R I C K
R I O R D A N
M I R A M A X BOOKS
H Y P E R I O N BOOKS FOR C H I L D R E N
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Copyright © 2 0 0 5 by Rick Riordan
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To Haley,
who heard the story first
CONTENTS
1 · I A c c i d e n t a l l y V a p o r i z e My P r e - a l g e b r a T e a c h e r 1
2 · T h r e e O l d Ladies Knit the Socks of D e a t h 16
3 · G r o v e r U n e x p e c t e d l y L o s e s H i s P a n t s 29
4 · My M o t h e r T e a c h e s Me Bullfighting 44
5 . I Play P i n o c h l e w i t h a H o r s e 57
6·
I B e c o m e S u p r e m e L o r d of t h e B a t h r o o m 75
7 . My Dinner Goes Up in Smoke 93
8 · We C a p t u r e a F l a g 107
9 · I Am O f f e r e d a Q u e s t 127
10 · I R u i n a Perfectly G o o d Bus 149
1 1 · W e V i s i t t h e G a r d e n G n o m e E m p o r i u m 168
12 · We G e t A d v i c e f r o m a P o o d l e 188
13 · I P l u n g e to My D e a t h 197
14 · I B e c o m e a K n o w n F u g i t i v e 212
15 · A G o d Buys Us C h e e s e b u r g e r s 219
16 · We T a k e a Z e b r a to Vegas 242
17 · We S h o p for W a t e r Beds 2 6 6
18 · A n n a b e t h D o e s O b e d i e n c e S c h o o l 283
1 9 · W e F i n d O u t t h e T r u t h , S o r t O f 300
20 · I Battle My Jerk Relative 320
21 · I S e t t l e My T a b 334
22 · T h e P r o p h e c y C o m e s T r u e 354
Look, I didn't w a n t to be a half-blood.
I f you're r e a d i n g t h i s b e c a u s e y o u t h i n k y o u m i g h t b e
o n e , m y advice is: close this b o o k r i g h t now. Believe w h a t ever lie y o u r m o m o r d a d t o l d y o u a b o u t y o u r b i r t h , a n d t r y
to l e a d a n o r m a l life.
Being a h a l f - b l o o d is d a n g e r o u s . It's scary. M o s t of t h e
t i m e , it gets y o u killed in painful, n a s t y ways.
I f you're a n o r m a l k i d , r e a d i n g this b e c a u s e y o u t h i n k
it's fiction, g r e a t . R e a d o n . I envy y o u for b e i n g able to
believe t h a t n o n e o f this ever h a p p e n e d .
B u t if y o u r e c o g n i z e yourself in these p a g e s — i f y o u feel
something stirring i n s i d e — s t o p reading immediately. You
m i g h t b e o n e o f u s . A n d o n c e y o u k n o w t h a t , it's o n l y a m a t ter of t i m e before they sense it t o o , a n d they'll c o m e for you.
D o n ' t say I d i d n ' t w a r n y o u .
M y n a m e i s Percy J a c k s o n .
I ' m twelve years o l d . U n t i l a few m o n t h s ago, I was a
b o a r d i n g s t u d e n t at Y a n c y A c a d e m y , a private s c h o o l for
troubled kids in upstate N e w York.
Am I a t r o u b l e d kid?
Yeah. Y o u c o u l d say t h a t .
[1]
I c o u l d s t a r t a t any p o i n t i n m y s h o r t m i s e r a b l e life
t o p r o v e it, b u t t h i n g s really s t a r t e d g o i n g b a d last M a y ,
w h e n o u r s i x t h - g r a d e class t o o k a f i e l d t r i p t o M a n h a t t a n —
t w e n t y - e i g h t m e n t a l - c a s e k i d s a n d t w o teachers o n a yellow
school bus, heading to the M e t r o p o l i t a n M u s e u m of A r t to
l o o k a t a n c i e n t G r e e k a n d R o m a n stuff.
I k n o w — i t s o u n d s like t o r t u r e . M o s t Y a n c y f i e l d t r i p s
were.
B u t M r . B r u n n e r , o u r L a t i n teacher, was l e a d i n g t h i s
t r i p , so I h a d h o p e s .
M r . B r u n n e r was t h i s m i d d l e - a g e d guy i n a m o t o r i z e d
wheelchair. H e h a d t h i n n i n g h a i r a n d a scruffy b e a r d a n d a
frayed t w e e d jacket, w h i c h always s m e l l e d like coffee. Y o u
w o u l d n ' t t h i n k he'd b e c o o l , b u t h e t o l d stories a n d jokes
a n d let u s p l a y g a m e s i n class. H e also h a d t h i s a w e s o m e
c o l l e c t i o n o f R o m a n a r m o r a n d w e a p o n s , s o h e was t h e
o n l y t e a c h e r w h o s e class d i d n ' t p u t m e t o sleep.
I h o p e d t h e t r i p w o u l d b e okay. A t least, I h o p e d t h a t
for o n c e I w o u l d n ' t get in t r o u b l e .
Boy, was I w r o n g .
See, b a d t h i n g s h a p p e n t o m e o n f i e l d t r i p s . L i k e a t m y
f i f t h - g r a d e s c h o o l , w h e n w e w e n t t o t h e S a r a t o g a battlefield,
I h a d this a c c i d e n t w i t h a R e v o l u t i o n a r y W a r c a n n o n . I
wasn't a i m i n g for t h e s c h o o l b u s , b u t o f c o u r s e I g o t
expelled
anyway.
And
before
that,
at
my
fourth-grade
school, when we t o o k a behind-the-scenes t o u r of the
M a r i n e W o r l d s h a r k p o o l , I s o r t o f h i t t h e w r o n g lever o n
t h e c a t w a l k a n d o u r class t o o k a n u n p l a n n e d s w i m . A n d t h e
t i m e b e f o r e t h a t . . . W e l l , y o u get t h e idea.
[2]
T h i s t r i p , I was d e t e r m i n e d t o b e g o o d .
A l l t h e way i n t o t h e city, I p u t u p w i t h N a n c y Bobofit,
t h e freckly, r e d h e a d e d k l e p t o m a n i a c girl, h i t t i n g m y b e s t
friend Grover in the back of the head with chunks of
peanut butter-and-ketchup sandwich.
G r o v e r was a n easy target. H e was scrawny. H e cried
w h e n h e g o t f r u s t r a t e d . H e m u s t ' v e b e e n h e l d b a c k several
g r a d e s , b e c a u s e h e was t h e o n l y sixth g r a d e r w i t h a c n e a n d
t h e s t a r t o f a w i s p y b e a r d o n his c h i n . O n t o p o f all t h a t ,
h e was c r i p p l e d . H e h a d a n o t e excusing h i m f r o m P E for
t h e rest o f his life b e c a u s e h e h a d s o m e k i n d o f m u s c u l a r
disease i n his legs. H e w a l k e d funny, like every s t e p h u r t
h i m , b u t d o n ' t let t h a t fool y o u . Y o u s h o u l d ' v e seen h i m r u n
w h e n i t was e n c h i l a d a d a y i n t h e cafeteria.
Anyway, N a n c y B o b o f i t was t h r o w i n g w a d s o f s a n d w i c h
t h a t s t u c k in his curly b r o w n hair, a n d she k n e w I c o u l d n ' t
d o a n y t h i n g b a c k t o h e r b e c a u s e I was already o n p r o b a t i o n .
T h e headmaster had threatened me with death by in-school
s u s p e n s i o n i f a n y t h i n g b a d , e m b a r r a s s i n g , o r even m i l d l y
e n t e r t a i n i n g h a p p e n e d o n this t r i p .
" I ' m g o i n g to kill her," I m u m b l e d .
G r o v e r t r i e d t o c a l m m e d o w n . "It's okay. I like p e a n u t
butter."
H e d o d g e d another piece o f Nancy's lunch.
" T h a t ' s it." I s t a r t e d t o get u p , b u t G r o v e r p u l l e d m e
b a c k t o m y seat.
"You're already o n p r o b a t i o n , " h e r e m i n d e d m e . " Y o u
k n o w w h o ' l l get b l a m e d i f a n y t h i n g h a p p e n s . "
L o o k i n g b a c k o n it, I w i s h I'd d e c k e d N a n c y B o b o f i t
[3]
right then a n d there. In-school suspension would've been
n o t h i n g c o m p a r e d t o t h e m e s s I was a b o u t t o get myself i n t o .
Mr. Brunner led the m u s e u m tour.
H e r o d e u p f r o n t i n his wheelchair, g u i d i n g u s t h r o u g h
t h e b i g e c h o e y galleries, p a s t m a r b l e s t a t u e s a n d glass cases
full o f really o l d b l a c k - a n d - o r a n g e p o t t e r y .
I t b l e w m y m i n d t h a t t h i s s t u f f h a d survived for t w o
t h o u s a n d , t h r e e t h o u s a n d years.
He gathered us around a thirteen-foot-tall stone colu m n w i t h a b i g s p h i n x o n t h e t o p , a n d s t a r t e d telling u s
h o w it was a grave m a r k e r , a stele, for a girl a b o u t o u r age. He
t o l d u s a b o u t t h e carvings o n t h e sides. I was t r y i n g t o
listen t o w h a t h e h a d t o say, b e c a u s e i t was k i n d o f i n t e r esting, b u t e v e r y b o d y a r o u n d m e was t a l k i n g , a n d every t i m e
I told t h e m to shut up, the other teacher chaperone, M r s .
D o d d s , w o u l d give m e t h e evil eye.
M r s . D o d d s was t h i s little m a t h t e a c h e r f r o m G e o r g i a
w h o always w o r e a black l e a t h e r jacket, even t h o u g h she was
f i f t y years o l d . S h e l o o k e d m e a n e n o u g h t o r i d e a H a r l e y
r i g h t i n t o y o u r locker. S h e h a d c o m e t o Yancy halfway
t h r o u g h t h e year, w h e n o u r last m a t h t e a c h e r h a d a n e r v o u s
breakdown.
F r o m h e r f i r s t day, M r s . D o d d s loved N a n c y B o b o f i t
a n d f i g u r e d I was devil s p a w n . S h e w o u l d p o i n t h e r c r o o k e d
f i n g e r a t m e a n d say, " N o w , honey," real sweet, a n d I k n e w
I was g o i n g to get a f t e r - s c h o o l d e t e n t i o n for a m o n t h .
O n e t i m e , after s h e d m a d e m e erase answers o u t o f o l d
m a t h workbooks until midnight, I told Grover I didn't
[4]
t h i n k M r s . D o d d s was h u m a n . H e l o o k e d a t m e , real serio u s , a n d said, "You're a b s o l u t e l y right."
M r . B r u n n e r k e p t t a l k i n g a b o u t G r e e k funeral a r t .
Finally, N a n c y B o b o f i t s n i c k e r e d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e
n a k e d g u y o n t h e stele, a n d I t u r n e d a r o u n d a n d said, " W i l l
y o u shut up!"
It came o u t louder than I m e a n t it to.
T h e w h o l e g r o u p l a u g h e d . M r . B r u n n e r s t o p p e d his
story.
" M r . Jackson," h e said, " d i d y o u have a c o m m e n t ? "
My face was totally r e d . I said, " N o , sir."
M r . B r u n n e r p o i n t e d t o o n e o f t h e p i c t u r e s o n t h e stele.
" P e r h a p s y o u ' l l tell u s w h a t this p i c t u r e r e p r e s e n t s ? "
I l o o k e d at t h e carving, a n d felt a flush of relief, b e c a u s e
I actually r e c o g n i z e d it. " T h a t ' s K r o n o s e a t i n g h i s k i d s ,
right?"
"Yes," M r . B r u n n e r said, o b v i o u s l y n o t satisfied. " A n d
he d i d t h i s b e c a u s e . . ."
" W e l l . . . " I r a c k e d m y b r a i n t o r e m e m b e r . " K r o n o s was
the king god, a n d — "
" G o d ? " M r . B r u n n e r asked.
" T i t a n , " I c o r r e c t e d myself. " A n d . . . h e d i d n ' t t r u s t his
k i d s , w h o were t h e g o d s . S o , u m , K r o n o s ate t h e m , right?
B u t his wife h i d b a b y Z e u s , a n d gave K r o n o s a r o c k t o eat
i n s t e a d . A n d later, w h e n Z e u s g r e w u p , h e t r i c k e d h i s d a d ,
K r o n o s , i n t o b a r f i n g u p his b r o t h e r s a n d s i s t e r s — "
" E e e w ! " said o n e o f t h e girls b e h i n d m e .
" — a n d s o t h e r e was t h i s b i g f i g h t b e t w e e n t h e g o d s a n d
the Titans," I continued, " a n d the gods won."
[5]
S o m e snickers f r o m t h e g r o u p .
B e h i n d m e , N a n c y B o b o f i t m u m b l e d t o a friend, " L i k e
we're g o i n g to use t h i s in real life. L i k e it's g o i n g to say on
o u r j o b a p p l i c a t i o n s , 'Please explain w h y K r o n o s ate h i s
kids.' "
" A n d why, M r . Jackson," B r u n n e r said, " t o p a r a p h r a s e
M i s s Bobofit's excellent q u e s t i o n , d o e s t h i s m a t t e r i n real
life?"
"Busted," G r o v e r m u t t e r e d .
" S h u t u p , " N a n c y hissed, h e r face even b r i g h t e r r e d t h a n
h e r hair.
A t least N a n c y g o t p a c k e d , t o o . M r . B r u n n e r was t h e
o n l y o n e w h o ever c a u g h t h e r saying a n y t h i n g w r o n g . H e
h a d r a d a r ears.
I t h o u g h t a b o u t his question, a n d shrugged. "I don't
k n o w , sir."
" I see." M r . B r u n n e r l o o k e d d i s a p p o i n t e d . " W e l l , h a l f
credit, M r . J a c k s o n . Z e u s d i d i n d e e d feed K r o n o s a m i x t u r e
o f m u s t a r d a n d w i n e , w h i c h m a d e h i m d i s g o r g e his o t h e r
five children, w h o , o f c o u r s e , b e i n g i m m o r t a l g o d s , h a d
b e e n living a n d g r o w i n g u p c o m p l e t e l y u n d i g e s t e d i n t h e
T i t a n ' s s t o m a c h . T h e g o d s d e f e a t e d t h e i r father, sliced h i m
t o pieces w i t h his o w n s c y t h e , a n d s c a t t e r e d h i s r e m a i n s i n
Tartarus, the darkest part of the U n d e r w o r l d . On that
h a p p y n o t e , it's t i m e for l u n c h . M r s . D o d d s , w o u l d y o u lead
us back outside?"
T h e class d r i f t e d off, t h e girls h o l d i n g t h e i r s t o m a c h s ,
t h e guys p u s h i n g each o t h e r a r o u n d a n d a c t i n g like d o o fuses.
[6]
G r o v e r a n d I were a b o u t t o follow w h e n M r . B r u n n e r
said, " M r . Jackson."
I k n e w t h a t was c o m i n g .
I told Grover to keep going. T h e n I t u r n e d toward M r .
Brunner. "Sir?"
M r . B r u n n e r h a d t h i s l o o k t h a t w o u l d n ' t let y o u g o —
i n t e n s e b r o w n eyes t h a t could've b e e n a t h o u s a n d years o l d
a n d h a d seen everything.
"You m u s t learn the
answer t o
my
question," M r .
Brunner told me.
"About the Titans?"
" A b o u t real life. A n d h o w y o u r s t u d i e s a p p l y t o it."
"Oh."
" W h a t y o u l e a r n f r o m m e , " h e said, "is vitally i m p o r t a n t . I expect y o u to t r e a t it as s u c h . I will a c c e p t o n l y t h e
b e s t f r o m you, P e r c y Jackson."
I w a n t e d t o get angry, t h i s g u y p u s h e d m e s o h a r d .
I m e a n , sure, i t was k i n d o f c o o l o n t o u r n a m e n t days,
when he dressed up in a suit of R o m a n a r m o r a n d shouted:
" W h a t h o ! " a n d c h a l l e n g e d us, s w o r d - p o i n t a g a i n s t chalk,
t o r u n t o t h e b o a r d a n d n a m e every G r e e k a n d R o m a n p e r s o n w h o h a d ever lived, a n d t h e i r m o t h e r , a n d w h a t g o d t h e y
worshipped. But M r . Brunner expected me to be as g o o d as
e v e r y b o d y else, d e s p i t e t h e fact t h a t I have dyslexia a n d
a t t e n t i o n deficit d i s o r d e r a n d I h a d never m a d e above a
C— in my life. N o — h e d i d n ' t e x p e c t me to be as good; he
e x p e c t e d me to be better. A n d I j u s t c o u l d n ' t l e a r n all t h o s e
n a m e s a n d facts, m u c h less spell t h e m correctly.
I m u m b l e d something a b o u t trying harder, while M r .
B r u n n e r t o o k o n e l o n g sad l o o k a t t h e stele, like he'd b e e n
at this girl's funeral.
H e t o l d m e t o g o o u t s i d e a n d eat m y l u n c h .
T h e class g a t h e r e d o n t h e f r o n t s t e p s o f t h e m u s e u m , w h e r e
w e c o u l d w a t c h t h e f o o t traffic a l o n g F i f t h A v e n u e .
Overhead,
a huge
s t o r m was
brewing,
with
clouds
blacker t h a n I'd ever seen over t h e city. I figured m a y b e it
was g l o b a l w a r m i n g o r s o m e t h i n g , b e c a u s e t h e w e a t h e r all
across N e w Y o r k s t a t e h a d b e e n weird since C h r i s t m a s . W e ' d
h a d massive s n o w s t o r m s , f l o o d i n g , wildfires f r o m l i g h t n i n g
strikes. I w o u l d n ' t have b e e n s u r p r i s e d if this was a h u r r i c a n e b l o w i n g in.
N o b o d y else s e e m e d t o n o t i c e . S o m e o f t h e g u y s were
p e l t i n g p i g e o n s w i t h L u n c h a b l e s crackers. N a n c y B o b o f i t
was t r y i n g to p i c k p o c k e t s o m e t h i n g f r o m a lady's p u r s e ,
a n d , o f c o u r s e , M r s . D o d d s wasn't seeing a t h i n g .
G r o v e r a n d I sat o n t h e edge o f t h e f o u n t a i n , away f r o m
the others. We t h o u g h t that maybe if we did that, everybody
w o u l d n ' t k n o w w e were f r o m that s c h o o l — t h e s c h o o l for
loser freaks w h o c o u l d n ' t m a k e i t elsewhere.
" D e t e n t i o n ? " G r o v e r asked.
" N a h , " I said. " N o t f r o m B r u n n e r . I just w i s h he'd lay
o f f m e s o m e t i m e s . I m e a n — I ' m n o t a genius."
G r o v e r d i d n ' t say a n y t h i n g for a while. T h e n , w h e n I
t h o u g h t h e was g o i n g t o give m e s o m e d e e p p h i l o s o p h i c a l
c o m m e n t t o m a k e m e feel b e t t e r , h e said, " C a n I have y o u r
apple?"
I d i d n ' t have m u c h of an a p p e t i t e , so I let h i m take it.
I w a t c h e d t h e s t r e a m o f cabs g o i n g d o w n F i f t h Avenue,
a n d t h o u g h t a b o u t m y m o m ' s a p a r t m e n t , o n l y a little ways
uptown
from
where
we
sat.
I
hadn't
seen
her
since
C h r i s t m a s . I w a n t e d s o b a d t o j u m p i n a taxi a n d h e a d
h o m e . S h e ' d h u g m e a n d b e g l a d t o see m e , b u t she'd b e
disappointed,
too.
She'd s e n d m e r i g h t b a c k t o Yancy,
r e m i n d m e t h a t I h a d t o t r y h a r d e r , even i f t h i s was m y sixth
s c h o o l in six years a n d I was p r o b a b l y g o i n g to be k i c k e d
o u t again. I w o u l d n ' t b e able t o s t a n d t h a t sad l o o k she'd
give m e .
M r . B r u n n e r p a r k e d his w h e e l c h a i r a t t h e b a s e o f t h e
h a n d i c a p p e d r a m p . H e ate celery w h i l e h e r e a d a p a p e r b a c k
novel. A r e d u m b r e l l a s t u c k u p f r o m t h e b a c k o f his chair,
m a k i n g it l o o k like a m o t o r i z e d café table.
I
was
about to unwrap my sandwich when N a n c y
B o b o f i t a p p e a r e d i n f r o n t o f m e w i t h h e r ugly f r i e n d s — I
guess she'd g o t t e n t i r e d o f stealing f r o m t h e t o u r i s t s — a n d
d u m p e d h e r h a l f - e a t e n l u n c h i n Grover's l a p .
" O o p s . " She grinned at me with her crooked teeth. H e r
freckles were o r a n g e , a s i f s o m e b o d y h a d s p r a y - p a i n t e d h e r
face w i t h l i q u i d C h e e t o s .
I t r i e d t o stay c o o l . T h e s c h o o l c o u n s e l o r h a d t o l d m e a
m i l l i o n t i m e s , " C o u n t t o ten, get c o n t r o l o f y o u r t e m p e r . "
B u t I was s o m a d m y m i n d w e n t b l a n k . A wave r o a r e d i n m y
ears.
I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r t o u c h i n g her, b u t t h e n e x t t h i n g I
k n e w , N a n c y was
sitting
on her butt in the fountain,
screaming, "Percy p u s h e d me!"
M r s . D o d d s materialized next to us.
S o m e o f t h e k i d s were w h i s p e r i n g : " D i d y o u s e e — "
"—the water—"
"—like it grabbed h e r — "
I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e y were t a l k i n g a b o u t . AU I k n e w
was t h a t I was in t r o u b l e again.
A s s o o n a s M r s . D o d d s was sure p o o r little N a n c y was
okay, p r o m i s i n g t o get h e r a n e w s h i r t a t t h e m u s e u m gift
s h o p , etc., etc., M r s . D o d d s t u r n e d o n m e . T h e r e was a t r i u m p h a n t fire in h e r eyes, as if I'd d o n e s o m e t h i n g she'd b e e n
w a i t i n g for all semester. " N o w , h o n e y — "
"I know," I g r u m b l e d . "A m o n t h erasing w o r k b o o k s . "
T h a t wasn't t h e r i g h t t h i n g t o say.
" C o m e w i t h m e , " M r s . D o d d s said.
" W a i t ! " G r o v e r yelped. " I t was m e . I p u s h e d her."
I s t a r e d at h i m , s t u n n e d . I c o u l d n ' t believe he was t r y i n g
t o cover for m e . M r s . D o d d s scared G r o v e r t o d e a t h .
S h e glared a t h i m s o h a r d his w h i s k e r y c h i n t r e m b l e d .
" I d o n ' t t h i n k so, M r . U n d e r w o o d , " she said.
"But—"
"You—will—stay—here."
G r o v e r l o o k e d a t m e desperately.
"It's okay, m a n , " I t o l d h i m . " T h a n k s for trying."
" H o n e y , " M r s . D o d d s b a r k e d a t m e . "Now."
N a n c y Bobofit smirked.
I gave h e r my deluxe I ' l l - k i l l - y o u - l a t e r stare. T h e n I
t u r n e d t o face M r s . D o d d s , b u t she wasn't t h e r e . S h e was
s t a n d i n g a t t h e m u s e u m e n t r a n c e , way a t t h e t o p o f t h e
steps, gesturing impatiently at me to c o m e on.
H o w ' d she get t h e r e so fast?
[10]
I have m o m e n t s like t h a t a lot, w h e n my b r a i n falls
asleep o r s o m e t h i n g , a n d t h e n e x t t h i n g I k n o w I've m i s s e d
s o m e t h i n g , as if a p u z z l e p i e c e fell o u t of t h e universe a n d
left m e s t a r i n g a t t h e b l a n k p l a c e b e h i n d it. T h e s c h o o l
c o u n s e l o r t o l d m e this was p a r t o f t h e A D H D , m y b r a i n
misinterpreting things.
I wasn't so sure.
I w e n t after M r s . D o d d s .
H a l f w a y u p t h e s t e p s , I g l a n c e d b a c k a t Grover. H e was
l o o k i n g pale, c u t t i n g his eyes b e t w e e n m e a n d M r . B r u n n e r ,
like h e w a n t e d M r . B r u n n e r t o n o t i c e w h a t was g o i n g o n ,
b u t M r . B r u n n e r was a b s o r b e d i n his novel.
I l o o k e d b a c k u p . M r s . D o d d s h a d d i s a p p e a r e d again.
S h e was n o w i n s i d e t h e b u i l d i n g , a t t h e e n d o f t h e e n t r a n c e
hall.
O k a y , I t h o u g h t . She's g o i n g t o m a k e m e b u y a n e w s h i r t
for N a n c y a t t h e gift s h o p .
B u t a p p a r e n t l y t h a t wasn't t h e p l a n .
I followed h e r d e e p e r i n t o t h e m u s e u m . W h e n I finally
c a u g h t u p t o her, w e were b a c k i n t h e G r e e k a n d R o m a n
section.
E x c e p t for u s , t h e gallery was e m p t y .
M r s . D o d d s s t o o d with her arms crossed in front of a
b i g m a r b l e frieze o f t h e G r e e k g o d s . S h e was m a k i n g t h i s
weird n o i s e i n h e r t h r o a t , like g r o w l i n g .
E v e n w i t h o u t t h e n o i s e , I w o u l d ' v e b e e n n e r v o u s . It's
w e i r d b e i n g a l o n e w i t h a teacher, especially M r s . D o d d s .
S o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e way she l o o k e d a t t h e frieze, a s i f she
w a n t e d to p u l v e r i z e it . . .
[11]
"You've b e e n giving u s p r o b l e m s , honey," she said.
I d i d t h e safe t h i n g . I said, "Yes, m a ' a m . "
S h e t u g g e d o n t h e cuffs o f h e r l e a t h e r jacket. " D i d y o u
really t h i n k y o u w o u l d get away w i t h i t ? "
T h e l o o k i n h e r eyes was b e y o n d m a d . I t was evil.
She's a teacher, I t h o u g h t nervously. It's n o t like she's
going to h u r t me.
I said, " I ' l l — I ' l l t r y harder, m a ' a m . "
T h u n d e r s h o o k the building.
" W e are n o t fools, P e r c y Jackson," M r s . D o d d s said. " I t
was
o n l y a m a t t e r o f t i m e before
we
found you out.
C o n f e s s , a n d y o u will suffer less pain."
I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t she was t a l k i n g a b o u t .
A l l I c o u l d t h i n k o f was t h a t t h e t e a c h e r s m u s t ' v e f o u n d
t h e illegal s t a s h o f c a n d y I ' d b e e n selling o u t o f m y d o r m
r o o m . Or m a y b e they'd realized I g o t my essay on Tom Sawyer
f r o m t h e I n t e r n e t w i t h o u t ever r e a d i n g t h e b o o k a n d n o w
t h e y were g o i n g t o t a k e away m y g r a d e . O r w o r s e , t h e y were
going to make me read the book.
"Well?" she demanded.
" M a ' a m , I d o n ' t . . ."
" Y o u r t i m e is u p , " she hissed.
T h e n t h e weirdest t h i n g h a p p e n e d . H e r eyes b e g a n t o
glow like b a r b e c u e coals. H e r fingers s t r e t c h e d , t u r n i n g i n t o
t a l o n s . H e r jacket m e l t e d i n t o large, l e a t h e r y w i n g s . S h e
wasn't h u m a n . S h e was a shriveled h a g w i t h b a t w i n g s a n d
claws a n d a m o u t h full of yellow fangs, a n d she was a b o u t
t o slice m e t o r i b b o n s .
T h e n t h i n g s g o t even stranger.
[12]
M r . Brunner, who'd been o u t in front of the m u s e u m a
m i n u t e before, w h e e l e d his chair i n t o t h e d o o r w a y o f t h e
gallery, h o l d i n g a p e n in his h a n d .
" W h a t h o , Percy!" h e s h o u t e d , a n d t o s s e d t h e p e n
t h r o u g h t h e air.
M r s . D o d d s lunged at me.
W i t h a yelp, I d o d g e d a n d felt t a l o n s slash t h e air n e x t
t o m y ear. I s n a t c h e d t h e b a l l p o i n t p e n o u t o f t h e air, b u t
w h e n it h i t my h a n d , it wasn't a p e n a n y m o r e . It was a
s w o r d — M r . B r u n n e r ' s b r o n z e sword, w h i c h h e always u s e d
o n t o u r n a m e n t day.
M r s . D o d d s spun toward me with a murderous look in
h e r eyes.
M y k n e e s were jelly. M y h a n d s were s h a k i n g s o b a d I
almost d r o p p e d the sword.
S h e snarled, " D i e , h o n e y ! "
A n d she flew s t r a i g h t a t m e .
Absolute terror ran through my body. I did the only
t h i n g t h a t c a m e naturally: I s w u n g t h e s w o r d .
T h e m e t a l b l a d e h i t h e r s h o u l d e r a n d p a s s e d clean
t h r o u g h h e r b o d y a s i f s h e were m a d e o f water. Hisss!
M r s . D o d d s was a s a n d castle in a p o w e r fan. S h e
e x p l o d e d i n t o yellow p o w d e r , v a p o r i z e d o n t h e s p o t , leaving
n o t h i n g b u t t h e smell o f sulfur a n d a d y i n g screech a n d a
chill of evil in t h e air, as if t h o s e t w o g l o w i n g r e d eyes were
still w a t c h i n g m e .
I was a l o n e .
T h e r e was a b a l l p o i n t p e n i n m y h a n d .
M r . B r u n n e r wasn't t h e r e . N o b o d y was t h e r e b u t m e .
[13]
My
been
hands
were
contaminated
still
with
trembling.
magic
My
lunch
mushrooms
or
must've
some-
thing.
H a d I i m a g i n e d t h e w h o l e thing?
I went back outside.
It h a d started to rain.
Grover was sitting by the fountain, a m u s e u m m a p
t e n t e d over his h e a d . N a n c y B o b o f i t was still s t a n d i n g t h e r e ,
soaked from her swim in the fountain, grumbling to her
ugly friends. W h e n she saw m e , she said, " I h o p e M r s . K e r r
w h i p p e d your butt."
I said, " W h o ? "
" O u r teacher. D u h ! "
I b l i n k e d . W e h a d n o t e a c h e r n a m e d M r s . Kerr. I a s k e d
N a n c y w h a t she was t a l k i n g a b o u t .
S h e j u s t r o l l e d h e r eyes a n d t u r n e d away.
I asked G r o v e r w h e r e M r s . D o d d s was.
H e said, " W h o ? "
B u t he p a u s e d first, a n d he w o u l d n ' t l o o k at m e , so I
t h o u g h t h e was m e s s i n g w i t h m e .
" N o t funny, m a n , " I t o l d h i m . " T h i s i s serious."
T h u n d e r b o o m e d overhead.
I saw M r . B r u n n e r s i t t i n g u n d e r h i s r e d u m b r e l l a , r e a d i n g his b o o k , as if he'd never m o v e d .
I w e n t over to h i m .
H e l o o k e d u p , a little d i s t r a c t e d . "Ah, t h a t w o u l d b e m y
p e n . Please b r i n g y o u r o w n w r i t i n g u t e n s i l i n t h e future, M r .
Jackson."
I h a n d e d M r . B r u n n e r h i s p e n . I h a d n ' t even realized I
[14]
was still h o l d i n g it.
"Sir," I said, "where's M r s . D o d d s ? "
H e s t a r e d a t m e blankly. " W h o ? "
" T h e other chaperone. M r s . D o d d s . T h e pre-algebra
teacher."
H e f r o w n e d a n d sat forward, l o o k i n g m i l d l y c o n c e r n e d .
"Percy, t h e r e is no M r s . D o d d s on this t r i p . As far as I
k n o w , t h e r e has never b e e n a M r s . D o d d s a t Y a n c y A c a d e m y .
A r e y o u feeling all r i g h t ? "
[15]
I was u s e d t o t h e o c c a s i o n a l weird experience, b u t usually
t h e y were over quickly. T h i s t w e n t y - f o u r / s e v e n h a l l u c i n a t i o n was m o r e t h a n I c o u l d h a n d l e . F o r t h e rest o f t h e
s c h o o l year, t h e e n t i r e c a m p u s s e e m e d t o b e p l a y i n g s o m e
k i n d o f trick o n m e . T h e s t u d e n t s a c t e d a s i f t h e y were
completely a n d totally convinced that M r s . K e r r — a perky
b l o n d w o m a n w h o m I ' d never seen i n m y life u n t i l she g o t
on our bus at the end of the field t r i p — h a d been our prealgebra t e a c h e r since C h r i s t m a s .
E v e r y so often I w o u l d s p r i n g a M r s . D o d d s reference
o n s o m e b o d y , just t o see i f I c o u l d t r i p t h e m u p , b u t t h e y
w o u l d stare at me like I was p s y c h o .
I t g o t s o I a l m o s t believed t h e m — M r s . D o d d s h a d
never existed.
Almost.
But
Grover
couldn't
fool
me. W h e n
I
mentioned
t h e n a m e D o d d s t o h i m , h e w o u l d h e s i t a t e , t h e n claim s h e
d i d n ' t exist. B u t I k n e w he was lying.
S o m e t h i n g was g o i n g o n . S o m e t h i n g had h a p p e n e d a t
the museum.
I
d i d n ' t have m u c h t i m e t o
think about it during
t h e days, b u t a t n i g h t , visions o f M r s . D o d d s w i t h t a l o n s
[16]
a n d l e a t h e r y w i n g s w o u l d wake m e u p i n a c o l d sweat.
T h e freak w e a t h e r c o n t i n u e d , w h i c h d i d n ' t h e l p m y
m o o d . O n e night, a t h u n d e r s t o r m blew o u t the windows in
m y d o r m r o o m . A few days later, t h e b i g g e s t t o r n a d o ever
s p o t t e d i n t h e H u d s o n Valley t o u c h e d d o w n o n l y fifty miles
f r o m Y a n c y A c a d e m y . O n e o f t h e c u r r e n t events w e s t u d i e d
i n social s t u d i e s class was t h e u n u s u a l n u m b e r o f small
p l a n e s t h a t h a d g o n e d o w n i n s u d d e n squalls i n t h e A t l a n t i c
t h a t year.
I s t a r t e d feeling c r a n k y a n d i r r i t a b l e m o s t o f t h e t i m e .
M y g r a d e s s l i p p e d f r o m D s t o F s . I g o t i n t o m o r e fights
w i t h N a n c y B o b o f i t a n d h e r friends. I was s e n t o u t i n t o t h e
hallway in a l m o s t every class.
Finally, w h e n o u r E n g l i s h teacher, M r . N i c o l l , a s k e d m e
for t h e m i l l i o n t h t i m e w h y I was t o o l a z y t o s t u d y for
spelling tests, I s n a p p e d . I called h i m an o l d s o t . I wasn't
even sure w h a t i t m e a n t , b u t i t s o u n d e d g o o d .
T h e h e a d m a s t e r s e n t m y m o m a letter t h e f o l l o w i n g
week, m a k i n g i t official: I w o u l d n o t b e invited b a c k n e x t
year t o Y a n c y A c a d e m y .
F i n e , I t o l d myself. J u s t fine.
I was h o m e s i c k .
I w a n t e d t o b e w i t h m y m o m i n o u r little a p a r t m e n t o n
t h e U p p e r E a s t S i d e , even i f I h a d t o g o t o p u b l i c s c h o o l
a n d p u t u p w i t h m y o b n o x i o u s s t e p f a t h e r a n d his s t u p i d
poker parties.
A n d y e t . . . t h e r e were t h i n g s I'd m i s s a t Yancy. T h e view
of the woods o u t my d o r m window, the H u d s o n River in
t h e d i s t a n c e , t h e smell o f p i n e trees. I'd m i s s Grover, w h o ' d
[17]
b e e n a g o o d friend, even if he was a little s t r a n g e . I w o r r i e d
h o w he'd survive n e x t year w i t h o u t m e .
I d m i s s L a t i n class, t o o — M r . B r u n n e r ' s c r a z y t o u r n a m e n t days a n d his faith t h a t I c o u l d d o well.
A s e x a m week g o t closer, L a t i n was t h e o n l y t e s t I s t u d ied for. I h a d n ' t f o r g o t t e n w h a t M r . B r u n n e r h a d t o l d m e
a b o u t t h i s subject b e i n g l i f e - a n d - d e a t h for m e . I wasn't sure
why, b u t I'd s t a r t e d t o believe h i m .
T h e evening b e f o r e my final, I g o t so f r u s t r a t e d I t h r e w t h e
Cambridge Guide to Greek Mythology across my d o r m r o o m .
W o r d s h a d s t a r t e d s w i m m i n g o f f t h e p a g e , circling m y
h e a d , t h e letters d o i n g o n e - e i g h t i e s a s i f t h e y were r i d i n g
s k a t e b o a r d s . T h e r e was n o w a y I was g o i n g t o r e m e m b e r t h e
difference b e t w e e n C h i r o n a n d C h a r o n , o r P o l y d i c t e s a n d
P o l y d e u c e s . A n d c o n j u g a t i n g t h o s e L a t i n verbs? F o r g e t it.
I p a c e d t h e r o o m , feeling like a n t s were c r a w l i n g a r o u n d
inside my shirt.
I r e m e m b e r e d M r . B r u n n e r ' s s e r i o u s expression, his
t h o u s a n d - y e a r - o l d eyes. I will accept only the best from you, Percy
Jackson.
I t o o k a d e e p b r e a t h . I p i c k e d up t h e m y t h o l o g y b o o k .
I'd never asked a t e a c h e r for h e l p before. M a y b e if I
t a l k e d t o M r . B r u n n e r , h e c o u l d give m e s o m e p o i n t e r s . A t
least I c o u l d a p o l o g i z e for t h e b i g fat F I was a b o u t to s c o r e
o n h i s e x a m . I d i d n ' t w a n t t o leave Y a n c y A c a d e m y w i t h h i m
thinking I hadn't tried.
I w a l k e d d o w n s t a i r s t o t h e faculty offices. M o s t o f
t h e m were d a r k a n d e m p t y , b u t M r . B r u n n e r ' s d o o r was ajar,
[18]
l i g h t f r o m his w i n d o w s t r e t c h i n g across t h e hallway floor.
I was t h r e e s t e p s f r o m t h e d o o r h a n d l e w h e n I h e a r d
voices inside t h e office. M r . B r u n n e r a s k e d a q u e s t i o n . A
voice t h a t was definitely Grover's said ". . . w o r r i e d a b o u t
Percy, sir."
I froze.
I ' m n o t usually an eavesdropper, b u t I dare you to try
n o t l i s t e n i n g i f y o u h e a r y o u r b e s t friend t a l k i n g a b o u t y o u
to an adult.
I i n c h e d closer.
" . . . a l o n e t h i s s u m m e r , " G r o v e r was saying. " I m e a n , a
K i n d l y O n e i n t h e school! N o w t h a t w e k n o w for sure, a n d
they k n o w t o o — "
" W e w o u l d only make matters worse by rushing him,"
M r . B r u n n e r said. " W e n e e d t h e b o y t o m a t u r e m o r e . "
" B u t h e m a y n o t have t i m e . T h e s u m m e r solstice d e a d line—
" W i l l have t o b e resolved w i t h o u t h i m , Grover. L e t h i m
enjoy his i g n o r a n c e w h i l e he still can."
"Sir, h e saw her. . . ."
" H i s i m a g i n a t i o n , " M r . B r u n n e r insisted.
"The Mist
over t h e s t u d e n t s a n d staff will b e e n o u g h t o c o n v i n c e h i m
o f that."
"Sir, I . . . I can't fail in my d u t i e s again." Grover's voice
was c h o k e d w i t h e m o t i o n .
"You know what that would
mean."
" Y o u haven't failed, Grover," M r . B r u n n e r said kindly. " I
s h o u l d have seen h e r for w h a t she was. N o w let's j u s t w o r r y
a b o u t k e e p i n g P e r c y alive u n t i l n e x t f a l l — "
[19]
T h e mythology b o o k d r o p p e d o u t o f m y hand and hit
the floor with a t h u d .
M r . B r u n n e r w e n t silent.
My heart hammering, I picked up the b o o k and backed
d o w n t h e hall.
A s h a d o w slid across t h e l i g h t e d glass of B r u n n e r ' s
office d o o r , t h e s h a d o w o f s o m e t h i n g m u c h taller t h a n m y
w h e e l c h a i r - b o u n d teacher, h o l d i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t l o o k e d
s u s p i c i o u s l y like an a r c h e r s bow.
I o p e n e d the nearest d o o r and slipped inside.
A few s e c o n d s later I h e a r d a slow clop~clop~clop, like muffled w o o d b l o c k s , t h e n a s o u n d like a n a n i m a l snuffling
r i g h t o u t s i d e m y d o o r . A large, d a r k s h a p e p a u s e d i n f r o n t
o f t h e glass, t h e n m o v e d o n .
A b e a d o f sweat t r i c k l e d d o w n m y neck.
Somewhere
in
the
hallway,
Mr.
Brunner
spoke.
" N o t h i n g , " h e m u r m u r e d . " M y nerves haven't b e e n r i g h t
s i n c e t h e w i n t e r solstice."
"Mine
neither,"
Grover
said.
"But
I
could
have
s w o r n . . ."
" G o b a c k t o t h e d o r m , " M r . B r u n n e r t o l d h i m . "You've
g o t a l o n g d a y o f exams t o m o r r o w . "
" D o n ' t r e m i n d me."
T h e l i g h t s w e n t o u t i n M r . B r u n n e r ' s office.
I w a i t e d in t h e d a r k for w h a t s e e m e d like forever.
Finally, I s l i p p e d o u t i n t o t h e hallway a n d m a d e m y way
back up to the d o r m .
G r o v e r was lying o n h i s b e d , s t u d y i n g his L a t i n e x a m
n o t e s like he'd b e e n t h e r e all n i g h t .
[20]
" H e y , " h e said, bleary-eyed. " Y o u g o i n g t o b e r e a d y for
this test?"
I d i d n ' t answer.
" Y o u l o o k awful." H e f r o w n e d . "Is e v e r y t h i n g o k a y ? "
" J u s t . . . tired."
I t u r n e d s o h e c o u l d n ' t r e a d m y expression, a n d s t a r t e d
g e t t i n g r e a d y for b e d .
I d i d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t I'd h e a r d d o w n s t a i r s . I w a n t e d
t o believe I'd i m a g i n e d t h e w h o l e t h i n g .
B u t o n e t h i n g was clear: G r o v e r a n d M r . B r u n n e r were
t a l k i n g a b o u t m e b e h i n d m y b a c k . T h e y t h o u g h t I was i n
some k i n d of danger.
T h e n e x t a f t e r n o o n , a s I was leaving t h e t h r e e - h o u r L a t i n
exam, m y eyes s w i m m i n g w i t h all t h e G r e e k a n d R o m a n
n a m e s I'd m i s s p e l l e d , M r . B r u n n e r called m e b a c k i n s i d e .
F o r a m o m e n t , I was w o r r i e d he'd f o u n d o u t a b o u t m y
e a v e s d r o p p i n g t h e n i g h t before, b u t t h a t d i d n ' t s e e m t o b e
the problem.
"Percy," h e said. " D o n ' t b e d i s c o u r a g e d a b o u t leaving
Yancy. It's . . . it's for t h e best."
H i s t o n e was k i n d , b u t t h e w o r d s still e m b a r r a s s e d m e .
E v e n t h o u g h h e was s p e a k i n g quietly, t h e o t h e r k i d s finishing t h e test c o u l d hear. N a n c y B o b o f i t s m i r k e d a t m e a n d
m a d e sarcastic little kissing m o t i o n s w i t h h e r lips.
I m u m b l e d , " O k a y , sir."
"I m e a n . . ." M r . B r u n n e r w h e e l e d his chair b a c k a n d
f o r t h , like h e wasn't sure w h a t t o say. " T h i s isn't t h e r i g h t
p l a c e for you. It was o n l y a m a t t e r of t i m e . "
[21]
M y eyes s t u n g .
H e r e was m y favorite teacher, i n f r o n t o f t h e class,
telling me I c o u l d n ' t h a n d l e it. A f t e r saying he believed in
me all year, n o w he was t e l l i n g me I was d e s t i n e d to get
kicked out.
" R i g h t , " I said, t r e m b l i n g .
" N o , n o , " M r . B r u n n e r said. " O h , c o n f o u n d i t all. W h a t
I ' m t r y i n g to say . . . you're n o t n o r m a l , Percy. T h a t ' s n o t h ing to b e — "
" T h a n k s , " I b l u r t e d . " T h a n k s a lot, sir, for r e m i n d i n g
me.
"Percy—"
But I was already g o n e .
O n t h e last day o f t h e t e r m , I s h o v e d m y c l o t h e s i n t o m y
suitcase.
T h e o t h e r guys were j o k i n g a r o u n d , t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e i r
v a c a t i o n p l a n s . O n e o f t h e m was g o i n g o n a h i k i n g t r i p t o
Switzerland.
A n o t h e r was
cruising the Caribbean for a
m o n t h . T h e y were juvenile d e l i n q u e n t s , like m e , b u t t h e y
were rich juvenile d e l i n q u e n t s . T h e i r d a d d i e s were executives,
or a m b a s s a d o r s , or celebrities. I was a n o b o d y , f r o m a f a m ily o f n o b o d i e s .
T h e y a s k e d m e w h a t I'd b e d o i n g this s u m m e r a n d I
t o l d t h e m I was g o i n g b a c k t o t h e city.
W h a t I d i d n ' t tell t h e m was t h a t I'd have to get a s u m m e r j o b w a l k i n g d o g s o r selling m a g a z i n e s u b s c r i p t i o n s , a n d
s p e n d m y free t i m e w o r r y i n g a b o u t w h e r e I'd g o t o s c h o o l
in t h e fall.
[22]
" O h , " o n e o f t h e g u y s said. " T h a t ' s cool."
T h e y w e n t b a c k t o t h e i r c o n v e r s a t i o n a s i f I'd never
existed.
T h e o n l y p e r s o n I d r e a d e d saying g o o d - b y e t o was
Grover, b u t as it t u r n e d o u t , I d i d n ' t have t o . H e ' d b o o k e d a
ticket t o M a n h a t t a n o n t h e s a m e G r e y h o u n d a s I h a d , s o
t h e r e w e were, t o g e t h e r again, h e a d i n g i n t o t h e city.
D u r i n g t h e w h o l e b u s ride, G r o v e r k e p t g l a n c i n g n e r vously d o w n t h e aisle, w a t c h i n g t h e o t h e r p a s s e n g e r s . I t
o c c u r r e d t o m e t h a t he'd always a c t e d n e r v o u s a n d fidgety
w h e n w e left Yancy, a s i f h e e x p e c t e d s o m e t h i n g b a d t o
h a p p e n . Before, I'd always a s s u m e d h e was w o r r i e d a b o u t
g e t t i n g teased. B u t t h e r e was n o b o d y t o tease h i m o n t h e
Greyhound.
F i n a l l y I c o u l d n ' t s t a n d it a n y m o r e .
I said, " L o o k i n g for K i n d l y O n e s ? "
G r o v e r nearly j u m p e d o u t o f his seat. " W h a — w h a t d o
you mean?"
I
confessed
about
eavesdropping
on
him
and
Mr.
B r u n n e r t h e n i g h t b e f o r e t h e exam.
Grover's eye t w i t c h e d . " H o w m u c h d i d y o u h e a r ? "
" O h . . . n o t m u c h . W h a t ' s t h e s u m m e r solstice d e a d line?"
H e w i n c e d . " L o o k , P e r c y . . . I was just w o r r i e d for y o u ,
see? I m e a n , h a l l u c i n a t i n g a b o u t d e m o n m a t h t e a c h e r s . . ."
"Grover—"
" A n d I was telling M r . B r u n n e r t h a t m a y b e y o u were
overstressed o r s o m e t h i n g , b e c a u s e t h e r e was n o s u c h p e r s o n
as M r s . D o d d s , a n d . . ."
[23]
" G r o v e r , you're a really, really b a d liar."
H i s ears t u r n e d p i n k .
F r o m h i s s h i r t p o c k e t , h e fished o u t a g r u b b y b u s i n e s s
card. " J u s t t a k e t h i s , okay? I n case y o u n e e d m e this s u m mer.
T h e c a r d was i n fancy script, w h i c h was m u r d e r o n m y
dyslexic eyes, b u t I finally m a d e o u t s o m e t h i n g like:
"What's Half—"
" D o n ' t say i t a l o u d ! " h e yelped. " T h a t ' s my, u m . . . s u m m e r address."
M y h e a r t s a n k . G r o v e r h a d a s u m m e r h o m e . I'd never
c o n s i d e r e d t h a t his family m i g h t b e a s r i c h a s t h e o t h e r s a t
Yancy.
" O k a y , " I said g l u m l y " S o , like, if I w a n t to c o m e visit
your mansion."
H e n o d d e d . " O r . . . o r i f you need me."
" W h y would I need you?"
It came o u t harsher than I m e a n t it to.
G r o v e r b l u s h e d r i g h t d o w n t o his A d a m ' s a p p l e . " L o o k ,
Percy, t h e t r u t h is, I — I k i n d o f have t o p r o t e c t you."
I s t a r e d at h i m .
All year l o n g , I'd g o t t e n in fights, k e e p i n g bullies away
[24]
f r o m h i m . I'd l o s t sleep w o r r y i n g t h a t he'd get b e a t e n u p
n e x t year w i t h o u t m e . A n d h e r e h e was a c t i n g like h e was t h e
o n e w h o d e f e n d e d me.
"Grover," I said, " w h a t exactly are y o u p r o t e c t i n g me
from?"
T h e r e was a h u g e g r i n d i n g n o i s e u n d e r o u r feet. Black
s m o k e p o u r e d f r o m t h e d a s h b o a r d a n d t h e w h o l e b u s filled
w i t h a s m e l l like r o t t e n eggs. T h e driver c u r s e d a n d l i m p e d
t h e G r e y h o u n d over t o t h e side o f t h e highway.
A f t e r a few m i n u t e s c l a n k i n g a r o u n d in t h e e n g i n e c o m p a r t m e n t , t h e driver a n n o u n c e d t h a t we'd all have t o get off.
G r o v e r a n d I filed o u t s i d e w i t h e v e r y b o d y else.
W e were o n a s t r e t c h o f c o u n t r y r o a d — n o p l a c e you'd
n o t i c e i f y o u d i d n ' t b r e a k d o w n t h e r e . O n o u r side o f t h e
h i g h w a y was n o t h i n g b u t m a p l e trees a n d litter f r o m p a s s ing cars. O n t h e o t h e r side, across f o u r lanes o f a s p h a l t
s h i m m e r i n g w i t h a f t e r n o o n heat, was a n o l d - f a s h i o n e d fruit
stand.
T h e s t u f f o n sale l o o k e d really g o o d : h e a p i n g boxes o f
b l o o d r e d cherries a n d a p p l e s , w a l n u t s a n d a p r i c o t s , jugs o f
cider i n a c l a w - f o o t t u b full o f ice. T h e r e were n o c u s t o m e r s , j u s t t h r e e o l d ladies s i t t i n g i n r o c k i n g chairs i n t h e
s h a d e o f a m a p l e tree, k n i t t i n g t h e b i g g e s t p a i r o f s o c k s I d
ever seen.
I m e a n t h e s e socks were t h e size o f sweaters, b u t t h e y
were clearly s o c k s . T h e lady o n t h e r i g h t k n i t t e d o n e o f
t h e m . T h e lady o n t h e left k n i t t e d t h e o t h e r . T h e lady i n t h e
m i d d l e h e l d a n e n o r m o u s b a s k e t o f electric-blue y a r n .
