"What's it like?"

Percy turned to the speaker, Nancy Bobofit. "Hmm?"

"Being ditched by your dad, I mean. Only having a mom."

He shrugged. "I don't think about him a lot."

"Why not?"

"I don't even remember him," grumbled Percy. "As far as I know, I never had a dad."

The girl nodded, before turning over in her seat. "At least you have a mom."

He glanced at her. "Didn't know your parents were gone."

"Nah," she replied, shaking her head. "They're alive. Just... not around. I steal things, they get a phone call, then they yell at me. Otherwise, I stay here."

"And you like it?"

She shrugged. "Only way I can get their attention."

Percy said nothing, staring out of the window. It was storming again. It baffled him that it had been raining for three days straight, yet the school still decided on the damn field trip.

At least it felt refreshing. Not that he was a hippy or anything. It just... felt soothing.

Mrs. Dodds came walking down the aisle. "Are you two okay?"

Percy smiled at the elderly woman. "No, but thanks, Mrs. Dodds." She nodded, patting his head before taking the seat behind them.

Mrs. Dodds was an odd teacher. She just showed up one day as their pre-algebra teacher after the old one, Mrs. Kerr, suddenly announced her retirement. Not that he minded too much. Mrs. Dodds took care of him better than most teachers, except maybe Mr. Brunner. She seemed to really understand him, showing sympathy when he struggled to pay attention, and even gave him additional help when he asked for it.

He really appreciated the extra mile she went through to take care of him.

Eventually, they reached the field trip location, a museum. Percy stepped out of the bus, taking a deep breath as the raindrops gently splashed against his skin.

"Ahhh..."

Percy wasn't too sure if he could ask for a better life.

Well, that was a lie. It was plenty miserable as is. He couldn't avoid getting kicked out of school year after year. Bad luck seemed to follow him - whether he accidentally pull a lever that sent his entire tour group falling into a pool, or school buses randomly exploding, or snakes just appearing in his bed, or even the stalkers.

Stalkers.

Percy didn't remember when they first showed up, but he knew damn well that there was always someone following him. Someone watching. Someone waiting. He could feel their gazes, the hair on his neck tingling with anticipation as their eyes bore into him.

There was the man in the trenchcoat that he swore only had one eye, the girl hiding on the beach that disappeared when he brought his mom nearby, the woman at the playground who only had a dress on despite it being the middle of winter, or even the three women knitting socks at the Yancy parking lot that nobody ever paid attention to. Even when they were focused on their crafts, he could feel their eyes staring into him, as if waiting to see what would happen next.

And recently, the three: Mrs. Dodds, Mr. Brunner, and Grover. He could feel them whenever they stared at him. It was clear to him that they were stalkers too. The only difference was that they didn't stay in the background. They interacted with him, befriended him, and kept all the other stalkers away when near them.

And frankly, Percy was willing to put up with three if it meant he didn't feel a dozen stares at any given moment.

What he did wish for, though, was for Gabe to never be in his life again. Gabe, who took his pocket money when his mom wasn't watching. Gabe, who yelled at his mother because he knew she wouldn't argue back. Gabe, who refused to take a shower and smelled of moldy garlic mixed with gym socks.

Smelly Gabe.

He couldn't understand why someone as kind and lovely as his mother was stuck with Smelly Gabe of all people as a husband. She deserved better. Not this... filthy mess of a man who made their life a living hell.

Maybe it was a romantic-comedy situation: the greatest woman in the world married to the nastiest guy. They break up and the guy realizes how badly he messed up and that he has a change of heart to get her back.

Except that was a movie and this was real life. Besides, Sally was too kind to divorce Gabe anyways, so the asshole didn't need to worry about that anyway.

"Mr. Jackson," said Mr. Brunner, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Can you tell me what this painting is?"

Percy blinked before squinting at the art piece, depicting Zeus throwing the lightning bolt at Kronos. "That's the overthrow of Kronos, right?"

Mr. Brunner nodded but said nothing. A few seconds passed before Percy realized his teacher intended for him to say more.

"Uh, Zeus was his youngest child," recounted Percy, scrunching up as he struggled to recall details. "He made his dad throw up since he had eaten his kids or something and then defeated the Titans. Right?"

"Ew..." muttered someone behind him, but he ignored it, turning to face Mr. Brunner, who smiled.

"Correct, Percy. And why is this important for us to know?"

Percy's face scrunched up again. Why was mythology needed in real life? He glanced at Grover, who only gave him a shrug and an apologetic smile.

