AN: So sorry for not updating. I'm super busy this week, so yeah. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter.

No one's POV

Percy walked out of the Big House and into the woods. He found his hellhounds in a clearing, yapping and playing with each other. He smiled as he remembered how he trained them.

"Come on, guys," he said as he bent down to pet them. "I've got an old friend to visit."

A few minutes later

"Okay, guys, just wait here. I'll be back soon." Percy said, and walked into the stables.

The stables seemed deserted; no one was there. Percy walked into the fifth stable on the right, and peeked in. The black pegasus had his head down, and looked miserable, even though his trough was full of hay. Percy grinned. "Missing someone?" The pegasus' ears perked up as he heard his master's voice.

Boss? Is that really you? The horse spoke in his mind.

I said don't call me that.

Sure boss, whatever you say, boss.

He wrapped his arms around the horse's neck.

Hey, dude, I miss you so much.

Duh, boss, because I'm the greatest Pegasus in the world, right?

Yep.

He smoothed Blackjack's mane. They stood in silence, enjoying each other's company after sixteen years. Then he remembered the dogs.

Sorry, Blackjack, I have to go. But I'll bring you some sugar later. Promise.

Okay, bye, boss!

With one last pat, Percy went out. Then he noticed the girl grooming the horse next to Blackjack. She had blonde hair, with rainbow highlights. She waved at him shyly.

"Hi."

"Hey. I didn't hear you here."

"Oh! Sorry. Was I disturbing you?"

"No, don't worry. Why did you dye your hair?"

"My mother's Iris, so, you know, rainbow highlights."

"It's pretty cool."

"Thanks! You seem really good with Blackjack. Everyone says he hasn't let anyone ride him for fifteen years. Probably a camp rumor, I don't know."

Percy raised his eyebrows. "I see. Children of Iris are good with horses too, right?

"Yeah, but not as good as Poseidon kids."

"You too." She smiled and resumed brushing her pegasus.

At dinner

Everyone fell silent as I went into the dining pavilion. They obviously had been gossiping about me. All the campers' eyes were watching me, and that was a little too creepy. My cloak fluttered around me as I sat at the Poseidon table. The hellhounds lay at my feet. Everyone resumed their chatting after I sat down, but in more hushed tones. That made me really annoyed.

I strained my ears to hear them, and I heard the words "cloak" and "Percy". They were talking about why I had the cloak on.

I shifted a little, trying to keep my wings out of sight. They were great in a fight, and I could fly perfectly with them, but it was still annoying when demigods and mortals looked at you.

I tried to distract myself, so I looked around to see if I could spot some old enemies. Clarisse. She narrowed her eyes at me, and made a slicing motion on her neck. Figures. Nico, with a few brothers and sisters. Thalia, ditto.

Annabeth.

Her eyes were rimmed red from crying. I felt a pang of guilt, but quickly squashed it down. She wasn't my girlfriend anymore, was she?

I quickly ate the plate of food, pausing to feed my pets. Well, actually, I just ate a few bites. I started eating littler and littler when I was on the run. You just don't have time to eat with the Minotaur on your tail. And worse, he never dies. All the monsters they send after me don't.

The only reason I kept alive was that Hades would put me into the fields of Punishment if I died. Also, I had to rescue dad. Dad.

I felt a sudden wave of sadness as I fingered the trident pendant. It was carved out of a shell, its surface smooth and polished. A last gift from dad. I finished my dinner and stood up. I was going to the beach. I whistled and the dogs heeled obediently. After a few minutes of walking, I could smell the sea. I sat down on the sand, the waves lapping at my feet. Finally, after so many years, I felt peaceful. Quiet. I stroke the dogs' backs contently as they nuzzled me affectionately.

Suddenly, Skia growled. My eyes flashed open, and I saw…a little boy. Maybe…nine? He smiled at me, and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here. Can I stay?"

"Sure, sure," I said hurriedly. I wasn't that scary, was I? "Why are you here? I thought you were supposed to eat dinner."

"Oh, I finished. I love to come down here, it's so nice and quiet.