CHAPTER THREE: Us And The Monsters

"And take out the rubbish on your way out, will you?"

Piper turned around, duffle-bag in hand. She rolled her eyes at her soon-to-be ex-roommate. The last thing she expected when sneaking into her dorm was to be caught. And the other last thing was to have her dorm-mate not care at all. She was practically inviting her to go.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

The ex-roommate shrugged. She didn't look up from her video-game. "Yeah."

"Jeez, fine." Piper reached out to pick up the rubbish, but Riley grabbed it for her, showing a friendly smile as he did. He tossed it to Alex, who elbowed him. Mags elbowed both of them.

Well, she'd have the whole dorm to herself, Piper thought, barely hiding her scowl. Of course she'd be eager for Piper to go. And with all the late-nights spent in their tiny ensuite bathroom doing her Iris Messages, and Piper had practically turned nocturnal over the past year, on her laptop working or just watching Youtube videos until three in the morning, and the passive-aggressive comments about how messy the room was – she had to admit she was actually a terrible roommate.

Yeah. Yeah, she couldn't blame her for wanting Piper to leave.

"And McLean –"

"Yes?"

There was a pause. The two ex-roommates stared at each other for a good five seconds. The girl seemed to be thinking about what to say, whether she should say anything. And then:

"Feel free to take the cake with you." She pointed at the cake in the kitchenette. "Never really liked chocolate."

Riley beamed. He moved to pick up the cake, but Piper ushered him out with her foot, picking up the cake herself with her one free hand. And before they could meet any of her classmates and ask to stick around again, she continued to usher them out until they were completely off-campus.

The team. Piper ended up calling them the 'team' after realising that was better than saying 'Alex May, Riley, and Mags' in her head all the time.

"So your roommate's Australian?" Riley asked, mouth full of chocolate cake.

Piper shrugged. "Probably."

"I think she's Australian."

"What gave it away, Riles?" Mags asked, faking innocence. "The accent? The suntan? The fact that she called her flip-flops 'thongs'?"

"That's what she meant? When she said to find her 'thongs' for her, I legit almost screamed –"

"It's true, I heard him," Alex laughed. "There was a tiny little scream in his throat, a little squeak thing, just like right here –" She poked Riley's neck and he swatted her hand away.

The team was inseparable. Piper didn't know if she was supposed to feel annoyed, jealous, or just nostalgic. But, as a breath of fresh air, they were completely carefree as they walked around town picking up last-minute things and laughing and talking as they went.

Mags bought an iced coffee at a Starbucks. No concerns about whether there were any monsters there. She just walked in.

Riley scooped out bits of cake with the plastic fork her ex-roommate provided, feeding Mags and Alex as they walked. They walked so slowly, they were practically walking targets. He and Alex argued over whether they should spend grocery money on buying baking supplies when they didn't even know where they were going, and how long they were staying at the apartment before they left. They hadn't decided yet what their next course of action was, and it didn't seem like they were too worried about it.

The trio had a mix of constant vigilance and 'you only live once' energy that struck Piper as reckless but also really nice at the same time. A glimpse at the kind of life she and her friends could have, away from the craziness of the gods and the camps.

Nothing but us and the monsters, Piper thought. She watched the three of them walking ahead of her, sharing Mags' iced coffee. A couple of times Alex May looked back at her, with her lopsided smile. When it was Alex's turn to have the iced coffee, she held it out to Piper. And Piper, deciding that it wouldn't be so bad, jogged ahead to take a short sip.

For two days, Piper lived with them in their apartment, all of them waiting for her to decide what to do next - if there was something to do.

"Why can't we just stay here?" asked Mags.

"Because she said it was getting dangerous," answered Riley. "Those monsters - the storm spirits - now that they know there's a group of us, they'll probably start to look for us."

