CHAPTER TWELVE
Annabeth's POV
Our blood must have dried somewhere along the way because when we wake up on the ground we're dry. I mean it feels like all the air has been smacked out of my lungs but at least the bloods dry.
It takes a while for us to be able to speak.
"Holy shit we're alive" Percy exclaims.
He kisses Bianca's cheek. "You're fucking amazing". A small embarrassed smile appears on her face. Oblivious as usual he kisses the ground. Bianca touches the spot where he kissed her and catching my eyes she puts it down blushing. I try my best to keep my face neutral.
"I love you so much. I'll never leave you again" Percy says whispers romantically to the grass stroking it in a disturbing fashion.
"That's it. Being a demigod officially sucks" Bianca says angrily. This surprises me this is the first time I have ever heard her like this. Her face is an angry red and her hair is tangled and messy.
"People wanting to murder us all the time is getting exhausting" Percy agrees.
'Agreed' I say exasperated sinking into the grass
'Could this get any worse?' I ask
"Yes Annabeth we've just been BANNED from the cloud kingdom" he says mocking Aurelia.
This causes me to laugh. Like really hard. Bianca soon joins me. All three of us start to roll through the grass deliriously. For a moment it feels like we're friends having a laugh and not demigods on a dangerous quest. For a second it feels normal and safe but of course that does not last long.
"Hey." A rough agitated voice calls, "this is a crime scene"
A what?
"What are you kids doing here?" another kinder voice calls, "We have the whole place boarded up"
So they didn't see us fall from the sky. Huh that's interesting.
A flashlight is directed at my face. The light causes me to blink harshly.
"Come on Murray they're just a couple of kids" a kind voice says.
'Why are you kids dressed like that?'' Murray asks laughing at our outfits.
Bianca inspects herself disgustedly, 'Why is the ugly makeup still intact' she says angrily. She then rips her dress so that it becomes sleeveless. Once the sleeves are on the ground she stomps on them for good measure. Someone is really having a diva moment.
'You have a terrible sense of clothing' she shouts to the sky, 'This outfit is ugly' the sky rumbles in response. Aurelia clearly did not like that. This makes me smile. Bianca is certainly a very amusing companion.
'Is your friend okay?' the short kind cop asks.
'I don't even know anymore' Percy replies amused. He looks at Bianca for so long that it makes me uncomfortable. I supress any feelings of jealousy in me it is not her fault.
'I am sorry about her sir. We did not mean to trespass. Please let us go' I say politely.
"If we let you go then we're going to have to let everyone go" Murray the one with the moustache says.
Murray is the bigger one of the two he easily pulls me up and cuffs me.
"What the hell?" I ask. I did not usually like to question authority but this seemed particularly unfair.
"May I remind you you're speaking to an officer of the law'' Murray says authoritatively.
"I'm sorry sir. I do respect the police but I just don't understand why we're being treated like this" I say.
Murray then cuffs Percy and Bianca.
"I believe that when you're making an arrest you're supposed to read us our rights" Bianca says annoyed.
"Where did you hear that?" Murray asks Bianca.
"Law and Order" she says officially.
He ignores her and practically manhandles her on the way to the squad car.
"You know I could sue you for this" she complains.
"Yeah. Yeah. I've heard it all before" he says and pushes her head inside the car.
Luckily for the two of us the smaller one takes them to the car. "Sorry for my partner he gets a bit too carried away sometimes. But he's a good guy" he defends
"The name's Smith by the way" He holds out his arm for us to shake it. Percy shakes his cuffs.
"Oh yeah" Smith says blushing as he opens the door for us.
"Please bend your head" he says to her as they approach the car door because he's been so nice about it I do.
After we've all been put inside the squad car the siren goes off and we're driven to the police station.
"We got a 10-62 over at Kensington."
"Kensington isn't that where they held the buckaroo three days ago. Where those kids went missing"
THREE DAYS. WE'D BEEN MISSING FOR THREE DAYS.
The drive to the police station is long and silent. Bianca tries her best to charm us out of there but Murray is not budging.
'I've seen prettier girls than you blue eyes' he says dismissively.
