A.N:
I am so sorry this chapter took so long to be updated and I would like to thank you for your patience. Life really got in the way of my writing and I tried really hard to get this chapter finished but every time I tried my mind kept wondering on to other problems in my life.
I wold also like take the time to share the happy news that Hestia's Wish is ranked #1 on the #godsandgoddesses rank and #3 in the #read(ing) rank on WAttpad. There's other rankings of course, ones that I am so dang proud of. I'm celebrating alone with waffles with Nutella and peanut butter on top right now as I am writing this authors note.
If you guys still want to see the pictures of the descendants and other pictures of others to come you can go on my Wattpad account @NightStar33 (I changed my username so it's easier for you guys here to find)
Anyways back to the story, I really wanted this chapter to be more emotional as this chapter implies that Percy was abused, I mean it was only a few words but it's enough to cause quite a reaction in our fandom and I would assume amongst the demigods and Olympians if they ever found out.
I really wanted to bring out the characters emotions into this chapter and it's a bit complex as I wanted to add something only to come up with something else after I have finished which then made me completely re-write the whole thing because it wouldn't fit into the rest of the chapter.
As you guys read the chapter and the past chapters you'll see that I still got some beef with Athena for what she did to Annabeth that lead to her and Percy's fall.
Again I am sorry for the long wait and I hope you stay with me on this journey and hopefully this chapter makes up for the long wait.
I love you all! -T
After Poseidon brought Sally up to speed on what has already happened in the books Sally had burst into tears. Poseidon watched her with wide eyes and looking at everyone asking for help silently. He was internaly freaking out because he seriously didn't know how to comfort crying women much less pregnant woman. He laid a hesitant hand behind her back and rubbed gently only for her to wrap her arms around her neck and cried into his toga.
"Shh Sally, it's ok,"
"Don't say it's ok! Our son he's going...I can't even think of the idea that our baby boy..." Sally's hormones were on overdrive, she hadn't even registered that she was clinging to the Lord of the seas with people watching with wife eyes or that she was sobbing like a lunatic—of course she had every right too, her baby boy who she hasn't even given birth to has seen the Fates at the tender age of 12.
"Sally look at the descendants, our grandchildren are here. Percy will be alright, no one knows how but he will live. The Fates won't take our boy away, not if I have anything to say about it." Poseidon knew that if the Fates say so then he wouldn't be able to do anything about it but he wanted to lessen the pain Sally was in and it was true, if the Fates were taking his boy away then he would sure as Hades raise hell.
The demigods watched the two as Poseidon comforted Sally, they felt jealous of the way Poseidon seemed to care for Percy who he has yet to meet. How come their parents didn't show as much love to them as Poseidon did?
The future Greek demigods didn't feel as much loathing, they didn't feel loved but they knew their godly parents from their time were becoming better. They had Percy to thank for that, plus they had Sally who was a Goddesses herself. She was so kind and brought them in to her home and took care of them.
Sally calmed down enough to let go of Poseidon before she nodded at Hermes to continue.
Confession time: I ditched Grover as soon as we got to the bus terminal.
Thalia stood up abruptly and raised her hands in frustration, "Of course he does!"
I know, I know. It was rude. But Grover was freaking me out, looking at me like I was a dead man, muttering "Why does this always happen?" and "Why does it always have to he sixth grade?"
"Yeah I can see why. You gotta be more discreet Grover." Chris shook his head disappointingly as he patted Grover's shoulders.
Whenever he got upset, Grover's bladder acted up, so I wasn't surprised when, as soon as we got off the bus, he made me promise to wait for him, then made a beeline for the restroom.
Silence enveloped the throne room as everyone looked at both blushing Grover's. The silence was ripped apart as Travis and Connor burst into laughter which was followed by their younger selves, this caused a domino affect as the next person fell into fits of laughter.
Instead of waiting, I got my suitcase, slipped outside, and caught the first taxi uptown.
"East One-hundred-and-fourth and First," I told the driver.
Hermes whipped his head up towards Apollo with a mischievous smile on his lips, "You hear that dear brother? I think we'll have to visit our dear cousin."
"Forget it dad, Percy moved."
"Yeah but what about when he's younger, before he moved. What is 'East One-hundred-and-fourth and First' anyways?"
"It's an address, a location of sorts." Annie spoke up.
A word about my mother, before you meet her.
Her name is Sally Jackson and she's the best person in the world,
The statement was shared by those who knew Sally the best. The future Greek demigods said their own opinions and complements of her while everyone watched with astonishment as they listened to the praises of the mortal woman.
Poseidon looked down at Sally as he listened to the demigods praises. He had just met her hours ago but in that time he had learned that she was all the things the demigods described her as and more.
Sally listened and looked at them, a warmth spread in her as she cried through her warm smile.
which just proves my theory that the best people have the rottenest luck.
Grover nodded sadly, "That's so true, Percy is an example of that."
Sally whipped "What do you mean."
Her own parents died in a plane crash when she was five, and she was raised by an uncle who didn't care much about her. She wanted to be a novelist, so she spent high school working to save enough money for a college with a good creative- writing program. Then her uncle got cancer, and she had to quit school her senior year to take care of him. After he died, she was left with no money, no family, and no diploma.
