AN: So guys, I'm back with a new chapter! It's been a real pain to write since I've been having the worst writer's block so far and couldn't manage to find the time to type it down. I've had it all written out in my notebook for the last week or so. I've also just barely managed to find the time to watch the movie again to refresh my memory so I hope this chapter is more movielike. I think it's the only role in which I HAVEN'T seen Sean Bean die.
This is the longest chapter I've written for this story, so far. We also get a little bit more insight into Merri's relationship with Luke and her way of thinking.
Anyhow, I'd like to thank you guys for taking the time to read this story, so a big shout-out to you. Just to inform you, I will be expecting some feedback from you, so review guys(virtual cookies to all of you who do)! I hope you like this and if not feel free to let me know.
PS: If any of you are any good at drawing and feel interested, you can try and make a cover for this story with Merri on it. PM the links to me and I'll decide on one of them.
By the way, has anyone seen the new episode of Game of Thrones? I just did and I think it was awsome, as is the rest of the show. Honestly can't decide if I like the books more than I love the show.
Chapter 4And, of course, there was a party thrown later that night. Like she was gonna attend it, hah! No, she wasn't sociable, or likable, enough to try and mingle with the other campers. A hot shower and a comic-book, all she ever needed. No matter how much Luke begged her to come, she wasn't going to bend. 'Let them party all they want! All I need is a little peace and quiet,' she would say.
Merri was sitting up on her branch, like always, reading. Surprisingly enough, it wasn't a comic she was reading but rather a book. Not just any book, of course, she had taste in literature. She was reading Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, the book was just so good she hadn't had the heart to leave it back home. Her mane of hair was still wet from her shower since she decided to leave it to dry naturally, a decision she knew she would most likely regret later on when it starts to curl messily.
From her vantage point, she could both see and hear the party going and it sounded like the others were having really good time. That is until an unexpected guest appeared...
Hades... 'Why, of all the gods, did it have to be Hades?' the question repeating itself in her mind like a broker record. It was beginning to grate on her nerves, to be honest. But still, she would've expected some of the lesser gods to come and request the Lightning, but why did it have to be Hades? Actually, now that she thought about it, it should've been more surprising how long it took him to make an appearance in the first place. Nevermind, she will have to think about it later. Now, she had more pressing issues to take care of. Like, making sure that Percy doesn't get himself killed 'cause she was 100% sure he would be trying to get his mother back one way or another. At least, that's what she would do.
''What's with the bag?'' Luke asked her without breaking eye contact with the video-game he was playing as she strolled into his cabin. She had already gone back to her own cabin and packed her bag so she could go with Percy and help him, whether he wants it or not. She also changed her clothes and now wore a black T-shirt with 'Keep calm and join the Dark Side' written on it along with a small Darth Vader helmet above the letters, a pair of black cargo pants, her converse and a red plaid hoodie jacket tied around her waist. Sometimes Luke knew her to well, but she would never admit it out loud.
''The new kid's gonna come asking for your help in getting to the Underworld, so I thought I'd tag along and make sure he doesn't get himself killed,'' she said taking a seat next to him, her ,now curled up, hair partly hanging over her eyes and covering her face. Luke just smirked at her response.
''You know,'' he teased. ''If I didn't know better I'd say you actually care for what happens to the boy.'' She just shrugged.
Merri could hear them coming long before they announced themselves. She was surprised to see Annabeth with Percy and Grover but she wouldn't argue since she knew how much of a great fighter the girl was. Luke, however, didn't look up from his game even when Annabeth spoke to him. She swore the guy was a total game junky.
''Hey guys,'' he said after glancing at them while Merri simply waved at them. ''Percy, figured you'd stop by sooner or later'' 'Idiot! I told you they were coming myself,' Merri thought. ''Everybody does. Get away from all that... renaissance fair stuff out there, you know. '' Luke paused his game and got up. ''But, uh... Welcome to the modern world.''
The sentence did have sense since Luke's cabin had more modern tech in it than the entirety of the camp combined. Grover was looking it all over with an approving expression on his face muttering to himself.
''What are you guys up to?'' Luke asked. Without surprise, it was Percy who answered.
''We're going to get my mom back.''
''Your dad is the messenger of gods,'' Annabeth continued. ''One of the only ones who's gotten in and out of the Underworld. Do you've any idea how?'' Merri looked at Luke to see him actually thinking about it.
''My dad's a jerk. I've never met him.'' She could see the slightly haunted look in his eyes. It bothered him as much as it would any kid without a parent. She knew well enough what it's like to never know your father. Percy, though, seemed a little surprised about this piece of information.