All
three
women
looked
[25]
ancient,
with
pale
faces
w r i n k l e d like fruit leather, silver h a i r t i e d b a c k in w h i t e
bandannas,
bony
arms sticking o u t of bleached c o t t o n
dresses.
T h e weirdest t h i n g was, t h e y s e e m e d t o b e l o o k i n g r i g h t
at m e .
I l o o k e d over at G r o v e r to say s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h i s a n d
saw t h a t t h e b l o o d h a d d r a i n e d f r o m his face. H i s n o s e was
twitching.
" G r o v e r ? " I said. " H e y , m a n — "
" T e l l m e they're n o t l o o k i n g a t y o u . T h e y are, aren't
they?"
"Yeah. W e i r d , h u h ? Y o u t h i n k t h o s e s o c k s w o u l d fit
me?
" N o t funny, Percy. N o t f u n n y a t all."
T h e o l d lady in the m i d d l e t o o k out a huge pair of
s c i s s o r s — g o l d a n d silver, l o n g - b l a d e d , like shears. I h e a r d
G r o v e r c a t c h his b r e a t h .
" W e ' r e g e t t i n g o n t h e b u s , " h e t o l d m e . " C o m e on."
" W h a t ? " I said. "It's a t h o u s a n d d e g r e e s in there."
"Come
on!" He pried open the d o o r and climbed
inside, b u t I stayed b a c k .
A c r o s s t h e r o a d , t h e o l d ladies were still w a t c h i n g m e .
T h e m i d d l e o n e c u t t h e y a r n , a n d I swear I c o u l d h e a r t h a t
snip across four lanes o f traffic. H e r t w o friends b a l l e d u p
t h e e l e c t r i c - b l u e socks, leaving m e w o n d e r i n g w h o t h e y
could possibly be for—Sasquatch or Godzilla.
A t t h e r e a r o f t h e b u s , t h e driver w r e n c h e d a b i g c h u n k
of smoking metal out of the engine compartment. T h e bus
s h u d d e r e d , a n d t h e e n g i n e r o a r e d b a c k t o life.
[26]
T h e p a s s e n g e r s cheered.
" D a r n r i g h t ! " yelled t h e driver. H e s l a p p e d t h e b u s w i t h
his h a t . " E v e r y b o d y b a c k o n b o a r d ! "
O n c e we g o t g o i n g , I s t a r t e d feeling feverish, as if Id
caught the flu.
G r o v e r d i d n ' t l o o k m u c h b e t t e r . H e was shivering a n d
his t e e t h were c h a t t e r i n g .
"Grover?"
"Yeah?"
" W h a t are y o u n o t telling m e ? "
H e d a b b e d his f o r e h e a d w i t h his s h i r t sleeve. "Percy,
w h a t d i d y o u see b a c k a t t h e fruit s t a n d ? "
" Y o u m e a n t h e o l d ladies? W h a t i s i t a b o u t t h e m , m a n ?
T h e y ' r e n o t like . . . M r s . D o d d s , are t h e y ? "
H i s e x p r e s s i o n was h a r d t o read, b u t I g o t t h e feeling
t h a t t h e f r u i t - s t a n d ladies were s o m e t h i n g m u c h , m u c h
w o r s e t h a n M r s . D o d d s . H e said, "Just tell m e w h a t y o u
it
saw.
" T h e m i d d l e o n e t o o k o u t h e r scissors, a n d she c u t t h e
yarn."
H e c l o s e d his eyes a n d m a d e a gesture w i t h his fingers
t h a t m i g h t ' v e b e e n c r o s s i n g himself, b u t i t wasn't. I t was
s o m e t h i n g else, s o m e t h i n g a l m o s t — o l d e r .
H e said, " Y o u saw h e r s n i p t h e cord."
"Yeah. S o ? " B u t even as I said it, I k n e w it was a b i g deal.
" T h i s is n o t happening," Grover m u m b l e d . He started
c h e w i n g a t his t h u m b . " I d o n ' t w a n t t h i s t o b e like t h e last
time."
" W h a t last t i m e ? "
[27]
"Always sixth g r a d e . T h e y never get p a s t sixth."
"Grover," I said, b e c a u s e he was really s t a r t i n g to scare
m e . " W h a t are y o u t a l k i n g a b o u t ? "
"Let me walk you h o m e from the bus station. Promise
me.
T h i s s e e m e d like a s t r a n g e r e q u e s t t o m e , b u t I p r o m ised h e c o u l d .
"Is t h i s like a s u p e r s t i t i o n or s o m e t h i n g ? " I asked.
N o answer.
" G r o v e r — t h a t snipping of the yarn. D o e s that mean
s o m e b o d y i s g o i n g t o die?"
H e l o o k e d a t m e m o u r n f u l l y , like h e was already p i c k i n g t h e k i n d o f f l o w e r s I'd like b e s t o n m y coffin.
C o n f e s s i o n t i m e : I d i t c h e d G r o v e r as s o o n as we g o t to t h e
bus terminal.
I k n o w , I k n o w . It was r u d e . B u t G r o v e r was freaking me
o u t , l o o k i n g a t m e like I was a d e a d m a n , m u t t e r i n g " W h y
d o e s t h i s always h a p p e n ? " a n d " W h y d o e s i t always have t o
b e sixth g r a d e ? "
W h e n e v e r h e g o t u p s e t , Graver's b l a d d e r a c t e d u p , s o I
wasn't s u r p r i s e d w h e n , a s s o o n a s w e g o t o f f t h e b u s , h e
m a d e m e p r o m i s e t o wait for h i m , t h e n m a d e a beeline for
t h e r e s t r o o m . I n s t e a d o f w a i t i n g , I g o t m y suitcase, s l i p p e d
o u t s i d e , a n d c a u g h t t h e f i r s t taxi u p t o w n .
" E a s t O n e - h u n d r e d - a n d - f o u r t h a n d First," I t o l d t h e
driver.
A w o r d a b o u t m y m o t h e r , before y o u m e e t her.
H e r n a m e i s Sally J a c k s o n a n d she's t h e b e s t p e r s o n i n
t h e w o r l d , w h i c h just proves m y t h e o r y t h a t t h e b e s t p e o p l e
have t h e r o t t e n e s t luck. H e r o w n p a r e n t s d i e d i n a p l a n e
crash w h e n s h e was f i v e , a n d she was r a i s e d b y a n u n c l e w h o
d i d n ' t care m u c h a b o u t her. S h e w a n t e d t o b e a novelist, s o
she s p e n t h i g h s c h o o l w o r k i n g t o save e n o u g h m o n e y for a
college w i t h a g o o d creative-writing p r o g r a m . T h e n h e r
[29]
u n c l e g o t cancer, a n d she h a d t o q u i t s c h o o l h e r s e n i o r year
t o t a k e care o f h i m . A f t e r h e d i e d , she was left w i t h n o
m o n e y , n o family, a n d n o d i p l o m a .
T h e o n l y g o o d b r e a k she ever g o t was m e e t i n g m y d a d .
I d o n ' t have any m e m o r i e s o f h i m , j u s t t h i s s o r t o f
w a r m glow, m a y b e t h e b a r e s t t r a c e o f h i s s m i l e . M y m o m
d o e s n ' t like t o talk a b o u t h i m b e c a u s e i t m a k e s h e r sad. S h e
has no pictures.
See, t h e y weren't m a r r i e d . S h e t o l d m e h e was r i c h a n d
i m p o r t a n t , a n d t h e i r r e l a t i o n s h i p was a secret. T h e n o n e
day, h e set sail across t h e A t l a n t i c o n s o m e i m p o r t a n t j o u r ney, a n d h e never c a m e b a c k .
L o s t a t sea, m y m o m t o l d m e . N o t d e a d . L o s t a t sea.
S h e w o r k e d o d d j o b s , t o o k n i g h t classes t o get h e r h i g h
s c h o o l d i p l o m a , a n d raised m e o n h e r o w n . S h e never c o m p l a i n e d o r g o t m a d . N o t even o n c e . B u t I k n e w I wasn't a n
easy k i d .
Finally,
she
married
Gabe
Ugliano,
who
was
nice
t h e first t h i r t y s e c o n d s w e k n e w h i m , t h e n s h o w e d his
t r u e c o l o r s as a w o r l d - c l a s s jerk. W h e n I was y o u n g , I n i c k n a m e d h i m S m e l l y G a b e . I ' m sorry, b u t it's t h e t r u t h .
T h e g u y r e e k e d like m o l d y garlic p i z z a w r a p p e d i n g y m
shorts.
B e t w e e n t h e t w o o f us, w e m a d e m y m o m ' s life p r e t t y
h a r d . T h e way S m e l l y G a b e t r e a t e d her, t h e way h e a n d I g o t
a l o n g . . . well, w h e n I c a m e h o m e is a g o o d e x a m p l e .
I w a l k e d i n t o o u r little a p a r t m e n t , h o p i n g m y m o m w o u l d
b e h o m e f r o m w o r k . I n s t e a d , S m e l l y G a b e was i n t h e living
[30]
r o o m , p l a y i n g p o k e r w i t h h i s b u d d i e s . T h e television b l a r e d
E S P N . C h i p s a n d b e e r c a n s were s t r e w n all over t h e c a r p e t .
H a r d l y l o o k i n g u p , h e said a r o u n d his cigar, " S o , you're
home."
"Where's my mom?"
" W o r k i n g , " h e said. " Y o u g o t any c a s h ? "
T h a t was it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your
life been the last six months?
G a b e h a d p u t o n weight. H e l o o k e d like a t u s k l e s s
w a l r u s i n t h r i f t - s t o r e c l o t h e s . H e h a d a b o u t t h r e e hairs o n
his h e a d , all c o m b e d over h i s b a l d scalp, a s i f t h a t m a d e h i m
handsome or something.
He managed the Electronics M e g a - M a r t in Queens, but
he stayed h o m e m o s t of the time. I don't k n o w why he
h a d n ' t b e e n fired l o n g before. H e just k e p t o n c o l l e c t i n g
p a y c h e c k s , s p e n d i n g t h e m o n e y o n cigars t h a t m a d e m e
n a u s e o u s , a n d o n beer, o f c o u r s e . Always beer. W h e n e v e r I
was h o m e , h e e x p e c t e d m e t o p r o v i d e his g a m b l i n g f u n d s .
H e called t h a t o u r " g u y secret." M e a n i n g , i f I t o l d m y m o m ,
h e w o u l d p u n c h m y lights o u t .
"I d o n ' t h a v e any cash," I t o l d h i m .
He raised a greasy eyebrow.
G a b e c o u l d sniff o u t m o n e y like a b l o o d h o u n d , w h i c h
was s u r p r i s i n g , since h i s o w n s m e l l s h o u l d ' v e covered u p
e v e r y t h i n g else.
"You
took
a taxi
from the
bus
station,"
he
said.
" P r o b a b l y p a i d w i t h a twenty. G o t six, seven b u c k s in
c h a n g e . S o m e b o d y expects t o live u n d e r t h i s roof, h e o u g h t
t o c a r r y his o w n w e i g h t . A m I r i g h t , E d d i e ? "
[31]
Eddie, the super of the apartment building, looked at
m e w i t h a t w i n g e o f s y m p a t h y . " C o m e o n , G a b e , " h e said.
" T h e k i d j u s t g o t here."
" A m I right?" G a b e r e p e a t e d .
E d d i e scowled i n t o his bowl o f pretzels. T h e o t h e r t w o
guys p a s s e d gas i n h a r m o n y .
" F i n e , " I said. I d u g a w a d of d o l l a r s o u t of my p o c k e t
a n d t h r e w t h e m o n e y o n t h e table. " I h o p e y o u lose."
" Y o u r r e p o r t c a r d c a m e , b r a i n b o y ! " h e s h o u t e d after
m e . " I w o u l d n ' t act s o s n o o t y ! "
I s l a m m e d t h e d o o r t o m y r o o m , w h i c h really wasn't m y
r o o m . D u r i n g s c h o o l m o n t h s , i t was G a b e ' s "study." H e
d i d n ' t s t u d y a n y t h i n g i n t h e r e except o l d car m a g a z i n e s , b u t
h e loved s h o v i n g m y s t u f f i n t h e closet, leaving his m u d d y
b o o t s o n m y w i n d o w s i l l , a n d d o i n g his b e s t t o m a k e t h e
p l a c e s m e l l like h i s n a s t y c o l o g n e a n d cigars a n d stale beer.
I d r o p p e d m y suitcase o n t h e b e d . H o m e sweet h o m e .
G a b e ' s s m e l l was a l m o s t w o r s e t h a n t h e n i g h t m a r e s
a b o u t M r s . D o d d s , o r t h e s o u n d o f t h a t o l d fruit lady's
shears s n i p p i n g t h e y a r n .
B u t as s o o n as I t h o u g h t t h a t , my legs felt weak. I
r e m e m b e r e d Grover's l o o k o f p a n i c — h o w h e ' d m a d e m e
p r o m i s e I w o u l d n ' t g o h o m e w i t h o u t h i m . A s u d d e n chill
r o l l e d t h r o u g h m e . I felt like s o m e o n e — s o m e t h i n g — w a s
l o o k i n g for m e r i g h t now, m a y b e p o u n d i n g its way u p t h e
stairs, g r o w i n g l o n g , h o r r i b l e t a l o n s .
T h e n I h e a r d m y m o m ' s voice. " P e r c y ? "
S h e o p e n e d t h e b e d r o o m d o o r , a n d m y fears m e l t e d .
M y m o t h e r can m a k e m e feel g o o d just b y walking i n t o
[32]
t h e r o o m . H e r eyes sparkle a n d change c o l o r i n t h e light. H e r
smile is as w a r m as a quilt. She's g o t a few gray streaks m i x e d
in w i t h h e r l o n g b r o w n hair, b u t I never t h i n k of h e r as o l d .
W h e n she l o o k s at m e , it's like she's seeing all t h e g o o d t h i n g s
a b o u t m e , n o n e o f t h e b a d . I've never h e a r d h e r raise h e r voice
o r say a n u n k i n d w o r d t o anyone, n o t even m e o r G a b e .
" O h , Percy." S h e h u g g e d m e t i g h t . " I can't believe it.
You've g r o w n since C h r i s t m a s ! "
Her
red-white-and-blue
Sweet
on
America
uniform
s m e l l e d like t h e b e s t t h i n g s i n t h e w o r l d : c h o c o l a t e , licorice,
a n d all t h e o t h e r s t u f f s h e s o l d a t t h e c a n d y s h o p i n G r a n d
C e n t r a l . She'd b r o u g h t m e a h u g e b a g o f "free s a m p l e s , " t h e
way she always d i d w h e n I c a m e h o m e .
W e sat t o g e t h e r o n t h e e d g e o f t h e b e d . W h i l e I
attacked
the
through my
blueberry
hair
sour strings,
and d e m a n d e d to
she
ran
know
her h a n d
everything I
h a d n ' t p u t i n m y letters. S h e d i d n ' t m e n t i o n a n y t h i n g a b o u t
m y g e t t i n g expelled. S h e d i d n ' t s e e m t o care a b o u t t h a t . B u t
was I okay? W a s h e r little b o y d o i n g all right?
I t o l d h e r she was s m o t h e r i n g m e , a n d t o lay o f f a n d all
t h a t , b u t secretly, I was really, really g l a d to see her.
F r o m t h e o t h e r r o o m , G a b e yelled, " H e y , S a l l y — h o w
a b o u t s o m e bean dip, h u h ? "
I g r i t t e d my t e e t h .
M y m o m i s t h e n i c e s t lady i n t h e w o r l d . S h e s h o u l d ' v e
b e e n m a r r i e d t o a m i l l i o n a i r e , n o t t o s o m e jerk like G a b e .
F o r h e r sake, I t r i e d t o s o u n d u p b e a t a b o u t m y last days
at Y a n c y A c a d e m y . I t o l d h e r I wasn't t o o d o w n a b o u t t h e
e x p u l s i o n . I ' d l a s t e d a l m o s t t h e w h o l e year t h i s t i m e . I'd
[33]
m a d e s o m e n e w f r i e n d s . I d d o n e p r e t t y well i n L a t i n . A n d
h o n e s t l y , t h e fights h a d n ' t b e e n a s b a d a s t h e h e a d m a s t e r
said. I l i k e d Y a n c y A c a d e m y . I really d i d . I p u t s u c h a g o o d
s p i n on t h e year, I a l m o s t c o n v i n c e d myself. I s t a r t e d c h o k ing up,
thinking about Grover and M r . Brunner. Even
N a n c y Bobofit suddenly didn't seem so bad.
U n t i l t h a t t r i p to t h e m u s e u m . . .
" W h a t ? " m y m o m asked. H e r eyes t u g g e d a t m y c o n science, t r y i n g t o p u l l o u t t h e secrets. " D i d s o m e t h i n g scare
you?
"No, Mom."
I felt b a d lying. I w a n t e d t o tell h e r a b o u t M r s . D o d d s
a n d t h e t h r e e o l d ladies w i t h t h e y a r n , b u t I t h o u g h t i t
would sound stupid.
S h e p u r s e d h e r lips. S h e k n e w I was h o l d i n g back, b u t
she didn't p u s h me.
"I have a s u r p r i s e for you," s h e said. " W e ' r e g o i n g to t h e
beach."
M y eyes w i d e n e d . " M o n t a u k ? "
" T h r e e n i g h t s — s a m e cabin."
"When?"
S h e s m i l e d . "As s o o n as I get changed."
I c o u l d n ' t believe it. M y m o m a n d I h a d n ' t b e e n t o
M o n t a u k t h e last t w o s u m m e r s , b e c a u s e G a b e said t h e r e
wasn't e n o u g h m o n e y .
G a b e appeared in the doorway a n d growled, "Bean dip,
Sally? D i d n ' t y o u h e a r m e ? "
I w a n t e d t o p u n c h h i m , b u t I m e t m y m o m ' s eyes a n d I
u n d e r s t o o d s h e was offering m e a deal: b e n i c e t o G a b e for
[34]
a little w h i l e . J u s t u n t i l s h e was r e a d y to leave for M o n t a u k .
T h e n w e w o u l d get o u t o f h e r e .
" I was o n m y way, honey," she t o l d G a b e . " W e were j u s t
t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e trip."
G a b e ' s eyes g o t s m a l l . " T h e trip? Y o u m e a n y o u were
serious a b o u t that?"
" I k n e w it," I m u t t e r e d . " H e w o n ' t let u s go."
" O f c o u r s e h e will," m y m o m said evenly. " Y o u r s t e p father i s j u s t w o r r i e d a b o u t m o n e y . T h a t ' s all. Besides," she
added,
" G a b r i e l w o n ' t have t o settle
for
b e a n d i p . I'll
m a k e h i m e n o u g h seven-layer d i p for t h e w h o l e w e e k e n d .
Guacamole. S o u r cream. T h e works."
G a b e s o f t e n e d a bit. " S o this m o n e y for y o u r t r i p . . . i t
comes o u t of your clothes budget, right?"
"Yes, honey," m y m o t h e r said.
" A n d y o u w o n ' t t a k e m y car a n y w h e r e b u t t h e r e a n d
back."
" W e ' l l b e very careful."
G a b e s c r a t c h e d his d o u b l e c h i n . " M a y b e i f y o u h u r r y
w i t h t h a t seven-layer d i p . . . A n d m a y b e if t h e k i d a p o l o gizes for i n t e r r u p t i n g m y p o k e r game."
M a y b e if I k i c k y o u in y o u r s o f t s p o t , I t h o u g h t . A n d
m a k e y o u sing s o p r a n o for a week.
B u t m y m o m ' s eyes w a r n e d m e n o t t o m a k e h i m m a d .
W h y d i d s h e p u t u p w i t h t h i s guy? I w a n t e d t o s c r e a m .
W h y d i d she care w h a t h e t h o u g h t ?
" I ' m sorry," I m u t t e r e d . " I ' m really s o r r y I i n t e r r u p t e d
your incredibly i m p o r t a n t poker game. Please go back to it
r i g h t now."
[35]
G a b e ' s eyes n a r r o w e d . H i s tiny b r a i n was p r o b a b l y t r y ing t o d e t e c t s a r c a s m i n m y s t a t e m e n t .
"Yeah, whatever," h e d e c i d e d .
H e w e n t b a c k t o his g a m e .
" T h a n k you, Percy," m y m o m said. " O n c e w e get t o
M o n t a u k , we'll t a l k m o r e a b o u t . . . w h a t e v e r you've f o r g o t t e n t o tell m e , o k a y ? "
F o r a m o m e n t , I t h o u g h t I saw a n x i e t y in h e r e y e s — t h e
s a m e fear I'd seen i n G r o v e r d u r i n g t h e b u s r i d e — a s i f m y
m o m t o o felt a n o d d chill i n t h e air.
B u t t h e n h e r s m i l e r e t u r n e d , a n d I figured I m u s t have
been mistaken. She ruffled my hair a n d went to m a k e G a b e
his seven-layer d i p .
A n h o u r l a t e r w e were ready t o leave.
G a b e t o o k a b r e a k f r o m his p o k e r g a m e l o n g e n o u g h t o
w a t c h m e l u g m y m o m ' s b a g s t o t h e car. H e k e p t g r i p i n g
a n d groaning a b o u t losing her c o o k i n g — a n d m o r e i m p o r tant, his ' 7 8 C a m a r o — f o r t h e whole weekend.
" N o t a s c r a t c h o n this car, b r a i n boy," h e w a r n e d m e a s
I l o a d e d t h e last b a g . " N o t o n e little scratch."
L i k e I'd be t h e o n e driving. I was twelve. B u t t h a t d i d n ' t
m a t t e r t o G a b e . I f a seagull s o m u c h a s p o o p e d o n h i s p a i n t
j o b , he'd find a way to b l a m e m e .
Watching him lumber back toward the apartment building, I g o t so m a d I d i d s o m e t h i n g I can't explain. As G a b e
r e a c h e d t h e d o o r w a y , I m a d e t h e h a n d gesture I'd seen
G r o v e r m a k e o n t h e b u s , a s o r t o f warding-off-evil gesture,
a clawed h a n d over my h e a r t , t h e n a s h o v i n g m o v e m e n t
[36]
t o w a r d G a b e . T h e screen d o o r s l a m m e d s h u t s o h a r d i t
w h a c k e d h i m i n t h e b u t t a n d s e n t h i m f l y i n g u p t h e staircase as if he'd b e e n s h o t f r o m a c a n n o n . M a y b e it was j u s t
t h e w i n d , o r s o m e freak a c c i d e n t w i t h t h e h i n g e s , b u t I
d i d n ' t stay l o n g e n o u g h t o find o u t .
I g o t i n t h e C a m a r o a n d t o l d m y m o m t o s t e p o n it.
O u r r e n t a l c a b i n was o n t h e s o u t h s h o r e , way o u t a t t h e t i p
o f L o n g I s l a n d . I t was a little p a s t e l b o x w i t h f a d e d c u r tains, h a l f s u n k e n i n t o t h e d u n e s . T h e r e was always s a n d i n
the sheets a n d spiders in the cabinets, and m o s t of the time
t h e sea was t o o c o l d t o s w i m in.
I loved t h e place.
W e ' d b e e n g o i n g t h e r e since I was a baby. M y m o m
h a d b e e n g o i n g even l o n g e r . S h e never exactly said, b u t I
k n e w w h y t h e b e a c h was special t o her. I t was t h e p l a c e
w h e r e she'd m e t m y d a d .
A s w e g o t closer t o M o n t a u k , she s e e m e d t o g r o w
y o u n g e r , years o f w o r r y a n d w o r k d i s a p p e a r i n g f r o m h e r
face. H e r eyes t u r n e d t h e c o l o r o f t h e sea.
W e g o t t h e r e a t s u n s e t , o p e n e d all t h e cabin's w i n d o w s ,
a n d w e n t t h r o u g h o u r u s u a l cleaning r o u t i n e . W e w a l k e d o n
t h e b e a c h , fed b l u e c o r n c h i p s t o t h e seagulls, a n d m u n c h e d
on b l u e jelly b e a n s , b l u e s a l t w a t e r taffy, a n d all t h e o t h e r free
samples my m o m had b r o u g h t from work.
I guess I s h o u l d explain t h e b l u e f o o d .
See, G a b e h a d o n c e t o l d m y m o m t h e r e was n o s u c h
t h i n g . T h e y h a d this fight, w h i c h s e e m e d like a really s m a l l
t h i n g a t t h e t i m e . B u t ever since, m y m o m w e n t o u t o f h e r
[37]
way t o eat b l u e . S h e b a k e d b l u e b i r t h d a y cakes. S h e m i x e d
blueberry smoothies. She b o u g h t blue-corn tortilla chips
and b r o u g h t h o m e blue candy from the shop. T h i s — a l o n g
w i t h k e e p i n g h e r m a i d e n n a m e , J a c k s o n , r a t h e r t h a n calling
herself
Mrs.
Ugliano—was
proof
that
she
wasn't
t o t a l l y s u c k e r e d by G a b e . S h e d i d have a r e b e l l i o u s streak,
like m e .
W h e n it got dark, we m a d e a fire. We roasted h o t dogs
a n d m a r s h m a l l o w s . M o m t o l d m e s t o r i e s a b o u t w h e n she
was a k i d , b a c k b e f o r e h e r p a r e n t s d i e d i n t h e p l a n e crash.
S h e t o l d m e a b o u t t h e b o o k s she w a n t e d t o w r i t e s o m e d a y ,
w h e n she h a d e n o u g h m o n e y t o q u i t t h e c a n d y s h o p .
Eventually, I g o t u p t h e nerve t o ask a b o u t w h a t was
always o n m y m i n d w h e n e v e r w e c a m e t o M o n t a u k — m y
father. M o m ' s eyes w e n t all misty. I figured s h e w o u l d tell
m e t h e s a m e t h i n g s she always d i d , b u t I never g o t t i r e d o f
hearing them.
" H e was k i n d , Percy," s h e said. " T a l l , h a n d s o m e , a n d
p o w e r f u l . B u t gentle, t o o . Y o u have h i s black hair, y o u k n o w ,
a n d his g r e e n eyes."
M o m f i s h e d a b l u e jelly b e a n o u t o f h e r c a n d y b a g . " I
w i s h h e c o u l d see y o u , Percy. H e w o u l d b e s o p r o u d . "
I w o n d e r e d h o w she c o u l d say t h a t . W h a t was s o g r e a t
a b o u t me? A dyslexic, hyperactive b o y w i t h a D + r e p o r t
card, k i c k e d o u t o f s c h o o l for t h e s i x t h t i m e i n six years.
" H o w o l d was I?" I asked. "I m e a n . . . w h e n he left?"
S h e w a t c h e d t h e flames. " H e was o n l y w i t h m e for o n e
s u m m e r , Percy. R i g h t here a t t h i s b e a c h . T h i s cabin."
" B u t . . . h e k n e w m e a s a baby."
[38]
" N o , h o n e y . H e k n e w I was e x p e c t i n g a baby, b u t h e
never saw y o u . H e h a d t o leave b e f o r e y o u were b o r n . "
I t r i e d t o s q u a r e t h a t w i t h t h e fact t h a t I s e e m e d t o
r e m e m b e r . . . s o m e t h i n g a b o u t my father. A w a r m glow. A
smile.
I h a d always a s s u m e d h e k n e w m e a s a baby. M y m o m
h a d never said i t o u t r i g h t , b u t still, I d felt i t m u s t b e t r u e .
N o w , to be t o l d t h a t he'd never even seen me . . .
I felt a n g r y at my father. M a y b e it was s t u p i d , b u t I
r e s e n t e d h i m for g o i n g o n t h a t o c e a n voyage, for n o t h a v i n g
t h e g u t s t o m a r r y m y m o m . H e ' d left u s , a n d n o w w e were
stuck with Smelly Gabe.
"Are y o u g o i n g t o s e n d m e away again?" I asked her. " T o
another boarding school?"
S h e p u l l e d a m a r s h m a l l o w f r o m t h e fire.
"I d o n ' t k n o w , honey." H e r voice was heavy. "I t h i n k . . .
I t h i n k we'll have to do s o m e t h i n g . "
"Because y o u d o n ' t w a n t m e a r o u n d ? " I r e g r e t t e d t h e
w o r d s a s s o o n a s t h e y were o u t .
M y m o m ' s eyes welled w i t h tears. S h e t o o k m y h a n d ,
s q u e e z e d i t t i g h t . " O h , Percy, n o . I — I have t o , h o n e y . F o r
y o u r o w n g o o d . I have t o s e n d y o u away."
H e r words reminded me of what M r . Brunner h a d
s a i d — t h a t i t was b e s t for m e t o leave Yancy.
"Because I ' m n o t n o r m a l , " I said.
" Y o u say t h a t as if it's a b a d t h i n g , Percy. B u t y o u d o n ' t
realize h o w i m p o r t a n t y o u are. I t h o u g h t Y a n c y A c a d e m y
w o u l d be far e n o u g h away. I t h o u g h t y o u ' d finally be safe."
"Safe f r o m w h a t ? "
[39]
S h e m e t m y eyes, a n d a f l o o d o f m e m o r i e s c a m e b a c k
t o m e — a l l t h e weird, scary t h i n g s t h a t h a d ever h a p p e n e d
t o m e , s o m e o f w h i c h I d t r i e d t o forget.
D u r i n g t h i r d g r a d e , a m a n in a black t r e n c h c o a t h a d
stalked m e o n t h e p l a y g r o u n d . W h e n t h e teachers t h r e a t e n e d
t o call t h e police, h e w e n t away g r o w l i n g , b u t n o o n e believed
m e w h e n I t o l d t h e m t h a t u n d e r his b r o a d - b r i m m e d h a t , t h e
m a n o n l y h a d o n e eye, r i g h t i n t h e m i d d l e o f h i s h e a d .
Before t h a t — a really early m e m o r y . I was in p r e s c h o o l ,
a n d a t e a c h e r accidentally p u t me d o w n for a n a p in a c o t
t h a t a s n a k e h a d s l i t h e r e d i n t o . M y m o m s c r e a m e d w h e n she
c a m e t o p i c k m e u p a n d f o u n d m e p l a y i n g w i t h a l i m p , scaly
r o p e I d s o m e h o w m a n a g e d t o strangle t o death with m y
meaty toddler hands.
I n every single s c h o o l , s o m e t h i n g creepy h a d h a p p e n e d ,
s o m e t h i n g unsafe, a n d I was forced t o m o v e .
I k n e w I s h o u l d tell m y m o m a b o u t t h e o l d ladies a t t h e
fruit s t a n d , a n d M r s . D o d d s a t t h e a r t m u s e u m , a b o u t m y
w e i r d h a l l u c i n a t i o n t h a t I h a d sliced m y m a t h teacher i n t o
d u s t w i t h a s w o r d . B u t I c o u l d n ' t m a k e m y s e l f tell her. I h a d
a s t r a n g e feeling t h e n e w s w o u l d e n d o u r t r i p t o M o n t a u k ,
and I didn't want that.
"I've t r i e d to k e e p y o u as close to me as I could," my
m o m said. " T h e y t o l d m e t h a t was a m i s t a k e . B u t there's
o n l y o n e o t h e r o p t i o n , P e r c y — t h e p l a c e y o u r father w a n t e d
t o s e n d y o u . A n d I j u s t . . . I j u s t can't s t a n d t o d o it."
" M y f a t h e r w a n t e d m e t o g o t o a special s c h o o l ? "
" N o t a s c h o o l , " s h e s a i d softly. " A s u m m e r c a m p . "
M y h e a d was
spinning. W h y
[40]
would my
dad—who
h a d n ' t even stayed a r o u n d l o n g e n o u g h t o see m e b o r n —
t a l k t o m y m o m a b o u t a s u m m e r c a m p ? A n d i f i t was s o
i m p o r t a n t , w h y h a d n ' t she ever m e n t i o n e d i t before?
" I ' m sorry, Percy," she said, seeing t h e l o o k i n m y eyes.
" B u t I can't t a l k a b o u t it. I — I c o u l d n ' t s e n d y o u t o t h a t
place. I t m i g h t m e a n saying g o o d - b y e t o y o u for g o o d . "
" F o r g o o d ? B u t if it's o n l y a s u m m e r c a m p . . ."
S h e t u r n e d t o w a r d t h e fire, a n d I k n e w f r o m h e r express i o n t h a t i f I a s k e d h e r any m o r e q u e s t i o n s she w o u l d s t a r t
t o cry.
T h a t n i g h t I h a d a vivid d r e a m .
I t was s t o r m i n g o n t h e b e a c h , a n d t w o b e a u t i f u l a n i m a l s , a w h i t e h o r s e a n d a g o l d e n eagle, were t r y i n g to kill
each o t h e r a t t h e edge o f t h e surf. T h e eagle s w o o p e d d o w n
a n d s l a s h e d t h e horse's m u z z l e w i t h its h u g e t a l o n s . T h e
h o r s e r e a r e d u p a n d k i c k e d a t t h e eagle's w i n g s . A s t h e y
f o u g h t , t h e g r o u n d r u m b l e d , a n d a m o n s t r o u s voice c h u c k led somewhere beneath the earth, goading the animals to
fight h a r d e r .
I ran toward them, knowing I had to stop t h e m from
killing each o t h e r , b u t I was r u n n i n g in slow m o t i o n . I k n e w
I w o u l d be t o o late. I saw t h e eagle dive d o w n , its b e a k
a i m e d at t h e horse's w i d e eyes, a n d I s c r e a m e d , No!
I woke with a start.
O u t s i d e , i t really was s t o r m i n g , t h e k i n d o f s t o r m t h a t
cracks trees a n d b l o w s d o w n h o u s e s . T h e r e was n o h o r s e o r
eagle o n t h e b e a c h , j u s t l i g h t n i n g m a k i n g false d a y l i g h t , a n d
t w e n t y - f o o t waves p o u n d i n g t h e d u n e s like artillery.
[41]
W i t h t h e n e x t t h u n d e r c l a p , m y m o m w o k e . S h e sat u p ,
eyes w i d e , a n d said, " H u r r i c a n e . "
I k n e w t h a t was crazy. L o n g I s l a n d never sees h u r r i c a n e s
t h i s early i n t h e s u m m e r . B u t t h e o c e a n s e e m e d t o have forg o t t e n . O v e r t h e r o a r o f t h e w i n d , I h e a r d a d i s t a n t bellow,
a n angry, t o r t u r e d s o u n d t h a t m a d e m y h a i r s t a n d o n e n d .
T h e n a m u c h closer n o i s e , like m a l l e t s in t h e s a n d . A
d e s p e r a t e v o i c e — s o m e o n e yelling, p o u n d i n g o n o u r c a b i n
door.
My m o t h e r sprang out of bed in her nightgown and
threw o p e n the lock.
G r o v e r s t o o d f r a m e d i n t h e d o o r w a y against a b a c k d r o p
o f p o u r i n g r a i n . B u t h e w a s n ' t . . . h e wasn't exactly Grover.
"Searching
all
night,"
he
gasped.
"What
were
you
thinking?"
M y m o t h e r looked a t m e i n t e r r o r — n o t scared o f
Grover, b u t o f w h y he'd c o m e .
"Percy," she said, s h o u t i n g t o b e h e a r d over t h e r a i n .
" W h a t h a p p e n e d a t school? W h a t d i d n ' t y o u tell m e ? "
I was frozen, l o o k i n g at Grover. I c o u l d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d
w h a t I was seeing.
"O Zeu kai allot theoi!" he yelled. "It's r i g h t b e h i n d m e !
D i d n ' t y o u tell h e r ? "
I was t o o s h o c k e d t o register t h a t he'd j u s t c u r s e d i n
A n c i e n t G r e e k , a n d I'd u n d e r s t o o d h i m perfectly. I was t o o
shocked to wonder h o w Grover had gotten here by himself
i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t . Because G r o v e r d i d n ' t have his
p a n t s o n — a n d w h e r e his legs s h o u l d be . . . w h e r e his legs
s h o u l d be . . .
[42]
My m o m looked at me sternly a n d talked in a t o n e s h e d
never u s e d before: "Percy. T e l l me now!"
I s t a m m e r e d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e o l d ladies a t t h e fruit
s t a n d , a n d M r s . D o d d s , a n d m y m o m s t a r e d a t m e , h e r face
d e a t h l y p a l e i n t h e flashes o f l i g h t n i n g .
S h e g r a b b e d h e r p u r s e , t o s s e d m e m y r a i n jacket, a n d
said, " G e t t o t h e car. B o t h o f y o u . Go!"
G r o v e r r a n for t h e
Camaro—but
h e wasn't r u n n i n g ,
exactly. H e was t r o t t i n g , s h a k i n g h i s s h a g g y h i n d q u a r t e r s ,
a n d s u d d e n l y h i s s t o r y a b o u t a m u s c u l a r d i s o r d e r i n his legs
m a d e sense t o m e . I u n d e r s t o o d h o w h e c o u l d r u n s o fast
a n d still l i m p w h e n h e walked.
Because w h e r e his feet s h o u l d be, t h e r e were n o feet.
T h e r e were cloven h o o v e s .
[43]
We
tore
through the night along dark country roads.
W i n d s l a m m e d against the C a m a r o . R a i n lashed the w i n d shield. I d i d n ' t k n o w h o w m y m o m c o u l d see a n y t h i n g , b u t
s h e k e p t h e r f o o t o n t h e gas.
E v e r y t i m e t h e r e was a flash of l i g h t n i n g , I l o o k e d
at Grover sitting next to me in the backseat and I w o n d e r e d i f I'd g o n e insane, o r i f h e was w e a r i n g s o m e k i n d
o f s h a g - c a r p e t p a n t s . But, n o , t h e s m e l l was o n e I r e m e m b e r e d f r o m k i n d e r g a r t e n field t r i p s t o t h e p e t t i n g z o o —
lanolin,
like
from
wool. T h e
smell
of a wet barnyard
animal.
All I c o u l d t h i n k to say was, " S o , y o u a n d my m o m . . .
k n o w each o t h e r ? "
Grover's eyes f l i t t e d t o t h e rearview m i r r o r , t h o u g h t h e r e
were n o cars b e h i n d u s . " N o t exactly," h e said. " I m e a n ,
we've never m e t in p e r s o n . B u t she k n e w I was w a t c h i n g
you.
"Watching me?"
" K e e p i n g t a b s o n you. M a k i n g s u r e y o u were okay. B u t
I wasn't faking b e i n g y o u r friend," he a d d e d hastily. "I am
y o u r friend."
"Um
. . . w h a t are you, exactly?"
" T h a t d o e s n ' t m a t t e r r i g h t now."
" I t d o e s n ' t m a t t e r ? F r o m t h e waist d o w n , m y b e s t f r i e n d
is a d o n k e y — "
G r o v e r let o u t a s h a r p , t h r o a t y "Blaa~ha~ha!"
I ' d h e a r d h i m m a k e t h a t s o u n d before, b u t I'd always
a s s u m e d it was a n e r v o u s l a u g h . N o w I realized it was m o r e
o f a n i r r i t a t e d bleat.
" G o a t ! " h e cried.
"What?"
" I ' m a goat f r o m t h e waist d o w n . "
" Y o u just said i t d i d n ' t m a t t e r . "
"Blaa~ha~ha! T h e r e are satyrs w h o w o u l d t r a m p l e y o u
u n d e r h o o f for s u c h a n insult!"
" W h o a . W a i t . S a t y r s . Y o u m e a n like . . . M r . B r u n n e r ' s
myths?"
" W e r e t h o s e o l d ladies at t h e fruit s t a n d a myth, Percy?
Was Mrs. D o d d s a myth?"
" S o y o u admit t h e r e was a M r s . D o d d s ! "
" O f course."
"Then why—"
" T h e less y o u k n e w , t h e fewer m o n s t e r s y o u ' d attract,"
G r o v e r said, like t h a t s h o u l d b e perfectly o b v i o u s . " W e p u t
M i s t over t h e h u m a n s ' eyes. W e h o p e d you'd t h i n k t h e
K i n d l y O n e was a h a l l u c i n a t i o n . B u t i t was n o g o o d . Y o u
s t a r t e d t o realize w h o y o u are."
" W h o I—wait a minute, what do you mean?"
T h e weird b e l l o w i n g n o i s e rose u p again s o m e w h e r e
b e h i n d us, closer t h a n before. W h a t e v e r w a s c h a s i n g u s was
still o n o u r trail.
[45]
"Percy," m y m o m said, "there's t o o m u c h t o explain a n d
n o t e n o u g h t i m e . W e have t o get y o u t o safety."
"Safety f r o m what? W h o ' s after m e ? "
" O h , n o b o d y m u c h , " G r o v e r said, o b v i o u s l y still m i f f e d
a b o u t t h e donkey c o m m e n t . "Just t h e L o r d o f the D e a d
a n d a few o f h i s b l o o d - t h i r s t i e s t m i n i o n s . "
"Grover!"
" S o r r y , M r s . J a c k s o n . C o u l d y o u drive faster, please?"
I t r i e d t o w r a p m y m i n d a r o u n d w h a t was h a p p e n i n g ,
b u t I c o u l d n ' t do it. I k n e w t h i s wasn't a d r e a m . I h a d no
i m a g i n a t i o n . I c o u l d never d r e a m u p s o m e t h i n g this weird.
M y m o m m a d e a h a r d left. W e swerved o n t o a n a r r o w e r
r o a d , r a c i n g p a s t d a r k e n e d f a r m h o u s e s a n d w o o d e d hills
a n d PICK Y O U R O W N STRAWBERRIES signs o n w h i t e p i c k e t
fences.
" W h e r e are we g o i n g ? " I asked.
" T h e s u m m e r c a m p I told you about." My mother's
voice was t i g h t ; she was t r y i n g for m y sake n o t t o b e scared.
" T h e p l a c e y o u r father w a n t e d t o s e n d you."
" T h e p l a c e y o u d i d n ' t w a n t m e t o go."
"Please,
dear,"
my
mother
begged.
"This
is
hard
e n o u g h . T r y t o u n d e r s t a n d . You're i n danger."
"Because s o m e o l d ladies c u t yarn."
" T h o s e weren't o l d ladies," G r o v e r said. " T h o s e were
t h e F a t e s . D o y o u k n o w w h a t i t m e a n s — t h e fact t h e y
a p p e a r e d i n f r o n t o f you? T h e y o n l y d o t h a t w h e n you're
a b o u t to . . . w h e n s o m e o n e ' s a b o u t to die."
" W h o a . Y o u said 'you.'"
" N o I didn't. I said 'someone.'"
[46]
" Y o u m e a n t 'you.' As in me!'
"I m e a n t you, like ' s o m e o n e . ' N o t y o u , you."
"Boys!" m y m o m said.
S h e p u l l e d t h e w h e e l h a r d t o t h e right, a n d I g o t a
g l i m p s e o f a f i g u r e she'd s w e r v e d t o a v o i d — a d a r k f l u t t e r ing shape n o w lost b e h i n d us in the s t o r m .
" W h a t was t h a t ? " I asked.
" W e ' r e a l m o s t there," m y m o t h e r said,
ignoring my
q u e s t i o n . " A n o t h e r m i l e . Please. Please. Please."
I d i d n ' t k n o w w h e r e there was, b u t I f o u n d m y s e l f l e a n i n g f o r w a r d i n t h e car, a n t i c i p a t i n g , w a n t i n g u s t o arrive.
O u t s i d e , n o t h i n g b u t rain a n d d a r k n e s s — t h e k i n d o f
e m p t y c o u n t r y s i d e y o u get way o u t o n t h e t i p o f L o n g
Island. I t h o u g h t a b o u t M r s . D o d d s and the m o m e n t when
she'd c h a n g e d i n t o t h e t h i n g w i t h p o i n t e d t e e t h a n d l e a t h ery wings. M y limbs went n u m b from delayed shock. She
really hadn't b e e n h u m a n . She'd m e a n t t o kill m e .
T h e n I t h o u g h t a b o u t M r . Brunner . . . and the sword
h e h a d t h r o w n m e . Before I c o u l d ask G r o v e r a b o u t t h a t , t h e
h a i r r o s e o n t h e b a c k o f m y n e c k . T h e r e was a b l i n d i n g
flash, a j a w - r a t t l i n g boom!, a n d o u r car e x p l o d e d .
I r e m e m b e r feeling weightless, like I was b e i n g c r u s h e d ,
fried, a n d h o s e d d o w n all a t t h e s a m e t i m e .
I p e e l e d m y f o r e h e a d o f f t h e b a c k o f t h e driver's seat
a n d said, " O w . "
"Percy!" m y m o m shouted.
" I ' m okay. . . ."
I t r i e d t o s h a k e o f f t h e d a z e . I wasn't d e a d . T h e car
h a d n ' t really e x p l o d e d . W e d swerved i n t o a d i t c h . O u r
[47]
driver's-side d o o r s were w e d g e d i n t h e m u d . T h e r o o f h a d
c r a c k e d o p e n like a n eggshell a n d r a i n was p o u r i n g in.
L i g h t n i n g . T h a t was t h e o n l y e x p l a n a t i o n . W e d b e e n
b l a s t e d r i g h t o f f t h e r o a d . N e x t t o m e i n t h e b a c k s e a t was a
big motionless l u m p . "Grover!"
H e was s l u m p e d over, b l o o d t r i c k l i n g f r o m t h e side o f
his m o u t h . I s h o o k his furry hip, thinking, N o ! Even if you
are h a l f b a r n y a r d a n i m a l , you're m y b e s t f r i e n d a n d I d o n ' t
w a n t y o u t o die!
T h e n h e g r o a n e d " F o o d , " a n d I k n e w t h e r e was h o p e .
"Percy," my m o t h e r said, " w e have to . . ." H e r voice
faltered.
I l o o k e d back. I n a flash o f l i g h t n i n g , t h r o u g h t h e m u d s p a t t e r e d rear w i n d s h i e l d , I saw a figure l u m b e r i n g t o w a r d
us on the shoulder of the road. T h e sight of it m a d e my
s k i n crawl. It was a d a r k s i l h o u e t t e of a h u g e guy, like a
f o o t b a l l player. H e s e e m e d t o b e h o l d i n g a b l a n k e t over his
h e a d . H i s t o p h a l f was b u l k y a n d fuzzy. H i s u p r a i s e d h a n d s
m a d e i t l o o k like h e h a d h o r n s .
I swallowed h a r d . " W h o i s — "
"Percy," m y m o t h e r said, d e a d l y s e r i o u s . " G e t o u t o f t h e
car."
M y m o t h e r t h r e w h e r s e l f against t h e d r i v e r s - s i d e d o o r .
I t was j a m m e d s h u t i n t h e m u d . I t r i e d m i n e . S t u c k t o o . I
l o o k e d u p d e s p e r a t e l y a t t h e h o l e i n t h e roof. I t m i g h t ' v e
b e e n a n exit, b u t t h e edges were s i z z l i n g a n d s m o k i n g .
" C l i m b o u t t h e passenger's side!" m y m o t h e r t o l d m e .
" P e r c y — y o u have t o r u n . D o y o u see t h a t b i g tree?"
"What?"
[48]
A n o t h e r f l a s h o f lightning, a n d t h r o u g h t h e s m o k i n g h o l e
in t h e r o o f I saw t h e tree she m e a n t : a huge, W h i t e H o u s e
C h r i s t m a s tree—sized p i n e at t h e crest of t h e nearest hill.
" T h a t ' s t h e p r o p e r t y line," m y m o m said. " G e t over t h a t
hill a n d y o u ' l l see a b i g f a r m h o u s e d o w n i n t h e valley. R u n
a n d d o n ' t l o o k b a c k . Yell for h e l p . D o n ' t s t o p u n t i l y o u r e a c h
the door."
" M o m , you're c o m i n g t o o . "
H e r face was pale, h e r eyes as sad as w h e n she l o o k e d at
the ocean.
" N o ! " I s h o u t e d . " Y o u are c o m i n g w i t h m e . H e l p m e
c a r r y Grover."
" F o o d ! " G r o v e r m o a n e d , a little l o u d e r .
T h e m a n with t h e blanket o n his h e a d k e p t c o m i n g
t o w a r d us, m a k i n g his g r u n t i n g , s n o r t i n g noises. A s h e g o t
closer, I realized he couldn't be h o l d i n g a b l a n k e t over his
h e a d , b e c a u s e his h a n d s — h u g e m e a t y h a n d s — w e r e s w i n g ing a t his sides. T h e r e was n o b l a n k e t . M e a n i n g t h e bulky,
fuzzy m a s s t h a t was t o o b i g to be his h e a d . . . was h i s h e a d .
A n d t h e p o i n t s t h a t l o o k e d like h o r n s . . .
" H e d o e s n ' t w a n t us" m y m o t h e r t o l d m e . " H e w a n t s
y o u . Besides, I can't cross t h e p r o p e r t y line."
" B u t . . ."
" W e d o n ' t have t i m e , Percy. G o . Please."
I got mad, t h e n — m a d at my mother, at Grover the
goat, a t t h e t h i n g w i t h h o r n s t h a t was l u m b e r i n g t o w a r d u s
slowly a n d d e l i b e r a t e l y like, like a b u l l .
I c l i m b e d across G r o v e r a n d p u s h e d t h e d o o r o p e n i n t o
t h e rain. "We're going together. C o m e on, M o m . "
[49]
"I told y o u — "
" M o m ! I a m n o t leaving y o u . H e l p m e w i t h Grover."
I d i d n ' t w a i t for h e r answer. I s c r a m b l e d o u t s i d e , d r a g g i n g G r o v e r f r o m t h e car. H e was s u r p r i s i n g l y light, b u t I
c o u l d n ' t have c a r r i e d h i m very far i f m y m o m h a d n ' t c o m e
t o m y aid.
T o g e t h e r , w e d r a p e d Grover's a r m s over o u r s h o u l d e r s
and started stumbling uphill t h r o u g h wet waist-high grass.
G l a n c i n g back, I g o t my first clear l o o k at t h e m o n s t e r .
H e was seven feet tall, easy, h i s a r m s a n d legs like s o m e t h i n g
f r o m t h e cover of Muscle Man m a g a z i n e — b u l g i n g b i c e p s a n d
t r i c e p s a n d a b u n c h of o t h e r ' c e p s , all stuffed like baseballs
u n d e r v e i n - w e b b e d s k i n . H e w o r e n o c l o t h e s except u n d e r w e a r — I mean, bright white Fruit of the L o o m s — w h i c h
w o u l d ' v e l o o k e d funny, except t h a t t h e t o p h a l f o f h i s b o d y
was s o scary. C o a r s e b r o w n h a i r s t a r t e d a t a b o u t his belly
b u t t o n a n d got thicker as it reached his shoulders.
H i s n e c k was a m a s s o f m u s c l e a n d fur l e a d i n g u p t o
his e n o r m o u s h e a d , w h i c h h a d a s n o u t a s l o n g a s m y a r m ,
s n o t t y n o s t r i l s w i t h a g l e a m i n g b r a s s r i n g , c r u e l black eyes,
and h o r n s — e n o r m o u s black-and-white horns with points
y o u just c o u l d n ' t get f r o m a n electric s h a r p e n e r .
I r e c o g n i z e d t h e m o n s t e r , all r i g h t . H e h a d b e e n i n o n e
o f t h e first stories M r . B r u n n e r t o l d u s . B u t h e c o u l d n ' t
b e real.
I b l i n k e d t h e r a i n o u t o f m y eyes. " T h a t ' s — "
" P a s i p h a e ' s son," m y m o t h e r said. " I w i s h I'd k n o w n
h o w b a d l y t h e y w a n t t o kill you."
" B u t he's t h e M i n — "
[50]
" D o n ' t say his n a m e , " she w a r n e d . " N a m e s have power."
T h e p i n e tree was still way t o o f a r — a h u n d r e d yards
u p h i l l at least.