Sally looked down not wanting to see anyone's reaction only for her chin to be captured by Poseidon's strong hands, turning her head upward to meet his breathtaking sea-green eyes.
"Every time I believe I have figured you out you seem to always surprise me. You're a strong woman Sally, truly a Queen."
Sally couldn't find the words she so desperately wanted to say. This wasn't supposed to happen, he's a God and they couldn't be together. She had to get over him but yet here she was, swimming deeper into this emotion that could only be love.
"I don't understand." Athena looked at Sally intensely as if she was looking through a microscope, not knowing what type of specimen she was.
Poseidon glared at Athena, "What do you not understand."
"She seems to be a smart woman so why exactly is she attracted to a Barnacle Beard like you? She could do better I'm sure."
"Why you," he stood up angrily only to be stopped by a reassuring hand on his arm. He looked down to see Sally shake her head while pulling him back down into his seat.
Anyone who knew Sally knew that she was very protective of those she cared about so when Sally glared up at the wisdom Goddesses, the future Greek demigods looked on uneasily. Athena was definitely going to be lectured and she was definitely not going to like it.
When Poseidon was back in his seat Sally looked up at Athena, "Don't say things like that to him, you may not like him for the things he has done in the past but that was uncalled for. You think he's a scoundrel, right? I thought so too when I first found out his true identity but he isn't. You do not know him so don't talk crap about him like you do. If you think he's such a bad person then I suggest you look at yourself in the mirror because you have done horrible things. You are a Goddesses but you have made mistakes like everyone else. You have caused others pain, like Medusa for instance, you turned that poor woman into a monster and now your children and any other demigods have to deal with her, another horrible monster they have to deal with. I understand you're a Goddesses and you could kill me or turn me into something but you should understand that just because you're all powerful it doesn't mean you're perfect, and it certainly doesn't give you the right to talk to anyone like that. I understand if it were a joke but you're not doing that, you're saying it to hurt him."
Poseidon could only watch as Sally defended him. She was just a mortal and yet she had stood up against a Goddesses to defend him.
The Olympians watched the mortal as she lectured Athena as if she was a child. Her words pierced the core of every Olympians as they went over her words, they knew they did the same things such as turning anyone into monsters if they angered them but they never realized the consequences their children would face because of it.
Hera looked at her fellow Olympians, they had looked down in shame as Sally lectured Athena. She was really starting to like this mortal.
Before Athena could do or say anything to Sally, Hermes rushed on to continue. He liked this mortal woman and he didn't want her to get hurt.
The only good break she ever got was meeting my dad.
Poseidon and Sally blushed but smiled at each other nonetheless.
It was true, Poseidon showed her a world she could only imagine. He showed her that life was worth living at a time she was at her lowest when all she wanted to do was hide.
I don't have any memories of him, just this sort of warm glow, maybe the barest trace of his smile.
The Olympians whipped their heads towards Poseidon and looked at him with open eyes. They couldn't do this, it was against the ancient laws.
The demigods looked at the God of the Sea as well, they felt sad and then anger—they were jealous. Had their godly parents even cared enough to look over them like Poseidon seemed to with Percy?
Theseus was affronted, had his father watched over him? Had he visited when he was just a babe? Maybe he did, he did visit his future half-brother—but why did it feel like his father didn't?
All Poseidon did was look away at the looks of astonished and angery looks directed at him.
My mom doesn't like to talk about him because it makes her sad. She has no pictures.
Poseidon took Sally's much smaller hands and held them, squeezing slightly to indicate how sorry he was.
See, they weren't married. She told me he was rich and important, and their relationship was a secret. Then one day, he set sail across the Atlantic on some important journey, and he never came back.
Lost at sea, my mom told me. Not dead. Lost at sea.
"It's the truth but yet a lie. You, Sally dear, are truly amazing! Beautiful, smart, kind, and cunning! My type of woman," Hermes winked at Sally's blushing face.
Poseidon glared heatedly, "Don't even think about it Hermes, I swear I'll pulverize you! Now read!"
She worked odd jobs, took night classes to get her high school diploma, and raised me on her own. She never complained or got mad. Not even once. But I knew I wasn't an easy kid.
Finally, she married Gabe Ugliano,
"You...married?" Poseidon looked downcast, saddened at the thought of Sally being with someone. He knew it wasn't right to feel like this when he himself had a wife, not only that but he had just met the woman today. But the thought of another with Sally...
who was nice the first thirty seconds we knew him, then showed his true colors as a world-class jerk.
Poseidon looked up quickly, eyes scrutinizing the book as if trying to make it talk and tell him, "What does that mean?"
Grover squeezed his eyes, he knew that 'jerk' was not the right word to use for that monster.
When I was young, I nicknamed him Smelly Gabe. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. The guy reeked like moldy garlic pizza wrapped in gym shorts.
"Ugh! How can he be so revolting!"
Piper usually felt as if her mom overdramatizes many things but she had to agree with her on this one. Smelly Gabe sounds revolting indeed.
Between the two of us, we made my mom's life pretty hard. The way Smelly Gabe treated her, the way he and I got along ... well, when I came home is a good example.
The future Greek demigods along with Poseidon narrowed their eyes at the book, something was not right.
I walked into our little apartment, hoping my mom would be home from work. Instead, Smelly Gabe was in the living room, playing poker with his buddies. The television blared ESPN. Chips and beer cans were strewn all over the carpet.