Bianca is taken aback. Clearly someone is not used to being rejected.
'I was not flirting with you weirdo I am a minor' she says disgusted.
Clearly taking that personally he drags her inside the precinct.
The woman at the desk looks at us, "aren't you a little young to be breaking and entering"
I want to tell her that we weren't breaking and entering. Technically we had entered legally we had just been stuck in the sky for three days. But that sounded crazy even to me. So instead I just stay silent.
"Alright" she says disappointed, "send them up for processing"
She stares at Bianca. "Hey. Don't I know you from somewhere?"
Bianca opens her mouth to reply when Murray tugs her away. "Alright that's enough chit chat"
'Can you stop touching her like that?' Percy asks protectively.
Murray ignores him and tightens his grip on Bianca.
He takes us to a room packed with other people. Tall muscular men stare at us aggressively in the corner. They size Percy up and down. Women in tall dresses and high heels sneer. Ok well they were criminals. But as we were now in trouble with the law now too who was I to judge.
'Nice heels' Bianca says complimenting one of the ladies.
'What's it to you princess' the woman rudely replies.
Bianca replies unfazed, 'It's the ugly dress right believe me I hate it as much as you do'
''When we get out of here I'm so going to file a complaint against Officer Murray" Bianca complains.
She brings her head towards me, 'pull out my bobby pin'
'That only works in movies' I say doubtfully.
'Let's just try it out and see' Percy says hopefully.
"Wait!" The front desk lady says running in panting. Her blonde curls hang messily in her face and her breath is heavy.
"Murray you idiot you arrested the missing kids" she says angrily.
"I knew Aunt Sarah would report us missing" Bianca says happily.
She holds out a key and unlocks us from the holding cell.
"I'm so sorry. As soon as I realised I called your parents they're coming to pick you up" she says apologetically.
"When I got to the scene the girlies" he points to Bianca and me "were giving attitude".
How? I understand Bianca but I was nothing but polite.
"I'd like a file a complaint" Bianca says.
"Sure" she says taking her to the front desk and hands her a sheet.
"They're anonymous" she says.
"I don't care if he knows it's me" she says noting things down a pad quite aggressively I might add.
"Thank you" she says respectfully handing the note back to the nice lady.
"Please wait here" she says pointing to a seating area.
Ten minutes later Aunt Sarah rushes in throwing her arms around all of us. A warm feeling spreads in my stomach.
"I've been so worried. Where have you been?" she says with tears in her eyes.
"We hung up posters everywhere but we got no response. We even placed an ad in the local news but we got nothing' she says words rushing out of her mouth.
"We're so sorry. We didn't mean to make you upset" I say guiltily.
"I'm not upset. I am just so happy we found you" she says relieved. Seeing my expression she cups my face moving my hair out of my eyes. Her smile melts my heart.
Julio walks inside holding his car keys.
"Bianca" he kisses her all over her face. He too is crying. This surprises me I have never seen a man cry before. A guilty feeling hangs in my stomach. He then throws his arms around Percy and me. He smells safe and comforting everything a father should be.
"Your mother is so worried" he says to Bianca
"You told her about this" she says.
"Of course we did. She's on a flight here she'll be here by tomorrow morning"
"Now enough with the talking let's get back home. Everyone is worried sick"
When we get home we're welcomed with so much love every member of the family greets us with hugs and kisses that it brings tears to my eyes.
"We prepared a welcome back dinner for your arrival" Abuela says. The table is littered with a variety of Mexican and American dishes.
"Now enough with the chit chat. Let's eat" Abuela says taking her place at the head of the table.
We eat and laugh and all the worries we've faced since the quest started just disappear.
"You know it's late we should go to bed" Bianca says.
I give Bianca a weird look. I'll explain later she mouths.
Sarah looks at the time, "oh it's 11 already. You're right you kids should get to bed. Your mother will be here by tomorrow morning you should be well rested when that happens"
Bianca nods not really meeting Sarah's eyes
"What was that about?" I ask.
"We cannot stay here" she says gesturing to her room. Once we're in she closes the door.
"Why the hell not?" I ask.