"Exactly. And, anyway, there's not much else to do here. I've been looking for an excuse to drop out of school," Alex said. Piper guessed she was only half joking. Mags was frowning, her arms crossed over her chest. "And now that the musical's done, there really is nothing left to do. Besides. Don't we owe it to ourselves to see those other places? To actually go to Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood? And that train station Piper mentioned? We could offer our help, what we know of the outside world and stuff." She turned to look at Piper, who was lounging along the couch, and smiled at her. Piper couldn't help but smile back.

Alex's excitement was infectious.

The more time they spent together (she was actually starting to call it together, not just 'we're in the same physical space'), the more Piper was seeing the less meek side of Alex again. The Alex May that ate food as much as possible, and got in trouble once for leaving chocolate in the pockets of her costume. The Alex May that also got in trouble for napping too much during rehearsals (they couldn't wake up her until someone blew a trumpet in her ear, and Piper had that glorious job one fine afternoon).

Two days turned into four, and most of what she saw of Alex outside of mealtimes and outings was after her naps, with her hair sticking out in different angles and her tall figure hunched over, long arms stretching up as she yawned. The amount of times Piper saw Alex's hand hit the old chandelier in the lounge was already making her laugh.

"Giraffe," she'd called out once.

Alex yawned, heading to the kitchen. "Sloth."

"What are you, six foot blind?" When there was no response, Piper tried again. "Brontosaurus."

After three seconds, Alex responded: "Velociraptor."

"Gosh, I'm surprised you know a word that long."

There was a clatter of a bowl in the sink. "You know what–"

Piper was almost beginning to actually enjoy Alex May's company.

Almost. The word kept popping up in her head as she thought of the new 'team'. They were almost normal, she was almost honest, they were almost safe. She still had Katoptris under her pillow. But she stopped looking for the future when she couldn't sleep, especially since she couldn't forget the last future she'd seen.

The Waystation. Rachel Elizabeth Dare. The river. Alex May. The darkness. The man.

The morning after she dreamed that, she decided they would avoid going to the Waystation at all costs. She wouldn't risk the safety of the sanctuary like that. Which left the two Camps. Who would understand more? Reyna or Annabeth?

Which would the team prefer, anyway?

"Camp Half-blood," said Riley and Alex in unison. Day five in the apartment, and Piper was getting used to asking random questions at random times. The trio always seemed up for them. Last time it was Mags randomly shouting 'what's for dinner?' into the silence, and all three of them shouted something different, from their corners of the apartment (Piper: leftovers, Riley: burritos, Alex: pizza).

Mags sighed. "We're not even going to think about this? Camp Jupiter is the closest to us and we already have a connection with Scott - you could go visit him in San Francisco!" she gestured at Riley. Riley shook his head.

Which left just the river and Alex May. And Rachel Elizabeth Dare. There was no way of knowing what would trigger the Oracle to react in that way. Was it because of Alex or Piper, or something else entirely? Something the dagger didn't show her…?

And then the man. Piper's head was about to explode. It was better when she had her team with her. Annabeth would know a hundred myths off the bat, if she described him to her. Leo would be able to figure out something to save the Waystation. Percy would discuss with Rachel – Rachel would actually be there. Suddenly, she regretted telling everyone she could no longer make those monthly Argo II reunions. Aside from IM'ing Annabeth and Leo, she hadn't seen the rest in a little over a year. And she hadn't stepped foot on the Argo II in more than that, remembering its scattered remains after Gaea. She missed that old thing.

And she regretted leaving camp like she did.

"I have to go," Piper said, already halfway out the door.

Alex May sat up on the couch. "What, why? Where?"

"Just someplace."

"Oh." Alex struggled with what to say. Piper stayed, just to hear what she'd come up with. Alex was standing in the middle of the apartment, hands on her hips, looking from the ground to Piper.

"Piper -"

"Alex, you know you can't make me stay."

"No, but I think it'd be a good idea for us to know where everyone is. In case something happens."

"We're all trained. What could happen?" Piper arched an eyebrow.

"Actually, I'm – I'm not that trained."

