Chapter Sixteen

Friday, November 28th

Percy

"I'll let you say your goodbyes."

Everybody stood. Annabeth immediately pulled Percy into a hug. "I'm sorry Annabeth," Percy murmured.

"Don't be," she replied. "Don't worry, I'll see you soon, okay?"

Percy nodded. "Bye Annabeth." He pulled away, "Stay smart."

"I always do."

He sadly grinned and walked off to say goodbye to everyone else.

Thalia

After they had said their goodbyes they went back into House. Nothing happened. Thalia was frustrated. House was being stubborn. After a while Chiron had announced that House had finally moved. Chiron said goodbye and said he was leaving. When they stepped out Thalia knew they weren't in New York. They were standing in front of the biggest houses she had ever seen. There were three large houses. The middle one was white, the one on the left was blue and the one on the right was grey. She turned around. House and Chiron were gone. Behind them was a golden gate.

"Where are we?" Percy whispered.

Thalia shook her head, "I have a feeling we're in California." She began to travel up the long stone path. It split into three ways. They decided to go to whom they assumed was Zeus' house.

"Should we knock?" Jason asked.

Thalia shook her head, "No. It's our house too."

"What if it's locked?" Nico asked.

Thalia latched her hand onto the golden knob. The door opened. "It's not locked," she muttered. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. They left their luggage at the door. Inside were two grand staircases that curved into the same spot. The house was spotless.

"Do you think they're here?" Hazel inquired.

"I think so," Percy replied glancing at the jackets in the closet. "We just need to find their office."

"In-between the stairs?" Bianca guessed. The six kids walked forwards and opened the door. Nobody was inside. The whole first floor was empty so they decided to check upstairs. They headed towards the very last room at the end of the hall. Jason opened the door. There were their fathers huddled around a large laptop. They were watching the news broadcast.

"Hi," Thalia said. The three of them jumped and turned around.

"Thalia, you almost gave me a heart attack!" Zeus yelled.

Poseidon looked around, "What are you doing here?"

Bianca bit her lip, "We requested to go home but this…is not home."

"Why would you want to go home?" Hades asked shuffling a few paces to cover the computer screen.

"We've seen the news," Nico said. "Were going home whether you want us to or not."

Poseidon frowned, "We need you."

"No, you don't," Percy replied firmly. "We know it's not a scam but…can you just be honest with us? We weren't supposed to be on the team. You requested House to get us. They can defeat Kronos on their own. You may think you need us, but be honest with yourselves. You don't. Our mothers need us."

Hades opened his mouth, "We understand that, but—"

"Dad," Hazel interrupted. "Did you hear what Sammy said? He needs me to fix his heart! My mom looked straight at the camera and specifically told me that she was waiting for me. Sammy was begging me to come back home, I have to go."

"Please," Zeus tried. "We need you."

Thalia felt the gears in her head turning. "Think about it this way," Thalia said. "How would you feel if someone you loved was taken away from you by someone who they thought was safe? Percy's own mother thinks you're a serial killer!" Thalia suddenly yelled. Poseidon flinched. "Let us go home and save you the trouble of this research. You don't need us. Forget we even exist. I can live my life without a father and you can most definitely live your life without a kid."

Zeus looked down, "Okay. Go out in the back to the jet. My other assistant, Yolanda, will take you home. We'll call your mothers."

Hazel

The jet landed at the airport. Hazel jumped out of the jet after being in it for five and half hours. The six of them thanked Yolanda and walked into the airports entrance. It was really cold outside. "Percy!" a voice cried as soon as they entered. It was Percy's mom.

Hazel spotted their mothers right away. She dropped her suitcase and ran towards her mother's open arms. Hazel's mother picked her up and span her around. "Hazel, I missed you so much," she said. "Your father wouldn't tell us anything but I'm just glad you're here."

"I'm glad to be home," Hazel replied. Her mother set her down.

"Wait a second." Hazel turned and saw Percy's mother's confused face. She pointed at Thalia and Jason, "You two met me at the boutique when you were supposed to be in California."

Thalia paled, "Um…"

"We can explain!" Percy said. "You see, mom, we were on vacation, right."

Bianca nodded rapidly, "Mm-hmm, but we came back to New York because…"

"Because they had a business trip!" Jason explained.

"Yup," Hazel nodded. "While we were walking through the street we saw you but we didn't want you to see Percy."

"So," Nico concluded, "We sent Thalia and Jason over to distract you."

"The end," Hazel added. She was a horrible liar.

Ms. Jackson looked suspicious. "Never mind that, let's go out for dinner to celebrate."

"And you can explain where you've been," Ms. Di Angelo added glancing at her children who nodded.

Okay guys we're halfway through this story. I suspect this story will be fifteen more chapters...hope you enjoyed!