"Annabeth I know you love my family and they love you too. But we have to go. Once my mom gets here tomorrow morning she's not going to let us out of her sight"
I consider the sense in this. Bianca is right. Her mother is extremely protective. As soon as she saw us she would cart us all off on a plane to New York.
"So what are we going to do sneak off now that you're family's eating dinner" Percy asks.
"Of course not we're going leave in the middle of the night. So pack some clothes and toiletries and meet me in front of the staircase at 2am" Bianca orders. She really did fall into this leadership role quickly. I am not sure how I feel about that I was used to being in charge.
Before either of us has a chance to respond Bianca picks up a towel from the cupboard and heads into the bathroom.
Percy and I take it as our cue to leave and head back into our rooms. I can hear Bianca finishing the hot water from here.
I decide to take a shower myself. Who knows when I'll get the opportunity again? And at this rate if I do not hop in now the hot water will be finished. By the time I come out Anna is sitting on her bed flipping through a magazine.
"You scared me" I say smiling.
"You didn't hear me come in" Anna asks with a smile. "Anyway after Bianca's mom comes and chews you guys out for disappearing I was thinking that you and me could go out for an architectural tour"
"Really" I say beaming.
"Yeah really"
Great this makes me feel a lot worse about leaving.
"Thanks Anna" I say hoping she can't feel the guilt in my voice.
I fake a yawn, "I'm tired I have to go to bed" I close my eyes and wait for Anna to fall asleep. Once I hear her breath slow I get up and change out of my pyjamas.
Feeling guilty I pack a couple of Bianca's clothes into my backpack. I also take the toothpaste from the bathroom. Not being able to bear it any longer I write a note explaining everything. Well as much as I can to Anna without sounding crazy.
By the time I creep out of the room I find Bianca and Percy waiting for me at the stairs.
"What took you so long?" Percy asks impatiently.
I don't answer my despair keeps me quiet.
We creep down the stairs trying to make as little noise as possible. The last step is extremely squeaky tonight. It gives a loud groan. We look around panicked but nothing seems to happen. Percy and Bianca let out collective sighs of relief.
Bianca opens the fridge and starts to empty it of food. She then raids the pantry.
"Bianca!" Percy whisper shouts.
"What I'm leaving them my prize money they can just get more"
Realising that she takes a little more food she scribbles a few things on a sticky note and sticks it onto the fridge. I can see the hearts on her eyes even in the darkness.
"Ok we can go" she pulls a key from her pocket and unlocks the door. When we're safely outside she locks it behind her. She zips up her hoodie and hides the key under the mat.
"I called a cab an hour ago it should be waiting for us down the street"
I had to give it to the girl she was always prepared. Her planning and organisational skills rivalled mine.
"Why down the street?" Percy asks.
"So my family doesn't notice the headlights duh"
When we reach the cab Bianca sits in the front as usual.
"Aren't you kids a bit too young to be moving around at this time in the morning"
"We're running away" Bianca admits.
My mouth drops. I expect the cabbie to report us. But he just shrugs "not my business"
"Where to?" he asks.
That is a good question where are we going.
"37th street" she answers.
"The shop is black with a silver door" Bianca says before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
"Your friends weird" the cabbie says to us.
"We know" Percy nods.
"I'm sorry Annabeth" Percy says.
"About what?" I ask confused.
"I saw how you were around Bianca's family. I'm sorry we had to take that from you" he says sweetly. The way he is looking at me makes my stomach turn. His green eyes look through me. It was so hard to lie to him.
"Don't be ridiculous seaweed brain they weren't even MY family" I say defensively.
"That doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt" he says wisely. He is much smarter than I like to give him credit for.
I squeeze his hand. "Thanks for worrying about me but I'm fine"
'Ok but if you want to talk about it I am here. You can always come to me'' he gives me one of his heart melting smiles and my stomach flips. If only he knew his effect on me. Once again the psychic's words run through my head. As if reading my mind the vial burns in my backpack.
"I'm even thinking about moving back in with my dad. Giving him another second chance" I admit embarrassed.
"Annabeth that's amazing" he says cheerfully.