Many looked revolted at the imagery.
Hera bristled. This was no home, this was a pigsty! How can one love like this? She knew that it was not Sally's doing but Ugliano.
Hardly looking up, he said around his cigar, "So, you're home."
"Where's my mom?"
"Working," he said. "You got any cash?"
Thalia stood up abruptly and angrily, "Why in Hera is he asking for money!"
"Whoa wait, what's money?"
Thalia whipped her head towards Apollo who recoiled at the glare she possessed. Annie stepped in to relieve him, "Money is a current medium of exchange in the forms of coins
That was it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been the last six months?
Gabe had put on weight. He looked like a tuskless walrus in thrift-store clothes. He had about three hairs on his head, all combed over his bald scalp, as if that made him handsome or something.
Sounds of displeasure was heard throughout the room.
He managed the Electronics Mega-Mart in Queens, but he stayed home most of the time. I don't know why he hadn't been fired long before. He just kept on collecting paychecks, spending the money on cigars that made me nauseous, and on beer, of course. Always beer. 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.
The temperature of the room dropped and the lights flickered, the occupants of the room were able to see their breath as a shiver ran down their spines. Lightning crackled, the sound of thunder deafening to those in the room as the wind picked up causing the young to hold on dearly to their seats as to not be thrown off. Vicious vines grew on the walls and pillars of the Throne Room at an alarming rate, the pillars cracking under the pressure underneath its vicious grip.
The Olympians and Heroes of Old were in a panic, they have never seen such powers caused from demigods. The strong smell of raw power filled their nostrils as it only grew thicker in the air with every minute that passed. Auras of power could be seen surrounding the future Greek demigods, each differing in color but had the same viciousness and anger.
The descendants were angry but knew the end of Ugliano which sent them into ease at the memory of their little field trip to the museum. The Romans, Jason, Piper, and Leo felt anger as well but their attention was diverted towards the Greeks. The past demigods could only look at the older Greek demigods in both awe and terror.
Nico was surrounded in a murderous black energy, black tendrils savagely lashed out like ink black tentacles. His onyx eyes flared with Hell Fire as he glared at the book.
Lightning angrily flashed in Thalia's eyes, reflecting her merciless aura that surrounded her, those closest to her took a leap back when lightning crept out trying to find someone to zap into oblivion.
A bloodthirsty red surrounded Clarisse, fiercely flaring out with anger. Her eyes turned callous as she glared at the book.
A ruthless dark green energy emitted from Katie as vines slashed through the air surrounding her, the sound was a monstrous as it sadistically whipped towards those close.
Travis, Connor, and Chris' eyes were barbaric as a remorseless dark brown energy surrounded them, clinging onto each other's aura only for it to flare out further into the room.
Annabeth and Grover were the only ones who, although saddened, kept their anger at bay to help their little family to calm down.
"Don't tell me to calm down Grover! Did you not hear what the book said?!"
"Of course I did Clarisse! But there is no reason for all of you to scare the Styx out of everyone!"
Thalia glared accusingly at Grover, "Did you know? Is that why you and Annabeth are so calm?"
Grover looked away, a far away look in his eyes as he smiled sadly. "After Annabeth was rescued that one winter we had a sleepover, that was our way of seeking comfort from each other. During those sleepovers we would lay in our sleeping bags in a circle with our heads together in the middle of Percy's living room. We talked about anything and everything, we talked about our past and comforted each other. We cried and laughed as we listened to each other, to just be there and to feel like we weren't alone. That night was when he told us."
Slowly treacherous tears leaked from Thalia's saddened eyes. One because she remembered their own Little Big Three sleepovers with Percy and Nico, second because Percy had never opened up to them about his past. Saddened that he didn't feel comfortable enough to share that part of his past with them.
Nico was having the same train of thought, he reached to squeeze Thalia's hand to find comfort. He wished so dearly that Percy would have told them as well, to trust them to listen and comfort him because surely they would. They would have listened and hugged him with all their might before going on a rampage to find that filth and show him to never mess with a their little family ever again.
The past Greek demigods watched and listened to the way their future selves reacted. Listened to the stories of their sleepovers where they listened to each other, comforted each other. They wanted that.
Annabeth yearned for those sleepovers. Since Thalia's death Castellan had drifted away from her and she felt lost and alone. She found great comfort in knowing that she would have a family again. She didn't know it yet but she began anticipating Percy's arrival both in her own timeline and here in the past.
Annabeth laid a gentle hand on Nico and Thalia's hand, "Why don't we have our own sleepover tonight, hmm? We all miss him."
Grover walked over and a small happy smile settled on his lips, "Yeah and we can tell our own stories about him."
Travis and Connor bounced beside the four excitedly, "Can we come? We've got some seriously wicked prank stories to tell!"
"Of course, family remember?" The future Greek demigods grinned at this. How could they forget?
Grover turned to the three new additions at CHB along with the Romans and Past demigods, "You're all welcome to come as well."
The past Greek demigods as well as Jason, Piper, and Leo grinned widely at the invite while the Romans were a bit hesitant but nodded in the end.
Theseus walked forward tentatively, "Would it be alright if I joined? I'd really like to come and hear more about my brother."
