Tuesday

The world was so dark. Cold...and harsh. Violent.

Percy blinked. And wet.

The storm continued outside his apartment window. He began pacing again. It was all becoming too much. The rain, the isolation, this place. It was too much silence for his mind to handle. He wished he could be with his mom and Paul. Sally's baby bump would look like a soccer ball now.

Percy checked his phone again.

Annabeth's last message was still there, short and quick: "Something's about to happen Percy. Wait for Chiron. See you soon." Percy still felt a strong desire to launch the phone through the window.

He had sent a dozen questions, even called her once when she didn't respond but it went straight to voicemail. After that he didn't risk attracting anymore monsters.

He had never felt more frustrated. There was not a single clue as to what was going on. All he knew was that all demigod communications were down. He had no way to contact Camp Half-Blood or Chiron. His body told him to move, his instincts to go to Annabeth, and his mind to listen to her and stay put.

Tonight, Percy decided. He gazed out the window at the street below. If Chiron wasn't here by midnight, he would leave this place. There was a commotion a couple blocks over, flashing police lights and faint sirens. He saw the dark shapes of people scurrying away. Either running from whatever was back there or from the rain, Percy didn't know.

Percy moved from the window. He forced himself to sit by the kitchen counter. His fingers reached for Riptide. Just holding the pen gave him comfort. He rolled it between his fingers, pinched the cap, staring at it.

How long before I use you again? He wasn't sure he would like the answer.

A knock on the door triggered his reflexes. He ripped the cap off and vaulted the kitchen counter. By the time three knocks were completed he was already crouched and Riptide glowed in his hand.

Percy contemplated whether or not to call out. What if it was Chiron? But what if it was a monster? A monster that knocks? Empousas could tap a door just fine.

Abruptly, a familiar voice called, "Percy? Are you there?"

Percy rose warily. He imagined some grinning cyclops on the other side. He paused at the door before swinging it open. The centaur was there, small in his wheelchair. "Good to see you, Percy. May I come in?"

The centaur pushed past him without invitation. "Close the door."

Percy did as he was told, though Riptide remained in his hand. "Annabeth said you'd be here. What's going on?"

Chiron sighed, now resting by the heater. "So many things, Percy. What do you know?"

Percy ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing. Nobody's reached out, nobody's visited. Annabeth told me to stay here. Where is she?" The anger in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

"I'm sorry, Percy. I know you're frustrated. I can't explain it all. I must leave soon, though hopefully with you in our company. I can tell you what's most important, however.

"To start, Annabeth is safe. We're to meet in a week's time in Florida. She gave me a message to deliver."

Chiron reached into his coat and pulled out a paper airplane. Percy took it, unfolding it: Rome will have to wait, Seaweed Brain. I know what we agreed on, but please go with Chiron. I'm sorry.

Percy read the letter several times before he looked up.

"What's going on?" He repeated hollowly.

"It's happening again, Percy. The gods have closed Olympus. We don't know why. All of our communications have failed." He paused. "Have you heard of the shootings? Those are monster attacks. There have been sightings of beasts thought to have been long since extinct. So many demigods across the country are turning up dead. Something big is happening Percy and we don't know exactly how everything is going to play out."

Percy nodded. "You need me back."

Chiron looked away. "Believe me, Percy. Watching you grow up, become the strong and fierce warrior you are; The courageous leader these past summers; I want you to live your life. The last thing I want is to ask you to risk your happiness again to save a world you're no longer sure you want to be a part of."

Percy was only slightly startled at how close to home the old centaur struck. His eyes saw everything.

He had struggled to leave behind the Greek world with Annabeth. Renting this apartment, protecting his mom by staying away, arranging a life in New Rome. Was it all for nothing?

"But I must ask you once again, Percy. Camp Half-Blood needs your blade. We need your help."

Percy stood. "You can fill me in on the way."

Chiron smiled sadly. "Good man." He wheeled himself to the door.

Just before exiting his apartment, he took a last look around. He wouldn't miss it. It hadn't given him a shred of comfort. This was a symbol of his life how he wanted it to be. But it was missing Annabeth.

He shut the door. "Did you come alone?"

Chiron made his way toward the elevator. "The others are stationed outside. There was a small commotion with a hellhound. We weren't sure if anything else was lurking out there."

By the time they got down to the first floor, the storm was howling again. Thunder shook the building. Percy frowned, noticing the empty lobby. "Did you leave them outside?"

Chiron began rising from his wheelchair. "No."

That's when Grover crashed through the door, tearing it from its hinges. His head rose, his cap askew, his horns longer than last time Percy saw him. "Hey, Perce." His satyr friend passed out.

Thunder cracked again and the lights went out. Percy's blade illuminated his surroundings. Chiron stood tall, silhouetted beside him, his white horse coat making him glow slightly. Demigod and Centaur rushed to the stepping off point.

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