs……They thought I was in some kind of danger.

Percy chuckled quietly. Annabeth looked over at him and sighed. She lent her head against his shoulder hoping that after this war they could have a break. The two of them had been fighting for so long, they both deserved a long vacation. If the camp or gods don’t need them.

Percy and Grover are seen leaving the Latin exam

My eyes were swimming with all the Greek and Roman names I’d misspelled

Mr Brunner called Percy back into the classroom

For a moment, I was worried he’d found out about my eavesdropping the night before, but that didn’t seem to be the problem.

“Percy,” he said. “Don’t be discouraged about leaving Yancy. It’s…it’s for the best.”

His tone was kind, but the words still embarrassed me…..Nancy Bobofit smirked at me and made sarcastic little kissing motions with her lips.

Thalia cracked her knuckles ominously, glaring at the projection menacingly.

“Okay, sir.” Percy mumbled

“I mean… this isn’t the right place for you. It was only a matter of time.”

My eyes stung.

Percy looked down, face scrunched up trying to hold in tears. Grover looked at him sympathetically while Annabeth glared at anyone looking at him. Everyone looked towards the projection.

Here was my favorite teacher, in front of the class, telling me I couldn’t handle it. After saying he believed in me all year, now he was telling me I was destined to get kicked out.

“Right,”

Percy was trembling now.

“No, no,” Mr. Brunner said. “Oh, confound it all. What I’m trying to say…you’re not normal, Percy. That’s nothing to be—”

“Thanks,” Percy blurted. “Thanks a lot, sir, for reminding me.”

“Percy—”

Percy had already left the classroom

Leo winced, looking at Jason and Piper who were wearing similar expressions. This is not the best way to express your feeling to a student who loves your class. Leo thought back to all of the schools that he had been in and out of. He remembered some of the conversations he had with students and teachers when he was leaving, which were not great either. Maybe its just the topic itself.

On the last day of the term…….Their daddies were executives, or ambassadors, or celebrities

Piper grimaced thinking of all of the rich friends of her dad, and their kids. Stuck up kids were not fun people to hang around with.

I was a nobody, from a family of nobodies.

Zeus’ eyes filled with rage at the thought of being called a nobody. Hera half-heartedly pulled him down from where he had stood up and reached for his weapon.

“Look, I didn’t know I was a half-blood” Percy said tiredly, waving his hand non-committedly.

They went back to their conversation as if I’d never existed……….together again, heading into the city.

Hazel smiled softly, and looked down at Percy. “Even though I know that you stay friends, I’m glad you guys didn’t have to say goodbye.” She said sweetly.

Percy smiled and nodded agreeing.

Percy notices Grover’s eyes flitting between him and the bus occupants, nervously.

It occurred to me that he’d always acted nervous and fidgety when we left Yancy….. But there was nobody to tease him on the Greyhound.

Finally I couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Looking for Kindly Ones?”

Grover jumped in his seat, practically whipping over to Percy looking at him in horror.

“Wha—what do you mean?”

Percy confessed to eavesdropping on Grover and Mr Brunner.

“What?!” Leo squawked shocked, “Don’t confess to it! That’s like eavesdropping 101!”

“My bad Leo, next time I’ll keep it to myself” Percy deadpanned

“How much did you hear?”

“Oh…not much. What’s the summer solstice deadline?”

Snickers erupted around the room at Percy’s demeanour.

“Look, Percy…I was just worried for you, see? I mean, hallucinating about demon math teachers…”

“Grover—”

“And I was telling Mr. Brunner that maybe you were overstressed or something, because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and…”

“Grover, you’re a really, really bad liar.”

Laughter filled the room from the demigods. Grover slouched down into his beanbag, crossing his arms and pouting. Percy just patted his arm while he laughed into his elbow.

Grover’s ears went pink and he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a card

“Just take this, okay? In case you need me this summer.”

The card mentioned:

Grover Underwood Keeper Half-Blood Hill Long Island, New York (800) 009-0009

“What’s Half—”

“Don’t say it aloud! That’s my, um…summer address.” Grover said

My heart sank. Grover had a summer home. I’d never considered that his family might be as rich as the others at Yancy.

“Okay, so, like, if I want to come visit your mansion.”

 “Or…or if you need me.”

“Why would I need you?”

Thalia reached over Annabeth and punched Percy in the arm.

“Ow! Thals!” Percy said rubbing his arm, looking over at her with shock on his face.

“Kelp-head, you’re a dumbass.” She said glaring at him.

It came out harsher than I meant it to.

“I didn’t mean it that harshly I promise” Percy said still rubbing his arm, looking at Grover now.

“It’s ok Perce I get it” he said smiling.

“Look, Percy, the truth is, I—I kind of have to protect you.”

Percy stared at Grover blankly

All year long, I’d gotten in fights, keeping bullies away from him. I’d lost sleep worrying that he’d get beaten up next year without me. And here he was acting like he was the one who defended me.

“Grover, what exactly are you protecting me from?”

The bus grinds and shudders. The bus pulls over and every occupant on the bus files out, the bus driver first off of the bus.