"Well, it's a myth," drawled out Percy. "And you said myths were... hidden lessons or something, right?"

"Allegories, but yes."

Percy nodded. "So... don't eat your kids, or it'll bite you back in the butt?" He heard a couple of laughs around him and could only hold up his arms half-heartedly.

"Well, close enough," sighed Mr. Brunner. "A bit roundabout, but the idea is clear. Actions have consequences, but I imagine you know that, right Percy?"

"Of course he does," blurted out Nancy. "I take things and he gets the blame!"

Percy groaned, but even he couldn't help chuckling a little at that.

"Have you determined his parentage?"

"Not yet, but... if you're here, I can only assume it is a high-ranking god, no?"

The first voice chuckled. "Oh, you have no idea, centaur. Not just that, but he is a legacy."

The second voice frowned. "A legacy? But... di immortales! Do you know who?"

"I am not fully convinced," admitted the first voice. "But I have a strong theory on who. It is the only reason why I have not attacked the boy so far."

The centaur sighed. "Will I need to worry about you attacking him anytime soon, Alecto? The field trip is coming up."

"I have been feeling merciful, Chiron. I give you my word that I will not harm him during the trip."

"That's a relief," muttered Chiron. "Have you checked with his mortal parent to see how strong the blood is?"

"Once, during a parent-teacher conference." Alecto laughed. "I do not sense any latent power in her, but given her reaction to seeing me, I imagine she is clear-sighted if nothing else."

The centaur sighed again. "She is, yes. I've been encouraging her to send Percy to camp for some time now, but she always pushes back, saying she wants to enjoy every last second before they have to separate."

"And you? How do you feel about that?"

"I... don't know," admitted Chiron. "On one hand, I would rather train the boy early so he can go back home less likely to be attacked. On the other hand, I can sympathize with her. And him knowing about his heritage would only make his scent stronger."

"Oh you don't need to worry about his scent," cackled the Fury. "I've met the boy's stepfather. That man's pungency could overshadow any god's progeny, no matter how thick or thin the blood be."

"That sounds... disgusting," blanched the centaur. "And his character?"

Alecto's smirk slid off her face, replaced with a scowl. "Once the boy leaves the mother, I will drag him into the pits myself."

"Dear me... that bad? Not even a trial?"

She shook her head. "No trial could ever be done fairly with a hack like Minos still in place. No, that stain deserves the pit and nothing kinder."

Chiron nodded. "In that case, what will you do now? His twelfth birthday is nearing soon and I fear he will have to go to camp whether he wishes to or otherwise."

"I will observe," she replied. "I can sense watchers, and I'm sure he can too. They are everywhere, lurking, waiting for a moment where he will be alone, where he will be vulnerable. Out of respect for his ancestor, I will protect him. I expect you and the satyr to do the same."

"We will do our best."

"What'cha got for lunch, nerd?"

Percy rolled his eyes. "It's a ham sandwich, Nancy. It's literally all any of us have."

She shrugged. "I dunno, I figured someone with a normal mom like you would get a regular lunch compared to the rest of us weirdos. Except Crutches over there, he's always chomping on an apple or something."

"I'm a vegetarian," protested Grover.

"Nancy, we haven't gone home in weeks," laughed Percy, tossing an orange at Grover. "What, you have a fridge full of stuff you get from your dad or something?"

What he didn't expect was for Nancy not to respond. When he looked at her, a tinge of pink adorned her cheeks and she looked away.

"Oh my god," snickered Percy. "Don't tell me you actually have-"

"Shut up, Jackson," growled Nancy, shoving him with a bit too much force, causing him to fall into the fountain.

Percy gasped as he fell into the fountain, but the surprise quickly fell away as he felt himself still breathing despite water clearly going in and out of his mouth. Before he could think about it though, he felt himself yanked upwards, by both Nancy and Grover.

"Percy!" yelled Grover, laying him down and pushing down on his stomach. "You alright there?!"

Percy's eyes bulged at Grover's force, causing him to spit out the rest of the water in his mouth and cough - not from almost drowning, but from having his gut attacked.

"Christ, I'm sorry, Jackson, I didn't-"

Percy waved it off, panting before mock glaring at Grover. "Dang, G-Man. You sure can pack a punch. You trying to kill me or something?"

Grover grew beet red and spluttered, but it died down once Percy began laughing. "You okay, dude? Didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"I'll live. Least I know if I'm ever about to die, you can punch me awake again."

The three chuckled together, and Percy finished off his soggy sandwich. When he went to throw out the trash though, he felt a shiver down his spine.

