Percy had never been more frustrated by the sound of silence.

She silently griped the entire way home, while he led her up through the fire escape and through his window. He then, of course, had to go back down the fire escape and through the building to arrive at his mom's front door, where she chewed him out for being so late–after hugging him fiercely, of course. It made him feel a twinge of guilt even though he was annoyed. His mom was so good at that; he always felt so bad for making her worry. He made up a story about finding a small shark in shallow water that needed help untangling from plastic can rings to explain his lateness, and she gave him some gauze for his cuts. The apartment was so small that Anastasia could hear his thoughts the entire time, and he could sense her analyzing his interactions with his mom, dissecting their relationship as if he were a research chimp she was observing in a lab. He was learning more about their connection by the second: when he walked further away from her, down the fire escape and around the building, the connection to her thoughts faded with each step until he could no longer hear them. Then, when he got close to the apartment again, they started again, very quietly, and increased in intensity until it was as if he was in her head and she in his.

Sleeping had been…difficult.

They had silent arguments about everything–Percy urging her to take the bed, she refusing and insisting on sleeping on the floor; Percy asking her to look away as he changed, she rolling her eyes at what she called typical American sexual conservatism; and each of them being absolutely fed up with the other's nightly train of thought as they tried to fall asleep. For a person with ADHD, it was usually hard for Percy to fall asleep because the constant multiple overlapping trains of thought in his brain would never cease. With two separate brains doing that in coordination, it felt damn near impossible. And Percy was additionally frustrated because he wanted to ruminate about the things she had said to him at the diner but felt he could not do so with her in his head, and he knew she felt the same way. Percy was unaware of when he finally drifted to sleep, but the sleep that came was very fitful, indeed.

He lied in bed for gods-know how long after he woke up, replaying that scene in the diner, before realizing that his thoughts were only his thoughts. Alarmed, he sprang up and searched the room for Anastasia, but to no avail. Where could she possibly have gone? Muttering curses in ancient Greek, he opened his window and started to climb out.

"Percy! Is that you?" his mom called from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready!"

Heaving a great sigh, he left his window cracked and put on a happy face.

It was not until afternoon that she reappeared, her thoughts announcing her presence before she physically reached his room. He excused himself from the living room, where he had been trying with difficulty to cram in his summer reading, and hurried into his bedroom right as she was slipping in through the window.

Where have you been? he silently screamed at her.

I needed food, she replied, taking a final bite of the apple in her hand. She looked around for a trash can to throw away the core, then decided to set it on his nightstand instead.

Oh, right, I'm the Neanderthal, he thought, taking the apple core and throwing it in the garbage. And we have food here. My mom made roast beef sandwiches for lunch.

I am a vegetarian.

Percy exhaled sharply. Of course you are. He crossed his arms and gave her his best disapproval face, which he was pleased to see came across pretty well. And where did you get this food?

She shrugged. There is a store on the corner with fruits and vegetables.

Yeah, a store. They sell food for money. You stole.

Anastasia rolled her eyes and flopped onto his bed, which pissed him off even more. Food should not cost money. They are withholding essential means of survival from the people.

Percy pinched the bridge of his nose. They're a mom-and-pop shop. They rely on their income to survive. They're not, like, hoarding resources or whatever.

Well, I do not have your American money, and I need to survive as well, so I do not know what you would have me do. She rolled her eyes again as he threw up his hands in exasperation. It does not matter. I did some exploring of this new city. Her thoughts began to pour out of her head more quickly, all on top of each other, and it was a little difficult to follow them. The wealth in this city is so unevenly distributed. You live so close to riches, but you yourself have so much less. The rich and the poor are neighbors, so you see what you cannot have. Why do the poor accept this?

He backed up and leaned against his wall, crossing his arms. Is that really what you want to figure out in this moment? How to bring a communist revolution to Manhattan?

She pursed her lips. I guess not.

We need to figure out how to escape your father's plan for you, he began. I think the only way to do that is to stop him from waging this war.

You mean to say, attack him.

