After everyone had settled Frank picked up the book to read.

GROVER UNEXPECTEDLY LOSES HIS PANTS

"Why?" Hermes looked at Grover smirking. Grover just put his face in his hands but everyone could see his ears. They were red.

Confession time: I ditched Grover as soon as we got to the bus terminal.

"See I told you." Leo said.

"Yeah yeah."

I know, I know. It was...does it always have to he sixth grade?"

"All good points." Apollo

Whenever he got upset,... caught the first taxi uptown.

Everyone snickered.

"East One-hundred-and-fourth and First," I told the driver.

"He doesn't live there anymore." Annabeth said when she saw Strolls looks. They pouted.

A word about my mother, before you meet her.

Everyone had heard about sally from other now they were going to listen from her son.

Her name is Sally Jackson ...died in a plane crash when she was five(everyone looked at Zeus who defended himself for his actions saying not everyone plane crash is his fault), and she was raised by...money, no family, and no diploma.

"I'll help her with that." Every turned to look at Athena. "What. She wants to she deserves too at least after what he(pointing at Poseidon) put her through." Poseidon looked offended but didn't say anything about it.

The only good break she ever got was meeting my dad.

Poseidon smiled softly.

I don't have any memories of...told me. Not dead. Lost at sea.

"She is one clever woman. How did she liked you?" Hermes asked confused. "It's not a lie. But a lie. Definitely clever. I agree with Hermes." Athena nodded. Athena also made up her mind to help her with the diploma.

She worked odd jobs, took...I knew I wasn't an easy kid.

"Yeah. Non of us are. But at least she is understanding." Some of the demigods whispered.

Finally, she married Gabe Ugliano,...wrapped in gym shorts.

"Why does he know that?" Annabeth wrinkled her nose.

Between the two of us, we... well, when I came home is a good example.

Everyone shifted no one really had a good relationship with their step parents.

I walked into our little... were strewn all over the carpet.

"That's horrible." Everyone how had been to Sally's house said.

Hardly looking up, he said around his cigar, "So, you're home."

"Where's my mom?"

"Working," he said. "You got any cash?"

Everyone's mouth dropped open.

"That's it?" Thalia.

"Why would a twelve year old lid would have cash?" Chris.

"Is that why he looks for job..?" Hera.

"That's-" Annabeth didn't even know what to say next.

No one knew about this. All the demigods were too shocked to do anything. Frank started reading again.

That was it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been the last six months?

"He hadn't even been at home for 6 months and he asked about cash. When he returned from school. Alone."Apollo's was getting furious at this mortal. And was thinking about how his kids were treated at home. A determined look passed on his face. Poseidon, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hera and Hades were beyond furious.

Gabe had put on ... that made him handsome or something.

Everyone recoiled at the discerption.

He managed the Electronics...beer, of course. Always beer.

Frank paused taken back about Percy's childhood. And thought about the repulsive man. Everyone was disgusted is to say the least. He went back to reading again.

Whenever I was home, he expected me to provide his gambling funds. He called that our "guy secret." Meaning, if I told my mom, he would punch my lights out.

Frank reread the line at least few dozen time till it sunken in.

"What does that mean?" Apollo, Hermes and Poseidon asked. All the Gods were confused by that and looked at demigods who looked ranged from shocked, disbelief, horror and mostly anger.

"That's little piece of-" Thalia and sparks flying around her and so did Jason. Apollo looked at Will and asked again. Will answered through his clenched jaw. "It. Meant. Hitting. A. Person. Till. They. Pass out."

Leo's hands were on fire at this point. He had met Percy's mother when he was missing she treated him like his mother did. Beckendorf jumped when he saw fire but relaxed a little he was also angry Percy had brought his mom's home made cookies for everyone one time and they talked through IM. Percy and Sally are the most kindest and sweetest person he had ever met. Leo had started muttering about how he his going to feed him to fetus, and than boil him in oil slowly.

Apollo really wanted to blast something. And reap him into pieces for hurting a child. Poseidon was muttering how he wanted to kill him in different ways. Hades was shocked at how many ways his brother was coming up with he took out his note pad and wrote everything down. And he put him on his number one list for fields of punishment he grinned happily about it. Apollo couldn't contain his energy anymore he jumped and started phasing around the room. The Gods were worried what he will do as he is god of the protection of Young. He is cursing under in breath in ancient greek and mumbling about skinning that mortal alive. Only the gods heard him. Every single person was muttering about they will make that monster pay.

"He is dead." Grover's voice cut through everyone's muttering. Every head turned towards him. "He will be by the end of this book."

Frank looked at the book not wanting to read next but did.

