January 25th

Mirra's point of view

"What the huh?"

The walls of the cave were completely emerged in crystal-like ice with the weapons of the monster(who were nowhere to be seen) stuck into the cracks. I felt a drop of water hit the top of my head, and saw when I looked up gigantic ice pillars hanging fro the ceiling. The floor was littered with snow, with tall spikes of ice shooting out of the ground, circling around us.

I looked at Percy. "How did...did you...huh?"

He chuckled. "Mirra, haven't we already established I can control water?"

"But you-! Water, not-! You did this?" I knew Percy could control water, but I never knew he was capable of this much power. It was awesome, but scary enough to know not to get on his bad side.

I heard his cheerful laugh, and he look up at me. "Okay, so I'm pretty sure we're both in for it once we get home, so lets get out of here so we don't push our luck with mom."

It was early in the morning as the sun was just starting to rise. I hugged my shoulders to keep warm in the chilly morning air.

I'm pretty sure if anyone saw as, they'd think we were homeless. Both Percy ad I looked absolutely awful. He had dirt and blood all over his shirt and his hair was disheveled, with little specks of monster dust stuck to his forehead and cheeks. He had bags under his eyes, when the last time he slept I didn't know. I probably looked no better. My clothes were muddy and ripped, and I was covered in scratched from being tossed on the ground. I knee was scrapped and I had a bruise on my elbow. I could tell my hair was messy just I touching it. There were rocks and sticks stuck to tangles and had so much dirt I looked like a brunette.

"Where are we?" I asked.

Percy shrugged. "I dunno. About 25 miles out of the city. Probably more."

I sighed. "Oh great, we're going to have a fun time walking back." I looked down. "That is if we aren't mistaken as homeless kids, or burglars."

Percy laughed. "Well, while that does sound fun, I had something else in mind."

Percy did a taxicab whistle, which confused me because I'm pretty sure taxies didn't drive in the middle of the woods, and even if they did how would we afford it? Does Percy have an infinite credit card? (That would actually explain a few things.)

We stood there for about three minutes before I noticed a big black dot appear in the sky.

"What is that?" I thought aloud, blinking against the sun in my eyes.

"Blackjack." was all he answered.

I tilted my head. "Isn't that a card game?"

Before he answered (if was even planning on answering as all) I heard a 'Clop, Thump!' behind me.

My jaw dropped.

There was a Pegasus standing in front of me.

"..." I was speechless.

Now, while I am a bit more mature for my age and a bit more tomboyish that most people, I'm still a little girl. So, even after everything I've been though in the last six months, this surely took the cake. And pie. And anything else on the table.

"Hey Blackjack!" Percy greeted, petting the Pegasus on the nose. It neighed in response.

"Yeah, long story, look...no, I don't have any sugar cubes for you...well, when I'm on a rescue mission I usually don't think to pack extra sugar cubes...Yeah, I'll remember next time...What?...no!...look, I need-...will you stop complaining and listen to me?"

"..." Still speechless.

"Ugh! Fine, I'll get you some sugar cubes when we get home, happy?...huh?...oh, that's my sister...If she could understand you, she's probably say she gets that a lot...what?"

Percy looked over to me and smiled. "Hey, blackjack just said to lose your mouth or you'll catch flies."

"Guh...Pegasus...?"

Percy started laughing.

"Mirra, meet Blackjack. Blackjack, Mirra. He's our ride home."

I blinked. "Our...Ride..."

Blackjack neighed.

"He just said hop on when your ready, and he'll try to go slower for first time riders...Huh?...Well, I'm adding that last part." He said that to Blackjack. "Ready to go?"

How may eight year old girls get to say they've fought monsters, talked to mermaids, and rode on a Pegasus? Not many I'm sure of.

I held onto Percy's waist and Blackjack took off.

As soon as we were airborne, I smiled so wide I could put the Cheshire cat to shame.

At first we rose a bit off the ground, where I could see a birds nest in one of the tree branches. Then we were above the trees, then the trees looked like sticks in the dirt. Then the entire area looked like a giant green chess board with specks of white for the snow that hadn't yet melted. The cold air didn't even matter to me.

I laughed, but it sounded more like a happy yip. My hair blew back behind my ears. Blackjack kept his promise and flew at a steady pace, but I found myself chanting 'faster! faster!' and as the speed increase, I threw my arms up in the hair like a roller coaster.

This certainly topped any roller coaster..

I stretched my arms out as far as they could go, and my hands brushed against the clouds. They were cold, but not an unpleasant cold. It was more like the feeling of a snowball hitting you during a snowball fight. Cold, but made you laugh in a way were you wanted that moment to never end.

We neared the city, and I gasped as I saw the incredibly tall buildings, that I always thought touched the sky, and was please that we were actually higher than them. Blackjack swooped lower and flew circles around buildings. The people looked so small down below. I laughed when he flew by a window and a guy dropped his cup of coffee.