I g l a n c e d b e h i n d me again.
T h e b u l l - m a n h u n c h e d over o u r car, l o o k i n g i n t h e w i n d o w s — o r n o t l o o k i n g , exactly. M o r e like snuffling, n u z zling. I wasn't s u r e w h y he b o t h e r e d , s i n c e we w e r e o n l y
a b o u t fifty feet away.
"Food?" Grover moaned.
" S h h h , " I t o l d h i m . " M o m , what's h e d o i n g ? D o e s n ' t h e
see us?
" H i s s i g h t a n d h e a r i n g are terrible," s h e said. " H e goes
b y smell. B u t he'll f i g u r e o u t w h e r e w e are s o o n e n o u g h . "
A s i f o n cue, t h e b u l l - m a n b e l l o w e d i n rage. H e p i c k e d
u p G a b e ' s C a m a r o b y t h e t o r n roof, t h e chassis c r e a k i n g a n d
g r o a n i n g . H e r a i s e d t h e car over h i s h e a d a n d t h r e w i t d o w n
the road. It s l a m m e d into the wet asphalt a n d s k i d d e d in a
s h o w e r of s p a r k s for a b o u t h a l f a m i l e before c o m i n g to a
s t o p . T h e gas t a n k e x p l o d e d .
Not a scratch, I r e m e m b e r e d G a b e saying.
Oops.
"Percy," m y m o m said. " W h e n h e sees us, he'll charge.
W a i t u n t i l t h e last s e c o n d , t h e n j u m p o u t o f t h e w a y —
directly sideways. H e can't c h a n g e d i r e c t i o n s very well o n c e
he's charging. D o y o u u n d e r s t a n d ? "
" H o w d o y o u k n o w all t h i s ? "
"I've b e e n w o r r i e d a b o u t an a t t a c k for a l o n g t i m e . I
s h o u l d have
expected
this.
I
near me."
[51]
was
selfish,
keeping you
" K e e p i n g m e n e a r you? B u t — "
Another
bellow
of
rage,
and
the
bull-man
started
tromping uphill.
H e ' d smelled us.
T h e p i n e tree was o n l y a few m o r e yards, b u t t h e hill
was g e t t i n g s t e e p e r a n d slicker, a n d G r o v e r wasn't g e t t i n g
any lighter.
T h e b u l l - m a n c l o s e d in. A n o t h e r few s e c o n d s a n d he'd
be o n t o p of us.
M y m o t h e r m u s t ' v e b e e n e x h a u s t e d , b u t she s h o u l d e r e d
Grover. " G o , Percy! S e p a r a t e ! R e m e m b e r w h a t I said."
I d i d n ' t w a n t to s p l i t u p , b u t I h a d t h e feeling she was
r i g h t — i t was o u r o n l y c h a n c e . I s p r i n t e d t o t h e left, t u r n e d ,
a n d saw t h e c r e a t u r e b e a r i n g d o w n o n m e . H i s black eyes
g l o w e d w i t h h a t e . H e r e e k e d like r o t t e n m e a t .
H e l o w e r e d his h e a d a n d charged, t h o s e r a z o r - s h a r p
h o r n s a i m e d s t r a i g h t a t m y chest.
T h e fear i n m y s t o m a c h m a d e m e w a n t t o b o l t , b u t t h a t
w o u l d n ' t w o r k . I c o u l d never o u t r u n t h i s t h i n g . So I h e l d my
g r o u n d , a n d a t t h e last m o m e n t , I j u m p e d t o t h e side.
T h e b u l l - m a n s t o r m e d p a s t like a freight t r a i n , t h e n b e l lowed with frustration and turned, b u t n o t toward me this
t i m e , t o w a r d m y m o t h e r , w h o was s e t t i n g G r o v e r d o w n i n
t h e grass.
W e d r e a c h e d t h e crest o f t h e hill. D o w n t h e o t h e r s i d e
I c o u l d see a valley, j u s t as my m o t h e r h a d said, a n d t h e
l i g h t s o f a f a r m h o u s e g l o w i n g yellow t h r o u g h t h e rain. B u t
t h a t was h a l f a m i l e away. W e ' d never m a k e it.
T h e bull-man grunted, pawing the ground. He kept
[52]
eyeing m y m o t h e r , w h o was n o w r e t r e a t i n g slowly d o w n h i l l ,
b a c k t o w a r d t h e r o a d , t r y i n g t o l e a d t h e m o n s t e r away f r o m
Grover.
" R u n , Percy!" she t o l d m e . " I can't g o any farther. R u n ! "
B u t I just s t o o d t h e r e , f r o z e n in fear, as t h e m o n s t e r
c h a r g e d her. S h e t r i e d t o s i d e s t e p , a s she'd t o l d m e t o d o , b u t
t h e m o n s t e r h a d l e a r n e d his l e s s o n . H i s h a n d s h o t o u t a n d
g r a b b e d h e r b y t h e n e c k a s she t r i e d t o get away. H e lifted
h e r a s s h e s t r u g g l e d , k i c k i n g a n d p u m m e l i n g t h e air.
"Mom!"
S h e c a u g h t m y eyes, m a n a g e d t o c h o k e o u t o n e last
word: " G o ! "
T h e n , w i t h a n a n g r y roar, t h e m o n s t e r c l o s e d h i s fists
a r o u n d m y m o t h e r ' s neck, a n d s h e d i s s o l v e d before m y eyes,
m e l t i n g i n t o light, a s h i m m e r i n g g o l d e n f o r m , as if s h e were
a h o l o g r a p h i c p r o j e c t i o n . A b l i n d i n g flash, a n d s h e was s i m ply . . . g o n e .
"No!"
A n g e r r e p l a c e d m y fear. N e w f o u n d s t r e n g t h b u r n e d i n
m y l i m b s — t h e s a m e r u s h o f e n e r g y I'd g o t t e n w h e n M r s .
D o d d s grew talons.
T h e b u l l - m a n b o r e d o w n o n Grover, w h o lay helpless i n
t h e g r a s s . T h e m o n s t e r h u n c h e d over, s n u f f l i n g m y b e s t
friend, a s i f h e were a b o u t t o lift G r o v e r u p a n d m a k e h i m
dissolve t o o .
I c o u l d n ' t allow t h a t .
I s t r i p p e d o f f my r e d r a i n jacket.
" H e y ! " I s c r e a m e d , w a v i n g t h e jacket, r u n n i n g t o o n e
side o f t h e m o n s t e r . " H e y , s t u p i d ! G r o u n d beef!"
[S3]
"Raaaarrrrr!" T h e monster turned toward me, shaking
his m e a t y f i s t s .
I h a d a n i d e a — a s t u p i d idea, b u t b e t t e r t h a n n o i d e a a t
all. I p u t m y b a c k t o t h e b i g p i n e tree a n d waved m y r e d
jacket i n f r o n t o f t h e b u l l - m a n , t h i n k i n g I d j u m p o u t o f t h e
way a t t h e last m o m e n t .
B u t i t d i d n ' t h a p p e n like t h a t .
T h e b u l l - m a n c h a r g e d t o o fast, h i s a r m s o u t t o g r a b m e
w h i c h e v e r way I t r i e d to d o d g e .
T i m e slowed d o w n .
My legs t e n s e d . I c o u l d n ' t j u m p sideways, so I l e a p e d
s t r a i g h t u p , k i c k i n g o f f f r o m t h e creature's h e a d , u s i n g i t a s
a s p r i n g b o a r d , t u r n i n g i n m i d a i r , a n d l a n d i n g o n his n e c k .
H o w d i d I do that? I d i d n ' t have t i m e to figure it o u t . A
m i l l i s e c o n d later, t h e m o n s t e r ' s h e a d s l a m m e d i n t o t h e tree
a n d t h e i m p a c t nearly k n o c k e d m y t e e t h o u t .
T h e b u l l - m a n s t a g g e r e d a r o u n d , t r y i n g t o shake m e . I
locked my arms
a r o u n d his h o r n s to keep from being
t h r o w n . T h u n d e r a n d l i g h t n i n g were still g o i n g s t r o n g . T h e
r a i n was i n m y eyes. T h e s m e l l o f r o t t e n m e a t b u r n e d m y
nostrils.
T h e m o n s t e r s h o o k h i m s e l f a r o u n d a n d b u c k e d like a
r o d e o b u l l . H e s h o u l d have just b a c k e d u p i n t o t h e tree a n d
s m a s h e d m e flat, b u t I was s t a r t i n g t o realize t h a t t h i s t h i n g
h a d o n l y o n e gear: forward.
M e a n w h i l e , G r o v e r s t a r t e d g r o a n i n g in t h e grass. I
w a n t e d t o yell a t h i m t o s h u t u p , b u t t h e way I was g e t t i n g
t o s s e d a r o u n d , i f I o p e n e d m y m o u t h I'd b i t e m y o w n
t o n g u e off.
[54]
"Food!" Grover moaned.
T h e bull-man wheeled toward him, pawed the g r o u n d
again, a n d g o t r e a d y t o charge. I t h o u g h t a b o u t h o w h e h a d
s q u e e z e d t h e life o u t o f m y m o t h e r , m a d e h e r d i s a p p e a r i n
a flash of light, a n d rage filled me like h i g h - o c t a n e fuel. I
got b o t h hands around one h o r n and I pulled backward
w i t h all m y m i g h t . T h e m o n s t e r t e n s e d , gave a s u r p r i s e d
g r u n t , then—snap!
T h e b u l l - m a n s c r e a m e d a n d f l u n g m e t h r o u g h t h e air. I
l a n d e d f l a t o n m y b a c k i n t h e grass. M y h e a d s m a c k e d
against a r o c k . W h e n I sat u p , my vision was b l u r r y , b u t
I h a d a h o r n i n m y h a n d s , a r a g g e d b o n e w e a p o n t h e size o f
a knife.
T h e m o n s t e r charged.
W i t h o u t thinking, I rolled to one side and came up
kneeling. As t h e m o n s t e r barreled past, I drove the b r o k e n
h o r n s t r a i g h t i n t o his side, r i g h t u p u n d e r h i s f u r r y r i b cage.
T h e b u l l - m a n r o a r e d i n agony. H e f l a i l e d , c l a w i n g a t h i s
chest, t h e n b e g a n t o d i s i n t e g r a t e — n o t like m y m o t h e r , i n a
f l a s h o f g o l d e n light, b u t like c r u m b l i n g s a n d , b l o w n away
i n c h u n k s b y t h e w i n d , t h e s a m e way M r s . D o d d s h a d b u r s t
apart.
T h e m o n s t e r was g o n e .
T h e r a i n h a d s t o p p e d . T h e s t o r m still r u m b l e d , b u t
o n l y in t h e d i s t a n c e . I s m e l l e d like livestock a n d my k n e e s
were s h a k i n g . My h e a d felt like it was s p l i t t i n g o p e n . I was
w e a k a n d scared a n d t r e m b l i n g w i t h grief. I d j u s t seen m y
m o t h e r vanish. I w a n t e d t o lie d o w n a n d cry, b u t t h e r e was
Grover, n e e d i n g m y h e l p , s o I m a n a g e d t o h a u l h i m u p a n d
; 55
stagger d o w n i n t o t h e valley, t o w a r d t h e lights o f t h e f a r m h o u s e . I was c r y i n g , calling for my m o t h e r , b u t I h e l d on to
G r o v e r — I wasn't g o i n g t o let h i m g o .
T h e last t h i n g I r e m e m b e r i s c o l l a p s i n g o n a w o o d e n
p o r c h , l o o k i n g u p a t a ceiling fan circling above m e , m o t h s
flying a r o u n d a yellow light,
a n d t h e s t e r n faces of a
f a m i l i a r - l o o k i n g b e a r d e d m a n a n d a p r e t t y girl, h e r b l o n d
h a i r c u r l e d like a princess's. T h e y b o t h l o o k e d d o w n a t m e ,
a n d t h e girl said, " H e ' s t h e o n e . H e m u s t be."
"Silence, A n n a b e t h , " t h e m a n said. " H e ' s still c o n s c i o u s .
B r i n g h i m inside."
[56]
I h a d weird d r e a m s full o f b a r n y a r d a n i m a l s . M o s t o f t h e m
w a n t e d t o kill m e . T h e rest w a n t e d f o o d .
I m u s t ' v e w o k e n up several t i m e s , b u t w h a t I h e a r d a n d
saw m a d e no sense, so I just p a s s e d o u t again. I r e m e m b e r
lying i n a soft b e d , b e i n g s p o o n - f e d s o m e t h i n g t h a t t a s t e d
like b u t t e r e d p o p c o r n , o n l y i t was p u d d i n g . T h e girl w i t h
curly b l o n d h a i r h o v e r e d over m e , s m i r k i n g a s she s c r a p e d
d r i p s o f f m y chin w i t h t h e s p o o n .
W h e n she saw m y eyes o p e n , s h e asked, " W h a t will
h a p p e n a t t h e s u m m e r solstice?"
I m a n a g e d to croak, " W h a t ? "
S h e l o o k e d a r o u n d , a s i f afraid s o m e o n e w o u l d overhear. " W h a t ' s g o i n g o n ? W h a t was stolen? We've o n l y g o t a
few weeks!"
" I ' m sorry," I m u m b l e d , "I d o n ' t . . ."
S o m e b o d y k n o c k e d o n t h e d o o r , a n d t h e girl q u i c k l y
filled m y m o u t h w i t h p u d d i n g .
T h e n e x t t i m e I w o k e u p , t h e girl was g o n e .
A h u s k y b l o n d d u d e , like a surfer, s t o o d in t h e c o r n e r
o f t h e b e d r o o m k e e p i n g w a t c h over m e . H e h a d b l u e e y e s —
a t least a d o z e n o f t h e m — o n h i s cheeks, his forehead, t h e
b a c k s o f his h a n d s .
[57]
* * *
W h e n I f i n a l l y c a m e a r o u n d for g o o d , t h e r e was n o t h i n g
w e i r d a b o u t m y s u r r o u n d i n g s , except t h a t t h e y were nicer
t h a n I was u s e d t o . I was s i t t i n g in a d e c k chair on a h u g e
p o r c h , g a z i n g across a m e a d o w at g r e e n hills in t h e d i s t a n c e .
T h e b r e e z e s m e l l e d like s t r a w b e r r i e s . T h e r e was a b l a n k e t
over m y legs, a p i l l o w b e h i n d m y n e c k . All t h a t was great,
b u t my m o u t h felt like a s c o r p i o n h a d b e e n u s i n g it for a
n e s t . M y t o n g u e was d r y a n d n a s t y a n d every o n e o f m y
teeth hurt.
O n t h e t a b l e n e x t t o m e was a tall d r i n k . I t l o o k e d like
iced a p p l e juice, w i t h a g r e e n s t r a w a n d a p a p e r p a r a s o l
s t u c k t h r o u g h a m a r a s c h i n o cherry.
M y h a n d was s o w e a k I a l m o s t d r o p p e d t h e glass o n c e
I g o t my fingers a r o u n d it.
"Careful," a familiar voice said.
G r o v e r was l e a n i n g a g a i n s t t h e p o r c h railing, l o o k i n g
like he h a d n ' t s l e p t in a week. U n d e r o n e a r m , he c r a d l e d a
s h o e b o x . H e was w e a r i n g b l u e jeans, C o n v e r s e h i - t o p s a n d
a b r i g h t o r a n g e T - s h i r t t h a t said CAMP HALF-BLOOD. Just
p l a i n o l d Grover. N o t t h e g o a t boy.
S o m a y b e I'd h a d a n i g h t m a r e . M a y b e m y m o m was
okay. W e were still o n v a c a t i o n , a n d we'd s t o p p e d h e r e a t
t h i s b i g h o u s e for s o m e r e a s o n . A n d . . .
" Y o u saved my life," G r o v e r said. "I . . . well, t h e least I
c o u l d d o . . . I w e n t b a c k t o t h e hill. I t h o u g h t y o u m i g h t
w a n t this."
Reverently, h e p l a c e d t h e s h o e b o x i n m y l a p .
I n s i d e was a b l a c k - a n d - w h i t e bull's h o r n , t h e b a s e j a g g e d
[58]
f r o m b e i n g b r o k e n off, t h e t i p s p l a t t e r e d w i t h d r i e d b l o o d .
It h a d n ' t b e e n a n i g h t m a r e .
" T h e M i n o t a u r , " I said.
" U m , Percy, i t isn't a g o o d i d e a — "
" T h a t ' s w h a t t h e y call h i m i n t h e G r e e k m y t h s , isn't it?"
I d e m a n d e d . " T h e M i n o t a u r . H a l f m a n , h a l f bull."
G r o v e r shifted u n c o m f o r t a b l y . "You've b e e n o u t for t w o
days. H o w m u c h d o y o u r e m e m b e r ? "
" M y m o m . Is she really . . ."
He looked down.
I s t a r e d across t h e m e a d o w . T h e r e were groves of trees,
a w i n d i n g s t r e a m , acres o f s t r a w b e r r i e s s p r e a d o u t u n d e r t h e
b l u e sky. T h e valley was s u r r o u n d e d b y r o l l i n g hills, a n d t h e
tallest o n e , directly i n f r o n t o f us, was t h e o n e w i t h t h e h u g e
p i n e tree o n t o p . E v e n t h a t l o o k e d b e a u t i f u l i n t h e s u n l i g h t .
M y m o t h e r was g o n e . T h e w h o l e w o r l d s h o u l d b e black
and cold. N o t h i n g s h o u l d look beautiful.
" I ' m sorry," G r o v e r sniffled. " I ' m a failure. I ' m — I ' m
t h e w o r s t satyr i n t h e world."
H e m o a n e d , s t o m p i n g his f o o t s o h a r d i t c a m e off. I
m e a n , t h e C o n v e r s e h i - t o p c a m e off. T h e i n s i d e was filled
w i t h S t y r o f o a m , except for a h o o f - s h a p e d h o l e .
" O h , Styx!" h e m u m b l e d .
T h u n d e r r o l l e d across t h e clear sky.
A s h e s t r u g g l e d t o get his h o o f b a c k i n t h e fake foot, I
t h o u g h t , W e l l , t h a t settles it.
G r o v e r was a satyr. I was r e a d y to b e t t h a t if I shaved his
curly b r o w n hair, I'd find tiny h o r n s on h i s h e a d . B u t I was
t o o m i s e r a b l e t o care t h a t satyrs existed, o r even m i n o t a u r s .
[59]
A l l t h a t m e a n t was m y m o m really h a d b e e n s q u e e z e d i n t o
n o t h i n g n e s s , d i s s o l v e d i n t o yellow l i g h t .
I was a l o n e . An o r p h a n . I w o u l d have to live w i t h . . .
S m e l l y G a b e ? N o . T h a t w o u l d never h a p p e n . I w o u l d live o n
t h e streets first. I w o u l d p r e t e n d I was seventeen a n d j o i n t h e
army. I d d o s o m e t h i n g .
G r o v e r was still sniffling. T h e p o o r k i d — p o o r goat,
satyr, w h a t e v e r — l o o k e d a s i f h e e x p e c t e d t o b e h i t .
I said, " I t wasn't y o u r fault."
"Yes, it was. I was s u p p o s e d to protect you."
" D i d m y m o t h e r ask y o u t o p r o t e c t m e ? "
" N o . B u t that's m y j o b . I ' m a k e e p e r . A t l e a s t . . . I was."
" B u t w h y . . . " I s u d d e n l y felt dizzy, m y vision s w i m ming.
" D o n ' t s t r a i n yourself," G r o v e r said. " H e r e . "
H e h e l p e d m e h o l d m y glass a n d p u t t h e s t r a w t o m y
lips.
I r e c o i l e d at t h e taste, b e c a u s e I was e x p e c t i n g a p p l e
juice. It wasn't t h a t at all. It was c h o c o l a t e - c h i p c o o k i e s .
Liquid
cookies.
A n d n o t j u s t any c o o k i e s — m y m o m ' s
h o m e m a d e blue chocolate-chip cookies, buttery and hot,
w i t h t h e c h i p s still m e l t i n g . D r i n k i n g it, m y w h o l e b o d y felt
w a r m a n d g o o d , full o f energy. M y g r i e f d i d n ' t g o away, b u t
I felt a s i f m y m o m h a d j u s t b r u s h e d h e r h a n d a g a i n s t m y
cheek, given me a c o o k i e t h e way she u s e d to w h e n I was
small, a n d t o l d m e e v e r y t h i n g was g o i n g t o b e okay.
Before I k n e w it, I'd d r a i n e d t h e glass. I s t a r e d i n t o it,
sure I'd j u s t h a d a w a r m d r i n k , b u t t h e ice c u b e s h a d n ' t even
melted.
[60]
" W a s i t g o o d ? " G r o v e r asked.
I nodded.
" W h a t d i d i t taste like?" H e s o u n d e d s o wistful, I felt
guilty.
" S o r r y , " I said. "I s h o u l d ' v e let y o u taste."
H i s eyes g o t w i d e . " N o ! T h a t ' s n o t w h a t I m e a n t . I
just . . . wondered."
" C h o c o l a t e - c h i p c o o k i e s , " I said. " M y m o m ' s . H o m e made."
H e s i g h e d . " A n d h o w d o y o u feel?"
" L i k e I c o u l d t h r o w N a n c y B o b o f i t a h u n d r e d yards."
" T h a t ' s g o o d , " h e said. " T h a t ' s g o o d . I d o n ' t t h i n k y o u
c o u l d r i s k d r i n k i n g a n y m o r e o f t h a t stuff."
" W h a t d o you mean?"
H e t o o k t h e e m p t y glass f r o m m e gingerly, a s i f i t were
d y n a m i t e , a n d set i t b a c k o n t h e table. " C o m e o n . C h i r o n
a n d M r . D are waiting."
T h e p o r c h w r a p p e d all t h e way a r o u n d t h e f a r m h o u s e .
M y legs felt wobbly, t r y i n g t o walk t h a t far. G r o v e r
offered to carry t h e M i n o t a u r h o r n , b u t I h e l d on to it. I'd p a i d
for t h a t s o u v e n i r t h e h a r d way. I wasn't g o i n g to let it go.
As we came around the opposite end of the house, I
caught my breath.
W e must've been o n the n o r t h shore o f L o n g Island,
b e c a u s e o n t h i s side o f t h e h o u s e , t h e valley m a r c h e d all t h e
way u p t o t h e water, w h i c h g l i t t e r e d a b o u t a m i l e i n t h e d i s tance. Between here a n d there, I simply couldn't process
e v e r y t h i n g I was seeing. T h e l a n d s c a p e was d o t t e d w i t h
[61]
b u i l d i n g s t h a t l o o k e d like a n c i e n t G r e e k a r c h i t e c t u r e — a n
o p e n - a i r pavilion, an a m p h i t h e a t e r , a circular a r e n a — e x c e p t
t h a t t h e y all l o o k e d b r a n d new, t h e i r w h i t e m a r b l e c o l u m n s
s p a r k l i n g in t h e s u n . In a n e a r b y s a n d p i t , a d o z e n h i g h
school—age k i d s a n d satyrs p l a y e d volleyball. C a n o e s g l i d e d
across a s m a l l lake. K i d s in b r i g h t o r a n g e T - s h i r t s like
Grover's were c h a s i n g each o t h e r a r o u n d a cluster o f c a b i n s
n e s t l e d i n t h e w o o d s . S o m e s h o t targets a t a n a r c h e r y r a n g e .
O t h e r s r o d e h o r s e s d o w n a w o o d e d trail, a n d , unless I was
hallucinating, s o m e of their horses h a d wings.
D o w n a t t h e e n d o f t h e p o r c h , t w o m e n sat across f r o m
each o t h e r a t a c a r d table. T h e b l o n d - h a i r e d girl w h o ' d
s p o o n - f e d m e p o p c o r n - f l a v o r e d p u d d i n g was l e a n i n g o n t h e
p o r c h rail n e x t t o t h e m .
T h e m a n facing m e was small, b u t p o r k y . H e h a d a r e d
n o s e , b i g w a t e r y eyes, a n d curly h a i r s o black i t was a l m o s t
p u r p l e . H e l o o k e d like t h o s e p a i n t i n g s o f b a b y a n g e l s —
w h a t d o y o u call t h e m , h u b b u b s ? N o , c h e r u b s . T h a t ' s it. H e
l o o k e d like a c h e r u b w h o ' d t u r n e d m i d d l e - a g e d in a trailer
park.
He
wore
a tiger-pattern
Hawaiian
shirt,
and
he
would've fit right in at one of Gabe's p o k e r parties, except I
g o t t h e feeling t h i s g u y could've o u t - g a m b l e d even m y s t e p father.
" T h a t ' s M r . D," Grover m u r m u r e d t o m e . "He's the
c a m p d i r e c t o r . B e p o l i t e . T h e girl, that's A n n a b e t h C h a s e .
She's j u s t a c a m p e r , b u t she's b e e n h e r e l o n g e r t h a n j u s t
a b o u t a n y b o d y . A n d y o u already k n o w C h i r o n . . . ."
H e p o i n t e d a t t h e g u y w h o s e b a c k was t o m e .
F i r s t , I realized he was s i t t i n g in t h e wheelchair. T h e n I
[62]
r e c o g n i z e d t h e t w e e d jacket, t h e t h i n n i n g b r o w n hair, t h e
scraggly b e a r d .
" M r . B r u n n e r ! " I cried.
T h e L a t i n t e a c h e r t u r n e d a n d s m i l e d a t m e . H i s eyes
h a d t h a t m i s c h i e v o u s g l i n t t h e y s o m e t i m e s g o t i n class w h e n
h e p u l l e d a p o p q u i z a n d m a d e all t h e m u l t i p l e choice
answers B.
"Ah, g o o d , Percy," h e said.
" N o w w e have f o u r for
pinochle."
H e offered m e a chair t o t h e r i g h t o f M r . D , w h o
l o o k e d a t m e w i t h b l o o d s h o t eyes a n d h e a v e d a g r e a t sigh.
" O h , I s u p p o s e I m u s t say it. W e l c o m e t o C a m p H a l f B l o o d . T h e r e . N o w , d o n ' t expect m e t o b e g l a d t o see you."
" U h , t h a n k s . " I s c o o t e d a little f a r t h e r away f r o m h i m
because, i f t h e r e was o n e t h i n g I h a d l e a r n e d f r o m living
w i t h G a b e , i t was h o w t o tell w h e n a n a d u l t has b e e n h i t t i n g t h e h a p p y juice. If M r . D was a s t r a n g e r to a l c o h o l , I
was a satyr.
" A n n a b e t h ? " M r . B r u n n e r called t o t h e b l o n d girl.
She
"This
came
young
forward and M r .
Brunner introduced us.
lady
back
nursed
you
to
health,
Percy.
A n n a b e t h , m y dear, w h y d o n ' t y o u g o check o n Percy's
b u n k ? W e ' l l b e p u t t i n g h i m i n c a b i n eleven for now."
A n n a b e t h said, " S u r e , C h i r o n . "
S h e was p r o b a b l y m y age, m a y b e a c o u p l e o f inches
taller, a n d a w h o l e l o t m o r e a t h l e t i c l o o k i n g . W i t h h e r
d e e p t a n a n d h e r curly b l o n d hair, she was a l m o s t exactly
w h a t I t h o u g h t a s t e r e o t y p i c a l C a l i f o r n i a girl w o u l d l o o k
like, except h e r eyes r u i n e d t h e i m a g e . T h e y were s t a r t l i n g
[63]
gray, like s t o r m c l o u d s ; pretty, b u t i n t i m i d a t i n g , t o o , a s
i f s h e were a n a l y z i n g t h e b e s t way t o t a k e m e d o w n i n a
fight.
She glanced at the m i n o t a u r h o r n in my hands, t h e n
b a c k at m e . I i m a g i n e d she was g o i n g to say, You killed a minotaur! or Wow, you're so awesome! or s o m e t h i n g like t h a t .
I n s t e a d s h e said, " Y o u d r o o l w h e n y o u sleep."
T h e n she s p r i n t e d o f f d o w n t h e lawn, h e r b l o n d h a i r
flying b e h i n d her.
" S o , " I said, a n x i o u s t o c h a n g e t h e subject. " Y o u , u h ,
w o r k here, M r . B r u n n e r ? "
" N o t M r . B r u n n e r , " t h e ex—Mr. B r u n n e r said.
"I'm
afraid t h a t was a p s e u d o n y m . Y o u m a y call m e C h i r o n . "
" O k a y . " T o t a l l y c o n f u s e d , I l o o k e d at t h e d i r e c t o r . " A n d
M r . D . . . d o e s t h a t s t a n d for s o m e t h i n g ? "
M r . D s t o p p e d s h u f f l i n g t h e cards. H e l o o k e d a t m e
like I'd j u s t b e l c h e d loudly. " Y o u n g m a n , n a m e s are p o w e r ful t h i n g s . Y o u d o n ' t just g o a r o u n d u s i n g t h e m for n o
reason."
" O h . R i g h t . Sorry."
" I m u s t say, Percy," C h i r o n - B r u n n e r b r o k e in, " I ' m g l a d
to see y o u alive. It's b e e n a l o n g t i m e since I've m a d e a h o u s e
call t o a p o t e n t i a l c a m p e r . I'd h a t e t o t h i n k I've w a s t e d m y
time."
" H o u s e call?"
" M y year a t Y a n c y A c a d e m y , t o i n s t r u c t y o u . W e have
satyrs a t m o s t s c h o o l s , o f c o u r s e , k e e p i n g a l o o k o u t . B u t
G r o v e r a l e r t e d m e a s s o o n a s h e m e t y o u . H e sensed y o u
were s o m e t h i n g special, so I d e c i d e d to c o m e u p s t a t e . I
[64]
c o n v i n c e d t h e o t h e r L a t i n teacher to . . . a h , take a leave of
absence."
I t r i e d t o r e m e m b e r t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e s c h o o l year. I t
s e e m e d like so l o n g ago, b u t I d i d have a fuzzy m e m o r y of
t h e r e b e i n g a n o t h e r L a t i n t e a c h e r m y first week a t Yancy.
T h e n , without explanation, he h a d disappeared a n d M r .
B r u n n e r h a d t a k e n t h e class.
" Y o u c a m e t o Y a n c y j u s t t o t e a c h m e ? " I asked.
Chiron nodded.
" H o n e s t l y , I wasn't sure a b o u t y o u
a t first. W e c o n t a c t e d y o u r m o t h e r , let h e r k n o w w e were
k e e p i n g a n eye o n y o u i n case y o u were r e a d y for C a m p
Half-Blood.
But
you
still
had
so
much
to
learn.
N e v e r t h e l e s s , y o u m a d e i t h e r e alive, a n d that's always t h e
first test."
"Grover," M r .
D said impatiently,
"are y o u p l a y i n g
or not?"
"Yes, sir!" G r o v e r t r e m b l e d a s h e t o o k t h e f o u r t h chair,
t h o u g h I d i d n ' t k n o w w h y h e s h o u l d b e s o afraid o f a p u d g y
little m a n in a t i g e r - p r i n t H a w a i i a n s h i r t .
" Y o u d o k n o w h o w t o p l a y p i n o c h l e ? " M r . D eyed m e
suspiciously.
" I ' m afraid n o t , " I said.
" I ' m afraid n o t , sir" he said.
"Sir," I r e p e a t e d . I was l i k i n g t h e c a m p d i r e c t o r less a n d
less.
" W e l l , " h e t o l d m e , " i t is, a l o n g w i t h g l a d i a t o r f i g h t i n g
a n d P a c - M a n , o n e o f t h e g r e a t e s t g a m e s ever i n v e n t e d b y
h u m a n s . I w o u l d e x p e c t all civilized y o u n g m e n t o k n o w t h e
rules.
[65]
" I ' m sure t h e b o y can learn," C h i r o n said.
"Please," I said, " w h a t is this place? W h a t am I d o i n g
here? M r . B r u n — C h i r o n — w h y w o u l d y o u g o t o Y a n c y
A c a d e m y just t o t e a c h m e ? "
M r . D snorted. "I asked the same question."
The
camp
director dealt the
cards.
Grover flinched
every t i m e o n e l a n d e d i n h i s pile.
C h i r o n s m i l e d a t m e s y m p a t h e t i c a l l y , t h e way h e u s e d t o
i n L a t i n class, a s i f t o let m e k n o w t h a t n o m a t t e r w h a t m y
average was, I was h i s star s t u d e n t . He e x p e c t e d me to have
t h e r i g h t answer.
"Percy," h e said. " D i d y o u r m o t h e r tell y o u n o t h i n g ? "
" S h e s a i d . . . " I r e m e m b e r e d h e r s a d eyes, l o o k i n g o u t
over t h e sea. " S h e t o l d m e she was afraid t o s e n d m e here,
even t h o u g h m y f a t h e r h a d w a n t e d h e r t o . S h e said t h a t o n c e
I was here, I p r o b a b l y c o u l d n ' t leave. S h e w a n t e d to k e e p me
close t o her."
"Typical," M r . D said.
" T h a t ' s h o w t h e y usually get
killed. Y o u n g m a n , are y o u b i d d i n g o r n o t ? "
" W h a t ? " I asked.
H e explained, i m p a t i e n t l y , h o w y o u b i d i n p i n o c h l e , a n d
so I did.
" I ' m afraid there's t o o m u c h t o tell," C h i r o n said. " I ' m
afraid o u r u s u a l o r i e n t a t i o n film w o n ' t b e sufficient."
" O r i e n t a t i o n film?" I asked.
" N o , " C h i r o n d e c i d e d . " W e l l , Percy. Y o u k n o w y o u r
friend G r o v e r i s a satyr. Y o u k n o w " — h e p o i n t e d t o t h e
h o r n i n t h e s h o e b o x — " t h a t y o u have killed t h e M i n o t a u r .
N o s m a l l feat, either, lad. W h a t y o u m a y n o t k n o w i s t h a t
[66]
g r e a t p o w e r s are a t w o r k i n y o u r life. G o d s — t h e forces y o u
c a n t h e G r e e k g o d s — a r e very m u c h alive."
I stared at the others a r o u n d the table.
I w a i t e d for s o m e b o d y to yell, Not! B u t all I g o t was M r .
D yelling, " O h , a royal m a r r i a g e . T r i c k ! T r i c k ! " He cackled
a s h e tallied u p h i s p o i n t s .
" M r . D , " G r o v e r a s k e d timidly, " i f you're n o t g o i n g t o
eat it, c o u l d I have y o u r D i e t C o k e c a n ? "
" E h ? O h , all right."
Grover bit a huge shard out of the e m p t y a l u m i n u m can
and chewed it mournfully.
" W a i t , " I t o l d C h i r o n . "You're telling me there's s u c h a
thing as God."
"Well,
now,"
Chiron
said.
"God—capital
G,
God.
T h a t ' s a different m a t t e r a l t o g e t h e r . W e s h a n ' t deal w i t h t h e
metaphysical."
" M e t a p h y s i c a l ? B u t y o u were j u s t t a l k i n g a b o u t — "
"Ah, g o d s , p l u r a l , a s in, g r e a t b e i n g s t h a t c o n t r o l t h e
forces o f n a t u r e a n d h u m a n e n d e a v o r s : t h e i m m o r t a l g o d s
o f O l y m p u s . T h a t ' s a smaller m a t t e r . "
"Smaller?"
"Yes, q u i t e . T h e g o d s w e d i s c u s s e d i n L a t i n class."
" Z e u s , " I said. " H e r a . A p o l l o . Y o u m e a n t h e m . "
A n d t h e r e i t was a g a i n — d i s t a n t t h u n d e r o n a c l o u d less day.
" Y o u n g man," said M r . D,
casual
about throwing
those
" I w o u l d really b e less
names
around,
if I
were
you.
" B u t they're stories," I said. " T h e y ' r e — m y t h s , to explain
[67]
l i g h t n i n g a n d t h e s e a s o n s a n d stuff. T h e y ' r e w h a t p e o p l e
believed b e f o r e t h e r e was science."
"Science!"
Mr.
D
scoffed.
"And
tell
me,
Perseus
J a c k s o n " — I f l i n c h e d w h e n h e said m y real n a m e , w h i c h I
never t o l d a n y b o d y — " w h a t will p e o p l e t h i n k o f y o u r 'scie n c e ' t w o t h o u s a n d years f r o m n o w ? " M r . D c o n t i n u e d .
" H m m ? T h e y will call i t p r i m i t i v e m u m b o j u m b o . T h a t ' s
w h a t . O h , I love m o r t a l s — t h e y have a b s o l u t e l y n o sense o f
p e r s p e c t i v e . T h e y t h i n k they've c o m e 50-0-0 far. A n d have
they, C h i r o n ? L o o k a t this b o y a n d tell m e . "
I wasn't l i k i n g M r . D m u c h , b u t t h e r e was s o m e t h i n g
a b o u t t h e way h e called m e m o r t a l , a s i f . . . h e wasn't. I t was
e n o u g h t o p u t a l u m p i n m y t h r o a t , t o suggest w h y G r o v e r
was dutifully m i n d i n g his cards, c h e w i n g his s o d a can, a n d
k e e p i n g his m o u t h s h u t .
"Percy," C h i r o n said, " y o u m a y c h o o s e t o believe o r n o t ,
b u t t h e fact i s t h a t immortal m e a n s i m m o r t a l . C a n y o u i m a g ine t h a t for a m o m e n t , never dying? N e v e r fading? E x i s t i n g ,
j u s t as y o u are, for all t i m e ? "
I was a b o u t t o answer, o f f t h e t o p o f m y h e a d , t h a t i t
s o u n d e d like a p r e t t y g o o d deal, b u t t h e t o n e o f C h i r o n ' s
voice m a d e m e h e s i t a t e .
" Y o u m e a n , w h e t h e r p e o p l e believed i n y o u o r n o t , " I
said.
"Exactly," C h i r o n agreed.
" I f y o u were a g o d , h o w
w o u l d y o u like b e i n g called a m y t h , a n o l d s t o r y t o explain
l i g h t n i n g ? W h a t i f I t o l d y o u , P e r s e u s Jackson, t h a t s o m e d a y p e o p l e w o u l d call you a m y t h , j u s t c r e a t e d to explain
h o w little b o y s can get over l o s i n g t h e i r m o t h e r s ? "
[68]
M y h e a r t p o u n d e d . H e was t r y i n g t o m a k e m e a n g r y
for s o m e r e a s o n , b u t I wasn't g o i n g to l e t h i m . I said, "I
w o u l d n ' t like it. B u t I d o n ' t believe in g o d s . "
" O h , you'd better," M r . D m u r m u r e d . "Before o n e o f
t h e m i n c i n e r a t e s you."
G r o v e r said, " P - p l e a s e , sir. H e ' s j u s t l o s t his m o t h e r .
H e ' s i n shock."
"A l u c k y t h i n g , t o o , " M r . D g r u m b l e d , p l a y i n g a card.
"Bad enough I'm confined to this miserable job, working
w i t h b o y s w h o d o n ' t even believe!"
H e waved his h a n d a n d a g o b l e t a p p e a r e d o n t h e table,
a s i f t h e s u n l i g h t h a d b e n t , m o m e n t a r i l y , a n d w o v e n t h e air
i n t o glass. T h e g o b l e t filled itself w i t h r e d w i n e .
M y jaw d r o p p e d , b u t C h i r o n h a r d l y l o o k e d u p .
" M r . D," he warned, "your restrictions."
M r . D l o o k e d a t t h e w i n e a n d feigned s u r p r i s e .
" D e a r m e . " H e l o o k e d a t t h e sky a n d yelled,
"Old
habits! Sorry!"
M o r e thunder.
M r . D w a v e d h i s h a n d again, a n d t h e wineglass c h a n g e d
i n t o a fresh c a n o f D i e t C o k e . H e s i g h e d u n h a p p i l y , p o p p e d
t h e t o p o f t h e s o d a , a n d w e n t b a c k t o his card g a m e .
C h i r o n w i n k e d at m e . " M r . D o f f e n d e d his f a t h e r a
while back, t o o k a fancy t o a w o o d n y m p h w h o h a d b e e n
d e c l a r e d off-limits."
"A w o o d n y m p h , " I r e p e a t e d , still s t a r i n g at t h e D i e t
C o k e can like i t was f r o m o u t e r space.
"Yes," M r . D confessed.
" F a t h e r loves t o p u n i s h m e .
T h e first t i m e , P r o h i b i t i o n . G h a s t l y ! A b s o l u t e l y h o r r i d t e n
[69]
years! T h e s e c o n d t i m e — w e l l , she really was pretty, a n d I
c o u l d n ' t stay a w a y — t h e s e c o n d t i m e , h e s e n t m e h e r e . H a l f B l o o d H i l l . S u m m e r c a m p for b r a t s like y o u . 'Be a b e t t e r
influence,' h e t o l d m e . ' W o r k w i t h y o u t h s r a t h e r t h a n t e a r i n g t h e m down.' H a ! A b s o l u t e l y unfair."
M r . D s o u n d e d a b o u t six years o l d , like a p o u t i n g little
kid.
" A n d . . . " I s t a m m e r e d , " y o u r f a t h e r is . . ."
"Di immortales, C h i r o n , " M r . D said.
"I t h o u g h t y o u
t a u g h t t h i s b o y t h e basics. M y f a t h e r i s Z e u s , o f course."
I ran through D names from Greek mythology. W i n e .
T h e s k i n o f a tiger. T h e satyrs t h a t all s e e m e d t o w o r k h e r e .
T h e way G r o v e r cringed, as if M r . D were his m a s t e r .
"You're D i o n y s u s , " I said. " T h e g o d o f wine."
M r . D r o l l e d his eyes. " W h a t d o t h e y say, t h e s e days,
Grover? D o t h e c h i l d r e n say, ' W e l l , d u h ! ' ? "
"Y-yes, M r . D."
" T h e n , well, d u h ! Percy J a c k s o n . D i d y o u t h i n k I was
Aphrodite, perhaps?"
"You're a god."
"Yes, child."
"A g o d . You."
H e t u r n e d t o l o o k a t m e s t r a i g h t o n , a n d I saw a k i n d
of p u r p l i s h fire in his eyes, a h i n t t h a t this whiny, p l u m p little m a n was o n l y s h o w i n g m e t h e t i n i e s t b i t o f h i s t r u e
n a t u r e . I saw visions o f g r a p e vines c h o k i n g u n b e l i e v e r s t o
death,
d r u n k e n w a r r i o r s i n s a n e w i t h b a t t l e lust, sailors
s c r e a m i n g a s t h e i r h a n d s t u r n e d t o flippers, t h e i r faces e l o n gating into d o l p h i n snouts. I k n e w that if I p u s h e d him,
[70]
M r . D would show me worse things. He would plant a
disease i n m y b r a i n t h a t w o u l d leave m e w e a r i n g a s t r a i t jacket i n a r u b b e r r o o m for t h e r e s t o f m y life.
" W o u l d y o u like t o t e s t m e , c h i l d ? " h e said quietly.
" N o . N o , sir."
T h e fire d i e d a little. H e t u r n e d b a c k t o h i s c a r d g a m e .
"I believe I win."
" N o t quite,
Mr.
D,"
C h i r o n said.
H e set d o w n
a
straight, tallied t h e p o i n t s , a n d said, " T h e g a m e goes t o
me."
I t h o u g h t M r . D was g o i n g t o v a p o r i z e C h i r o n r i g h t o u t
o f his wheelchair, b u t h e just s i g h e d t h r o u g h his n o s e , a s i f
h e were u s e d t o b e i n g b e a t e n b y t h e L a t i n teacher. H e g o t
u p , a n d G r o v e r rose, t o o .
" I ' m tired," M r . D said. "I believe I'll t a k e a n a p before
t h e s i n g - a l o n g t o n i g h t . B u t first, Grover, w e n e e d t o talk,
again,
about your less-than-perfect performance
on this
assignment."
Grover's face b e a d e d w i t h sweat. "Y-yes, sir."
M r . D t u r n e d t o m e . " C a b i n eleven, Percy J a c k s o n . A n d
m i n d your manners."
He swept into the farmhouse, Grover following miserably.
" W i l l Grover be okay?" I asked C h i r o n .
Chiron nodded, though he looked a bit troubled. " O l d
D i o n y s u s isn't really m a d . H e j u s t h a t e s h i s j o b . H e ' s b e e n
. . . ah, g r o u n d e d , I guess y o u w o u l d say, a n d h e can't s t a n d
w a i t i n g a n o t h e r c e n t u r y b e f o r e he's allowed t o g o b a c k t o
Olympus."
[71]
" M o u n t O l y m p u s , " I said.
"You're t e l l i n g m e t h e r e
really is a p a l a c e t h e r e ? "
" W e l l n o w , there's M o u n t O l y m p u s i n G r e e c e . A n d
t h e n there's t h e h o m e o f t h e g o d s , t h e convergence p o i n t o f
their powers,
which did indeed used to be on M o u n t
O l y m p u s . It's still called M o u n t O l y m p u s , o u t o f r e s p e c t t o
t h e o l d ways, b u t t h e p a l a c e m o v e s , Percy, j u s t a s t h e g o d s
do."
" Y o u m e a n t h e G r e e k g o d s are here? L i k e . . .
in
America!"
" W e l l , certainly. T h e g o d s m o v e w i t h t h e h e a r t o f t h e
West."
" T h e what?"
" C o m e now, Percy. W h a t y o u call ' W e s t e r n civilization.'
D o y o u t h i n k it's just a n a b s t r a c t c o n c e p t ? N o , it's a living
force. A collective c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h a t h a s b u r n e d b r i g h t for
t h o u s a n d s o f years. T h e g o d s are p a r t o f it. Y o u m i g h t even
say t h e y are t h e s o u r c e of it, or at least, t h e y are t i e d so
t i g h t l y t o i t t h a t t h e y c o u l d n ' t p o s s i b l y fade, n o t u n l e s s all
o f W e s t e r n civilization were o b l i t e r a t e d . T h e fire s t a r t e d i n
G r e e c e . T h e n , a s y o u well k n o w — o r a s I h o p e y o u k n o w ,
since y o u p a s s e d m y c o u r s e — t h e h e a r t o f t h e fire m o v e d t o
R o m e , a n d s o d i d t h e g o d s . O h , different n a m e s , p e r h a p s —
J u p i t e r for Z e u s , V e n u s for A p h r o d i t e , a n d s o o n — b u t t h e
s a m e forces, t h e s a m e g o d s . "
" A n d t h e n t h e y died."
" D i e d ? N o . D i d t h e W e s t die? T h e g o d s s i m p l y m o v e d ,
t o G e r m a n y , t o F r a n c e , t o S p a i n , for a while. W h e r e v e r t h e
flame was b r i g h t e s t , t h e g o d s were t h e r e . T h e y s p e n t several
[72]
c e n t u r i e s i n E n g l a n d . A l l y o u n e e d t o d o i s l o o k a t t h e archit e c t u r e . P e o p l e d o n o t forget t h e g o d s . E v e r y p l a c e they've
r u l e d , f o r t h e last t h r e e t h o u s a n d years, y o u can see t h e m i n
paintings, in statues, on the m o s t i m p o r t a n t buildings. A n d
yes, Percy, o f c o u r s e t h e y are n o w i n y o u r U n i t e d S t a t e s .
L o o k a t y o u r s y m b o l , t h e eagle o f Z e u s . L o o k a t t h e s t a t u e
o f P r o m e t h e u s i n Rockefeller C e n t e r , t h e G r e e k facades o f
y o u r g o v e r n m e n t b u i l d i n g s i n W a s h i n g t o n . I defy y o u t o
f i n d any A m e r i c a n city w h e r e t h e O l y m p i a n s are n o t p r o m i n e n t l y d i s p l a y e d i n m u l t i p l e places. L i k e i t o r n o t — a n d
believe m e , p l e n t y o f p e o p l e weren't very f o n d o f R o m e ,
e i t h e r — A m e r i c a i s n o w t h e h e a r t o f t h e flame. I t i s t h e
great power of the West. A n d so O l y m p u s is here. A n d we
are here."
It was all t o o m u c h , especially t h e fact t h a t I s e e m e d to
be i n c l u d e d in C h i r o n ' s we, as if I were p a r t of s o m e club.
" W h o are y o u , C h i r o n ? W h o . . . w h o a m I ? "
C h i r o n s m i l e d . H e s h i f t e d h i s w e i g h t a s i f h e were g o i n g
t o g e t u p o u t o f h i s wheelchair, b u t I k n e w t h a t was i m p o s sible. H e was p a r a l y z e d f r o m t h e waist d o w n .
" W h o are y o u ? " h e m u s e d . " W e l l , that's t h e q u e s t i o n w e
all w a n t answered, isn't it? B u t for now, we s h o u l d g e t y o u a
b u n k i n c a b i n eleven. T h e r e will b e n e w friends t o m e e t .
A n d p l e n t y o f t i m e for l e s s o n s t o m o r r o w . Besides, t h e r e will
be s'mores at the campfire tonight, a n d I simply adore
chocolate."
A n d t h e n h e d i d rise f r o m h i s wheelchair. B u t t h e r e was
s o m e t h i n g o d d a b o u t t h e way h e d i d it. H i s b l a n k e t fell
away f r o m his legs, b u t t h e legs d i d n ' t m o v e . H i s waist k e p t
[73]
g e t t i n g longer, r i s i n g above h i s belt. At first, I t h o u g h t he
was w e a r i n g very l o n g , w h i t e velvet u n d e r w e a r , b u t as he
k e p t r i s i n g o u t o f t h e chair, taller t h a n any m a n , I r e a l i z e d
t h a t t h e velvet u n d e r w e a r wasn't u n d e r w e a r ; i t was t h e f r o n t
o f a n a n i m a l , m u s c l e a n d s i n e w u n d e r coarse w h i t e fur. A n d
t h e w h e e l c h a i r wasn't a chair. I t was s o m e k i n d o f c o n tainer, a n e n o r m o u s b o x o n wheels, a n d i t m u s t ' v e b e e n
m a g i c , b e c a u s e there's no way it could've h e l d all of h i m . A
leg c a m e o u t , l o n g a n d k n o b b y - k n e e d , w i t h a h u g e p o l i s h e d
h o o f . T h e n a n o t h e r f r o n t leg, t h e n h i n d q u a r t e r s , a n d t h e n
t h e b o x was e m p t y , n o t h i n g b u t a m e t a l shell w i t h a c o u p l e
o f fake h u m a n legs a t t a c h e d .
I s t a r e d a t t h e h o r s e w h o h a d just s p r u n g f r o m t h e
w h e e l c h a i r : a h u g e w h i t e s t a l l i o n . B u t w h e r e its n e c k s h o u l d
b e was t h e u p p e r b o d y o f m y L a t i n teacher, s m o o t h l y
g r a f t e d t o t h e horse's t r u n k .
" W h a t a relief," t h e c e n t a u r said. "I'd b e e n c o o p e d u p i n
t h e r e s o l o n g , m y fetlocks h a d fallen asleep. N o w , c o m e ,
P e r c y J a c k s o n . Let's m e e t t h e o t h e r c a m p e r s . "
[74]
O n c e I g o t over t h e fact t h a t m y L a t i n t e a c h e r was a h o r s e ,
we h a d a n i c e t o u r , t h o u g h I was careful n o t to w a l k b e h i n d
him.
I'd
done
pooper-scooper
patrol
in
the
Macy's
T h a n k s g i v i n g D a y P a r a d e a few t i m e s , a n d , I ' m sorry, I d i d
n o t t r u s t C h i r o n ' s b a c k e n d t h e way I t r u s t e d his front.
W e p a s s e d t h e volleyball p i t . Several o f t h e c a m p e r s
n u d g e d each o t h e r . O n e p o i n t e d t o t h e m i n o t a u r h o r n I was
c a r r y i n g . A n o t h e r said, " T h a t ' s him!'
