Disclaimer: I don't own the Percy Jackson series.
Luke
Sometimes, I liked to pretend we were just normal kids. Times like these when we were just walking down the streets made me yearn for normalcy. Often I wonder what it would be like to have an ordinary life with ordinary parents and ordinary friends. Even now, when we were just walking along the streets, we needed to be tense and on high alert. Thalia kept her hands in her pockets at all times so that she could access her weapons. Annabeth was always unconsciously checking the inside of her jacket for her dagger. I was always keeping my eyes peeled for anything remotely suspicious. Because that was the life of a demigod.
As we turned a corner, I noticed a boy who looked about 10 or 11 years old hobbling along on crutches. For some reason, my instincts tingled as if this boy was someone important. Even though he didn't seem threatening, I decided to keep a close eye on him. When the boy's nervously darting eyes landed on us, he immediately hobbled over. This was becoming very suspicious.
He walked straight up to Thalia and asked, "Are you Thalia Grace?"
We all exchanged a glance. If he knew who she was, he was most likely a monster. They always knew our names. Yet something seemed odd about him. Finally, Thalia decided to say, "Who's asking?"
"My name's Grover Underwood," he began as if it was a well. "And I've been sent to protect you."
"Protect us? From what?" Thalia demanded. I knew that she was acting clueless so that she could discern how much he knew about our world.
"Well, you know about Greek Mythology?" he began. "All of it is real. Argh! I'm really bad at explaining this. They should never have sent me! Why did I-?"
"It's okay we know we're demigods. We know everything," Annabeth told him consolingly.
The poor guy wiped the sweat of his brow. "That's a relief! I thought I would have to explain everything to you. Anyways, there's a camp in Long Island, New York where I've been sent to escort you. You can finally be safe from monsters."
Annabeth looked ecstatic. She was about to say yes when I put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "Who sent you? If it was my father, I don't want anything from him!" I exclaimed.
"No! I was sent by camp. Lord Zeus informed them of Thalia and asked us to retrieve her," Grover explained.
"Wait, what about Annabeth and Luke? I'm not leaving them!" Thalia declared.
"I-I was meant to escort only Thalia," he stuttered, but, quailing under her look, he added. "But I can take all of you."
Annabeth gave us a pleading look. I realised how awful this life must be for her. Thalia and I had grown used to it, but she was just 7 years old. She shouldn't have to live like she was being hunted all the time. "Fine," I told him. "We'll come."
Grover bleated, "I'm so glad. Don't worry, I'll get all of you to camp safely."