Perseus' eyes glinted with excitement, "I'd like to listen about my cousin as well!" He cringed at his loudness as he looked down shyly, "Uh I mean if that's alright."
"Of course, you're part of the family as well."
Theseus and Perseus felt warmth, they have always wanted to be part of a family, it was hard to do that when they had a godly parent. Heracles, Orion, and Octavian sneered, disgusted. Octavian's was a bit forced, deep inside he could only wish he could have a family like that.
Nightshade was hesitant, on one hand there would be boys but she never experienced being part of a big family before. Sure she had the Hunters and Artemis but the Hunt was small at the moment. They were close sure but they weren't as close as the demigods seemed to be. She made up her mind in the end, she would drag her sisters along with her so they could be closer— to become one. At least then they'll be better fighters as they would trust each other better. Plus she was intrigued by Thalia and she knew the rest of her sisters were as well.
Poseidon opened his mouth ready to ask if he could join as well but was stopped by Sally's hand that gently squeezed his, "Let the kids bond, we have plenty of time learning about our son through the books and occasionally the few stories told."
Hermes overheard and noticed the downhearted expression on his uncles face, "You know we could watch them in the Throne Room during their sleepover?"
Sally, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter shook their heads at him but before they could say anything they were interrupted by Hephaestus, "I have a way to but it on a screen."
Hestia was soon to scold Hephaestus but was interrupted once again by Artemis, "I hate to admit it but I am intrigued by the boy, my future Lieutenant seems to care for him dearly."
"Yes I'd like to know about the boy who my daughter cares for dearly as well." Athena regarded her words carefully, not wanting for it to sound harsh.
Zeus nodded, "Then it's decided."
Hera shared looks with her sisters and Sally as they all shook their heads but didn't say anything. They couldn't deny anyways, they were intrigued.
The Olympians and Sally turned back to the children as they had all walked back to their seats, faces filled with content.
Hermes settled back into a comfortable position on his throne before continuing.
"I don't have any cash," I told him. He raised a greasy eyebrow.
Gabe could sniff out money like a bloodhound, which was surprising, since his own smell should've covered up everything else.
"You took a taxi from the bus station," he said. Probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"
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."
"At least one of them is decent enough."
"Am I right?" Gabe repeated.
Eddie scowled into his bowl of pretzels. The other two guys passed gas in harmony.
Hera closed her eyes and scowled repulsed, "I stand corrected."
"Your report card came, brain boy!" he shouted after me. "I wouldn't act so snooty!"
I dropped my suitcase on the bed. Home sweet home.
"Fine," I said. I dug a wad of dollars out of my pocket and threw the money on the table. "I hope you lose."
I slammed the door to my room, which really wasn't my room. During school months, it was Gabe's "study." He didn't study anything in there except old car magazines, but he loved shoving my stuff in the closet, leaving his muddy boots on my windowsill, and doing his best to make the place smell like his nasty cologne and cigars and stale beer.
Hestia's eyes darkened, this was not a home. It was worse than a pigsty.
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.
But as soon as I thought that, my legs felt weak. I remembered Grover's look of panic—how he'd made me promise I wouldn't go home without him. A sudden chill rolled through me. I felt like someone—something—was looking for me right now, maybe pounding its way up the stairs, growing long, horrible talons.
The demigods and descendants shivered, their own memories of their first monster coming up into their minds. Poseidon and Sally held each other's hand in comfort as they looked at the book worriedly, both unconsciously had their hands creeping towards Sally's stomach.
Then I heard my mom's voice. "Percy?"
She opened the bedroom door, and my fears melted.
My mother can make me feel good just by walking into the room. Her eyes sparkle and change color in the light. Her smile is as warm as a quilt. She's got a few gray streaks mixed in with her long brown hair, but I never think of her as old. When she looks at me, it's like she's seeing all the good things about me, none of the bad. I've never heard her raise her voice or say an unkind word to anyone, not even me or Gabe.
Sally smiled through blurry eyes. Because of her pregnancy her emotions were a rollercoaster, she could be worried one minute then happy the next.
"Oh, Percy." She hugged me tight. "I can't believe it. You've grown since Christmas!"
Her red-white-and-blue Sweet on America uniform smelled like the best things in the world: chocolate, licorice, and all the other stuff she sold at the candy shop in Grand Central. She'd brought me a huge bag of "free samples," the way she always did when I came home.
The Jackson siblings smiled fondly, their grandmother always gave them blue candies whenever they visited.
We sat together on the edge of the bed. While I attacked the blueberry sour strings, she ran her hand through my hair and demanded to know everything I hadn't put in my letters. She didn't mention anything about my getting expelled. She didn't seem to care about that. But was I okay? Was her little boy doing all right?
Clarisse looked over at the younger women who had cared for her and welcomed her and so many others into her home , Sally is a godsend." Those who knows Sally nodded.
I told her she was smothering me, and to lay off and all that, but secretly, I was really, really glad to see her.
"Prissy." Clarisse shook her head, he should've let Sally smother him, she cared for him unlike her own mother. Clarisse vowed to smother him when she seems him next, and it won't be pretty.
From the other room, Gabe yelled, "Hey, Sally—how about some bean dip, huh?" I gritted my teeth.
