Jason couldn't resist Percy's puppy-dog eyes, which is why he was now on a prison-break mission. Luckily, he didn't need to travel far; the police station's jail cell was located just outside the forest.
Jason had developed a strong instinct to protect the boy next to him. He reminded Jason of himself before he was thrown into the gods' mess.
Jason had told Percy to wait outside, and Percy accepted. Now he sat perched on top of a fence, fiddling with his ballpoint pen.
Jason breathed in deeply, steeling his nerves as he entered the prison. He waved his hand in a circular motion, and now Jason wore a sharp, charcoal suit and carried a sleek leather briefcase, replacing his jeans and t-shirt. Jason strode confidently towards the holding cells. His demeanor exuded authority and professionalism, causing the officers to barely give him a second glance.
Reaching the cell where Ms. Jackson was held, he adjusted his tie and flashed a convincingly warm smile. "I'm here to see my client," he announced with practiced ease, producing forged documents that looked impeccably official. The guard glanced at the papers, then at Jason, and finally at the inside of the cell. With a nod, he unlocked the door and stepped aside.
Jason could now see Sally Jackson in the dimly lit jail cell. The woman had long, curly brown hair threaded with graceful streaks of grey, cascading down her back in soft waves. Her warm brown eyes exuded a gentle kindness and wisdom. Her every movement and gesture radiated a maternal warmth. Her smile was soft and reassuring, lines of experience etched gently on her face.
Jason entered, his expression transforming into one of earnest concern. "Ms. Jackson, I'm Jason. A friend of your son; we're getting you out of here," he said quietly.
She was initially surprised but quickly masked her emotions, playing along. The guard watched as Jason led her out, his confident stride never faltering. They walked past the front desk, their composed presence a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
Jason led her swiftly down the steps and around the corner. Only when they were safely out of sight did he let out a relieved breath, his façade dropping.
Percy, who was perched on top of the fence, leapt down into his mother's embrace. Jason decided not to interrupt the mother-son moment. He watched Sally return the hug fiercely, her warm brown eyes glistening with a mix of love and relief as she held him close, her arms securely wrapped around him. She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper, as she murmured soft, reassuring words into his ear.
She gently broke the hug, her hands lingering on her son's shoulders for a moment before turning to Jason. Her warm brown eyes met his with genuine gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with heartfelt appreciation. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Jason, who initially recoiled, his body tensing as if getting ready to fight and his eyes widening in surprise. For a brief moment, he stood frozen, unsure how to react to the unexpected embrace. But as he felt the genuine warmth and gratitude radiating from her, his rigid stance gradually softened. He hesitated, then slowly relaxed, allowing himself to lean into the hug.
As she pulled back from the hug, she looked up at Jason.
"Thank you for protecting my son," she said.
Jason nodded in response, looking over at Percy who looked back at him.
"You knew his father was Poseidon?"
"I always knew it was selfish of me to keep him with me. Poseidon told me he wouldn't be safe, but I wasn't ready to let him go to camp."
"You did the right thing"
"How?"
"Camp was obliterated," Jason replied curtly.
Sally looked anxious, frightened, and confused.
"I thought that wasn't possible. Poseidon told me it was the only safe haven for demigods"
Jason felt conflicted. He didn't want her to find out about the crimes he had committed, but he also didn't want to lie to her. He chose to not tell the entire truth.
"There was a war. The camp went down in flames."
"What happened to them?"
"The gods?"
"No, the children"
"The few survivors are hiding in bunker 9"
"You will take Percy there, right? " Sally said with a hint of desperation.
"I'll take him there," Jason spoke, his words betraying his thoughts; he swore to never return there.
"You're a son of Jupiter? A Roman demigod"
"How did you know? "
Percy decided to join the conversation.
"You aren't really covering your tattoo"
Jason rose his eyebrows; he forgot about the SPQR and the 15 lines below a lightening bolt branded onto his forearm.
"Not a tattoo," Jason spoke, bitterness lacing his tongue.
"It's getting dark, we need to get going." Jason said attempting to change the subject.
"Where are we going?" Percy asked.