"I don't have any cash," I told... covered up everything else.

Hermes and Dionysus were thinking of how to curse this mortal without anyone's notice.

"You took a taxi from the bus station," he said. "Probably...ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"

Everyone gritted their teeth.

Eddie, the super of the apartment building, looked at me with a twinge of sympathy. "Come on, Gabe," he said. "The kid just got here."

"Finally someone with brains" Hermes mumbled.

"Am I right?" Gabe repeated.

Eddie scowled into his bowl of pretzels. The other two guys passed gas in harmony.

"So much for standing up." Athena grounded her teeth. No matter how much she didn't like Poseidon or his spawns no child deserves that.

"Fine," I said. I dug a wad of dollars out of my pocket and threw the money on the table. "I hope you lose."

"Oh he would." Hermes eyes darkened.

"Your report card came, brain boy!" he shouted after...his nasty cologne and cigars and stale beer.

Everyone felt like they were invading privacy here.

I dropped my suitcase on the bed. Home sweet home.

"Ah!! The sarcasm. Got to love it." Chris said sarcastically.

Gabe's smell was almost worse than the nightmares about Mrs. Dodds, or the sound of that old fruit lady's shears snipping the yarn.

"Now that's saying the truth," Apollo spoke. He had spend enough energy while phasing the room. And he was already tired because of using so much of his power when he healed the kids. He came back to the sofaand sat there still angry and grumbling under in breath.

But as soon as I thought...mom's voice. "Percy?" She opened the bedroom door, and my fears melted.

Everyone sighed. (Again those who knew Sally)

"Mama's boy" Ares said. "And you got a problem with that." Nico, Thalia, Annabeth and Leo said at the same time. Ares looked at them and gave them his best death stare. Non of them even flinch. But he saw their looks darkening, they are the people who had lost and lived to tell the tale. Before a fight could break Hera and Zeus intervened. "Back to the reading." Frank started reading as quickly as possible.

My mother can make me feel good...word to anyone, not even me or Gabe.

All the demigods were jealous but they wouldn't say anything to Percy. They all sighed thinking if their mortal parent were at least half as same as Sally wouldn't that be a dream. Poseidon was dreaming about such a lovely person and how lucky he had been to meet her and how lucky Percy is to have her as his safe space. He wonder if they ever talked in future.

"Oh, Percy." She hugged me tight. "I can't believe it. You've grown since Christmas!"

"This is like every time. They would see us and say that. It's annoying." Travis said Connor nodded.

Her red-white-and-blue Sweet on..."free samples," the way she always did when I came home.

Now all the Hermes kids and Hermes eyes lit up. "Uncle you really went for the best didn't you." Hermes said. "Hands off." Poseidonsaid narrowing his eyes at Hermes. Hermes raised his hands in defence and nodded.

We sat together on the edge of the...Was her little boy doing all right?

All the demigods wished their parents too were so understanding.

"She's a fine woman. Better than you deserve." Hera said while looking at Poseidon. All the demigods were surprised at her genuine compliment so were the gods.

I told her she was smothering me, and to lay off and all that, but secretly, I was really, really glad to see her.

"Hey Nico does that too. Miss Jackson smother him and he acts like he hates but still visits her." Thalia pointed at. Nico grumbled about how she too is the same. And than the argument broke.

Which ended with Leo."I like when she smothers me. Reminds of my mom. And we all love Miss Jackson why fight it and let her." Leo said not lookingup from his work. They all silently agreed and sat back.

From the other room, Gabe yelled, "Hey, Sally—how about some bean dip, huh?"

I gritted my teeth.

Everyone gritted their teeth.

My mom is the nicest lady in the world. She should've been married to a millionaire, not to some jerk like Gabe.

"Or a God." Hades said looking at Poseidon. Who blushed a bit before controlling himself.

For her sake, I tried to sound...Bobofit suddenly didn't seem so bad.

Everyone and smiles on their face and Apollo too had calm down where he was planning a murder and appreciatedPercy's action.

Until that trip to the museum ...

They all grimaced.

"What?" my mom asked. Her eyes tugged at my conscience, trying to pull out the secrets. "Did something scare you?"

"No, Mom."

"No, no tell her idiot." Thalia said.

"You shouldn't lie to your mother." Hera said.

Apollo wanted to point out that she herself lies but decided against it. He didn't want to go there.

I felt bad lying. I wanted to tell her about Mrs. Dodds and the three old ladies with the yarn, but I thought it would sound stupid.

"She wouldn't." Artemis said. "She is an understandinglady. He should have told her the truth." Than Artemis mummered something about boy emotions...