Leo looked at the projection, scrutinising the bus and its sounds.

“It doesn’t look like anything is wrong. The bus shouldn’t have pulled over technically” he said spinning the wrench in his hand.

Percy and Grover exchange a look that isn’t missed by Annabeth. She looks at the both of them, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. Percy looked away coughing as the smell of rotten eggs filled his nose and his throat.

Grover looked at him in sympathy remembering what the bus smelt like.

Percy and Grover stood outside with the rest of the bus. They were in the middle of the country on the side of the highway. Percy looks across the four lanes of traffic and sees a fruit stand with three old ladies sitting, knitting large socks. They were surrounded by multiple types of fruits. The old ladies were staring directly at Percy. Grover’s face was drained of blood.

“Grover? Hey, man—”

“Tell me they’re not looking at you. They are, aren’t they?”

“Yeah. Weird, huh? You think those socks would fit me?”

“Not funny, Percy. Not funny at all.”

Tensions rose rapidly at the picture in the projection. Poseidon gripped the arm of his chair, almost breaking the cushion. Annabeth’s breath hitched looking over at Percy worriedly, gripping his hand in hers tightly.

“You- You saw them?” she asked, quietly, panic evident in her voice.

“Yeah, it’s ok though.” Percy said trying to convey the message easily. Annabeth searched his face for any signs of lying but the projection started before she could say anything.

The old lady in the middle took out a huge pair of scissors—gold and silver, long-bladed, like shears. Grover’s breath caught in his throat.

“We’re getting on the bus, come on.”

“What? It’s a thousand degrees in there.”

“Come on!”

Grover pried open the doors to the bus and got in. Percy stayed back and turned back to the ladies at the stand. The middle lady cut the blue yarn. The snip could be heard across the four lanes of traffic.

Annabeth gasped in horror looking over at Percy. Thalia looked like she would be sick, the room feeling some degree of horror.

Nico looked at Percy trying to feel any sense of death on him. If he can help to make sure that he sees college, he would. Nico glanced at Will who is frowning at the string in the projection. Nico nudged him with a curious look.

“I don’t know but that string… do you really think Percy’s string would be electric blue?” Will mused. Nico hummed and thought about it.

Across the room, Percy was reassuring Annabeth of his safety.

“Wise girl, I promise you I’m okay. That string isn’t-” Percy tried to continue but choked. He coughed feeling his airway close up, as a note fluttered into his lap. The room looks over and Percy gasps, being able to breathe all of a sudden.

He glanced down at the note, skimming over the information.

“The Fates gave us another note,” He rasped, one hand rubbing his throat as he read the note. “They said that we can’t spoil it at all” Percy said narrowing his eyes at the note.

“So, you can’t breathe if we try and tell them anything ahead of time?” Clarisse said frowning, her arms crossed, concern hidden in her eyes.

“Seems like it,” Percy said sighing, “Look, I’m fine. I’m not dead and I’m not going to die” he looked around the room, finally landing on Annabeth as he sat down.

She gripped his hand and leant her forehead on his shoulder shaking slightly. He turned around and wrapped his arms around her, looking to the projection. She turned and exhaled shakily, turning her gaze to the projection again.

The bus shuddered, and the engine roared back to life. The passengers cheered

“Everybody back on board!”

As they all got back on the bus, Percy and Grover began to shiver, their faces pale and sickly.

In the auditorium, Percy was looking similar. He sneezed loudly and groaned. Annabeth looked at him and rubbed his back.

“Grover?”

“Yeah?”

“What are you not telling me?”

Grover dabbed at his forehead with his shirt sleeve.

“Percy, what did you see back at the fruit stand?”

“You mean the old ladies? What is it about them, man? They’re not like…Mrs. Dodds, are they?”

I got the feeling that the fruit-stand ladies were something much, much worse than Mrs. Dodds

“Much worse” Nico deadpanned staring at Percy, still slightly unsure that he was going to be okay.

“Just tell me what you saw.”

“The middle one took out her scissors, and she cut the yarn.”

Grover made a strange gesture

“You saw her snip the cord.”

“Yeah. So?”

But even as I said it, I knew it was a big deal.

“This is not happening,” Grover mumbled.

 He started chewing at his thumb.

“I don’t want this to be like the last time.” Grover said

“What last time?”

“Always sixth grade. They never get past sixth.”

Sally breathed in sharply, the idea of children being chased around by monsters so much so that they didn’t make it to 6^th grade didn’t sit well with her.

“Grover, what are you talking about?”

He was really starting to scare me.

“yeah, me too…” Leo murmured under his breath.

“Let me walk you home from the bus station. Promise me.”

Percy agreed and fidgeted in his seat.

“Is this like a superstition or something? Grover—that snipping of the yarn. Does that mean somebody is going to die?”

Grover looked over at Percy when he said this.

He looked at me mournfully, like he was already picking the kind of flowers I’d like best on my coffin.

The projection faded to black, signalling the end of the episode. Percy sighed and laid back into the beanbag. Grover blushed slightly as Thalia asked him about everything.