Maybe it can be done some other way. He tapped his fingers on his arm, trying desperately to think. He didn't know much at all about titans, or how to get rid of them.

Why was your father neutral in the first war between the gods and the titans? Do you know?

She shook her head dejectedly.

Well, maybe that's the first step, then. We need to do some research.

She jumped to her feet. Yes, answers!

Hold on, he told her, inching toward his bedroom door. I need to tell my mom if I'm leaving.

Her disdain was so strong that she audibly groaned. I am so glad I do not live with my parents.

~.

"I cannot believe you have never traveled this way," she said again.

Percy and Anastasia approached the edge of the East River. Even though they didn't need to speak out loud to communicate, they both found that talking was an easier way to consolidate the jumble of their thoughts into coherent sentences. Percy's ADHD brain caused his thoughts to ping pong around his head, leading to tangents and giving way to distractions all too easily. Talking out loud helped streamline communication.

"It's not exactly like I have anyone around teaching me this stuff," he huffed. "I'm the only half-blood my dad has. There's no one around to show me what kind of powers I'm supposed to be able to do."

"I never had anyone show me this either," she countered. "But I figured it out."

Whatever.

Reaching the edge of the filthy water, Anastasia waded in to her knees and held out her hand to Percy. He followed her, and she grabbed both his hands in hers. He felt deeply uncomfortable.

"Brace yourself," she said, then closed her eyes and concentrated.

In an instant, the two of them turned into liquid and melted into the river, shooting at blinding speed toward Great Neck. Percy could feel the powerful surge of the water, becoming one with the churn. In a matter of seconds, they re-materialized in the shallows of the Long Island Sound, and Anastasia stumbled toward the sand. The effort of traveling even such a short distance had been draining for her, and she sat at the edge of the water, letting the rise and fall of the waves pool around her, again and again, as she panted.

Percy turned to the Sound and scanned the surface of the water, looking for Calli.

"Calli!" he called. "Are you there?"

After a few seconds of hopeful silence, he saw her materialize out of the water and rush to him.

"Percy!" she exclaimed as if she were relieved, throwing her arms around him. "I'm so glad to see you."

He stepped back from her embrace, looking downward to hide his beet-red face. He meant to say something along the lines of I need your help, but what came out was more like huh buh.

Calli began to nervously fiddle with a strand of her hair. "Are you okay? What happened after you left last night with that girl?"

He turned around to glance at Anastasia, who was watching the two of them, an amused smile playing at her lips. Being pissed at her helped him get over being flustered.

"I'm fine," he said, turning to Calli, whose wide eyes were fixed on Anastasia. "But we need some answers."

Calli, as it turned out, had plenty.

"Ah, Oceanus," she said dreamily, a soft smile spreading across her face as the three of them sat cross-legged in the dunes. "I've never met him, but I know him to be a kind and wise being."

Percy was taken aback. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah," Calli continued, then hacked a cough. "He's a good-natured entity. He's a father to basically everyone, and a grandfather to all nereids. He's one of the oldest titans, and far more peaceful than most. He didn't participate in the fight between Kronos and his father, or between the gods and the titans. Despite his power, he's really quite gentle. That's why he was never imprisoned, like the others."

Percy waited for Anastasia to say something, but she was having more trouble processing this information than he was. "So, wait," he said, "he and my father both rule over the sea, then? Like, at the same time?"

Calli tilted her head to the side. "Not really. Oceanus is more of a place than a person, if that makes sense."

It did not.

"Oceanus is a liminal deity," she offered as explanation. Percy and Anastasia shared a glance. Neither of them knew what that word meant.

"Okay," Calli said, shifting in the sand to bring her knees together, "think of it this way: Oceanus occupies transitional space. He let his corporal form fade away long ago, opting instead to become one with nature. He exists at the ends of the world, at the transition between sky and sea, and also at the transition between life and death. His essence is concentrated at the four cardinal extremes–the North and South Poles, for the space between sky and sea; and the ends of the Pacific Ocean, the far East and the far West, for the space between life and death."