M o s t o f t h e c a m p e r s were o l d e r t h a n m e . T h e i r satyr
friends were b i g g e r t h a n Grover, all o f t h e m t r o t t i n g a r o u n d
in o r a n g e CAMP HALF-BLOOD T - s h i r t s , w i t h n o t h i n g else to
cover t h e i r b a r e s h a g g y h i n d q u a r t e r s . I wasn't n o r m a l l y shy,
b u t t h e way t h e y s t a r e d a t m e m a d e m e u n c o m f o r t a b l e . I felt
like t h e y were e x p e c t i n g m e t o d o a flip o r s o m e t h i n g .
I l o o k e d b a c k at t h e f a r m h o u s e . It was a l o t b i g g e r
t h a n I'd r e a l i z e d — f o u r stories tall, sky b l u e w i t h w h i t e t r i m ,
like an u p s c a l e seaside r e s o r t . I was c h e c k i n g o u t t h e b r a s s
eagle w e a t h e r vane o n t o p w h e n s o m e t h i n g c a u g h t m y eye, a
shadow
in
the
uppermost
window
of
the
attic
gable.
S o m e t h i n g h a d m o v e d t h e c u r t a i n , just for a s e c o n d , a n d I
g o t t h e d i s t i n c t i m p r e s s i o n I was b e i n g w a t c h e d .
" W h a t ' s u p t h e r e ? " I asked C h i r o n .
[75]
H e l o o k e d w h e r e I was p o i n t i n g , a n d his smile faded.
" J u s t t h e attic."
" S o m e b o d y lives t h e r e ? "
" N o , " h e said w i t h finality. " N o t a single living t h i n g . "
I g o t t h e feeling he was b e i n g t r u t h f u l . B u t I was also
sure s o m e t h i n g h a d m o v e d t h a t c u r t a i n .
" C o m e a l o n g , Percy," C h i r o n said, h i s l i g h t h e a r t e d t o n e
n o w a little forced. " L o t s to see."
W e w a l k e d t h r o u g h t h e s t r a w b e r r y fields, w h e r e c a m p e r s
w e r e p i c k i n g b u s h e l s of b e r r i e s while a satyr p l a y e d a t u n e
on a r e e d p i p e .
C h i r o n t o l d m e t h e c a m p g r e w a n i c e c r o p for e x p o r t t o
N e w Y o r k r e s t a u r a n t s a n d M o u n t O l y m p u s . " I t pays o u r
expenses," h e e x p l a i n e d . " A n d t h e s t r a w b e r r i e s t a k e a l m o s t
n o effort."
H e s a i d M r . D h a d this effect o n f r u i t - b e a r i n g p l a n t s :
t h e y j u s t w e n t c r a z y w h e n h e was a r o u n d . I t w o r k e d b e s t
w i t h w i n e g r a p e s , b u t M r . D was r e s t r i c t e d f r o m g r o w i n g
those, so they grew strawberries instead.
I w a t c h e d t h e satyr p l a y i n g his p i p e . H i s m u s i c was
causing lines o f b u g s t o leave t h e s t r a w b e r r y p a t c h i n every
d i r e c t i o n , like refugees fleeing a fire. I w o n d e r e d if G r o v e r
could work that kind of magic with music. I wondered if he
was still inside t h e f a r m h o u s e , g e t t i n g c h e w e d o u t b y M r . D .
" G r o v e r w o n ' t get i n t o o m u c h t r o u b l e , will h e ? " I a s k e d
C h i r o n . " I m e a n . . . h e was a g o o d p r o t e c t o r . Really."
C h i r o n s i g h e d . H e s h e d h i s t w e e d jacket a n d d r a p e d i t
over his horse's b a c k like a s a d d l e . " G r o v e r has b i g d r e a m s ,
[76]
Percy. P e r h a p s b i g g e r t h a n are r e a s o n a b l e . T o reach h i s goal,
he m u s t first d e m o n s t r a t e great courage by succeeding as a
keeper, f i n d i n g a n e w c a m p e r a n d b r i n g i n g h i m safely t o
Half-Blood Hill."
"But he did that!"
" I m i g h t agree w i t h you," C h i r o n said. " B u t i t i s n o t m y
place to judge. Dionysus a n d the Council of Cloven Elders
m u s t d e c i d e . I ' m afraid t h e y m i g h t n o t see t h i s a s s i g n m e n t
a s a success. A f t e r all, G r o v e r l o s t y o u i n N e w Y o r k . T h e n
there's t h e u n f o r t u n a t e . . . ah . . . fate of y o u r m o t h e r . A n d
t h e fact t h a t G r o v e r was u n c o n s c i o u s w h e n y o u d r a g g e d h i m
over t h e p r o p e r t y line. T h e c o u n c i l m i g h t q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r
t h i s s h o w s a n y c o u r a g e o n Grover's p a r t . "
I
wanted
to
protest.
None
of
w h a t h a p p e n e d was
Grover's fault. I also felt really, really guilty. If I h a d n ' t given
G r o v e r t h e slip a t t h e b u s s t a t i o n , h e m i g h t n o t have g o t t e n
in trouble.
" H e ' l l get a s e c o n d chance, w o n ' t h e ? "
Chiron winced.
" I ' m afraid t h a t was Grover's s e c o n d
chance, Percy. T h e c o u n c i l was n o t a n x i o u s t o give h i m
a n o t h e r , either, after w h a t h a p p e n e d t h e f i r s t t i m e , f i v e years
ago. O l y m p u s k n o w s , I advised h i m t o w a i t l o n g e r b e f o r e
t r y i n g again. H e ' s still so s m a l l for h i s age. . . ."
" H o w o l d is h e ? "
" O h , twenty-eight."
" W h a t ! A n d he's i n s i x t h g r a d e ? "
" S a t y r s m a t u r e h a l f as fast as h u m a n s , Percy. G r o v e r h a s
b e e n t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f a m i d d l e s c h o o l s t u d e n t for t h e p a s t
six years."
[77]
"That's horrible."
" Q u i t e , " C h i r o n a g r e e d . "At any rate, G r o v e r is a late
b l o o m e r , even b y satyr s t a n d a r d s , a n d n o t yet very a c c o m p l i s h e d a t w o o d l a n d m a g i c . Alas, h e was a n x i o u s t o p u r s u e
h i s d r e a m . P e r h a p s n o w he will find s o m e o t h e r career. . . ."
" T h a t ' s n o t fair," I said. " W h a t h a p p e n e d t h e f i r s t time?
W a s i t really s o b a d ? "
C h i r o n l o o k e d away quickly. "Let's move along, shall we?"
But
I
wasn't
quite
ready
to
let
the
subject
drop.
Something had occurred to me when C h i r o n talked about
m y m o t h e r ' s fate, a s i f h e were i n t e n t i o n a l l y a v o i d i n g t h e
w o r d death. T h e b e g i n n i n g s o f a n i d e a — a tiny, h o p e f u l
fire—started forming in my mind.
" C h i r o n , " I said. " I f t h e g o d s a n d O l y m p u s a n d all t h a t
are real . . ."
"Yes, c h i l d ? "
" D o e s t h a t m e a n t h e U n d e r w o r l d i s real, t o o ? "
Chiron's expression darkened.
"Yes, child." H e p a u s e d , a s i f c h o o s i n g h i s w o r d s carefully. " T h e r e is a p l a c e w h e r e spirits go after d e a t h . B u t for
n o w . . . until we k n o w m o r e . . . I would urge you to p u t
that out of your mind."
" W h a t do you mean, 'until we k n o w more'?"
" C o m e , Percy. Let's see t h e w o o d s . "
A s w e g o t closer, I realized h o w h u g e t h e forest was. I t t o o k
up at least a q u a r t e r of t h e valley, w i t h trees so tall a n d thick,
you could imagine n o b o d y h a d been in there since the
Native Americans.
[78]
C h i r o n said, " T h e w o o d s are s t o c k e d , i f y o u care t o t r y
y o u r luck, b u t g o a r m e d . "
" S t o c k e d w i t h w h a t ? " I asked. " A r m e d w i t h w h a t ? "
" Y o u ' l l see. C a p t u r e t h e f l a g i s F r i d a y n i g h t . D o y o u
have y o u r o w n s w o r d a n d shield?"
"My own—?"
" N o , " C h i r o n said. " I d o n ' t s u p p o s e y o u d o . I t h i n k a
size five will d o . I'll visit t h e a r m o r y later."
I w a n t e d t o ask w h a t k i n d o f s u m m e r c a m p h a d a n
a r m o r y , b u t t h e r e was t o o m u c h else t o t h i n k a b o u t , s o t h e
t o u r c o n t i n u e d . W e saw t h e a r c h e r y range, t h e c a n o e i n g lake,
t h e stables ( w h i c h C h i r o n d i d n ' t s e e m t o like very m u c h ) ,
t h e javelin r a n g e , t h e s i n g - a l o n g a m p h i t h e a t e r , a n d t h e arena
w h e r e C h i r o n said t h e y h e l d s w o r d a n d spear fights.
" S w o r d a n d s p e a r fights?" I asked.
" C a b i n challenges a n d all that," h e e x p l a i n e d .
"Not
lethal. Usually. O h , yes, a n d there's t h e m e s s hall."
C h i r o n pointed to an o u t d o o r pavilion framed in white
G r e c i a n c o l u m n s on a hill o v e r l o o k i n g t h e sea. T h e r e were a
d o z e n s t o n e p i c n i c t a b l e s . N o roof. N o walls.
" W h a t d o y o u d o w h e n i t r a i n s ? " I asked.
C h i r o n l o o k e d at me as
if I'd g o n e a little weird.
" W e still have t o eat, d o n ' t w e ? " I d e c i d e d t o d r o p t h e
subject.
Finally, h e s h o w e d m e t h e c a b i n s . T h e r e were twelve o f
t h e m , n e s t l e d i n t h e w o o d s b y t h e lake. T h e y were a r r a n g e d
in a U, w i t h t w o at t h e b a s e a n d five in a r o w on e i t h e r side.
A n d t h e y were
without
d o u b t the m o s t bizarre collection o f
b u i l d i n g s I'd ever seen.
[79]
E x c e p t for t h e fact t h a t each h a d a large b r a s s n u m b e r
above t h e d o o r ( o d d s o n t h e left side, evens o n t h e r i g h t ) ,
t h e y l o o k e d a b s o l u t e l y n o t h i n g alike. N u m b e r n i n e h a d
s m o k e s t a c k s , like a t i n y factory. N u m b e r f o u r h a d t o m a t o
vines o n t h e walls a n d a r o o f m a d e o u t o f real g r a s s . Seven
seemed to be m a d e of solid gold, which gleamed so m u c h
i n t h e s u n l i g h t i t was a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e t o l o o k at. T h e y all
faced a c o m m o n s area a b o u t t h e size of a s o c c e r field, d o t ted with Greek statues, fountains, flower beds, a n d a couple
o f b a s k e t b a l l h o o p s ( w h i c h were m o r e m y s p e e d ) .
I n t h e c e n t e r o f t h e field was a h u g e s t o n e - l i n e d firepit.
E v e n t h o u g h i t was a w a r m a f t e r n o o n , t h e h e a r t h s m o l d e r e d . A girl a b o u t n i n e years o l d was t e n d i n g t h e flames,
p o k i n g t h e coals w i t h a stick.
T h e p a i r o f c a b i n s a t t h e h e a d o f t h e field, n u m b e r s o n e
a n d t w o , l o o k e d like h i s - a n d - h e r s m a u s o l e u m s , b i g w h i t e
m a r b l e boxes w i t h heavy c o l u m n s i n f r o n t . C a b i n o n e was
t h e b i g g e s t a n d b u l k i e s t o f t h e twelve. I t s p o l i s h e d b r o n z e
d o o r s s h i m m e r e d like a h o l o g r a m , s o t h a t f r o m different
angles l i g h t n i n g b o l t s s e e m e d t o streak across t h e m . C a b i n
t w o was m o r e graceful s o m e h o w , w i t h s l i m m e r c o l u m n s
g a r l a n d e d w i t h p o m e g r a n a t e s a n d f l o w e r s . T h e walls were
carved with images of peacocks.
" Z e u s and H e r a ? " I guessed.
" C o r r e c t , " C h i r o n said.
" T h e i r c a b i n s l o o k empty."
"Several o f t h e c a b i n s are. T h a t ' s t r u e . N o o n e ever stays
in o n e o r two."
O k a y . So each c a b i n h a d a different g o d , like a m a s c o t .
[80]
Twelve c a b i n s for t h e twelve O l y m p i a n s . B u t w h y w o u l d
some be empty?
I s t o p p e d i n f r o n t o f t h e first c a b i n o n t h e left, c a b i n
three.
I t wasn't h i g h a n d m i g h t y like c a b i n o n e , b u t l o n g a n d
low a n d solid. T h e o u t e r walls were o f r o u g h g r a y s t o n e
s t u d d e d w i t h pieces o f seashell a n d coral, a s i f t h e slabs h a d
b e e n h e w n s t r a i g h t f r o m t h e b o t t o m o f t h e o c e a n floor.
I p e e k e d i n s i d e t h e o p e n d o o r w a y a n d C h i r o n said, " O h , I
wouldn't do that!"
Before h e c o u l d p u l l m e back, I c a u g h t t h e salty s c e n t o f
t h e interior, like t h e w i n d o n t h e s h o r e a t M o n t a u k . T h e
i n t e r i o r walls g l o w e d like a b a l o n e . T h e r e were six e m p t y
b u n k b e d s w i t h silk sheets t u r n e d d o w n . B u t t h e r e was n o
sign a n y o n e h a d ever s l e p t t h e r e . T h e p l a c e felt s o s a d a n d
lonely, I was g l a d w h e n C h i r o n p u t h i s h a n d o n m y s h o u l d e r a n d said, " C o m e a l o n g , Percy."
M o s t o f t h e o t h e r c a b i n s were c r o w d e d w i t h c a m p e r s .
N u m b e r five was b r i g h t r e d — a real n a s t y p a i n t j o b , a s
if the color h a d been splashed on with buckets and fists.
T h e r o o f was l i n e d w i t h b a r b e d wire. A s t u f f e d w i l d boar's
h e a d h u n g over t h e d o o r w a y , a n d its eyes s e e m e d t o follow
m e . I n s i d e I c o u l d see a b u n c h o f m e a n - l o o k i n g k i d s , b o t h
girls a n d b o y s , a r m w r e s t l i n g a n d a r g u i n g w i t h each o t h e r
while r o c k m u s i c b l a r e d . T h e l o u d e s t was a girl m a y b e
t h i r t e e n o r f o u r t e e n . S h e w o r e a size X X X L CAMP H A L F B L O O D T - s h i r t u n d e r a c a m o u f l a g e jacket. S h e z e r o e d i n o n
m e a n d gave m e a n evil sneer. S h e r e m i n d e d m e o f N a n c y
Bobofit,
t h o u g h t h e c a m p e r girl was m u c h b i g g e r a n d
[81]
t o u g h e r l o o k i n g , a n d h e r h a i r was l o n g a n d stringy, a n d
b r o w n instead of red.
I k e p t w a l k i n g , t r y i n g t o stay clear o f C h i r o n ' s h o o v e s .
" W e haven't seen any o t h e r c e n t a u r s , " I o b s e r v e d .
" N o , " said C h i r o n sadly. " M y k i n s m e n are a w i l d a n d
b a r b a r i c folk, I ' m afraid. Y o u m i g h t e n c o u n t e r t h e m i n t h e
w i l d e r n e s s , o r a t m a j o r s p o r t i n g events. B u t y o u w o n ' t see
any here."
" Y o u said y o u r n a m e was C h i r o n . A r e y o u really . . ."
H e s m i l e d d o w n a t m e . "The C h i r o n f r o m t h e stories?
T r a i n e r of H e r c u l e s a n d all that? Yes, Percy, I am."
"But, s h o u l d n ' t y o u b e d e a d ? "
Chiron paused, as if the question intrigued him. "I h o n estly d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t should b e . T h e t r u t h is, I can't be d e a d .
Y o u see, e o n s ago t h e g o d s g r a n t e d m y wish. I c o u l d c o n t i n u e t h e w o r k I loved. I c o u l d be a t e a c h e r of h e r o e s as l o n g
as h u m a n i t y n e e d e d m e . I g a i n e d m u c h f r o m t h a t w i s h . . .
a n d I gave up m u c h . B u t I ' m still here, so I c a n o n l y a s s u m e
I ' m still n e e d e d . "
I t h o u g h t a b o u t b e i n g a t e a c h e r for t h r e e t h o u s a n d
years. I t w o u l d n ' t have m a d e m y T o p T e n T h i n g s t o W i s h
F o r list.
" D o e s n ' t i t ever g e t b o r i n g ? "
" N o , n o , " h e said. " H o r r i b l y d e p r e s s i n g , a t t i m e s , b u t
never b o r i n g . "
" W h y depressing?"
C h i r o n s e e m e d t o t u r n h a r d o f h e a r i n g again.
" O h , look," h e said. " A n n a b e t h i s w a i t i n g for us."
*
*
[82]
*
T h e b l o n d girl I d m e t a t t h e Big H o u s e was r e a d i n g
a b o o k i n f r o n t o f t h e last c a b i n o n t h e left, n u m b e r
eleven.
W h e n w e r e a c h e d her, she l o o k e d m e over critically, like
she was still t h i n k i n g a b o u t h o w m u c h I d r o o l e d .
I t r i e d to see w h a t she was r e a d i n g , b u t I c o u l d n ' t m a k e
o u t t h e title. I t h o u g h t m y dyslexia was a c t i n g u p . T h e n I
realized t h e title wasn't even E n g l i s h . T h e letters l o o k e d
G r e e k t o m e . I m e a n , literally G r e e k . T h e r e were p i c t u r e s o f
t e m p l e s a n d s t a t u e s a n d different k i n d s o f c o l u m n s , like
those in an architecture b o o k .
" A n n a b e t h , " C h i r o n said, " I have m a s t e r s ' a r c h e r y class
a t n o o n . W o u l d y o u t a k e Percy f r o m h e r e ? "
"Yes, sir."
" C a b i n eleven," C h i r o n t o l d m e , g e s t u r i n g t o w a r d t h e
doorway. " M a k e yourself at home."
O u t o f all t h e c a b i n s , eleven l o o k e d t h e m o s t like a r e g u l a r o l d s u m m e r c a m p c a b i n , w i t h t h e e m p h a s i s o n old. T h e
t h r e s h o l d was w o r n d o w n , t h e b r o w n p a i n t p e e l i n g . O v e r
t h e d o o r w a y was o n e o f t h o s e d o c t o r ' s s y m b o l s , a w i n g e d
p o l e w i t h t w o snakes w r a p p e d a r o u n d it. W h a t d i d t h e y call
i t . . . ? A caduceus.
I n s i d e , i t was p a c k e d w i t h p e o p l e , b o t h b o y s a n d girls,
way m o r e t h a n t h e n u m b e r o f b u n k b e d s . S l e e p i n g b a g s
were s p r e a d all over o n t h e f l o o r . I t l o o k e d like a g y m w h e r e
t h e R e d C r o s s h a d set u p a n e v a c u a t i o n center.
C h i r o n d i d n ' t g o in. T h e d o o r was t o o low for h i m . B u t
w h e n t h e c a m p e r s saw h i m t h e y all s t o o d a n d b o w e d
respectfully.
[83]
" W e l l , t h e n , " C h i r o n said. " G o o d luck, Percy. I'll see
y o u at d i n n e r . "
H e g a l l o p e d away t o w a r d t h e a r c h e r y r a n g e .
I stood in the doorway, looking at the kids. T h e y
weren't b o w i n g a n y m o r e . T h e y were s t a r i n g a t m e , s i z i n g m e
u p . I k n e w t h i s r o u t i n e . I'd g o n e t h r o u g h i t a t e n o u g h
schools.
" W e l l ? " A n n a b e t h p r o m p t e d . " G o on."
So naturally I tripped c o m i n g in the d o o r and m a d e a
t o t a l fool o f myself. T h e r e were s o m e snickers f r o m t h e
c a m p e r s , b u t n o n e o f t h e m said a n y t h i n g .
Annabeth
announced,
"Percy
Jackson,
meet
cabin
eleven.
" R e g u l a r o r u n d e t e r m i n e d ? " s o m e b o d y asked.
I
didn't
know
what
to
say,
but
Annabeth
said,
"Undetermined."
Everybody groaned.
A g u y w h o was a little o l d e r t h a n t h e rest c a m e forward.
" N o w , now, c a m p e r s . T h a t ' s w h a t we're here for. W e l c o m e ,
Percy. Y o u c a n have t h a t s p o t o n t h e floor, r i g h t over there."
T h e g u y was a b o u t n i n e t e e n , a n d h e l o o k e d p r e t t y c o o l .
H e was tall a n d m u s c u l a r , w i t h s h o r t - c r o p p e d s a n d y h a i r
a n d a friendly smile. H e w o r e a n o r a n g e t a n k t o p , c u t o f f s ,
s a n d a l s , a n d a l e a t h e r necklace w i t h five d i f f e r e n t - c o l o r e d
clay b e a d s . T h e o n l y t h i n g u n s e t t l i n g a b o u t h i s a p p e a r a n c e
was a t h i c k w h i t e scar t h a t r a n f r o m j u s t b e n e a t h h i s r i g h t
eye to h i s jaw, like an o l d knife slash.
" T h i s i s Luke," A n n a b e t h said, a n d h e r voice s o u n d e d
different s o m e h o w . I g l a n c e d over a n d could've s w o r n she
[84]
was b l u s h i n g . S h e saw m e l o o k i n g , a n d h e r e x p r e s s i o n h a r d e n e d again. " H e ' s y o u r c o u n s e l o r for now."
" F o r n o w ? " I asked.
"You're
undetermined,"
Luke
explained
patiently.
" T h e y d o n ' t k n o w w h a t c a b i n t o p u t y o u in, s o you're h e r e .
C a b i n eleven t a k e s all n e w c o m e r s , all visitors. N a t u r a l l y , we
w o u l d . H e r m e s , o u r p a t r o n , i s t h e g o d o f travelers."
I l o o k e d at t h e t i n y s e c t i o n of f l o o r they'd given m e . I
h a d n o t h i n g t o p u t t h e r e t o m a r k i t a s m y o w n , n o luggage,
no clothes, no sleeping bag. Just the Minotaur's h o r n . I
t h o u g h t about setting that down, b u t then I remembered
t h a t H e r m e s was also t h e g o d o f thieves.
I l o o k e d a r o u n d a t t h e c a m p e r s ' faces, s o m e sullen a n d
s u s p i c i o u s , s o m e g r i n n i n g stupidly, s o m e eyeing m e a s i f
t h e y were w a i t i n g for a c h a n c e to p i c k my p o c k e t s .
" H o w l o n g will I be here?" I asked.
" G o o d q u e s t i o n , " L u k e said. " U n t i l you're d e t e r m i n e d . "
" H o w l o n g will t h a t take?"
T h e c a m p e r s all l a u g h e d .
" C o m e on," A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . "I'll s h o w y o u t h e v o l leyball c o u r t . "
"I've already seen it."
Lome
on.
She grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside. I could
h e a r t h e k i d s o f c a b i n eleven l a u g h i n g b e h i n d m e .
W h e n we were a few feet away, A n n a b e t h said, " J a c k s o n ,
y o u have t o d o b e t t e r t h a n that."
"What?"
[85]
S h e r o l l e d h e r eyes a n d m u m b l e d u n d e r h e r b r e a t h , " I
can't believe I t h o u g h t y o u were t h e o n e . "
" W h a t ' s y o u r p r o b l e m ? " I was g e t t i n g a n g r y now. "All I
k n o w is, I kill s o m e b u l l g u y — "
" D o n ' t t a l k like t h a t ! " A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . " Y o u k n o w
h o w m a n y k i d s a t t h i s c a m p w i s h they'd h a d y o u r c h a n c e ? "
" T o get k i l l e d ? "
" T o fight the Minotaur! W h a t do you think we train
for?"
I s h o o k my h e a d . " L o o k , if t h e t h i n g I f o u g h t really was
the M i n o t a u r , t h e s a m e o n e in t h e s t o r i e s . . ."
"Yes."
" T h e n there's o n l y one."
"Yes."
" A n d he d i e d , like, a gajillion years ago, right? T h e s e u s
k i l l e d h i m in t h e l a b y r i n t h . So . . ."
" M o n s t e r s d o n ' t die, Percy. T h e y can b e killed. B u t t h e y
d o n ' t die."
" O h , t h a n k s . T h a t clears i t up."
" T h e y d o n ' t have s o u l s , like y o u a n d m e . Y o u c a n d i s p e l
t h e m for a while, m a y b e even for a w h o l e lifetime if you're
lucky. B u t t h e y are p r i m a l forces. C h i r o n calls t h e m a r c h e t y p e s . Eventually, t h e y r e - f o r m . "
I t h o u g h t a b o u t M r s . D o d d s . "You m e a n if I killed one,
accidentally, w i t h a s w o r d — "
" T h e F u r . . . I m e a n , y o u r m a t h teacher. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
She's still o u t t h e r e . Y o u j u s t m a d e h e r very, very m a d . "
" H o w did you know about Mrs. Dodds?"
" Y o u t a l k i n y o u r sleep."
[86]
" Y o u a l m o s t called h e r s o m e t h i n g . A F u r y ? T h e y ' r e
H a d e s ' torturers, right?"
A n n a b e t h glanced nervously at the ground, as if she
e x p e c t e d i t t o o p e n u p a n d swallow her. " Y o u s h o u l d n ' t call
t h e m b y n a m e , even h e r e . W e call t h e m t h e K i n d l y O n e s , i f
w e have t o s p e a k o f t h e m a t all."
" L o o k , is t h e r e a n y t h i n g we can say w i t h o u t it t h u n d e r ing?" I s o u n d e d whiny, even to myself, b u t r i g h t t h e n I
d i d n ' t care. " W h y d o I have t o stay i n c a b i n eleven, anyway?
W h y i s e v e r y b o d y s o c r o w d e d t o g e t h e r ? T h e r e are p l e n t y o f
e m p t y b u n k s r i g h t over there."
I p o i n t e d t o t h e first few c a b i n s , a n d A n n a b e t h t u r n e d
p a l e . " Y o u d o n ' t j u s t c h o o s e a c a b i n , Percy. I t d e p e n d s o n
w h o y o u r p a r e n t s are. Or . . . y o u r p a r e n t . "
S h e s t a r e d a t m e , w a i t i n g for m e t o get it.
" M y m o m i s Sally Jackson," I said. " S h e w o r k s a t t h e
c a n d y s t o r e i n G r a n d C e n t r a l S t a t i o n . A t least, she u s e d t o . "
" I ' m s o r r y a b o u t y o u r m o m , Percy. B u t that's n o t w h a t
I m e a n . I ' m t a l k i n g a b o u t y o u r o t h e r p a r e n t . Y o u r dad."
" H e ' s d e a d . I never k n e w h i m . "
A n n a b e t h sighed. Clearly, she'd h a d this c o n v e r s a t i o n
before w i t h o t h e r k i d s . " Y o u r father's n o t d e a d , Percy."
" H o w c a n y o u say that? Y o u k n o w h i m ? "
" N o , of course not."
" T h e n h o w can you s a y — "
"Because I k n o w you. Y o u w o u l d n ' t be h e r e if y o u weren't
o n e o f us."
"You don't k n o w anything a b o u t me."
" N o ? " S h e r a i s e d a n eyebrow. " I b e t y o u m o v e d a r o u n d
[87]
f r o m s c h o o l t o s c h o o l . I b e t y o u were k i c k e d o u t o f a l o t o f
them."
"How—"
" D i a g n o s e d w i t h dyslexia. P r o b a b l y A D H D , t o o . "
I t r i e d t o swallow m y e m b a r r a s s m e n t . " W h a t d o e s t h a t
have t o d o w i t h a n y t h i n g ? "
" T a k e n t o g e t h e r , it's a l m o s t a sure sign. T h e letters float
o f f t h e p a g e w h e n y o u read, right? T h a t ' s b e c a u s e y o u r m i n d
i s h a r d w i r e d for a n c i e n t G r e e k . A n d t h e A D H D — y o u ' r e
i m p u l s i v e , can't sit still i n t h e c l a s s r o o m . T h a t ' s y o u r b a t t l e field reflexes. In a real fight, t h e y ' d k e e p y o u alive. As for t h e
a t t e n t i o n p r o b l e m s , that's b e c a u s e y o u see t o o m u c h , Percy,
n o t t o o little. Y o u r senses are b e t t e r t h a n a r e g u l a r m o r t a l ' s .
O f course the teachers want you medicated. M o s t o f t h e m
are m o n s t e r s . T h e y d o n ' t w a n t y o u seeing t h e m for w h a t
t h e y are."
" Y o u s o u n d like . . . y o u w e n t t h r o u g h t h e s a m e t h i n g ? "
" M o s t o f t h e k i d s h e r e d i d . I f y o u weren't like us, y o u
c o u l d n ' t have survived t h e M i n o t a u r , m u c h less t h e a m b r o s i a
a n d nectar."
" A m b r o s i a a n d nectar."
" T h e f o o d a n d d r i n k w e were giving y o u t o m a k e y o u
b e t t e r . T h a t s t u f f would've k i l l e d a n o r m a l k i d . I t w o u l d ' v e
t u r n e d y o u r b l o o d t o fire a n d y o u r b o n e s t o s a n d a n d y o u ' d
be d e a d . F a c e it. You're a h a l f - b l o o d . "
A half-blood.
I was reeling w i t h so m a n y q u e s t i o n s I d i d n ' t k n o w
where to start.
T h e n a h u s k y voice yelled, " W e l l ! A n e w b i e ! "
88
I l o o k e d over. T h e b i g girl f r o m t h e ugly r e d c a b i n was
s a u n t e r i n g t o w a r d u s . S h e h a d t h r e e o t h e r girls b e h i n d her,
all b i g a n d ugly a n d m e a n l o o k i n g like her, all w e a r i n g c a m o
jackets.
"Clarisse," A n n a b e t h sighed. " W h y d o n ' t y o u g o p o l i s h
your spear or something?"
" S u r e , M i s s Princess," t h e b i g girl said. " S o I c a n r u n
y o u t h r o u g h w i t h i t F r i d a y night."
"Erre es korakas!" A n n a b e t h said, w h i c h I s o m e h o w u n d e r s t o o d was G r e e k for ' G o to t h e crows!' t h o u g h I h a d a feeling it was a w o r s e curse t h a n it s o u n d e d . " Y o u d o n ' t s t a n d
a chance."
"We'll
pulverize
you,"
Clarisse
said,
but
her
eye
t w i t c h e d . P e r h a p s she wasn't sure she c o u l d follow t h r o u g h
on the threat. She t u r n e d toward me.
" W h o ' s t h i s little
runt?"
"Percy
Jackson,"
Annabeth
said,
"meet
Clarisse,
D a u g h t e r o f Ares."
I b l i n k e d . " L i k e . . . t h e war g o d ? "
Clarisse s n e e r e d . " Y o u g o t a p r o b l e m w i t h t h a t ? "
" N o , " I said, recovering m y w i t s . " I t explains t h e b a d
smell."
Clarisse g r o w l e d . " W e g o t a n i n i t i a t i o n c e r e m o n y for
n e w b i e s , Prissy."
"Percy."
" W h a t e v e r . C o m e o n , I'll s h o w you."
" C l a r i s s e — " A n n a b e t h t r i e d t o say.
" S t a y o u t o f it, wise girl."
A n n a b e t h l o o k e d p a i n e d , b u t s h e d i d stay o u t o f it, a n d
[89]
I d i d n ' t really w a n t h e r h e l p . I was t h e n e w k i d . I h a d to e a r n
my own rep.
I h a n d e d A n n a b e t h my m i n o t a u r h o r n and got ready to
f i g h t , b u t b e f o r e I k n e w it, Clarisse h a d m e b y t h e n e c k a n d
was d r a g g i n g me t o w a r d a c i n d e r - b l o c k b u i l d i n g t h a t I k n e w
i m m e d i a t e l y was t h e b a t h r o o m .
I was k i c k i n g a n d p u n c h i n g . I'd b e e n i n p l e n t y o f f i g h t s
before, b u t t h i s b i g girl Clarisse h a d h a n d s like i r o n . S h e
d r a g g e d m e i n t o t h e girls' b a t h r o o m . T h e r e was a line o f
t o i l e t s o n o n e side a n d a line o f s h o w e r stalls d o w n t h e
o t h e r . It s m e l l e d j u s t like any p u b l i c b a t h r o o m , a n d I was
t h i n k i n g — a s m u c h as I could t h i n k w i t h Clarisse r i p p i n g my
hair o u t — t h a t if this place belonged to the gods, they
s h o u l d ' v e b e e n able t o afford classier J o h n s .
Clarisse's friends were all l a u g h i n g , a n d I was t r y i n g to
f i n d t h e s t r e n g t h I'd u s e d t o f i g h t t h e M i n o t a u r , b u t i t just
wasn't t h e r e .
" L i k e he's 'Big T h r e e ' material," Clarisse said as she
pushed
me
toward
one
of
the
toilets.
"Yeah,
right.
M i n o t a u r p r o b a b l y fell over l a u g h i n g , h e was s o s t u p i d
looking."
H e r friends snickered.
A n n a b e t h s t o o d in the corner, watching through her
fingers.
Clarisse b e n t m e over o n m y k n e e s a n d s t a r t e d p u s h i n g
m y h e a d t o w a r d t h e t o i l e t b o w l . I t r e e k e d like r u s t e d p i p e s
a n d , well, like w h a t goes i n t o t o i l e t s . I s t r a i n e d t o k e e p m y
h e a d u p . I was l o o k i n g at t h e s c u m m y water, t h i n k i n g , I will
n o t go i n t o t h a t . I won't.
[90]
T h e n s o m e t h i n g h a p p e n e d . I felt a t u g i n t h e p i t o f m y
stomach. I heard the plumbing rumble, the pipes shudder.
Clarisse's g r i p o n m y h a i r l o o s e n e d . W a t e r s h o t o u t o f t h e
toilet, m a k i n g a n arc s t r a i g h t over m y h e a d , a n d t h e n e x t
t h i n g I k n e w , I was s p r a w l e d on t h e b a t h r o o m tiles w i t h
Clarisse s c r e a m i n g b e h i n d m e .
I t u r n e d just a s w a t e r b l a s t e d o u t o f t h e t o i l e t again, h i t t i n g Clarisse s t r a i g h t i n t h e face s o h a r d i t p u s h e d h e r d o w n
o n t o h e r b u t t . T h e w a t e r stayed o n h e r like t h e s p r a y f r o m
a fire h o s e , p u s h i n g h e r b a c k w a r d i n t o a s h o w e r stall.
S h e struggled, gasping, and her friends started c o m i n g
t o w a r d her. B u t t h e n t h e o t h e r t o i l e t s e x p l o d e d , t o o , a n d six
m o r e streams of toilet water blasted t h e m back. T h e showers a c t e d u p , t o o , a n d t o g e t h e r all t h e fixtures s p r a y e d t h e
c a m o u f l a g e girls r i g h t o u t o f t h e b a t h r o o m , s p i n n i n g t h e m
a r o u n d like pieces o f g a r b a g e b e i n g w a s h e d away.
As s o o n as t h e y were o u t t h e d o o r , I felt t h e t u g in
m y g u t lessen, a n d t h e w a t e r s h u t o f f a s q u i c k l y a s i t h a d
started.
T h e entire b a t h r o o m was f l o o d e d . A n n a b e t h h a d n ' t
b e e n s p a r e d . S h e was d r i p p i n g wet, b u t she h a d n ' t b e e n
p u s h e d o u t t h e d o o r . S h e was s t a n d i n g i n exactly t h e s a m e
place, s t a r i n g a t m e i n s h o c k .
I l o o k e d d o w n a n d r e a l i z e d I was s i t t i n g in t h e o n l y d r y
s p o t i n t h e w h o l e r o o m . T h e r e was a circle o f d r y f l o o r
a r o u n d m e . I d i d n ' t have o n e d r o p o f w a t e r o n m y c l o t h e s .
Nothing.
I s t o o d u p , my legs shaky.
A n n a b e t h said, " H o w d i d y o u . . ."
[91]
"I don't know."
We walked to
the door.
Outside,
Clarisse a n d h e r
friends were s p r a w l e d i n t h e m u d , a n d a b u n c h o f o t h e r
c a m p e r s h a d g a t h e r e d a r o u n d t o g a w k . Clarisse's h a i r was
f l a t t e n e d across h e r face. H e r c a m o u f l a g e jacket was s o p p i n g a n d s h e s m e l l e d like sewage. S h e gave m e a l o o k o f
a b s o l u t e h a t r e d . " Y o u are d e a d , n e w boy. Y o u are t o t a l l y
dead."
I p r o b a b l y s h o u l d have let it go, b u t I said, " Y o u w a n t
t o gargle w i t h t o i l e t w a t e r again,
Clarisse?
Close your
mouth."
H e r friends h a d t o h o l d h e r b a c k . T h e y d r a g g e d h e r
t o w a r d c a b i n f i v e , w h i l e t h e o t h e r c a m p e r s m a d e way t o
avoid h e r flailing feet.
A n n a b e t h s t a r e d at m e . I c o u l d n ' t tell w h e t h e r she was
j u s t g r o s s e d o u t o r a n g r y a t m e for d o u s i n g her.
" W h a t ? " I d e m a n d e d . " W h a t are y o u t h i n k i n g ? "
" I ' m t h i n k i n g , " s h e said, " t h a t I w a n t y o u o n m y t e a m
for c a p t u r e t h e f l a g . "
[92]
Word
of
the
bathroom
incident
spread
immediately.
W h e r e v e r I went, campers p o i n t e d at me and m u r m u r e d
s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t o i l e t water. O r m a y b e t h e y were j u s t s t a r ing a t A n n a b e t h , w h o was still p r e t t y m u c h d r i p p i n g wet.
S h e s h o w e d m e a few m o r e places: t h e m e t a l s h o p
(where kids
were f o r g i n g t h e i r o w n s w o r d s ) ,
the arts-
a n d - c r a f t s r o o m ( w h e r e satyrs were s a n d b l a s t i n g a g i a n t
m a r b l e s t a t u e o f a g o a t - m a n ) , a n d t h e c l i m b i n g wall, w h i c h
actually c o n s i s t e d o f t w o facing walls t h a t s h o o k violently,
d r o p p e d b o u l d e r s , s p r a y e d lava, a n d c l a s h e d t o g e t h e r i f y o u
d i d n ' t g e t t o t h e t o p fast e n o u g h .
Finally w e r e t u r n e d t o t h e c a n o e i n g lake, w h e r e t h e trail
led b a c k t o t h e c a b i n s .
"I've g o t t r a i n i n g t o do," A n n a b e t h said flatly. " D i n n e r ' s
a t s e v e n - t h i r t y . J u s t follow y o u r c a b i n t o t h e m e s s hall."
" A n n a b e t h , I ' m s o r r y a b o u t t h e toilets."
"Whatever."
" I t wasn't m y fault."
S h e l o o k e d at me skeptically, a n d I realized it was my
fault. I'd m a d e w a t e r s h o o t o u t o f t h e b a t h r o o m fixtures. I
d i d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d how. B u t t h e t o i l e t s h a d r e s p o n d e d t o m e .
I had become one with the plumbing.
[93]
" Y o u n e e d t o t a l k t o t h e O r a c l e , " A n n a b e t h said.
"Who?"
" N o t w h o . W h a t . T h e O r a c l e . I'll ask C h i r o n . "
I s t a r e d i n t o t h e lake, w i s h i n g s o m e b o d y w o u l d give m e
a s t r a i g h t answer for o n c e .
I wasn't e x p e c t i n g a n y b o d y t o b e l o o k i n g b a c k a t m e
from the b o t t o m , so my heart skipped a beat when I noticed
t w o t e e n a g e girls s i t t i n g c r o s s - l e g g e d a t t h e b a s e o f t h e pier,
a b o u t t w e n t y feet below. T h e y w o r e b l u e jeans a n d s h i m mering green T-shirts, a n d their b r o w n hair floated loose
a r o u n d their shoulders as m i n n o w s darted in a n d out. T h e y
s m i l e d a n d waved as if I were a l o n g - l o s t friend.
I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t else to d o . I waved b a c k .
" D o n ' t e n c o u r a g e t h e m , " A n n a b e t h w a r n e d . " N a i a d s are
terrible flirts."
" N a i a d s , " I r e p e a t e d , feeling c o m p l e t e l y o v e r w h e l m e d .
" T h a t ' s it. I w a n t t o g o h o m e now."
Annabeth
frowned.
"Don't
you
get
it,
Percy? Y o u
are h o m e . T h i s i s t h e o n l y safe p l a c e o n e a r t h for k i d s
like us."
"You mean, mentally disturbed kids?"
"I m e a n not human. N o t t o t a l l y h u m a n , anyway. H a l f human."
" H a l f - h u m a n and half-what?"
" I t h i n k y o u know."
I d i d n ' t w a n t to a d m i t it, b u t I was afraid I d i d . I felt a
t i n g l i n g in my l i m b s , a s e n s a t i o n I s o m e t i m e s felt w h e n my
m o m talked about m y dad.
" G o d , " I said. " H a l f - g o d . "
[94]
A n n a b e t h n o d d e d . " Y o u r f a t h e r isn't d e a d , Percy. H e ' s
one of the Olympians."
" T h a t ' s . . . crazy."
"Is it? W h a t ' s t h e m o s t c o m m o n t h i n g g o d s d i d i n t h e
o l d stories? T h e y r a n a r o u n d falling i n love w i t h h u m a n s
a n d having k i d s w i t h t h e m . D o y o u t h i n k they've c h a n g e d
t h e i r h a b i t s i n t h e last few m i l l e n n i a ? "
" B u t t h o s e are j u s t — " I a l m o s t said myths again. T h e n I
r e m e m b e r e d C h i r o n ' s w a r n i n g t h a t i n t w o t h o u s a n d years, I
m i g h t b e c o n s i d e r e d a m y t h . " B u t i f all t h e k i d s h e r e are
half-gods—"
" D e m i g o d s , " A n n a b e t h said. " T h a t ' s t h e official t e r m .
O r half-bloods."
" T h e n who's your dad?"
H e r h a n d s t i g h t e n e d a r o u n d t h e p i e r railing. I g o t t h e
feeling I'd j u s t t r e s p a s s e d on a sensitive subject.
" M y d a d is a p r o f e s s o r at W e s t P o i n t , " she said. "I
haven't
seen
him
since
I
was
very
small.
He
teaches
A m e r i c a n history."
"He's human."
" W h a t ? Y o u a s s u m e i t has t o b e a m a l e g o d w h o finds a
h u m a n female attractive? H o w sexist i s t h a t ? "
" W h o ' s your m o m , then?"
" C a b i n six."
"Meaning?"
A n n a b e t h straightened. "Athena. Goddess of w i s d o m
a n d battle."
O k a y , I t h o u g h t . W h y not?
"And my dad?"
[95]
"Undetermined,"
Annabeth
said,
"like
I
told
you
before. N o b o d y knows."
" E x c e p t m y m o t h e r . S h e knew."
" M a y b e n o t , Percy. G o d s d o n ' t always reveal t h e i r i d e n tities."
" M y d a d w o u l d have. H e loved her."
A n n a b e t h gave m e a c a u t i o u s l o o k . S h e d i d n ' t w a n t t o
b u r s t m y b u b b l e . " M a y b e you're r i g h t . M a y b e he'll s e n d a
sign. T h a t ' s t h e o n l y way t o k n o w for sure: y o u r father has
to s e n d y o u a sign c l a i m i n g y o u as his s o n . S o m e t i m e s it
happens."
"You m e a n sometimes it doesn't?"
A n n a b e t h r a n h e r p a l m a l o n g t h e rail. " T h e g o d s are
busy. T h e y have a l o t of k i d s a n d t h e y d o n ' t always . . . W e l l ,
s o m e t i m e s t h e y d o n ' t care a b o u t u s , Percy. T h e y i g n o r e us."
I t h o u g h t a b o u t s o m e o f t h e k i d s I'd seen i n t h e H e r m e s
cabin, t e e n a g e r s w h o l o o k e d sullen a n d d e p r e s s e d , a s i f t h e y
were w a i t i n g for a call t h a t w o u l d never c o m e . I'd k n o w n
k i d s like t h a t a t Y a n c y A c a d e m y , s h u f f l e d o f f t o b o a r d i n g
s c h o o l b y rich p a r e n t s w h o d i d n ' t have t h e t i m e t o d e a l w i t h
t h e m . But gods s h o u l d behave better.
" S o I ' m s t u c k here," I said. " T h a t ' s it? F o r t h e rest o f m y
life?"
" I t d e p e n d s , " A n n a b e t h said. " S o m e c a m p e r s o n l y stay
t h e s u m m e r . I f you're a c h i l d o f A p h r o d i t e o r D e m e t e r ,
you're p r o b a b l y n o t a real p o w e r f u l force. T h e m o n s t e r s
m i g h t i g n o r e y o u , s o y o u can get b y w i t h a few m o n t h s o f
s u m m e r t r a i n i n g a n d live i n t h e m o r t a l w o r l d t h e rest o f t h e
year. B u t for s o m e o f us, it's t o o d a n g e r o u s t o leave. W e ' r e
[96]
year-rounders. In the m o r t a l world, we attract monsters.
T h e y sense u s . T h e y c o m e t o challenge u s . M o s t o f t h e
t i m e , t h e y ' l l i g n o r e u s u n t i l we're o l d e n o u g h t o cause
t r o u b l e — a b o u t t e n o r eleven years o l d , b u t after t h a t , m o s t
d e m i g o d s e i t h e r m a k e t h e i r way here, o r t h e y get killed off.
A few m a n a g e t o survive i n t h e o u t s i d e w o r l d a n d b e c o m e
f a m o u s . Believe m e , i f I t o l d y o u t h e n a m e s , y o u ' d k n o w
t h e m . S o m e d o n ' t even realize they're d e m i g o d s . B u t very,
very few are like that."
" S o m o n s t e r s can't get i n h e r e ? "
A n n a b e t h s h o o k h e r h e a d . " N o t unless they're i n t e n t i o n a l l y s t o c k e d i n t h e w o o d s o r specially s u m m o n e d b y
s o m e b o d y o n t h e inside."
" W h y would anybody want to s u m m o n a monster?"
" P r a c t i c e fights. P r a c t i c a l jokes."
" P r a c t i c a l jokes?"
" T h e p o i n t is, t h e b o r d e r s are sealed t o k e e p m o r t a l s
and monsters out. F r o m the outside, mortals look into the
valley a n d see n o t h i n g u n u s u a l , j u s t a s t r a w b e r r y farm."
" S o . . . you're a y e a r - r o u n d e r ? "
A n n a b e t h n o d d e d . F r o m u n d e r t h e collar o f h e r T - s h i r t
s h e p u l l e d a l e a t h e r n e c k l a c e w i t h five clay b e a d s of differe n t c o l o r s . I t was j u s t like Luke's, except A n n a b e t h ' s also
h a d a b i g g o l d r i n g s t r u n g on it, like a college ring.
"I've b e e n h e r e since I was seven," she said.
"Every
A u g u s t , o n t h e last d a y o f s u m m e r session, y o u get a b e a d
for surviving a n o t h e r year. I've b e e n h e r e l o n g e r t h a n m o s t
o f t h e c o u n s e l o r s , a n d they're all i n college."
" W h y did you come so young?"
[97]
She twisted the ring on her necklace. " N o n e of your
business."
" O h . " I s t o o d t h e r e for a m i n u t e in u n c o m f o r t a b l e
silence. " S o . . . I c o u l d just w a l k o u t o f h e r e r i g h t n o w i f I
wanted to?"
" I t w o u l d b e suicide, b u t y o u c o u l d , w i t h M r . D ' s o r
Chiron's permission.
B u t t h e y w o u l d n ' t give p e r m i s s i o n
u n t i l t h e e n d of t h e s u m m e r session u n l e s s . . ."
"Unless?"
" Y o u were g r a n t e d a q u e s t . B u t t h a t h a r d l y ever h a p p e n s . T h e last t i m e . . ."
H e r voice t r a i l e d off. I c o u l d tell f r o m h e r t o n e t h a t t h e
last t i m e h a d n ' t g o n e well.
" B a c k in t h e sick r o o m , " I said, " w h e n y o u were f e e d i n g
me that stuff—"
"Ambrosia."
"Yeah. Y o u a s k e d m e s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e s u m m e r
solstice."
Annabeth's shoulders tensed. "So you do k n o w something?"
" W e l l . . . n o . Back at my o l d s c h o o l , I o v e r h e a r d G r o v e r
a n d C h i r o n t a l k i n g a b o u t it. G r o v e r m e n t i o n e d t h e s u m m e r
solstice. H e said s o m e t h i n g like w e d i d n ' t have m u c h t i m e ,
because of the deadline. W h a t did that mean?"
S h e c l e n c h e d h e r fists. " I w i s h I k n e w . C h i r o n a n d t h e
satyrs, t h e y k n o w , b u t t h e y w o n ' t tell m e . S o m e t h i n g i s
w r o n g i n O l y m p u s , s o m e t h i n g p r e t t y major. L a s t t i m e I was
t h e r e , e v e r y t h i n g s e e m e d so normal!'
"You've b e e n t o O l y m p u s ? "
[98]
" S o m e o f u s y e a r - r o u n d e r s — L u k e a n d Clarisse a n d
I a n d a few o t h e r s — w e t o o k a field t r i p d u r i n g w i n t e r
solstice. T h a t ' s
when
the
gods
have
their
big
annual
council."
" B u t . . . h o w d i d y o u get t h e r e ? "
" T h e L o n g Island Railroad, of course. You get off at
P e n n S t a t i o n . E m p i r e S t a t e B u i l d i n g , special elevator t o t h e
six h u n d r e d t h floor." S h e l o o k e d at me like she was sure I
m u s t k n o w t h i s already. " Y o u are a N e w Yorker, r i g h t ? "
" O h , sure." As far as I knew, t h e r e were o n l y a h u n d r e d
a n d two floors in the E m p i r e State Building, b u t I decided
n o t to point that out.
"Right
after w e
visited," A n n a b e t h
continued,
"the
w e a t h e r g o t weird, as if t h e g o d s h a d s t a r t e d fighting. A
c o u p l e o f t i m e s since, I've o v e r h e a r d satyrs talking. T h e b e s t
I can figure o u t is t h a t s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t was s t o l e n .
A n d i f i t isn't r e t u r n e d b y s u m m e r solstice, there's g o i n g t o
b e t r o u b l e . W h e n y o u c a m e , I was h o p i n g . . . I m e a n —
A t h e n a can get a l o n g w i t h j u s t a b o u t a n y b o d y , except for
A r e s . A n d o f c o u r s e she's g o t t h e rivalry w i t h P o s e i d o n .
But, I m e a n , aside f r o m t h a t , I t h o u g h t we c o u l d w o r k
together. I t h o u g h t you might k n o w something."
I s h o o k my h e a d . I w i s h e d I c o u l d h e l p her, b u t I felt
t o o h u n g r y a n d t i r e d a n d m e n t a l l y o v e r l o a d e d t o ask any
more questions.
"I've g o t t o get a quest," A n n a b e t h m u t t e r e d t o h e r self.
" I ' m not t o o y o u n g . I f t h e y w o u l d just tell m e t h e
p r o b l e m . . ."