“Grover, what did you mean by they never get past sixth?” Jason asked curiously. Grover looked up and exchanged glances with Thalia. She shook her head slightly, silently asking Grover to not tell him about what happened.

“Uh… at camp- before you got there that is – it was kind of common not to have kids get to camp because of the monsters.” Grover said solemnly. Thalia exhaled quietly, glad that Grover didn’t tell Jason yet. It’s not that she doesn’t want him to know, its just that she wasn’t ready to come to terms with everything that happened that night herself. With everything going on, she hadn’t had time to sort through her own emotions when it came to her time as a pine tree. She didn’t want him worrying about it right now, not when they were just starting to relax from the aftermath of the Giants war.

“Children. When will you be ready to take a break?” Hestia asked warmly.

“Maybe after two more? If I’m correct after two it should die down a smidge.” He said thinking about the minotaur.

“Perfect” Percy stood up and walked over to the projection and started it up.

Chapter Text

Percy sat back down, nestling in Annabeth’s arms. He realised that with him now on the bus home with Grover, he would be seeing Gabe again. The thought of seeing him again sent a shudder down his spine.

Confession time: I ditched Grover as soon as we got to the bus terminal. I know, I know. It was rude. But Grover was freaking me out, looking at me like I was a dead man, muttering “Why does this always happen?” and “Why does it always have to be sixth grade?”

Leo cackled, throwing his head back. He genuinely loved hearing this side of Percy. While the two of them had had their ups and downs, Percy had been so closed off in the beginning and battle ready all the time, Leo never really got to get really close with him. He never saw this side of Percy. He was too busy trying to come back to life.

“Jeez Grover, way to scare the poor guy” Annabeth sighed, her hand coming up to her face in exasperation. Grover just pouted and slid further down into the beanbag.

Whenever he got upset, Grover’s bladder acted up, so I wasn’t surprised when, as soon as we got off the bus, he made me promise to wait for him, then made a beeline for the restroom. Instead of waiting, I caught the first taxi uptown. Percy grabs his suitcase and moves towards the taxi

Grover sat up abruptly mouth agape.

“Dude! Really!?” He said blushing as he stared at Percy incredulously. Percy just shrugged sheepishly, grinning at him and his eyes sparkling with mirth.

“East One-hundred-and-fourth and First,” Percy said getting into the car.

A word about my mother, before you meet her…….she was left with no money, no family, and no diploma.

The mood in room dropped, Sally looking down at the reminder of her difficult past. Clarisse frowned imperceptibly, thinking of all of the times that Sally had helped her out when she was looking for and caring for Chris. All of the times she had allowed for the hunters to crash at her apartment, when she had dropped everything to help with the search for Percy, when she had taken arms against the titan lord’s army with just a musket and a dream. She had done so much for the demigod community, so Clarisse couldn’t help but feel upset at the mention of Sally’s hard life so far.

The only good break she ever got was meeting my dad.

Poseidon allowed a small smile to creep onto his face. Hera noticed immediately and evil-eyed him, crossing her arms frustratedly. Aphrodite noticed the small well of affection growing slowly in Poseidon and smiled fondly at the woman.

Sally blushed slightly but leaned further into Paul, allowing herself to relax even with the thought of seeing Gabe again after years of peace.

I don’t have any memories of him, just this sort of warm glow…..he set sail across the Atlantic on some important journey, and he never came back.

Silence enveloped the room, lightning and electricity crackling from the angering sky god. Zeus’ jaw clenched, his teeth gritting against eachother as he turned to his brother.

“You visited him!?” He bellowed storming over to where Poseidon was sitting. Poseidon casually held up his hands in a placating way, leaning away from the lightning sparking dangerously off of Zeus.

The demigods, now on edge with their hands on their weapons, watched the scene warily.

“I did. Forgive me for wanting to visit my son.” Poseidon said firmly, staring back up at Zeus unfazed.

“The ancient laws-”

“Are ancient for a reason.” Poseidon interrupted, crossing his arms frowning, “There is no reason now to hide ourselves from our demigod children.”

“But-”

A flash of light interrupted the argument. A note fluttered into the waiting hands of Hestia, everyone’s eyes turning to the goddess.

“Ah. The fates ask for Zeus and any other gods still clinging to the ancient laws to set them aside” she says calmly, turning the note to Zeus.

Zeus stares in shock, as he sits back down.

The demigods sensing that any imminent danger has passed relax slightly, turning their eyes back to the projection

Lost at sea, my mom told me. Not dead. Lost at sea. She worked odd jobs, took night classes to get her high school diploma, and raised me on her own. She never complained or got mad. Not even once. But I knew I wasn’t an easy kid.

“Oh Percy” Sally mumbled, watching her son numbly.

Athena nodded appreciatively at the deflection. The lie that wasn’t quite a lie. The woman had wit and intelligence flowing off of her, but her unfortunate situation caused for to be unable to pursue her dreams. It saddened her to see such a bright woman being limited by the mortal society and its unending greed.

Finally, she married Gabe Ugliano, who was nice the first thirty seconds we knew him, then showed his true colours as a world-class jerk. When I was young, I nicknamed him Smelly Gabe. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. The guy reeked like mouldy garlic pizza wrapped in gym shorts.

