Fanfiction: More Than It Seems

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book 2: Sea Of Monsters

Chapter 2:

I moved to my knees and he continued to stare at me. "Percy you could help." I said and he came over and help hoist me onto the edge of the bed. "What are earth are you trying to do? Break your legs?" he continued to stare at all my bandages, maybe he thought I was just a weak girl still. "I heal quickly, I just stumbled." I explained and stretched my arms above me. "Alright…so where were you heading just now?" I paused at his question, he knew I was up to no good.

"I want to see Thaila's tree, I've been trying to help every single night, why should this one be different?" he blinked and glanced toward the door. "Even you can't help it?" I shook my head, no power could save that tree now. I looked at Percy's palm, he had been so lucky last summer, he almost didn't make it. "I think he used something different on her tree than he did on me, otherwise you would probably be easy to heal."

He looked so upset as he gripped the sheets tightly, Luke acted like everyone's friend, then turn his back and attacked us all now. That was enough to piss anyone off, I touched his shoulder gently. "It's alright Percy, he shall receive his own punishment when his judgment day comes." I knew my words made no effect at all on him, but I felt like I had to try. He suddenly got up and pushed me back into the bed, holding me down. "You need to rest, just get some sleep, no need to worry, just focus on getting better…" his voice was worried, but I highly doubt it was for me.

"Tantalus has brought back the races." he said simply, releasing me, but watching me closely, making sure I wasn't getting up again. It clicked in my head what he said, I tried to sit up, but he gently shoved me back down. Chariot races were not good news, each cabin could enter their own and it normally meant wounds and sometimes even death. When I was in the sky, I turned away every time, it hurt my heart to see such violence in such young people.

"Rest up, you gotta come watch me win. Me and Tyson are almost done with the chariot and I want you to be able to come cheer me on." I watched his smile, he couldn't wait for the race, he wanted to do it so bad. "Percy, it's just pointless violence, nothing good will come from these races, only pain." I said and turned away from him, hoping he would catch the hint and leave me alone now. He did and walked to the door flap, then turned back. "Travis and Conner have entered too." then he was gone before I could flip over to face him.

My protectors and loves were acting like…like boys. I had to remind myself that they were young, sweet, carefree. They knew nothing of the world they were in now, I had seen so much of it from above, but now I found myself thrown into with them. Everyone still treated me differently, except Percy and the brothers. I was bowed to a lot, whispered about everywhere I went. A lot of girls thought I entranced the Stolls and was dangerous and needed people to stay away.

I tried to get sleep, but found myself lying awake until Travis and Conner appeared in the morning hours, holding fruit and cheese. "Good Morning!" "How are you feeling this glorious day!" they smiled brightly at me. All I could do was look away, which they took as I was hurt and needed to be taken care of. "H, what's wrong? What hurts?" Conner said and touched my hand as gentle as he could. His brother touched my cheek softly, then blinked. "Why is your cheek dirty?" I looked away from their eyes, not sure how to tell them.

"You tried to leave this bed didn't you?" Travis made me look at him, then smiled. "Why can't you just relax and get rest? Why must you be so stubborn?" I sighed and sat up completely, surprising them both. "I'm healing quickly guys, I will be out of here soon, hopefully today." "I will hear nothing of that." we all turned and saw Tantalus crossing his arms at me, glaring slightly.

Travis and Conner went into protector mode and moved between me and the man staring intensely at me. "What do you want?" I asked, not understand why he was even at the camp and not in the underworld where he belonged. "I know who you truly are…Hesperia." I froze at my name, unaware he knew who I was fully, treasure of the gods and goddesses. "Hades speaks of you often, wanting you to return to him, waiting for you to give up this pointless life of trying to be normal." I looked away from him and watched Travis and Conner's backs tighten at the mention of Hades.

"Just get out." Conner sounded brave, like he would give his life to make me happy and my heart hurt more and more, I didn't belong here, it would never work, I couldn't be with them both. "Now now, I'm just telling her the truth. You truly think this whole relationship will work with you two, that her being with you idiots will make her happy? She is immortal, she will live beyond you, by a long shot. If she allows herself to love you both, after you die, she will be alone and heartbroken for the rest of eternity. She needs to be with someone that can protect her from any foe and forever. You guys couldn't even protect her from the bulls, you are easily killed, but thankfully also easily replaced."

He turned and left and we were alone again, the guys watched me closely, waiting for me to speak. Tantalus was saying the exact thing I had been thinking, only slightly harsher, and sighed. "Guys, you know he just trying to get you two all bent up." I tried and saw they didn't believe me in the least. They moved back to me, taking seats on the bed with me, I frowned at them both, remembering what Percy had told me. "

"I heard you two entered the Chariot races." they both perked up, smiling brightly, they must think I'm happy about it. "You should see the awesome ride we made!" Travis bellowed and Conner nodded, "It's loaded with tricks and weapons, no one is going to beat us!" I sighed and shook my head at them both, such child-like behavior. "This isn't a good thing, I don't like those races and nothing good comes from them." they instantly deflated and mumbled apologies, I took their hands.

"I will be there to watch you guys, but I will not cheer for anyone, I hate the pointless violence of those damn races." I tried to get up, but they both pushed me back down. "Do us both a favor, for us and us alone…" Conner started and Travis nodded, caressing my cheek. "Stay in this bed until race day." I knew I couldn't tell them no, even though I was beyond ready to get out of this stupid bed. I nodded and grinned at them both. "Go finish up the chariot. I'll be right here." They took off without much more added, both kissing my cheeks sweetly before disappearing to rig their death machine.

The days passed without much happening, the guys were either working on the chariot, helping campers or with me, everyone was getting hyped up for the big day, and I was stuck in this damn bed. I showed the guys I was able to walk and exercise with no problem, but they still wanted me to remain here until race day. I woke up that morning with a smile on my face, finally I was free of this confining tent. I made my way out and found myself walking down to the lake, students running around, preparing everything. I paused and stared at the water, the crisp air blowing my hair gently.

"So beautiful." I turned and saw Travis and Conner both watching me with sweet looks in their eyes. I smiled and beckoned them to me, wanting their arms around me, they had been treating me as if I was made of glass. They were gentle in their touches, but slowly became brave, holding me close between them. I was in a Stoll sandwich and was in heaven in my own mind. "Be careful…" I mumbled and they chuckled, their chest rumbling on each side of me.