Stalker.

He spun around, trying to pinpoint any unusual individuals. After a brief moment, seeing nothing was amiss, he took a deep breath and turned back to the trash can. After throwing out the paper bag though, he still felt the stare on him.

And then he saw her.

She was clad in a black silky robe, almost translucent like the rest of her body. Both lipstick and mascara were applied in shades of midnight, almost methodically.

And her eyes. If there was any way to describe them, it was obsidian. Black like obsidian.

And they smoldered with hate.

"Um, can I help you?" asked Percy.

Her gaze tilted down at him before a ghost of a smile flickered on her face. She raised a hand and laid it against his cheek. Percy wasn't sure how to describe it, except that it was exceptionally cold and incredibly warm at the same time.

"I am here to claim a broken oath."

Before Percy could say anything, Mrs. Dodds suddenly showed up, gripping the woman's hand and wrenching it off his cheek. He had been so distracted by the touch that he hadn't noticed the teacher arriving. And judging by the expressions of those nearby, they weren't noticing anything either.

"I'm sorry," said the teacher, in a sickly sweet tone. "But please don't touch our children. Their parents would get so very worried."

The woman turned her head to the old woman, her face hardening. "You. You already know, don't you? And you would let this slip by? What would he say."

"He is just a child," spat Mrs. Dodds, surprising Percy with her tone. "His father's actions don't reflect him as a person."

"If I didn't know better," retorted the woman, tilting her head. "I'd think you'd have developed an attachment to the boy."

Mrs. Dodds hardened her glare. "He is my student. Like I said, please don't touch our children."

The woman continued to stare at her before giving the faintest hint of a nod. She turned to Percy, and the smile returned.

"I will be back to collect my debt, child."

She walked away, and Mrs. Dodds said something about not talking to strangers, but Percy only nodded along mutely.

That woman and her hateful eyes would take up his mind for the rest of the field trip.

The rest of the school year passed by in a blur. Frankly, Percy was fine scraping by with Cs, though he was more than happy to receive an A in Mr. Brunner's class and a B in Mrs. Dodds's.

There weren't any new stalkers around Yancy anymore, so on one hand he was happy that he wasn't being expelled for causing some violent accident for once.

No, it was because fucking Smelly Gabe wasn't going to pay for the tuition anymore.

A lump grew in his throat when he thought about it. No more swordplay by the wheelchair-bound Mr. Brunner. No more crazy stories of people doing evil things by Mrs. Dodds in the evilest subject of all, math. No more Nancy Bobofit and Grover Underwood.

No more Yancy.

He wasn't going to pretend like he particularly loved it, but he'd finally started making some friends.

And now, he was going to leave them all behind.

"Keep in touch, eh Perce?"

Percy swallowed but nodded. "Yeah, G-Man. I'll see you then. Maybe... at your summer place too?"

"I'll be waiting," grinned Grover, waving as Percy got into the taxi.

Percy spent the majority of the taxi ride just staring out of the window, doing his best to ignore every instance that his spine tingled with anticipation.

The stalkers were everywhere.

Their stares seared into him, itching under his skin. He began tapping his foot in anticipation, managing to go a good five minutes before the driver threatened to leave his ass on the road if he didn't stop the damn noise.

ADHD was a hell of a bitch sometimes.

Once they got to the apartment, Percy damn near leaped out of the cab, gritting his teeth as he fought off the urge to tear off his clothes and claw at his skin until his body was scratched raw.

"You good there, kid?"

Percy gave the man a weak smile, before paying him, giving him a bonus twenty as a tip. "Sorry about all the movement. ADHD."

The man studied the tip for a second before nodding. "'Preciate it. I just, love my car, y'know? Can't risk it getting ruined cause a kid can't sit still."

"Yeah."

The driver was much more friendly after the tip, helping Percy unload his bags.

"Surprised you live here," grunted the driver. "Aren't private school kids supposed to be rich or something?"

Percy shrugged. "Not me, I guess."

"You must be smart as hell to get a spot then."

"As if," muttered the boy. He thanked the driver, before taking a deep breath.

The apartment reeked as much as he remembered, maybe a little more. Gabe must have been smoking again. Or had friends over.

Or both.

He didn't bother knocking on the door - the place reeked so badly no burglar wanted to go near it anyways.

"Look who's back," spat Gabe. "You got any cash on you, boy?"

"I tipped the driver," shrugged Percy. "Out of money. Sorry, Gabe."

