Percy's POV:
Spending the night was much more comfortable than I originally gave it credit for. We looked everywhere and managed to find spare change in the cash register, a couple drachmas, blankets, and an old backpack.
After we had an uncomfortably silent dinner of overcooked fries, burgers, and some really good shakes. We finally had somewhat of meal. To be honest I didn't it enjoy it that much. After all the talk of it being one of the best foods, I expected more. I would rather have a good self cooked meal.
So afterwards, we decided to get some early shut eye and wake up early in the morning to be on our way. I would be the one to take first watch and wake them up when it was their turn. Annabeth found an old couch in the back and quickly fell asleep, leaving Grover to decide if he was going to sleep on the chair or the floor. I insisted he take the chair because I know for a fact it was more comfortable. He stared at me for a few seconds then nodded.
"It's quite sad." Grover whispered.
"What?"
"Humans have polluted the earth so much. Trash everywhere and you can't even see the stars. It's a terrible time to be a satyr." Grover stated sadly. I decided to lighten up the mood.
"You know how I told you I traveled basically everywhere?" He nodded, "Well, the was this one place that stood out better than most. I think it was somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. I made camp up high and was about to turn in... when I saw the most magnificent and clean night sky. In every direction there is a star, if I could fly up I don't believe I would ever come down. I tilt my head, gazing upward, eyes more open than they can be in the fullness of day, not looking at one star, yet somehow seeing them all at once."
I saw a twinkle in his eyes. And a shy smile. I waited a little till I heard the evened breathing signifying he fell asleep. Then made my way out towards the back of the warehouse.
I just kept moving past the waves of stone statues and pondered. This could all have been avoided if the gods decided to use their brains for once and not be so quick to pull the trigger on punishment. Even now, Zeus has it out for me because I wasn't meant to be born... Or should've stayed dead. And Hades as well. He is the only one who can order the Furies. But that doesn't answer the question on who summoned the Chimera. The gods could've done that, but I don't think they would stoop so low.
I subconsciously rubbed the star shaped scar on my side. It was something I've always done when I was troubled. I don't even remembered when it even started, it just did.
I walked and walked until I was past all the statues. A thick patch of grass is surrounded by joined shrubs. Several, tall trees stands near the back, their branches rise like a pinnacle of the garden. The rows of flowers are clearly in need of a little care, but they're hanging in there; they're a delight for butterflies. The shrubs reach slightly above my head, but I have seen far bigger patches in the wild. A path of stepping stones curves around each bend in the garden, offering a glimpse of the best spots. Grass work together almost harmoniously to claim more land for themselves. The trees, walnut trees, have stood there for decades, and demand all attention, but in doing so also draw the attention to all the life forms living on them. The rows of flowers do attract some attention, and the shrubs make sure they're paid attention to as well, but there's just no way to content the limelight of the walnut trees.
Who'd have thought that behind all the scared and frozen people was a beautiful garden that was taken care of by a monster that was known to be hideous. And have it still taken care of. Remembering that I was supposed to be taking watch, I strolled back and perched myself on low branch and waited. Another cloudy night rolls in covering the last of the twilight sky, as if the blackness failed to come fast enough. The rolling grey rapidly becomes as invisible as the stars it conceals, but the air still feels humid. The low sky imparts a claustrophobic tension and the only thing to do is seek shelter and sleep it out, hoping to wake to the sound of rain...
One hour passed and soon so did another. I lost track of time and before I knew it was already morning. Another day come and gone like any other. Except for the excitement. "What in the Hades Percy!? I told you to wake me up when it was my shift!" I completely forgot about that. Whoops.
"Sorry!" I yelled back. Jumping off my branch I landed gracefully. "I lost track of time and sorta forgot."
"Uh-huh."
"Come on! It was an accident and now you guys are well rested and ready to go."
"And what about you? What if we end up in a bad situation and you're too exhausted to do anything." She huffed out.
"Not sleeping one night? That's nothing. Sometimes I wouldn't sleep for days on end when I was off doing my thing." She continued to glare at me. "Look I really am sorry, Ok?" Annabeth turned around and walked back inside. I wonder what's up with her? I followed her inside and I found some breakfast ready to go. Grover was eating away at the napkins and whatever tin he found, while Annabeth chose to be normal and eat eggs. I sat at the table and ate my normal portion and sacrificed the better portion of my meal.
