Preface

Hey guys! Sorry for the late update. I've been so busy recently, but I hope you all enjoy this short story about Grover's favorite uncle! As for the future, I'm thinking of writing a chapter on Percy, Annabeth, Nico, or another one of the Seven. Especially one of Jason's adventures at Camp Jupiter. Let me know what you guys think about that!

Chapter 5 - Uncle Ferdinand

The ground was slick with rain as I rushed from the LIRR train out of Penn Station. Within a few steps I almost fell twice as my fake shoes slid and shuffled under my weight. Spring was a good time to set out looking. That's what my brother told me. That's what he did nearly a year ago now. I put a hand over my eyes to keep the rain out. Even with this weather, New York was bustling with pedestrians in all sorts of colorful clothing. Yellow taxis raced down the street, splashing up water at unsuspecting commuters rushing into the warm subways. I briefly looked at a staircase down leading to the C train, but going underground so soon didn't seem right. Better to save my nerves for that later. I looked north, and began to start my trek towards Central Park to say goodbye before my journey truly began. A thirty to forty minute walk in the cold rain? Who wouldn't like that?

During my walk up, I couldn't help thinking about my wife at home, my sister-in-law, and her son. All of them were out east in Long Island at camp, hopefully warm and cozy. Saying goodbye to them was the hardest part. Little moments kept flashing in my head like my wife creating a gentle breeze at night while we looked at the stars. Or when my little baby nephew babbling at me when I tickled his hooves. Oh he had a pair of lungs on him too, the way he would cry when his mama goat didn't feed him on time. At some point I almost decided to delay my trip, but I know if I did that, I would never leave.

Finally, I found myself wandering the familiar paths of Central Park. A few dryads and nymphs waved to me before disappearing. I was close now, to the place of my birth. I hadn't seen my mother in months, and I knew she was anxious for me. It was for good reason since no satyr has made it back from their search… ever.

A few large oak trees sat wedged between the volleyball courts and a clearing called Sheep's Meadow. I walked up to a shorter one and gently rapped my knuckles against its wet bark.

"Ferdinand?" A graceful yet old woman wearing a simple white dress morphed out of the thick trunk. Her eyes were an oaky brown, and her chestnut hair was braided with vines and acorns.

"Hi mama," I opened my arms and hugged her tightly, breathing in the scent of smoked wood chips and dew water. "I've missed you. How are you?"

My mother smiled, which caused more wrinkles to form at the edge of her eyes. "Oh it's good to see you again my dear." She put her hand against my face.

"You know I dreaded this day would come," she said so softly that the rain almost drowned out her voice. "But look at you, just like your father. And your brother."

I held her hand gently, giving her the bravest smile I could muster. "Ma, I'll be alright, I'll find them, I promise."

Through her smile, you could see the sadness and the fear: the fear of losing her last son.

"Ferdinand, I want you to know that you're brave, my son. And that I'm so proud of you." Her voice cracked a little.

I choked back a sob as I gripped her hands tighter. "I promise to come back ma. I'll come back with them, no matter what."

She nodded and gave me one last, long embrace. A moment of warmth under the shade of her tree in a wet and cold city. "I love you my dear. Now go and bring our family back to us."

With tears in my eyes, I parted with her. I hoped the raindrops had disguised my crying as I made my way back to Penn Station.

Do you want to know the worst place on Earth? It isn't the underworld or Circe's Island, or even a den of cyclops. It's New Jersey. You'd think a quick stop at Secaucus to switch trains wouldn't be that difficult, but no. The station is packed with lousy mortals, non-vegetarian restaurants, and goat-eating monsters. The moment I stepped out of my train, I smelled them. A flock of hungry looking harpies, which must have looked like normal New Jersey natives, made a beeline for me. Thankfully, they were no good at running, and there wasn't enough room for them in the crowd to spread their wings. In a little less than fifteen minutes, my plan had already derailed. I booked a taxi straight out of the station and just told it to drive. Only after we were way out of sight of the city did I relax and reconsider my options. The first problem? I had no mortal money, which meant there would be an awkward conversation at the end of this trip.

I swear New Jerseyians have a nose for this thing, because as soon as I rummaged through my pockets in a desperate, futile hope to find spare change the grunt pulled over.

"You got any cash for this ride?" He peeked out of his thick eyebrows. His bushy, Italian mustache twitched.