The man sneered, standing up. "I know damn well just how much money your mom gave you last break. There's no chance in hell you could have used it all up on a damn taxi ride."

Percy didn't bother responding, choosing to give his wallet to Gabe as proof. His stepfather's eyes narrowed as he rifled through the pockets before throwing it at Percy, hitting him in the face.

"You fucking idiot!" snarled Gabe. "Who the hell tips a taxi driver a twenty?"

"Aw, come on," complained one of his friends. "He's just a kid. Lay off him."

"Even a kid isn't as useless as him" spat Gabe, sitting back down. "Useless, money-wasting, dumbass little..."

Percy rolled his eyes, slipping the wallet back into his pocket. He'd figured Gabe would try to wring out whatever little cash he had left. Better to leave it all to a cab driver than have Gabe lose it playing poker.

He took a deep breath as he entered his room. Bad idea. He began coughing almost immediately, the stench filling his lungs and stinging his nose. He forced the windows open, taking extra care not to drop Gabe's damn muddy boots out the window no matter how tempted he was to get rid of them.

"Percy!" a voice cried out behind him. He spun around, a smile already on his face, as his mom tackled him into a tight hug.

"Oh, you've gotten so big!" she gushed. "How was Yancy?"

He grinned pulling out his report card. "I passed this year!"

She gasped. "That's great!" His grin only got wider when he heard her say next.

"Come on, let's freshen you up. We're going to Montauk!"

Montauk was special to him. Sure, their cabin was dusty as hell, and the toilet barely worked, and they had to fit towels into the gaps so they didn't freeze at night.

But god damn, did Percy not love just being able to spend time together with his mom, enjoying the beach, no Smelly Gabe ruining things. Just a mother and child having fun together.

Of course, he still felt the stares of some stalkers, but he didn't care. Nothing mattered more to him than these precious moments.

The eagle and the horse fought, lightning crackling in the sky while the waves beat against the sand.

"Mom," he asked, giving her a pre-packaged sandwich. "Why did you marry Gabe?"

She sighed but gave a sad smile. "Someone had to pay the bills, and my job can't cover everything."

"What if I got a job to help out? Could we kick him out of the apartment then?"

"Sorry, honey," she replied. "But Gabe... protects us. In his own little way."

The ground laughed, ominously booming as the two animals continued to clash.

"Is that why he keeps asking me to give him money? Protection money"

She scowled at that. "I told him I'd give him all my earnings if he stopped-" She took a deep breath.

"You know what, never mind. We're here to enjoy ourselves. The whole weekend."

She looked at him with a crooked smile. "Besides, don't think I didn't notice you calling him Smelly Gabe in your letters, Percy. Let's get as much fresh air as we can before we go back, alright?

Percy ran towards the two as lightning struck the eagle and water swirled around the horse, the two ready to take out the other once and for all.

Percy was woken up by a banging on the door of the cabin.

Rubbing his eyes, he felt a familiar tingle down his spine as he neared them

"Percy!" yelled Grover, banging again. "Open the door!"

Relieved, Percy flung the door open, only to be greeted by a panicked Grover and Mrs. Dodds.

And Grover was pantsless. With hooves instead of feet.

"What th-"

"No time to explain, child," snarled the old lady. "We need to get you to safety as soon as possible."

"Percy," asked Sally, pushing herself up. "Who's there?"

"Mrs. Jackson, they know," panicked Grover. "Zeus has declared war on Poseidon."

Before Percy could take a moment to parse what he'd just said, Sally threw the covers off of her and grabbed the car keys.

"Go to the car. Now!"

Although he still had no clue what was going on, Percy felt himself moving automatically, not daring the ignore his mom's orders. He barely had time to close the door before she floored the pedal, driving off as fast as she could.

"Did he send anyone?" demanded Sally, gritting her teeth as she dodged a tree.

"Pallas," replied Mrs. Dodds, clutching a grab handle. "Lord Zeus gave Styx permission to claim her request for the oath-breaking."

"What?!" Sally sent a glare through the rear-view mirror. "What oath? Alecto!"

"Alecto? Wai-" spluttered Percy. The old woman laughed, despite the raging storm around them. "Poseidon didn't tell you?"

"Shit!"

A sense of dread welled up in Percy, screaming Danger! nonstop. Sally must have sensed it too because she braked the car, the vehicle tipping forward from the sudden stop. No sooner later, though, were they justified: a massive bolt of lightning struck just where they would have been.

"Tree!" yelled Grover, unlocking the door as fast as he could. "Go, go, go!"

