A/N: Well, here we go. One more chapter. Hmmm… Let's see where we are going with this. Enjoy this chapter and have a wonderful day! Don't forget to read and review, and do the same for everybody else!
Charles POV:
"What are you doing here? Who are these people with you?" Mr. Bliss stood in the doorway, running his hand through his snow white hair, asking lots of questions, worried that Eliza was not a camp.
"How about a hug?" Eliza squeaked. He immediately came around to a smile and embraced his daughter.
"Any friend of my Eliza is a friend of mine." He made his way into my arms and hugged me tightly. I had to lean down to wrap my arms around the friendly, old man. He smiled and moved to Silena, who did the same, but didn't have to bend down as much as Eliza and I. Did I mention he is short? Demeter must be really tall. That would explain Eliza's long legs and height.
"Now, come on inside and tell me why you are not at camp, young lady." Eliza smiled and followed him into their house. Silena looked at me and mouthed "I like this guy!" I nodded and we followed Eliza and Mr. Bliss.
Their house was full of plants just like I expected. Hanging plants were tracing the hallways and potted plants were at every corner of the house. Bushes were lining walkways and flowers scented every room. Watering cans were supplied on each counter and the garage had fertilizer on every shelf.
"How about some lemonade. It is a beautiful day. Well it is all the time, isn't it." He smiled and brought out a pitcher of mouthwatering, sugary, yellow lemonade with plenty of cold ice cubes. Eliza grabbed some cups out of the kitchen. We sat on the couch and drank our drinks, making small talk. I could tell Eliza was trying to steer clear of the conversation topic of the quest.
"Where do you live? How old are you?" Questions like that were ones we were happy to answer. "Who are your Godly parents?" That was one of them and we didn't have a correct answer.
"You see sir, we are quarter-bloods. Our parents-we are direct siblings-are Percy and Annabeth Jackson." I explained. Mr. Bliss looked at me with a surprised expression spread across his face.
"You're… The Jackson's children? Demeter has told me lots about them." Eliza stiffened up at the mention of her mother. "And… You are sure you are Percy Jackson and Annabeth Jackson's children?"
Silena gave a hearty laugh. "Last time I checked, that's what they call themselves." He laughed along with us and then turned to Eliza who was at his side. They sat on the same couch as the couch they sat on when Eliza sent me a picture in her e-mail.
"So, I think you have been avoiding my main question. Eliza, why are you not at camp?" She sighed and faced her father.
"Peleus is missing." We told him about the quest and the prophecy. Our suspicions, thoughts, ideas, and possible clues to where Peleus might be. When we were done, Mr. Bliss was not furious like our mom, but simply laid his wrinkled hand on her knee. They shared a few words in silence and we gave them privacy.
When they were done, Mr. Bliss gave Eliza the ok to find Peleus. We called a cab, and while we were waiting, Eliza dragged me upstairs to her room. Silena stayed downstairs so she could alert us when the cab came. Mr. Bliss and her were taking a walk on the beach.
"I want you to see something." We ran up the stairs and she showed me her room.
It was full of her favorite plants. Tulips mostly. All different colors. Pansies. She e-mailed me once that she grows only the finest for Peleus and brings them to camp when she comes for the summer. Everything in her room was green. Green spreadsheets, walls, chairs, dresser, lamp shades, and even the back of the door was painted green.
"I don't sleep here all the time though. Come here." She pulled me to her closet. It was lined with green shirts, khakis, sundresses, and swimsuits plus lots of extra camp shirts.
I was admiring all the green flashing around me and I turned around. Eliza was reaching for something lined on the molding of the wall. She pulled out a string that was attached to the ceiling and when I looked up, it was a door. An attic. When she pulled it down a ladder rung slid down to the ground.
"After you!" Eliza motioned to the door and I went up. As soon as I pulled myself up to the attic, I was immersed in darkness and couldn't see anything. I heard a light switch click from below and a string of Christmas lights lit up the attic. Eliza came scrambling up the ladder to sit next to me in her second room.
There was a cot in the corner of the room and the string of lights danced around every post. A small pile of stuffed animals sat in one corner and in the other a supply of ambrosia and nectar, shields, and weapons. The ceiling was painted green and the walls had darker greens strokes lining the bottom making it look like you were laying in a field of long grass. A few small windows were around the attic and one was right at the bed, so if you turned over, you could push open the swivel window to listen and see the waves crashing on the shore.
"This is awesome, Eliza!" I was staring at the room in awe.
"Thanks! I painted it myself. My Dad isn't allowed in my room so, he doesn't know about it. It's like my secret hideout, so don't tell."
I walked around the attic, picking up a few animals, weapons, and picture frames. On her night side table is three pictures. One was the same one I was e-mailed of her and her Dad. Another was one of her and her half brother.
The last one was a small shot of me and her last summer. I remember forcing Silena to take that picture of us on the last day, so we would have something to remember each other by. We each got a copy. Mine used to be held up in my locker by a magnet, but now it is pinned up on my corkboard in my room.
"Oh, gosh. Yeah… That's nothing." Her faced blushed and she snatched it away out of my hands.
"What, ashamed of my face?"
"No… It just…-"
"Hey, you too lovebirds better be ready to go, the taxi is here." Silena muffled from downstairs. That saved her in her moment of awkwardness.
"Let's go." She rushed to the stairs. Before she could go down, I grabbed her arm and made her look into my eyes.
"I have mine still. It's on my board at home." She smiled and I could see relief flood her face.
"Let's go save a dragon, Washington." And we went down the stairs and back on the original floor.
A/N: I just HAD to have that on there. I hope you like it! Eliza's attic is like my dream room but it would be purple and have a nice comfy chair. Read and Review everything! Have an excellent day, because I had one. Haha, bye!