My mom is the nicest lady in the world. She should've been married to a millionaire, not to some jerk like Gabe.
For her sake, I tried to sound upbeat about my last days at Yancy Academy. I told her I wasn't too down about the expulsion. I'd lasted almost the whole year this time. I'd made some new friends. I'd done pretty well in Latin. And honestly, the fights hadn't been as bad as the headmaster said. I liked Yancy Academy. I really did. I put such a good spin on the year, I almost convinced myself. I started choking up, thinking about Grover and Mr. Brunner. Even Nancy Bobofit suddenly didn't seem so bad.
Until that trip to the museum ...
"What?" my mom asked. Her eyes tugged at my conscience, trying to pull out the secrets. "Did something scare you?"
"No, Mom."
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.
"Prissy should've told her. The Hades is he thinking?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that he thinks he's crazy and doesn't want to be put into an insane asylum by his mother could be it."
Clarisse glared at Thalia, "Shut it Zappy, I don't need your attitude. Plus have you forgotten his amazing plans? He is crazy."
"Can't argue with you there."
She pursed her lips. She knew I was holding back, but she didn't push me. "I have a surprise for you," she said. "We're going to the beach."
My eyes widened. "Montauk?"
She smiled. "As soon as I get changed."
"Three nights—same cabin."
"When?"
Apollo leaned to the side to whisper to Hermes, "What's so special about this Montauk?"
"I don't know brother."
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.
Gabe appeared in the doorway and growled, "Bean dip, Sally? Didn't you hear me?"
I wanted to punch him, but I met my mom's eyes and I understood she was offering me a deal: be nice to Gabe for a little while. Just until she was ready to leave for Montauk. Then we would get out of here.
"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?"
"I knew it," I muttered. "He won't let us go."
Poseidon didn't know why Montauk held a special place in Sally and Percy's hearts but it was special to them, "He better." he growled inhumanly.
"Yes, honey," my mother said.
"And you won't take my car anywhere but there and back." "We'll be very careful."
Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot, I thought. And make you sing soprano for a week.
"Usually I wouldn't condone it but this filth deserves it, go for it Percy!"
Clarisse looked at her boyfriend worriedly, "You do know that you're taking to a book right?"
Without looking at her he placed his pointer finger against her lips, "Hush let me have my dramatic moment."
Scowling against the finger she slapped him across the head, "Ever shush me again and I'll break your arm Rodriguez."
"Yes ma'am!"
But my mom's eyes warned me not to make him mad.
"Of course he will," my mom said evenly. "Your stepfather is just worried about money. That's all. Besides," she added, "Gabriel won't have to settle for bean dip. I'll make him enough seven-layer dip for the whole weekend. Guacamole. Sour cream. The works."
"Oh bribery, huh? You keep surprising me Sally." Heroes winked at the mortal who had caught, not just his attention, but all the Olympians.
Gabe softened a bit. "So this money for your trip ... it comes out of your clothes budget, right?"
A banshee like shriek rang out through the Throne Room, causing all the occupants to cover their ears. The horrible sound could only be from Aphrodite as she hyperventilated, shrieking here and then as her eyes bulged in horror and anger.
"A budget on clothes?! How dare he do such a think! I'll show him a budget, a budget on his life!"
Hephaestus was the only one brave enough to uncover his ears as he rubbed her back comfortingly, "Calm down and breath, we have plenty of time to plan his demise. Plus Sally is here, you can pamper her all you like."
Aphrodite considered his words before nodding, excitement building inside her. Yes she would pamper the Hades out of the mortal.
Sally was uncomfortable with the prospect of it all but she didn't want to upset the Goddesses, especially after seeing how happy it made her.
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."
Why did she put up with this guy? I wanted to scream. Why did she care what he thought?
"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I'm really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important poker game. Please go back to it right now."
Gabe's eyes narrowed. His tiny brain was probably trying to detect sarcasm in my statement. "Yeah, whatever," he decided.
He went back to his game.
"How could he not detect all that sarcasm? I can literally hear Percy say it with all the sass in this world as if he was here right now." Chris shook his head only for Clarisse to smack his head. He looked at his girlfriend who was watching Annabeth looking downcast. Well crap. His girlfriend was right, he needs a mouth filter.
"Thank you, Percy," my mom said. "Once we get to Montauk, we'll talk more about... whatever you've forgotten to tell me, okay?"
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.
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.
Gabe took a break from his poker game long enough to watch me lug my mom's bags to the car. He kept griping and groaning about losing her cooking—and more important, his '78 Camaro—for the whole weekend.
"What's a '78 Camaro?"
"It's a type of car dad."
"Ok Will, but what's a car?"
Will tried to explain but couldn't come up with a way to at all. Annie took that as her chance to explain in detail, "A car is a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people."
Apollo's eyes glazed over as a look of confusion settled onto his face, "What?"
"It's like a chariot but it can't fly."
"Not a scratch on this car, brain boy," he warned me as I loaded the last bag. "Not one little scratch."
Piper looked confused, "Are you serious? He's twelve, last time I checked that wasn't the legal driving age!"
Like I'd be the one driving. I was twelve.
Travis gawked at Piper before looking over at Connor, "Woah that's weird. Bro do you think Percy is somehow taking over Pipers body?"
"Dude that would be so cool!" Piper could only look affronted as she stared at the Stoll brothers.