"Family first right" I say.
'Always' he says warmly.
'You know you're my family too right' he says fondly.
I sit back surprised a warm feeling spreads to my cheeks. Say something idiot. Tell him how you feel, this the perfect moment. When are we ever going to be alone like this again?
'But Bianca' is what I end up saying.
'She is amazing' he says. My face starts to fall of course what I expected.
'But she isn't you; I don't think I would have survived all these years without you'
I edge closer to him, 'Percy I-
The cab grinds against the street and the cabbie honks his horn. Bianca's head hits the window with a thud. This automatically wakes her up cutting me off. She hands the driver a $30.
I jump back. The moment is gone.
"Keep the change" Bianca says unaware.
The driver speeds off before she changes her mind.
"What no bargaining this time" I say with a smirk.
"There was no time for that this place is about to close"
I stare at the building its black paint was chipping off. The building was covered in neon spray paint. Some of the images and messages were very profane. I blush at the images they didn't really look like that right?
Bianca inspects the drawings herself but she is not as uncomfortable about it. She even looks impressed. This makes me feel like a prude.
Skivvy looking men walk around the neighbourhood spying Bianca and me. I give them a hearty growl. They quickly scatter scared serves them right. A deafening noise erupts in the far distance I swear it is a gunshot.
A look of fear flashes across Bianca's face she quickly brushes it off. If I hadn't been paying attention I probably would not have noticed.
"Bianca are you sure about this place it seems really dangerous?" Percy asks.
"It is really dangerous. But this is where all the answers are. Now come on." She walks inside.
A heavily tattooed woman with piercings everywhere is sitting behind the front desk. Her eyes brighten as we enter she was clearly very bored.
"Hello. Welcome to Detective Dave's Private Eye Agency. How may I help you?"
"Hi my name's Bianca and these are my friends and we would like to request the special package"
The lady's eyebrows knot in confusion, 'We don't offer a special package'
"Annabeth hand me some golden drachmas" Bianca orders.
"Bianca I don't have any" I lie.
Bianca gives me a look saying she sees through my bullshit.
Defeated I pull one from a secret pocket in my bag.
The lady at the front desk looks unimpressed.
"More please" she asks politely.
I give her two more. Bianca slides it over to the lady at the front desk.
A secret door opens, "He will see you now. His door is the one at the end of the hall."
We go through it. The backroom is not nicer than the reception. The colours are more vibrant and the place is more organized. There is a hallway with several dark doors. One opens and we see a monster crying with her two kids on the table.
She sees us and angrily slams the door.
"How did you find this place?" I ask very concerned about what we just saw.
"You can find anything on the internet" she says shrugging.
"And the golden drachmas' I follow
"Lucky guess" she shrugs.
"And if it hadn't worked" I counter
"But it did" she says nonchalantly.
"Can't argue with that" Percy agrees.
We arrive at the end of the hall walking into an office where a normal enough looking guy is sitting behind a ridiculously large desk. The only thing off about him is his appearance. He is dressed as though is from the 50's. A brown blazer hangs on the back of his chair. A bowler hat hung on his coat rack. He wore matching brown suspenders. He even had one of those old timey moustaches that you saw in the movies and he was smoking a pipe.
'Those are really bad for you' Bianca advises.
He smiles.
"Percy Jackson. Annabeth Chase. Bianca Northwest"
"How do you know our names?" I ask concerned.
"I do well to know my prospective clients" he responds.
"Great then you know what we're looking for?" Bianca says taking a seat. One thing to admire about Bianca was that she was comfortable everywhere it took a lot to intimidate her.
Percy and I follow suit. The chairs are hard and uncomfortable but I try not to show it.
"Hera could have sent anybody in the world to recover her stolen heirlooms and she picks you three" he says dismissively, "How old are you 13?"
I hate when people underestimate us.
"15." I correct, "I thought you did your research" I say rudely.
"If I didn't do my research would I know that you would the first heirloom her ring in a public library in New York and the second one in Aurelia's cloud kingdom in Texas"
"Can you believe she banned us" Percy exclaims.