Percy stumbled out of the car and ran after Grover. A quick glance backward showed that Mrs. Dodds was helping Sally catch up to them, wings flapping against the merciless rain and wind.

Wait, wings?

"Almost there!" yelled Grover. "Just over-"

Whatever he was going to say was silenced as the tree hit the car with an earth-shattering thump. From behind was a massive individual, at least ten feet tall.

Stalker.

"Get down!" howled Mrs. Dodds, her face transforming into something more bat-like as she shoved the two teens down, before a massive spear shot over them, striking just where the two had been standing.

Another bolt of lightning struck, thunder following instantly after. Percy watched in horror as yet another tree fell towards them.

"Move!" he yelled, pushing Grover out of the way, grunting as he fell on his face just as the tree landed on his leg.

He faintly heard Mrs. Dodds - or rather, Alecto - yelling his name. Grover laid to his side, moaning and unconscious. Grunting, he pushed himself up, feeling the rain ease his pain.

Was he... healing?"

The figure walked up to him and tossed aside the tree casually. It extended towards him, only for Sally to step in between them, arms spread out.

"My son has done nothing wrong, Pallas," she hissed. "I don't know what Zeus did or what Poseidon promised, but my son is innocent."

The figure stared at her with a murderous look. "Mistress Styx would disagree."

Percy could only watch as the figure gripped his mom. She yelled as she fought to get out, before getting enveloped in yellow and disappearing.

And then, he snapped.

He felt a tug in his gut and balled his fists. Before Pallas could react, Percy punched him, with significantly more force than he expected, knocking the figure into a wall.

Before Pallas could push himself up, Percy pounced on him, water swirling around his fist, and knocking him down with another heavy blow.

Snarling, the figure summoned a spear and stabbed at Percy, only to be deflected by a swipe from Alecto.

"Begone, titan!" bellowed the Fury, pulling Percy up. "He- ach!"

Alecto yelled in pain as Pallas drove the spread through her leg.

"Go, Jackson!" she panted. "I'll... hold him off for... as long as I can!"

"I'm not losing you too!" Percy yelled, his insides screaming as the twist in his gut tightened.

As if on instinct, he shoved his hand forward, and a massive pillar of water struck the titan, pushing him back a few meters.

"Alright," spat Pallas, wiping a little golden liquid from his mouth. "I'll send you to my mistress the hard way then."

He charged forward, and jabbed the butt of his spear at Percy, knocking him back. He wheeled the weapon around, parrying away Alecto's claws. He used his free hand and grabbed her, slamming her to the ground.

"You'll regret this," grinned Alecto, as she dug her claws into Pallas's forearm. "He is mother's le-" Before she could finish, Pallas drove the spear through her head, causing her to explode into yellow dust.

Percy screamed in frustration, clutching his head as he watched her die. "What's the matter with you?!"

"You should not have wasted my time, demigod," said Pallas, pulling up his spear. "Now, follow me, or you'll follow them."

Anger and hatred welled up in Percy as the knot in his gut twisted even more, threatening to tear off from the rest of his body. He screamed and charged at the titan.

Pallas readied himself to intercept the boy but was knocked aside by a pillar of water. He looked up to see Percy running at him with several pillars of water spinning around him. Before he could do anything, Percy grabbed him by the throat, squeezing with an abnormal amount of strength as the water pillars kept smashing onto him again and again.

"Enough!" the titan roared, a wave of energy slamming Percy and the water away. Panting, he summoned his spear, aiming to kill the demigod and finish the job before Percy's head jerked up, his eyes black as obsidian.

Pallas's eyes widened slightly. "Wha-" Percy made a gripping gesture and suddenly a column of water exploded from the ground, gripping the titan.

Only, this water wasn't normal. It was polluted, it was black.

And it hurt.

"Styx!" roared Pallas. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Percy responded, in a voice unlike his own, "I told you not to harm the boy. I have no use for fools who do not heed my instructions."

"I am your husband, not your tool!"

"Consider this a divorce."

Pallas roared in fury before the waters dissolved him completely. Afterward, the polluted waters receded into the ground, with no indication that it was ever there aside from a large patch of dead grass and a hole in the ground.

Percy dropped to his knees, panting as the headache receded slightly. He wasn't sure what just happened, but the figure was gone now.

Even if his mom and Mrs. Dodds were still missing.

Exhausted, the last thing he remembered was dragging Grover to the hill they had been trying to climb before, where a group of people he didn't recognize were waiting, and unceremoniously collapsed.