A/N: I know this is in Leo's point of view . . . again. Why not? Who doesn't love the funny son of Hephaestus?

Hmm, I just realized that Festus and Leo communicate by Morse Code. I'll make changes for this story after it's completed.

Thanks to you guys who favourited, followed, reviewed.

Shout-out to the reviewers (alphabetical order): CrazyBlueOwl (Thanks for doing 2 reviews!), DemiTribute, Geeky Chic Chick, PiperMcLean4Ever, SASSY NINJA CHICKEN (Interesting name, btw), storysupporter, sickly-wicked


4: Mint Murders Me

(Leo's P.O.V)

The next morning, I felt someone shaking my shoulder.

"Leo? Are you okay?"

"Huh? Uh, of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You were moaning in your sleep. Did you have a bad dream?"

"Why, yes I did, Mommy. Bad guys were chasing me with axes in their hands! Did I mention that All About That Bass was playing in the background?"

Calypso crossed her arms across her chest, not at all amused with my sarcasm.

"Okay, fine, Sunshine. It wasn't a nightmare, but more of a weird dream. When we went back to Camp Half-Blood, Herbert was there, saying in a Darth Vader voice, 'I have come to destroy you and all your loved ones'."

"Well, I think that means you don't trust him." She looked thoughtful. "In fact, it was pretty strange—he let two strangers stay."

"And a dog. But that doesn't explain that much. I mean, he clearly doesn't see through the Mist. And he is pretty gullible—why on earth will there be a place called Idiot-ville? I'm telling you, we're dealing with a not-so bright person. The name Herbert Mint doesn't scream out villain."

Festus yawned, snorting to me, That was the best sleep I had in ages.

A knock on the door brought all of us alert.

"Everybody decent?" Herbert asked.

"No, my dog is still in his underwear!" I called back. "I just need to pull clothes on him." In a softer voice, I added sheepishly, "Sorry, I couldn't help it," to my girlfriend.

The Titaness shook her head. "If you have any suspicious thoughts on Herbert, we should fly out of the window."

Festus nodded in agreement. He stretched out his wings, as Calypso opened the door.

"So, uh, I made breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausages, and French Toast."

My mouth salivated. "Does it come with whipped cream and Maple Syrup?"

Calypso gave me a warning look.

"Hey, I'm trying to stall," I shrugged back. "So, uh, Herbert—did you bring any orange juice?"

"No, I'll go get it." The sound of footsteps slowly decreased the assumption of Herbert gone to get OJ.

"Now's our chance!" Calypso paused. "Um, Festus, can you get through the window?"

Festus snorted. Of course I can! He stuck his head out, but that's as far as his body will go.

"You know what's weird? This scene is so predictable," I commented. "We can't get out the window, and before we rush outside, Herbert will be back."

"I'm back!"

"What did I tell you?" I opened the door, figuring even if Herbert was a killer, its two demigods and a dragon against a mortal.

"Here's your food!" Herbert smiled, with an evil glint in his eye. Then he produced a knife out of his hoodie, and pointed it at Festus. "Nobody move, or the dragon get's it!"

"I knew it!" I cried. "Well, I suspected, and then denied it."

Calypso frowned. "Go ahead, then. Kill the dragon."

"What?" My mouth dropped open. "Calypso—"

"If you do, you'll regret it," she continued. "My guess is that you're afraid of us. You won't have the guts to murder, will you?"

"I—I—" Herbert wavered, then pointed the knife to a new target: me.

"No, seriously, dude, we're not creepy! I mean, sure, I lied about some things . . . my name isn't Dumbledore Gandalf Twinkie Strawberry, but give us a second chance! We could all be friends."

"You're all monsters!" Herbert protested, and in a slow motion, before I could register it, blood began pouring out of my chest.

Startled, I looked at the Mortal, who trembled and then stabbed himself. Herbert went down, the darkness gone from his eyes and replaced with happiness.

"Leo!" Calypso ran to me. "Gods, Leo . . ."

My body felt numb, and I couldn't feel any pain. At least not at the moment. "Ca—Calypso," I said. "I don't even—"

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "This is my fault. It's my entire fault."

I tried to smile, and make a joke, but instead shivered.