Emily was sitting calmly on Pegasus's back as they flew back home. Their visit to Kallisto did not go as planned and it looked like the 'Zeus needs your almighty God's help' card had not got them on the same page. She was also scolding herself for riling Kallisto up so much. It was fun but not the best thing to encourage the needed bond between the two. They were high up in the clouds and the moisture was being blown into Emily's face. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh wet air. Pegasus whinnied softly as he turned his slightly to look at Emily. "What is it Pegs?" She asked. "Is something wrong?" Emily was confused. She couldn't see anything in the fog like clouds. "Let's get a bit lower so that we can see where we are." Pegasus snorted and carefully flew downwards out of the clouds. As the last wisps of clouds faded she saw the faint skyline of New York. She sighed. Home at last. Aeolus had helped them get back to America quickly and safely. Then she heard a whinny from behind her. She glanced back and saw a black shape. Pegasus whinnied loudly."Shhhh Pegs, it'll be fine," she said soothingly. She turned her head again. This time she saw that the figure was a black Pegasus. It was getting closer and soon enough it was neck to neck with them. She saw a young boy on the Pegasus's back. "Get Pegasus to land!" He yelled over the roar of the wind. She asked Pegasus to land. They both dismounted on the hard earth, just a few miles away from New York City. "Who in Hades name are you?" Asked Emily with her arms crossed. "I'm Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon," he replied.
Aiden jerked himself into consciousness. His dream was still haunting his head. He felt as if he hadn't slept at all. He had had these dreams for so long now, ever since he was 12. He rubbed his eyes and got out of his bed. He lumbered towards his door, opened it, and proceeded to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and washed his face. Afterwards he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a tall glass of orange juice. He walked down a short passage to the tiny but neat office/ study room. His mom was a journalist and she spent almost half her live in here; working on stories, searching for things on the web. That was pretty much her life until she had Aiden. She had been 27 at the time and her irresponsible (ex, thank the Gods!) boyfriend had dumped her on the spot. Luckily, she'd had a good job and life hadn't been that hard. Aiden was very much like his mother and wouldn't do anything too risky or bad. She was 43 now and still worked very hard for the two of them. Aiden sat down on the creaky office- chair and switched on their computer. He reached for his cell phone. He always charged it in the office over- night. He had a few messages from his friends but nothing that interesting. He didn't go out that much and last night he had got lucky with his mom. He was tired from yesterday but at least got a good night sleep. He returned his attention to the computer and typed in the password for his user profile. He lent back and closed his eyes. He felt his phone vibrate once then give a little, short ring. He checked the screen and opened the new message. It was from his good friend David Richmond. David was just reminding him of the social next week. He read the short terribly spelt message then put hid phone on the desk again. Finally his desktop had loaded. He opened the internet explorer and went on Facebook. There wasn't really anything interesting so he got up and walked back to the lounge. He switched on the small TV and checked the news before looking for any good movies to watch.
Kallisto shook herself out of her daydream. She had been thinking of that strange girl that had come to see her yesterday. She really didn't think she meant what she said. She sat up straight in her chair and continued with her meal of rice, carrots, corn and barley. It was a very simple lunch and she did not want to eat too much, for she was going to ride Swan afterwards. She scoffed down her last mouthful and drank the rest of her water. She then pushed her chair out and stood up with her plate and glass in hand. She continued to the large kitchen and placed the dishes in a trough of soapy water. Kallisto hurried into her room and pulled on her leather boots, thick pants and tied up her black hair that just reached her lower back. Next she grabbed her rope halter with gorgeous embroideries before leaving the house.
When she had arrived at her mother's paddocks she took Swan's long lead- rope from inside. Then she ventured out into the uneven wild grasses and over to Swan. She lifted her regal head and nickered softly. "Hello my beautiful horse. How was your morning?" Swan blew out through her nostrils and nodded her head up and down. "Good. My morning has been great so far too, and it'll be even better after riding you," Kallisto continued, stroking Swan's soft nose. She slipped the halter over the mare's head and fastened it with a knot. She then tied the rope to the ring under Swan's chin. Kallisto pulled slightly on the lead- rope and Swan took a step forward. She walked slowly out of the paddock and into the barn- like structure. Her mother was waiting next to the hay- pile, watching everything with wise and observant eyes. "Hello Kallisto. Hello swan," she said as she walked silently over to the two. Swan nickered a greeting and nuzzled her hand. "Hello mother. What are we doing today?" "Today, Kallisto, we are having fun in the wide open fields. You can use your bridle or not," her mother replied. "I think I'll take the bridle today, do you agree Swan girl?" Swan snorted. "Ok then. Off you go, I'll watch her for you." Kallisto thanked her mom and ran into the large tack room and took in the leathery and sweaty horse smell. She unhooked Swan's magnificent bridle and hurried back. She slipped the halter off and replaced it with the bridle. She swung herself onto her mare's back and they set off into the hot midday- sun covered fields.
"Go, go. Push her Kallisto! You have more than that!" yelled her mother encouragingly. Kallisto was weaving Swan in and out of thin poles in the ground and then galloping to a barrel. She would grab the stick on the barrel and then weave through the poles again. She had been repeating this and every now and then taking walks and trots around the fields. "Nicely done. You two are really starting to work as a team now, even though you do have your rough patches." "Thank you mother," said Kallisto breathlessly. "Now, you two go off and have some time in the rivers and hills. Don't stay out to long, the sun is especially hot today," said her mother. Kallisto turned Swan away and trotted forward. She twisted around and watched her mother walk calmly back to the bustling roads exiting the city. She faced forward as Swan took her through a shallow river. They exited at a slow canter, which eventually became an excited gallop. "Do what you want girl. Run like the wind!" Kallisto pressed her knees into her mare's strong shoulders and lifted herself into light- seat as Swan charged forward. Suddenly Swan dropped to a trot and then a walk. Her pricked ears were busily flicking back and forth. "What's wrong girl? Can you see something?" Kallisto felt a little pang of fear. She trusted Swan's instincts a little more than her own. Swan shuddered underneath Kallisto. She felt Swan getting ready to run. Kallisto almost fell off as something launched itself out of nowhere onto Swans muscled hind quarters. Swan whinnied in fright as she fled into the long grasses of the nearby fields. Kallisto gingerly looked over her shoulder to see there pursuer. It looked almost like a cross between a wolf and a cat, with saliva dripping from its deadly fangs. Kallisto was frozen in fear as another of these strange creatures joined the chase. She could feel Swan was tiring but knew she couldn't stop for fear of being shredded to pieces. 'Oh Emily please, Help me! You road in on a Pegasus, surely you can help,' muttered Kallisto.