"He thinking that he is going insane because no one believed him. I don't really blame him not telling his mother about that when she is the only person who believes him, and he doesn't really know what happened because of the mist still trying to change his memory."Hermes said.

She pursed her lips. She knew I was holding back, but she didn't push me.

Apollo nodded. Right thing to do with a private person.

"I have a surprise for you," she said. "We're going to the beach." My eyes widened. "Montauk?"

"It's beautiful there." Grover said.

"I've never been there." Annabeth said.

"Well, when sky and ocean are not at war. At least." Grover finish's .

"Three nights—same cabin."

"When?" She smiled. "As soon as I get changed." I couldn't believe it. My mom and I hadn't been to Montauk the last two summers, because Gabe said there wasn't enough money.

Everyone was gritting their teeth again.

Gabe appeared in the doorway and growled, "Bean dip, Sally? Didn't you hear me?"

Apollo's and Poseidon's hands were twitching to punch the said monster.

I wanted to punch him,

"Do it." Everyone shouted.

but I met my mom's eyes and I...would get out of here.

"That's for the best." A few nodded.

"I was on my way, honey," she told Gabe. "We were just talking about the trip." Gabe's eyes got small. "The trip? You mean you were serious about that?"

"If he didn't let them go I'm gonna feed him to sharks." Poseidon said with clutched jaws.

Apollo nodded with him seriously.

"I knew it," I muttered. "He won't let us go."

"Of course he will," my mom said evenly. "Your stepfather is just...:... this money for your trip ... it comes out of your clothes budget, right?"

"Not from the clothing budget." Aphrodite shoutedand gritted her teeth.

"Yes, honey," my mother said.

Aphrodite scrawled.

"And you won't take my car anywhere but there and back."

"He cares more about the car than his wife and kid." Artemis said wanting to hunt this monster sometimes.

"We'll be very careful." Gabe scratched his double chin. "Maybe if you hurry with that seven-layer dip ... And maybe if the kid apologizes for interrupting my poker game."

Poseidon growled.

Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot, I thought. And make you sing soprano for a week.

Everyone chuckled at the image. Hades raised his eyebrow and noted that on the pad too. He can make that happen.

But my mom's eyes warned me not to make him mad. Why did she put up with this guy? I wanted to scream. Why did she care what he thought?

"Oh, she really is a clever woman. I just understood why she would have married this creature." Athena said suddenly.

Everyone turned to her. "Well if she knew who Poseidon is. He might have warned her about the monster their kid will attract and because of the rules he couldn't have helped him." Athena said.

Apollo nodded and continued her"so she married him to keep the monsters away. As Percy described before that he smells really bad. That would cover Percy from the monster."

"But that is a monster too. And inside the house." Artemis said. "Better being alive than being monster food." Athena shrugged.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I'm really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important poker game. Please go back to it right now."

Few snickered. Others were worried if it got worse.

Gabe's eyes narrowed. His tiny brain was probably trying to detect sarcasm in my statement.

"That thing has a brain..??" Apollo questioned.

"Yeah, whatever," he decided.

Few let out the breath that they didn't realised they were holding other were laughing softly.

He went back to his game. "Thank you, Percy," my mom said. "Once we get to Montauk, we'll talk more about... whatever you've forgotten to tell me, okay?"

Few of the demigods and all the goddesses along with Apollo and Poseidon nodded.

For a moment, I thought I saw anxiety in her eyes—the same fear I'd seen in Grover during the bus ride—as if my mom too felt an odd chill in the air.

"That's not possible." Hera said. Demigods wanted to snap at her but kept their mouth shut.

But then her smile returned, and I figured I must have been mistaken. She ruffled my hair and went to make Gabe his seven-layer dip. An hour later we were ready to leave.

"Yes" everyone exclaimed happily.

Gabe took a break from his...'78 Camaro—for the whole weekend.

"He is letting a kid load luggage."

"Of course food and the car are more important."

They all rolled they eyes while glaring at the book. Frank really wanted to hide from the glares. Even though they weren't directed towards him they were still around his direction.

"Not a scratch on this car, brain boy," he warned me as I loaded the last bag. "Not one little scratch."

"Like he's the one driving. He is twelve." Thalia.

Like I'd be the one driving. I was twelve.

Everyone snickered. She grinned sheepishly.

But that didn't matter to Gabe. If a seagull so much as pooped on his paint job, he'd find a way to blame me.

"How's that a kid's fault."

Watching him lumber back toward the apartment building, I got so mad

"Cover" strolls shouted. And jumped behind the sofa they were sitting. Everyone smiled and rolled their eyes. When they saw that they relaxed they smiled and sat back with their father.

