Chap 2

Percy POV

After I had discovered my new sport I did it all the time, whenever I got bored.

Slowly Blackjack got used to the idea of me hanging upside down. It took some convincing for him to let me do it a second time.

With my new straps it was easier and safer to stay up and attached, so I stayed up for longer periods of time.

Eventually I felt safe enough to go over other places than the lake, which turned out to be really cool, the feeling of the wind in your face when you're going at high speeds coupled with hanging, it was something extraordinary.

After some time I still got the rush, though there were parts of my first ride I missed, like the feeling of a freefall, so I came up with another dangerous and stupid sport—cliff diving.

I found this pretty high cliff on one of the remote corners of the camp's property while flying. It went straight down into the ocean and no rocks jutted out from the cliffside.

As Blackjack watched in horror I scaled the cliff using my superior rock climbing skills and went all the way to the top. Looking over the edge I saw that it was a fair bit higher than where I fell from Blackjack, but I tried it anyway.

To be on the safe side and not hit any rocks jutting out I backed up about twenty feet then broke out in a run, hurling myself over the side.

The run itself was great, but the fall was so much better.

It was like flying, but much more potent. It was like the entire flying ride's adrenaline smashed into one moment.

Time seemed to slow as I fell, making it even more suspenseful and exhilarating.

And that's how I got hooked on it. And I mean hooked on it. Whenever I see a good cliff on a quest, as long as it has water under it I jump.

So back to present time I had just jumped off, feeling the wind whip past me as I fell.

When I finally hit water it didn't hurt, but the bottom did. This time I was less lucky and broke my arm, but I just waded up to the shallows and sat down to rest and heal.

Seeing as it took about twenty minutes for the broken wrist I estimated an hour I had to be in the water.

Just as I had closed my eyes and started to go into a meditative trance a voice brought me out, "Shit, Percy! Are you trying to kill yourself?"

I replied without opening my eyes, "No, and what do you want Thaila?"

I heard her come through the sand and come up to the waters' edge and say, "Well it sure looked like it. And I want to know why you threw yourself off a cliff."

I opened my eyes slowly and saw not only Thaila but all of the hunters and replied, "I swear I wasn't trying to kill myself. And I threw myself off a cliff because I missed that part from my original endeavor. Riding Blackjack upside down isn't the same as freefalling."

Thaila looked just like Chiron, like she wanted to slap me, and I didn't blame her. She said, "What! You ride Blackjack upside down! Gods, you're so dumb!"

I smirked and said, "Why does it sound like you care?"

Thaila gazed at me with hard eyes saying, "I personally don't but some friends of mine, some friends of yours, would!"

I just chuckled and said, "Meh, maybe. Besides I'm not going to die, I'm not stupid enough to throw myself off a cliff with no water under it."

Thaila responded, "I'm not so sure about that. One of these days you will do something that stupid. And why don't you come out of that water anyway?"

I cocked my head and said, "Why would I come out of the water?"

"Because you have no need to be in there!" she said.

I shook my head and told her, "On the contrary, I do. See right after splashdown I hit the bottom and broke my arm. I am in the process of healing it. So I'll just stay here."

Thaila looked at me like I'd grown two heads and said, "You broke your arm and yet you insist it's safe? You have got to be the stupidest person I've ever met! And shouldn't you get back to camp so someone should heal it for you?"

I shrugged and said, "I don't think so. If I could heal it myself, why have someone do it for me? I don't need to bother someone for something I can do myself. And it is safe, thank you very much. Maybe not for other people, but as long as there is water, I'm fine. You would've loved my first stunt. I think Chiron about gave me time out or something for that one."

Thaila sighed and said, "What did you do?"

I smiled and said, "I took Blackjack out and with a regular harness flew upside down dangling by my feet and when I felt myself slipping I told him to fly lower and wiggled out, falling into the lake. Unfortunately, Chiron saw and about slapped me. Good thing was that I only got a broken wrist. After that I tricked out my saddle with extra straps so I wouldn't fall out. I do that a lot but now I also cliff dive."