Percy nodded slowly. "The entrance to the Underworld is on the California coast. The far West."

"Right." Calli grinned. "He's connected to the Underworld through the Styx, which is his daughter. That's another thing–he's also the source of all rivers. He fathered them all, and all rivers flow from him."

It was somehow getting more complicated. Percy was honestly having a tough time imagining this guy as a real, physical person. He seemed so far removed from humanity–how could he have a daughter as human-like as Anastasia? And how could he command an army to fight a war?

Anastasia poked him in the leg, then gave him a tough look. Apparently, he wasn't asking enough questions.

"Um, the River Styx is a person?" was all he could come up with at the moment.

Call giggled. "She's an entity. She's also more of a place than a person."

Percy thought about the time that he sailed over her in Charon's boat, and about all of the lost and abandoned hopes and dreams he had seen littering her waters. She was probably mad as Hades about that.

"So, what if he became more of a person than a place," he said. "Hypothetically." Calli tilted her head to the other side quizzically, then coughed again. Percy cleared his throat. "I mean, what if, in this great stirring of all the ancient titans going on, he's been stirring too, and taking on more of a physical form. And has an opinion on what Kronos is up to."

Calli's eyes darted back and forth between Percy and Anastasia.

"Hypothetically."

Calli began playing thoughtfully with a strand of her hair. "Well, hypothetically, that would probably be a blessing. Oceanus is the most level-headed and reasoned of the titans, and he has never supported his younger brother in any of his conflicts. I dare say it could even be possible to persuade him to help the Olympians if need be–if it came down to it. It might certainly be worth a try, at least."

"Do you think he would do that?" Anastasia asked. She sounded hoarse.

Calli shrugged. "Most likely, no. He is somewhat of a pacifist."

I knew it! Anastasia could not help but rub in. I told you!

"What would it take to persuade him to take a side in a future conflict, do you think?" Percy asked.

Calli sighed. "I'm afraid I don't know that much about him. Like I said, I've never met him. But all nereids know his lore. He is wise, and that's why he stayed out of the other two conflicts. He did what was necessary to retain his space, his corners of the world, and he knew that taking sides in the conflict would lead to his punishment. When it became clear that the gods would prevail, he then sent Styx to help Zeus in the struggle, so he was spared in the new age. I think he would only intervene if he felt that success were virtually guaranteed."

Percy felt like ice was spreading throughout his chest.

"So, his only goal is self-preservation?" Anastasia asked. "That's what matters most to him?"

Anastasia had that hungry look in her eyes again, like she was so close to figuring out her father, she could taste it. She clearly didn't give a damn about the implied threat to Olympus.

Calli's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure if I would put it that way. There's nothing wrong with self-preservation when one's existence is at stake. And I think that abstaining from warfare can be a noble choice."

"I did not mean any offense," Anastasia said hastily.

Calli looked between the two of them again. "Why are you guys asking these questions? Who are you?"

Anastasia stiffened. "Who I am is not your concern."

Calli stuck a hand on her hip defiantly. "It most certainly is my concern when you wash up on my beach, disappear with my friend, and now come to me with all sorts of questions. This is my domain. I demand that you respect me."

Percy blinked in surprise. He had never seen Calli be so assertive. He found himself liking her all the more for it, and the realization brought heat to his cheeks all over again. Unfortunately, that realization also made Anastasia all the more obstinate.

"Stand down, nereid. I outrank you," she huffed, sitting up straight.

Percy's head whipped around. "You outrank her?"

"Yes," she said icily.

"You? Outrank her?"

"Yes, Jackson," she said through gritted teeth.

Percy crossed his arms. "How do you figure?"

Anastasia shifted uncomfortably. "She reveres Oceanus. I am his daughter. He is the king of rivers, and I am in his bloodline."

Calli's mouth hung open. "You're an Oceanid?"

Percy rolled his eyes. "Oh, pardon me, your majesty. I didn't realize we were in the presence of royalty."

