November
Things were looking up. Percy finally got his prosthetic and was walking around easier. His physical therapy appointments were going well, no hiccups to his recovery.
There hasn't been a fight between Percy, Triton nor Amphitrite. They didn't exactly sit back and chat with each other, they stayed in their corners without any altercations. For them not to have any boundaries crossed was a win.
The aquarium has been steadily growing, without the staff being jammed with calls. Percy and Ariel have been keeping the aquarium in tiptop shape, Triton has been going on more rescue calls with Nerus, Poseidon sometimes goes with them if there wasn't anything for him to do in the aquarium.
Poseidon felt like this was the first time he could actually breathe in six months. He felt like everything was finally shifting into place.
All the worries he had in May through September was starting to slip away. Maybe things will be okay.
But foreshadowing was never Poseidon's gift.
Percy was cleaning the top of a jellyfish tank. He's using a crutch, but that just for stability until he gets use to the prosthetic.
Poseidon held the shark's food with one hand, needing to go feed the sharks. He remembered that Nerus got interrupted with a call, and the stingrays haven't got their food yet.
"Percy do you mind if you go and get the stingray's food from the cooler?" Poseidon asked heading off to feed the sharks.
Poseidon tossed the meat into the tank watching the sharks devour it. Poseidon wiped his hands from the meat juices onto his wetsuit. He hasn't changed since he took the last call while Percy and Triton was still in school.
He headed back to the stingray tank and Triton was there staring at them.
"Did somebody already feed the stingrays?" Triton asked with a frown.
Poseidon walked closer to the tank and the lever that told them if someone fed them or not was still flipped to the "not fed" logo.
"I asked Percy to do it. He should of have already fed them by now, but he never forgets to switch the lever afterwards." Poseidon frowned. He'll have to ask Percy the next time he saw him if he fed the stingrays.
After Poseidon finished that thought, Percy strode in with the stingrays food. Why did it take him that long to get the food? Maybe he fell? He's still was getting used to walking around in the prosthetic, after-all.
Though one look at Percy's face told Poseidon something else happened. Percy's eyebrows were furrowed and his lips were etched in a deep frown.
"Took you long enough." Triton mumbled and took the tray from Percy's hands.
Unable to bear the expression on his son's face anymore, Poseidon asked "Did something happen? You look troubled."
"I-um. Did you hire two new employees?" Percy asked hesitantly.
Two employees? He hasn't hired anyone since before the accident, and Percy already knows every employee that works here.
Poseidon's frown deepened, "No. Why do you ask that?"
"There were two older men by the cooler. They knew my name but I didn't recognize them. They already left to the parking lot, anyways."
Two older men? There was no employee that matched that description, well Nerus did, but Percy knew him for over a decade.
If Percy didn't recognize them, that wasn't a good sign. No one should be able to get access back here. He'll need to go ask around, and check the cameras.
"Stay here and help Triton. I'll be back."
Poseidon first ran into Delphin. "Hey Delphin, did you see two older men back here?"
Delphin snorted, "Unless you're talking about Nerus and yourself, no I haven't."
Poseidon rolled his eyes, "I am not old! I'm not even forty yet. And no I was not talking about Nerus either. Percy said he saw two older men that he did not recognize by the cooler"
Delphin frowned. "I thought Percy knew every employee here? Isn't Argus at the security post today? That man has eyes everywhere, I'll ask him if he saw anything."
Poseidon nodded, "I'll go ask. Thanks Delphin."
Poseidon asked the other employees on shift to see if they knew anything, and none of them did. Before Poseidon talked to Argus he ran into Ariel. "Hey Ariel. Did you happen to see two visitors or two older men around where there shouldn't be?"
"No. Should I have? Was there an incident?"
"I'm not sure yet. I was just asking everyone around here if they saw them. Percy mentioned he saw two men earlier. I'm just wondering if anyone else saw them."
"I'll keep an eye out. I would check the cameras, I'm sure they would of been picked up on it."
"Thanks Ariel. I was just on my way to talk to Argus."
Poseidon strolled in the front office where Argus sat.
"Hey Argus did two older visitors check in today?"
"Older visitors, no. We did have three school field trips come and visit today. Though the children were all younger than ten. All the chaperones were all female too, so they were no adult men visitors today."
Poseidon frowned deepened further than what he thought was possible. "Only female chaperones? Can we check the cameras? My son said he saw two men he didn't recognize before by the cooler."