I could smell barbecue s m o k e c o m i n g from somewhere
[99]
nearby. A n n a b e t h m u s t ' v e h e a r d m y s t o m a c h g r o w l . S h e t o l d
m e t o g o o n , s h e d c a t c h m e later. I left h e r o n t h e pier, t r a c i n g h e r finger across t h e rail as if d r a w i n g a b a t t l e p l a n .
Back a t c a b i n eleven, e v e r y b o d y was t a l k i n g a n d h o r s i n g
a r o u n d , w a i t i n g for d i n n e r . F o r t h e first t i m e , I n o t i c e d t h a t
a l o t o f t h e c a m p e r s h a d s i m i l a r features: s h a r p n o s e s ,
u p t u r n e d eyebrows, m i s c h i e v o u s smiles. T h e y were t h e k i n d
of
kids
that
teachers
would
peg
as
troublemakers.
Thankfully, n o b o d y paid m u c h attention to me as I walked
over t o m y s p o t o n t h e f l o o r a n d p l o p p e d d o w n w i t h m y
minotaur horn.
T h e c o u n s e l o r , L u k e , c a m e over. H e h a d t h e H e r m e s
family r e s e m b l a n c e , t o o . I t was m a r r e d b y t h a t scar o n h i s
r i g h t cheek, b u t h i s s m i l e was i n t a c t .
" F o u n d y o u a s l e e p i n g bag," he said. " A n d here, I s t o l e
y o u s o m e toiletries f r o m t h e c a m p store."
I c o u l d n ' t tell if he was k i d d i n g a b o u t t h e stealing p a r t .
I said, " T h a n k s . "
" N o p r o b . " L u k e sat n e x t t o m e , p u s h e d h i s b a c k against
t h e wall. " T o u g h first day?"
"I d o n ' t b e l o n g here," I said. "I d o n ' t even believe in
gods."
"Yeah," h e said. " T h a t ' s h o w w e all s t a r t e d . O n c e y o u
s t a r t believing in t h e m ? It d o e s n ' t get any easier."
T h e b i t t e r n e s s i n his voice s u r p r i s e d m e , b e c a u s e L u k e
s e e m e d like a p r e t t y easygoing guy. H e l o o k e d like h e c o u l d
h a n d l e just a b o u t a n y t h i n g .
" S o y o u r d a d is H e r m e s ? " I asked.
[100]
H e p u l l e d a s w i t c h b l a d e o u t o f his b a c k p o c k e t , a n d
for a s e c o n d I t h o u g h t h e was g o i n g t o g u t m e , b u t h e
j u s t s c r a p e d t h e m u d o f f t h e sole o f h i s s a n d a l .
"Yeah.
Hermes."
" T h e w i n g - f o o t e d m e s s e n g e r guy."
"That's
him.
Messengers.
M e d i c i n e . Travelers, m e r -
c h a n t s , thieves. A n y b o d y w h o uses t h e r o a d s . T h a t ' s w h y
you're here, enjoying c a b i n eleven's h o s p i t a l i t y . H e r m e s isn't
picky about w h o he sponsors."
I f i g u r e d L u k e d i d n ' t m e a n t o call m e a n o b o d y . H e j u s t
h a d a l o t o n his m i n d .
" Y o u ever m e e t y o u r d a d ? " I asked.
Once.
I waited, t h i n k i n g t h a t i f h e w a n t e d t o tell m e , he'd tell
m e . Apparently, he didn't. I w o n d e r e d if the story h a d anyt h i n g t o d o w i t h h o w h e g o t h i s scar.
L u k e l o o k e d u p a n d m a n a g e d a smile. " D o n ' t w o r r y
a b o u t it, Percy. T h e c a m p e r s here, they're m o s t l y g o o d p e o p l e . A f t e r all, we're e x t e n d e d family, right? W e t a k e care o f
each other."
H e s e e m e d t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w l o s t I felt, a n d I was
g r a t e f u l for t h a t , b e c a u s e a n o l d e r g u y like h i m — e v e n i f h e
was
a c o u n s e l o r — s h o u l d ' v e s t e e r e d clear o f a n u n c o o l
m i d d l e - s c h o o l e r like m e . B u t L u k e h a d w e l c o m e d m e i n t o
t h e c a b i n . H e ' d even s t o l e n m e s o m e toiletries, w h i c h was
t h e n i c e s t t h i n g a n y b o d y h a d d o n e for m e all day.
I d e c i d e d t o ask h i m m y last b i g q u e s t i o n , t h e o n e t h a t
h a d b e e n b o t h e r i n g m e all a f t e r n o o n . " C l a r i s s e , f r o m Ares,
was j o k i n g a b o u t m e
b e i n g 'Big T h r e e ' m a t e r i a l . T h e n
[101]
A n n a b e t h . . . twice, s h e s a i d I m i g h t be ' t h e one.' S h e s a i d I
s h o u l d t a l k t o t h e O r a c l e . W h a t was t h a t all a b o u t ? "
L u k e f o l d e d his knife. " I h a t e p r o p h e c i e s . "
" W h a t do you mean?"
H i s face t w i t c h e d a r o u n d t h e scar.
" L e t ' s j u s t say I
m e s s e d t h i n g s u p for e v e r y b o d y else. T h e last t w o years, ever
since m y t r i p t o t h e G a r d e n o f t h e H e s p e r i d e s w e n t sour,
C h i r o n h a s n ' t allowed any m o r e q u e s t s . A n n a b e t h ' s b e e n
d y i n g t o get o u t i n t o t h e w o r l d . S h e p e s t e r e d C h i r o n s o
m u c h h e f i n a l l y t o l d h e r h e already k n e w h e r fate. H e ' d h a d
a p r o p h e c y f r o m t h e O r a c l e . H e w o u l d n ' t tell h e r t h e w h o l e
t h i n g , b u t h e said A n n a b e t h wasn't d e s t i n e d t o g o o n a q u e s t
yet. S h e h a d t o w a i t u n t i l . . . s o m e b o d y special c a m e t o t h e
camp."
" S o m e b o d y special?"
" D o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t it, kid,"
L u k e said.
"Annabeth
w a n t s t o t h i n k every n e w c a m p e r w h o c o m e s t h r o u g h h e r e
i s t h e o m e n she's b e e n w a i t i n g for. N o w , c o m e o n , it's d i n nertime."
T h e m o m e n t h e said it, a h o r n b l e w i n t h e d i s t a n c e .
S o m e h o w , I k n e w it was a c o n c h shell, even t h o u g h I'd never
heard one before.
L u k e yelled, "Eleven, fall in!"
T h e whole cabin, a b o u t twenty of us, filed into the
c o m m o n s yard. W e l i n e d u p i n o r d e r o f seniority, s o o f
c o u r s e I was d e a d last. C a m p e r s c a m e f r o m t h e o t h e r c a b ins, t o o , except for t h e t h r e e e m p t y c a b i n s a t t h e e n d , a n d
c a b i n eight, w h i c h h a d l o o k e d n o r m a l i n t h e d a y t i m e , b u t
was n o w s t a r t i n g t o glow silver a s t h e s u n w e n t d o w n .
[102]
W e m a r c h e d u p t h e hill t o t h e m e s s h a l l p a v i l i o n . S a t y r s
joined us from the meadow.
Naiads emerged from the
c a n o e i n g lake. A few o t h e r girls c a m e o u t o f t h e w o o d s —
a n d w h e n I say o u t o f t h e w o o d s , I m e a n straight o u t o f t h e
w o o d s . I saw o n e girl, a b o u t n i n e o r t e n years o l d , m e l t f r o m
t h e s i d e o f a m a p l e t r e e a n d c o m e s k i p p i n g u p t h e hill.
In all, t h e r e were m a y b e a h u n d r e d c a m p e r s , a few d o z e n
satyrs, a n d a d o z e n a s s o r t e d w o o d n y m p h s a n d n a i a d s .
At
the
pavilion,
torches
blazed around the
marble
c o l u m n s . A c e n t r a l fire b u r n e d in a b r o n z e b r a z i e r t h e size
o f a b a t h t u b . E a c h c a b i n h a d its o w n table, covered i n w h i t e
c l o t h t r i m m e d i n p u r p l e . F o u r o f t h e t a b l e s were e m p t y , b u t
c a b i n elevens was way o v e r c r o w d e d . I h a d t o s q u e e z e o n t o
t h e e d g e o f a b e n c h w i t h h a l f m y b u t t h a n g i n g off.
I saw G r o v e r s i t t i n g at t a b l e twelve w i t h M r . D, a few
satyrs, a n d a c o u p l e o f p l u m p b l o n d b o y s w h o l o o k e d just
like M r . D . C h i r o n s t o o d t o o n e side, t h e p i c n i c t a b l e b e i n g
way t o o s m a l l for a c e n t a u r .
A n n a b e t h sat at t a b l e six w i t h a b u n c h of s e r i o u s l o o k i n g a t h l e t i c k i d s , all w i t h h e r g r a y eyes a n d h o n e y b l o n d hair.
Clarisse sat b e h i n d m e a t Ares's t a b l e . S h e d a p p a r e n t l y
g o t t e n over b e i n g h o s e d d o w n , b e c a u s e she was l a u g h i n g
a n d b e l c h i n g r i g h t a l o n g s i d e h e r friends.
Finally, C h i r o n p o u n d e d h i s h o o f against t h e m a r b l e
f l o o r o f t h e pavilion, a n d e v e r y b o d y fell silent. H e raised a
glass. " T o t h e g o d s ! "
E v e r y b o d y else raised t h e i r glasses. " T o t h e g o d s ! "
W o o d n y m p h s came forward with platters of food:
[103]
g r a p e s , a p p l e s , s t r a w b e r r i e s , cheese, fresh b r e a d , a n d yes,
b a r b e c u e ! M y glass was e m p t y , b u t L u k e said, " S p e a k t o it.
W h a t e v e r y o u w a n t — n o n a l c o h o l i c , o f course."
I said, " C h e r r y C o k e . "
T h e glass filled w i t h s p a r k l i n g c a r a m e l l i q u i d .
T h e n I h a d an idea. "Blue C h e r r y C o k e . "
T h e soda t u r n e d a violent shade of cobalt.
I t o o k a c a u t i o u s sip. Perfect.
I d r a n k a t o a s t to my m o t h e r .
She's n o t g o n e , I t o l d myself. N o t p e r m a n e n t l y , anyway.
She's in t h e U n d e r w o r l d . A n d if that's a real place, t h e n
someday . . .
" H e r e y o u go, Percy," L u k e said, h a n d i n g m e a p l a t t e r o f
s m o k e d brisket.
I l o a d e d m y p l a t e a n d was a b o u t t o t a k e a b i g b i t e w h e n
I noticed everybody getting up, carrying their plates toward
the fire in the center of the pavilion. I wondered if they
were g o i n g for d e s s e r t o r s o m e t h i n g .
" C o m e on," L u k e t o l d m e .
As I g o t closer, I saw t h a t everyone was t a k i n g a p o r t i o n
of their meal and d r o p p i n g it into the fire, the ripest strawberry, t h e juiciest slice o f beef, t h e w a r m e s t , m o s t b u t t e r y
roll.
L u k e m u r m u r e d i n m y ear,
" B u r n t offerings for t h e
g o d s . T h e y like t h e smell."
"You're k i d d i n g . "
H i s l o o k w a r n e d m e n o t t o t a k e this lightly, b u t I
couldn't help wondering why an immortal,
b e i n g w o u l d like t h e smell o f b u r n i n g f o o d .
[104]
all-powerful
L u k e a p p r o a c h e d t h e fire, b o w e d his h e a d , a n d t o s s e d i n
a c l u s t e r of fat r e d g r a p e s . " H e r m e s . "
I was n e x t .
I w i s h e d I k n e w w h a t god's n a m e to say.
Finally, I m a d e a silent plea. Whoever you are, tell me. Please.
I s c r a p e d a b i g slice of b r i s k e t i n t o t h e flames.
W h e n I c a u g h t a w h i f f of t h e s m o k e , I d i d n ' t gag.
I t s m e l l e d n o t h i n g like b u r n i n g f o o d . I t s m e l l e d o f h o t
chocolate and fresh-baked brownies, hamburgers on the
grill a n d wildflowers, a n d a h u n d r e d o t h e r g o o d t h i n g s t h a t
s h o u l d n ' t have g o n e well t o g e t h e r , b u t d i d . I c o u l d a l m o s t
believe t h e g o d s c o u l d live o f f t h a t s m o k e .
W h e n e v e r y b o d y h a d r e t u r n e d t o t h e i r seats a n d fini s h e d e a t i n g t h e i r m e a l s , C h i r o n p o u n d e d his h o o f again for
our attention.
M r . D g o t up w i t h a h u g e sigh. "Yes, I s u p p o s e I'd b e t ter say h e l l o t o all y o u b r a t s . W e l l , h e l l o . O u r activities
d i r e c t o r , C h i r o n , says t h e n e x t c a p t u r e t h e flag is Friday.
C a b i n five p r e s e n t l y h o l d s t h e laurels."
A b u n c h o f ugly c h e e r i n g r o s e f r o m t h e Ares t a b l e .
"Personally," M r . D c o n t i n u e d , " I c o u l d n ' t care less, b u t
c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s . A l s o , I s h o u l d tell y o u t h a t we have a n e w
camper today. Peter Johnson."
Chiron murmured something.
"Er, P e r c y Jackson," M r . D c o r r e c t e d .
"That's right.
H u r r a h , a n d all t h a t . N o w r u n a l o n g t o y o u r silly c a m p f i r e .
G o on."
E v e r y b o d y cheered. W e all h e a d e d d o w n t o w a r d t h e
a m p h i t h e a t e r , w h e r e A p o l l o ' s c a b i n led a s i n g - a l o n g . W e
[105]
s a n g c a m p s o n g s a b o u t t h e g o d s a n d ate s ' m o r e s a n d j o k e d
a r o u n d , a n d t h e f u n n y t h i n g was, I d i d n ' t feel t h a t a n y o n e
was s t a r i n g at me a n y m o r e . I felt t h a t I was h o m e .
L a t e r i n t h e evening, w h e n t h e s p a r k s f r o m t h e c a m p f i r e
were c u r l i n g i n t o a s t a r r y sky, t h e c o n c h h o r n blew again,
a n d we all filed b a c k to o u r c a b i n s . I d i d n ' t realize h o w
e x h a u s t e d I was u n t i l I c o l l a p s e d on my b o r r o w e d s l e e p i n g
bag.
My
fingers
curled
around
the
Minotaur's
horn.
I
t h o u g h t a b o u t m y m o m , b u t I h a d g o o d t h o u g h t s : h e r smile,
t h e b e d t i m e stories she w o u l d r e a d me w h e n I was a k i d , t h e
w a y s h e w o u l d tell m e n o t t o let t h e b e d b u g s b i t e .
W h e n I c l o s e d my eyes, I fell asleep instantly.
T h a t was m y first day a t C a m p H a l f - B l o o d .
I w i s h I'd k n o w n h o w briefly I w o u l d get to enjoy my
new home.
[106]
T h e n e x t few days I s e t t l e d i n t o a r o u t i n e t h a t felt a l m o s t
n o r m a l , i f y o u d o n ' t c o u n t t h e fact t h a t I was g e t t i n g l e s s o n s
f r o m satyrs, n y m p h s , a n d a c e n t a u r .
Each m o r n i n g I t o o k Ancient Greek from Annabeth,
and we talked about the gods and goddesses in the present
t e n s e , w h i c h was k i n d o f weird. I discovered A n n a b e t h was
r i g h t a b o u t m y dyslexia: A n c i e n t G r e e k wasn't t h a t h a r d for
m e t o read. A t least, n o h a r d e r t h a n E n g l i s h . A f t e r a c o u p l e
o f m o r n i n g s , I c o u l d s t u m b l e t h r o u g h a few lines o f H o m e r
without too much headache.
T h e rest o f t h e day, I'd r o t a t e t h r o u g h o u t d o o r activities, l o o k i n g for s o m e t h i n g I was g o o d at. C h i r o n t r i e d t o
t e a c h m e archery, b u t w e f o u n d o u t p r e t t y q u i c k I wasn't any
g o o d w i t h a b o w a n d arrow. H e d i d n ' t c o m p l a i n , even w h e n
h e h a d t o d e s n a g a stray a r r o w o u t o f h i s tail.
F o o t racing? N o g o o d either. T h e w o o d - n y m p h i n s t r u c t o r s left m e i n t h e d u s t . T h e y t o l d m e n o t t o w o r r y a b o u t
it. T h e y ' d h a d c e n t u r i e s o f p r a c t i c e r u n n i n g away f r o m
lovesick g o d s . B u t still, it was a little h u m i l i a t i n g to be
slower t h a n a tree.
A n d wrestling? F o r g e t it. E v e r y t i m e I g o t o n t h e m a t ,
Clarisse w o u l d p u l v e r i z e m e .
[107]
"Theres
more
where
that
came
from,
punk,"
she'd
m u m b l e i n m y ear.
T h e o n l y t h i n g I really excelled a t was c a n o e i n g , a n d
t h a t wasn't t h e k i n d o f h e r o i c skill p e o p l e e x p e c t e d t o see
from the kid who had beaten the Minotaur.
I k n e w t h e s e n i o r c a m p e r s a n d c o u n s e l o r s were w a t c h ing m e , t r y i n g t o d e c i d e w h o m y d a d was, b u t t h e y weren't
h a v i n g an easy t i m e of it. I wasn't as s t r o n g as t h e Ares k i d s ,
or as g o o d at a r c h e r y as t h e A p o l l o k i d s . I d i d n ' t have
Hephaestus's
skill
with
metalwork
or—gods
forbid—
D i o n y s u s ' s way w i t h vine p l a n t s . L u k e t o l d m e I m i g h t
be a child of H e r m e s , a k i n d of j a c k - o f - a l l - t r a d e s , m a s t e r
o f n o n e . B u t I g o t t h e feeling h e was j u s t t r y i n g t o m a k e
m e feel b e t t e r . H e really d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t o m a k e o f m e
either.
D e s p i t e all t h a t , I liked c a m p . I g o t u s e d t o t h e m o r n ing fog over t h e b e a c h , t h e s m e l l o f h o t s t r a w b e r r y fields i n
t h e a f t e r n o o n , even t h e weird noises o f m o n s t e r s i n t h e
w o o d s a t n i g h t . I w o u l d eat d i n n e r w i t h c a b i n eleven, s c r a p e
p a r t o f m y m e a l i n t o t h e fire, a n d t r y t o feel s o m e c o n n e c t i o n t o m y real d a d . N o t h i n g c a m e . J u s t t h a t w a r m feeling
I'd always h a d , like t h e m e m o r y o f his smile. I t r i e d n o t t o
think too much about my m o m , but I kept wondering: if
g o d s a n d m o n s t e r s were real, i f all t h i s m a g i c a l s t u f f was
p o s s i b l e , surely t h e r e was s o m e way t o save her, t o b r i n g h e r
back. . . .
I s t a r t e d t o u n d e r s t a n d Luke's b i t t e r n e s s a n d h o w h e
s e e m e d t o r e s e n t h i s father, H e r m e s . S o okay, m a y b e g o d s
h a d i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s t o d o . B u t c o u l d n ' t t h e y call o n c e i n a
[108]
while, o r t h u n d e r , o r s o m e t h i n g ? D i o n y s u s c o u l d m a k e D i e t
C o k e a p p e a r o u t o f t h i n air. W h y c o u l d n ' t m y d a d , w h o ever he was, m a k e a p h o n e appear?
T h u r s d a y a f t e r n o o n , t h r e e d a y s after I'd arrived a t C a m p
H a l f - B l o o d , I h a d m y first s w o r d - f i g h t i n g l e s s o n . E v e r y b o d y f r o m c a b i n eleven g a t h e r e d i n t h e b i g circular arena,
where Luke would be our instructor.
We started with basic stabbing and slashing, using s o m e
s t r a w - s t u f f e d d u m m i e s in G r e e k a r m o r . I guess I d i d okay.
A t least, I u n d e r s t o o d w h a t I was s u p p o s e d t o d o a n d m y
reflexes were g o o d .
T h e p r o b l e m was, I c o u l d n ' t find a b l a d e t h a t felt r i g h t
i n m y h a n d s . E i t h e r t h e y were t o o heavy, o r t o o light, o r t o o
l o n g . L u k e t r i e d his b e s t t o fix m e u p , b u t h e a g r e e d t h a t
n o n e o f t h e p r a c t i c e b l a d e s s e e m e d t o w o r k for m e .
We moved on to dueling in pairs. Luke a n n o u n c e d he
w o u l d b e m y p a r t n e r , since t h i s was m y first t i m e .
" G o o d luck," o n e o f t h e c a m p e r s t o l d m e . " L u k e ' s t h e
b e s t s w o r d s m a n i n t h e last t h r e e h u n d r e d years."
" M a y b e he'll go easy on m e , " I said.
T h e camper snorted.
Luke showed me thrusts a n d parries and shield blocks
t h e h a r d way. W i t h every swipe, I g o t a little m o r e b a t t e r e d
a n d b r u i s e d . " K e e p y o u r g u a r d u p , Percy," he'd say, t h e n
w h a p m e i n t h e ribs w i t h t h e f l a t o f h i s b l a d e . " N o , n o t t h a t
far u p ! " Whap! " L u n g e ! " Whap! " N o w , back!" Whap!
By t h e t i m e he called a b r e a k , I was s o a k e d in sweat.
E v e r y b o d y s w a r m e d t h e d r i n k s cooler. L u k e p o u r e d ice
[109]
w a t e r on his h e a d , w h i c h l o o k e d like s u c h a g o o d idea, I d i d
the same.
Instantly, I felt b e t t e r . S t r e n g t h s u r g e d b a c k i n t o my
a r m s . T h e s w o r d d i d n ' t feel s o a w k w a r d .
" O k a y , e v e r y b o d y circle u p ! " L u k e o r d e r e d . " I f P e r c y
d o e s n ' t m i n d , I w a n t to give y o u a little d e m o . "
G r e a t , I t h o u g h t . Let's all w a t c h P e r c y get p o u n d e d .
T h e H e r m e s guys g a t h e r e d a r o u n d . T h e y were s u p p r e s s i n g smiles. I figured t h e y ' d b e e n in my s h o e s before a n d
c o u l d n ' t wait t o see h o w L u k e u s e d m e for a p u n c h i n g bag.
H e t o l d e v e r y b o d y h e was g o i n g t o d e m o n s t r a t e a d i s a r m i n g t e c h n i q u e : h o w t o t w i s t t h e enemy's b l a d e w i t h t h e flat
o f y o u r o w n s w o r d s o t h a t h e h a d n o choice b u t t o d r o p his
weapon.
" T h i s i s difficult," h e stressed. "I've h a d i t u s e d a g a i n s t
m e . N o l a u g h i n g a t Percy, now. M o s t s w o r d s m e n have t o
w o r k years t o m a s t e r this t e c h n i q u e . "
H e d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e m o v e o n m e i n slow m o t i o n . S u r e
enough, the sword clattered o u t of my h a n d .
" N o w i n real t i m e , " h e said, after I'd retrieved m y
w e a p o n . " W e k e e p s p a r r i n g u n t i l o n e o f u s p u l l s i t off.
R e a d y , Percy?"
I n o d d e d , a n d L u k e c a m e after m e . S o m e h o w , I k e p t
h i m f r o m g e t t i n g a s h o t a t t h e h i l t o f m y s w o r d . M y senses
o p e n e d u p . I saw h i s a t t a c k s c o m i n g . I c o u n t e r e d . I s t e p p e d
f o r w a r d a n d t r i e d a t h r u s t o f m y o w n . L u k e d e f l e c t e d i t easily, b u t I saw a c h a n g e in his face. H i s eyes n a r r o w e d , a n d he
s t a r t e d t o p r e s s m e w i t h m o r e force.
T h e s w o r d g r e w heavy i n m y h a n d . T h e b a l a n c e wasn't
[110]
r i g h t . I k n e w it was o n l y a m a t t e r of s e c o n d s b e f o r e L u k e
t o o k m e d o w n , s o I figured, W h a t t h e heck?
I tried the disarming maneuver.
M y b l a d e h i t t h e b a s e o f Luke's a n d I t w i s t e d , p u t t i n g
my whole weight into a downward thrust.
Clang.
Luke's s w o r d r a t t l e d a g a i n s t t h e s t o n e s . T h e t i p o f m y
b l a d e was a n i n c h f r o m his u n d e f e n d e d chest.
T h e o t h e r c a m p e r s were silent.
I l o w e r e d m y s w o r d . " U m , sorry."
F o r a m o m e n t , L u k e was t o o s t u n n e d t o s p e a k .
" S o r r y ? " H i s s c a r r e d face b r o k e i n t o a g r i n . "By t h e
g o d s , Percy, w h y are y o u s o r r y ? S h o w m e t h a t again!"
I didn't want to. T h e short burst of manic energy h a d
c o m p l e t e l y a b a n d o n e d m e . B u t L u k e insisted.
T h i s time,
t h e r e was n o
contest. T h e m o m e n t our
swords connected, Luke hit my hilt a n d sent my weapon
s k i d d i n g across t h e floor.
After a l o n g p a u s e , s o m e b o d y in t h e a u d i e n c e said,
"Beginner's l u c k ? "
L u k e w i p e d t h e sweat o f f h i s brow. H e a p p r a i s e d a t m e
w i t h a n entirely n e w interest. " M a y b e , " h e said. " B u t I w o n d e r w h a t P e r c y c o u l d do w i t h a b a l a n c e d sword. . . ."
F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n , I was s i t t i n g w i t h G r o v e r at t h e lake, r e s t ing f r o m a n e a r - d e a t h experience o n t h e c l i m b i n g wall.
G r o v e r h a d s c a m p e r e d t o t h e t o p like a m o u n t a i n goat, b u t
t h e lava h a d a l m o s t g o t t e n m e . M y s h i r t h a d s m o k i n g h o l e s
i n it. T h e h a i r s h a d b e e n s i n g e d o f f m y f o r e a r m s .
[111]
W e sat o n t h e pier, w a t c h i n g t h e n a i a d s d o u n d e r w a t e r
b a s k e t - w e a v i n g , u n t i l I g o t u p t h e n e r v e t o ask G r o v e r h o w
his conversation h a d gone w i t h M r . D .
H i s face t u r n e d a sickly s h a d e of yellow.
" F i n e , " h e said. " J u s t great."
" S o y o u r career's still o n t r a c k ? "
H e g l a n c e d a t m e nervously. " C h i r o n t - t o l d y o u I w a n t
a searcher's license?"
" W e l l . . . no." I h a d no idea w h a t a searcher's license was,
b u t i t d i d n ' t s e e m like t h e r i g h t t i m e t o ask. " H e just said y o u
h a d big p l a n s , y o u k n o w . . . a n d t h a t y o u n e e d e d credit for
c o m p l e t i n g a keeper's a s s i g n m e n t . So d i d y o u get it?"
Grover looked d o w n at the naiads. " M r . D suspended
j u d g m e n t . H e said I h a d n ' t failed o r s u c c e e d e d w i t h y o u yet,
so o u r fates were still t i e d t o g e t h e r . If y o u g o t a q u e s t a n d I
w e n t a l o n g t o p r o t e c t you, a n d w e b o t h c a m e b a c k alive,
t h e n m a y b e he'd c o n s i d e r t h e j o b c o m p l e t e . "
M y s p i r i t s lifted. " W e l l , that's n o t s o b a d , r i g h t ? "
"Blaa~ha~ha! H e m i g h t a s well have t r a n s f e r r e d m e t o
stable-cleaning duty. T h e chances of y o u g e t t i n g a q u e s t . . .
a n d even i f y o u d i d , w h y w o u l d y o u w a n t m e a l o n g ? "
" O f c o u r s e I'd w a n t y o u along!"
Grover stared g l u m l y i n t o t h e water. "Basket-weaving . . .
M u s t be nice to have a useful skill."
I t r i e d t o reassure h i m t h a t h e h a d l o t s o f t a l e n t s , b u t
t h a t just m a d e h i m look m o r e miserable. W e talked a b o u t
c a n o e i n g a n d s w o r d p l a y for a while, t h e n d e b a t e d t h e p r o s
a n d c o n s o f t h e different g o d s . Finally, I a s k e d h i m a b o u t
t h e four e m p t y c a b i n s .
[112]
" N u m b e r eight, t h e silver o n e , b e l o n g s t o A r t e m i s , " h e
said. " S h e v o w e d t o b e a m a i d e n forever. S o o f c o u r s e , n o
k i d s . T h e c a b i n is, y o u k n o w , h o n o r a r y . I f s h e d i d n ' t have
o n e , she'd b e m a d . "
"Yeah, okay. B u t t h e o t h e r t h r e e , t h e o n e s a t t h e e n d .
A r e t h o s e t h e Big T h r e e ? "
G r o v e r t e n s e d . W e w e r e g e t t i n g close t o a t o u c h y subject.
" N o . O n e o f t h e m , n u m b e r t w o , i s H e r a ' s , " h e said. " T h a t ' s
a n o t h e r h o n o r a r y t h i n g . She's t h e g o d d e s s o f m a r r i a g e , s o
o f c o u r s e s h e w o u l d n ' t g o a r o u n d h a v i n g affairs w i t h m o r tals. T h a t ' s h e r h u s b a n d ' s j o b . W h e n w e say t h e Big T h r e e ,
we m e a n the three powerful brothers, the sons of Kronos."
"Zeus, Poseidon, Hades."
" R i g h t . You know. After the great battle with t h e Titans,
t h e y t o o k over t h e w o r l d f r o m t h e i r d a d a n d d r e w l o t s t o
d e c i d e w h o g o t what."
" Z e u s g o t t h e sky," I r e m e m b e r e d . " P o s e i d o n t h e sea,
H a d e s the Underworld."
"Uh-huh."
" B u t H a d e s d o e s n ' t have a c a b i n here."
" N o . H e d o e s n ' t have a t h r o n e o n O l y m p u s , either. H e
s o r t o f d o e s his o w n t h i n g d o w n i n t h e U n d e r w o r l d . I f h e
d i d have a c a b i n h e r e . . ." G r o v e r s h u d d e r e d . " W e l l , it
w o u l d n ' t be p l e a s a n t . Let's leave it at that."
" B u t Z e u s a n d P o s e i d o n — t h e y b o t h h a d , like, a b a z i l l i o n k i d s i n t h e m y t h s . W h y are t h e i r c a b i n s e m p t y ? "
G r o v e r s h i f t e d his h o o v e s u n c o m f o r t a b l y . " A b o u t sixty
years ago, after W o r l d W a r II, t h e Big T h r e e a g r e e d t h e y
w o u l d n ' t sire any m o r e h e r o e s . T h e i r c h i l d r e n were j u s t t o o
[113]
p o w e r f u l . T h e y were affecting t h e c o u r s e o f h u m a n events
t o o m u c h , c a u s i n g t o o m u c h c a r n a g e . W o r l d W a r II, y o u
k n o w , t h a t was basically a fight b e t w e e n t h e s o n s o f Z e u s
a n d P o s e i d o n o n o n e side, a n d t h e s o n s o f H a d e s o n t h e
o t h e r . T h e w i n n i n g side, Z e u s a n d P o s e i d o n , m a d e H a d e s
swear a n o a t h w i t h t h e m : n o m o r e affairs w i t h m o r t a l
w o m e n . T h e y all swore o n t h e R i v e r Styx."
Thunder boomed.
I said, " T h a t ' s t h e m o s t s e r i o u s o a t h y o u c a n m a k e . "
Grover n o d d e d .
"And the brothers kept their w o r d — n o kids?"
Grover's face d a r k e n e d . " S e v e n t e e n years ago, Z e u s fell
o f f t h e w a g o n . T h e r e was this T V starlet w i t h a b i g f l u f f y
eighties h a i r d o — h e j u s t c o u l d n ' t h e l p himself. W h e n t h e i r
c h i l d was b o r n , a little girl n a m e d T h a l i a . . . well, t h e R i v e r
S t y x i s s e r i o u s a b o u t p r o m i s e s . Z e u s h i m s e l f g o t o f f easy
b e c a u s e he's i m m o r t a l , b u t h e b r o u g h t a t e r r i b l e fate o n his
daughter."
" B u t t h a t isn't fair! It wasn't t h e little girl's fault."
G r o v e r h e s i t a t e d . "Percy, c h i l d r e n o f t h e Big T h r e e have
p o w e r s g r e a t e r t h a n o t h e r h a l f - b l o o d s . T h e y have a s t r o n g
aura, a s c e n t t h a t a t t r a c t s m o n s t e r s . W h e n H a d e s f o u n d o u t
a b o u t t h e girl, h e wasn't t o o h a p p y a b o u t Z e u s b r e a k i n g his
o a t h . H a d e s let t h e w o r s t m o n s t e r s o u t o f T a r t a r u s t o t o r m e n t T h a l i a . A satyr was a s s i g n e d t o b e h e r k e e p e r w h e n she
was twelve, b u t t h e r e was n o t h i n g h e c o u l d d o . H e t r i e d t o
e s c o r t h e r h e r e w i t h a c o u p l e o f o t h e r h a l f - b l o o d s she'd
b e f r i e n d e d . T h e y a l m o s t m a d e it. T h e y g o t all t h e way t o t h e
t o p o f t h a t hill."
[114]
H e p o i n t e d across t h e valley, t o t h e p i n e tree w h e r e I d
fought the minotaur.
"All t h r e e K i n d l y O n e s were after
t h e m , along with a h o a r d of h e l l h o u n d s . T h e y were a b o u t
t o b e o v e r r u n w h e n T h a l i a t o l d h e r satyr t o t a k e t h e o t h e r
t w o h a l f - b l o o d s t o safety while she h e l d o f f t h e m o n s t e r s .
S h e was w o u n d e d a n d tired, a n d she d i d n ' t w a n t t o live like
a h u n t e d a n i m a l . T h e satyr d i d n ' t w a n t t o leave her, b u t h e
couldn't change her m i n d , and he h a d to p r o t e c t the others.
S o T h a l i a m a d e h e r final s t a n d a l o n e , a t t h e t o p o f t h a t hill.
A s she d i e d , Z e u s t o o k p i t y o n her. H e t u r n e d h e r i n t o t h a t
p i n e tree. H e r s p i r i t still h e l p s p r o t e c t t h e b o r d e r s o f t h e
valley. T h a t ' s w h y t h e hill is called H a l f - B l o o d H i l l . "
I s t a r e d at t h e p i n e in t h e d i s t a n c e .
T h e s t o r y m a d e m e feel hollow, a n d guilty t o o . A girl
m y age h a d sacrificed h e r s e l f t o save h e r friends. S h e h a d
faced a w h o l e a r m y o f m o n s t e r s . N e x t t o t h a t , m y v i c t o r y
over t h e M i n o t a u r d i d n ' t s e e m like m u c h . I w o n d e r e d , if I'd
a c t e d differently, c o u l d I have saved my m o t h e r ?
"Grover," I said, "have h e r o e s really g o n e on q u e s t s to
the Underworld?"
" S o m e t i m e s , " h e said. " O r p h e u s . H e r c u l e s . H o u d i n i . "
"And
have
they
ever
returned
somebody
from
the
dead?"
" N o . N e v e r . O r p h e u s c a m e close. . . . Percy, you're n o t
seriously t h i n k i n g — "
" N o , " I lied. " I was just w o n d e r i n g . S o . . . a satyr i s
always a s s i g n e d to g u a r d a d e m i g o d ? "
G r o v e r s t u d i e d m e warily. I h a d n ' t p e r s u a d e d h i m t h a t
I ' d really d r o p p e d t h e U n d e r w o r l d idea. " N o t always. W e g o
[115]
u n d e r c o v e r t o a l o t o f s c h o o l s . W e t r y t o sniff o u t t h e halfb l o o d s w h o have t h e m a k i n g s o f g r e a t h e r o e s . I f w e f i n d
o n e w i t h a very s t r o n g aura, like a c h i l d o f t h e Big T h r e e ,
w e alert C h i r o n . H e tries t o k e e p a n eye o n t h e m , since t h e y
c o u l d cause really h u g e p r o b l e m s . "
" A n d y o u f o u n d m e . C h i r o n said y o u t h o u g h t I m i g h t
b e s o m e t h i n g special."
Grover looked as if Id just led h i m into a trap.
"I
d i d n ' t . . . O h , listen, d o n ' t t h i n k like t h a t . If y o u were—you
k n o w — y o u ' d never ever be allowed a q u e s t , a n d I'd never get
m y license. You're p r o b a b l y a c h i l d o f H e r m e s . O r m a y b e
even o n e o f t h e m i n o r g o d s , like N e m e s i s , t h e g o d o f
revenge. D o n ' t w o r r y , o k a y ? "
I g o t t h e idea h e was r e a s s u r i n g h i m s e l f m o r e t h a n m e .
T h a t n i g h t after d i n n e r , t h e r e was a l o t m o r e e x c i t e m e n t
than usual.
At last, it was t i m e for c a p t u r e t h e flag.
W h e n t h e p l a t e s were cleared away, t h e c o n c h h o r n
s o u n d e d a n d w e all s t o o d a t o u r tables.
C a m p e r s yelled a n d c h e e r e d a s A n n a b e t h a n d t w o o f
h e r siblings r a n i n t o t h e p a v i l i o n c a r r y i n g a silk b a n n e r . It
was a b o u t t e n feet l o n g , g l i s t e n i n g gray, w i t h a p a i n t i n g o f
a b a r n o w l above a n olive tree. F r o m t h e o p p o s i t e side o f
t h e pavilion, Clarisse a n d h e r b u d d i e s r a n i n w i t h a n o t h e r
b a n n e r , o f i d e n t i c a l size, b u t g a u d y red, p a i n t e d w i t h a
b l o o d y spear a n d a boar's head.
I t u r n e d t o L u k e a n d yelled over t h e n o i s e , " T h o s e are
the flags?"
[116]
"Yeah."
"Ares a n d A t h e n a always l e a d t h e t e a m s ? "
" N o t always," h e said. " B u t often."
"So, if another cabin captures one, what do you d o —
r e p a i n t t h e flag?"
H e g r i n n e d . " Y o u ' l l see. F i r s t w e have t o get o n e . "
" W h o s e side are w e o n ? "
H e gave m e a sly l o o k , a s i f h e k n e w s o m e t h i n g I
d i d n ' t . T h e scar o n h i s face m a d e h i m l o o k a l m o s t evil i n t h e
t o r c h l i g h t . " W e ' v e m a d e a t e m p o r a r y alliance w i t h A t h e n a .
T o n i g h t , w e get t h e flag f r o m A r e s . A n d you are g o i n g t o
help."
The
teams
were
announced.
Athena
had
made
an
alliance w i t h A p o l l o a n d H e r m e s , t h e t w o b i g g e s t c a b i n s .
Apparently,
privileges
had
been
traded—shower
times,
c h o r e s c h e d u l e s , t h e b e s t slots for a c t i v i t i e s — i n o r d e r t o
win support.
Ares
had
allied
themselves
with
everybody
else:
Dionysus, Demeter, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus. F r o m what
I'd seen, D i o n y s u s ' s k i d s were actually g o o d athletes, b u t
t h e r e were o n l y t w o o f t h e m . D e m e t e r ' s k i d s h a d t h e e d g e
w i t h n a t u r e skills a n d o u t d o o r stuff, b u t t h e y weren't v e r y
aggressive. A p h r o d i t e ' s s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s I wasn't t o o w o r r i e d a b o u t . T h e y m o s t l y sat o u t every activity a n d c h e c k e d
t h e i r reflections i n t h e lake a n d d i d t h e i r h a i r a n d g o s s i p e d .
H e p h a e s t u s ' s k i d s weren't pretty, a n d t h e r e were o n l y f o u r o f
t h e m , b u t t h e y were b i g a n d b u r l y f r o m w o r k i n g i n t h e
m e t a l s h o p all day. T h e y m i g h t b e a p r o b l e m . T h a t , o f
c o u r s e , left Ares's c a b i n : a d o z e n of t h e biggest, ugliest,
[117]
m e a n e s t k i d s o n L o n g I s l a n d , o r a n y w h e r e else o n t h e
planet.
C h i r o n h a m m e r e d his h o o f o n t h e m a r b l e .
"Heroes!" he announced.
"You k n o w t h e rules. T h e
creek is t h e b o u n d a r y line. T h e entire forest is fair g a m e . A l l
m a g i c i t e m s are allowed. T h e b a n n e r m u s t b e p r o m i n e n t l y
displayed, a n d have n o m o r e t h a n t w o g u a r d s . P r i s o n e r s m a y
b e d i s a r m e d , b u t m a y n o t b e b o u n d o r gagged. N o k i l l i n g
or m a i m i n g is allowed. I will serve as referee a n d battlefield
m e d i c . A r m yourselves!"
H e s p r e a d h i s h a n d s , a n d t h e tables were s u d d e n l y covered
with
equipment:
helmets,
bronze
swords,
spears,
oxhide shields coated in metal.
" W h o a , " I said. " W e ' r e really s u p p o s e d t o use t h e s e ? "
L u k e l o o k e d at me as if I were crazy. " U n l e s s y o u w a n t
t o get skewered b y y o u r friends i n c a b i n f i v e . H e r e — C h i r o n
t h o u g h t these would fit. You'll be on border patrol."
M y s h i e l d was t h e size o f a n N B A b a c k b o a r d , w i t h a
big caduceus in the middle. It weighed a b o u t a million
p o u n d s . I c o u l d have s n o w b o a r d e d o n i t f i n e , b u t I h o p e d
n o b o d y seriously e x p e c t e d m e t o r u n fast. M y h e l m e t , like
all t h e h e l m e t s o n A t h e n a ' s side, h a d a b l u e h o r s e h a i r p l u m e
o n t o p . A r e s a n d t h e i r allies h a d r e d p l u m e s .
A n n a b e t h yelled, "Blue t e a m , f o r w a r d ! "
W e c h e e r e d a n d s h o o k o u r s w o r d s a n d followed h e r
d o w n t h e p a t h t o t h e s o u t h w o o d s . T h e r e d t e a m yelled
taunts at us as they headed off toward the north.
I managed to catch up with A n n a b e t h w i t h o u t tripping
over m y e q u i p m e n t . " H e y . "
[118]
She kept marching.
" S o what's t h e p l a n ? " I a s k e d . " G o t any m a g i c i t e m s y o u
can loan me?"
H e r h a n d d r i f t e d t o w a r d h e r p o c k e t , a s i f she were
afraid I'd s t o l e n s o m e t h i n g .
"Just w a t c h Clarisse's spear," she said. " Y o u d o n ' t w a n t
t h a t thing touching you. Otherwise, don't worry. We'll take
t h e b a n n e r f r o m A r e s . H a s L u k e given y o u y o u r j o b ? "
"Border patrol, whatever t h a t means."
"It's easy. S t a n d by t h e creek, k e e p t h e r e d s away. Leave
t h e rest t o m e . A t h e n a always h a s a p l a n . "
S h e p u s h e d a h e a d , leaving m e i n t h e d u s t .
"Okay," I m u m b l e d . " G l a d y o u w a n t e d m e o n y o u r team."
I t was a w a r m , sticky n i g h t . T h e w o o d s were d a r k , w i t h
fireflies p o p p i n g i n a n d o u t o f view. A n n a b e t h s t a t i o n e d m e
n e x t to a little creek t h a t g u r g l e d over s o m e r o c k s , t h e n she
a n d t h e rest o f t h e t e a m s c a t t e r e d i n t o t h e trees.
Standing there alone, with my big blue-feathered helmet
a n d m y h u g e shield, I felt like a n i d i o t . T h e b r o n z e sword,
like all t h e s w o r d s I'd t r i e d so far, s e e m e d b a l a n c e d w r o n g .
T h e l e a t h e r g r i p p u l l e d o n m y h a n d like a b o w l i n g ball.
T h e r e was n o way a n y b o d y w o u l d actually a t t a c k m e ,
w o u l d they? I m e a n , O l y m p u s h a d t o have liability issues,
right?
F a r away, t h e c o n c h h o r n blew. I h e a r d w h o o p s a n d yells
i n t h e w o o d s , t h e c l a n k i n g o f m e t a l , k i d s fighting. A b l u e p l u m e d ally f r o m A p o l l o r a c e d p a s t me like a deer, l e a p e d
t h r o u g h t h e creek, a n d d i s a p p e a r e d i n t o e n e m y t e r r i t o r y .
G r e a t , I t h o u g h t . I'll m i s s all t h e fun, as u s u a l .
[119]
T h e n I h e a r d a s o u n d t h a t s e n t a chill up my s p i n e , a
l o w c a n i n e g r o w l , s o m e w h e r e close by.
I raised my s h i e l d instinctively; I h a d t h e feeling s o m e t h i n g was s t a l k i n g m e .
T h e n t h e g r o w l i n g s t o p p e d . I felt t h e p r e s e n c e r e t r e a t ing.
O n t h e o t h e r side o f t h e creek, t h e u n d e r b r u s h exp l o d e d . Five A r e s w a r r i o r s c a m e yelling a n d s c r e a m i n g o u t
of the dark.
" C r e a m t h e p u n k ! " Clarisse s c r e a m e d .
H e r ugly p i g eyes glared t h r o u g h t h e slits o f h e r h e l m e t .
S h e b r a n d i s h e d a five-foot-long spear, its b a r b e d m e t a l t i p
f l i c k e r i n g w i t h r e d light. H e r siblings h a d o n l y t h e s t a n d a r d issue b r o n z e s w o r d s — n o t t h a t t h a t m a d e m e feel any better.
T h e y c h a r g e d across t h e s t r e a m . T h e r e was n o h e l p i n
sight. I c o u l d r u n . O r I c o u l d d e f e n d m y s e l f a g a i n s t h a l f t h e
Ares cabin.
I m a n a g e d t o s i d e s t e p t h e first kid's s w i n g , b u t t h e s e
g u y s were n o t a s s t u p i d t h e M i n o t a u r . T h e y s u r r o u n d e d
m e , a n d Clarisse t h r u s t a t m e w i t h h e r spear. M y s h i e l d
d e f l e c t e d t h e p o i n t , b u t I felt a p a i n f u l t i n g l i n g all over my
body. M y hair s t o o d o n end. M y shield a r m went n u m b ,
a n d t h e air b u r n e d .
Electricity. H e r s t u p i d s p e a r was electric. I fell b a c k .
A n o t h e r A r e s g u y s l a m m e d m e i n t h e chest w i t h t h e
b u t t o f his s w o r d a n d I h i t t h e d i r t .
T h e y c o u l d ' v e k i c k e d m e i n t o jelly, b u t t h e y were t o o
busy laughing.
" G i v e h i m a haircut," Clarisse said. " G r a b his hair."
[120]
I m a n a g e d to get to my feet. I r a i s e d my sword, b u t
Clarisse s l a m m e d i t aside w i t h h e r s p e a r a s s p a r k s f l e w .
N o w b o t h m y a r m s felt n u m b .
" O h , wow," Clarisse said. " I ' m scared o f t h i s guy. Really
scared."
" T h e flag is t h a t way," I t o l d her. I w a n t e d to s o u n d
angry, b u t I was afraid it d i d n ' t c o m e o u t t h a t way.
"Yeah," o n e o f h e r siblings said. " B u t see, w e d o n ' t care
a b o u t t h e f l a g . W e care a b o u t a g u y w h o m a d e o u r c a b i n
l o o k stupid."
"You do that w i t h o u t my help," I t o l d t h e m . It p r o b a bly wasn't t h e s m a r t e s t t h i n g t o say.
T w o o f t h e m c a m e a t m e . I b a c k e d u p t o w a r d t h e creek,
t r i e d t o raise m y shield, b u t Clarisse was t o o fast. H e r s p e a r
stuck me straight in t h e ribs. If I hadn't been wearing an
a r m o r e d b r e a s t p l a t e , I w o u l d ' v e b e e n s h i s h - k e - b a b b e d . As it
was, t h e electric p o i n t just a b o u t s h o c k e d m y t e e t h o u t o f
m y m o u t h . O n e o f h e r c a b i n m a t e s slashed his s w o r d across
my a r m , leaving a g o o d - s i z e c u t .
Seeing m y o w n b l o o d m a d e m e d i z z y — w a r m a n d c o l d
at the same time.
" N o m a i m i n g , " I m a n a g e d t o say.
" O o p s , " t h e g u y said. " G u e s s I l o s t m y d e s s e r t p r i v i lege.
H e p u s h e d m e i n t o t h e creek a n d I l a n d e d w i t h a s p l a s h .
T h e y all l a u g h e d . I figured as s o o n as t h e y were t h r o u g h
b e i n g a m u s e d , I w o u l d die. B u t t h e n s o m e t h i n g h a p p e n e d .
T h e w a t e r s e e m e d t o wake u p m y senses, a s i f I'd j u s t h a d a
b a g o f m y m o m ' s d o u b l e - e s p r e s s o jelly b e a n s .
[121]
Clarisse a n d h e r c a b i n m a t e s c a m e i n t o t h e creek t o get
me, b u t I s t o o d to meet them. I k n e w what to do. I swung
the
flat
o f m y s w o r d against t h e
first guy's h e a d a n d
k n o c k e d his h e l m e t clean off. I h i t h i m so h a r d I c o u l d see
h i s eyes v i b r a t i n g a s h e c r u m p l e d i n t o t h e water.
Ugly N u m b e r Two and Ugly N u m b e r T h r e e came at
m e . I s l a m m e d o n e i n t h e face w i t h m y shield a n d u s e d m y
s w o r d t o shear o f f t h e o t h e r guy's h o r s e h a i r p l u m e . B o t h o f
t h e m backed u p quick. Ugly N u m b e r F o u r didn't l o o k
really a n x i o u s t o a t t a c k , b u t Clarisse k e p t c o m i n g , t h e p o i n t
o f h e r s p e a r c r a c k l i n g w i t h energy. A s s o o n a s she t h r u s t , I
c a u g h t t h e shaft b e t w e e n t h e edge o f m y s h i e l d a n d m y
sword, a n d I s n a p p e d it like a twig.
"Ah!" s h e s c r e a m e d .
"You
idiot! You corpse-breath
worm!"
S h e p r o b a b l y w o u l d ' v e said w o r s e , b u t I s m a c k e d h e r
b e t w e e n t h e eyes w i t h m y s w o r d - b u t t a n d s e n t h e r s t u m b l i n g b a c k w a r d o u t o f t h e creek.
T h e n I h e a r d yelling, e l a t e d s c r e a m s , a n d I saw L u k e
r a c i n g t o w a r d t h e b o u n d a r y line w i t h t h e r e d t e a m ' s b a n n e r
lifted h i g h . H e was f l a n k e d b y a c o u p l e o f H e r m e s guys
covering h i s retreat, a n d a few A p o l l o s b e h i n d t h e m , fighti n g o f f t h e H e p h a e s t u s k i d s . T h e A r e s folks g o t u p , a n d
Clarisse m u t t e r e d a d a z e d curse.
"A trick!" she s h o u t e d . " I t was a trick."
They
staggered
after
Luke,
but
it
was
too
late.
E v e r y b o d y c o n v e r g e d o n t h e creek a s L u k e r a n across i n t o
friendly t e r r i t o r y . O u r side e x p l o d e d i n t o cheers. T h e r e d
b a n n e r s h i m m e r e d a n d t u r n e d t o silver. T h e b o a r a n d s p e a r
[122]
were r e p l a c e d w i t h a h u g e c a d u c e u s , t h e s y m b o l o f c a b i n
eleven. E v e r y b o d y o n t h e b l u e t e a m p i c k e d u p L u k e a n d
started carrying h i m around on their shoulders. C h i r o n cantered o u t from the woods and blew the conch h o r n .
T h e g a m e was over. W e d w o n .
I was a b o u t t o j o i n t h e c e l e b r a t i o n w h e n A n n a b e t h ' s
voice, r i g h t n e x t t o m e i n t h e creek, said, " N o t b a d , hero."