When I finished she looked shocked but surprisingly Thaila wasn't the one to speak, "That really wasn't the smartest, Percy Jackson."

Artemis came to the front of her pack of hunters and I stood up in the water then bowed.

My arm throbbed so I grabbed it but kept a little smile on my face, hopefully it didn't turn into a grimace.

I said, "Hello, Lady Artemis."

She nodded so I said, "Do you mind if I sit?"

Artemis said, "No, go ahead."

I said thanks before plopping down and submerging my arm.

Artemis continued, "Your little endeavors are quite risky. I would refrain from them if I were you. I take it your father does not know of these?"

I gulped and said, "No, he doesn't, my Lady."

She nodded before saying, "He will be notified. I would expect a visit from him soon, so you might want to limit the broken bones."

I gulped again, fearfully imagining his visit, and nodded.

Just then I heard a very faint sound that almost sounded like the lunch bell.

I looked into the sky and saw that it was indeed noon, judging from the placement of the sun.

Shit, I mentally cursed in my head. I had to get back now, or risk Chiron finding out.

I stood again, ignoring the extreme pain in my arm and said, "I do believe I have to get back for lunch. Goodbye."

I bowed and Artemis nodded.

My arm pain just grew the more I moved it, even if I was upside down it would cause a pain.

I stripped off my shirt and heard gasps from behind me. Ignoring them I ripped my shirt down the right seam and then again down the new center, tying the two pieces together.

I heard Artemis call, "What is the meaning of this! Why did you take off that shirt?"

I turned and said, "I need a sling. I'm sorry, but it was the only thing I had."

She stiffly nodded and I turned again, looping the strip of fabric around my arm gingerly before tying it with my teeth and free hand.

I called for him and Blackjack came out of the forest and knew the drill.

I laid down under him and secured the straps to my feet and legs, doing my bad arm's side first.

Giving the signal he jumped off the ground into the air, extending the wings and making sure he didn't bump me.

Once we were in the air I waved back at the hunters which were staring in amazement at my preferred choice of transportation.


I got back in time for lunch and grabbed a new shirt before putting away Blackjack and going to the pavilion.

When I got there some people were still coming in so I joined them trying to look casual.

It was kind of hard to make my sacrifice with one hand but I managed.

Soon after I ate I quickly scurried out so that no one would see my arm.

But luck wasn't with me and Chiron was waiting outside the doors.

He motioned for me to go to the big house so I did, him close on my tail.

Once we were there he said, "Percy, what did you do this time?"

I couldn't let him know what I'd just done so I said, "I was playing with Mrs. O'Leary and she got a bit rough."

He looked like he didn't believe me but said, "Alright. Do you want me to have someone heal it?"

I replied, "No sir, I'll just go sit in the lake. Thank you for the offer."

He just nodded so I took that as my sign to leave.

It took me awhile to walk down to the lake, as I could not run. If I did someone might get suspicious.

Once I got there I immediately waded in.

When I took off my sling a string of curses left my mouth.

Unfortunately, my half-sleeve shirt's ending had a little bump where the stitching came together. This became apparent when I took off the sling. The really bad part was it was right on a fracture line.

The pain was fierce, so I had no other choice but to take off the shirt.

Taking it off was difficult, not to mention extremely painful, but once it was off it felt a whole lot better.

I laid back closing my eyes, trying not to move. If I did there was a ton of pain and two tons of curses.

I could feel my bones healing, and it wasn't painful, but rather uncomfortable. It still put a nice little grimace on my face.

I lost track of time but knew it wasn't healed yet so I just laid there when I heard the sound of someone on the beach.

I tried to turn my head only but ended up moving my arm, which in turn made me say, "Gods damn it! Holy son-of-a-gun!" plus a whole lot more vulgar words.

Whoever it was chuckled lightly before saying, "You know there are kids at this camp. And hunters. Would it kill you to wear a shirt?"