"Why do you do that? The plentiful sacrifices I mean." Grover asked.
"I have a lot of people to thank. Not just my dad."
"Like who?" The ever so curious wise-girl asked.
"Well... Hera for my family, Artemis for hunting, Athena for wits, and many minor gods and goddesses that go unnoticed. I could go on, but I believe we should get going-" I got cut-off.
"Do you not trust us?" I stared at Annabeth blankly. "You wouldn't wake us up for our shifts, tell us who your sister is, and mention nothing of your mysterious past!" She burst out, leaving a stunned satyr, that had his mouth full.
"Of course I trust you guys. I'm just not used to having any friends traveling with me so, it slipped my mind. And the thing about my past, no one really asks about mine. When they do, it's just... complicated." I reasoned.
"How complicated can it be?"
"Here's a taste. I failed to save someone very close to me... My past isn't as jolly as I tend to make it. Also I was thought to be dead until I arrived at camp. No god even knew I existed until I had a run-in with the goddess of the hunt. I'm actually still on the run from her. I swear I'd be an antelope by now being hunted for sport."
"BLahahah! Like I believe you can escape Artemis!" Grover burst out laughing and Annabeth scanned me with her stormy gray eyes.
"It's true. I even have proof." I turned around and was about to bring out my arrow when a flash of something outside caught my attention. "Run."
"Like you are from the goddess of the hunt?" Grover bust out laughing even more and this time ended up on the floor.
"I said RUN!" I grabbed Grover by the back of his shirt and shoved him out of the building. Annabeth grabbed whatever we found last night and was already right behind him. I could already hear the thumps of whatever behind us shortening the distance. We ran as fast as we could. Grover and Annabeth were in the lead because somehow they managed to find the direction we were supposed to be heading. I stayed a few feet behind making sure that the thing behind us wasn't gonna get too close.
We continued to run and heard our life savers. The whistle of a train on the move and we were going to catch it. I caught up to Grover and Annabeth and we didn't even need to say a word. We nodded and just took off towards the tracks. As soon as we saw the train we knew were in trouble. More than half of it has already passed and we were running out of time and distance. Whatever thing behind us was gaining on us...
Running along side the train we spotted an open cargo container behind us near the very end. Perfect. As it passed us Grover jumped up and turned around, ready to take Annabeth's hand. She grabbed ahold of him and got inside. I leaped towards the cart stretching my hand out for theirs. My fingertips curled around Grover's and I was home free.
A sudden jerk peeled me away from them and I caught a glimpse of their faces. Looks of sheer terror and fear for my life. I landed flat on my stomach and the train kept going. I looked up and saw they were about to jump out, but I shouted first. "NO! Keep going!" Their faces said no, "GOOO!" Whatever got me pounced on my back pinning me down. The train already gone.
Panic took over for a moment as thoughts of an endless pain crept up in my mind. What if this agonizing stabbing pain would never stop shooting through my back? Wave after wave kept coming. My mind raced, half panicked half determined. There must be an answer to this pain, there must be a way to make it stop. I paused for a moment and contemplated every answer to this pain, weighing each option and trying to find the best one. Soft moans and grunts escaped my mouth. Tired and frustrated I wanted it all to be over and done with. But I felt sore all over, the injury was clearly taking its toll on my entire body. But I refused to let this day go to waste, so I decided to be stubborn. I held out for as long as I could. Grunting each time the sharpness tore into my back. I wouldn't let it hear me scream. It was enjoying my pain too much. It didn't want to finish me off just yet. Whatever it was, wanted me to suffer.
"-rcy!"
An unexpected lightness overtook my body, the searing pain still pulsating through me. Blood. My blood. I tasted my blood in my mouth. Warm. Irony. Not just in my mouth, but laying around me in a shallow pool. I can't believe I might be dying. I chuckled a little. And I don't even know from what. I guess demigods living past twelve really is a miracle... I never even met my dad. I wonder what he would think? That I gave up? That I failed him?
Something within me knew I was moving. I felt like I was floating before meeting the ground in a sudden thud.
