Chapter 7:
Percy POV-
I knew Zack was suspicious, but I didn't know he was this suspicious.
I didn't actually go back to my room; I hid around the corner because I figured that Zack would spill his suspicions the second I was out of earshot.
And yeah…he did.
I had been hoping that he didn't hear my entire conversation but apparently he had. On the bright side (or maybe the not-so-bright side depending upon how you look at it) Cody and Bailey did not believe a word he was saying.
Now if I could just keep a low profile until the end of the semester, everything would be great.
Yeah, that'll happen.
Watching Finding Nemo went okay (I love Finding Nemo! Annabeth hates it because I always want to watch it but occasionally she gives in and watches it with me) and Zack actually did keep his promise and started to be nicer to me. We actually have quite a bit in common—you know, until a monster attacks and he's suspicious of me again.
But I wasn't going to complain.
When I woke up the next morning it had been 18 hours since the last monster attack—not a record, but pretty good for me (outside of camp, or course). Maybe the monsters were slightly more wary because I'm in my dad's element, or maybe they had just found another demigod to snack on. Maybe both.
At any rate, still not complaining.
I was beginning to think that everyone had forgotten about Zack's suspicions and the incident yesterday until me began class.
"Alright class, in light of the…incident yesterday, I've decided that it's time for us to begin our Greek mythology unit," Ms. Tutwiler announced.
Cody, Zack and Bailey turned to look at me.
"What does a giant shark have to do with Greek mythology?" Woody asked and a few other students piped up in agreement. Clearly they must have been blocked by the Mist. Ms. Tutwiler had a look on her face like she knew that it hadn't been a giant shark, but she said nothing.
Her certainty was funny considering that she hadn't even seen the monster.
Hmm…
"It wasn't a—" Zack started to say but Ms. Tutwiler cleared her throat and gave him a look that clearly said 'don't' and Zack closed his mouth.
Hmm…
"Giant shark, sea monster, what's the difference?" Ms. Tutwiler chuckled nervously, "They'd both make me hide under my desk." Everyone laughed and the questioning students seemed to accept her answer.
"Percy," Ms. Tutwiler said. Great of course it's me.
'Perhaps she suspects me too,' I thought to myself.
"Maybe you can redeem yourself from yesterday and tell me what the twelve main Greek Gods are," she prompted.
"Poseidon, Zeus, Hades, Hera, Demeter, Athena, Hermes, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis and Apollo," I told her easily.
"Much better," she smiled knowingly, obviously pleased and then moved on to someone else. Zack didn't seem nearly as excited that I could correctly answer a question.
I've sat through a lot of Greek mythology classes, and—aside from Chiron—Ms. Tutwiler's was one of the most accurate.
Hmm…
Given her short, thin, frame, I guessed that she was either an aura, a nereid, or a dryad—the latter though was improbable because a dryad cannot be separated from her tree for very long, and, in the middle of the ocean, that would be difficult.
Or…she's a monster.
Which, would be bad.
"Alright," Ms. Tutwiler smiled, "Class dismissed."
We all stood up to leave but Ms. Tutwiler motioned for me to stay.
Crap.
"We'll wait for you," Cody said.
"You don't have to," I replied.
"You sure?" he asked.
"Yeah, you guys go ahead," I told them.
They nodded and the classroom door closed.
I tensed, ready to grab Riptide if necessary.
"Relax, Percy. If I was going to kill you I would have done it already," she rolled her eyes.
"That's not exactly reassuring," I muttered thinking about Mrs. Dodds who waited a long time into the school year before attacking me.
She ignored me and took a sip from the cup on her desk. She made a face and stirred the contents then took another drink.
"I hate when my salt water settles," she told me.
"You're a nereid," I guessed.
"Mmm hmm," she hummed in agreement. "Although, let's keep that between us for now. Have you figured out who the other demigods are yet?"
"How did you know I'm looking for other demigods?" I asked her.
She gave me a look that clearly said "you're kidding right?"
"News travels fast in the ocean. Plus, your father loves to talk about your quests accomplishments," she smiled.
"Really?" I beamed.
She nodded.
"So have you figured out which ones are the demigods?" she asked again.
"Not yet, but if you could give me a hint that would be helpful," I hoped.
She shook her head, "I wish I could, but we don't know." Figures.
"We?" I questioned.
"Oh yes, it takes a lot to protect one demigod, but I expect there to be closer to six—well seven including you—on this ship. So yes, I have a little support within the staff," she explained.
"Wow seven?" my eyes widened. I expected like two. Seven was close to a third of our class of twenty three. No wonder Chiron had had me come here.
She nodded. "It's a lot, I know. I guess their parents think that they will be safe—or at the very least, that they will stay out of trouble—in the middle of the ocean. And for the most part, we do keep them pretty safe. At least until a son of Poseidon attracts a ton of attention," she gave me a pointed look.
"Sorry," I smiled sheepishly.
"I know it's not your fault. But that won't stop the monsters. Our protections aren't enough to include your scent, so, I'm guessing it won't be long before another monster attack," she informed me.
I shrugged, "I'm kind of used to that by now."
She chuckled, "I'm sure you are." She looked at the clock, "I think I've kept you long enough. Why don't you go have lunch with your friends."
"Thanks," I grinned, grabbing my stuff and heading out the door.