Percy immediately tensed against Annabeth who looked at him worriedly. The demigods felt the air change slightly and looked discretely towards Percy whose eyes were stormy. The anger was rolling off him in waves, but Grover looked deeper into the empathy link and felt a lot more fear than there should be.

Annabeth had noticed something similar and held his hand, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles. She traced sword scars over his hands and callouses that had developed.

Percy took a few deep breaths and focused on Annabeth’s hand in his and Hazel’s steady presence behind him. He glanced over at his mom and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her smiling and chatting quietly to Paul next to her.

He turned his eyes to the screen where younger Percy was standing in front of his old apartment door, psyching himself up.

Younger Percy opened the door and was greeted to a trashed apartment. ESPN was blaring on the TV unwatched. But in the centre of the room was Gabe and his buddies playing poker. Chips and beer were strewn all over the carpet and the

Tensions in the room rose at the sight of the apartment. Poseidon’s rage emanated off of him as he glared at the screen.

The rest of the seven looked at the scene in shock as they took in the disgusting scene. Percy just ducked his head down and leant on Annabeth as the smell infiltrated his senses. He scrunched his nose, shaking his head slightly as he looked up at the screen.

Without looking up from his cigar and the table Gabe said “So, you’re home.”

Percy ignored the state of the apartment and asked “Where’s my mom?”

“Working,” he said. “You got any cash?”

Poseidon crushed the sofa arm underneath his fist in rage. How dare this mortal even think that he was on the same level as his son, let alone above him? He wanted to destroy this man just for looking at his son, but he couldn’t. The Fates had somehow limited his power. There would be no teleporting from him, no matter how angry he gets at this mortal.

Annabeth watched in horror as the man that had tormented Percy for so long came on screen. It was so much worse than what he had told her. Percy had told her all about Gabe and his life before camp on one of those sleepless nights after Tartarus. She remembered his defeated voice when he described the abuse when his mom wasn’t home. She would be there for him, if it killed her. She gripped his hand tighter, and brought her hand that wasn’t interlinked with his, to brush the small of his back where the Achilles spot was before everything.

Percy, feeling Annabeth beside him melted into her and sighed relaxing slightly.

That was it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been the last six months?

He managed the Electronics Mega-Mart in Queens, but he stayed home most of the time. I don’t know why he hadn’t been fired long before. He just kept on collecting paychecks, spending the money on cigars that made me nauseous, and on beer, of course. Always beer.

Leo shuddered thinking of the countless foster homes that reeked of beer. Jason and Piper looked at him, a questioning look in their eyes. Leo just shook his head and turned back to the projection.

Jason was worried about Leo. Ever since he got back and Calypso broke it off, he had been…different. He watched as the light in Leo’s eyes slowly dimmed at the mention of beer. He didn’t understand but Leo didn’t want to talk about it to him. Jason sighed and turned back to the projection. He would help Leo if it’s the last thing he does.

Whenever I was home, he expected me to provide his gambling funds. He called that our “guy secret.” Meaning, if I told my mom, he would punch my lights out.

“…what?” Thalia murmured with a look of horror and thinly veiled rage. Electricity was sparking off of her arms, but no one was really paying attention to that.

Hazel gasped softly and looked down at Percy who was avoiding all of the eyes looking at him. She couldn’t reconcile this tiny insecure kid with the confident warrior that she knew now. But then again, can she really say she knows him if she didn’t recognize the signs? If she didn’t see the insecurity still lingering in all of his actions?

Clarisse watched Percy reassure Hazel and Frank with a frown. She wouldn’t rush over and check on him, that’s just not how their relationship is. She’ll spar with him afterwards, let him get the emotions that he can’t express out and let him take it out on her. She can handle it after all.

Nico looked at the screen realisation dawning on him. Percy’s fatal flaw was developed in this environment. He was insanely loyal because he needed to be for his mom. Nico looked down, guilt filling his stomach and pooling in his gut. He had treated Percy awfully because he was angry and grieving, and he didn’t even complain.

“Can we move on please?” Percy asked looking at the room, and back at the projection. Everyone hesitated slightly before turning to the projection.

“I don’t have any cash,”

Gabe could sniff out money like a bloodhound, which was surprising, since his own smell should’ve covered up everything else.

“You took a taxi from the bus station probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?”

“Carry his own weight!? This pig…” Thalia trailed off, cursing under her breath. Reyna glanced over slightly and inched away from the sparking demigod.

Percy just resignedly stared at the projection waiting for this to be over, even though he knew that it would likely take a lot longer. He had thought it over after the first episode, but all he can think about is the fact that his friend’s secrets, the things they trusted him with, will be exposed and showed to the room.

Eddie, the super of the apartment building, looked at me with a twinge of sympathy. “Come on, Gabe, the kid just got here.”  

“Am I right?”

Eddie scowled into his chips and two guys passed gas in harmony.

Percy dug his hand into his pocket and grabbed the change left from the bus and shoved into Gabe’s hand.