Argus pulled the tape on the computer. "No man entered through the front. The only entrance they would've entered from is through the back, but you need a key card to open those doors." Argus explained while rewinding the tape.
"So you said by the cooler, right?" Argus asked. Poseidon nodded in confirmation.
"Alright, here's the footage from the last two hours. We should be able to see what your son saw." Argus fast forwarded it until they saw Percy enter the cooler. A second later you can see two men enter the frame and stand outside the cooler.
"Pause it. Can you zoom in on the men outside the cooler?" Poseidon instructed.
Argus zoomed it in as much as he could, but the quality of the film wasn't providing them clear images.
"Argus, I'm going to have you send me an email with a reminder to get better cameras. Is this the best quality we can get."
"Unfortunately, this is the best I can do with these cameras. Nerus is the only employee that has grey hair, correct?" Argus asked frowning at what he saw from the camera.
"Yes, but that isn't him. No employee wears an office suit to the aquarium. The only entrance they could've entered from is the back?"
Argus rubbed his chin with his pointer finger and thumb. "Yes, but they need a keycard to open the door. Unless someone let them in. Did you talk to everyone?"
Poseidon nodded, "Nobody saw them enter. I'll have an extra talk with Percy to see if he can give some more information. Thanks Argus! And don't let me forget about buying new cameras!" Poseidon shouted the last part out in order for Argus to hear him as he was walking to find his sons. He found Triton and Percy were by the turtle enclosure.
Poseidon cleared his throat, "Alright so I asked every employee around, and no one saw those men. I checked the security cameras by the cooler and I did see them on the cams. They are not employees, ask them to leave if you see them in the future. Now our security cameras quality is terrible, so I couldn't make out their appearance other than their clothes and that they have grey hair. Percy you said that they knew your name. Are you sure you don't recognize them?"
Percy furrowed his brows again and shook his head, "I would have remembered if I seen them before. I never seen eyes like that before."
"Eyes like what?"
"One of them has these deep blueish grey eyes, the other man has the color of gold."
Poseidon felt his face drained of color instantly. He took a shallow breath trying to calm himself and not go into hysterics in front of his sons. He needed no other description of the men as he instantly recognized them based off Percy's observation of the eye color.
Clang.
Poseidon flinched a hair, he didn't need to turn around to see the tray of food Triton was holding was now on the floor. Triton has never met him in person, but Triton was informed about his character. Poseidon told him his description a long time ago in case Triton ever saw him, and Poseidon told Triton to run if he did.
Poseidon cleared his throat again. "I take that back, if either one of you see them in the future, do not confront them, find me immediately then leave. Now what exactly did they tell you Percy."
"The one with the gold eyes said I must be Percy and I looked more straggly than he imagined."
Percy did say they called him by his name before. Knowing who that person is now made Poseidon ill.
Percy cleared his throat and continued, "The other one with blue grey eyes agreed, and said he would see me later. They left after that. I'm guessing that you both who know whom I'm talking about, don't you?"
Poseidon nodded. "Percy that was your grandfather and his brother Oceanus. It is very important that either of you do not make contact with them. They are not friendly people, they seek to harm, and harm shall come if they get close to you. I'm not quite sure how they knew who you were, but it isn't good."
Poseidon sighed. "I need to make some calls. Go finish your rounds for now. Do not split up, stay together, until I figure out what to do."
Poseidon went straight for the door his father and uncle exited from. He scanned the parking lot looking for them.
Poseidon didn't expect them to stay, but he needed to be sure. He grabbed his phone from his back pocket and dialed the first person he needed to tell.
"Why are you calling me?" Hades deep voice answered.
"He's back." Poseidon said putting his hand in front of his mouth in shock.
"Who's back?"
"Father."
"...What do you mean he's back? In what way is he back? Did you actually see him?"
"I didn't see him, Percy did. And it wasn't just father, he brought Oceanus along."
"He brought Oceanus? That's not good... Not good at all. Where did Percy see him?"
"At my fucking aquarium. Somehow father got passed security and was able to actually speak to Percy."
Hades let out an exhale on the line, "What did he say to Percy?"
"Nothing much, just scoping Percy out and told him they will see him later."
"That's concerning. Did you see any signs of father before today?"
"None at all. It took me by surprise."
"No shit. Did you tell Zeus?"
"Not yet. I'm calling him next. I called you first after what happened last time..."
Hades sighed, "I'm putting Nico on the tight leash again until this is resolved."