We swooped down and landed in the wide ally between two buildings. I recognized the melting snowman in the corner as the one Percy, mommy and I made the other day. We must be home.

Blackjack neighed and Percy pat his nose. "Yeah yeah, sugar cubes. I'll remember next time."

I giggled and walked up to Blackjack. He was taller than me, but bowed his head so I could pet him. "Thanks' Blackjack for the amazing ride."

He neighed in response and nuzzled my chest. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck like a hug.

I waved along with Percy as Blackjack flew off.

oOoOoOoOo

Percy and I stood in front of our apartment and I was gripping into Percy's hand nervously. I knew I was in trouble, and I was afraid of what mommy and daddy would say once they saw me. Percy and I had been gone for almost two days. My hand shook, but Percy gave me a smile.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I disappear all the time, so mom's used to it, and Paul does what mom tells him to."

I wish I had his confidence.

The door to our apartment opened, light flooded and the usual smell of cookies and cinnamon drifted through the air.

Mommy was sitting on the couch reading a book. She was in her blue bathrobe and her brown hair was slightly damp and held up in a lose bun.

She looked up and her blue eyes widened. "Mirra!"

She was over to me in an instance, and arms wrapped around me so tight I could barely breath.

"Mirra, I was so worried! Oh, sweetheart, thank goodness your safe!"

Out of the corner f my eye I saw daddy come in the room, wearing his usual work clothes but with his tie undone. He looked as if he was about to start crying, and finally running over and hugging me after mommy stood up.

"Mirra, please don't run out like that again. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you again..."

I felt myself tearing up, and I hugged daddy tightly. "I'm sorry daddy." and as a second thought I added "I love you."

"I love you too, very very much..."

"Percy!" We heard mommy exclaim. "What happened, you look exhausted!"

I looked up at my brother and saw mommy was right. He was breathing heavily like he had just run a marathon. The cut on his cheek has swollen up, though the blood was scabbed over, and a large purple bruise took its place.

"A great son of hades once said 'with great power come's great need to take a nap...' " He yawned, and I wondered if he had slept at all in the last few days, and I also realized that creating that ice storm must have taken a lot of energy.

The adrenaline must have kept him awake but now that that's over he's about to pass out.

Mommy chuckled. "I think we have some necture in the fridge. I'll get you some."

Percy yawned again. "No...just sleep."

He trudged over to the couch like a zombie and fell face first into the pillow. He was fast asleep a second later, based on the soft snores muffling though the pillow.

Mommy sighed, but smiled as she covered him up with a blanket, and placed a finger on her lip so we wouldn't wake him.

OOoOoOoOo

I took a shower and got out of my ripped up clothes, replacing them with blue plaid pajama's. Daddy had put a bandage on the bump on my head, and we all went to bed for the night.

Percy was still sleeping on the couch. Just before going up to my room, I stopped my the ouch and smiled at my brother.

There are time's I wonder how I ever got along without him. I've only know him for a short him, but I knew I loved my brother since the first day I came home. He's always been there to protect me, and help me learn how to do things I would have never been able to do, shown me things normal people never get to see. I wasn't meant to be in a world like his, but here I am, and It's all thanks to him.

I love my brother more than anything else in the world.

I sat down on the couch beside where he was laying, and softly whispered "Love you, big brother."

His eyes cracked open a bit, and I jumped back in fear that I woke him up, but then he closed them again and smiled softy. "Love you too, sis."

I sighed and layed my head on his shoulder. I didn't need the blanket to keep warm, but Percy still unconsciously covered me up.

I looked up at him one more time, but instead of seeing his sleeping face, I saw the bruise on his cheek.

I couldn't help but think it was my fault he got hurt. I reached my hand up slowly and was about to touch his cheek when I pulled back and mentally slapped myself.

'Mirra! That might hurt him!' I snapped at myself.

But something in the back of my mind said 'Go ahead, its okay.'

My hand started reaching up again, but this time I didn't pull back. I softly touched the bruise, brushing my fingertips over the scabbed area.

Then a warm feeling erupted from my hand and my eyes widened at a bright light that glowed in front of my eyes.

When it dimmed I pulled my hand back, seeing the dim glow left on my palms. My head snapped back up at Percy, and I gasped.

His bruise was gone.

I blinked a few times in confusion, but before I could ponder this any further, a wave of tiredness washed over me, and my eyelids shut only seconds later, and I slept with pleasant dreams.

In the morning I would wake up surrounded by the people I love the most...my family.

Whaa! So much love. This marks the end of this story. *Ducks at tomato thrown on the stage* Hey, I said this story, have you forgotten about the sequel? That should be out in a few weeks. *Ducks at flaming tomato thrown* Hey, no need to get violent! A sneak peak will be up in a few days, now I'm going to leave before you kill me with fruid. *Ducks at poisonous tomato*