Jason told him about bunker 9 and explained that Sally wouldn't be able to go.
Just as Percy was about to object, Sally interrupted.
"It's fine, Percy. I will be safe"
Jason looked above at the dark, menacing sky.
"Actually, Ms. Jackson, there's a place not too far from here. She wouldn't mind you staying for a while."
"I wouldn't want to intrude"
"She needs the company."
It was settled; Jason led the way, and Percy and Sally closely followed.
It was not long before they arrived. The front porch was infested with wind chimes. Shiny bits of glass and metal clinked in the breeze.
Jason had barely tapped the door when it swung open. "Luke!" the old lady cried happily.
"Come in!" she insisted. "I have your lunch ready!"
Jason was the first to walk in, and Percy and Sally, who looked confused, hesitantly followed.
Jason would eventually get to explaining.
"This way, my dear!" Ms. Castellan steered me toward the back of the house. "Oh, I told them you would come back. I knew it!"
She sat us down at the kitchen table. Stacked on the counter were hundreds—I mean hundreds—of Tupperware boxes with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches inside. The ones on the bottom were green and fuzzy, like they'd been there for a long time. Jason picked those ones up and tossed them out in the trash.
Ms. Castellan started humming as she got out peanut butter and jelly and started making a new sandwich.
My heart sank a little. She was one of the unfortunate ones, cursed by the gods.
"Have you seen Luke lately?", Jason asked.
"Oh, yes! They told me he would never come back. But I knew better." She patted my cheek affectionately, giving me peanut butter racing stripes.
"Who is Luke?", Percy asked.
"He's an old friend," Jason responded.
"Ms Castellan was cursed, driven mad by prophecies. She attempted to become the oracle." He looked Sally in the eyes when he spoke again. "She was like you, fully mortal and clear-sighted."
Sally didn't question how Jason knew.
"Your son, Luke, where is he", Sally asked worriedly.
Mays eyes lost focus.
"He was so young when he left," she said wistfully. "Third grade. That's too young to run away! He said he'd be back for lunch. And I waited. He likes peanut butter sandwiches and cookies and Kool-Aid. He'll be back for lunch very soon. . . ." Then she looked at Jason and smiled. "Why, Luke, there you are! You look so handsome. You have your father's eyes."
"Luke was afraid of the glowing eyes and the prophecies. He loved his mother more than anything. He swore to avenge her."
"Luke was so kind," Ms. Castellan murmured. "He left to protect me, you know. He said if he went away, the monsters wouldn't threaten me. But I told him the monsters are no threat! They sit outside on the sidewalk all day, and they never come in." She picked up the little stuffed Medusa from the windowsill. "Do they, Mrs. Medusa? No, no threat at all." She beamed at Percy this time. "I'm so glad you came home. I knew you weren't ashamed of me!"
Percy shifted in his seat. Jason assumed he imagined Luke sitting at this table, eight or nine years old, and just beginning to realize that his mother wasn't all there.
"Ms. Castellan," Jason spoke.
"Mom," she corrected.
"Can Ms. Jackson stay with you for a while?"
"Of course, dear"
Ms. Castellan gasped. She doubled over, and her cookie tray clattered to the floor. Percy and Jason jumped to their feet. Sally stabilised her.
"Ms. Castellan?" Sally said.
"Ahhh," she straightened. "My child," she rasped in a much deeper voice. "Must protect him!"
She grabbed Jason by the shoulders and began to shake him as if to make him understand. "Not his fate!"
Then she stopped. She looked Jason deep in his eyes, which were glowing green and met icy blue, and muttered, "A hero's fate."
Suddenly, Ms. Castellan collapsed. Sally caught her before she could hit the edge of the table. Percy managed to get her into a chair.
"I will take care of her," Sally spoke, her voice breaking a little, "I can't leave her like this."
"No, it was a mistake bringing you here. I forgot how bad it was", Jason replied.
"Jason, leave with my son. Percy, I will see you soon."
She looked straight into Jason's eyes, "Protect him," she pleaded.
"I will. I swear on the river Styx."
She smiled at that.