I l o o k e d , b u t she wasn't t h e r e .
" W h e r e t h e h e c k d i d y o u l e a r n t o fight like t h a t ? " she
asked. T h e air s h i m m e r e d , a n d s h e m a t e r i a l i z e d , h o l d i n g a
Yankees baseball c a p as if she'd just t a k e n it o f f h e r h e a d .
I felt m y s e l f g e t t i n g angry. I wasn't even f a z e d by t h e
fact t h a t she'd j u s t b e e n invisible. " Y o u set me u p , " I said.
" Y o u p u t m e h e r e b e c a u s e y o u k n e w Clarisse w o u l d c o m e
after m e , while y o u s e n t L u k e a r o u n d t h e flank. Y o u h a d i t
all figured out."
A n n a b e t h s h r u g g e d . " I t o l d y o u . A t h e n a always, always
has a plan."
" A p l a n t o get m e p u l v e r i z e d . "
"I c a m e as fast as I c o u l d . I was a b o u t to j u m p in,
b u t . . ." S h e s h r u g g e d . " Y o u d i d n ' t n e e d help."
T h e n she n o t i c e d m y w o u n d e d a r m . " H o w d i d y o u d o
that?"
" S w o r d cut," I said. " W h a t d o y o u t h i n k ? "
" N o . It was a s w o r d c u t . L o o k at it."
The
blood
was
gone.
Where
the
huge
cut
had
b e e n , t h e r e was a l o n g w h i t e scratch, a n d even t h a t was
fading. As I w a t c h e d , it t u r n e d i n t o a s m a l l scar, a n d d i s a p peared.
[123]
" I — I d o n ' t get it," I said.
A n n a b e t h was t h i n k i n g h a r d . I c o u l d a l m o s t see t h e
gears t u r n i n g . S h e l o o k e d d o w n a t m y feet, t h e n a t Clarisse's
b r o k e n spear, a n d said, " S t e p o u t o f t h e water, Percy."
"What—"
"Just do it."
I c a m e o u t o f t h e creek a n d i m m e d i a t e l y felt b o n e tired.
M y a r m s s t a r t e d t o g o n u m b again. M y a d r e n a l i n e r u s h left
m e . I a l m o s t fell over, b u t A n n a b e t h s t e a d i e d m e .
" O h , Styx," she c u r s e d . " T h i s is not g o o d . I d i d n ' t w a n t
. . . I a s s u m e d it w o u l d be Z e u s . . . ."
Before I c o u l d ask w h a t s h e m e a n t , I h e a r d t h a t c a n i n e
g r o w l again, b u t m u c h closer t h a n b e f o r e . A h o w l r i p p e d
t h r o u g h t h e forest.
T h e c a m p e r s ' c h e e r i n g d i e d instantly. C h i r o n s h o u t e d
s o m e t h i n g i n A n c i e n t G r e e k , w h i c h I w o u l d realize, o n l y
later, I h a d u n d e r s t o o d perfectly: "Stand ready! My bow!"
A n n a b e t h drew her sword.
T h e r e o n t h e r o c k s j u s t above u s was a black h o u n d
t h e size of a r h i n o , w i t h lava-red eyes a n d fangs
like
daggers.
I t was l o o k i n g s t r a i g h t a t m e .
N o b o d y m o v e d except A n n a b e t h , w h o yelled, "Percy,
run!"
S h e t r i e d t o s t e p i n f r o n t o f m e , b u t t h e h o u n d was t o o
fast. I t l e a p e d over h e r — a n e n o r m o u s s h a d o w w i t h t e e t h —
a n d j u s t as it h i t m e , as I s t u m b l e d b a c k w a r d a n d felt its
r a z o r - s h a r p claws r i p p i n g t h r o u g h m y a r m o r , t h e r e was a
cascade o f t h w a c k i n g s o u n d s , like f o r t y pieces o f p a p e r
[124]
b e i n g r i p p e d o n e after t h e o t h e r . F r o m t h e h o u n d ' s n e c k
s p r o u t e d a c l u s t e r o f a r r o w s . T h e m o n s t e r fell d e a d a t m y
feet.
By s o m e m i r a c l e , I was still alive. I d i d n ' t w a n t to l o o k
u n d e r n e a t h t h e r u i n s o f m y s h r e d d e d a r m o r . M y chest felt
w a r m a n d wet, a n d I k n e w I was b a d l y c u t . A n o t h e r s e c o n d ,
a n d the m o n s t e r would've t u r n e d me into a h u n d r e d p o u n d s
o f delicatessen m e a t .
C h i r o n t r o t t e d u p n e x t t o u s , a b o w i n his h a n d , h i s face
grim.
"Di
immortahs!" A n n a b e t h
said.
"That's
a
hellhound
f r o m t h e F i e l d s of P u n i s h m e n t . T h e y d o n ' t . . . they're n o t
s u p p o s e d to . . ."
" S o m e o n e s u m m o n e d it," C h i r o n said. " S o m e o n e inside
the camp."
L u k e c a m e over, t h e b a n n e r i n his h a n d f o r g o t t e n , h i s
m o m e n t of glory gone.
Clarisse yelled, "It's all Percy's fault! Percy s u m m o n e d it!"
"Be q u i e t , child," C h i r o n t o l d her.
We
watched the
body of the
hellhound melt
into
shadow, soaking into the g r o u n d until it disappeared.
"You're w o u n d e d , " A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . " Q u i c k , Percy,
get in t h e water."
" I ' m okay."
" N o , you're n o t , " s h e said. " C h i r o n , w a t c h this."
I was t o o t i r e d to argue. I s t e p p e d b a c k i n t o t h e creek,
the whole camp gathering around me.
Instantly, I felt b e t t e r . I c o u l d feel t h e c u t s on my c h e s t
closing u p . S o m e o f t h e c a m p e r s g a s p e d .
[125]
" L o o k , I — I d o n ' t k n o w why," I said, t r y i n g t o a p o l o g i z e . " I ' m sorry. . . ."
B u t t h e y weren't w a t c h i n g m y w o u n d s heal. T h e y were
s t a r i n g a t s o m e t h i n g above m y h e a d .
"Percy," A n n a b e t h said, p o i n t i n g . "Um . . ."
B y t h e t i m e I l o o k e d u p , t h e sign was already fading, b u t
I c o u l d still m a k e o u t t h e h o l o g r a m o f g r e e n light, s p i n n i n g
a n d g l e a m i n g . A t h r e e - t i p p e d spear: a t r i d e n t .
" Y o u r father," A n n a b e t h m u r m u r e d . " T h i s i s really n o t
good."
"It is determined," Chiron announced.
All a r o u n d m e , c a m p e r s s t a r t e d k n e e l i n g , even t h e A r e s
cabin, t h o u g h t h e y
didn't
l o o k h a p p y a b o u t it.
" M y father?" I asked, c o m p l e t e l y b e w i l d e r e d .
" P o s e i d o n , " said C h i r o n .
"Earthshaker, Stormbringer,
F a t h e r o f H o r s e s . H a i l , P e r s e u s J a c k s o n , S o n o f t h e Sea
God."
[126]
T h e next m o r n i n g , C h i r o n m o v e d m e t o c a b i n t h r e e .
I d i d n ' t have to s h a r e w i t h a n y b o d y . I h a d p l e n t y of
r o o m for all m y stuff: t h e M i n o t a u r ' s h o r n , o n e set o f s p a r e
c l o t h e s , a n d a t o i l e t r y bag. I g o t to sit at my o w n d i n n e r
table, p i c k all m y o w n activities, call " l i g h t s o u t " w h e n e v e r
I felt like it, a n d n o t listen to a n y b o d y else.
A n d I was a b s o l u t e l y m i s e r a b l e .
Just w h e n I'd s t a r t e d to feel a c c e p t e d , to feel I h a d a
h o m e in c a b i n eleven a n d I m i g h t be a n o r m a l k i d — o r as
n o r m a l a s y o u can b e w h e n you're a h a l f - b l o o d — I ' d b e e n
s e p a r a t e d o u t as if I h a d s o m e rare disease.
N o b o d y m e n t i o n e d t h e h e l l h o u n d , b u t I g o t t h e feeling
t h e y were all t a l k i n g a b o u t i t b e h i n d m y back. T h e a t t a c k
h a d scared everybody. I t s e n t t w o messages: o n e , t h a t I was
t h e s o n o f t h e Sea G o d ; a n d t w o , m o n s t e r s w o u l d s t o p a t
n o t h i n g t o kill m e . T h e y c o u l d even invade a c a m p t h a t h a d
always b e e n c o n s i d e r e d safe.
T h e o t h e r c a m p e r s steered clear o f m e a s m u c h a s p o s s i ble. C a b i n eleven was t o o n e r v o u s to have s w o r d class w i t h me
after w h a t I'd d o n e to t h e Ares folks in t h e w o o d s , so my lessons w i t h L u k e b e c a m e o n e - o n - o n e . H e p u s h e d m e h a r d e r
t h a n ever, a n d wasn't afraid t o b r u i s e m e u p i n t h e process.
[127]
"You're g o i n g t o n e e d all t h e t r a i n i n g y o u can get," h e
p r o m i s e d , a s w e were w o r k i n g w i t h s w o r d s a n d f l a m i n g
t o r c h e s . " N o w let's t r y t h a t v i p e r - b e h e a d i n g strike again.
Fifty m o r e r e p e t i t i o n s . "
A n n a b e t h still t a u g h t m e G r e e k i n t h e m o r n i n g s , b u t
she s e e m e d d i s t r a c t e d . E v e r y t i m e I said s o m e t h i n g , she
s c o w l e d a t m e , a s i f I'd j u s t p o k e d h e r b e t w e e n t h e eyes.
After lessons, she w o u l d walk away m u t t e r i n g t o herself:
" Q u e s t . . . P o s e i d o n ? . . . D i r t y r o t t e n . . . G o t to m a k e a
p l a n . . ."
E v e n Clarisse k e p t h e r d i s t a n c e , t h o u g h h e r v e n o m o u s
l o o k s m a d e i t clear she w a n t e d t o kill m e for b r e a k i n g h e r
m a g i c spear. I w i s h e d she w o u l d j u s t yell o r p u n c h m e o r
s o m e t h i n g . I'd r a t h e r get i n t o fights every day t h a n b e
ignored.
I k n e w s o m e b o d y at c a m p resented me, because o n e night I
came into my cabin and found a m o r t a l newspaper d r o p p e d
inside t h e d o o r w a y ,
a c o p y of t h e New York Daily News,
o p e n e d t o t h e M e t r o p a g e . T h e article t o o k m e a l m o s t a n
h o u r t o read, b e c a u s e t h e a n g r i e r I g o t , t h e m o r e t h e w o r d s
floated a r o u n d on the page.
BOY AND M O T H E R STILL MISSING AFTER
FREAK CAR ACCIDENT
BY EILEEN SMYTHE
Sally Jackson and son Percy are still missing one w e e k
after their mysterious
disappearance. T h e family's
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badly burned ' 7 8 C a m a r o w a s discovered last Saturday
on a north L o n g Island road with the roof ripped off and
the front axle broken. T h e car had flipped and skidded
for several h u n d r e d feet before exploding.
M o t h e r and son had gone for a w e e k e n d vacation to
M o n t a u k , but left hastily, under mysterious circumstances. Small traces of blood were found in the car and
near the scene of the wreck, but there were no other
signs of the missing Jacksons. Residents in the rural
area reported seeing nothing unusual around the time of
the accident.
M s . J a c k s o n ' s husband, G a b e Ugliano, claims that
his stepson, Percy Jackson, is a troubled child w h o has
b e e n kicked out of n u m e r o u s boarding schools and
has expressed violent tendencies in the past.
Police would not say whether son Percy is a suspect
in his m o t h e r ' s disappearance, but they have not ruled
out foul play. B e l o w are recent pictures of Sally
Jackson and Percy. Police urge anyone with information to call the following
toll-free c r i m e - s t o p p e r s
hotline.
T h e p h o n e n u m b e r was circled i n b l a c k m a r k e r .
I w a d d e d u p t h e p a p e r a n d t h r e w i t away, t h e n f l o p p e d
d o w n in my b u n k b e d in the m i d d l e of my e m p t y cabin.
" L i g h t s o u t , " I t o l d m y s e l f miserably.
T h a t n i g h t , I h a d m y w o r s t d r e a m yet.
I was r u n n i n g a l o n g t h e b e a c h in a s t o r m . T h i s t i m e ,
[129]
t h e r e was a city b e h i n d m e . N o t N e w Y o r k . T h e s p r a w l was
different: b u i l d i n g s s p r e a d f a r t h e r a p a r t , p a l m trees a n d l o w
hills i n t h e d i s t a n c e .
A b o u t a h u n d r e d yards d o w n t h e surf, t w o m e n were
fighting. T h e y l o o k e d like T V wrestlers, m u s c u l a r , w i t h
b e a r d s a n d l o n g hair. B o t h w o r e f l o w i n g G r e e k t u n i c s , o n e
t r i m m e d in blue, the other in green. T h e y g r a p p l e d w i t h
each o t h e r , w r e s t l e d , k i c k e d a n d h e a d - b u t t e d , a n d every t i m e
t h e y c o n n e c t e d , l i g h t n i n g f l a s h e d , t h e sky g r e w darker, a n d
the w i n d rose.
I h a d to s t o p t h e m . I d i d n ' t k n o w why. B u t t h e h a r d e r I
r a n , t h e m o r e t h e w i n d b l e w m e back, u n t i l I was r u n n i n g i n
p l a c e , m y heels d i g g i n g uselessly i n t h e s a n d .
Over the roar of the storm, I could hear the blue-robed
o n e yelling at t h e g r e e n - r o b e d o n e , Give it back! Give it back!
L i k e a k i n d e r g a r t n e r f i g h t i n g over a toy.
T h e waves g o t bigger, c r a s h i n g i n t o t h e b e a c h , s p r a y i n g
m e w i t h salt.
I yelled, Stop it! Stop fighting!
T h e g r o u n d shook. Laughter came from somewhere
u n d e r t h e e a r t h , a n d a voice s o d e e p a n d evil i t t u r n e d m y
b l o o d t o ice.
Come down, little hero, t h e voice c r o o n e d . Come down!
T h e s a n d split b e n e a t h m e , o p e n i n g u p a crevice s t r a i g h t
d o w n t o t h e c e n t e r o f t h e e a r t h . M y feet s l i p p e d , a n d d a r k ness swallowed m e .
I w o k e u p , sure I was falling.
I was still i n b e d i n c a b i n t h r e e . M y b o d y t o l d m e i t was
m o r n i n g , b u t i t was d a r k o u t s i d e , a n d t h u n d e r r o l l e d across
[130]
t h e hills. A s t o r m was b r e w i n g . I h a d n ' t d r e a m e d t h a t .
I h e a r d a c l o p p i n g s o u n d at t h e d o o r , a h o o f k n o c k i n g
on the threshold.
" C o m e in?"
G r o v e r t r o t t e d inside, l o o k i n g w o r r i e d . " M r . D w a n t s t o
see you."
"Why?"
" H e w a n t s t o k i l l . . . I m e a n , I'd b e t t e r let h i m tell you."
N e r v o u s l y , I g o t d r e s s e d a n d followed, sure t h a t I was in
huge trouble.
F o r days, I'd b e e n h a l f e x p e c t i n g a s u m m o n s t o t h e Big
H o u s e . N o w t h a t I was d e c l a r e d a s o n o f P o s e i d o n , o n e o f
t h e Big T h r e e g o d s w h o weren't s u p p o s e d t o have k i d s , I f i g u r e d i t was a c r i m e for m e just t o b e alive. T h e o t h e r g o d s
h a d p r o b a b l y b e e n d e b a t i n g t h e b e s t way t o p u n i s h m e for
existing, a n d n o w M r . D was r e a d y t o deliver t h e i r verdict.
O v e r L o n g I s l a n d S o u n d , t h e sky l o o k e d like i n k s o u p
c o m i n g t o a b o i l . A h a z y c u r t a i n o f r a i n was c o m i n g i n o u r
d i r e c t i o n . I a s k e d G r o v e r if we n e e d e d an u m b r e l l a .
" N o , " h e said. " I t never r a i n s h e r e u n l e s s w e w a n t i t to."
I p o i n t e d at the storm. " W h a t the heck is that, then?"
H e g l a n c e d uneasily a t t h e sky. " I t ' l l p a s s a r o u n d u s . B a d
w e a t h e r always does."
I realized he was r i g h t . In t h e w e e k I'd b e e n h e r e , it h a d
never even b e e n overcast. T h e few r a i n c l o u d s I'd seen h a d
s k i r t e d r i g h t a r o u n d t h e edges o f t h e valley.
B u t this s t o r m . . . this o n e was h u g e .
A t t h e volleyball pit, t h e k i d s f r o m A p o l l o ' s c a b i n were
p l a y i n g a m o r n i n g g a m e against t h e satyrs. D i o n y s u s ' s t w i n s
[131]
were w a l k i n g a r o u n d i n t h e s t r a w b e r r y f i e l d s , m a k i n g t h e
p l a n t s grow. E v e r y b o d y was g o i n g a b o u t t h e i r n o r m a l b u s i ness, b u t t h e y l o o k e d t e n s e . T h e y k e p t t h e i r eyes o n t h e
storm.
G r o v e r a n d I w a l k e d u p t o t h e f r o n t p o r c h o f t h e Big
H o u s e . D i o n y s u s sat a t t h e p i n o c h l e t a b l e i n his tigers t r i p e d H a w a i i a n s h i r t w i t h his D i e t C o k e , j u s t a s h e h a d o n
m y f i r s t day. C h i r o n sat across t h e t a b l e i n h i s fake w h e e l chair. T h e y were p l a y i n g a g a i n s t invisible o p p o n e n t s — t w o
sets o f cards h o v e r i n g i n t h e air.
" W e l l , well," M r . D said w i t h o u t l o o k i n g u p .
"Our
little celebrity."
I waited.
" C o m e closer," M r . D said. " A n d d o n ' t e x p e c t m e t o
k o w t o w to you, m o r t a l , just because old Barnacle-Beard is
y o u r father."
A n e t o f l i g h t n i n g f l a s h e d across t h e c l o u d s . T h u n d e r
shook the windows of the house.
"Blah, b l a h , blah," D i o n y s u s said.
C h i r o n feigned i n t e r e s t i n his p i n o c h l e cards. G r o v e r
c o w e r e d b y t h e railing, his h o o v e s c l o p p i n g b a c k a n d f o r t h .
" I f I h a d m y way," D i o n y s u s said, " I w o u l d cause y o u r
m o l e c u l e s t o e r u p t i n f l a m e s . W e ' d sweep u p t h e ashes a n d
b e d o n e w i t h a l o t o f t r o u b l e . B u t C h i r o n s e e m s t o feel this
w o u l d be against my mission at this cursed c a m p : to keep
y o u little b r a t s safe f r o m h a r m . "
" S p o n t a n e o u s c o m b u s t i o n i s a f o r m o f h a r m , M r . D,"
C h i r o n p u t in.
" N o n s e n s e , " D i o n y s u s said. " B o y w o u l d n ' t feel a t h i n g .
[132]
N e v e r t h e l e s s , I've a g r e e d t o r e s t r a i n myself. I ' m t h i n k i n g o f
t u r n i n g you into a d o l p h i n instead, sending you back to
y o u r father."
"Mr. D — " Chiron warned.
" O h , all right," D i o n y s u s r e l e n t e d . " T h e r e ' s o n e m o r e
o p t i o n . B u t it's d e a d l y foolishness." D i o n y s u s r o s e , a n d t h e
invisible players' c a r d s d r o p p e d t o t h e table. " I ' m o f f t o
O l y m p u s for t h e e m e r g e n c y m e e t i n g . I f t h e b o y i s still h e r e
w h e n I get b a c k , I'll t u r n h i m i n t o a n A t l a n t i c b o t t l e n o s e .
D o y o u u n d e r s t a n d ? A n d P e r s e u s Jackson, i f you're a t all
s m a r t , y o u ' l l see that's a m u c h m o r e sensible c h o i c e t h a n
w h a t C h i r o n feels y o u m u s t d o . "
D i o n y s u s p i c k e d up a p l a y i n g card, t w i s t e d it, a n d it
b e c a m e a plastic rectangle. A credit card? N o . A security pass.
H e s n a p p e d his fingers.
T h e air s e e m e d t o fold a n d b e n d a r o u n d h i m . H e
b e c a m e a h o l o g r a m , t h e n a w i n d , t h e n he was g o n e , leaving
o n l y t h e smell o f f r e s h - p r e s s e d g r a p e s l i n g e r i n g b e h i n d .
C h i r o n smiled at me, but he looked tired and strained.
"Sit, Percy, please. A n d Grover."
W e did.
C h i r o n laid his cards o n t h e table, a w i n n i n g h a n d h e
h a d n ' t g o t t e n t o use.
" T e l l m e , Percy," h e said. " W h a t d i d y o u m a k e o f t h e
hellhound?"
Just hearing the n a m e m a d e me shudder.
C h i r o n p r o b a b l y w a n t e d me to say, Heck, it was nothing. I
eat hellhounds for breakfast. B u t I d i d n ' t feel like lying.
" I t scared m e , " I said. " I f y o u h a d n ' t s h o t it, I'd be dead."
[133]
" Y o u ' l l m e e t worse, Percy. F a r worse, b e f o r e you're
done."
" D o n e . . . with what?"
" Y o u r q u e s t , o f c o u r s e . W i l l y o u a c c e p t it?"
I g l a n c e d at Grover, w h o was c r o s s i n g his fingers.
" U m , sir," I said, " y o u haven't t o l d me w h a t it is yet."
Chiron
grimaced.
"Well,
that's
the
hard part,
the
details."
T h u n d e r r u m b l e d across t h e valley. T h e s t o r m c l o u d s
h a d n o w r e a c h e d t h e edge of t h e b e a c h . As far as I c o u l d see,
t h e sky a n d t h e sea were b o i l i n g t o g e t h e r .
" P o s e i d o n a n d Z e u s , " I said.
" T h e y ' r e fighting over
s o m e t h i n g valuable . . . s o m e t h i n g t h a t was s t o l e n , aren't
they?"
C h i r o n and Grover exchanged looks.
C h i r o n sat f o r w a r d i n his wheelchair. " H o w d i d y o u
know that?"
My face felt h o t . I w i s h e d I h a d n ' t o p e n e d my big
m o u t h . " T h e w e a t h e r s i n c e C h r i s t m a s h a s b e e n weird, like
t h e sea a n d t h e sky are fighting. T h e n I t a l k e d t o A n n a b e t h ,
a n d she'd o v e r h e a r d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t a theft. A n d . . . I've
also b e e n h a v i n g t h e s e d r e a m s . "
" I k n e w it," G r o v e r said.
" H u s h , satyr," C h i r o n o r d e r e d .
" B u t it is h i s quest!" Grover's eyes were b r i g h t w i t h
excitement. "It m u s t be!"
" O n l y t h e O r a c l e can d e t e r m i n e . " C h i r o n s t r o k e d h i s
bristly b e a r d . " N e v e r t h e l e s s , Percy, y o u are c o r r e c t . Y o u r
father a n d Z e u s are h a v i n g t h e i r w o r s t q u a r r e l i n c e n t u r i e s .
[134]
T h e y are fighting over s o m e t h i n g valuable t h a t was s t o l e n .
To be precise: a l i g h t n i n g b o l t . "
I l a u g h e d nervously. "A what?"
" D o n o t t a k e t h i s lightly," C h i r o n w a r n e d .
"I'm not
t a l k i n g a b o u t s o m e tinfoil-covered z i g z a g y o u ' d see in a
s e c o n d - g r a d e play. I ' m t a l k i n g a b o u t a t w o - f o o t - l o n g c y l i n d e r o f h i g h - g r a d e celestial b r o n z e , c a p p e d o n b o t h e n d s
w i t h god-level explosives."
"Oh."
" Z e u s ' s m a s t e r b o l t , " C h i r o n said, g e t t i n g w o r k e d u p
now. " T h e s y m b o l o f his power, f r o m w h i c h all o t h e r l i g h t n i n g b o l t s are p a t t e r n e d . T h e first w e a p o n m a d e b y t h e
C y c l o p e s for t h e war against t h e T i t a n s , t h e b o l t t h a t sheered
the
top
off M o u n t Etna and hurled Kronos
from his
throne; the master bolt, which packs enough power to make
m o r t a l h y d r o g e n b o m b s l o o k like firecrackers."
" A n d it's m i s s i n g ? "
" S t o l e n , " C h i r o n said.
"By w h o ? "
"By whom" C h i r o n c o r r e c t e d . O n c e a teacher, always a
teacher. "By you."
M y m o u t h fell o p e n .
"At l e a s t " — C h i r o n held up a h a n d — " t h a t ' s what Z e u s
t h i n k s . D u r i n g t h e w i n t e r solstice, a t t h e last c o u n c i l o f t h e
gods, Zeus
and Poseidon had an argument. T h e usual
n o n s e n s e : ' M o t h e r R h e a always liked y o u best,' A i r d i s asters are m o r e s p e c t a c u l a r t h a n sea disasters,' et cetera.
A f t e r w a r d , Z e u s realized his m a s t e r b o l t was m i s s i n g , t a k e n
f r o m t h e t h r o n e r o o m u n d e r h i s very n o s e . H e i m m e d i a t e l y
[135]
b l a m e d P o s e i d o n . N o w , a g o d c a n n o t u s u r p a n o t h e r god's
symbol of power directly—that is forbidden by the m o s t
a n c i e n t o f divine laws. B u t Z e u s believes y o u r father c o n v i n c e d a h u m a n h e r o to take it."
"But I d i d n ' t — "
" P a t i e n c e a n d listen, child," C h i r o n said.
"Zeus has
g o o d r e a s o n t o b e s u s p i c i o u s . T h e forges o f t h e C y c l o p e s
are u n d e r t h e o c e a n , w h i c h gives P o s e i d o n s o m e i n f l u e n c e
over t h e m a k e r s o f h i s b r o t h e r ' s l i g h t n i n g . Z e u s believes
P o s e i d o n has t a k e n t h e m a s t e r b o l t , a n d i s n o w secretly h a v i n g t h e C y c l o p e s b u i l d a n arsenal o f illegal c o p i e s , w h i c h
m i g h t b e u s e d t o t o p p l e Z e u s f r o m his t h r o n e . T h e o n l y
t h i n g Z e u s wasn't sure a b o u t was w h i c h h e r o P o s e i d o n u s e d
t o steal t h e b o l t . N o w P o s e i d o n has o p e n l y c l a i m e d y o u a s
h i s s o n . Y o u were i n N e w Y o r k over t h e w i n t e r h o l i d a y s . Y o u
c o u l d easily have s n u c k i n t o O l y m p u s . Z e u s believes h e h a s
f o u n d his thief."
" B u t I've never even b e e n t o O l y m p u s ! Z e u s i s crazy!"
C h i r o n a n d G r o v e r g l a n c e d n e r v o u s l y a t t h e sky. T h e
clouds didn't seem to be parting a r o u n d us, as Grover h a d
p r o m i s e d . T h e y were r o l l i n g s t r a i g h t over o u r valley, sealing
us in like a coffin lid.
" E r , P e r c y . . . ? " G r o v e r said. " W e d o n ' t u s e t h e c - w o r d
t o d e s c r i b e t h e L o r d o f t h e Sky."
" P e r h a p s paranoid"
Chiron
suggested.
"Then
again,
P o s e i d o n has t r i e d t o u n s e a t Z e u s before. I believe t h a t was
q u e s t i o n t h i r t y - e i g h t on y o u r final e x a m . . . ." He l o o k e d at
m e a s i f h e actually e x p e c t e d m e t o r e m e m b e r q u e s t i o n
thirty-eight.
[136]
How
could
anyone
accuse
me
of
stealing
a
god's
w e a p o n ? I c o u l d n ' t even steal a slice of p i z z a f r o m G a b e ' s
p o k e r p a r t y w i t h o u t g e t t i n g b u s t e d . C h i r o n was w a i t i n g for
an answer.
" S o m e t h i n g a b o u t a golden net?" I guessed. " P o s e i d o n
a n d H e r a a n d a few o t h e r g o d s . . . they, like, t r a p p e d Z e u s
a n d w o u l d n ' t let h i m o u t u n t i l h e p r o m i s e d t o b e a b e t t e r
ruler, r i g h t ? "
" C o r r e c t , " C h i r o n said. " A n d Z e u s has never t r u s t e d
P o s e i d o n since. O f c o u r s e , P o s e i d o n d e n i e s stealing t h e
m a s t e r b o l t . H e t o o k g r e a t offense a t t h e a c c u s a t i o n . T h e
t w o have b e e n a r g u i n g b a c k a n d f o r t h for m o n t h s , t h r e a t e n i n g war. A n d now, you've c o m e a l o n g — t h e p r o v e r b i a l last
straw."
"But I'm just a kid!"
"Percy," G r o v e r c u t in,
" i f y o u were Z e u s , a n d y o u
already t h o u g h t y o u r b r o t h e r was p l o t t i n g t o o v e r t h r o w y o u ,
then your brother suddenly admitted he had broken the
s a c r e d o a t h h e t o o k after W o r l d W a r II, t h a t he's f a t h e r e d a
n e w m o r t a l h e r o w h o m i g h t b e u s e d a s a w e a p o n against
y o u . . . . W o u l d n ' t t h a t p u t a t w i s t in y o u r t o g a ? "
"But I
didn't do
anything.
Poseidon—my
dad—he
d i d n ' t really have this m a s t e r b o l t s t o l e n , d i d h e ? "
C h i r o n sighed. " M o s t t h i n k i n g o b s e r v e r s w o u l d agree
t h a t thievery i s n o t P o s e i d o n ' s style. B u t t h e Sea G o d i s t o o
p r o u d to try convincing Zeus of that. Z e u s has d e m a n d e d
t h a t P o s e i d o n r e t u r n t h e b o l t b y t h e s u m m e r solstice. T h a t ' s
J u n e twenty-first, t e n days f r o m now. P o s e i d o n w a n t s a n
a p o l o g y for b e i n g called a t h i e f by t h e s a m e d a t e . I h o p e d
[137]
t h a t d i p l o m a c y m i g h t prevail, t h a t H e r a o r D e m e t e r o r
H e s t i a w o u l d m a k e t h e t w o b r o t h e r s see sense. B u t y o u r
arrival has i n f l a m e d Z e u s ' s t e m p e r . N o w n e i t h e r g o d will
back down. Unless s o m e o n e intervenes, unless the master
b o l t i s f o u n d a n d r e t u r n e d t o Z e u s b e f o r e t h e solstice, t h e r e
will b e war. A n d d o y o u k n o w w h a t a full-fledged w a r
w o u l d l o o k like, P e r c y ? "
"Bad?" I guessed.
" I m a g i n e t h e w o r l d i n c h a o s . N a t u r e a t w a r w i t h itself.
Olympians
forced
to
choose
sides
between
Zeus
and
Poseidon. Destruction. Carnage. Millions dead. Western
civilization t u r n e d i n t o a b a t t l e g r o u n d s o b i g i t will m a k e
t h e T r o j a n W a r l o o k like a w a t e r - b a l l o o n f i g h t . "
"Bad," I r e p e a t e d .
" A n d y o u , P e r c y J a c k s o n , w o u l d b e t h e f i r s t t o feel
Zeus's wrath."
I t s t a r t e d t o r a i n . Volleyball players s t o p p e d t h e i r g a m e
a n d s t a r e d i n s t u n n e d silence a t t h e sky.
I h a d b r o u g h t this s t o r m to H a l f - B l o o d Hill. Z e u s
was p u n i s h i n g t h e w h o l e c a m p b e c a u s e o f m e . I was f u r i o u s .
" S o I have to find t h e s t u p i d b o l t , " I said. " A n d r e t u r n
it to Zeus."
" W h a t b e t t e r p e a c e offering," C h i r o n said,
"than to
have t h e s o n o f P o s e i d o n r e t u r n Z e u s ' s p r o p e r t y ? "
" I f P o s e i d o n d o e s n ' t have it, w h e r e i s t h e t h i n g ? "
"I believe I k n o w . " C h i r o n ' s expression was g r i m . " P a r t
of a p r o p h e c y I h a d years a g o . . . well, s o m e of t h e lines
m a k e sense t o m e , n o w . B u t b e f o r e I c a n say m o r e , y o u m u s t
officially t a k e u p t h e q u e s t . Y o u m u s t seek t h e c o u n s e l o f
[138]
counsel of the Oracle."
" W h y can't y o u tell m e w h e r e t h e b o l t i s b e f o r e h a n d ? "
" B e c a u s e i f I d i d , y o u w o u l d b e t o o afraid t o a c c e p t t h e
challenge."
I swallowed. " G o o d reason."
" Y o u agree t h e n ? "
I l o o k e d a t Grover, w h o n o d d e d e n c o u r a g i n g l y .
E a s y for h i m . I was t h e o n e Z e u s w a n t e d t o kill.
"All right," I said. "It's b e t t e r t h a n b e i n g t u r n e d i n t o a
dolphin."
" T h e n it's t i m e y o u c o n s u l t e d t h e O r a c l e , " C h i r o n said.
" G o u p s t a i r s , Percy Jackson, t o t h e a t t i c . W h e n y o u c o m e
b a c k d o w n , a s s u m i n g you're still sane, w e will t a l k m o r e . "
Four flights up, the
stairs
ended u n d e r a green trap-
door.
I p u l l e d t h e cord. T h e d o o r s w u n g d o w n , a n d a w o o d e n
l a d d e r c l a t t e r e d i n t o place.
T h e w a r m air f r o m above s m e l l e d like m i l d e w a n d
r o t t e n w o o d a n d s o m e t h i n g else . . . a s m e l l I r e m e m b e r e d
f r o m b i o l o g y class. R e p t i l e s . T h e smell o f s n a k e s .
I held my breath and climbed.
T h e a t t i c was filled w i t h G r e e k h e r o j u n k : a r m o r s t a n d s
covered i n c o b w e b s ; o n c e - b r i g h t shields p i t t e d w i t h r u s t ;
o l d l e a t h e r s t e a m e r t r u n k s p l a s t e r e d w i t h stickers saying
ITHAKA, CIRCE'S ISLE, a n d L A N D O F T H E A M A Z O N S . O n e
l o n g t a b l e was s t a c k e d w i t h glass jars filled w i t h p i c k l e d
things—severed h a i r y claws, h u g e yellow eyes, v a r i o u s o t h e r
p a r t s o f m o n s t e r s . A d u s t y m o u n t e d t r o p h y o n t h e wall
[139]
l o o k e d like a g i a n t snake's h e a d , b u t w i t h h o r n s a n d a full
set o f shark's t e e t h . T h e p l a q u e read, H Y D R A H E A D # 1 ,
W O O D S T O C K , N.Y.,
1969.
B y t h e w i n d o w , s i t t i n g o n a w o o d e n t r i p o d s t o o l , was
t h e m o s t g r u e s o m e m e m e n t o o f all: a m u m m y . N o t t h e
w r a p p e d - i n - c l o t h k i n d , b u t a h u m a n female b o d y shriveled
to a h u s k . S h e w o r e a t i e - d y e d s u n d r e s s , lots of b e a d e d
necklaces, a n d a h e a d b a n d over l o n g black hair. T h e s k i n o f
h e r face was t h i n a n d l e a t h e r y over h e r skull, a n d h e r eyes
were glassy w h i t e slits, as if t h e real eyes h a d b e e n r e p l a c e d
b y m a r b l e s ; she'd b e e n d e a d a l o n g , l o n g t i m e .
L o o k i n g a t h e r s e n t chills u p m y b a c k . A n d t h a t was
b e f o r e she sat u p o n h e r s t o o l a n d o p e n e d h e r m o u t h . A
g r e e n m i s t p o u r e d f r o m t h e m u m m y ' s m o u t h , c o i l i n g over
t h e f l o o r i n t h i c k t e n d r i l s , h i s s i n g like t w e n t y t h o u s a n d
snakes. I s t u m b l e d over m y s e l f t r y i n g t o get t o t h e t r a p d o o r , b u t it s l a m m e d s h u t . I n s i d e my h e a d , I h e a r d a voice,
s l i t h e r i n g i n t o o n e ear a n d c o i l i n g a r o u n d my b r a i n : I am the
spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, shyer of
the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask.
I w a n t e d to say, No thanks, wrong door, just looking for the bathroom. B u t I forced m y s e l f to t a k e a d e e p b r e a t h .
T h e m u m m y wasn't alive. S h e was s o m e k i n d o f g r u e s o m e r e c e p t a c l e for s o m e t h i n g else, t h e p o w e r t h a t was n o w
swirling a r o u n d m e i n t h e g r e e n m i s t . B u t its p r e s e n c e
d i d n ' t feel evil, like m y d e m o n i c m a t h teacher M r s . D o d d s
o r t h e M i n o t a u r . I t felt m o r e like t h e T h r e e F a t e s I'd seen
k n i t t i n g t h e y a r n o u t s i d e t h e h i g h w a y fruit s t a n d : a n c i e n t ,
p o w e r f u l , a n d definitely not h u m a n . B u t n o t p a r t i c u l a r l y
[140]
i n t e r e s t e d i n killing m e , either.
I g o t u p t h e c o u r a g e t o ask, " W h a t i s m y d e s t i n y ? "
T h e m i s t swirled m o r e thickly, c o l l e c t i n g r i g h t i n f r o n t
of me and a r o u n d the table with the pickled m o n s t e r - p a r t
jars. S u d d e n l y t h e r e were four m e n s i t t i n g a r o u n d t h e table,
p l a y i n g cards. T h e i r faces b e c a m e clearer. I t was S m e l l y
G a b e and his buddies.
M y fists
clenched, t h o u g h I k n e w this p o k e r p a r t y
c o u l d n ' t b e real. I t was a n illusion, m a d e o u t o f m i s t .
G a b e t u r n e d t o w a r d m e a n d s p o k e i n t h e r a s p i n g voice
of t h e O r a c l e : You shall go west, and face the god who has turned.
H i s b u d d y o n t h e r i g h t l o o k e d u p a n d said i n t h e s a m e
voice: You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned.
T h e g u y o n t h e left t h r e w i n t w o p o k e r chips, t h e n said:
You shall he betrayed by one who calls you a friend.
Finally, E d d i e , o u r b u i l d i n g super, delivered t h e w o r s t
line of all: And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.
T h e figures b e g a n t o dissolve. A t first I was t o o s t u n n e d
t o say a n y t h i n g , b u t a s t h e m i s t r e t r e a t e d , c o i l i n g i n t o a h u g e
green serpent and slithering back into the m o u t h of the
m u m m y , I cried, " W a i t ! W h a t d o y o u m e a n ? W h a t friend?
W h a t will I fail to save?"
The
tail
of
the
mist
snake
disappeared
into
the
m u m m y ' s m o u t h . S h e r e c l i n e d b a c k against t h e wall. H e r
m o u t h closed tight, as if it hadn't been o p e n in a h u n d r e d
years. T h e a t t i c was silent again, a b a n d o n e d , n o t h i n g b u t a
r o o m full o f m e m e n t o s .
I g o t t h e feeling t h a t I c o u l d s t a n d h e r e u n t i l I h a d c o b webs, t o o , a n d I w o u l d n ' t l e a r n a n y t h i n g else.
[141]
M y a u d i e n c e w i t h t h e O r a c l e was over.
"Well?" C h i r o n asked m e .
I s l u m p e d i n t o a chair at t h e p i n o c h l e t a b l e . " S h e s a i d I
w o u l d retrieve w h a t was stolen."
G r o v e r sat forward, c h e w i n g excitedly o n t h e r e m a i n s o f
a D i e t C o k e can. " T h a t ' s great!"
" W h a t d i d t h e O r a c l e say
exactly?"
C h i r o n pressed.
" T h i s is important."
M y ears were still t i n g l i n g f r o m t h e r e p t i l i a n voice. " S h e
. . . she said I w o u l d go west a n d face a g o d w h o h a d t u r n e d .
I w o u l d retrieve w h a t was s t o l e n a n d see it safely r e t u r n e d . "
" I k n e w it," G r o v e r said.
C h i r o n d i d n ' t l o o k satisfied. " A n y t h i n g else?"
I d i d n ' t w a n t to tell h i m .
W h a t friend w o u l d b e t r a y me? I d i d n ' t have t h a t m a n y .
A n d t h e last l i n e — I w o u l d fail t o save w h a t m a t t e r e d
most. W h a t kind of Oracle would send me on a quest and
tell m e , Oh, by the way, you'll fail.
H o w c o u l d I confess t h a t ?
" N o , " I said. " T h a t ' s a b o u t it."
H e s t u d i e d m y face. " V e r y well, Percy. B u t k n o w t h i s :
t h e Oracle's w o r d s o f t e n have d o u b l e m e a n i n g s . D o n ' t dwell
o n t h e m t o o m u c h . T h e t r u t h i s n o t always clear u n t i l events
c o m e t o pass."
I g o t t h e feeling he k n e w I was h o l d i n g b a c k s o m e t h i n g
b a d , a n d h e was t r y i n g t o m a k e m e feel b e t t e r .
" O k a y , " I said, a n x i o u s t o c h a n g e t o p i c s . " S o w h e r e d o
I go? W h o ' s t h i s g o d i n t h e w e s t ? "
[142]
"Ah, t h i n k , Percy," C h i r o n said. " I f Z e u s a n d P o s e i d o n
w e a k e n each o t h e r i n a war, w h o s t a n d s t o g a i n ? "
" S o m e b o d y else w h o w a n t s to take over?" I g u e s s e d .
"Yes, q u i t e . S o m e o n e w h o h a r b o r s a g r u d g e , w h o h a s
b e e n u n h a p p y w i t h h i s l o t since t h e w o r l d was d i v i d e d e o n s
ago, w h o s e k i n g d o m w o u l d g r o w p o w e r f u l w i t h t h e d e a t h s
o f m i l l i o n s . S o m e o n e w h o h a t e s h i s b r o t h e r s for f o r c i n g
h i m i n t o a n o a t h t o have n o m o r e c h i l d r e n , a n o a t h t h a t
b o t h o f t h e m have n o w b r o k e n . "
I t h o u g h t a b o u t m y d r e a m s , t h e evil voice t h a t h a d s p o ken from under the ground. "Hades."
Chiron nodded. " T h e Lord of the D e a d is the only
possibility."
A s c r a p o f a l u m i n u m d r i b b l e d o u t o f Grover's m o u t h .
" W h o a , wait. W h - w h a t ? "
" A F u r y c a m e after Percy," C h i r o n r e m i n d e d h i m . " S h e
w a t c h e d t h e y o u n g m a n u n t i l she was sure o f his i d e n tity, t h e n t r i e d t o kill h i m . F u r i e s o b e y o n l y o n e l o r d :
Hades."
"Yes, b u t — b u t H a d e s h a t e s all heroes," G r o v e r p r o t e s t e d . " E s p e c i a l l y i f h e has f o u n d o u t Percy i s a s o n o f
P o s e i d o n . . . ."
" A h e l l h o u n d g o t i n t o t h e forest," C h i r o n c o n t i n u e d .
" T h o s e can only be s u m m o n e d from the Fields of P u n ishment, and it had to be s u m m o n e d by someone within
t h e c a m p . H a d e s m u s t have a spy h e r e . H e m u s t s u s p e c t
P o s e i d o n will t r y t o use P e r c y t o clear his n a m e . H a d e s
w o u l d very m u c h like t o kill t h i s y o u n g h a l f - b l o o d b e f o r e h e
can t a k e o n t h e quest."
[143]
"Great," I muttered. "That's two major gods w h o want
t o kill m e . "
" B u t a q u e s t to . . ." G r o v e r swallowed. "I m e a n , c o u l d n ' t
t h e m a s t e r b o l t b e i n s o m e p l a c e like M a i n e ? M a i n e ' s very
nice this t i m e o f year."
" H a d e s s e n t a m i n i o n t o steal t h e m a s t e r b o l t , " C h i r o n
i n s i s t e d . " H e h i d i t i n t h e U n d e r w o r l d , k n o w i n g full well
that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don't pretend to unders t a n d t h e L o r d o f t h e D e a d ' s m o t i v e s perfectly, o r w h y h e
c h o s e t h i s t i m e t o s t a r t a war, b u t o n e t h i n g i s c e r t a i n . P e r c y
m u s t g o t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d , find t h e m a s t e r b o l t , a n d reveal
the truth."
A s t r a n g e fire b u r n e d i n m y s t o m a c h . T h e w e i r d e s t t h i n g
was: i t wasn't fear. I t was a n t i c i p a t i o n . T h e desire for
revenge. H a d e s h a d t r i e d t o kill m e t h r e e t i m e s s o far, w i t h
t h e F u r y , t h e M i n o t a u r , a n d t h e h e l l h o u n d . I t was his fault
m y m o t h e r h a d d i s a p p e a r e d i n a flash o f light. N o w h e
was t r y i n g t o f r a m e m e a n d m y d a d for a t h e f t w e h a d n ' t
committed.
I was r e a d y t o t a k e h i m o n .
Besides, if my m o t h e r was in t h e U n d e r w o r l d . . .
W h o a , boy, s a i d t h e s m a l l p a r t o f m y b r a i n t h a t was still
s a n e . You're a k i d . H a d e s is a g o d .
G r o v e r was
trembling.
H e ' d started eating pinochle
cards like p o t a t o c h i p s .
T h e p o o r guy needed to complete a quest with me so
h e c o u l d get his searcher's license, w h a t e v e r t h a t was, b u t
h o w c o u l d I ask h i m t o d o t h i s q u e s t , especially w h e n t h e
O r a c l e said I was d e s t i n e d to fail? T h i s was s u i c i d e .
[144]
" L o o k , if we k n o w it's H a d e s , " I t o l d C h i r o n , " w h y can't
w e j u s t tell t h e o t h e r gods? Z e u s o r P o s e i d o n c o u l d g o d o w n
to the U n d e r w o r l d and bust s o m e heads."
" S u s p e c t i n g a n d k n o w i n g are n o t t h e same," C h i r o n said.
"Besides, even if t h e o t h e r g o d s suspect H a d e s — a n d I i m a g ine P o s e i d o n d o e s — t h e y c o u l d n ' t retrieve t h e b o l t t h e m selves. G o d s c a n n o t cross each other's territories except by
invitation. T h a t i s a n o t h e r a n c i e n t rule. H e r o e s , o n t h e o t h e r
h a n d , have certain privileges. T h e y can go anywhere, challenge
anyone, a s l o n g a s they're b o l d e n o u g h a n d s t r o n g e n o u g h
t o d o it. N o g o d can b e h e l d r e s p o n s i b l e for a hero's
a c t i o n s . W h y d o y o u t h i n k t h e g o d s always o p e r a t e t h r o u g h
humans?"
"You're saying I ' m b e i n g used."
" I ' m saying it's n o a c c i d e n t P o s e i d o n has c l a i m e d y o u
now. It's a very risky g a m b l e , b u t he's in a d e s p e r a t e s i t u a t i o n . H e n e e d s you."
M y d a d needs me.
E m o t i o n s r o l l e d a r o u n d i n s i d e m e like b i t s o f glass i n a
k a l e i d o s c o p e . I d i d n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r t o feel resentful o r
g r a t e f u l o r h a p p y o r angry. P o s e i d o n h a d i g n o r e d m e for
twelve years. N o w s u d d e n l y h e n e e d e d m e .
I l o o k e d at C h i r o n . "You've k n o w n I was P o s e i d o n ' s s o n
all a l o n g , haven't y o u ? "
"I h a d my s u s p i c i o n s . As I s a i d . . . I've s p o k e n to t h e
Oracle, too."
I g o t t h e feeling t h e r e was a l o t he wasn't telling me a b o u t
his p r o p h e c y , b u t I d e c i d e d I c o u l d n ' t w o r r y a b o u t t h a t r i g h t
now. A f t e r all, I was h o l d i n g b a c k i n f o r m a t i o n t o o .
[145]
" S o let m e get t h i s straight," I said. " I ' m s u p p o s e d g o t o
the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."
" C h e c k , " C h i r o n said.
" F i n d t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l w e a p o n i n t h e universe."
"Check."
" A n d get i t b a c k t o O l y m p u s b e f o r e t h e s u m m e r s o l stice, in t e n days."
" T h a t ' s a b o u t right."
I l o o k e d a t Grover, w h o g u l p e d d o w n t h e ace o f h e a r t s .
" D i d I m e n t i o n t h a t M a i n e i s very nice this t i m e o f
year?" h e a s k e d weakly.
" Y o u d o n ' t have t o go," I t o l d h i m . " I can't ask t h a t o f
11
you.
" O h . . ." He shifted h i s h o o v e s . " N o . . . it's j u s t t h a t
satyrs a n d u n d e r g r o u n d places . . . well . . ."
He t o o k a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredd e d cards a n d a l u m i n u m b i t s o f f his T - s h i r t . " Y o u saved m y
life, Percy. I f . . . i f you're s e r i o u s a b o u t w a n t i n g m e a l o n g ,
I w o n ' t let y o u d o w n . "
I felt so relieved I w a n t e d to cry, t h o u g h I d i d n ' t t h i n k
t h a t w o u l d b e very h e r o i c . G r o v e r was t h e o n l y friend I'd
ever h a d for l o n g e r t h a n a few m o n t h s . I wasn't sure w h a t
g o o d a satyr c o u l d d o against t h e forces o f t h e d e a d , b u t I
felt b e t t e r k n o w i n g he'd b e w i t h m e .
"All t h e way, G - m a n . " I t u r n e d t o C h i r o n . " S o w h e r e d o
w e go? T h e O r a c l e j u s t said t o g o west."
" T h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d i s always i n t h e west.
I t m o v e s f r o m age t o age, j u s t like O l y m p u s . R i g h t n o w , o f
c o u r s e , it's in A m e r i c a . "
[146]
"Where?"
Chiron looked surprised.
"I thought that would be
obvious enough. T h e entrance to the Underworld is in Los
Angeles."
" O h , " I said. " N a t u r a l l y . S o w e j u s t g e t o n a p l a n e — "
" N o ! " G r o v e r s h r i e k e d . "Percy, w h a t are y o u t h i n k i n g ?
H a v e y o u ever b e e n o n a p l a n e i n y o u r life?"
I s h o o k m y h e a d , feeling e m b a r r a s s e d . M y m o m h a d
never t a k e n m e a n y w h e r e b y p l a n e . S h e d always said w e
d i d n ' t have t h e m o n e y . Besides, h e r p a r e n t s h a d d i e d in a
p l a n e crash.
"Percy, t h i n k , " C h i r o n said. " Y o u are t h e s o n o f t h e Sea
G o d . Y o u r father's b i t t e r e s t rival i s Z e u s , L o r d o f t h e Sky.
Your m o t h e r k n e w better than to trust you in an airplane.
Y o u w o u l d b e i n Z e u s ' s d o m a i n . Y o u w o u l d never c o m e
d o w n again alive."
Overhead, lightning crackled. T h u n d e r b o o m e d .
" O k a y , " I said, d e t e r m i n e d n o t t o l o o k a t t h e s t o r m .
" S o , I'll travel overland."
" T h a t ' s right," C h i r o n said.
"Two
companions may
a c c o m p a n y y o u . G r o v e r i s o n e . T h e o t h e r has already v o l u n t e e r e d , i f y o u will a c c e p t h e r help."
" G e e , " I said, feigning s u r p r i s e . " W h o else w o u l d b e
s t u p i d e n o u g h t o v o l u n t e e r for a q u e s t like t h i s ? "
T h e air s h i m m e r e d b e h i n d C h i r o n .