Chris looked at Piper critically before poking her temple, "Percy you in there?"
Piper pushed Chris' finger away before moving away from the Hermes brothers, freaking out at the weirdness. "Stop that! No one is taking over my body!"
Katie and Clarisse smacked their respective boyfriends before smacking Connor.
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.
Watching him lumber back toward the apartment building, I got so mad 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, a sort of warding-off-evil gesture, a clawed hand over my heart, then a shoving movement toward Gabe.
Artemis looked at the book with interest, "He's very observant."
"Yeah Percy's like that, he can be quite oblivious in some cases," Thalia pointedly looked at Annabeth, "but he's quite observant."
"What id like to talk about is that he thought, and rightfully so, that it was a gesture to ward off evil. Its only a small protection from evil but it's not gonna any damage to this Ugliano fellow, no matter how much I wish it could." Athena drifted off in thought, she didn't admit it out loud but she was impressed with the boys observation skills and his intuition.
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. Maybe it was just the wind, or some freak accident with the hinges, but I didn't stay long enough to find out.
"Umm I thought it wasn't gonna do any thing." T.S called out into the now silent Throne Room.
"It's not! How is this possible?"
The Olympians looked at each other uncertainty, the boy seemed powerful enough but this...how could he possibly do that when he didn't even know of his powers?
Poseidon was the only Olympian who looked proud and quite happy. He was confused as well but hey, his boy could make his fellow Olympians—especially his brothers—speechless without even being here!
Zeus felt uneasy but shook his head, "We will have a council meeting later, continue reading Hermes."
Poseidon suspiciously looked at his younger brother but didn't say anything, instead he turned his attention to Hermes.
I got in the Camaro and told my mom to step on it.
Our rental cabin was on the south shore, way out at the tip of Long Island. It was a little pastel box with faded curtains, half sunken into the dunes. There was always sand in the sheets and spiders in the cabinets,
Athena's eyes flashed angrily at the mention of spiders while Annie and Annabeth shivered.
and most of the time the sea was too cold to swim in.
Damson scoffed, "Like that ever stopped dad."
I loved the place.
Zoë nodded her head, "Montauk is one the best places."
Thalia looked down in thought, "It's been awhile since we went."
Nico nodded as he took hold of Thalia's hand for comfort, "It's been awhile since we've had our Little Big Three hangouts."
Hades scrunched his brows in confusion while his two brothers looked over with their brows raised in interest. "Your Little Big Three hangout?"
"Yeah, Percy always made a point of dragging us into these hangouts to bond as cousins. It became a regular thing and I always look forward to it."
Hera shook her head, "Why can't you boys get along like your children? You should learn a thing or two from them."
Through out the reading Jason couldn't figure out what he felt. He hated that his sister cared about the guy so much, that they were so close. But on the other hand he couldn't help feeling thankful for the guy, he was there for his sister and he seemed like he cared quite a lot for her and everyone around him. He wondered if he could join in on their Little Big Three hangouts when he met the guy, he wanted a family as well. He had Piper and Leo of course but he craved to be surrounded in something bigger— and it seemed like Percy Jackson was in the very middle of it all.
We'd been going there since I was a baby. My mom had been going even longer. She never exactly said, but I knew why the beach was special to her. It was the place where she'd met my dad.
Aphrodite couldn't help but let her tears fall, it was just so cute and romantic. She wished she could watch the day they met that day. Sure she could now that she knew where it would take place but she didn't want to intrude on them.
Poseidon made a mental note to remember the name place. He couldn't wait for the day.
As we got closer to Montauk, she seemed to grow younger, years of worry and work disappearing from her face. Her eyes turned the color of the sea.
Athena scrunched her brows in confusion, "That's interesting, your eyes changing that is. It's as if you're connected to the sea somehow."
We got there at sunset, opened all the cabin's windows, and went through our usual cleaning routine. We walked on the beach, fed blue corn chips to the seagulls, and munched on blue jelly beans, blue saltwater taffy, and all the other free samples my mom had brought from work.
I guess I should explain the blue food.
Artemis looked critically at the book, "Yes please, the amount of blue food mentioned is quite concerning."
Sally nodded as she was confused as well. Sure her future son liked blue but with the amount of it coming up so often she didn't know whether she should be concerned. "I am a bit intrigued with all of this blue."
See, Gabe had once told my mom there was no such thing. They had this fight, which seemed like a really small thing at the time. But ever since, my mom went out of her way to eat blue. She baked blue birthday cakes. She mixed blueberry smoothies. She bought blue-corn tortilla chips and brought home blue candy from the shop. This—along with keeping her maiden name, Jackson, rather than calling herself Mrs. Ugliano—was proof that she wasn't totally suckered by Gabe. She did have a rebellious streak, like me.
Travis burst into laughter, "That's definitely something Aunt Sally would do! And here I thought I couldn't love her more than I do now."
When it got dark, we made a fire. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Mom told me stories about when she was a kid, back before her parents died in the plane crash. She told me about the books she wanted to write someday, when she had enough money to quit the candy shop.
Athena softly gaped in surprise but smiled warmly and excitedly at Sally. This mortal was definitely interesting, "A writer you say? A very noble career path, I wish to help you anyway I can if that's alright with you Sally."