I did something I can't explain. As Gabe reached the doorway, I made the hand gesture I'd seen Grover make on the bus(grover raised his eyebrows),a sort of warding-off-evil gesture, a clawed hand over my heart, then a shoving movement toward Gabe. The screen door slammed shut so hard it whacked him in the butt and sent him flying up the staircase as if he'd been shot from a cannon.

Everyone's jaws droppedto the floor. Grover was one most shocked. Even Hermes was shocked.

"Read that again." Artemis ordered. And Frank did.

"Oh my god." Annabeth said.

"Oh my goodness." Apollo.

"Holy Hera." Hermes. Hera made a face.

"Who did he do that?" Artemis.

"How powerful is he really?" Athena.

"How evil is that thing?" Demeter asked.

Grover nodded when he was over his shock. "I understand now." He said softly. Annabeth looked at him confused. "Pan wasn't just waiting for me, but all of us. You, Percy, Rachel and Tyson. We are all connected to nature one way or another. On our every quest leading to Pan. We saved wild life one way or another. When Percy saved Ophiotaurus. He saved him from gods too. May be that's why we got the blessing of the wild." Grover whispered to Annabeth. Annabeth blinked and slowly nodded. "May be." She said thoughtfully. Even Thalia was nodding as she too heard what Grover said. "We believe in each other. Our trust to believe that we can achieve something lead us to Pan." Thalia said to both of them. They looked at each other and had just one thought. Family.

Poseidon too was surprised that his son could do that. All the gods knew that this one demigod is going to powerful.

Maybe it was just the wind, or some freak accident with the hinges, but I didn't stay long enough to find out.

"It wouldn't have been. And yes good idea." Apollo said.

I got in the Camaro and told my mom to step on it.

"Yes. Now that's how you drive." Ares.

"No. That's how mortals die. They aren't immortals." Athena rolled her eyes.

Our rental cabin was on the south... most of the time the sea was too cold to swim in.

Poseidon smiled.

I loved the place.

"Of course he does." Annabeth snorted. Other rolled their eyes of he would

We'd been going there since I...where she'd met my dad.

Poseidon looked more interested in what happens next.

As we got closer to Montauk, she...turned the color of the sea.

Gods raised theireyebrows. "May be she had some distant relation with Naiads, because mortals eyes don't change colour." Apollo said.

Poseidon nodded. May be that is what drew him to her.

We got there at...samples my mom had brought from work.

"What is with the blue food?" Apollo and Hermes groaned.

I guess I should explain the blue food.

Their kids snickered at they fathers. Both Hermes and Apollo shrugged.

See, Gabe had once told my mom... Gabe. She did have a rebellious streak, like me.

"He doesn't have a rebellious streak." Thalia said.

"Hmm." Annabeth said.

When it got dark, we made...enough money to quit the candy shop.

All the kids smiled know that she reached her dream.

Eventually, I got up the nerve to ask... got tired of hearing them.

"She loves you." Aphrodite squealed.

"She did." Grover said.

Poseidon smiled sadly. May be he too did. But no one can replace his wife.

"He was kind, Percy," she said. "Tall, handsome, and powerful. But gentle, too. You have his black hair, you know, and his green eyes."

"Sounds exactly like you brother." Hestia spoke. Poseidon smiled.

Mom fished a blue jelly bean out of her candy bag. "I wish he could see you, Percy. He would be so proud."

Poseidon thought he already is.

I wondered how she could say that. What was so great about me? A dyslexic, hyperactive boy with a D report card, kicked out of school for the sixth time in six years.

"Wow that's even beats me." Almost every Greek demigod said who doesn't stay year long.

"How old was I?" I asked. "I mean ... when he left?"

All the gods sighed sadly.

She watched the flames. "He was only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin."

All demigods looked sad.

"But... he knew me as a baby."

"He couldn't." Aphrodite said softly.

"No, honey. He knew I was expecting a baby, but he never saw you. He had to leave before you were born."

All the mood went down like a landslide. Even the gods didn't look happy about it. Well most of the Gods.

I tried to square that with the fact that I seemed to remember ... something about my father. A warm glow. A smile.

"You visited him." Zeus asked.

"Of course I did." Poseidon said looking offended by the accusation. He always had. Even if Zeus got angry. For him family is the most important thing than anything else. Apollo looked at his Uncle realised that he too would visit his kids one way or another. Other Gods were thinking along the line of how could they break the rules.

I had always assumed he knew me as a baby. My mom had never said it outright, but still, I'd felt it must be true. Now, to be told that he'd never even seen me ...