''You too?'' he asked.
Merri scoffed. ''Welcome to the club, kid,'' she said. Luke simply shrugged.
''Guess we all got 'daddy issues', huh? That's because all gods are the same: selfish. They only care about themselves. But I once broke into my dad's house, got some cool stuff.''
Luke showed them a dusty old shoebox. Merri could remember the day she had first seen that box, like ti was yesterday. It was also the day Luke showed her how to fly with the shoes that were in that box. It was probably the most fun she'd ever had in her life, even if she managed to break her right arm when she crash-landed. She smirked at the astounded looks on the gang's faces when Percy opened the box and one of the shoes started hovering in front of them. Luke went on to explain.
''My dad's. He's got hundreds of these little guys. Won't even miss him. Look underneath the other one,'' he instructed Percy who then took out a map to the Underworld. ''You see, people have gone to the Underworld before without having to be dead. Hercules did it. Orpheus did it. My dad does it all the time. Getting in is the easy part. Getting out, now that's a little tricky. This is a map to Persephone's pearls,'' He pointed at the map.
''Persephone?'' Percy asked. ''You mean Hades' wife?''
''Yeah, he forced her to marry him,'' Annabeth answered. ''He keeps her prisoner.''
''Needless to say she hates it there,'' Merri said in a deadpan tone. ''The place is hot, he's a weirdo... So, she has...''
''Secret visitors,'' Luke finished. ''She's hidden pearls for them all over the world. The pearls, they provide a quick escape from the Underworld. You could use them to get out.''
''So, how do the pearls work?'' Grover asked.
''Easy,'' Merri answered. ''You take a pearl, step on it and crush it, visualize where you wanna be taken. Right now there's three pearls in the United States.''
''This map will guide you there, alright.'' Luke started pointing on the map: ''Here, there's your first location.''
''Aunty Em's Garden Emporium, huh?'' Grover read.
''Once you find the first pearl, the map will show you the next one, and the next one, and then you're off to Hades.''
''One thing though,''Merri started. ''I'll be coming with you guys.'' The answer form them was unanimous.
''WHAT!?''
She proceeded to explain herself: '' I'll only be coming to make sure you get the pearls and go into Hades in one piece. There's no knowing what's waiting for you out there. I won't be able to come into Hades with you but I will be waiting for you at the entrance to Olympus when you get out.''
Reluctantly, they agreed to let her come with them. All the while Luke stood, watching them with an amused look on his face which Merri found very suspicious. ''Which reminds me,'' he started while giving Percy his shield. ''You might need some extra protection. My favorite shield. You might wanna take a step back,'' he instructed Annabeth and Grover as Percy put the shield on his arm. A small 'Woah' escaped Grover as the shield opened to its full size.
''Thanks Luke'' Percy said with a smile.
''Don't mention it. But, I... You're gonna have to promise me one thing.'' They all looked at him with expectant looks on their faces. ''You see my dad on the highway to hell... Kick his ass for me,'' he said with a smile.
Merri then rose from her seat, taking her bag, and hugged Luke. She wasn't usually one for hugging but she had her moments and there was a possibility of her dying in the near future, so she went against herself and hugged him. He was, after all, her best and only friend here.
''Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back, 'kay?'' she teased. They said their goodbyes and she left the cabin with Percy, Grover and Annabeth. Still, something continued to plague her mind but she wasn't sure what it was. Nevermind, she didn't have time to dwell on that.
-~-ARITS-~-
They took the bus to the first pearl. It probably would've been a quiet ride if the others weren't so interested in her. Since she never really socialized with anyone, besides Luke, none of them really knew anything about her. And so they took it upon themselves to question her all the way long. After about 5 minutes it strated to feel like she was being interrogated for a murder investigation.
''So Merri,'' Percy asked ''where are you from?''
Staring out the window she answered:'' I'm from Seattle.''
''Really? You don't sound like you're from there. More like you're from Australia or something.''
She didn't know why, but she felt like she could trust him so she had no problem answering his questions. ''I was actually born in Melbourne but I moved to Seattle when my mom remarried when I was four. I still have the accent because I spend every summer with my grandparents back there.'' She absently started to fiddle with her bracelet, the only thing she had from her real father, as she thought of that. ''My step-dad's name is Jack'' She continued. '' He's a PR manager in some firm and his job requires a lot of traveling and that's how he and my mom met. He's been really good to us both and has never had a problem with me not calling him 'dad'.''
It was the longest answer she gave to them until the end of the ride. A ride she was all too happy to get off from since they had somehow gotten the idea that she had a crush on Luke. 'Like that would ever happen' she told herself.