Jay Evermist and the Olympians

Book One: n The Battle Begins

Chapter 6: Tears (A lot)

(Sorry for not updating for so long! Also in case you were wondering, Jacob likes to be quiet and that's why he has seemed to keep his distance in the past few chapters. I hope you enjoy!)

When we approached a large brown town house on the end of this dead end street Miki stopped and stared for a moment. It was almost like she was wondering whether to go through with this.

I sensed that she felt afraid. "When was the last time you saw them?" I ask compassionately.

"Two years ago, I ran away." She wiped a tear from her cheek as Jacob gave her a small hug. "But last year, I came back to apologize to see my mom had remarried and had forgotten all about me." She sniffed before looking back up at me.

"You don't have to do this." Jacob said reassuringly.

"No, I do." She grabbed out hands and trudged onward up the stone pathway until we reached a white door twice my size covered with blotches of black paint.

Miki reached out her hand shaking and knocked on the door lightly. After some time of nothing happening, she pressed the door bell and we began to hear footsteps inside. My watch read 9:12 and everyone was probably getting ready for bed f not already in bed, it was a school night.

A little girl with bright blonde hair opened the door and took one look at us and stared. I wouldn't blame her. How would you react if three teens showed up at your door with terrible hair, torn clothes, and weapons. But, I don't think she was staring at that, she had her eyes locked on Miki. Her eyes began to tear up as she ran forward and gave her a hug. Miki hugged back and Jacob and I suddenly felt really awkward.

When they came apart Miki introduced us, "Guys this is my step sister Tawny who I love very much." She smiled, wiping away yet another tear. "Tawny this is Jay and Jacob."

Tawny laughed, "It's like JJ" I blushed and then realized what I was doing and changed my expression to solemn.

The following minutes included Miki's sister Tawny letting us in and explaining how her parents weren't home and wouldn't be back until tomorrow at noon. I was happy they weren't there and I could tell Miki was relieved too.

Miki and her sister went down stairs and brought up sleeping bags for us. "I guess I'll be sleeping down here with you and Jacob tonight." I nodded in agreement. "By the way, where is Jacob?"

"I don't know," I answer. "Let me go look." Before I leave I see Tawny grabbing Miki's arm with tears in her eyes. She was only 7 and this must be hard to never see her sister and when you do see her it's only for a couple hours.

"Mickenzie, when are you guys leaving?" She asked choking back tears.

"In the morning," She pulled her in for a hug and I decided to let them have their family moment. Wait, did she call Miki Mickenzie? I'm glad Jay isn't short for anything.

When I walk onto the patio I see Jacob sitting on a small brick wall separating the patio from the lawn. I didn't know whether it was the reflection off his glasses or if they were tears on his cheeks. I stepped forward landing on a crunching leaf. Smooth one Jay.

He spun around but only turned back when he saw it was me. I walked over to sit next to him. He smelled good, like cinnamon and musk, I guess that's the smell of death.

"Are you okay?" I asked, breaking the silence.

He looked up at the moon, "No."

"Do you want to talk about it?" I knew this was rude to ask the moment it came from my lips. He didn't speak for a while.

Right as I was going to tell him about the sleeping bags he answered my question, "It's just," He took a deep breath. "Being here reminds me about my mom and how much I miss her."

I nod, not knowing what else to do. I mean I also miss my dad but I only remember him vaguely. "Does she live around here? Maybe we can visit her tomorrow on our way up to New York." I put a hand on his shoulder to try and cheer him up.

"No, she doesn't live around here. Let's just say she's in a better place now." I gasp quietly understanding what he means.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Dad let me go to the judgment, she couldn't see me though. She got sent to Elysium and even got an option to be reborn. She declined though." He leaned back taking in the view of the stars. "She was a hero you know. Even went on a couple quests in her day."

"She would be proud of you." I say hoping he would see my smile. He just looked back in his lap and took another deep breath. It was then that I realized how cold it could be when it's October and you're wearing a T-Shirt. I shivered involuntarily and Jacob must have noticed it.