"That would be frustrating." Chris mumbled. Hermes looked at his kid, but he was avoiding eye contact. He will ask afterwards.

I felt angry at my... we were stuck with Smelly Gabe.

Gods winced. In a way it was their fault.

"Are you going to send me away... "I think ... I think we'll have to do something."

Grover bit his lips knowing it wouldn't be pleasant.

"Because you don't want me around?" I regretted the words as soon as they were out.

Everyone winced. Even if they knew that it is the only option. But they all have felt that way. All the demigods were squeezing each other reminding that they aren't alone.

Apollo was shocked. Is that how his kids felt too? Because him. Like we ignore them. He didn't wanted them to feel like that, but they all pass away young. It would hurt to get close with them.

My mom's eyes welled with...said—that it was best for me to leave Yancy.

Demigods flinched again.

"Because I'm not normal," I said. "You...away. I thought you'd finally be safe."

"We have learned in schools that not normal isn't good. We are tried poorly just because we are different.So of course he would think that. And Chiron didn't really helped the case." Piper said.

"Safe from what?" She met my...had one eye, right in the middle of his head.

"Probably Poseidon had send him to check on him." Demeter said.

Before that—a really early...meaty toddler hands.

"What?" All the demigods shouted. Than remembered who they were talking about and nodded. "Just like Hercules." Zeus said proudly. All the seven, Nico, Thalia, Grover, Artemis and Hera scowled. Poseidon just rolled his eyes. Will winced and Apollo noticed. "What is it?" Apollo asked. "Percy doesn't like being compared to Hercules at all." Will whispered in hushed voice. "More like hates him." Nico offered. Apollo looked surprised everyone liked being compared to his half brother. Well apparently not when he saw so many disgusted expression on demigods. He knew why Hera hated Hercules and that hunters did too but he didn't know why. He just nodded to his son. Apollo wasn't a huge fan of Hercules himself so he didn't mind at all. Poseidon too heard Will's reply. He was shocked. Everyone liked stupid Hercules finally someone with sense. Zeus didn't notice this at all. Artemis looked at the kids and was shocked to see them gritting their teeth, all of the friends of his future lieutenant were trying not to shout. She expected them to take that as a compliment. Hmm interesting.

In every single school, something creepy had happened, something unsafe, and I was forced to move.

"See it is never our fault." Demigods pointed.

I knew I should tell my mom...Montauk, and I didn't want that.

Artemis sighed. Of course he didn't.

"I've tried to keep you as close to me as ...important, why hadn't she ever mentioned it before?

"Yeah if you put it like that it is quite strange since he didn't know anything." Reyna nodded.

"I'm sorry, Percy," she said, seeing the... any more questions she would start to cry.

Leo bit his lip. His mother too did the same when he had accidentally lost control over fire.

That night I had a vivid dream.

All the demigods groaned.

It was storming on the beach, and two beautiful animals...goading the animals to fight harder.

They all looked at the three brothers who looked back innocently.

I ran toward them, knowing I had to...screamed, No! I woke with a start.

"Hate that." Annabeth said.

Outside, it really was storming, the kind of storm that...eyes wide, and said, "Hurricane."

"Seriously you both can't just stop fighting can you?" Hestia snapped.

I knew that was crazy. Long Island...made my hair stand on end.

Hestia glared at them. They slumped their shoulders to look as small as possible.

Then a much closer noise, like mallets in the sand. A desperate voice—someone yelling, pounding on our cabin door.

No one made a single sound.

My mother sprang out of bed in... he wasn't exactly Grover.

Everyone sighed. And looked at Grover. "What were you." Travis smirked

"Yeah" Connor joined his brother.

"Searching all night," he gasped. "What...school? What didn't you tell me?"

"Just few things." All the seven said happily.

I was frozen, looking at Grover. I couldn't understand what I was seeing. "O Zeu kai alloi theoi!" he yelled. "It's right behind me! Didn't you tell her?"

"What was behind you?" Poseidon asked.

Grover looked at him and said"You'll see."

Poseidon groaned he wanted to know fast.

I was too shocked to register...his legs should be ... where his legs should be ...

"Were not there." Travis

"Made of gas." Connor

My mom looked at me sternly...and said, "Get to the car. Both of you. Go!"

"That's a quick reaction." Athena nodded in approval.

Grover ran for the Camaro—...there were no feet. There were cloven hooves.

"Yeah that would be weird." Piper nodded.

"Chapter done." Frank.

"Give here I read next." Ares.

"You know how to read?" Apollo, Athena and Hera asked. Hermes was laughing at that. Ares grumbled and started the next chapter.