"-ercy!"
He thought I was dead yet, still claimed me. He didn't give up on me, so why does it feel like I am? NO! I will not give up! I am not dying! Dragging my hands to my sides I began doing the hardest push-up of my life. A weird feeling, like soft dirt, fell off of my back. My back screaming at me. But I wasn't planning on it. Placing my knees down, I dropped my hands to my sides. I looked down at the ground and saw the tell tale sign of monster dust. Directly around me. Although everything was blurry and I was out of it.
"Percy!" Who's calling my name? "Percy!" I felt someone's arms grab my shoulders. "Can- here me!?" I heard them, but I was in too much pain to respond. Their voice began distancing and all I heard were muffled voices. Next thing I know, a warm liquid flowing down my throat and feeling water splash across my back.
I blacked out
Third POV:
Not long after Percy told them to go, they couldn't just leave him. Jumping off of the train they sprinted back and saw a horrific sight. Whatever it was had bony, saw-toothed protuberances sprouting from their heads pinning and was pinning Percy down and tearing into his back with his claws. At least four of them, the size of horses. His torn flesh peeled back exposing the muscles beneath. Blood covering Percy like a blanket.
Annabeth, with expert accuracy, threw her dagger and nailed the first beast in it's lung. Killing it instantly. The beasts attention turned towards them, but it was a mistake. Percy lashed out from pure instinct and muscle memory slicing two of them across their underbellies before collapsing once more. The last one was having trouble deciding what to do. Before it could choose Annabeth grabbed her dagger and struck it in it's skull. Adding more dust to the pile.
They both continued to shout Percy's name and watched in amazement him struggling to sit up. They couldn't believe it. Near death, he still had the strength sit up.
They were at tears when they saw the state that he was in. Flesh mangled and ripped, pieces barely hanging on. It was horrific. Immediately, they began working at fixing him up. Even when he passed out. Annabeth and Grover desperately tried to heal Percy. Either running and finding water or using a careful amount of Nectar and Ambrosia to heal him. After what felt like an eternity, the bleeding stopped. Yet, he was still passed out. It was strange watching the flimsy pieces of flesh work themselves together leaving scars in the wake.
Only then did they notice the estranged white lines littering his body. Some were old and fading while other's looked fresher. From the way his body seemed to heal. The scars only appeared when the wounds ran deep. An he has plenty of those. Slash marks in random places, holes mended together, and clearly a stab wound from his back into his chest. And of course the star shaped scar on his hide.
Going well into the night, Annabeth said they couldn't just sit there and wait. Designing a clever plan to stop the next train, they waited and carefully placed poor Percy inside one of the carts and were soon on their way. For two days, Percy would jolt awake then go right back to sleep. Annabeth was worried. Grover read Percy and could only look at him for a few seconds at a time. Grover could read the overwhelming pain Percy was going through.
Not only that, but Percy would shake and stir in his sleep. Percy was having nightmare after nightmare. Sitting at the edge of the pit and listening to the voice to wake him up. Be what he was meant to be. To destroy the gods.
Percy's POV:
My foot slipped and I felt a hand grasp my foot. Pulling further and further, until my hands couldn't hold out any longer. "You're all alone... You're in this alone... Join me... and you won't be." My hand hold snapped off and I fell.
Jolting awake I was surprised to find myself on a train cart. How did this happen? Last thing I remember was... Looking around I saw Annabeth and Grover sound asleep in the middle of the day... Right next to me. "Hey wake up." I shook the two awake while whispering. I still felt sore. They didn't budge. "Hey!" I shouted at the two and they jumped up. I chuckled a little.
Realizing what happened, they charged. "Percy! We didn't know when you would wake! Or of you were... gonna." Grover happily yelped then mumbled in the end. Kneeling in front while Annabeth smiled and stood to the side.
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time." They looked at me a little confused. I should not have said that. "Let's just say I've managed to slip past Death more than I would like to admit. The fates haven't been too kind to me. If only I could slap them, that would make me feel better." I chuckled.
"I thought you grew up with a loving family that taught you everything you know." Grover said.