I moved my mouth, only my mouth, "At the moment it might."

They just laughed again and I realized who it was. I said opening my eyes, "Oh, sorry for not recognizing you, Lady Artemis. And pardon me, but I don't think I can bow right now."

She simply replied, "I didn't expect you to. And you really should've gotten that healed."

I looked at her the best I could without moving and told her, "Yeah, but I probably should've stayed in the waters at the cliff. I don't think walking around with it helped, not at all. I just didn't want them to send me a search party or something."

Artemis nodded and looked out over the water, sitting on the sand, deep in thought.

I muttered to myself, "I really should've stayed. I bet they wouldn't have sent anything."

She turned to me and asked, "Why do you think that they would come looking?"

I blushed a bit to myself, forgetting that gods could hear better than demigods, and told her, "I don't know who would notice I was gone."

She said, "I'm sure someone would. And it was rather, ah, valiant, of you to make so that others weren't burdened, even if that put you in pain."

I told her, "Thank you, Lady Artemis."

Artemis nodded and went back to looking at the sky so I laid my head down and closed my eyes, slipping into a half-trance.

After some more time, it felt like fifteen minutes, but I couldn't be sure, I could feel that my arm was healed, though a bit weak.

I sighed and got out of the water, knowing I had a class right before dinner.

Once I opened my eyes I was surprised to see Artemis still where she was, though her eyes were closed.

I bowed once before looking for my shirt and sling, finding them in the middle of the lake.

A soft,"Come on!" left my lips.

I turned and plunged underwater, swimming quickly out to the middle of the lake.

I grabbed the cloth pieces and swam back up to shore.

Once I hit land I put back on the shirt, drying it with my touch. I also dried the sling and stuffed it in my pocket.

Turning to Artemis I silently bowed again before leaving.


I was a little lat to my class, but they didn't seem to mind.

Today I had Hermes, Hephaestus and the Hunters, surprisingly.

They were ready when I got there and we worked the dummies a bit before pairing up.

I did the demonstrations for the dummies but didn't fight; my arm was still rather weak.

The Hermes and Hephaestus cabins were disappointed I didn't do more but the Hunters understood.

Ending our class was the dinner bell and I helped pack before heading out.

Thaila caught up to me and said, "Hey, Percy, how's the arm?"

I chuckled tiredly before replying, "Not bad, not bad, though it hurt a ton when I moved while it was healing. That's what I get for walking around and flying with a broken arm."

Thaila nodded and said, "Yeah, that wasn't the most brilliant idea you've ever had. Then again, neither was the jump. But I have to say, the flying you do is quite spectacular."

I nodded and said thanks but we had arrived so we went our separate ways.

My table was as lonely as ever, but I was getting used to it. I just did my offering and ate in silence.

Afterwards I ditched whatever group activity Chiron had planned and went to my cabin to sleep.

Once I got on my bunk, however, I found I couldn't so I dragged my sorry ass outside and went for a walk around the lake.

I found some sand dunes and laid down in a valley between two, looking up at the stars. With the sound of the water, and the calmness it was quite peaceful.

Without realizing it I fell into a deep sleep.


The next day I was rudely awakened by what felt like an electric shock.

Jolting awake I jumped up and pulled out riptide, pointing it at whoever was closest to me.

Thaila put up her hands and said, "Woah, Percy, we're not going to kill you."

I capped riptide and put it back in my pocket as Thaila went on, "You better get yourself out of here. You have a class in ten minutes."

I thought for a second but said, "I don't have a class until an hour after lunch."

Thaila chuckled and said, "Lunch passed a while back. One of the Apollo kids you're teaching today noticed his teacher wasn't there and went to Chiron. He told us to find you."

Figures no one would notice I was gone except a little kid who wanted to play swordsman.

I asked, "Why'd you have to shock me awake? Was it really necessary?"

Thaila shook her head and said, "Yes it was. We spent an hour looking for you and find you asleep in the sand dunes. And then you don't wake up when we yell, and we even dumped ice water on you but you liked it. Yes, it was 100% necessary."