"Come on let's get you inside." He took my hand and we walked inside to the living room where we each sat down on our sleeping bags that were now sprawled across the floor.

Miki walked in with half a bag of chips and three water bottles. "Here you go." I grab my bottle and take a sip, it feels good to drink. I hadn't had anything to drink since Lunch at camp. I lean over to Jacob when Miki wasn't looking and whispered to him.

"Thanks." I say while making it look like I was adjusting my pant leg.

"What," He seemed surprised.

"You saved me back there and I would have died."

He blushed. "Well, you know." He stammered out. "You would have done the same."

"Okay guys." Miki announced. "Tawny is up stairs in bed and we should probably get some sleep as well. I have chips here in case you're hungry. There is a monster movie marathon on channel 12 if you want to watch that too."

"What happened to going to sleep?" Jacob asked.

"Pssh. We just have to be out of here by 10:00 tomorrow. My parents shouldn't get home until 12 but just to be safe."

"Movies it is." Jacob concluded. I smiled but then stopped.

"Wait, we should call Chiron."

"Oh my gosh." Miki said getting up. "I didn't even think about that. They're probably worried sick about us."

"Come on we can make an Iris message in the kitchen." We all walked in and I turned the water on. "Does anyone have a drachma?" Luckily Jacob can pull one out and hand it to me. Miki grabbed a spoon and put it under the water to make it splash up to a rainbow.

"Oh Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, accept my offering." I said as I threw the coin and watched it dissolve into the rainbow. I thought hard about Chiron and camp. Before long I saw Chiron stranding in front of what looked like a fire.

"Chiron!" I screamed. He looked at me and did a double take.

"Jay, Miki, Jacob where are you three? What happened?"

Before any of us can answer I hear a wave of talking pound through my ears. Oh please don't tell me this is the bon fire time. Chiron waved his hand and the view changed so we were looking up at the arena of kids sitting there talking.

I noticed that little girl I saw at the dock stand and wave her hands. She screamed, "Miki! Over here Miki!" Miki put her face in her hand when she saw her.

"Diana, sit down with Will!" I was surprised she heard her but she did what she was told.

Chiron spoke to the crowd. "Attention campers. Our lost campers have been found." Everyone began to look at us and I felt really awkward. I didn't like attention.

I saw Nico stand up and start clapping for Jacob after no one joined him, he sat down, though.

"Where are you exactly?" Chiron asked.

I was still speechless so Jacob answered this. "We are in Washington D.C., currently at Miki's mom's house. We plan to stay the night and head back to New York in the morning." His voice changed from when we talked before. It sounded more in charge now.

"How did you get there?" Chiron asked looking scared.

"It was those Hermes kids! They're evil!" Bandy broke out amongst the crowd and I saw Annabeth stand up with clenched fists, Percy however pulled her back down.

"It wasn't them." I said coming out of my trance. "They couldn't have made a trick that powerful. I don't think anyone in camp made it."

Silence fell across the camp as I spoke. "Our best chance is to just get there as soon as possible to be safe."

"That's a good idea Jay." Chiron said as he stopped trotting back and forth.

"Jacob why don't you just shadow travel them like I showed you." Nico was back on his feet shouting at the picture.

"I guess I could." Jacob stepped out of frame and his face was getting red.

Chiron was back in front of us again. "Just get some sleep and try not to dream a lot." Me and Miki laughed knowing how bad demigod dreams can be but Chiron's face was deadly serious.

"Guys," He spoke in a lower tone so only we could hear him. "The oracle gave us some disturbing news this morning, after we found her in the strawberry fields cowering from nothing. I'll have to explain when you arrive tomorrow." With that Miki dropped the spoon and his bearded face slowly dropped into the sink.

"So," Miki began while walking into the living room. 'Monster Movie Marathon anyone?"

Me and Jacob smiled as he headed back to the couch with her.