Chapter Seventeen

Friday, November 28th

Jason

We sat around in a restaurant as we slowly came up with a story as to why were gone. "So, when we go to California their phones and everything were cut off for some reason," Percy explained as he played around with his food. "That's why we missed the first flight back. When everything was working again it was already September. But then they went on another business trip they couldn't miss so they requested their assistant get us home but she never got the memo I guess. When they came back two months later they saw the news broadcast…we all did." Percy glanced at his mom. "They were able to get us home immediately." Jason had to give Percy credit. His story made sense and he didn't sound like he was lying.

Thalia nodded, "They didn't do anything wrong."

"And dad is most certainly not a serial killer," Percy added quickly.

His mother nodded, "That's a very odd story."

"Yup," Nico popped the p.

Hazel pursed her lips, "That's what happened."

"Well," Ms. Di Angelo started, "You have school on Monday."

Nico's jaw dropped, "But mamma!"

"You can't send us to school," Bianca protested.

"You've missed the first two months of school, Bianca," her mother said. "You're going to school."

"Speaking of school," Jason mused, "What school do you go to?"

Percy spoke first, "Goode."

"Same," Nico muttered crossing his arms. Obviously he hadn't gotten over the fact that he had to go back to school.

"Me too," Hazel smiled.

Jason frowned, "Well why haven't I ever seen you before?"

"It's kindergarten to grade 12," Bianca said, "It's a big school."

Jason thought about it. Himself being twelve, he was now in Grade Seven. Percy Grade Eight, Thalia Nine, Bianca Eight, Nico Six and Hazel Five.

"Well, I think we should get going," Jason's mom said as she stood up.

They then went their separate ways.

Hazel

Hazel and her mother walked into their apartment only for her to be tackled. "Hazel!"

Hazel looked up and grinned, "Hi, Sammy." Hazel's mother smiled knowingly and left the room with Hazel's suitcase.

Sammy stood up and offered his hand out to her which she gladly accepted. They both walked into the living room. "I saw the news," Hazel said sheepishly as she sat down.

"I know, I know, I was being a big baby."

"Maybe just a little," Hazel admitted "But that's okay, I came back and fixed you're broken heart."

Sammy nodded and smiled, "Yeah, you did."

Percy

Monday, December 1st

Percy yawned as he climbed into bed. As expected, the first day of school was hectic. He saw his cousins through the halls several times but Percy couldn't shake the feeling that something was…missing. Yes, he was happy that he was back home and his mother didn't think he was missing anymore but he wondered what happened with the group. Were they successful with their mission? Percy shook the thoughts away as he slipped into a state of sleep.

"Percy," someone whispered as they shook him lightly.

"Nuh," Percy replied turning over. "Five more minutes."

"Come on, Percy, wake up," the person shoved him and his eyes slowly blinked open. He sat up and blinked. Quickly he glanced at his digital clock. It was 3 a.m. Percy looked around. Nobody was in the room, so who woke him up?

"Oh, sorry," a voice whispered and he jumped. Suddenly Annabeth was there tucking a baseball cap in her back pocket. She stood there in her uniform. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail. "You should really lock your windows."

Percy was suddenly alarmed, "Annabeth, what are you doing here?" he whispered.

Annabeth sat on the edge of his bed, "Percy, the mission failed miserably."

"So?"

"So, the reason we failed was your fault."

"How so?"

"We needed you. The groups weren't strong. See, we located him but when it came to everything else the lookout group wasn't able to look over the whole perimeter of the building so reinforcements got in right under their noses. The fighting group couldn't hold their own and K got away in a helicopter. If we had a few more people they never would've gotten in Percy. And remember that 'extra factor' they were talking about?" Percy nodded. "House is stuck in Hawaii. It doesn't have enough energy. Chiron was able to pay for one ticket out of there and he sent me to collect you guys. Once we get back to Hawaii House will have more than enough energy to get back to the arena."

"Annabeth," Percy hissed. "What do you expect me to do? Just pick up my stuff and leave?"

"Of course not," Annabeth whispered. She pulled out a clasp filled with a clear liquid.

"What is that?"

"Néktar. One drop of this and your mom will think you're on a two month field trip to Oregon. I promise, you'll be back by then. And when the whole thing is done, Chiron will rewind time."

"I can't afford to miss another two months of school. I failed my latest math test. What will everyone else think?"

"Don't worry," Annabeth replied. "Your class is going on a trip to Oregon. Don't worry about it."

"Since when?"

"Since half past I said so."

Percy glanced at the clasp in her hand. He didn't want to leave. His mom just got him back. But at the same time, K could win without them. Slowly Percy nodded. "Fine. You go do that while I write my mom a note."