"Um one moment," I frantically opened my backpack. Maybe my wife had thought ahead for me?

Before I could even get to the bottom, the brute reached over, opened the door, and kicked me out into the muddy road.

"No money, no service ya swine." With that the cab was racing away out of sight.

"I'm a goat," I sniffed as I picked up my things.

If you've never been to the Meadowlands, consider yourself lucky. Another reason why this miserable state would be a perfect place for Hades' new palace. The entire area was a swamp wasteland that reeks of manure, trash, and sulfur. Nothing to do but follow the road westward where there was at least a tree line. I could make camp for the night. It took a few hours, but I eventually found a cozy clearing next to a creek deeper into the forest. The rain had finally subsided, which allowed me the mercy of starting a fire with the help of a little woodland magic. Without it, dry wood would've been impossible. To pass the evening, I chewed on some tin cans from my backpack. By the third one, I had passed out.

The morning sunlight spilled through the loose foliage, forcing me awake. I shivered and shook the moisture that had accumulated on me throughout the night. After a few big stretches, I got up and looked for fabric in my backpack to clean myself off. Within the hour, I was ready to move on again. Now, the original plan was to eventually make my way North via train, past Boreas, where the true wild was. There I would surely find our master, Pan. Unfortunately, that was ruined by those goat eating bird ladies. I couldn't risk going back there and being an easy meal, so the alternative? The best I could think of was finding another train station on foot. I sighed and made my way along the road, hoping to see human civilization for once.

It took probably around four hours before I caught the smell of fries and milkshakes. My mouth started to water at the thought of all the wax paper and onion rings and metal utensils. It would also be nice to ask around for directions or maybe even use a telephone if they had one. Along the double laned street was a gas station and a billboard for one of the big Hollywood blockbusters showing right now. On the other side was one of those cheesy fast food restaurants that also sell tacky statues, trinkets, and other souvenirs. A big neon sign glowed faintly in the afternoon that said: Aunty Em's Emporium. In front of the giant warehouse parked a few cars and trucks, which meant there were mortals inside. As horribly dirty humans are, I was glad to see some company. I trotted my way to the entrance, but immediately the place gave me the creeps. I mean some of the statues looked so surreal, and there was this funky smell… I wrinkled my nose.

"Hey sweetie," a nice older, Middle Eastern woman said to me as I walked in. She was wearing a black hijabi that covered her entire face, even the eyes.

"Um hi," I bleated out. "Um, do you guys have a phone I could use? Or a map?"

"Oh sweetie, won't you have some food first?" She led me through a jungle of statues with her elegant and well manicured hands. Soon enough, I was in the back of the warehouse where the dining area was. There was a soda fountain, a grill, and even a pretzel heater.

"I don't have any money," I glanced around to see a couple of truck drivers and a family eating on some steel picnic tables. They were in danger. I was certain now: whoever this lady was, she was definitely not human.

"Oh that's not a problem dear. I'm sure I could spare something vegetarian." With that, the lady began walking to the kitchen where the fryer was. I didn't even want to know how she knew I was vegetarian.

I fidgeted with my hands as I tried to formulate some kind of plan. How could I convince these folks their patron was some scary monster, and they should get the Hades out of here? I ran through my backpack, looking for my set of reed pipes. Maybe a song of confusion would lead them out of here.

"Oh, satyr that's not a good idea," My blood went cold as I heard small hisses from behind me. I instinctively dove towards a picnic table and kicked off my fake feet.

"Everyone, get out of here!" I yelled as I pulled out my reed pipes. "This crazy lady wants to kill you!"

The other guests kind of looked at me, but I was already playing while hiding under a table. Soon enough they bolted out of the warehouse, screaming at the top of their lungs. Now that the mortals were dealt with, I could focus on getting out of here alive too.

"Oh satyr… They would've made excellent pieces to my collection. Do you know how hard it is to find whole families nowadays? And how much demand there is for that market?" The hissing got closer.

I would need to create a distraction. Maybe a song of panic? I've never pulled it off, but I have got to try. I tossed my backpack into one direction, hoping to divert her attention. In one motion, I ran out to where I hoped she couldn't reach me and turned around with my reed pipes to my lips. With all the effort I could muster, I blew desperately to form the right notes.

That was weird. I saw a flash of the woman unveiled: swirly hair of green coral snakes, tusks sprouting from her mouth that turned her face into a permanent sneer, and burning, bulging eyes that made me freeze.