"Yeah I've met her before she's really annoying" the Dave responds.
"The name's Dave" he introduces.
"Ok so you know we're looking for the third heirloom right" I ask.
Bianca pulls out the mini clouds from her pocket and then removes the cow from her necklace.
"I'm sorry it's been a long day you mind if I feed Polly" she says.
"Polly?" Percy asks raising an eyebrow.
Dave shrugs. Polly soon begins to run around Dave's table.
"Stay close" Bianca chides.
Bringing us back on topic Dave says, "If you want me to help you you're going to have to tell me everything"
"And how do we know it's going to stay here?" Percy asks cautiously.
"I can't promise that unless you become my clients. Then everything you tell me becomes confidential. I can't tell anyone"
"Not even the gods" Percy continues.
"Not even them" he promises.
We officially enlist as clients. He makes us sign paperwork which I want to read over. But Percy and Bianca tell me there's no time for that. We tell him everything about the prophecy and our quest. We even tell him about the traitor and what Aurelia said to us before she tossed us out of her kingdom.
He looks at us suspiciously. His gaze lingers on me. I gulp should I tell him about madam Palladay and Bianca's alleged curse.
Bianca blurts, 'At the Haunted House I had a vision'.
'It wasn't so much a vision but a dream sequence' she says.
'I think Hera is trying to kill me'
Dave nods taking in what she has just said, "I think so too. I mean I would not put it past her. Hera is sending you to places that were important to your parents"
"Correct me if I'm wrong but they had you in New York where you found the first treasure. They met in Texas where you found the second"
"Hmmm is there any other place that special to your parents" he asks, "because I can bet my bottom dollar that's where the last one is"
"Well I was conceived in Hawaii my parents spent months there before they found out she was pregnant" she says blushing.
"That's where the last heirloom is" he says confidently.
"Is she the traitor?" She asks.
"I'm not absolutely certain about that myself. But ask your friend she has her suspicions" he says looking at me.
"It's Hera. It must be Hera." I burst out.
"But she's the one who sent us out on this mission" Percy says.
"No. She sent me." Bianca says.
"Exactly" Dave says smiling his moustache kind of danced when he smiled. "She hoped you would come alone and die on this quest. But you brought your friends along and they helped you survive. So she had to raise the stakes."
"Come on use your brains children" he orders. It feels like we are in school and he is teaching us a lesson.
"Aurelia she didn't take Hera's cow. She gave it to her." I say.
Dave beams at me. I expect him to give me some marks.
'She never really did tell us how the cow arrived there' Bianca says.
"The bird monster was supposed to kill us. She did seem surprised when we didn't die. So she sent us into the cage hoping the cow would eat us" Percy says.
"But why would she do that? What does she even gain from my death?"
"Hera is a jealous goddess she's always trying to kill the products of her husband's affairs" I say.
Bianca still looks a little puzzled.
"I agree." Dave says, "Hera's crazy and all but even this is way out of her league"
"There must be something else. Something that you don't even know"
Bianca tells Dave about the necklace and how it's started malfunctioning ever since she met Percy.
"My guess is Hera's had a hand in that too"
"Are you saying you'd never encountered a monster in your whole 15 years of life?"
Bianca nods.
"At least not real ones they've all been hallucinations."
"Then that's very strange"
"And you've had the necklace since birth? And you've never taken it off"
Bianca nods. "Well it broke once like a month ago and I sent it to get fixed. But it was only gone for like a week"
"My guess is Hera did something to its magical properties. It's not protecting you anymore. Well at least not like it is supposed to"
"Huh" is all Bianca responds the realisation dawning on her. She sits there quietly for a while. Her face is blank.
"How are we supposed to get to Hawaii" Percy asks.
"What about your seahorse thingies" I ask
"I doubt that would work again. Plus Bianca's really seasick I don't really want to put her though that again." Percy says.
"I can get you a ride," Dave says, "but it's going to cost you extra"
"How much" Bianca says suddenly exiting her funk.
"I don't take money. In any currency" he says.
"Then what do you take?" she asks.
"Favours"
Bianca raises her eyebrows.