"A note? A note for what?"

"I always write my mother a note."

"Fine." Annabeth walked down the hall.

Percy ran to the kitchen and quickly scribbled a note and left it for his mom on the kitchen island.

"Should I change?" Percy whispered as they headed to the fire escape.

Annabeth shook her head, "I just hope you know where Thalia and Jason live."

They ran through the streets of New York, purposely avoiding dark alleyways. There was no time to get mugged. Finally, they stopped. Percy began to run up the fire escape. "Okay, I see Thalia."

Annabeth tried the window, "Locked."

Percy nodded and rapped on the window a few times. Thalia stirred but stayed asleep. Percy knocked until she slowly rubbed her eyes and sat up. Percy knocked once more. Thalia glanced at him with a confused lock. She looked at the clock and then opened the window.

"Can I help you?" she sounded irritated. "You do know we have school in the morning, right?"

"We can explain," Percy whispered.

Thalia raised an eyebrow, "We?"

Annabeth shimmered into sight, "Hi, Thalia."

"What're you doing here?" Thalia hissed.

Percy and Annabeth stepped inside. "Where's Jason?" Annabeth asked.

Thalia quietly motioned them to follow her. "Okay," Annabeth whispered. "Percy, explain, I'll be right back."

Percy and Thalia woke up Jason and Percy quickly explained the situation. Soon, they were out on the streets again. After Bianca and Nico's house they finally reached Hazel's. That was a problem. Hazel's mother's bedroom was connected to the fire escape.

"Well this is just great," Thalia huffed.

"It's freezing cold, we can't stay out here," Bianca muttered as she rubbed her bare arms. They were all in pajamas except for Annabeth.

Percy could practically see the gears moving in Annabeth's head, "Does Hazel have a cellphone?"

"She's ten!" Thalia hissed. "Of course not."

"Hey!" Nico whispered. "Did anyone bother to try and open the window?" Nico pushed the window open slowly.

"Hell no," Thalia whispered, "Marie would freak if she saw us."

"But she won't," Percy replied. "Now c'mon, you're letting all the warm air out." He hopped into the house. "Just be a ninja."

To prove his point he did a summersault and waited near the door. Annabeth grinned, walked in. She did a front walkover. "Like that?" she whispered. Percy smiled and nodded. Bianca climbed inside and did a cartwheel and a flip.

"See, we're ninjas," Percy gave Bianca a thumbs-up.

Nico rolled his eyes and walked in, to which Percy gave a thumbs down, "You need to work on releasing your inner ninja."

Jason shrugged and did a quick summersault. Finally Thalia walked in and closed the window behind her. She did a quick front aerial and joined the others.

Percy smirked and raised an eyebrow. Thalia rolled her eyes, "I've been in gymnastics since I was two…not that I wanted to be…" she muttered as she headed to Hazel's room.

When they woke up Hazel and explained she didn't look too happy. She was surrounded by a bunch of huge plush toys, "So were just going to leave again. No explanation?" Annabeth shook the clasp. "But what about all of my classmates? I'll just be gone again?"

Annabeth shook her head, "See, your school is going to Oregon by bus. You'll be there but the mist will be doing its job. You'll always have an excuse to why you are gone. If it's in the bathroom or getting an ice pack, no one will be suspicious." Hazel still didn't look convinced. "The human brain likes to put the puzzle pieces together. For two months they'll just be squishing the pieces together even though they don't fit. They'll be satisfied even if it's unrealistic or doesn't make sense."

Hazel sighed, "Oka—"

"Hazel!" a voice called out.

Everybody froze. It was Hazel's mom. "Yes mom?" Hazel called back. She bit on her lip.

"Who are you talking to?"

Hazel quickly motioned for everyone to hide. "Uh…The moon." Percy's eyes scanned the room. Annabeth hid behind the door, Thalia and Bianca were in the closet and Jason was hidden behind the dresser. Nico slid under the bed. Percy dived into the bed with Hazel who yelped. He covered himself with the blanket and hid the lump he made with toys.

"Is everything okay in there, Hazel?" Percy could hear footsteps approaching from underneath the blanket.

"Yes mom. I just couldn't sleep so I woke up and started talking to myself."

"Okay, goodnight."

"'Night," Hazel replied. "Sorry for waking you."

The footsteps got quieter and quieter. Percy peeked before getting out of the bed. Hazel let out a sigh of relief. She quickly got out of bed and rummaged through her drawer. She was holding a pencil and a piece of paper. She scribbled on it.

Percy read the words, Wait 15 mins, then we'll go.

They all nodded and made themselves comfortable.