"I only told you the good parts G-man. Even when I was younger I just wanted to forget the bad parts and focus on the good. You only know what I wanted you too." His face saddened. "I'm sorry but... it's just too hard to talk about it."
"That's fair. We all have secrets... Uhmmm who exactly were you saying no to?" The wisdom goddess's daughter asked. "Well, you just kept saying you weren't gonna help in your sleep." I can't believe I mumble when I sleep.
"I can't say."
"How come?" She asked with a little edge in her voice.
"Because I'm scared of the answer." I whispered loud enough for them to hear. After that lovely conversation we sat in silence for about an hour. I would keep looking out the window occasionally seeing what the mist covered from the mortals. I wonder what life would be like if they knew what really goes on. The train began to slow down and before it even stopped Annabeth jumped out. We quickly followed. "Hey! What are we doing?" I shouted because I really had no clue what she was planning.
"Sightseeing!" I looked over at Grover and he was just as confused as I was. "Come on guys!" She just took off and we were forced to follow her. We just kept going until we were in the city next to a river. I had no idea what we exactly were supposed to be sightseeing so my eyes were set on the horizon. We went through tunnels over bridges and walked into a park. It was already past midday and probably four o'clockish. I didn't notice Annabeth stopped so I walked right into her and fell on my rear. "The St. Louis Arch." I don't think she even noticed I ran into her. We stood directly under a mass of steel that arched over our heads. It was pretty awesome. "Come on let's ride to the top." We started walking over.
"What's so fascinating about this thing?" I was genuinely curious.
"The architecture. Haven't you ever want to make something that lasts? Till the end of time?" She was very giddy. "As a daughter of Athena, I want to leave a mark on this world. Something permanent. I want to be an architect. That has always been my dream."
"Not me. I just want to find pan and restore his domain. Well, I guess that that could be something permanent. A place where it isn't influenced by humans and their pollution. I change my answer. Yes I do. What's your dream Percy?"
"I usually just deal with life a week at a time. But there isn't anything usual about now. What I really want to do is protect my friends and family." I found it odd that we weren't attacked and Grover was on edge, fidgeting with his tin-can. Where did he get that? "My dream however... I dunno." We neared the arch and were let to ride to the top without any trouble. That's not right. Why would they let a shirtless child in?
We crammed inside the stupid elevator and I wanted nothing more than to get out. There was a fat women with a rat- I mean Chihuahua and somebody in here who didn't shower.
When the doors opened I was the first one out couldn't be happier. Actually... nope. Nope. Nuh-uh. I want to get off. I shook my head and turned around back to elevator. I bumped into the fat lady, "Is someone scared of heights?" And her rat had the audacity to growl at me. I'm fine with heights just not when a certain someone has it out for me and I stand in his domain.
"Nooo. I just forgot something down below." She wouldn't have it and stood in my way.
"Ahh come on. The view is great this time of day. You wouldn't want to miss it would you?" She was in no way relenting or letting me pass. I gave up and returned to my friends.
"We're six hundred feet up and Ms. rat owner over there won't let me past." Grover and Annabeth looked over my shoulder. There wasn't much that we could do with mortals around so we just kept to ourselves. Annabeth talked about anything and everything related to structure to material. I was mildly fascinated because my eyes kept drifting back to the fat hag. I couldn't take it anymore and dragged them both over to the elevator and shoved them inside.
I was about to step in when the ranger guy put a hand on my shoulder, "Sorry sir. No room. Please wait for the next cart." I didn't want to wait. I wanted to live!
"We'll wait for you at the bottom." That didn't help my mood. The doors closed and they were on their way. All that was left were a few mortals and the rat owner. I really hate Chihuahuas. I don't even think they're dogs. I glanced behind me and the fat lady must've read my mind because she was glaring me. I put on a dry smile and she flicked her fork tongue at me.
This wasn't good. I'm trapped. High in the air. With a monster. And mortals. Damn. Her dog jumped forward and began yapping because honestly it didn't have the capability to bark like a normal dog. "Sonny. I don't know is the time. Not with these lovely people around." The dog was relentless seemed to grow wilder with each yap. "Well, if you insist son." Great, she has a rat for a son. The younger boy behind her kept going on about seeing a cute dog. There is nothing cute about it!