A n n a b e t h b e c a m e visible, stuffing h e r Yankees c a p i n t o
her back pocket.
"I've b e e n w a i t i n g a l o n g t i m e for a q u e s t , seaweed
b r a i n , " she said. " A t h e n a i s n o fan o f P o s e i d o n , b u t i f you're
[147]
g o i n g t o save t h e w o r l d , I ' m t h e b e s t p e r s o n t o k e e p y o u
from messing up."
" I f y o u d o say s o yourself," I said. " I s u p p o s e y o u have
a p l a n , wise girl?"
H e r cheeks c o l o r e d . " D o y o u w a n t m y h e l p o r n o t ? "
T h e t r u t h was, I d i d . I n e e d e d all t h e h e l p I c o u l d get.
"A trio," I said. " T h a t ' l l work."
"Excellent," C h i r o n said. " T h i s a f t e r n o o n , w e can t a k e
y o u a s far a s t h e b u s t e r m i n a l i n M a n h a t t a n . A f t e r t h a t , y o u
are o n y o u r own."
Lightning flashed. Rain poured down on the meadows
t h a t were never s u p p o s e d t o have v i o l e n t weather.
" N o t i m e t o waste," C h i r o n said. " I t h i n k y o u s h o u l d all
get packing."
[148]
I t d i d n ' t t a k e m e l o n g t o p a c k . I d e c i d e d t o leave t h e M i n o t a u r h o r n i n m y cabin, w h i c h left m e o n l y a n extra c h a n g e
of clothes a n d a t o o t h b r u s h to stuff in a backpack Grover
h a d f o u n d for m e .
T h e c a m p store loaned m e one h u n d r e d dollars i n m o r t a l m o n e y a n d t w e n t y g o l d e n d r a c h m a s . T h e s e c o i n s were a s
b i g a s G i r l S c o u t c o o k i e s a n d h a d images o f v a r i o u s G r e e k
g o d s s t a m p e d o n o n e side a n d t h e E m p i r e S t a t e B u i l d i n g o n
t h e o t h e r . T h e a n c i e n t m o r t a l d r a c h m a s h a d b e e n silver,
C h i r o n t o l d us, b u t O l y m p i a n s never u s e d less t h a n p u r e
g o l d . C h i r o n said t h e c o i n s m i g h t c o m e i n h a n d y for n o n mortal
transactions—whatever
that
meant.
He
gave
A n n a b e t h a n d m e each a c a n t e e n o f n e c t a r a n d a Z i p l o c b a g
full o f a m b r o s i a squares, t o b e u s e d o n l y i n e m e r g e n c i e s , i f
w e were seriously h u r t . I t was g o d f o o d , C h i r o n r e m i n d e d
u s . I t w o u l d cure u s o f a l m o s t any injury, b u t i t was l e t h a l
t o m o r t a l s . T o o m u c h o f i t w o u l d m a k e a h a l f - b l o o d very,
very feverish. A n o v e r d o s e w o u l d b u r n u s u p , literally.
A n n a b e t h was b r i n g i n g h e r m a g i c Yankees cap, w h i c h
she told me h a d been a twelfth-birthday present from her
m o m . S h e c a r r i e d a b o o k o n f a m o u s classical a r c h i t e c t u r e ,
w r i t t e n i n A n c i e n t G r e e k , t o r e a d w h e n she g o t b o r e d , a n d
[149]
a l o n g b r o n z e knife, h i d d e n in h e r s h i r t sleeve. I was sure t h e
knife w o u l d get u s b u s t e d t h e first t i m e w e w e n t t h r o u g h a
metal detector.
G r o v e r w o r e h i s fake feet a n d h i s p a n t s t o p a s s a s
h u m a n . H e w o r e a g r e e n r a s t a - s t y l e cap, b e c a u s e w h e n i t
r a i n e d his curly h a i r f l a t t e n e d a n d y o u c o u l d j u s t see t h e tips
o f his h o r n s . H i s b r i g h t o r a n g e b a c k p a c k was full o f s c r a p
m e t a l a n d a p p l e s t o s n a c k o n . I n his p o c k e t was a set o f r e e d
p i p e s h i s d a d d y g o a t h a d c a r v e d for h i m , even t h o u g h h e
only knew two songs: Mozart's Piano C o n c e r t o no. 12 and
Hilary
Duff's
" S o Yesterday,"
both
of
which
sounded
pretty b a d on reed pipes.
W e waved g o o d - b y e t o t h e o t h e r c a m p e r s , t o o k o n e last
l o o k a t t h e s t r a w b e r r y f i e l d s , t h e o c e a n , a n d t h e Big H o u s e ,
t h e n h i k e d u p H a l f - B l o o d H i l l t o t h e tall p i n e tree t h a t u s e d
to be Thalia, daughter of Zeus.
C h i r o n was w a i t i n g for u s i n his wheelchair. N e x t t o
h i m s t o o d t h e surfer d u d e I ' d seen w h e n I was recovering i n
t h e sick r o o m . A c c o r d i n g t o Grover, t h e g u y was t h e c a m p ' s
h e a d o f security. H e s u p p o s e d l y h a d eyes all over his b o d y
s o h e c o u l d never b e s u r p r i s e d . T o d a y , t h o u g h , h e was weari n g a chauffeur's u n i f o r m , so I c o u l d o n l y see extra p e e p e r s
o n his h a n d s , face a n d n e c k .
" T h i s i s A r g u s , " C h i r o n t o l d m e . " H e will drive y o u
i n t o t h e city, a n d , er, well, k e e p an eye on t h i n g s . "
I heard footsteps behind us.
L u k e c a m e r u n n i n g u p t h e hill, c a r r y i n g a p a i r o f b a s ketball shoes.
" H e y ! " h e p a n t e d . " G l a d I c a u g h t you."
[150]
A n n a b e t h b l u s h e d , t h e way she always d i d w h e n L u k e
was a r o u n d .
"Just w a n t e d t o say g o o d luck," L u k e t o l d m e . " A n d I
t h o u g h t . . . um, m a y b e y o u c o u l d u s e these."
H e h a n d e d m e t h e sneakers, w h i c h l o o k e d p r e t t y n o r m a l . T h e y even s m e l l e d k i n d o f n o r m a l .
L u k e said, "Maia!"
W h i t e bird's w i n g s s p r o u t e d o u t o f t h e heels, s t a r t l i n g
me so much, I d r o p p e d them. T h e shoes flapped a r o u n d on
the g r o u n d until the wings folded up a n d disappeared.
" A w e s o m e ! " G r o v e r said.
L u k e s m i l e d . " T h o s e served m e well w h e n I was o n m y
quest. Gift from D a d . Of course, I don't use t h e m m u c h
t h e s e days. . . ." H i s e x p r e s s i o n t u r n e d sad.
I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t o say. I t was c o o l e n o u g h t h a t L u k e
h a d c o m e t o say g o o d - b y e . I'd b e e n afraid h e m i g h t r e s e n t
m e f o r g e t t i n g s o m u c h a t t e n t i o n t h e last few d a y s . B u t h e r e
h e was giving m e a m a g i c gift. . . . I t m a d e m e b l u s h a l m o s t
as m u c h as A n n a b e t h .
" H e y , m a n , " I said. " T h a n k s . "
" L i s t e n , Percy . . ." L u k e l o o k e d u n c o m f o r t a b l e . "A l o t
of h o p e s are r i d i n g on y o u . So j u s t . . . kill s o m e m o n s t e r s
for m e , o k a y ? "
W e s h o o k h a n d s . L u k e p a t t e d Grover's h e a d b e t w e e n h i s
h o r n s , t h e n gave a g o o d - b y e h u g t o A n n a b e t h , w h o l o o k e d
like s h e m i g h t p a s s o u t .
After L u k e was g o n e , I t o l d her, "You're h y p e r v e n t i lating."
" A m not."
[151]
" Y o u let h i m c a p t u r e t h e f l a g i n s t e a d o f you, d i d n ' t y o u ? "
" O h . . . w h y do I w a n t to go a n y w h e r e w i t h y o u ,
Percy?"
S h e s t o m p e d d o w n t h e o t h e r side o f t h e hill, w h e r e a
w h i t e S U V w a i t e d o n t h e s h o u l d e r o f t h e r o a d . A r g u s followed, jingling h i s car keys.
I picked up the flying shoes a n d h a d a sudden b a d
feeling. I l o o k e d at C h i r o n . "I w o n ' t be able to u s e t h e s e ,
will I?"
H e s h o o k his h e a d . " L u k e m e a n t well, Percy. B u t t a k i n g
to t h e air . . . t h a t w o u l d n o t be wise for you."
I n o d d e d , d i s a p p o i n t e d , b u t t h e n I g o t an idea. " H e y ,
Grover. Y o u w a n t a m a g i c i t e m ? "
H i s eyes lit u p . " M e ? "
P r e t t y s o o n we'd laced t h e sneakers over his fake feet,
a n d t h e world's first f l y i n g g o a t b o y was ready for l a u n c h .
"Maia!" he s h o u t e d .
H e g o t o f f t h e g r o u n d okay, b u t t h e n fell over sideways
s o his b a c k p a c k d r a g g e d t h r o u g h t h e grass. T h e w i n g e d
s h o e s k e p t b u c k i n g u p a n d d o w n like tiny b r o n c o s .
" P r a c t i c e , " C h i r o n called after h i m .
"You just need
practice!"
"Aaaaa!" G r o v e r w e n t f l y i n g sideways d o w n t h e hill like
a p o s s e s s e d l a w n m o w e r , h e a d i n g t o w a r d t h e van.
Before I c o u l d follow, C h i r o n c a u g h t m y a r m . " I s h o u l d
have t r a i n e d y o u b e t t e r , Percy," h e said. " I f o n l y I h a d m o r e
t i m e . H e r c u l e s , J a s o n — t h e y all g o t m o r e training."
" T h a t ' s okay. I j u s t w i s h — "
I s t o p p e d m y s e l f b e c a u s e I was a b o u t to s o u n d like a
[152]
b r a t . I was w i s h i n g m y d a d h a d given m e a c o o l m a g i c i t e m
t o h e l p o n t h e q u e s t , s o m e t h i n g a s g o o d a s L u k e ' s flying
s h o e s , o r A n n a b e t h ' s invisible cap.
" W h a t a m I t h i n k i n g ? " C h i r o n cried. " I can't let y o u get
away w i t h o u t this."
H e p u l l e d a p e n f r o m his c o a t p o c k e t a n d h a n d e d i t t o
m e . I t was a n o r d i n a r y d i s p o s a b l e b a l l p o i n t , black ink,
r e m o v a b l e cap. P r o b a b l y c o s t t h i r t y c e n t s .
" G e e , " I said. " T h a n k s . "
"Percy, that's a gift f r o m y o u r father. I've k e p t it for
years, n o t k n o w i n g y o u were w h o I was w a i t i n g for. B u t t h e
p r o p h e c y i s clear t o m e now. Y o u are t h e one."
I
remembered
the
field
trip
to
the
Metropolitan
M u s e u m o f A r t , w h e n I'd v a p o r i z e d M r s . D o d d s . C h i r o n
h a d t h r o w n me a p e n that t u r n e d into a sword. C o u l d this
be . . . ?
I t o o k o f f t h e cap, a n d t h e p e n g r e w l o n g e r a n d heavier
in my h a n d . In h a l f a s e c o n d , I h e l d a s h i m m e r i n g b r o n z e
sword with a double-edged blade, a leather-wrapped grip,
a n d a flat hilt riveted w i t h g o l d s t u d s . It was t h e first
w e a p o n t h a t actually felt b a l a n c e d i n m y h a n d .
" T h e sword has a l o n g a n d tragic history t h a t we n e e d
n o t g o into," C h i r o n t o l d m e . " I t s n a m e i s A n a k l u s m o s . "
" ' R i p t i d e , ' " I translated, surprised the Ancient Greek
c a m e so easily.
" U s e i t o n l y for emergencies," C h i r o n said, " a n d o n l y
against m o n s t e r s . N o hero
should h a r m m o r t a l s unless
a b s o l u t e l y necessary, o f c o u r s e , b u t t h i s s w o r d w o u l d n ' t
h a r m t h e m i n any case."
[153]
I l o o k e d at the wickedly sharp blade. " W h a t do you
mean it wouldn't h a r m mortals? H o w could it not?"
" T h e s w o r d i s celestial b r o n z e . F o r g e d b y t h e C y c l o p e s ,
tempered in the heart of M o u n t Etna, cooled in the River
L e t h e . It's d e a d l y t o m o n s t e r s , t o any c r e a t u r e f r o m t h e
U n d e r w o r l d , p r o v i d e d t h e y d o n ' t kill y o u first. B u t t h e b l a d e
will p a s s t h r o u g h m o r t a l s like a n illusion. T h e y s i m p l y are
n o t i m p o r t a n t e n o u g h for t h e b l a d e t o kill. A n d I s h o u l d
w a r n y o u : as a d e m i g o d , y o u can be k i l l e d by e i t h e r celestial
o r n o r m a l w e a p o n s . Y o u are twice a s vulnerable."
" G o o d t o know."
" N o w r e c a p t h e pen."
I t o u c h e d the p e n cap to the sword tip and instantly
R i p t i d e s h r a n k t o a b a l l p o i n t p e n again. I t u c k e d i t i n m y
p o c k e t , a little n e r v o u s , b e c a u s e I was f a m o u s for l o s i n g
pens at school.
" Y o u can't," C h i r o n said.
"Can't what?"
" L o s e t h e pen," h e said. " I t i s e n c h a n t e d . I t will always
r e a p p e a r i n y o u r p o c k e t . T r y it."
I was wary, b u t I t h r e w t h e p e n as far as I c o u l d d o w n
t h e hill a n d w a t c h e d i t d i s a p p e a r i n t h e grass.
" I t m a y take a few m o m e n t s , " C h i r o n t o l d m e . " N o w
check your pocket."
S u r e e n o u g h , t h e p e n was t h e r e .
" O k a y , that's extremely cool," I a d m i t t e d . " B u t w h a t if a
m o r t a l sees m e p u l l i n g o u t a s w o r d ? "
C h i r o n s m i l e d . " M i s t is a p o w e r f u l t h i n g , Percy."
"Mist?"
[154]
"Yes. R e a d The Iliad. It's full of references to t h e stuff.
W h e n e v e r divine o r m o n s t r o u s e l e m e n t s m i x w i t h t h e m o r tal w o r l d , t h e y g e n e r a t e M i s t , w h i c h o b s c u r e s t h e vision o f
h u m a n s . Y o u will see t h i n g s j u s t as t h e y are, b e i n g a halfb l o o d , b u t h u m a n s will i n t e r p r e t t h i n g s q u i t e differently.
R e m a r k a b l e , really, t h e l e n g t h s t o w h i c h h u m a n s will g o t o
fit t h i n g s i n t o t h e i r v e r s i o n o f reality."
I p u t R i p t i d e back in my pocket.
F o r t h e first t i m e , t h e q u e s t felt real. I was actually leaving H a l f - B l o o d H i l l . I was h e a d i n g w e s t w i t h n o a d u l t
s u p e r v i s i o n , n o b a c k u p p l a n , n o t even a cell p h o n e . ( C h i r o n
said cell p h o n e s were traceable b y m o n s t e r s ; i f w e u s e d o n e ,
it would be worse than sending up a flare.) I had no weapon
s t r o n g e r t h a n a s w o r d t o f i g h t o f f m o n s t e r s a n d reach t h e
Land of the Dead.
" C h i r o n . . . " I said. " W h e n y o u say t h e g o d s are i m m o r tal . . . I m e a n , t h e r e was a t i m e before t h e m , r i g h t ? "
" F o u r ages b e f o r e t h e m ,
actually. T h e T i m e o f t h e
T i t a n s was t h e F o u r t h Age, s o m e t i m e s called t h e G o l d e n
A g e , w h i c h i s definitely a m i s n o m e r . T h i s , t h e t i m e o f
W e s t e r n civilization a n d t h e r u l e o f Z e u s , i s t h e F i f t h A g e . "
" S o w h a t was it like . . . b e f o r e t h e g o d s ? "
C h i r o n p u r s e d h i s lips. " E v e n I a m n o t o l d e n o u g h t o
r e m e m b e r t h a t , child, b u t I k n o w it was a t i m e of d a r k n e s s
a n d savagery for m o r t a l s . K r o n o s , t h e l o r d o f t h e T i t a n s ,
called his reign t h e G o l d e n A g e b e c a u s e m e n lived i n n o c e n t
a n d free o f all k n o w l e d g e . B u t t h a t was m e r e p r o p a g a n d a .
T h e T i t a n k i n g cared n o t h i n g for y o u r k i n d e x c e p t a s a p p e tizers o r a s o u r c e o f c h e a p e n t e r t a i n m e n t . I t was o n l y i n t h e
[155]
early r e i g n o f L o r d Z e u s , w h e n P r o m e t h e u s t h e g o o d T i t a n
brought
fire
to
mankind,
that
your
species
began
to
p r o g r e s s , a n d even t h e n P r o m e t h e u s was b r a n d e d a r a d i c a l
t h i n k e r . Z e u s p u n i s h e d h i m severely, a s y o u m a y recall. O f
c o u r s e , eventually t h e g o d s w a r m e d t o h u m a n s , a n d W e s t e r n
civilization was b o r n . "
" B u t t h e g o d s can't d i e n o w , right? I m e a n , as l o n g as
W e s t e r n civilization is alive, they're alive. So . . . even if I
failed, n o t h i n g c o u l d h a p p e n s o b a d i t w o u l d m e s s u p everything, r i g h t ? "
C h i r o n gave m e a m e l a n c h o l y smile. " N o o n e k n o w s
h o w l o n g t h e A g e o f t h e W e s t will last, Percy. T h e g o d s are
i m m o r t a l , yes. B u t t h e n , so were t h e T i t a n s . They still exist,
l o c k e d away i n t h e i r v a r i o u s p r i s o n s , forced t o e n d u r e e n d less p a i n a n d p u n i s h m e n t , r e d u c e d i n power, b u t still very
m u c h alive. M a y t h e F a t e s f o r b i d t h a t t h e g o d s s h o u l d ever
suffer s u c h a d o o m , o r t h a t w e s h o u l d ever r e t u r n t o t h e
d a r k n e s s a n d c h a o s o f t h e p a s t . All w e can d o , child, i s foll o w o u r destiny."
" O u r d e s t i n y . . . a s s u m i n g we k n o w w h a t t h a t is."
"Relax," C h i r o n t o l d m e .
" K e e p a clear h e a d . A n d
remember, you may be a b o u t to prevent the biggest war in
h u m a n history."
"Relax," I said. " I ' m very relaxed."
W h e n I g o t t o t h e b o t t o m o f t h e hill, I l o o k e d b a c k .
U n d e r t h e p i n e tree t h a t u s e d t o b e T h a l i a , d a u g h t e r o f
Z e u s , C h i r o n was n o w s t a n d i n g i n full h o r s e - m a n f o r m ,
h o l d i n g his b o w h i g h i n s a l u t e . J u s t y o u r t y p i c a l s u m m e r c a m p send-off by your typical centaur.
[156]
A r g u s drove u s o u t o f t h e c o u n t r y s i d e a n d i n t o w e s t e r n
L o n g Island.
I t felt weird t o
be
on
a h i g h w a y again,
A n n a b e t h a n d G r o v e r s i t t i n g n e x t t o m e a s i f w e were n o r m a l c a r p o o l e r s . A f t e r t w o weeks a t H a l f - B l o o d H i l l , t h e real
w o r l d s e e m e d like a fantasy. I f o u n d m y s e l f s t a r i n g at every
M c D o n a l d ' s , every k i d i n t h e b a c k o f h i s p a r e n t s ' car, every
billboard a n d s h o p p i n g mall.
" S o far s o g o o d , " I t o l d A n n a b e t h . " T e n m i l e s a n d n o t
a single m o n s t e r . "
S h e gave m e a n i r r i t a t e d l o o k . "It's b a d l u c k t o talk t h a t
way, s e a w e e d brain."
" R e m i n d me again—why do you hate me so much?"
" I d o n ' t h a t e you."
" C o u l d ' v e f o o l e d me."
S h e f o l d e d h e r c a p of invisibility. " L o o k . . . we're j u s t
n o t s u p p o s e d t o get a l o n g , okay? O u r p a r e n t s are rivals."
"Why?"
S h e sighed. " H o w m a n y r e a s o n s d o y o u w a n t ? O n e t i m e
m y m o m c a u g h t P o s e i d o n w i t h h i s girlfriend i n A t h e n a ' s
t e m p l e , w h i c h is hugely disrespectful. A n o t h e r t i m e , A t h e n a
a n d P o s e i d o n c o m p e t e d t o b e t h e p a t r o n g o d for t h e city o f
A t h e n s . Y o u r d a d c r e a t e d s o m e s t u p i d s a l t w a t e r s p r i n g for
h i s gift. M y m o m c r e a t e d t h e olive tree. T h e p e o p l e saw t h a t
h e r gift was b e t t e r , s o t h e y n a m e d t h e city after her."
" T h e y m u s t really like olives."
" O h , forget it."
" N o w , if she'd i n v e n t e d p i z z a — t h a t I c o u l d u n d e r s t a n d . "
"I said, forget it!"
[157]
I n t h e f r o n t seat, A r g u s s m i l e d . H e d i d n ' t say a n y t h i n g ,
b u t o n e b l u e eye o n t h e b a c k o f his n e c k w i n k e d a t m e .
Traffic slowed u s d o w n i n Q u e e n s . B y t h e t i m e w e g o t
i n t o M a n h a t t a n i t was s u n s e t a n d s t a r t i n g t o r a i n .
Argus d r o p p e d us at the G r e y h o u n d Station on the
U p p e r E a s t S i d e , n o t far f r o m m y m o m a n d G a b e ' s a p a r t m e n t . T a p e d to a m a i l b o x was a s o g g y flyer w i t h my p i c t u r e
on it: HAVE Y O U SEEN T H I S BOY?
I r i p p e d i t d o w n before A n n a b e t h a n d G r o v e r c o u l d
notice.
A r g u s u n l o a d e d o u r b a g s , m a d e sure w e g o t o u r b u s
tickets, t h e n drove away, t h e eye o n t h e b a c k o f his h a n d
opening to watch us as he pulled o u t of the parking lot.
I t h o u g h t a b o u t h o w close I was t o m y o l d a p a r t m e n t .
O n a n o r m a l day, m y m o m w o u l d b e h o m e f r o m t h e c a n d y
s t o r e b y now. S m e l l y G a b e was p r o b a b l y u p t h e r e r i g h t now,
p l a y i n g p o k e r , n o t even m i s s i n g her.
G r o v e r s h o u l d e r e d his b a c k p a c k . H e g a z e d d o w n t h e
street i n t h e d i r e c t i o n I was l o o k i n g . " Y o u w a n t t o k n o w
w h y she m a r r i e d h i m , Percy?"
I stared at him. "Were you reading my m i n d or s o m e thing?"
"Just y o u r e m o t i o n s . " H e s h r u g g e d . " G u e s s I f o r g o t t o
tell y o u satyrs c a n d o t h a t . Y o u w e r e t h i n k i n g a b o u t y o u r
m o m and your stepdad, right?"
I n o d d e d , w o n d e r i n g w h a t else G r o v e r m i g h t ' v e f o r g o t t e n t o tell m e .
" Y o u r m o m m a r r i e d G a b e for you" G r o v e r t o l d m e .
" Y o u call h i m 'Smelly,' b u t you've g o t n o idea. T h e g u y has
[158]
this aura. . . . Y u c k . I c a n smell h i m f r o m here. I can s m e l l
traces o f h i m o n y o u , a n d y o u haven't b e e n n e a r h i m for a
week."
" T h a n k s , " I said. " W h e r e ' s t h e n e a r e s t s h o w e r ? "
" Y o u s h o u l d b e grateful, Percy. Y o u r s t e p f a t h e r s m e l l s
s o repulsively h u m a n h e c o u l d m a s k t h e p r e s e n c e o f any
d e m i g o d . As s o o n as I t o o k a w h i f f i n s i d e his C a m a r o , I
k n e w : G a b e h a s b e e n covering y o u r s c e n t for years. I f y o u
h a d n ' t lived w i t h h i m every s u m m e r , y o u p r o b a b l y w o u l d ' v e
b e e n f o u n d b y m o n s t e r s a l o n g t i m e ago. Y o u r m o m stayed
w i t h h i m t o p r o t e c t y o u . S h e was a s m a r t lady. S h e m u s t ' v e
loved y o u a l o t t o p u t u p w i t h t h a t g u y — i f t h a t m a k e s y o u
feel any better."
I t d i d n ' t , b u t I f o r c e d m y s e l f n o t t o s h o w it. I'll see h e r
again, I t h o u g h t . S h e isn't g o n e .
I w o n d e r e d i f G r o v e r c o u l d still r e a d m y e m o t i o n s ,
m i x e d up as t h e y were. I was glad he a n d A n n a b e t h were
w i t h m e , b u t I felt guilty t h a t I h a d n ' t b e e n s t r a i g h t w i t h
t h e m . I h a d n ' t t o l d t h e m t h e real r e a s o n I'd said yes to t h i s
crazy quest.
T h e t r u t h was, I d i d n ' t care a b o u t retrieving Z e u s ' s
l i g h t n i n g b o l t , o r saving t h e w o r l d , o r even h e l p i n g m y father
o u t o f t r o u b l e . T h e m o r e I t h o u g h t a b o u t it, I r e s e n t e d
P o s e i d o n for never visiting m e , never h e l p i n g m y m o m ,
never even s e n d i n g a l o u s y c h i l d - s u p p o r t check. H e ' d o n l y
claimed me because he needed a job done.
A l l I c a r e d a b o u t was m y m o m . H a d e s h a d t a k e n h e r
unfairly, a n d H a d e s was g o i n g t o give h e r b a c k .
You will be betrayed by one who calls you a friend, t h e O r a c l e
[159]
w h i s p e r e d in my m i n d . You will fail to save what matters most in
the end.
Shut up, I t o l d it.
T h e rain kept c o m i n g down.
W e g o t restless w a i t i n g for t h e b u s a n d d e c i d e d t o p l a y
s o m e H a c k y S a c k w i t h o n e o f Grover's a p p l e s . A n n a b e t h
was u n b e l i e v a b l e . S h e c o u l d b o u n c e t h e a p p l e o f f h e r k n e e ,
h e r elbow, h e r s h o u l d e r , whatever. I wasn't t o o b a d myself.
T h e game ended when I tossed the apple toward Grover
a n d i t g o t t o o close t o h i s m o u t h . I n o n e m e g a g o a t b i t e , o u r
H a c k y Sack d i s a p p e a r e d — c o r e , s t e m , a n d all.
Grover blushed. He tried to apologize, b u t A n n a b e t h
a n d I were t o o b u s y c r a c k i n g u p .
F i n a l l y t h e b u s c a m e . A s w e s t o o d i n line t o b o a r d ,
G r o v e r s t a r t e d l o o k i n g a r o u n d , sniffing t h e air like h e
s m e l l e d h i s favorite s c h o o l cafeteria d e l i c a c y — e n c h i l a d a s .
" W h a t is it?" I asked.
" I d o n ' t know," h e said tensely. " M a y b e it's n o t h i n g . "
B u t I c o u l d tell it wasn't n o t h i n g . I s t a r t e d l o o k i n g over
my shoulder, too.
I was relieved w h e n w e finally g o t o n b o a r d a n d f o u n d
seats t o g e t h e r i n t h e b a c k o f t h e b u s . W e s t o w e d o u r b a c k p a c k s . A n n a b e t h k e p t s l a p p i n g h e r Yankees c a p n e r v o u s l y
against her thigh.
A s t h e last p a s s e n g e r s g o t o n , A n n a b e t h c l a m p e d h e r
h a n d o n t o m y k n e e . "Percy."
An old lady h a d just b o a r d e d the bus. She wore a c r u m p l e d velvet dress, lace gloves, a n d a shapeless o r a n g e - k n i t h a t
[160]
t h a t s h a d o w e d h e r face, a n d she c a r r i e d a b i g paisley p u r s e .
W h e n she t i l t e d h e r h e a d u p , h e r black eyes glittered, a n d
my h e a r t s k i p p e d a b e a t .
I t was M r s . D o d d s . O l d e r , m o r e w i t h e r e d , b u t definitely t h e s a m e evil face.
I s c r u n c h e d d o w n in my seat.
B e h i n d h e r c a m e t w o m o r e o l d ladies: o n e i n a g r e e n h a t ,
o n e i n a p u r p l e h a t . O t h e r w i s e t h e y l o o k e d exactly like M r s .
D o d d s — s a m e g n a r l e d h a n d s , paisley h a n d b a g s , w r i n k l e d
velvet dresses. T r i p l e t d e m o n g r a n d m o t h e r s .
T h e y sat i n t h e f r o n t row, r i g h t b e h i n d t h e driver. T h e
t w o o n t h e aisle c r o s s e d t h e i r legs over t h e walkway, m a k i n g
an X. It was casual e n o u g h , b u t it s e n t a clear message:
n o b o d y leaves.
T h e bus pulled out of the station, and we headed
t h r o u g h t h e slick streets o f M a n h a t t a n .
" S h e d i d n ' t stay
d e a d l o n g , " I said, t r y i n g t o k e e p m y voice f r o m quivering.
"I t h o u g h t y o u said t h e y c o u l d be d i s p e l l e d for a lifetime.
"I said if you're lucky" A n n a b e t h said.
"You're o b v i -
ously not."
"All t h r e e of t h e m , " G r o v e r w h i m p e r e d . "Di immortales!"
"It's okay," A n n a b e t h said, o b v i o u s l y t h i n k i n g h a r d .
"The
Furies.
The
three
worst
monsters
from
the
U n d e r w o r l d . N o p r o b l e m . N o p r o b l e m . W e ' l l j u s t slip o u t
the windows."
" T h e y don't open," Grover m o a n e d .
"A b a c k exit?" she s u g g e s t e d .
T h e r e wasn't o n e . E v e n i f t h e r e h a d b e e n , i t w o u l d n ' t
[161]
have h e l p e d . B y t h a t t i m e , w e were o n N i n t h Avenue, h e a d i n g for t h e L i n c o l n T u n n e l .
" T h e y w o n ' t a t t a c k u s w i t h w i t n e s s e s a r o u n d , " I said.
"Will they?"
" M o r t a l s d o n ' t have g o o d eyes," A n n a b e t h r e m i n d e d
m e . " T h e i r b r a i n s can o n l y p r o c e s s w h a t t h e y see t h r o u g h
the Mist."
" T h e y ' l l see t h r e e o l d ladies k i l l i n g us, w o n ' t t h e y ? "
She t h o u g h t
a b o u t it.
" H a r d to
say.
But we
can't
c o u n t o n m o r t a l s for h e l p . M a y b e a n e m e r g e n c y exit i n
the roof . . . ?"
We hit the Lincoln Tunnel, and the bus went dark
except for t h e r u n n i n g l i g h t s d o w n t h e aisle. I t was eerily
q u i e t w i t h o u t t h e s o u n d o f t h e rain.
M r s . D o d d s g o t u p . I n a flat voice, a s i f she'd r e h e a r s e d
it, she a n n o u n c e d t o t h e w h o l e b u s : " I n e e d t o use t h e restroom."
" S o d o I," said t h e s e c o n d sister.
" S o d o I," s a i d t h e t h i r d sister.
T h e y all s t a r t e d c o m i n g d o w n t h e aisle.
"I've g o t it," A n n a b e t h said. "Percy, take my hat."
"What?"
"You're t h e o n e t h e y w a n t . T u r n invisible a n d g o u p t h e
aisle. L e t t h e m p a s s y o u . M a y b e y o u c a n get t o t h e f r o n t a n d
get away."
"But you g u y s — "
" T h e r e ' s a n o u t s i d e c h a n c e t h e y m i g h t n o t n o t i c e us,"
A n n a b e t h said. "You're a s o n o f o n e o f t h e Big T h r e e . Y o u r
s m e l l m i g h t b e overpowering."
[162]
"I can't j u s t leave you."
" D o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t us," G r o v e r said. " G o ! "
My h a n d s t r e m b l e d . I felt like a coward, b u t I t o o k t h e
Yankees c a p a n d p u t i t o n .
W h e n I l o o k e d d o w n , m y b o d y wasn't t h e r e a n y m o r e .
I s t a r t e d c r e e p i n g u p t h e aisle. I m a n a g e d t o get u p t e n
r o w s , t h e n d u c k i n t o a n e m p t y seat just a s t h e F u r i e s w a l k e d
past.
M r s . D o d d s s t o p p e d , sniffing, a n d l o o k e d s t r a i g h t a t
m e . M y h e a r t was p o u n d i n g .
A p p a r e n t l y she d i d n ' t see a n y t h i n g . S h e a n d h e r sisters
kept going.
I was free. I m a d e it to t h e f r o n t of t h e b u s . We were
a l m o s t t h r o u g h t h e L i n c o l n T u n n e l now. I was a b o u t t o
p r e s s t h e e m e r g e n c y s t o p b u t t o n w h e n I h e a r d h i d e o u s wailing f r o m t h e b a c k row.
T h e o l d ladies were n o t o l d ladies a n y m o r e . T h e i r faces
were still t h e s a m e — I guess t h o s e c o u l d n ' t get any u g l i e r —
b u t t h e i r b o d i e s h a d shriveled i n t o l e a t h e r y b r o w n h a g b o d ies w i t h bat's w i n g s a n d h a n d s a n d feet like gargoyle claws.
T h e i r h a n d b a g s h a d t u r n e d i n t o fiery w h i p s .
T h e Furies surrounded Grover a n d Annabeth, lashing
t h e i r w h i p s , hissing: " W h e r e i s it? W h e r e ? "
T h e o t h e r p e o p l e o n t h e b u s were s c r e a m i n g , c o w e r i n g
in t h e i r seats. T h e y s a w something, all r i g h t .
" H e ' s n o t h e r e ! " A n n a b e t h yelled. " H e ' s g o n e ! "
T h e Furies raised their whips.
A n n a b e t h d r e w h e r b r o n z e knife. G r o v e r g r a b b e d a t i n
can f r o m h i s snack b a g a n d p r e p a r e d t o t h r o w it.
[163]
W h a t I d i d n e x t was s o i m p u l s i v e a n d d a n g e r o u s I
s h o u l d ' v e b e e n n a m e d A D H D p o s t e r child o f t h e year.
T h e b u s driver was d i s t r a c t e d , t r y i n g t o see w h a t was
g o i n g o n i n his rearview m i r r o r .
Still invisible, I g r a b b e d t h e w h e e l f r o m h i m a n d j e r k e d
i t t o t h e left. E v e r y b o d y h o w l e d a s t h e y were t h r o w n t o t h e
r i g h t , a n d I h e a r d w h a t I h o p e d was t h e s o u n d o f t h r e e
F u r i e s s m a s h i n g against t h e w i n d o w s .
" H e y ! " t h e driver yelled. " H e y — w h o a ! "
W e w r e s t l e d for t h e wheel. T h e b u s s l a m m e d a g a i n s t t h e
side o f t h e t u n n e l , g r i n d i n g m e t a l , t h r o w i n g s p a r k s a m i l e
behind us.
We careened o u t of the Lincoln Tunnel and back into
the rainstorm, people and monsters tossed around the bus,
cars p l o w e d aside like b o w l i n g p i n s .
S o m e h o w t h e driver f o u n d a n exit. W e s h o t o f f t h e
highway, t h r o u g h h a l f a d o z e n traffic lights, a n d e n d e d u p
b a r r e l i n g d o w n o n e o f t h o s e N e w Jersey r u r a l r o a d s w h e r e
y o u can't believe there's s o m u c h n o t h i n g r i g h t across t h e
river f r o m N e w Y o r k . T h e r e were w o o d s t o o u r left, t h e
H u d s o n R i v e r t o o u r r i g h t , a n d t h e driver s e e m e d t o b e
veering t o w a r d t h e river.
A n o t h e r g r e a t idea: I h i t t h e e m e r g e n c y b r a k e .
T h e b u s wailed, s p u n a full circle o n t h e wet asphalt,
a n d c r a s h e d i n t o t h e trees. T h e e m e r g e n c y l i g h t s c a m e o n .
T h e d o o r f l e w o p e n . T h e b u s driver was t h e first o n e o u t ,
the
passengers
yelling
as
they stampeded
after h i m .
I
s t e p p e d i n t o t h e driver's seat a n d l e t t h e m p a s s .
T h e Furies regained their balance. T h e y lashed their
[164]
w h i p s a t A n n a b e t h while s h e waved h e r knife a n d yelled
i n A n c i e n t G r e e k , t e l l i n g t h e m t o b a c k off. G r o v e r t h r e w t i n
cans.
I l o o k e d at t h e o p e n d o o r w a y I was free to go, b u t I
c o u l d n ' t leave my friends. I t o o k o f f t h e invisible c a p .
"Hey!"
T h e F u r i e s t u r n e d , b a r i n g t h e i r yellow fangs a t m e , a n d
t h e exit s u d d e n l y s e e m e d like a n excellent idea. M r s . D o d d s
s t a l k e d u p t h e aisle, j u s t a s s h e u s e d t o d o i n class, a b o u t t o
deliver m y F — m a t h test. E v e r y t i m e s h e f l i c k e d h e r w h i p ,
r e d f l a m e s d a n c e d a l o n g t h e b a r b e d leather.
H e r t w o ugly sisters h o p p e d o n t o p o f t h e seats o n
e i t h e r side o f h e r a n d c r a w l e d t o w a r d m e like h u g e n a s t y
lizards.
" P e r s e u s Jackson," M r s . D o d d s said, i n a n a c c e n t t h a t
was definitely f r o m s o m e w h e r e f a r t h e r s o u t h t h a n G e o r g i a .
" Y o u have o f f e n d e d t h e g o d s . Y o u shall die."
"I liked y o u b e t t e r as a m a t h teacher," I t o l d her.
She growled.
A n n a b e t h and Grover moved up b e h i n d the Furies cautiously, l o o k i n g for a n o p e n i n g .
I took the ballpoint pen out of my pocket and unc a p p e d it. R i p t i d e e l o n g a t e d i n t o a s h i m m e r i n g d o u b l e edged sword.
T h e Furies hesitated.
M r s . D o d d s h a d felt R i p t i d e s b l a d e b e f o r e . S h e o b v i o u s l y d i d n ' t like seeing it again.
" S u b m i t now," she h i s s e d .
eternal torment."
[165]
" A n d y o u will n o t suffer
" N i c e try," I t o l d her.
"Percy, l o o k o u t ! " A n n a b e t h cried.
M r s . D o d d s lashed her whip around my sword h a n d
w h i l e t h e F u r i e s o n t h e e i t h e r side l u n g e d a t m e .
M y h a n d felt like i t was w r a p p e d i n m o l t e n lead, b u t I
m a n a g e d n o t t o d r o p R i p t i d e . I s t u c k t h e F u r y o n t h e left
w i t h its hilt, s e n d i n g h e r t o p p l i n g b a c k w a r d i n t o a seat. I
t u r n e d a n d sliced t h e F u r y o n t h e r i g h t . A s s o o n a s t h e
b l a d e c o n n e c t e d w i t h h e r n e c k , she s c r e a m e d a n d e x p l o d e d
i n t o d u s t . A n n a b e t h g o t M r s . D o d d s i n a wrestler's h o l d
a n d yanked her backward while Grover ripped the whip o u t
of her hands.
"Owl" h e yelled. " O w ! H o t ! H o t ! "
T h e F u r y I'd h i l t - s l a m m e d c a m e a t m e again, t a l o n s
ready, b u t I s w u n g R i p t i d e a n d s h e b r o k e o p e n like a
piñata.
M r s . D o d d s was t r y i n g t o get A n n a b e t h o f f h e r b a c k .
S h e kicked, clawed, h i s s e d a n d bit, b u t A n n a b e t h h e l d o n
w h i l e G r o v e r g o t M r s . D o d d s ' s legs t i e d u p i n h e r o w n w h i p .
Finally t h e y b o t h s h o v e d h e r b a c k w a r d i n t o t h e aisle. M r s .
D o d d s t r i e d t o get u p , b u t she d i d n ' t have r o o m t o flap h e r
b a t w i n g s , s o she k e p t falling d o w n .
" Z e u s will d e s t r o y y o u ! " s h e p r o m i s e d . " H a d e s will have
your soul!"
"Braceas meas vescimini!" I yelled.
I wasn't sure w h e r e t h e L a t i n c a m e f r o m . I t h i n k it
meant "Eat my pants!"
T h u n d e r s h o o k t h e b u s . T h e h a i r rose o n t h e b a c k o f
my neck.
[166]
" G e t o u t ! " A n n a b e t h yelled a t m e . " N o w ! " I d i d n ' t n e e d
any encouragement.
W e r u s h e d outside a n d f o u n d the other passengers wand e r i n g a r o u n d i n a d a z e , a r g u i n g w i t h t h e driver, o r r u n n i n g
a r o u n d in circles yelling, " W e ' r e g o i n g to die!" A H a w a i i a n shirted tourist with a
camera
snapped my p h o t o g r a p h
b e f o r e I c o u l d r e c a p my s w o r d .
" O u r b a g s ! " G r o v e r realized. " W e left o u r — "
BOOOOOM!
T h e windows of the bus exploded as the passengers ran
for cover. L i g h t n i n g s h r e d d e d a h u g e c r a t e r i n t h e roof, b u t
a n a n g r y wail f r o m i n s i d e t o l d m e M r s . D o d d s was n o t yet
dead.
" R u n ! " A n n a b e t h said.
"She's
calling
for r e i n f o r c e -
m e n t s ! W e have t o get o u t o f h e r e ! "
W e p l u n g e d i n t o t h e w o o d s a s t h e rain p o u r e d d o w n ,
t h e b u s i n flames b e h i n d u s , a n d n o t h i n g b u t d a r k n e s s
ahead.
[167]
In a way, it's n i c e to k n o w t h e r e are G r e e k g o d s o u t t h e r e ,
b e c a u s e y o u have s o m e b o d y t o b l a m e w h e n t h i n g s
go
w r o n g . F o r i n s t a n c e , w h e n you're w a l k i n g away f r o m a b u s
that's j u s t b e e n a t t a c k e d b y m o n s t e r h a g s a n d b l o w n u p b y
l i g h t n i n g , a n d it's r a i n i n g o n t o p o f e v e r y t h i n g else, m o s t
p e o p l e m i g h t t h i n k that's j u s t really b a d luck; w h e n you're
a h a l f - b l o o d , y o u u n d e r s t a n d t h a t s o m e divine force really is
t r y i n g t o m e s s u p y o u r day.
S o t h e r e w e were, A n n a b e t h a n d G r o v e r a n d I , w a l k i n g
t h r o u g h t h e w o o d s a l o n g t h e N e w Jersey r i v e r b a n k , t h e glow
o f N e w Y o r k C i t y m a k i n g t h e n i g h t sky yellow b e h i n d us,
a n d the smell of the H u d s o n reeking in our noses.
G r o v e r was shivering a n d b r a y i n g , his b i g g o a t eyes
t u r n e d s l i t - p u p i l e d a n d full o f t e r r o r . " T h r e e K i n d l y O n e s .
All three at once."
I was p r e t t y m u c h i n s h o c k myself. T h e e x p l o s i o n o f b u s
w i n d o w s still r a n g i n m y ears. B u t A n n a b e t h k e p t p u l l i n g u s
along, saying: " C o m e o n ! T h e farther away w e get, t h e better."
"All o u r m o n e y was b a c k there," I r e m i n d e d her. " O u r
food a n d clothes. Everything."
"Well, maybe if you hadn't decided to j u m p into the
fight-"
[168]
" W h a t d i d y o u w a n t m e t o do? L e t y o u get killed?"
" Y o u d i d n ' t n e e d t o p r o t e c t m e , Percy. I w o u l d ' v e b e e n
fine."
" S l i c e d like s a n d w i c h bread," G r o v e r p u t in, " b u t f i n e . "
" S h u t u p , g o a t boy," said A n n a b e t h .
G r o v e r b r a y e d m o u r n f u l l y . " T i n cans . . . a perfectly
g o o d b a g o f t i n cans."
We
sloshed
across
mushy
ground,
through
nasty
t w i s t e d trees t h a t s m e l l e d like s o u r l a u n d r y .
After a few m i n u t e s , A n n a b e t h fell i n t o line n e x t to m e .
" L o o k , I . . ." H e r voice faltered. "I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r c o m i n g
b a c k for u s , okay? T h a t was really brave."
"We're a team, right?"
S h e was silent for a few m o r e s t e p s . "It's j u s t t h a t if y o u
d i e d . . . aside f r o m t h e fact t h a t i t w o u l d really suck for y o u ,
i t w o u l d m e a n t h e q u e s t w a s over. T h i s m a y b e m y o n l y
c h a n c e t o see t h e real world."
T h e t h u n d e r s t o r m h a d f i n a l l y let u p . T h e city g l o w
f a d e d b e h i n d us, leaving us in a l m o s t t o t a l d a r k n e s s . I
c o u l d n ' t see a n y t h i n g o f A n n a b e t h except a g l i n t o f h e r
b l o n d hair.
" Y o u haven't left C a m p H a l f - B l o o d since y o u were
seven?" I a s k e d her.
" N o . . . only s h o r t field trips. My d a d — "
" T h e h i s t o r y professor."
"Yeah. I t d i d n ' t w o r k o u t for m e living a t h o m e . I m e a n ,
C a m p H a l f - B l o o d i s m y h o m e . " S h e was r u s h i n g h e r w o r d s
o u t now, a s i f she were afraid s o m e b o d y m i g h t t r y t o s t o p
her.
"At c a m p y o u t r a i n a n d t r a i n . A n d that's all c o o l
[169]
a n d e v e r y t h i n g , b u t t h e real w o r l d i s w h e r e t h e m o n s t e r s
are. T h a t ' s w h e r e y o u l e a r n w h e t h e r you're any g o o d o r
not."
If I d i d n ' t k n o w b e t t e r , I could've s w o r n I h e a r d d o u b t
in h e r voice.
"You're p r e t t y g o o d w i t h t h a t knife," I said.
"You t h i n k so?"
"Anybody
who
can
piggyback-ride
a F u r y is
okay
by me."
I
couldn't
really
see,
but
I
thought
she
might've
smiled.
" Y o u know," s h e said, " m a y b e I s h o u l d tell y o u . . .
S o m e t h i n g f u n n y b a c k on t h e b u s . . ."
W h a t e v e r she w a n t e d to say was i n t e r r u p t e d by a shrill
toot-toot-toot, like t h e s o u n d o f a n owl b e i n g t o r t u r e d .
" H e y , m y r e e d p i p e s still w o r k ! " G r o v e r cried. " I f I
c o u l d j u s t r e m e m b e r a 'find p a t h ' s o n g , w e c o u l d get o u t o f
these woods!"
H e p u f f e d o u t a few n o t e s , b u t t h e t u n e still s o u n d e d
s u s p i c i o u s l y like H i l a r y Duff.
I n s t e a d of finding a p a t h , I i m m e d i a t e l y s l a m m e d i n t o
a tree a n d g o t a nice-size k n o t o n m y h e a d .
A d d to t h e list of s u p e r p o w e r s I d i d not have: i n f r a r e d
vision.
A f t e r t r i p p i n g a n d c u r s i n g a n d generally feeling m i s e r able for a n o t h e r m i l e o r so, I s t a r t e d t o see l i g h t u p a h e a d :
t h e c o l o r s of a n e o n sign. I c o u l d s m e l l f o o d . F r i e d , greasy,
excellent f o o d . I realized I h a d n ' t e a t e n a n y t h i n g u n h e a l t h y
since I'd arrived a t H a l f - B l o o d H i l l , w h e r e w e lived o n
[170]
g r a p e s , b r e a d , cheese, a n d e x t r a - l e a n - c u t n y m p h - p r e p a r e d
b a r b e c u e . T h i s b o y n e e d e d a d o u b l e cheeseburger.
We kept walking until I saw a deserted two-lane r o a d
t h r o u g h t h e trees. O n t h e o t h e r side was a c l o s e d - d o w n gas
s t a t i o n , a t a t t e r e d b i l l b o a r d for a 1 9 9 0 s m o v i e , a n d o n e
o p e n b u s i n e s s , w h i c h was t h e s o u r c e o f t h e n e o n l i g h t a n d
t h e g o o d smell.
It wasn't a f a s t - f o o d r e s t a u r a n t like I'd h o p e d . It was o n e
o f t h o s e weird r o a d s i d e c u r i o s h o p s t h a t sell l a w n f l a m i n gos a n d w o o d e n I n d i a n s a n d c e m e n t g r i z z l y b e a r s a n d s t u f f
like t h a t . T h e m a i n b u i l d i n g was a l o n g , l o w w a r e h o u s e , s u r r o u n d e d b y acres o f s t a t u a r y . T h e n e o n sign above t h e gate
was i m p o s s i b l e for m e t o read, b e c a u s e i f there's a n y t h i n g
w o r s e for m y dyslexia t h a n r e g u l a r E n g l i s h , it's r e d cursive
n e o n English.
To
me,
it l o o k e d like:
ATNYU MES
GDERAN GOMEN
MEPROUIM.
" W h a t t h e h e c k d o e s t h a t say?" I asked.
" I d o n ' t know," A n n a b e t h said.
She
loved
reading
so
much,
I'd
forgotten
she
was
dyslexic, t o o .
Grover
translated:
"Aunty
Em's
Garden
Gnome
Emporium."
F l a n k i n g t h e e n t r a n c e , a s a d v e r t i s e d , were t w o c e m e n t
g a r d e n g n o m e s , ugly b e a r d e d little r u n t s , s m i l i n g a n d waving, a s i f t h e y were a b o u t t o get t h e i r p i c t u r e t a k e n .
I c r o s s e d t h e street, f o l l o w i n g t h e s m e l l o f t h e h a m burgers.
" H e y . . ." G r o v e r w a r n e d .
[171]
" T h e lights are o n inside," A n n a b e t h said. " M a y b e it's
open."
" S n a c k bar," I said wistfully.
" S n a c k bar," she agreed.
"Are y o u t w o crazy?" G r o v e r said. " T h i s p l a c e i s weird."
We ignored him.
T h e f r o n t l o t was a forest o f s t a t u e s : c e m e n t a n i m a l s ,
c e m e n t c h i l d r e n , even a c e m e n t satyr p l a y i n g t h e p i p e s ,
w h i c h gave G r o v e r t h e creeps.
"Bla~ha~ha!"
he
bleated.
"Looks
like
my
Uncle
Ferdinand!"
We stopped at the warehouse door.
" D o n ' t k n o c k , " G r o v e r p l e a d e d . " I smell m o n s t e r s . "
" Y o u r n o s e i s c l o g g e d u p f r o m t h e Furies," A n n a b e t h
t o l d h i m . "All I s m e l l is b u r g e r s . A r e n ' t y o u h u n g r y ? "
" M e a t ! " he said scornfully. " I ' m a vegetarian."
"You
eat
cheese
enchiladas
and
aluminum
cans," I
reminded him.
" T h o s e are vegetables. C o m e o n . Let's leave. T h e s e s t a t ues are . . . l o o k i n g at m e . "
T h e n t h e d o o r creaked o p e n , a n d s t a n d i n g i n front o f u s
was a tall M i d d l e E a s t e r n w o m a n — a t least, I a s s u m e d she was
M i d d l e Eastern, because she wore a l o n g black g o w n t h a t covered everything b u t h e r h a n d s , a n d h e r h e a d was completely
veiled. H e r eyes glinted b e h i n d a c u r t a i n of black gauze, b u t
t h a t was a b o u t all I c o u l d m a k e o u t . H e r coffee-colored h a n d s
l o o k e d old, b u t well-manicured a n d elegant, so I i m a g i n e d she
was a g r a n d m o t h e r w h o h a d o n c e b e e n a beautiful lady.