"Percy," Calli chided in a whisper. He furrowed his brow. Anastasia's words seemed to work on Calli, somehow.

"Well, I am his daughter," Anastasia responded to Calli.

"I had no idea," Calli said. "You must be very blessed. He is known for his fatherhood."

Anastasia felt a pang in her chest, as if she had been shot, but for her part, she hid it well. Percy studied first her expression, then Calli's. "Um, what's an Oceanid?" he finally asked, feeling dumb.

Of course, Anastasia's thoughts gave it away before Calli could even respond.

"They are the daughters of Oceanus, innumerable and lovely. They are scattered everywhere that flowing water can be found, and they personify youth and virtues," Calli explained, looking reverently at Anastasia.

Percy could barely stifle a chuckle. "So, like, any of his daughters? By any woman?"

"Their mother is Tethys, an equally ancient and benevolent titan."

He no longer restrained himself from laughing.

Anastasia's face grew red. Wanting to get ahead of Percy's commentary, she said, "Well, I am not technically an Oceanid, but I am still his daughter."

Percy scoffed. "Okay, your highness. Your mother is a Siren. You're not an immortal personification of virtue or whatever, you're a half-blood like me. You don't outrank anyone here."

Calli did a double-take.

Incensed, Anastasia rose to her feet, brushing the sand off her legs. "Tell the whole world, why do you not. You are so difficult!"

He stood up too. "Look, princess, you started it by coming at my friend. You're not better than us, so why don't you get off your high horse and quit acting like it. Remember, you need me."

"Like Styx I do," she fumed.

"Don't be stupid," he said.

"You clearly hate me," she shouted, the slightest tremor creeping into her voice. "If you think I am so annoying and high-and-mighty, then why do you not just let me fend for myself!"

Percy threw his hands up in the air. "Because I don't want to face eternal wrath, dummy!"

Okay, it wasn't the most conciliatory thing he'd ever said. But he was so mad, it just slipped out. He had a habit of doing that.

Calli stood, slowly and gracefully, and placed a hand on Percy's chest. He felt himself begin to calm again, just a little bit. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

His world was crumbling around him, and it was almost impossible to not feel hopeless. His father's kingdom was facing a potential threat. One of the oldest and wisest titans seemed to believe that Kronos would prevail in a challenge to Olympus. He was stuck with this girl that he had known for less than twenty-four hours who could read his mind and staunchly opposed any and all forms of physical aggression, and they couldn't stop screaming at each other. And he had this stupid prophecy looming over him, compelling him to help her until the end or meet some sort of wrath that he didn't want to know about, but he had no idea how to help her or what the "end" was. He was not the type to shy away from adversity, but he had never wished so strongly that he could just be a normal kid. Just once, at least, he wanted things to be easy.

He patted Calli's hand, giving her a slight smile. "I'm sorry we brought you into this," he said sheepishly.

She shook her head. "It's okay. It's my beach, after all."

He turned to Anastasia. "Look," he began, "I don't like you, you don't like me. That's just the way it's going to be. We don't have to like each other, but the Fates have thrown us together for a reason. Your father is gearing up for a war against my father. I think our job is to prevent that from happening."

Anastasia pursed her lips. "I would love to prevent that from happening, dumbass."

He exhaled sharply through his nose. Why did she always have to be so abrasive?

"Hold on," Calli said, "Oceanus is gearing up for war?"

Percy turned to Calli and grabbed her wrists before Anastasia could speak.

"Listen, Calli, we've involved you enough," he said. "You already know the prophecy I have to fulfill. We don't–I don't want to put you in danger by making you a player in this."

He stared earnestly into her eyes, pondering what tragedies he and his reluctant twin of fate were going to be made to suffer in their quest to prevent a war. He didn't want to implicate anyone else in that fate, much less anyone he actually liked.

Calli looked curiously at him, then, placing her hand once again on his chest, she leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Do what you have to do," she said as she backed away toward the water. "I'm rooting for you, hero."

He watched her as she walked into the water, all the way up until she disappeared from view, and Anastasia watched him.