“Fine. I hope you lose” Percy storms past Gabe, pushing his way past and moving towards the hallway.

“Your report card came, brain boy! I wouldn’t act so snooty!”

Percy just grimaced and opened the door to his room.

Annabeth frowned at the scene, looking towards Percy. This entire thing had shown her just how bad Percy’s life was at home before camp. She couldn’t help but wonder if her own nicknames had hurt Percy at all.

“Percy…” She whispered, as his head turned looking at her with concern lacing his features, “My nickname for you…is it-”

“Beth, I love the nickname you gave me. You say it with this- this emotion behind it and I just- I love it okay? Don’t change because of him.” Percy said tugging Annabeth in by her waist, the other hand curling around her necklace. Annabeth nodded and leant into Percy’s chest, her head just under his chin and fiddled with his hands. She traced the scars covering his hands and then rubbed the sword callouses on the palm of his hand.

She turned back to the projection nestling closer into Percy, his hand closing around hers.

Percy slammed the door and dropped the bag onto the floor. He sighed looking at the room. The room was filled with a stench that wafted from the window where muddied work boots sat, car magazines and beer cans strewn across the floor.

Home sweet home. Percy dropped his suitcase on the bed and gripped the side of the bed his eyes going wide. His knees buckled slightly

Percy held a hand to his nose, his face scrunching cause of the smell.

“Ugh, that was gross” He muttered under his breath.

“Dude are you okay? What’s happening?” Frank asked pointing to the projection. Percy just shrugged and said “I thought Mrs Dodds was coming after me”

“Percy?”

Percy sighed with relief as Sally walked into the room. Her hair has some grey streaks in it and her warm smile lit up the room.

“Oh, Percy. I can’t believe it. You’ve grown since Christmas!”

She hugged Percy tightly and handed him a bag of blue candy. She sat beside Percy on the side of the bed and listened to him tell her all about the last few days at Yancy. He hesitated slightly when getting to the museum incident, almost as if he were deliberating between telling her or not. Sally just ran a hand through his hair before Gabe interrupted.

“Hey, Sally – how about some bean dip, huh?”

Percy gritted his teeth mimicking his on-screen self. It was over. It had been over for years but here he was having to watch it all over again in front of his family and friends. He wanted to run over to his mom and hug her, he wanted to yell and scream and say that none of it even mattered but he couldn’t. The anger at Gabe from the projection bubbled underneath his skin. He took a deep breath and leant on Annabeth who was watching the screen with thinly veiled rage.

Sally ignored Gabe and continued to listen to Percy even as he got to the museum incident.

“What? Did something scare you?”

“No mom”

Sally just pursed her lips and continued to stroke his hair softly.

“I have a surprise for you. We’re going to the beach”

“Montauk?”

Percy’s eyes brightened almost smiling as he turned to face his mom.

“Three nights – same cabin”

“When?”

“As soon as I get changed”

Annabeth smiled thinking of the cabin that Percy had taken her to just after getting back to camp. She leant her head against Percy smiling softly up at him.

Poseidon’s chest filled with warmth at the thought of Percy and Sally visiting the same place where he met Sally every time they could. He looked over at his son who was curled up on a bean bag with the daughter of Athena and the satyr, laughing quietly at something the two of them had said.

I couldn’t believe it. My mom and I hadn’t been to Montauk the last two summers, because Gabe said there wasn’t enough money.

Poseidon’s good mood crumbled at the mention of Percy’s stepfather. A frown forced itself onto his face and his hand curled into a fist around the arm of the chair.

Sally looked down at her hands wondering if everything would have been different, safer, if she had just let Percy go to camp earlier. She looked up as Paul gently grabbed her hand and untangled her fist to hold her hand. She smiled at him and intertwined their fingers even more.

“Bean dip, Sally? Didn’t you hear me?”

Thalia scoffed glaring daggers at the projections, muttering creative curses under her breath.

I wanted to punch him, but I met my mom’s eyes and I understood she was offering me a deal: be nice to Gabe for a little while. Just until she was ready to leave for Montauk. Then we would get out of here.

“Do it” Clarisse said crossing her arms, grinning wildly at the projection where Percy was slowly getting angrier.

“I was on my way, honey. We were just talking about the trip”

“The trip? You mean you were serious about that?”

“I knew it. He won’t let us go.”

“Of course, he will. Your stepfather is just worried about money. That’s all. Besides, Gabriel won’t have to settle for bean dip. I’ll make him enough seven-layer dip for the whole weekend. Guacamole. Sour cream. The works.”

Piper looked at Sally with stars in her eyes. She turned to Percy quickly, “I love your mom” she said, awe filling her voice.

“Me too” Percy said smugly. Frank looked over at Sally, a mixture of hope and sadness filling his eyes.

“Hey, Perce?”

“Mm?”

“Can you introduce me to your mom?” Frank asked looking down at his hands where he was fiddling with the bottom of his shirt slightly.

“Yeah, of course man.” Percy replied smiling gently.

“Thanks”

“So this money for your trip… it comes out of your clothes budget, right?”