I just grumbled and walked off to the top of the dune.

When I got there it looked really steep so I tucked and rolled all the way down into the lake, swimming across it in the direction of my cabin.

Once I got to the edge I looked back and saw the hunters helping each other over the dune and I ran to the arena.

I got to it late but nobody seemed to mind.

We went straight to duels, and I fought a more experienced camper.

He was good, but I pointed out what he was doing wrong.

After that class I was done for the day so I went back to my cabin and changed before grabbing my i-pod and going out to the dunes.

I set my alarm in case I fell asleep and get into the same position as yesterday, listening to some soft music.

I closed my eyes and tried to make my mind go blank, but it just didn't work. There was far too much to deal with to forget about the real world.

Just as my mind was starting to clear I heard my mom screaming, "PERCY!"

I sat upright quickly, looking straight into the IM.

Mom looked mad, no beyond mad, she looked furious.

I winced a bit at her tone and she went on, "I have come to know that you've been doing stupid and risky things. Like riding Blackjack upside down and JUMPING OFF OF CLIFFS! I'll have you know that I was very concerned about you, but when you get back!"

I said, "Mom, mom, I'm fine! It wasn't all that risky, I was doing this stuff over water, and it was perfectly safe."

She looked at me before saying softly, "Why'd you do it, Perce?"

I shrugged and said, "I don't know, really. I guess I just like the rush."

Mom looked at me funnily before saying, "That's it. When you come back you're going to see Dr. Phyllis."

I looked at her in shock and stood up outraged saying, "I'm not going to a shrink and I don't need therapy!"

In my aggression I swiped out the message.

I sank to my knees, putting my forehead in the sand. It didn't make sense, why me? Why was mom so eager to put me in therapy, like she was thinking about doing it for a long time?

And the number of people I can trust fully is down to zero.

I mumbled to myself, "I have to go for a ride."

After picking myself up and dusting off my clothes I started up the dune but was stopped by a voice saying, "Your mother might be right if your solution is flying."

I turned to find Artemis sitting on a dune not far away and bowed before asking, "Lady Artemis. And if you don't mind me asking, how long have you been there?"

She chuckled and said, "Longer than you. I didn't even notice you were here until the IM. I find this place nice to come to when you need to think."

I nodded before continuing on my path.

I heard her sigh then say, "Percy, it's not healthy to resort to what you are. But if you must, go, but try not to die."

I turned and looked at her with shock on my face and said, "Ok, Thaila I get, but why you? I thought you wanted me dead."

Artemis laughed without humor and said, "No, Percy I do not wish to see you dead. You are one of the males I respect, and there are few I can even stand to be around."

I replied, "I am honored, my Lady, though I do not understand what I did to deserve such respect."

She waved her hand and pointed in front of her saying, "Come. Sit."

I did as she told and she went on, "Your bravery, unselfishness and general kindness produce that respect. The way you act is different from other males."

I nodded, truly awestruck.

Seeing my look she went on, "And for that I do not wish to see you dead, though one day you will be and from the looks of what you're doing, that day will be soon."

I grimaced slightly, knowing that her statement was true. Again in my silence she went on, "And I can't figure out why you are doing such things."

I sighed, knowing this was coming, and told her, "I do it because of the adrenaline rush. It makes it impossible to think. I've found there is too much thinking to be done, especially in the amount of free time I have. It's my sort of escape from my own mind."

She nodded earnestly as I talked, actually listening to what I was saying.

I sighed and fell backwards, putting my head in the sand.

I muttered to myself, damn, I have a shitty life. I mean I never thought about it, but I mean it just sucks realizing it. I have no friends and people only keep me around for security or as a teacher. Sure I have a few friends but they're off somewhere doing Zeus knows what and they left me here all alone by myself. I bet no one would give a damn if I died, well not after a few weeks. They'd all forget. And knowing that just fucking sucks.