Artemis, like many of the Olympians were finding Sally interesting, she was warm and strong. "You know if you weren't so in —ugh—love I'd be happy to welcome you into my Hunt. You're very capable and strong, perhaps if you loose feelings you can join."
Sally looked at the two Goddesses in shock but smiled warmly at them both, "Thank you Lady Athena but I'd like to pursue my goals with my own skills, it's very generously you of course and I thank you but no thank you. I want to be a writer with my own capabilities. Lady Artemis I would also like to thank you for your offer, I have no idea what is in store for my future but I know I would like to watch my son grow up and be surrounded with my grandchildren when I'm old."
All those—besides the future Greek demigods—in the room were once again speechless. The mortal was offered to be helped by the Goddesses of Wisdom and denied it. Not only that but was also offered a slight immortality, denying it once again. She was a mystery, one that they found themselves liking.
Eventually, I got up the nerve to ask about what was always on my mind whenever we came to Montauk—my father. Mom's eyes went all misty. I figured she would tell me the same things she always did, but I never got tired of hearing them.
Poseidon looked away saddened, "I'm sorry that it causes you sadness."
Sally smiled gently up at the man she still yearned for, "It's alright Poseidon, yes I'm sad but I wouldn't change anything. Whatever led to me meeting you I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You are a wonderful man and it was clearly the right choice in the beginning, without it Percy wouldn't be here. He will be there to remind me of you."
"He was kind, Percy," she said. "Tall, handsome, and powerful. But gentle, too. You have his black hair, you know, and his green eyes."
Sally blushed as she looked away but in doing so she did not see the way Poseidon had blushed as well and could only smile at her.
Mom fished a blue jelly bean out of her candy bag. "I wish he could see you, Percy. He would be so proud."
"I already am." Poseidon smiled down at Sally's stomach.
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.
"Oh there's so much more to you than that Seaweedbrain." Annabeth caressed the photo in her hand.
"How old was I?" I asked. "I mean ... when he left?"
She watched the flames. "He was only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin."
"But... he knew me as a baby."
"No, honey. He knew I was expecting a baby, but he never saw you. He had to leave before you were born."
I tried to square that with the fact that I seemed to remember ... something about my father. A warm glow. A smile.
Zeus glared at his brother, "Poseidon you know we can't do such things."
"If I happen to visit my son in the future then so be it!"
The Romans were shocked—actually they were shocked since the very beginning of this ordeal. The Olympians were different then what they assumed they would be, they joked around. Some—Hermes and Apollo— acted like children. And now they were speechless at the care Poseidon showed to his future/unborn child.
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 ...
I felt angry at my father. Maybe it was stupid, but I resented him for going on that ocean voyage, for not having the guts to marry my mom. He'd left us, and now we were stuck with Smelly Gabe.
"If I could I would stay with you and your mother." Poseidon whispered to himself, shocked at the honesty of his words. He had just met Sally today but he felt such a strong urge to stay by her side.
"Are you going to send me away again?" I asked her. "To another boarding school?"
She pulled a marshmallow from the fire.
"I don't know, honey." Her voice was heavy. "I think ... I think we'll have to do something."
"Because you don't want me around?" I regretted the words as soon as they were out.
"That was stupid to say Prissy."
My mom's eyes welled with tears. She took my hand, squeezed it tight. "Oh, Percy, no. I—I have to, honey. For your own good. I have to send you away."
Her words reminded me of what Mr. Brunner had said—that it was best for me to leave Yancy.
"Because I'm not normal," I said.
Cleo laughed, "None of us are!"
"You say that as if it's a bad thing, Percy. But you don't realize how important you are. I thought Yancy Academy would be far enough away. I thought you'd finally be safe."
"Safe from what?"
Travis whispered under his breath but everyone could still hear him, " Oh just about every monster and immortality there!"
"Dude shut up! You're going to give Aunt Sally and Lord Poseidon a heart attack, I don't thinks God can even get a heart attack!"
She met my eyes, and a flood of memories came back to me—all the weird, scary things that had ever happened to me, some of which I'd tried to forget.
During third grade, a man in a black trench coat had stalked me on the playground. When the teachers threatened to call the police, he went away growling, but no one believed me when I told them that under his broad-brimmed hat, the man only had one eye, right in the middle of his head.
Frank looked concerned, "That's unsettling."
Before that—a really early memory. I was in preschool, and a teacher accidentally put me down for a nap in a cot that a snake had slithered into. My mom screamed when she came to pick me up and found me playing with a limp, scaly rope I'd somehow managed to strangle to death with my meaty toddler hands.
Those in the room gapped at the book, no one knew this of course—not even Annabeth. Everyone looked towards Heracles who sneered at the book.
It was bad enough that they were reading about this son of Poseidon but now the kid strangled a snake when he was a toddler. Something that no one but him had done! Heracles was really starting to hate the demigod.
In every single school, something creepy had happened, something unsafe, and I was forced to move.
I knew I should tell my mom about the old ladies at the fruit stand, and Mrs. Dodds at the art museum, about my weird hallucination that I had sliced my math teacher into dust with a sword. But I couldn't make myself tell her. I had a strange feeling the news would end our trip to Montauk, and I didn't want that.
Annabeth gently smiled and shook her head adoringly, "Dummy."