“Excuse me? Clothes budget?” Aphrodite said, disgust filling her voice, “That pig gave you a clothes budget?”

Sally just nodded slightly

“You don’t have one now do you? You’re better off?” She asked softly.

“Yes much better, thank you Lady Aphrodite”

“Yes, honey,”

“And you won’t take my car anywhere but there and back.”

“We’ll be very careful.”

Gabe scratched his chin and looked at Percy with a sort of gleam in his eye.

“Maybe if you hurry with that seven-layer dip… And maybe if the kid apologizes for interrupting my poker game.”

Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot and make you sing soprano for a week.

The demigods burst out in laughter, echoing around the room.

“Oh man please do it, it’ll be so funny” Leo giggled looking at Percy, mirth dancing in his eyes.

“If only I had” Percy lamented, dramatically placing his hand over his heart.

But my mom’s eyes warned me not to make him mad. Why did she put up with this guy? Why did she care what he thought?

The mood sobered slightly. Sally looked at the screen like she wanted to cry at the thoughts.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important poker game. Please go back to it right now”

“Percy!” Grover bleated, laughing at the sarcasm lacing his comment.

“No way that guy missed that. I mean he’s dumb but not that dumb right?” Jason asked, his eyes narrowing at the projection.

Percy snickered under his breath at that comment, thinking of the dismissal that he had gotten after this particular “apology”.

Gabe’s eyes narrowed.

His tiny brain was probably trying to detect sarcasm in my statement.

“Yeah, whatever”

He went back to his game in the living room.

Jason’s jaw dropped.

Percy just laughed at his expression.

“I- I don’t- How can someone be that stupid?” He asked shocked and confused glancing between Percy who was laughing and the image of Gabe walking back to the living room.

Percy just shrugged, his laughter trailing off.

“Thank you, Percy. Once we get to Montauk, we’ll talk more about… whatever you’ve forgotten to tell me, okay?”

Sally’s eyes showed brief anxiety and concern before going back to the fondness and excitement. She then walked back to the kitchen to make the seven layer dip for Gabe.

An hour later we were ready to leave. Gabe took a break from his poker game long enough to watch me lug my mom’s bags to the car. He kept griping and groaning about losing her cooking – and more important, his ‘78 Camaro – for the whole weekend.

“Not a scratch on this car, brain boy. Not one little scratch.”

“Like he’s the one driving. He’s twelve” Nico said under his breath, glaring at the man in the projection.

Like I’d be the one driving. I was twelve. But that didn’t matter to Gabe. If a seagull so much as pooped on his paint job, he’d find a way to blame me

Nico’s face flushed slightly as Will looked over at him and chuckled. He ducked his head down and leaned into Will’s side.

Percy finished packing the luggage into the car, and fuelled by spite and anger, he copied the action that Grover had done. Gabe was shot up the stairs like he was shot from a cannon after the screen door had slammed into him from behind.

Percy’s eyes widened slightly, but he turned around and got in the car. Sally drove off after Percy told her to step on it.

Zeus looked over at Percy, an unreadable expression on his face. Percy ducked his head down and the projection started back up again before Zeus could so much as mention anything.

The projection changed to see a small cabin on the south shore of Long Island. Pastel walls and faded curtains, half sunken into the dunes and sand in the sheets of the bed. With spiders in the closet and the sea is too cold to swim in.

I loved the place

Annabeth smiled fondly but turned to Percy. “You better have gotten rid of all the spiders when we went”

“Don’t you worry wise girl, I always make sure that there are none in the house before we go.” He said smirking at her.

“So… Annabeth. You’ve been to Percy’s childhood vacation spot?” Piper teased lightly, wiggling her eyebrows at the couple. Annabeth flushed red slightly and turned back to the projection but leaned into Percy’s side.

We’d been going there since I was a baby. My mom had been going even longer. She never exactly said, but I knew why the beach was special to her. It was the place where she’d met my dad.

Poseidon smiled slightly looking at the beach and warmth spread through his chest at the mention of that summer.

The projection shows Sally seeming younger as they got closer to the sea, her eyes brightening and her wrinkles and smile lines lightening slightly. When they got to the cabin, it shows the two opening windows and cleaning. Then them walking across the beach at sunset eating blue food, like chips and candies trading stories and chatting

I guess I should explain the blue food.

“Please, gods, I’ve been so confused every time I look at your plate on the Argo” Leo whined leaning against Jason, acting much more dramatic than the situation called for.

“Yeah actually, I was wondering about that actually.” Frank said looking at Percy curiously.

Percy just laughed and pointed to the projection.

See, Gabe had once told my mom there was no such thing. They had this fight, which seemed like a really small thing at the time….. This – along with keeping her maiden name, Jackson, rather than calling herself Mrs Ugliano – was proof that she wasn’t totally suckered by Gabe. She did have a rebellious streak, like me.

“Ohhh, that makes sense” Jason says, nodding. Leo nods solemnly next to him, still leaning against him. Jason looks down at him and flushes slightly, quickly looking back to the projection.

