Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians but I suppose you already know that!
Chapter 2
Percy POV
1:00 AM
Today was the day. The day I would finally return to New York after twenty-three years. Yes, twenty-three years.
To be honest, I did not think I would ever return. Not after what happened all those years ago. I had nothing left there. Well, not nothing. My mom was there with Paul and Susan. They would visit us every year at California and I could see it in her eyes that she wanted me to come back, if only for a short visit. But I just could not. There were too many memories. Everywhere, in every street, every alley, I had been attacked by some monster or the other. When I would look at the city all I could remember how lifeless it had looked during the Battle of Manhatten. And although I am being foolish, I can't help but think it was my fault. My fault my city had been in danger.
Being the child of the prophecy had not been easy. But somehow, I had managed to survive. I had been so very relieved. Finally, I thought I would be able to live a semi-normal life. However, it was not to be. A quest for Hermes, an errand for Apollo, this, that and the other.
And then the best part – losing my memories and going missing for seven months. And if that was not bad enough, having to fight yet another war and falling into Tartarus. Thinking of that hellhole brought back memories of the night Annabeth and I finally decided to leave camp.
Flashback
We had just reached Thalia's Pine. Annabeth was tightly holding my hand, almost as though she was afraid that I would slip away from her grasp. I did not blame her. She had seen me nearly kill myself not even an hour ago. It had shaken her up badly. Looking back, I could not believe that I had even thought of something like that. How could I have left Annabeth? As cheesy as it might sound, she was my everything, my whole world. We were two halves of a single entity.
I was jerked out my thoughts by Annabeth pinching my arm. There by the pine, there was a person. It was too late now. We could not turn back. The person had surely seen us by now. We approached the tree hesitantly. It was Hestia.
''Lady Hestia,'' whispered Annabeth. ''What brings you here?''
''I could ask you both the same question child,'' she replied. ''I must say that I am not surprised by your decision. Sometimes all we need to come back on track is a fresh start.''
''How do you know?'' I choked. ''And what are you doing to do? Send us back? Or tell Zeus so that he force immortality upon us?'' I spat out bitterly.
Hestia's eyes burned and I could see the flames dancing in her eyes. At that very instant I was sure that due to my inability to hold my tongue, we were both going to get incinerated.
''Come here child,'' she said gently. ''Do you really have so little faith in me Perseus? I cannot forget what you did for me in the Titan war. Not many demigods would give up immortality for love and be brave enough to ask Zeus to give Hades and I our own thrones on Olympus. And you, Annabeth, never giving up on finding Percy for all the months he was missing. You both deserve to be happy. If you want to leave camp in order to get your happy ending then so be it. But let me help you. That is the least I can do for you. Consider it as a gift.''
''You will help us?'' whispered Annabeth disbelievingly.
''Yes. I will keep you hidden from the eyes of the Gods and monsters. Your scent will be masked. But I would recommend that you don't come back to New York. Whatever my powers may be, I will not be able to hide you here.''
''Thank you so much my lady,'' I managed to croak out. Maybe, finally things would be alright.
Hestia had kept her promise. No monster had bothered us since the time we left. When Andromeda was born, Hestia had told us that any child of ours would be invisible to monsters until their fifteenth birthday. Then they would have to be sent to camp. Andromeda had turned fifteen three days ago and we were running out of time. She had to reach camp as soon as possible.
''Ready to go?'' asked Annabeth.
''As ready as I will ever be.'' I answered.
Andromeda bounded down the stairs, her eyes shining with excitement. ''Can we leave now?'' she asked impatiently. She reminds me of myself when I was of her age. Or probably how I would have been if there had not been a prophecy hanging over my head.
''You remember all that I taught you right?'' fussed Annabeth. ''Try to remain inconspicuous and not attract monsters. And – ''
''Remember my back story, don't use my powers unless absolutely essential and try not to pick a fight with anyone. I know Mom.''
''Just take care alright?'' whispered Annabeth, hugging her tightly.
''I will Mom, don't worry.'' Andy smiled.
''Shall we?'' I asked her.
''Lead the way Dad.'' she replied.
''Hold on tight.'' I said holding her hand and vapour travelled us to New York.
Now, vapour travelling is exactly as cool as it sounds. It is even better than shadow travelling and that is saying something. Imagine going on a roller coaster. Now imagine that the roller coaster is going underwater and you are being broken into a thousand fragments and being put back together like a jigsaw and you can imagine what vapour travel feels like.
''Woah!'' said Andy. We had landed in Central Park.
''Feeling alright?'' I asked.
She grinned.
'' Never felt better.''
Andromeda POV
Vapour travel is the coolest thing ever! It was just amazing. I followed Dad as he hailed a cab.
''Long Island.'' He said and the cab took off.
''Now what?'' I asked him quietly.
''We wait. And hope we reach safely. And are not attacked.'' He replied. ''Just remain alert. You never know what might happen when.''
I stared out of the window as the streets of New York zipped past us. Dad chuckled.
''What's so funny?''
''Oh nothing. It is just that this is oddly reminiscent of my first ride to camp. Lets just hope that this trip is not as bad as mine was.''
He spoke too soon.
We could see the hill in the distance by now when suddenly something dark engulfed the cab and then, everything went black. We were plunged into darkness.
Ooh! Cliffie! Well, I hope you all liked Percabeth's backstory. I will be including more such flashbacks in the later chapters. Please review and let me know your thoughts! What monster do you think Andromeda will face on her way to camp? Any guesses?
Also, I will not be able to update more than once a week from next time as my classes start. I will try to update every Sunday.
Until next time,
-booklover1004