"I've tried to keep you as close to me as I could," my mom said. "They told me that was a mistake. But there's only one other option, Percy—the place your father wanted to send you. And I just... I just can't stand to do it."
"My father wanted me to go to a special school?" "Not a school," she said softly. "A summer camp."
"Camp Half-Blood is the best!"
"Whoo go Camp Half-Blood!"
The Greek demigods form both the past and future along with the descendants chanted and screamed, showing just how much they loved the place.
Laughing at the happiness, Hestia tried calming them down. "Alright children, calm down. Let's get back to the story now."
My head was spinning. Why would my dad—who hadn't even stayed around long enough to see me born— talk to my mom about a summer camp? And if it was so important, why hadn't she ever mentioned it before?
"I'm sorry, Percy," she said, seeing the look in my eyes. "But I can't talk about it. I—I couldn't send you to that place. It might mean saying good-bye to you for good."
"For good? But if it's only a summer camp ..."
"Nah, you can choose to be a year rounder."
She turned toward the fire, and I knew from her expression that if I asked her any more questions she would start to cry.
That night I had a vivid dream.
"Oh here we go." The future Greek demigods whispered underneath their breaths but since so many said it, those in the room heard and looked at them in confusion. They didn't say anything but instead looked at Hermes to continue.
It was storming on the beach, and two beautiful animals, a white horse and a golden eagle, were trying to kill each other at the edge of the surf. The eagle swooped down and slashed the horse's muzzle with its huge talons.
Zeus nodded, pleased. "Yes I would definitely win in a fight with you."
The horse reared up and kicked at the eagles wings.
"You were saying brother?" Poseidon grinned at the glare directed at him.
As they fought, the ground rumbled, and a monstrous voice chuckled somewhere beneath the earth, goading the animals to fight harder.
Zeus whipped his head towards the God of the Underworld and looked at him suspiciously, "Hades,"
"Ha! Like I've got time to do such things."
"That better be the case brother."
I ran toward them, knowing I had to stop them from killing each other, but I was running in slow motion. I knew I would be too late. I saw the eagle dive down, its beak aimed at the horse's wide eyes, and I screamed, No!
No one said anything as they were caught up in the story, they knew that the story was picking up pace now. Something was going to happen.
I woke with a start.
Outside, it really was storming, the kind of storm that cracks trees and blows down houses. There was no horse or eagle on the beach, just lightning making false daylight, and twenty-foot waves pounding the dunes like artillery.
With the next thunderclap, my mom woke. She sat up, eyes wide, and said, "Hurricane."
I knew that was crazy. Long Island never sees hurricanes this early in the summer. But the ocean seemed to have forgotten. Over the roar of the wind, I heard a distant bellow, an angry, tortured sound that made my hair stand on end.
Everyone leaned forward in their seats anticipating and worried.
Then a much closer noise, like mallets in the sand. A desperate voice—someone yelling, pounding on our cabin door.
My mother sprang out of bed in her nightgown and threw open the lock.
Grover stood framed in the doorway against a backdrop of pouring rain.
"Oh come on! Where's all the action!"
Aphrodite smiled sweetly at Hephaestus, "Would you be a dear and give me a hammer?" Hephaestus grinned and handed one over to his wife without question.
Aphrodite whipped her head and glared like a set deranged woman and with great accuracy, threw the hammer at Ares where it proceeded to hit his chest.
"Ow! Stop throwing things at me woman! And you stop giving her things to throw at me!" Aphrodite only glared more intensely while Hephaestus shrugged.
"Learn some common sense! Not everything is about war Ares!"
Ares could only look pained and shocked as he rubbed his chest.
But he wasn't... he wasn't exactly Grover.
"Searching all night," he gasped. "What were you thinking?"
My mother looked at me in terror—not scared of Grover, but of why he'd come.
I was frozen, looking at Grover. I couldn't understand what I was seeing.
"Percy," she said, shouting to be heard over the rain. "What happened at school? What didn't you tell me?"
"O Zeu kai alloi theoi!" he yelled. "It's right behind me! Didn't you tell her?"
I was too shocked to register that he'd just cursed in Ancient Greek, and I'd understood him perfectly. I was too shocked to wonder how Grover had gotten here by himself in the middle of the night. Because Grover didn't have his pants on—and where his legs should be ... where his legs should be ...
My mom looked at me sternly and talked in a tone she'd never used before: "Percy. Tell me now!"
I stammered something about the old ladies at the fruit stand, and Mrs. Dodds, and my mom stared at me, her face deathly pale in the flashes of lightning.
She grabbed her purse, tossed me my rain jacket, and said, "Get to the car. Both of you. Go!"
Grover ran for the Camaro—but he wasn't running, exactly. He was trotting, shaking his shaggy hindquarters, and suddenly his story about a muscular disorder in his legs made sense to me. I understood how he could run so fast and still limp when he walked.
Because where his feet should be, there were no feet. There were cloven hooves.
"Well that was anticlimactic."
"Jasper shut up." Zoë slapped him upside the head.
"Ow! Geez woman, don't hit me so hard!"
Zoë glared at him before slapping him upside the head once again. Thalia laughed as she high-fived her.
"I'm your nephew! You should be on my side!"
Thalia just shrugged, "You deserved them."