After it got dark Percy and Sally made a fire and roasted dinner over the fire. They chatted about the future and such until Percy worked up the courage to ask about his father

“He was kind, Percy. Tall, handsome and powerful. But gentle, too. You have his black hair, you know, and his green eyes. I wish he could see you, Percy. He would be so proud.”

Apollo looked between father and son, “You know, now that I look at it, he really is a mini-Poseidon.” He says grinning at Poseidon.

I wondered how she could say that. What was so great about me? A dyslexic, hyperactive boy with a D+ report card, kicked out of school for the sixth time in six years.

“Percy, you are so special. Not even just for saving the world twice. Even though that is pretty special” Annabeth said intertwining her fingers in his hand.

Hazel leant forward and hugged him from behind. “You saved me from myself and everything that was following me. You are so amazing” she whispered, tightening her grip around his shoulders.

Percy sighed, tears pricking his eyes. He tightened his grip on Annabeth’s hand and kissed her cheek in thanks. He then tilted his head up and smiled at Hazel.

Sally just watched from across the room, as her son was comforted by his friends and girlfriend. She loved him so much but she was so worried about him because all of the world saving quests he had been on. Between fighting for his life and saving others he hadn’t gotten a break, she was worried that the Gods were going to make him do something else for them.

She sighed and looked back at the projection resolving to support him through this next part as best she can.

“How old was I? I mean… when he left?”

“He was only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin.”

“But… he knew me as a baby?”

“No, honey. He knew I was expecting a baby, but he never saw you. He had to leave before you were born.”

I tried to square that with the fact that I seemed to remember… something about my father. A warm glow. A smile. I had always assumed he knew me as a baby. My mom had never said it outright, but still, I’d felt it must be true. Now, to be told that he’d never even seen me…

“You visited him?!” Zeus bellowed rising angrily from his chair. Poseidon sat up straighter, his face firm and set, staring at his brother with one eyebrow raised.

“I visited my son, yes.”

“It’s against the ancient laws! You must be punished!” Zeus boomed summoning his lightning bolt to his hand.

Poseidon stood to match his brother, about to summon his own weapon, before Hestia stood between them.

“There will be no fighting.” She said firmly, crossing her arms, “The Fates explicitly said this and we will obey.”

Zeus vanished his weapon and sat down, Poseidon following in suit. Zeus glared at the projection thunder booming in the distance.

The demigods across the room, had all tensed up in alarm.  Many had hands floating near their weapons and some had even grabbed them ready to defend themselves in case of a stray lightning strike or hurricane.

I felt angry at my father. Maybe it was stupid, but I resented him for going on that ocean voyage, for not having the guts to marry my mom. He’d left us, and now we were stuck with Smelly Gabe.

Percy winced slightly and went to go rectify his feelings to his father but saw Poseidon shake his head softly at Percy. He had a small frown on his face as if he was considering all of the actions he had made up until now.

Percy slouched back in his bean bag breathing a sigh of relief at the dismissal.

“Are you going to send me away again? To another boarding school?”

“I don’t know, honey. I think… I think we’ll have to do something.”

“Because you don’t want me around?”

“Percy!” Annabeth admonished, slapping the side of his arm.

“Ow! I know I know! I regretted it right after, don’t worry” He said raising his hands up in defeat.

“Good”

I regretted the words as soon as they were out.

Sally’s eyes welled with tears and she took Percy’s hand.

“Oh, Percy, no. I – I have to, honey. For your own good. I have to send you away”

“Because I’m not normal”

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing, Percy. But you don’t realize how important you are. I thought Yancy Academy would be far enough away. I thought you’d finally be safe.”

“Safe from what?”

Sally met Percy’s eyes and a flash of memories come back. A man in a trench coat, with one eye coming up to Percy. Percy in pre-school strangling a snake in his cot and Sally screaming when finding her son playing with a dead snake.

Silence surrounded the room. Thalia just laughed abruptly, doubling over in her seat and clutching her stomach.

“Sorry, sorry- just oh my gods Percy. You’re so weird even as a baby” She chuckled. Percy joined her in laughing and soon the demigods were laughing with the two.

Poseidon and Zeus ignored the laughing teens, Zeus turning to his brother, a frown on his face at the display of strength. Poseidon simply put a hand up at Zeus.

“You heard our younger sister. There will be no fighting, and if I hear you even try to disparage my son, there will be issues.” He said firmly, training his gaze onto the projection

In every single school, something creepy had happened, something unsafe, and I was forced to move

I knew I should tell my mom about the old ladies at the fruit stand, and Mrs Dodds at the art museum, about my weird hallucination that I had sliced my maths teacher into dust with a sword. But I couldn’t make myself tell her. I had a strange feeling the news would end our trip to Montauk, and I didn’t want that.

“Foolish mortals” Dionysus muttered under his breath swirling the can of diet coke in his hands, his eyes lazily tracing the label of the drink, “Always thinking of themselves”

“Don’t be so cynical, Dio” Hermes said placatingly, “Maybe the kid just missed his mom.” He said shrugging his shoulders and sinking into the couch further.

Annabeth turned to Percy, not hearing Dionysus and Hermes’ conversation, “You know it’s not selfish to want to stay with your mom right?”

