"We have to go," Jason quickly said as he entered the living room. He walked past the couch and slapped Percy's head, deliberately ignoring Annabeth's confused look. He continued to walk out of the living room, rushing out of the home.

Percy looked to Annabeth, then at the door, and back at Annabeth. "What was that all about?" he asked. Slowly, he pulled on his coat.

"Where are you going?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"You heard Jason," Percy responded, walking towards the door.

"Percy!" Jason exclaimed, popping his head through the door before rushing back outside.

Annabeth paused, staring at the space where Jason once stood. Then she turned to Percy with furrowed brows. "He seems upset."

Percy let out a nervous laugh, "Yeah...I gotta go. I'll see you on Monday, Doctor Who."

Before she could protest the name, Percy left the residence with a smile. Outside, Jason stood pacing the concrete path. He looked heavily concentrated and slightly agitated. His jaw was locked, a pensive look occupying his features. The small scar of his upper lip stretched as he pursed his lips. He couldn't stop thinking about Dylan. If Piper wasn't a demigod, then what did he want with her? Monsters don't associate with humans without a motive.

Is it-is it possible Piper is a monster?

Jason shook his head immediately. Impossible. If Piper was a monster, Jason would know by now. But was it a coincidence she was the first person he met here? And being Dylan's girlfriend? Nothing made sense.

By the time Percy came out of the house, Jason's mind was racing with thoughts.

"Jason," Percy said as he walked out of the house. "What's wrong, man? Why were you in such a hurry to get out of there? Something happen with Piper?" he asked with a teasing smile.

"Shut up, man," Jason slapped his shoulder. They quickly walked out of Piper's driveway and continued down the sidewalk. "We have a real problem."

"What's wrong?"

"There's a monster," Jason responded. "He goes to this school. That means there must be demigods going there too."

Percy thrusted a fist in the air. "That's good, right?"

"No, it's not."

Jason wasn't sure if he should tell his "Piper Possibly Being A Monster" notion yet. He didn't quite believe it but he couldn't go up to Piper to confirm it. That would be a very awkward conversation.

"Hey, Piper. Say, are you a monster?" Jason muttered under his breath.

"What?" Percy asked.

Jason looked up slightly startled. "Um, nothing. Come on, we need to call Chiron."

"O, Iris Goddess of the Rainbow, accept my offering," Percy said. "Chiron at Camp Half Blood."

The spray of water made using the hose Jason held began changing colors, the clear water forming a familiar image of Camp Half-Blood. They could see Chiron, arms crossed as he sat towards the side. The rest of the camp enjoyed dinner, the sounds of young half bloods chattering furiously filling Percy and Jason's ears.

"Chiron!" Percy exclaimed.

The old centaur looked startled, looking around to see who had called him. Percy began waving his arms, calling his name again. This managed to catch his attention as Chiron walked closer.

"Chiron!" Percy repeated as the centaur approached. "Hey, man." With a moment of comprehension, he hastily rectified himself,"Horse. Man-horse. Wai-"

"Percy," Chiron cut off. "It's good to see you, my boy. Charismatic as ever, are we?"

Percy rubbed his neck sheepishly, letting out a little chuckle.

"Here," Jason handed Percy the hose. He moved around the spray, hunching down and bent on two knees. "Hello, Chiron."

The centaur nodded in reply. "Hello, Jason. I don't assume you called just to insult my speciation, did you?"

Percy blushed at Chiron's comment, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "Sorry, Chiron."

Jason shook his head, ignoring Percy who was radiating red in the corner. "No, sir. There's a problem and I'm not sure how to go about it."

"I don't do trigonometry, Jason."

"No, no," Jason quickly responded. "That's not it. There's this...monster. I just recently discovered it was a monster-"

"Why is that?" Chiron intervened. "Have you been in contact before?"

"Yes," Jason replied. "It's a humanoid. I didn't recognize it at first, it's very well assimilated into society, sir."

Chiron nodded slowly, a wise expression bred onto his face. He made a low grunting noise from his throat, a noise of understanding.

"We have no problem taking care of it-" Percy continued to make a horizontal line across his neck using his index finger for emphasize, "-however, its sort of close to a mortal we know."

"Do not let your emotions sway you, Jason," Chiron warned. His eyes widened, a knowing look on his face. "You know this better than anyone."

Jason flinched, shutting his eyes momentarily. Flashes of swords and monster fur passed his eyes, a familiar scream playing. His first day arriving at Camp Half-Blood. He shuddered. Chiron was right.

"Yes, sir," he said in a low voice. "But this is about the safety of a mortal," Jason said after opening his eyes. "Is it okay if we take a moment's notice and just take care of the monster? Then we'll continue our quest."

Chiron thought for a moment before sighing. "I suppose I cannot stop you. But Jason, Percy. Do not let bonds you make with mortals sway from your quest. Your quest is your main priority. Do not let whatever mortal you're trying to protect take your focus off that. You need to focus on your mission, which I may remind you, you have no progress on."

He was hitting every note, no progress in the mission, monster and even caring for Piper. Both boys nodded understandingly. They understood their job. Find demigods, bring 'em back. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

They were about to turn off the hose when Chiron said, "One more thing, boys."

They turned their heads.

"Do not get tangled with mortal mayhem. That is not your world. It is not like a monster to hurt a mortal if there are no half-bloods involved with it. So think about what really is best for this mortal you wish to protect."