"Hehe, did you just call that Chihuahua your son? Man I would hate to see who the father is." She didn't appreciate my sarcasm all to well.
"I see your sarcasm wasn't exaggerated Perseus."
"Hold up! Am I famous or something? Because if it's an autograph you want, I'm sorry to say I didn't bring any paper." I patted down my chest then shrugged at her. The thing's yapping slowly grew deeper and deeper, with every sound the beast grew into something I was all too familiar with. A Chimera so big it's back reached the roof. They usually all look the same, head of a lion with, but this one had blood all over it's mane, body and hooves of a goat, and of course a serpent head tail. Only a mother could love that thing.
On instinct my sword was already uncapped at out. The beast stood ten feet in front of me with the mortals behind it. I couldn't just leave them in the hands of that! "You should feel honored Percy-"
"I definitely don't." I told her getting more on edge.
"Zeus rarely let's me test a hero with one of my own blood. I wonder how you'll face against me. Echidna!"
"Please don't tell me that Zeus is the father! I mean I know that he can get around. Oh my gods! If Hera finds out that her husband-" I was abruptly cut off.
"That's it! Get him sonny! Die! Die! Die!" The Chimera charged and lashed out at me with it's claws first. I ducked and rolled away from the claws, narrowly missing swipe that would behead me. I had to keep his attention on me in order to keep the mortals safe. "Hey fugly! Missed me!" He opened his mouth and the stench reminded me of that one time I got stuck in the sewers. Then the heat hit me. I ran right at him and slid right under his belly as he let loose a turret of flames at the ground right below him. The heat was so intense he singed some of my hair. I looked behind me and saw the massive hole he put into the monument, melted steel dripping down and a massive cloud of smoke filling the area. I ran towards his rear and jump kicked him. Sitting at the edge and being so huge he lost his balance and tumbled over. My momentum carrying me with him.
I knew his tail would strike, but that was the price I had to pay for getting him out of there. His tail whipped around in as we were falling and plunged it's fangs into my thigh. The poison worked fast as my was rushing from adrenaline. Good thing I was falling into water. If something like this were ever to happen again, it would be too soon.
We plunged to the river below as we heard Echidna howl in rage as I took her son on a one way trip to Tartarus. I entered the water in a white out. The only thing I could see were the millions of bubbles soaking my vision. I knew I was alright, but did the Chimera survive? Willing the water to clear up, I saw golden dust slowly floating down stream. Good.
You did good Percy. You're making your father proud. I heard a voice within my head and turned around. I saw a Naiad that looked a lot like... I'm making dad proud?
"Who are you?"
I am merely a messenger. I came to tell you to head to Santa Monica, please. I cann-
"I know. I hate this river as well. Thank you." She outstretched her hand I felt the currents brush up against me.
Whatever you do, don't trust- Whatever she was about to say was cut off when a massive chunk of debris fell into the river. As soon as it cleared up, I looked around, but she was nowhere to be found. What is it that I'm not supposed to trust? Deciding to figure it out later I swam out of the water and leaped onto shore. A mass panic was in affect, sirens, helicopters, everything was happening all at once.
Parents grabbing their children and running away, people attempting to put out the fires and others having no clue what to do. I was the least of their concerns right now.
I walked close to the waters edge and watched all the action take place. I was curious, what happened to Echidna? What about the people inside? "Pe-rrcy!" I was wrapped in a goat hug from my favorite satyr. "We thought- we thought you decided to take the short trip to Hades!" Grover was ecstatic to see me and Annabeth tried but, failed to hide her smile. "What happened!? We just got off the elevator and everything shook, next we know there's a hole in the monument and we see two things falling!"
"Heh well the thing is, Echidna made an appearance and-"
"Echidna! How are you this unlucky!?" Annabeth shouted in disbelief.
"I don't know! I'm still wondering how I'm still alive!" I said waving my arms around. That was the wholehearted truth. I am seriously clueless here. Then I went on to tell my little escapade, then finished with the messenger saying we should get going to Santa Monica.
Wasting no time we went on our way passing some reporters. "-a child terrorist that is linked to other incidents. We have an eye witness's sketch-" A drawing of me was put up on another monitor.
That's some bull!