“Yeah, now I do.” He replied softly

“I’ve tried to keep you as close to me as I could. They told me that was a mistake. But there’s only one other option, Percy – the place your father wanted to send you. And I just… I just can’t stand to do it.”

“My father wanted me to go to a special school?”

“Not a school, A summer camp.”

The camp half-blood demigods smiled at the mention of their home. Many of the senior campers fiddled with the bead necklaces around their necks. Those necklaces held a special place in their heart.

Leo and Piper watched the campers twist the beads on their necklaces, wanting to experience the bead ceremony for the first time themselves. While rebuilding after the Giant war they weren’t able to do it yet so they simply had an empty leather cord around their necks.

Percy looked at Sally confused

Why would my dad – who hadn’t even stayed around long enough to see me born – talk to my mom about a summer camp? And if it was so important, why hadn’t she ever mentioned it before?

“I’m sorry, Percy. But I can’t talk about it. I – I couldn’t send you to that place. It might mean saying goodbye to you for good.”

“For good? But if it’s only a summer camp…”

Sally turned to the campfire, her eyes misting with unshed tears and Percy let the subject drop, sensing how his mom was feeling.

That night I had a vivid dream.

“Ah shit.”

The demigods groaned, some covering their eyes with their hands, others just glaring at Percy jokingly.

The gods looked on confused, wondering how bad the dreams could truly be if they warranted a reaction of that level.

The projection showed the beach storming.

Some demigods jumped at the sudden thunder that boomed around them and the level of rain that pelted down onto the sand. Many of them instinctively covered their heads, thinking the rain was real.

“His dreams are so vivid” Nico commented staring at the projection in horror.

A white horse and an eagle were at the edge of the surf trying to kill each other. The eagle swooped down and slashed the horse’s muzzle with its huge talons. The horse reared up and kicked at the eagle’s wings. As they fought, the ground rumbled, and a monstrous voice chuckled somewhere beneath the earth, goading the animals to fight harder.

“Oh my…” Aphrodite said her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

Demeter eyed the three brothers, her eyes narrowing in scrutiny. “That has to be you three. What on all of Olympus could you be fighting about this time?”

Poseidon simply shrugged and turned back to the projection.

“I don’t think that it’s me…” Hades murmured, brows furrowing as he thought about the voice.

“Well, who else would it be?” Zeus dismissed angrily.

Percy ran towards them trying to get them to stop but he was running in slow motion. The eagle dived and Percy screamed no!

Percy suddenly jolted up in bed, panting heavily, and he looked outside to see rain pouring outside and wind howling. There was no horse just lightning, lighting up the sky.

Thunder clapped and Sally awoke with a start.

“Hurricane.”

“Wait really?”

“No way…”

“Isn’t it too early for hurricanes?”

The demigods nervously chattered, eyes staying trained on the projection, their body tense and alert.

I knew that was crazy. Long Island never saw hurricanes this early in the summer. But the ocean seemed to have forgotten

Leo looked like he wanted to make a joke about that but thought better of it at the tense looks that Percy was sporting and how he kept glancing at his mom as if she were going to disappear.

Over the wind a distant bellow sounded through the house. Closer however was a pounding sound on the front door of the rental.

Sally jumped out of bed and sprinted to the door. When Percy followed her and she opened the door to reveal Grover.

“Searching all night. What were you thinking?”

“Percy. What happened at school? What didn’t you tell me?”

Percy looked between his mom and Grover, confused and scared.

I couldn’t understand what I was seeing.

“O Zeu kai alloi theoi! It’s right behind me! Didn’t you tell her?”

“Dude, is this how you found out about our world? I would actually lose it” Leo said staring at the projection overwhelmed.

“Yeah..” Percy sighed his head in his hands, that were slightly damp from the rain coming through the door.

Paul was staring at the screen in horror and confusion. If this was how his stepson found out about the world, he was not confident on the fact that people explained what was going on to him later on.

I was too shocked to register that he’d just cursed in Ancient Greek, and I’d understood him perfectly. I was too shocked to wonder how Grover had got here by himself in the middle of the night. Because Grover didn’t have his trousers on – and where his legs should be… where his legs should be…

“I was so confused!” Percy whined cover leaning back into Annabeth, hiding his face in her curls while she just chuckled and held his hand.

“Percy. Tell me now!”

Sally’s face was incredibly stern, and Percy just stuttered out the story of Mrs Dodds and the museum.

Nico’s face drained of colour mimicking Thalia’s as he heard Sally raise her voice. This was not good.

Sally was deathly pale, her face horrified as Percy explained a shortened version of the encounter with the Fates.

“Get to the car. Both of you. Go!”

Grover ran for the Camaro.

I understood how he could run so fast and still limp when he walked. Because where his feet should be, there were no feet. There were cloven hooves.

The projection faded to black and Percy sighed the tension leaving his body.

“Man, do you get any answers in the next parts at least?” Leo asked turning to Percy.

“No. You can at least ask someone else, I had no one.” Percy sighed stretching as he stood up to start the next projection.