"You're wrong, there would be a lot of people distressed by your death. Yes, over time they may move on but they wouldn't forget. And what happened to all the campers, they are your friends."

I scoffed, "Sure they are. After Annabeth and Grover left so did a lot of the veteran campers. I tried making friends with everyone else but they were always expecting something from me. Not one person wanted to just be friends with me. So been there, done that."

Artemis said, "So you just keep to yourself and stay in pain?"

I sat up and said in all seriousness, looking her in the eye, "Anger and agony are better than misery."

Artemis nodded distantly, "True. The world does not need more people feeling sorry for themselves."

I nodded to that and plopped back down but my i-pod started going crazy so I shut off the alarm standing up.

I turned and bowed before saying, "It's dinner time. Goodbye."

She nodded but added, "Yes, run along. But thank you for the talk."

I cocked my head and said, "It was no problem, but why not talk to one of your hunters?"

Artemis laughed before saying, "They are much too formal, never really open. And you needed someone to talk to, too."

I nodded mutely and walked down the dune and around the lake before jogging to dinner.

Eating was the same affair as always but afterwards my father was waiting for me.

I followed him to the big houses' porch where he yelled, "Percy! You know why I'm here, and I want an answer."

I knew I should tell him the same thing I told Artemis, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. He does have the authority to put me in therapy, and surely he would.

So I just said, "I like the rush. That's it. I'm not suicidal, I don't hate life."

He nodded very stiffly but looked just as mad so I lost it and said, "Go ahead, slap me, send me to a shrink, I don't care! Just do it already!"

Dad looked at me almost sad for a moment before actually slapping me across the face.

Afterwards he said, "You gave Sally and me a good fright. I don't want to hear of you doing that again. I will not lose my son because he wants to 'feel the rush'."

I nodded and he walked away into the forest.

My cheek burned like it was on fire but it felt good. It was the result of someone loving me.

I wasn't in the mood for a sing-a-long, but I didn't want to sleep either, nor did I want to go to the beach or the dunes.

I settled on the archery range.

When no one was looking I made my way over.

Picking up my favorite bow and a set of five arrows I stood at the front of the easiest target.

I hit the bulls eye on the first shot and moved on to the medium level one. That one I too hit bulls eye with one shot.

Facing the hardest one I aimed but the arrows was about an inch from the center. Aggravated I took out another arrow, that one too hitting just outside the center. My last arrow did the same.

I grabbed a plethora of arrows from the shed and shot off three more. One was terrible, probably because I was frustrated, and the other two were like the others, though one nicked the center.

I picked up another and finally hit the spot I was looking for.

Not satisfied, I picked all the arrows off the board and shot them off again, hitting the center four times before I missed.

Again, I went back and fired off more, reaching my goal of six in a row. I was about to go for more when Thaila stepped out from the trees.

She said, "Last time I check, your shot sucked. What happened?"

I just chuckled and shook my head.

She laughed along with me before saying, "You're going to get in trouble, being out this late."

I nodded at her and put away the gear.

After that I said goodbye and goodnight.

I was about to go to sleep when I had a better thought.

So I went over to the lake and walked in until I was under, then walked right back out, drying myself off.

To my surprise Thaila was there and I asked jokingly, "Are you stalking me or something?"

She shook her head and scowled at me saying, "I knew you weren't going to your cabin, and I wanted to see if you had a secret hideout or something. All I see is you going in water then coming back out. So much for secret hideout."

I laughed at her absurdity before telling her, "I was just washing off. Jeez, I didn't think you thought I was some kind of drug lord."

Thaila actually cracked a smile and said, "No way, you could never be, you don't have the brains. I just thought you had a cave full of candy or something."

I shook my head and walked off towards my cabin with an amused smile on my face.

I waved from the door and I could barely see Thaila's shape entering her cabin.

After that I collapsed on my bed, instantly asleep.


Wow, so much for short chapters, eh? This just kept writing itself, so don't expect this long of chapters in the future. And I want three more reviews until I update. Got it? Good.

Forever, JazzCullen001