Poseidon nodded in agreement even though Hades couldn't see it. "I'm going to call Zeus. Keep an eye out."
"You do that. Keep me informed if anything else happens."
"I will" Poseidon hung up and called his younger brother.
"Hello?"
"Father's back."
"Poseidon. My daughter meant to give this to you yesterday, but you kinda of disappeared. She said she found this by the cleaning supplies. It's addressed to you".
Nerus handed him a closed letter envelope. Poseidon frowned at the absurdity of placement of a letter. Who would leave a letter by the cleaning supplies?
Poseidon flipped the envelope over to study the handwriting. Poseidon grew ill as his stomach dropped.
"Woah! Are you okay, Poseidon? You look like you're going to pass out." Delphin ran up preparing to catch his boss of he did topple over.
Poseidon swatted Delphin's hands away and sat down, willing his blood pressure to regulate.
"Is he having a heart attack? Nerus did you just trigger our boss to have a heart attack?"
"He's too young to have a heart attack" Nerus gruffed. "And all I did was hand him a letter."
"I'm not having a heart attack. I just got dizzy for a moment. If you would excuse me." Poseidon stood back up, once he got his bearings.
He strode to his office and closed the door, not caring at the stares coming from both Delphin and Nerus.
Poseidon slunk into his office chair. Fiddling with the unopened envelope. It's becoming very real. First was his father's appearance yesterday, now a letter with his father's handwriting.
He hasn't received a letter from his father in over twelve years. None of the letters were pleasant, they were all threatening.
After what happened to his niece he had a sinking suspicion of what's in the letter.
Poseidon let out a breath and opened the envelope. Poseidon carefully unfolded the piece of paper that laid inside the envelope. He examined the letter.
Dear Poseidon,
Formalities aside there's a few issues at hand. Firstly; It's been over a decade since we last got in contact. Secondly; you never followed through with my instructions I kindly gave you twelve years ago. Nothing has changed over those years, and you still fill me with disdain. It's no surprise that you have never pleased me.
You never made it up to me, hence why I'm here. I waited almost thirteen years, yet nothing happened. I suppose you can call me a fool to expect respect from the children I created, nevertheless I didn't think you would shame me on such a level.
I cannot wait any longer, Poseidon. You gave me no choice but to take charge. I gave you twelve years to make it right, but you never did.
I heard your youngest son is in town. I need to see if that rumor was true, and if it is true that might be half of the prize to make it right. Your eldest will complete that prize.
I believe that you need no reminder that I mean business. I have a long track record for completing any task I need to be done. Taking your sons out of this world is my next task, and I will look forward to gaining my retribution after the shame you put me through.
Until I give further notice
Kronos.
Poseidon dropped the letter onto his desk and let out a deep exhale. He expected the letter to have malice, and after hearing Hades story it shouldn't surprise him to see a death threat. After seeing it from his own eyes and to have it directed at his sons is surreal.
He shakily picked up his phone calling his wife to inform her.
"Hello?"
"I need you to come home, there's something we need to discuss."
"Now? I have a meeting in twenty minutes. What's going on? Does this have to do with what happened yesterday?"
"Yes it does. I got a letter today. Amphitrite, my father mentioned both Triton and Percy in the letter."
"...I'm on my way. Did you tell anyone else?"
"No, not yet. You're the first one I called. I'm sending a text to Triton to tell him to come straight home and not to go to the aquarium.
"Are you still at the aquarium?"
"Yes, but I'm heading home. I just need to transfer the lead to Nerus."
"I'll see you when you get home."
"I'll see you soon. Bye."
"Bye."
Poseidon hunged up and put the letter in his pocket.
He took a deep breath and exited his office. To his surprise both Nerus and Delphin were standing in the exact spot he left them at.
"Nerus, I'm heading home. Can you cover for me for the rest of the day?"
"Sure thing. You don't look well. Do you want me to cover tomorrow as well?"
"I might take you up on that offer. I'll let you know." Poseidon shrugged his jacket on grabbing the aquarium keys and tossing it to Nerus.
Delphin snorted, "I'll purposely lock you out of the building if you show up looking like you are now. Get some rest old man"
Poseidon would've retorted, but he wasn't in a mood to do so. Instead he nodded and left for his car, where he would have an anxious drive home.
Argus - a giant with multiple eyes in Greek Mythology. In the PJ series he was also mentioned to have eyes everywhere. I put him as a security guard as it was fitting.