"You'll be okay. I'll be okay. I'll be back soon."

"But what if -"

The door slammed shut. Piper waited in the hallway to see if someone was going to follow her but instead she heard them talking.

"Where -? Where is she going? Where is she going, Mags?"

So only when she's not in the room does Alex grow a backbone. Piper pursed her lips.

"I don't know."

"Why does she have to be so secretive like that?" asked Alex.

"Alex, dude, just let her do whatever she wants," said Riley, "she's the most competent person out of all of us —"

"Excuse me?" Mags intervened.

"...like I said, the most competent person out of all of us, and if anyone has a right to going out mysteriously and not telling anyone where she's going or when she's coming back, then it's her. Just gotta have a little faith."

Piper didn't care. By the time they went to look for her, she would already be on a plane, halfway to New York.

She didn't like to do this but she had no choice. Piper closed her eyes.

Mother, please let me fly on this plane safely. Don't let Zeus zap me out of the sky. Or Aeolus, he might be mad. Please just let me survive one thing. One freakin' thing.

Piper opened her eyes. There was no whiff of Chanel No. 5 in the area, no floaty music, or the air suddenly feeling lighter. No one swooning anywhere.

Screw this.

Aphrodite usually made her entrances grand like that, but today she was met with nothing but a crying baby and the drone of airport announcements. Now boarding, for Gate 3, now boarding for Gate 3. Can a Mr Chang and a Miss Willis come over to Gate 4 for boarding, as Air Philippines is about to depart. The baby cried louder.

If monsters attacked her now, she would welcome it.

She leaned back in the stiff seat, her duffle bag on the seat next to her. Her eyelids felt heavy with exhaustion, but she fought it for a good five minutes. This was not the place to sleep, this was not the place to let her guard down...but her eyes felt so heavy, and the sun was actually nice shining through the window, like a blanket, keeping her warm…

"PIPER."

Doors burst open and Piper jolted out of her sleep. She blinked to get rid of the spots in her eyes and she saw Alex May marching towards her, furious, with Riley and Mags not far behind. They'd burst through maintenance doors, straight into the terminal.

"Oh, my God, I am so sorry —" Riley was explaining to concerned people, "— it's her first day working."

"All of us! First day, wow, this orientation's been crazy -" Mags piped in.

"— I heard last year's people had to go through a murder-mystery sort of thing just to pass —"

"But the buffet's gonna be great, if we all," Mags rushed forward, gritting her teeth, grabbing Alex's arm, "calm down and follow the rules —"

"Piper," Alex said again, quieter this time and visibly flustered at being so loud the first time. She stopped in front of Piper, setting her gaze straight on her. Surprisingly, even when Piper glared back, she didn't back down. But she did lower her voice and sit on the free seat next to her. "Listen, man, you can't just leave. You have no idea what's happening and – and we need you. And you need us."

Piper looked around. Only a few of the passengers were still looking at them, curious at the altercation, but everyone else had gone back to what they were doing before. Phones and iPads. She gave Mags and Riley a look but they just shrugged, pointing at Alex May.

"It's nothing personal," Piper started explaining, keeping her voice low. "I just realised what the best thing we can do is and —"

"—you didn't think to fill us in?" Alex frowned.

"And the best thing is for me to just leave. Haven't you figured it out yet? I'm the only demigod. You're all mortals. Monsters aren't gonna go for you, because there isn't much ichor left in your blood. If they go after you, it's because of me. You didn't need a game plan, guys, you were fine the way you were." She paused, so it would sink in. Alex's brow was creased. It didn't look like they were agreeing with what she said but she refused to use charmspeak until it was the absolute last resort. And anyway. She'd already promised she wouldn't. She looked away from Alex, her guilt seemed worse when she looked at her.

Piper kept going. "And if anyone comes after you, you can take care of them, right? And – and if it gets worse, I'll talk to my friends, we could probably send a satyr to help you, or you could just head to Camp Jupiter by yourself. Talk to your grandpa." She looked to Riley who, up until now, was listening calmly, but the mention of his grandfather made his face harden a little. Okay, Piper thought, looking away, don't mention the grandfather anymore. Noted.