"When and where I need you all three of you will be there. That is the price. Are you willing to pay?"
Before we even have time to deliberate Bianca answers yes.
"I need you all to agree" he says.
"I don't know it sounds kind of fishy" I say.
'What kind of favour?' Percy asks, 'it is not like we are going to be your sex slaves or anything'
Dave looks disgusted, 'Don't be ridiculous you're children'
I put myself in Bianca's shoes and imagine how she is feeling and how terrible this must be for her. Having someone hate you for something you cannot control is awful.
"We agree" I say. He looks to Percy for confirmation.
Small tattoos immediately formed on their wrists. Tiny chains we are both literally and figuratively bonded to him.
"When your debt to me is paid they'll disappear"
"So the woman outside?" Percy questions
"Nancy. She's indebted to me for life"
I wonder what she done to possibly earn such a status.
"Let me call my friend Bill he's a tour manager if anyone can get you to Hawaii in a few days it's him"
"He'll meet you upfront in an hour"
"Any of you got any musical talent?" Dave asks.
We all shake our heads. We can hear Bill sigh through the phone.
"Okay. Okay" Dave responds and hangs up.
"You three will be his roadies for two days. He's got two different gigs in San Antonio and Houston before he's going to Hawaii"
"Great now that that's been sorted out could we have some refreshments please" Bianca asks.
Dave claps and Nancy automatically walks into the door.
"Get these kids some sandwiches please"
"Of course any drinks?"
Percy and I shake our heads.
"Could I have a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows please" Bianca asks politely.
Nancy nods and quickly exits.
"So now can we address the elephant in the room? Who are you Dave and why do you know so much?" Bianca asks.
"Bianca!" I chastise.
"Well to answer your question I am human. I'm just immortal. I've been alive since 1945. And I became this way by stealing an apple from the sacred tree that keeps the gods immortal"
"And how did you do that?" Percy asks.
"That my friend is none of your concern"
"Do you regret being immortal?" I ask.
A pained expression flashes across Dave's face but he doesn't answer.
Just then Nancy walks in with the sandwiches and Bianca's hot chocolate. As usual Bianca immediately digs in her previous curiosity about Dave's situation vanishes.
"And Nancy?" I ask
"Also none of your business"
"And why the gods haven't killed you or punished you yet"
"Well as for killing me they can't even the gods can't reverse the effects of the tree. And as for the punishment this is my punishment' he says pointing around his office.
'I am forever stuck in the time period I was raised in. I can't change out of these clothes or use any modern technology. The gods use me for their dirty work. And that's all I'll say on that"
The look on his face says it's final. So we chew on our sandwiches in silence. An obnoxious beeping noise seems to fill the air outside.
"Bill's here you better hurry up he's not a patient man"
Reluctantly we hop off our seats and head outside.
I didn't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. I am greeted by a giant tour bus; it is practically a house on wheels, a blindingly bright blue and yellow house that is sprinkled with glitter. On the front of the bus is a picture of a pretty red head and two although attractive generic blonde female backup singers. Ruby and pose the bus seemed to scream.
I have unsurprisingly had never heard of these people. The only music I listened to was classical with a splash of k pop. Which was new Thalia had gotten me into it. I look to Bianca for clarification but she has no clue either. If she didn't know then they clearly were not popular Bianca was obsessed with pop culture.
"Are you going to hope in or not?" A voice rudely calls from inside the van. Braving it I enter first Percy and Bianca follow.
'Thank you for everything, Dave'' Bianca calls
He tips off his hat to her smiling.
When we enter we are greeted by the mixed smells of seafood, sweat and body glitter. I didn't even know that body glitter could have a smell. But it did and I found it repugnant.
The mean voice speaks again, "I'm Bill and these are my artists. I've only got three rules in this joint. 1) Respect me and my artists they always come first. 2) No hanky panky on my bus you hear me I'm looking at you pretty boy." He points to Percy, "and 3) no eating Mexican food after midnight Eva learned that the hard way.
He pulls back the curtain dramatically, "Now come meet the crew"
This is going to be a long ride I think to myself before stepping behind the curtain.