The explanation wasn't going down as good as she expected. Time for a new tactic.

"And, honestly…I'm a little like you, Alex, I've been looking for an excuse to leave. Not to leave you – and Riley and Mags," she added, "but to leave Seattle. I tried school and it didn't work out. It's time for me to go back home."

Piper didn't realise how true that was until she'd actually said it. Home wasn't Oklahoma with her dad, not really. Home was her friends, and Camp Half-Blood.

Alex took a while to reply. She looked to Riley and Mags, and the two nodded at each other, Riley tugging on Mags' sleeve to sit somewhere else, leaving the two alone.

"I just – I thought we were working together. All four of us. We were going to be a team, and work this out together."

"But that's the thing. I'm not the only one keeping secrets here. You guys are – you're acting like there's something big going on, but did I miss it?" Piper asked, genuinely baffled. "You haven't said anything this entire week. All I know is you guys are like indie monster-hunters and you've been doing fine without me, so why does it matter if I stay or leave?"

Alex looked down at her lap, twiddling her fingers together. Piper had a thought, but she didn't want that to be true. She couldn't handle that reason. But maybe –

No. Not now.

Was this Aphrodite's answer to her?

"Because…because I've been having dreams," Alex whispered, leaning her head forward just a little, so no one but Piper could hear. "It has all of us in it, all these different dreams, and I've been having them for ages and I thought we could all go to Camp Half-Blood so I – so I could figure it out."

Piper blinked. "Why didn't you say this before?" She couldn't help the slight annoyance in her voice. "Why are you only saying this now?"

Alex's eyes flared. "Because I thought we were all doing this together –"

CRASH.

The windows across them in the airport terminal shattered as something – or some things - swung in. The first thing Piper saw was a dark cloud, and her stomach dropped. Was it already starting now? She scrambled around to take out her sword and dagger, already pushing Alex to the ground as the cloud started gathering above them, creating such a loud noise that it made Piper wince.

CAW – CAW – CAW –

"BIRDS?" Alex shouted over the din.

Piper kept Alex's head down, but looked up to see better. One of the birds flew past her, and in a split second, she looked into the sharp red eyes, the blood caking the edge of its beak –

"Stymphalian Birds –"

"WHAT?"

"Alex!" she exclaimed. "Jesus, just stay down –"

Another CRASH. Two large figures crawled through the open windows conveniently created by the cloud of Stymphalian birds. Half the people had already left the terminal, but the birds were following them to all corners of the airport. The only people remaining were the ones injured, unable to move, and some security guards and first aid people. Already busy at work, all of them horrified at the sight of the two giants.

Then she heard a soft cry, and Piper looked to the side: the crying baby, lying down with glass around her, and her two parents huddled over her, protecting her from sight. One of them had blood on his forehead. Piper paled.

The giants stomped around, further into the terminal.

"Aw, look, Jutt. The birdies prepared it all for us," the widest one said, grinning as he rubbed his hands together.

"All the peoples off to fly, Bill – well, they'll be flying off into me stomach, that's for sure," Jutt roared with laughter. Bill picked up an aisle of seats and began swinging it around.

Alex went to lift her head again, but Piper forced her down. They were still hidden behind the row of seats in their side of the terminal, but directly opposite the giants and in their line of sight. Riley and Mags were closer to them, but hidden behind their own aisle of chairs. Piper caught Mags' gaze and she nodded at her. Her imperial gold sword was already in her hand and she was talking with Riley, pointing and gesturing her plan.

"Alex, I'm telling you," Piper said through gritted teeth. "Stay down and I'll take care of this."

"Piper –" Alex protested.

"PIPER, WATCH OUT—" Mags screamed.

She looked up just in time to see the aisle of chairs being hurled towards her.