H e r a c c e n t s o u n d e d vaguely M i d d l e E a s t e r n , t o o . S h e
[172]
said, " C h i l d r e n , i t i s t o o late t o b e o u t all a l o n e . W h e r e are
your parents?"
" T h e y ' r e . . . um . . ." A n n a b e t h s t a r t e d to say.
" W e ' r e o r p h a n s , " I said.
" O r p h a n s ? " t h e w o m a n said. T h e w o r d s o u n d e d alien i n
h e r m o u t h . " B u t , m y dears! Surely n o t ! "
" W e g o t s e p a r a t e d f r o m o u r caravan," I said. " O u r circus caravan. T h e r i n g m a s t e r t o l d u s t o m e e t h i m a t t h e gas
s t a t i o n i f w e g o t lost, b u t h e m a y have f o r g o t t e n , o r m a y b e
he m e a n t a different gas s t a t i o n . Anyway, we're l o s t . Is t h a t
food I smell?"
" O h , m y dears," t h e w o m a n said. " Y o u m u s t c o m e in,
p o o r children. I am Aunty E m . Go straight t h r o u g h to the
b a c k of t h e w a r e h o u s e , please. T h e r e is a d i n i n g area."
W e t h a n k e d h e r a n d w e n t inside.
A n n a b e t h m u t t e r e d t o m e , " C i r c u s caravan?"
"Always have a strategy, r i g h t ? "
" Y o u r h e a d is full of kelp."
T h e w a r e h o u s e was filled w i t h m o r e s t a t u e s — p e o p l e i n
all different p o s e s , w e a r i n g all different o u t f i t s a n d w i t h different expressions on t h e i r faces. I was t h i n k i n g you'd have
t o have a p r e t t y h u g e g a r d e n t o fit even o n e o f t h e s e s t a t u e s ,
b e c a u s e t h e y were all life-size. B u t m o s t l y , I was t h i n k i n g
about food.
G o a h e a d , call m e a n i d i o t for w a l k i n g i n t o a s t r a n g e
lady's s h o p like t h a t j u s t b e c a u s e I was h u n g r y , b u t I do
i m p u l s i v e s t u f f s o m e t i m e s . P l u s , you've never s m e l l e d A u n t y
E m ' s b u r g e r s . T h e a r o m a was like l a u g h i n g gas i n t h e d e n tist's
c h a i r — i t m a d e e v e r y t h i n g else go
[173]
away. I barely
n o t i c e d Grover's n e r v o u s w h i m p e r s , o r t h e way t h e s t a t u e s '
eyes s e e m e d t o follow m e , o r t h e fact t h a t A u n t y E m h a d
locked the d o o r b e h i n d us.
A l l I c a r e d a b o u t was f i n d i n g t h e d i n i n g area. A n d sure
e n o u g h , t h e r e it was at t h e b a c k of t h e w a r e h o u s e , a fastf o o d c o u n t e r w i t h a grill, a s o d a f o u n t a i n , a p r e t z e l h e a t e r ,
a n d a n a c h o cheese d i s p e n s e r . E v e r y t h i n g y o u c o u l d w a n t ,
p l u s a few steel p i c n i c tables o u t front.
" P l e a s e , sit d o w n , " A u n t y E m said.
"Awesome," I said.
"Um,"
Grover
said reluctantly,
"we
d o n ' t have
any
money, ma'am."
Before I c o u l d j a b h i m i n t h e r i b s , A u n t y E m said, " N o ,
n o , c h i l d r e n . N o m o n e y . T h i s i s a special case, yes? I t i s m y
treat, for s u c h nice o r p h a n s . "
" T h a n k y o u , m a ' a m , " A n n a b e t h said.
A u n t y E m stiffened, a s i f A n n a b e t h h a d d o n e s o m e t h i n g w r o n g , b u t t h e n t h e o l d w o m a n relaxed just a s quickly,
so I figured it m u s t ' v e b e e n my i m a g i n a t i o n .
" Q u i t e all r i g h t , A n n a b e t h , " she said. " Y o u have s u c h
b e a u t i f u l g r a y eyes, child." O n l y later d i d I w o n d e r h o w s h e
k n e w A n n a b e t h ' s n a m e , even t h o u g h w e h a d never i n t r o d u c e d ourselves.
O u r hostess disappeared b e h i n d t h e snack counter a n d
s t a r t e d c o o k i n g . Before w e k n e w it, she'd b r o u g h t u s p l a s t i c
trays h e a p e d w i t h d o u b l e cheeseburgers, vanilla shakes, a n d
X X L servings o f F r e n c h fries.
I was halfway t h r o u g h my b u r g e r b e f o r e I r e m e m b e r e d
to breathe.
[174]
A n n a b e t h slurped her shake.
G r o v e r p i c k e d a t t h e fries, a n d eyed t h e tray's w a x e d
p a p e r liner a s i f h e m i g h t g o for t h a t , b u t h e still l o o k e d t o o
n e r v o u s t o eat.
" W h a t ' s t h a t h i s s i n g n o i s e ? " h e asked.
I listened, b u t didn't hear anything. A n n a b e t h s h o o k her
head.
" H i s s i n g ? " A u n t y E m asked.
"Perhaps you hear the
d e e p - f r y e r oil. Y o u have k e e n ears, Grover."
" I t a k e v i t a m i n s . F o r m y ears."
" T h a t ' s a d m i r a b l e , " she said. " B u t please, relax."
A u n t y E m ate n o t h i n g . S h e h a d n ' t t a k e n o f f h e r h e a d dress, even t o c o o k , a n d n o w she sat f o r w a r d a n d i n t e r l a c e d
h e r fingers a n d w a t c h e d us eat. It was a little u n s e t t l i n g , h a v ing s o m e o n e stare at me w h e n I c o u l d n ' t see h e r face, b u t I
was feeling satisfied after t h e burger, a n d a little sleepy, a n d
I figured t h e least I c o u l d d o was t r y t o m a k e s m a l l t a l k w i t h
our hostess.
" S o , y o u sell g n o m e s , " I said, t r y i n g t o s o u n d i n t e r e s t e d .
" O h , yes," A u n t y E m said. " A n d a n i m a l s . A n d p e o p l e .
A n y t h i n g for t h e g a r d e n . C u s t o m o r d e r s . S t a t u a r y i s very
p o p u l a r , y o u know."
"A lot of business on this road?"
" N o t s o m u c h , n o . S i n c e t h e h i g h w a y was b u i l t . . . m o s t
cars, t h e y d o n o t g o t h i s way now. I m u s t c h e r i s h every c u s t o m e r I get."
M y n e c k tingled, a s i f s o m e b o d y else was l o o k i n g a t m e .
I t u r n e d , b u t it was j u s t a s t a t u e of a y o u n g girl h o l d i n g an
E a s t e r b a s k e t . T h e d e t a i l was i n c r e d i b l e , m u c h b e t t e r t h a n
[175]
y o u see i n m o s t g a r d e n s t a t u e s . B u t s o m e t h i n g was w r o n g
w i t h h e r face. I t l o o k e d a s i f s h e were s t a r t l e d , o r even t e r rified.
"Ah," A u n t y E m said sadly. " Y o u n o t i c e s o m e o f m y
c r e a t i o n s d o n o t t u r n o u t well. T h e y are m a r r e d . T h e y d o
n o t sell. T h e face i s t h e h a r d e s t t o get r i g h t . Always t h e
face."
"You m a k e these statues yourself?" I asked.
" O h , yes. O n c e u p o n a t i m e , I h a d t w o sisters t o h e l p
m e i n t h e b u s i n e s s , b u t t h e y have p a s s e d o n , a n d A u n t y E m
is a l o n e . I have o n l y my s t a t u e s . T h i s is w h y I m a k e t h e m ,
y o u see. T h e y are m y c o m p a n y . " T h e s a d n e s s i n h e r voice
s o u n d e d s o d e e p a n d s o real t h a t I c o u l d n ' t h e l p feeling
s o r r y for her.
A n n a b e t h h a d s t o p p e d eating. S h e sat f o r w a r d a n d said,
" T w o sisters?"
"It's a t e r r i b l e story," A u n t y E m said. " N o t o n e for child r e n , really. Y o u see, A n n a b e t h , a b a d w o m a n was j e a l o u s o f
m e , l o n g ago, w h e n I was y o u n g . I h a d a . . . a b o y f r i e n d , y o u
k n o w , a n d this b a d w o m a n was d e t e r m i n e d t o b r e a k u s
a p a r t . S h e c a u s e d a t e r r i b l e a c c i d e n t . M y sisters s t a y e d b y
me. T h e y shared my b a d fortune as long as they could, but
eventually t h e y p a s s e d o n . T h e y f a d e d away. I a l o n e have
survived, b u t at a p r i c e . S u c h a price."
I wasn't sure w h a t she m e a n t , b u t I felt b a d for her. My
eyelids k e p t g e t t i n g heavier, m y full s t o m a c h m a k i n g m e
sleepy. P o o r o l d lady. W h o w o u l d w a n t t o h u r t s o m e b o d y
so nice?
" P e r c y ? " A n n a b e t h was s h a k i n g m e t o get m y a t t e n t i o n .
[176]
" M a y b e w e s h o u l d g o . I m e a n , t h e r i n g m a s t e r will b e w a i t ing.
S h e s o u n d e d t e n s e . I wasn't sure why. G r o v e r was e a t i n g
t h e waxed p a p e r o f f t h e tray now, b u t i f A u n t y E m f o u n d
t h a t s t r a n g e , she d i d n ' t say a n y t h i n g .
" S u c h b e a u t i f u l g r a y eyes," A u n t y E m t o l d A n n a b e t h
again. " M y , yes, it has b e e n a l o n g t i m e since I've seen g r a y
eyes like t h o s e . "
S h e r e a c h e d o u t a s i f t o s t r o k e A n n a b e t h ' s cheek, b u t
A n n a b e t h stood up abruptly.
" W e really s h o u l d go."
"Yes!" G r o v e r swallowed his waxed p a p e r a n d s t o o d u p .
" T h e r i n g m a s t e r i s waiting! R i g h t ! "
I d i d n ' t w a n t to leave. I felt full a n d c o n t e n t . A u n t y Em
was so nice. I w a n t e d to stay w i t h h e r a while.
"Please, dears," A u n t y E m p l e a d e d . " I s o rarely get t o b e
w i t h c h i l d r e n . Before y o u g o , w o n ' t y o u at least sit for a
pose?
"A p o s e ? " A n n a b e t h a s k e d warily.
"A p h o t o g r a p h . I will u s e it to m o d e l a n e w s t a t u e
set. C h i l d r e n are so p o p u l a r , y o u see. E v e r y o n e loves children."
A n n a b e t h shifted h e r w e i g h t f r o m f o o t t o f o o t . " I d o n ' t
t h i n k w e can, m a ' a m . C o m e o n , P e r c y — "
" S u r e we can," I said. I w a s i r r i t a t e d w i t h A n n a b e t h for
b e i n g s o bossy, s o r u d e t o a n o l d lady w h o ' d j u s t fed u s for
free. "It's j u s t a p h o t o , A n n a b e t h . W h a t ' s t h e h a r m ? "
"Yes, A n n a b e t h , " t h e w o m a n p u r r e d . " N o h a r m . "
I c o u l d tell A n n a b e t h d i d n ' t like it, b u t she a l l o w e d
[177]
A u n t y Em to lead us back o u t the front door, into t h e
garden of statues.
Aunty Em directed us to a park bench next to the stone
satyr. " N o w , " she said, "I'll j u s t p o s i t i o n y o u correctly. T h e
y o u n g girl i n t h e m i d d l e , I t h i n k , a n d t h e t w o y o u n g g e n t l e m e n o n e i t h e r side."
" N o t m u c h l i g h t for a p h o t o , " I r e m a r k e d .
" O h , e n o u g h , " A u n t y E m said. " E n o u g h for u s t o see
each o t h e r , yes?"
" W h e r e ' s y o u r c a m e r a ? " G r o v e r asked.
A u n t y Em s t e p p e d back, as if to admire the shot.
" N o w , t h e face i s t h e m o s t difficult. C a n y o u smile for m e
please, everyone? A large smile?"
G r o v e r g l a n c e d a t t h e c e m e n t satyr n e x t t o h i m , a n d
m u m b l e d , " T h a t sure d o e s l o o k like U n c l e F e r d i n a n d . "
"Grover," A u n t y E m chastised, " l o o k t h i s way, dear."
S h e still h a d n o c a m e r a i n h e r h a n d s .
" P e r c y — " A n n a b e t h said.
S o m e i n s t i n c t w a r n e d m e t o listen t o A n n a b e t h , b u t I
was fighting t h e sleepy feeling, t h e c o m f o r t a b l e lull t h a t
c a m e f r o m t h e f o o d a n d t h e o l d lady's voice.
" I will j u s t b e a m o m e n t , " A u n t y E m said. " Y o u k n o w ,
I can't see y o u very well in t h i s c u r s e d veil. . . ."
"Percy, s o m e t h i n g ' s w r o n g , " A n n a b e t h insisted.
" W r o n g ? " A u n t y E m said, r e a c h i n g u p t o u n d o t h e
w r a p a r o u n d h e r h e a d . " N o t a t all, dear. I have s u c h n o b l e
company tonight. W h a t could be wrong?"
" T h a t is Uncle Ferdinand!" Grover gasped.
" L o o k away f r o m her!" A n n a b e t h s h o u t e d . S h e w h i p p e d
[178]
h e r Yankees c a p o n t o h e r h e a d a n d v a n i s h e d . H e r invisible
hands p u s h e d Grover and me b o t h off the bench.
I was o n t h e g r o u n d , l o o k i n g a t A u n t E m ' s s a n d a l e d
feet.
I could hear Grover scrambling off in one direction,
A n n a b e t h i n a n o t h e r . B u t I was t o o d a z e d t o m o v e .
T h e n I h e a r d a s t r a n g e , r a s p i n g s o u n d above m e . M y
eyes r o s e t o A u n t y E m ' s h a n d s , w h i c h h a d t u r n e d g n a r l e d
a n d warty, w i t h s h a r p b r o n z e t a l o n s for fingernails.
I a l m o s t l o o k e d higher, b u t s o m e w h e r e o f f t o m y left
A n n a b e t h screamed, " N o ! Don't!"
M o r e r a s p i n g — t h e s o u n d o f t i n y snakes, r i g h t above
me, from . . . from about where Aunty Em's head would be.
" R u n ! " G r o v e r b l e a t e d . I h e a r d h i m r a c i n g across t h e
gravel, yelling, "Maia!" to k i c k - s t a r t his flying sneakers.
I c o u l d n ' t m o v e . I s t a r e d at A u n t y E m ' s g n a r l e d claws,
and tried to fight the groggy trance the old w o m a n h a d p u t
m e in.
" S u c h a p i t y to d e s t r o y a h a n d s o m e y o u n g face," she
t o l d m e s o o t h i n g l y . " S t a y w i t h m e , Percy. All y o u have t o d o
is l o o k u p . "
I f o u g h t t h e u r g e to obey. I n s t e a d I l o o k e d to o n e side
a n d s a w o n e o f t h o s e glass s p h e r e s p e o p l e p u t i n g a r d e n s —
a g a z i n g ball. I c o u l d see A u n t y E m ' s d a r k reflection in t h e
o r a n g e glass; h e r h e a d d r e s s was g o n e , revealing h e r face as a
s h i m m e r i n g p a l e circle. H e r h a i r was m o v i n g , w r i t h i n g like
serpents.
Aunty Em.
Aunty "M."
[179]
H o w c o u l d I have b e e n s o s t u p i d ?
T h i n k , I t o l d myself. H o w d i d M e d u s a die i n t h e m y t h ?
But I couldn't think. Something told me that in the
m y t h M e d u s a h a d b e e n asleep w h e n s h e was a t t a c k e d b y m y
n a m e s a k e , P e r s e u s . S h e wasn't a n y w h e r e n e a r asleep n o w . I f
she w a n t e d , s h e c o u l d t a k e t h o s e t a l o n s r i g h t n o w a n d r a k e
o p e n m y face.
" T h e G r a y - E y e d O n e d i d t h i s t o m e , Percy," M e d u s a
said, a n d she d i d n ' t s o u n d a n y t h i n g like a m o n s t e r . H e r
voice invited m e t o l o o k u p , t o s y m p a t h i z e w i t h a p o o r o l d
grandmother.
"Annabeth's
mother,
the
cursed
Athena,
t u r n e d m e f r o m a b e a u t i f u l w o m a n i n t o this."
" D o n ' t listen t o her!" A n n a b e t h ' s voice s h o u t e d , s o m e w h e r e i n t h e s t a t u a r y . " R u n , Percy!"
"Silence!" M e d u s a snarled. T h e n h e r voice m o d u l a t e d
b a c k to a c o m f o r t i n g p u r r . " Y o u see w h y I m u s t d e s t r o y t h e
girl, Percy. S h e is my enemy's d a u g h t e r . I shall c r u s h h e r
s t a t u e t o d u s t . B u t y o u , d e a r Percy, y o u n e e d n o t suffer."
" N o , " I m u t t e r e d . I t r i e d to m a k e my legs m o v e .
" D o y o u really w a n t t o h e l p t h e g o d s ? " M e d u s a a s k e d .
" D o y o u u n d e r s t a n d w h a t awaits y o u o n t h i s f o o l i s h q u e s t ,
Percy? W h a t will h a p p e n i f y o u r e a c h t h e U n d e r w o r l d ? D o
n o t b e a p a w n o f t h e O l y m p i a n s , m y dear. Y o u w o u l d b e
b e t t e r o f f as a s t a t u e . Less p a i n . Less pain."
" P e r c y ! " B e h i n d m e , I h e a r d a b u z z i n g s o u n d , like a t w o h u n d r e d - p o u n d h u m m i n g b i r d i n a n o s e d i v e . G r o v e r yelled,
"Duck!"
I t u r n e d , a n d t h e r e he was in t h e n i g h t sky, flying in
from
twelve
o'clock
with
his
[180]
winged
shoes fluttering,
Grover, h o l d i n g a tree b r a n c h t h e size of a baseball b a t . H i s
eyes were s h u t tight, h i s h e a d t w i t c h e d f r o m s i d e t o side. H e
was n a v i g a t i n g b y ears a n d n o s e a l o n e .
" D u c k ! " h e yelled again. "I'll get h e r ! "
T h a t finally j o l t e d m e i n t o a c t i o n . K n o w i n g Grover, I
was s u r e he'd m i s s M e d u s a a n d n a i l m e . I dove t o o n e side.
Thwack!
At first I figured it was t h e s o u n d of G r o v e r h i t t i n g a
tree. T h e n M e d u s a r o a r e d w i t h rage.
" Y o u m i s e r a b l e satyr," she s n a r l e d . " I ' l l a d d y o u t o m y
collection!"
" T h a t w a s f o r U n c l e F e r d i n a n d ! " G r o v e r yelled b a c k .
I s c r a m b l e d away a n d h i d in t h e s t a t u a r y while G r o v e r
s w o o p e d d o w n for a n o t h e r p a s s .
Ker~whack!
" A r r g h ! " M e d u s a yelled, h e r s n a k e - h a i r h i s s i n g a n d s p i t ting.
R i g h t n e x t t o m e , A n n a b e t h ' s voice said, " P e r c y ! "
I j u m p e d so h i g h my feet nearly cleared a g a r d e n g n o m e .
"Jeez! D o n ' t d o t h a t ! "
A n n a b e t h t o o k o f f h e r Yankees c a p a n d b e c a m e visible.
" Y o u have t o c u t h e r h e a d off."
" W h a t ? A r e y o u crazy? Let's get o u t o f here."
" M e d u s a is a m e n a c e . She's evil. I'd kill h e r myself,
b u t . . ." A n n a b e t h swallowed, as if she were a b o u t to m a k e
a difficult a d m i s s i o n .
" B u t you've g o t t h e b e t t e r w e a p o n .
Besides, I'd never get close to her. S h e ' d slice me to b i t s
b e c a u s e o f m y m o t h e r . Y o u — y o u ' v e g o t a chance."
"What? I can't—"
[181]
"Look, do you want her turning more innocent people
into statues?"
S h e p o i n t e d to a p a i r of s t a t u e lovers, a m a n a n d a
w o m a n w i t h t h e i r a r m s a r o u n d each o t h e r , t u r n e d t o s t o n e
by the monster.
A n n a b e t h g r a b b e d a g r e e n g a z i n g ball f r o m a n e a r b y
p e d e s t a l . " A p o l i s h e d s h i e l d w o u l d b e better." S h e s t u d i e d
t h e s p h e r e critically. " T h e convexity will cause s o m e d i s t o r t i o n . T h e reflection's size s h o u l d b e o f f b y a f a c t o r o f — "
" W o u l d you speak English?"
"I am!" S h e t o s s e d me t h e glass b a l l . "Just l o o k at h e r in
t h e glass. Never l o o k at h e r directly."
" H e y , g u y s ! " G r o v e r yelled s o m e w h e r e above u s .
"I
t h i n k she's u n c o n s c i o u s ! "
" Roooaaarrr!"
" M a y b e n o t , " G r o v e r c o r r e c t e d . H e w e n t i n for a n o t h e r
p a s s w i t h t h e tree b r a n c h .
" H u r r y , " A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . "Grover's g o t a g r e a t n o s e ,
b u t he'll eventually crash."
I t o o k o u t m y p e n a n d u n c a p p e d it. T h e b r o n z e b l a d e
of Riptide elongated in my hand.
I followed t h e hissing a n d s p i t t i n g s o u n d s o f M e d u s a ' s
hair.
I k e p t my eyes l o c k e d on t h e g a z i n g ball so I w o u l d o n l y
g l i m p s e M e d u s a ' s reflection, n o t t h e real t h i n g . T h e n , i n t h e
g r e e n t i n t e d glass, I saw her.
G r o v e r was c o m i n g i n for a n o t h e r t u r n a t b a t , b u t
t h i s t i m e h e f l e w a little t o o low. M e d u s a g r a b b e d t h e stick
a n d p u l l e d h i m o f f c o u r s e . H e t u m b l e d t h r o u g h t h e air a n d
[182]
crashed into the a r m s of a stone grizzly bear with a painful
"Ummphh!"
M e d u s a was a b o u t t o l u n g e a t h i m w h e n I yelled,
"Hey!"
I a d v a n c e d on her, w h i c h wasn't easy, h o l d i n g a s w o r d
a n d a glass ball. If she charged, I'd have a h a r d t i m e d e f e n d i n g myself.
B u t s h e let m e a p p r o a c h — t w e n t y feet, t e n feet.
I c o u l d see t h e reflection of h e r face now. Surely it
wasn't really that ugly. T h e g r e e n swirls of t h e g a z i n g b a l l
m u s t b e d i s t o r t i n g it, m a k i n g i t l o o k w o r s e .
" Y o u w o u l d n ' t h a r m a n o l d w o m a n , Percy," s h e c r o o n e d .
"I k n o w you wouldn't."
I h e s i t a t e d , f a s c i n a t e d by t h e face I saw reflected in t h e
g l a s s — t h e eyes t h a t s e e m e d t o b u r n s t r a i g h t t h r o u g h t h e
g r e e n t i n t , m a k i n g m y a r m s g o weak.
F r o m t h e c e m e n t grizzly, G r o v e r m o a n e d , "Percy, d o n ' t
listen t o h e r ! "
M e d u s a cackled. " T o o late."
She lunged at me with her talons.
I s l a s h e d up w i t h my sword, h e a r d a s i c k e n i n g shlock!,
t h e n a hiss like w i n d r u s h i n g o u t o f a c a v e r n — t h e s o u n d o f
a monster disintegrating.
S o m e t h i n g fell t o t h e g r o u n d next t o m y foot. I t t o o k all
m y willpower n o t t o l o o k . I c o u l d feel w a r m o o z e s o a k i n g
i n t o m y sock, little d y i n g snake heads t u g g i n g a t m y shoelaces.
" O h , yuck," G r o v e r said. H i s eyes were still t i g h t l y
closed, b u t I guess h e c o u l d h e a r t h e t h i n g g u r g l i n g a n d
steaming. "Mega-yuck."
[183]
A n n a b e t h c a m e u p n e x t t o m e , h e r eyes f i x e d o n t h e sky.
S h e was h o l d i n g M e d u s a ' s black veil. S h e said,
"Don't
move."
Very, very carefully, w i t h o u t l o o k i n g d o w n , she k n e l t
a n d d r a p e d the monster's head in black cloth, t h e n picked it
u p . I t was still d r i p p i n g g r e e n juice.
"Are y o u o k a y ? " she a s k e d m e , h e r voice t r e m b l i n g .
"Yeah," I d e c i d e d , t h o u g h I felt like t h r o w i n g up my
d o u b l e cheeseburger. " W h y d i d n ' t . . . w h y d i d n ' t t h e h e a d
evaporate?"
" O n c e y o u sever it, it b e c o m e s a s p o i l of war," she said.
"Same as your m i n o t a u r h o r n . But don't u n w r a p the head.
It can still p e t r i f y you."
Grover m o a n e d as he climbed d o w n from the grizzly
s t a t u e . H e h a d a b i g welt o n his f o r e h e a d . H i s g r e e n r a s t a
c a p h u n g f r o m o n e o f his little g o a t h o r n s , a n d his fake feet
h a d b e e n k n o c k e d o f f h i s h o o v e s . T h e m a g i c sneakers were
flying aimlessly a r o u n d h i s h e a d .
" T h e R e d Baron," I said. " G o o d job, m a n . "
H e m a n a g e d a b a s h f u l g r i n . " T h a t really was not fun,
t h o u g h . W e l l , t h e h i t t i n g - h e r - w i t h - a - s t i c k p a r t , t h a t was
fun. B u t c r a s h i n g i n t o a c o n c r e t e bear? Not fun."
H e s n a t c h e d h i s s h o e s o u t o f t h e air. I r e c a p p e d m y
sword. Together, the three of us stumbled back to the warehouse.
We found s o m e old plastic grocery bags b e h i n d the
snack
counter
and
double-wrapped Medusa's
head. We
p l o p p e d i t o n t h e table w h e r e we'd e a t e n d i n n e r a n d sat
a r o u n d it, t o o e x h a u s t e d t o speak.
[184]
Finally I said, " S o we have A t h e n a to t h a n k for t h i s
monster?"
A n n a b e t h flashed me an irritated look. "Your dad, actually. D o n ' t y o u r e m e m b e r ? M e d u s a was P o s e i d o n ' s girlfriend. T h e y d e c i d e d t o m e e t i n m y m o t h e r ' s t e m p l e . T h a t ' s
why Athena turned her into a monster. M e d u s a and her
t w o sisters w h o h a d h e l p e d h e r get i n t o t h e t e m p l e , t h e y
b e c a m e t h e t h r e e g o r g o n s . T h a t ' s why M e d u s a w a n t e d t o slice
m e u p , b u t she w a n t e d t o preserve y o u a s a nice statue. She's
still sweet o n y o u r d a d . Y o u p r o b a b l y r e m i n d e d h e r o f him."
M y face was b u r n i n g . " O h , s o n o w it's m y fault w e m e t
Medusa."
A n n a b e t h s t r a i g h t e n e d . I n a b a d i m i t a t i o n o f m y voice,
she said: '"It's just a p h o t o , A n n a b e t h . W h a t ' s t h e h a r m ? ' "
" F o r g e t it," I said. "You're i m p o s s i b l e . "
"You're insufferable."
"You're—"
" H e y ! " G r o v e r i n t e r r u p t e d . " Y o u t w o are giving m e a
m i g r a i n e , a n d satyrs d o n ' t even get m i g r a i n e s . W h a t are w e
going to do with the head?"
I s t a r e d a t t h e t h i n g . O n e little s n a k e was h a n g i n g o u t o f
a h o l e i n t h e p l a s t i c . T h e w o r d s p r i n t e d o n t h e side o f t h e
b a g said: W E A P P R E C I A T E Y O U R B U S I N E S S !
I was angry, n o t just w i t h A n n a b e t h o r h e r m o m , b u t
w i t h all t h e g o d s for this w h o l e q u e s t , for g e t t i n g u s b l o w n
o f f t h e r o a d a n d i n t w o m a j o r fights t h e very f i r s t day o u t
f r o m c a m p . A t this rate, we'd never m a k e i t t o L.A. alive,
m u c h less b e f o r e t h e s u m m e r solstice.
W h a t h a d M e d u s a said?
[185]
Do not be a pawn of the Olympians, my dear. You would he better
off as a statue.
I g o t u p . "I'll be back."
"Percy," A n n a b e t h called after m e . " W h a t are y o u — "
I s e a r c h e d t h e b a c k of t h e w a r e h o u s e u n t i l I f o u n d
M e d u s a ' s office. H e r a c c o u n t b o o k s h o w e d h e r six m o s t
r e c e n t sales, all s h i p m e n t s t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d t o d e c o r a t e
H a d e s a n d P e r s e p h o n e ' s g a r d e n . A c c o r d i n g t o o n e freight
bill, t h e U n d e r w o r l d ' s b i l l i n g a d d r e s s was D O A R e c o r d i n g
S t u d i o s , W e s t H o l l y w o o d , C a l i f o r n i a . I f o l d e d u p t h e bill
a n d stuffed i t i n m y p o c k e t .
In t h e
golden
cash register I
drachmas,
and
found twenty dollars,
some
packing
slips
a few
for H e r m e s
O v e r n i g h t E x p r e s s , each w i t h a little l e a t h e r b a g a t t a c h e d
for c o i n s . I r u m m a g e d a r o u n d t h e rest of t h e office u n t i l I
found the right-size box.
I w e n t b a c k t o t h e p i c n i c table, p a c k e d u p M e d u s a ' s
h e a d , a n d filled o u t a delivery slip:
"They're
not
going
to
like
" T h e y ' l l t h i n k you're i m p e r t i n e n t . "
[186]
that,"
Grover
warned.
I poured some golden drachmas in the pouch. As soon
as I c l o s e d it, t h e r e was a s o u n d like a cash register. T h e
p a c k a g e floated o f f t h e t a b l e a n d d i s a p p e a r e d w i t h a pop!
"I am i m p e r t i n e n t , " I said.
I l o o k e d a t A n n a b e t h , d a r i n g h e r t o criticize.
S h e d i d n ' t . S h e s e e m e d r e s i g n e d to t h e fact t h a t I h a d a
m a j o r t a l e n t for t i c k i n g o f f t h e g o d s . " C o m e on," s h e m u t tered. " W e n e e d a n e w plan."
[187]
W e were p r e t t y m i s e r a b l e t h a t n i g h t .
We c a m p e d o u t in the w o o d s , a h u n d r e d yards from the
m a i n r o a d , i n a m a r s h y clearing t h a t local k i d s h a d o b v i o u s l y b e e n u s i n g for p a r t i e s . T h e g r o u n d was l i t t e r e d w i t h
f l a t t e n e d s o d a cans a n d f a s t - f o o d w r a p p e r s .
W e d taken some food and blankets from Aunty Em's,
b u t w e d i d n ' t d a r e l i g h t a fire t o d r y o u r d a m p c l o t h e s . T h e
F u r i e s a n d M e d u s a h a d p r o v i d e d e n o u g h e x c i t e m e n t for o n e
day. W e d i d n ' t w a n t t o a t t r a c t a n y t h i n g else.
W e d e c i d e d t o sleep i n shifts. I v o l u n t e e r e d t o take first
watch.
A n n a b e t h c u r l e d u p o n t h e b l a n k e t s a n d was s n o r i n g a s
s o o n a s h e r h e a d h i t t h e g r o u n d . G r o v e r f l u t t e r e d w i t h his
flying s h o e s t o t h e lowest b o u g h o f a tree, p u t his b a c k t o
t h e t r u n k , a n d s t a r e d a t t h e n i g h t sky.
" G o a h e a d a n d sleep," I t o l d h i m . "I'll wake y o u i f
there's t r o u b l e . "
H e n o d d e d , b u t still d i d n ' t close h i s eyes. " I t m a k e s m e
sad, Percy."
" W h a t does? T h e fact t h a t y o u s i g n e d u p for this s t u pid quest?"
" N o . This m a k e s m e sad." H e p o i n t e d a t all t h e garbage
[188]
o n t h e g r o u n d . " A n d t h e sky. Y o u can't even see t h e stars.
T h e y ' v e p o l l u t e d t h e sky. T h i s is a terrible t i m e to be a satyr."
" O h , yeah. I guess y o u ' d b e a n e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s t . "
H e glared a t m e .
" O n l y a h u m a n wouldn't be. Your
species i s c l o g g i n g u p t h e w o r l d s o fast . . . ah, never m i n d .
It's useless t o lecture a h u m a n . A t t h e r a t e t h i n g s are g o i n g ,
I'll never find Pan."
" P a m ? L i k e t h e c o o k i n g spray?"
" P a n ! " h e cried i n d i g n a n t l y .
" P - A - N . T h e great g o d
P a n ! W h a t d o y o u t h i n k I w a n t a searcher's license for?"
A s t r a n g e b r e e z e r u s t l e d t h r o u g h t h e clearing, t e m porarily overpowering the stink of trash and muck.
It
b r o u g h t t h e s m e l l o f b e r r i e s a n d wildflowers a n d clean r a i n water,
things
that might've once been
in these woods.
S u d d e n l y I was n o s t a l g i c for s o m e t h i n g I'd never k n o w n .
" T e l l me a b o u t t h e search," I said.
G r o v e r l o o k e d at me cautiously, as if he were afraid I
was j u s t m a k i n g fun.
" T h e G o d o f W i l d Places d i s a p p e a r e d t w o t h o u s a n d
years ago," h e t o l d m e . " A sailor o f f t h e c o a s t o f E p h e s o s
h e a r d a m y s t e r i o u s voice c r y i n g o u t f r o m t h e s h o r e , 'Tell
t h e m t h a t t h e g r e a t g o d P a n has
died!' W h e n h u m a n s
h e a r d t h e n e w s , t h e y believed it. T h e y ' v e b e e n p i l l a g i n g Pan's
k i n g d o m ever since. B u t for t h e satyrs, P a n was o u r l o r d a n d
m a s t e r . H e p r o t e c t e d u s a n d t h e w i l d places o f t h e e a r t h .
W e refuse t o believe t h a t h e d i e d . I n every g e n e r a t i o n , t h e
bravest satyrs p l e d g e t h e i r lives t o f i n d i n g P a n . T h e y search
t h e e a r t h , e x p l o r i n g all t h e w i l d e s t p l a c e s , h o p i n g t o f i n d
w h e r e h e i s h i d d e n , a n d wake h i m f r o m h i s sleep."
[189]
" A n d y o u w a n t t o b e a searcher."
"It's my life's d r e a m , " he said. " M y father was a searcher.
A n d my U n c l e F e r d i n a n d . . . t h e s t a t u e y o u saw b a c k
there—"
" O h , r i g h t , sorry."
Grover s h o o k his head.
"Uncle Ferdinand knew the
risks. S o d i d m y d a d . B u t I'll s u c c e e d . I'll b e t h e first
searcher t o r e t u r n alive."
" H a n g o n — t h e first?"
Grover t o o k his reed pipes o u t of his pocket.
"No
searcher has ever c o m e b a c k . O n c e t h e y set o u t , t h e y d i s a p pear. T h e y ' r e never seen alive again."
" N o t o n c e i n t w o t h o u s a n d years?"
"No."
" A n d y o u r d a d ? Y o u have n o i d e a w h a t h a p p e n e d t o
him?"
"None."
" B u t y o u still w a n t to go," I said, a m a z e d . "I m e a n , y o u
really t h i n k y o u ' l l b e t h e o n e t o f i n d P a n ? "
"I have to believe t h a t , Percy. E v e r y searcher d o e s . It's
the only thing that keeps us from despair w h e n we l o o k at
w h a t h u m a n s have d o n e t o t h e w o r l d . I have t o believe P a n
c a n still be awakened."
I s t a r e d a t t h e o r a n g e h a z e o f t h e sky a n d t r i e d t o
u n d e r s t a n d h o w Grover could pursue a dream that seemed
so h o p e l e s s . T h e n again, was I any better?
" H o w are w e g o i n g t o get i n t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d ? " I
a s k e d h i m . " I m e a n , w h a t c h a n c e d o w e have against a g o d ? "
" I d o n ' t know," h e a d m i t t e d . " B u t b a c k a t M e d u s a ' s ,
[190]
w h e n y o u were searching h e r office? A n n a b e t h was telling
11
me—
" O h , I forgot. A n n a b e t h will have a p l a n all figured
out.
" D o n ' t b e s o h a r d o n her, Percy. She's h a d a t o u g h life,
b u t she's a g o o d p e r s o n . After all, she forgave m e . . . ." H i s
voice faltered.
" W h a t d o y o u m e a n ? " I a s k e d . "Forgave y o u for w h a t ? "
Suddenly,
Grover seemed
very i n t e r e s t e d i n p l a y i n g
n o t e s o n his p i p e s .
" W a i t a m i n u t e , " I said. " Y o u r first k e e p e r j o b was five
years ago. A n n a b e t h h a s b e e n a t c a m p f i v e years. S h e wasn't
. . . I mean, your first assignment that went w r o n g — "
" I can't t a l k a b o u t it," G r o v e r said, a n d his q u i v e r i n g
lower l i p s u g g e s t e d he'd s t a r t c r y i n g if I p r e s s e d h i m . " B u t
as I was saying, b a c k at M e d u s a ' s , A n n a b e t h a n d I a g r e e d
there's s o m e t h i n g s t r a n g e g o i n g o n w i t h this q u e s t . S o m e t h i n g isn't w h a t i t seems."
" W e l l , d u h . I ' m g e t t i n g b l a m e d for stealing a t h u n d e r bolt that H a d e s took."
" T h a t ' s n o t w h a t I m e a n , " G r o v e r said. " T h e F u r — T h e
K i n d l y O n e s were s o r t o f h o l d i n g b a c k . Like M r s . D o d d s
at Y a n c y A c a d e m y . . . w h y d i d s h e w a i t so l o n g to t r y to kill
you? T h e n o n t h e b u s , t h e y j u s t weren't a s aggressive a s t h e y
could've been."
" T h e y s e e m e d p l e n t y aggressive t o m e . "
G r o v e r s h o o k his h e a d . " T h e y were screeching a t u s :
' W h e r e i s it? W h e r e ? ' "
" A s k i n g a b o u t m e , " I said.
[191]
" M a y b e . . . b u t A n n a b e t h a n d I, we b o t h g o t t h e feeli n g t h e y weren't a s k i n g a b o u t a p e r s o n . T h e y said ' W h e r e i s
if?' T h e y s e e m e d t o b e a s k i n g a b o u t a n object."
" T h a t d o e s n ' t m a k e sense."
" I k n o w . But i f we've m i s u n d e r s t o o d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t
this quest, a n d we only have nine days to find t h e master
b o l t . . . ." He l o o k e d at me like he was h o p i n g for answers,
b u t I d i d n ' t have any.
I t h o u g h t a b o u t w h a t M e d u s a h a d said: I was b e i n g u s e d
b y t h e g o d s . W h a t lay a h e a d o f m e was w o r s e t h a n petrific a t i o n . "I haven't b e e n s t r a i g h t w i t h you," I t o l d Grover. "I
d o n ' t care a b o u t t h e m a s t e r b o l t . I a g r e e d t o g o t o t h e
U n d e r w o r l d so I could bring back my mother."
G r o v e r b l e w a soft n o t e o n h i s p i p e s . " I k n o w t h a t ,
Percy. B u t are y o u s u r e that's t h e o n l y r e a s o n ? "
" I ' m n o t d o i n g i t t o h e l p m y father. H e doesn't care
a b o u t m e . I d o n ' t care a b o u t h i m . "
G r o v e r g a z e d d o w n f r o m h i s tree b r a n c h . " L o o k , Percy,
I ' m n o t a s s m a r t a s A n n a b e t h . I ' m n o t a s brave a s y o u . B u t
I ' m p r e t t y g o o d a t r e a d i n g e m o t i o n s . You're g l a d y o u r d a d i s
alive. Y o u feel g o o d t h a t he's c l a i m e d y o u , a n d p a r t o f y o u
wants to make h i m proud. That's why you mailed Medusa's
head t o O l y m p u s . You wanted h i m t o notice w h a t you'd
done."
"Yeah? W e l l m a y b e satyr e m o t i o n s w o r k differently t h a n
h u m a n e m o t i o n s . Because you're w r o n g . I d o n ' t care w h a t h e
thinks."
G r o v e r p u l l e d his feet u p o n t o t h e b r a n c h . " O k a y , Percy.
Whatever."
[192]
" B e s i d e s , I haven't d o n e a n y t h i n g w o r t h b r a g g i n g a b o u t .
W e barely g o t o u t o f N e w Y o r k a n d we're s t u c k h e r e w i t h
n o m o n e y a n d n o way west."
G r o v e r l o o k e d a t t h e n i g h t sky, like h e was t h i n k i n g
a b o u t t h a t p r o b l e m . " H o w a b o u t Ζ t a k e first w a t c h , h u h ?
Y o u get s o m e sleep."
I w a n t e d t o p r o t e s t , b u t h e s t a r t e d t o p l a y M o z a r t , soft
a n d sweet, a n d I t u r n e d away, my eyes s t i n g i n g . A f t e r a few
b a r s o f P i a n o C o n c e r t o n o . 1 2 , I was asleep.
In my d r e a m s , I s t o o d in a d a r k cavern b e f o r e a g a p i n g p i t .
G r a y m i s t c r e a t u r e s c h u r n e d all a r o u n d m e , w h i s p e r i n g rags
o f s m o k e t h a t I s o m e h o w k n e w were t h e s p i r i t s o f t h e d e a d .
T h e y tugged at my clothes, trying to pull me back, b u t
I felt c o m p e l l e d t o w a l k f o r w a r d t o t h e very e d g e o f t h e
chasm.
L o o k i n g d o w n m a d e m e dizzy.
T h e p i t y a w n e d s o w i d e a n d was s o c o m p l e t e l y black, I
k n e w i t m u s t b e b o t t o m l e s s . Yet I h a d a feeling t h a t s o m e ­
t h i n g was t r y i n g t o rise f r o m t h e abyss, s o m e t h i n g h u g e
a n d evil.
The little hero, an a m u s e d voice e c h o e d far d o w n in t h e
d a r k n e s s . Too weak, too young, hut perhaps you will do.
T h e voice felt a n c i e n t — c o l d a n d heavy. I t w r a p p e d
a r o u n d m e like s h e e t s o f lead.
They have misled you, hoy, it s a i d . Barter with me. 1 will give you
what you want.
A s h i m m e r i n g i m a g e h o v e r e d over t h e void: m y m o t h e r ,
f r o z e n a t t h e m o m e n t she'd d i s s o l v e d i n a s h o w e r o f g o l d .
[193]
H e r face was d i s t o r t e d w i t h p a i n , a s i f t h e M i n o t a u r were
still s q u e e z i n g h e r n e c k . H e r eyes l o o k e d directly a t m e ,
p l e a d i n g : Go!
I t r i e d t o cry o u t , b u t m y voice w o u l d n ' t w o r k .
C o l d laughter echoed from the chasm.
A n invisible force p u l l e d m e f o r w a r d . I t w o u l d d r a g m e
i n t o t h e p i t u n l e s s I s t o o d firm.
Help me rise, boy. T h e voice b e c a m e h u n g r i e r . Bring me the
bolt. Strike a blow against the treacherous gods!
T h e spirits o f t h e d e a d w h i s p e r e d a r o u n d m e , No! Wake!
T h e i m a g e o f m y m o t h e r b e g a n t o fade. T h e t h i n g i n
t h e p i t t i g h t e n e d its u n s e e n g r i p a r o u n d m e .
I r e a l i z e d it wasn't i n t e r e s t e d in p u l l i n g me in. It was
u s i n g m e t o p u l l itself out.
Good, it m u r m u r e d . Good.
Wake! t h e d e a d w h i s p e r e d . Wake!
S o m e o n e was s h a k i n g m e .
M y eyes o p e n e d , a n d i t was d a y l i g h t .
" W e l l , " A n n a b e t h said, " t h e z o m b i e lives."
I was t r e m b l i n g f r o m t h e d r e a m . I c o u l d still feel t h e
g r i p o f t h e c h a s m m o n s t e r a r o u n d m y chest. " H o w l o n g
was I asleep?"
" L o n g e n o u g h for m e t o c o o k breakfast." A n n a b e t h
tossed me a bag of nacho-flavored corn chips from A u n t y
E m ' s s n a c k bar.
"And Grover went exploring. L o o k , he
f o u n d a friend."
M y eyes h a d t r o u b l e focusing.
Grover
was
sitting
cross-legged
[194]
on
a
blanket
with
s o m e t h i n g fuzzy in his lap, a dirty, u n n a t u r a l l y p i n k stuffed
animal.
N o . It wasn't a stuffed a n i m a l . It was a p i n k p o o d l e .
T h e p o o d l e y a p p e d a t m e suspiciously. G r o v e r said,
" N o , he's n o t . "
I b l i n k e d . "Are y o u . . . t a l k i n g to t h a t t h i n g ? "
T h e poodle growled.
" T h i s thing" G r o v e r w a r n e d , "is o u r ticket west. Be nice
to him."
" Y o u can t a l k t o a n i m a l s ? "
Grover ignored the question.
"Percy, m e e t G l a d i o l a .
G l a d i o l a , Percy."
I s t a r e d at A n n a b e t h , figuring she'd crack up at t h i s
p r a c t i c a l j o k e t h e y were p l a y i n g o n m e , b u t she l o o k e d
deadly serious.
" I ' m n o t saying h e l l o t o a p i n k p o o d l e , " I said. " F o r get it."
"Percy," A n n a b e t h said. " I said h e l l o t o t h e p o o d l e . Y o u
say h e l l o t o t h e p o o d l e . "
T h e poodle growled.
I said hello to the p o o d l e .
G r o v e r e x p l a i n e d t h a t he'd c o m e across G l a d i o l a i n t h e
w o o d s a n d they'd struck u p a conversation. T h e p o o d l e h a d
r u n away f r o m a rich local family, w h o ' d p o s t e d a $ 2 0 0
reward for h i s r e t u r n . G l a d i o l a d i d n ' t really w a n t t o g o b a c k
t o his family, b u t h e was willing t o i f i t m e a n t h e l p i n g
Grover.
" H o w does Gladiola k n o w a b o u t the reward?" I asked.
" H e r e a d t h e signs," G r o v e r said. " D u h . "
[195]
" O f course," I said. "Silly m e . "
"So we t u r n in Gladiola," A n n a b e t h explained in her
b e s t s t r a t e g y voice, " w e get m o n e y , a n d w e b u y tickets t o
Los Angeles. Simple."
I t h o u g h t a b o u t m y d r e a m — t h e w h i s p e r i n g voices o f
t h e d e a d , t h e t h i n g i n t h e c h a s m , a n d m y m o t h e r ' s face,
shimmering as it dissolved into gold. All that m i g h t be waiti n g for m e i n t h e W e s t .
" N o t a n o t h e r b u s , " I s a i d warily.
" N o , " A n n a b e t h agreed.
She p o i n t e d downhill, toward train tracks I hadn't been
able t o see last n i g h t i n t h e d a r k . " T h e r e ' s a n A m t r a c k s t a t i o n h a l f a m i l e t h a t way. A c c o r d i n g t o G l a d i o l a , t h e w e s t b o u n d t r a i n leaves a t n o o n . "
[196]
W e s p e n t t w o days o n t h e A m t r a k t r a i n , h e a d i n g west
t h r o u g h hills, over rivers, p a s t a m b e r waves o f g r a i n .
We weren't a t t a c k e d o n c e , b u t I d i d n ' t relax. I felt t h a t
we were traveling a r o u n d in a d i s p l a y case, b e i n g w a t c h e d
f r o m above a n d m a y b e f r o m below, t h a t s o m e t h i n g was
w a i t i n g for t h e r i g h t o p p o r t u n i t y .
I t r i e d t o k e e p a l o w profile b e c a u s e m y n a m e a n d p i c t u r e were s p l a t t e r e d over t h e f r o n t pages o f several E a s t
C o a s t n e w s p a p e r s . T h e Trenton Register~News s h o w e d a p h o t o
t a k e n by a t o u r i s t as I g o t o f f t h e G r e y h o u n d b u s . I h a d a
w i l d l o o k i n m y eyes. M y s w o r d was a m e t a l l i c b l u r i n m y
h a n d s . It m i g h t ' v e b e e n a baseball b a t or a lacrosse stick.
T h e picture's c a p t i o n read:
Twelve-year-old
in
the Long
Percy
Jackson,
wanted for
Island disappearance
of his
questioning
mother two
weeks ago, is shown here fleeing from the bus where he
accosted
several
elderly female
passengers.
The
bus
exploded on an east New Jersey roadside shortly after
Jackson fled the
scene.
Based on
eyewitness accounts,
police believe the boy may be traveling with two teenage
accomplices. His stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered a
cash reward for information leading to his capture.
[197]
" D o n ' t worry," A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . " M o r t a l p o l i c e c o u l d
never f i n d us." B u t she d i d n ' t s o u n d s o sure.
T h e rest of the day I spent alternately pacing the length
of t h e t r a i n ( b e c a u s e I h a d a really h a r d t i m e s i t t i n g still) or
looking out the windows.
O n c e , I s p o t t e d a family of c e n t a u r s g a l l o p i n g across a
w h e a t f i e l d , b o w s a t t h e ready, a s t h e y h u n t e d l u n c h . T h e little b o y c e n t a u r , w h o was t h e size of a s e c o n d - g r a d e r on a
p o n y , c a u g h t m y eye a n d waved. I l o o k e d a r o u n d t h e p a s senger car, b u t n o b o d y else h a d n o t i c e d . T h e a d u l t r i d e r s all
h a d t h e i r faces b u r i e d i n l a p t o p c o m p u t e r s o r m a g a z i n e s .
A n o t h e r t i m e , t o w a r d evening, I saw s o m e t h i n g h u g e
m o v i n g t h r o u g h t h e w o o d s . I could've s w o r n it was a lion,
except t h a t l i o n s d o n ' t live w i l d i n A m e r i c a , a n d t h i s t h i n g
was t h e size o f a H u m m e r . Its fur g l i n t e d g o l d i n t h e
evening light. T h e n i t l e a p e d t h r o u g h t h e trees a n d was g o n e .
O u r r e w a r d m o n e y for r e t u r n i n g G l a d i o l a t h e p o o d l e h a d
o n l y b e e n e n o u g h t o p u r c h a s e tickets a s far a s D e n v e r . W e
c o u l d n ' t get b e r t h s i n t h e sleeper car, s o w e d o z e d i n o u r
seats. M y n e c k g o t stiff. I t r i e d n o t t o d r o o l i n m y sleep,
since A n n a b e t h was s i t t i n g r i g h t n e x t t o m e .
Grover kept snoring and bleating and waking me up.
Once,
he
shuffled
around
and
his
fake
foot
fell
off.
A n n a b e t h a n d I h a d t o stick i t b a c k o n b e f o r e any o f t h e
other passengers noticed.
" S o , " A n n a b e t h a s k e d m e , o n c e we'd g o t t e n Grover's
sneaker readjusted. " W h o wants your help?"
" W h a t do you mean?"
[198]
" W h e n y o u were asleep j u s t now, y o u m u m b l e d , ' Ί w o n ' t
h e l p you.' W h o were y o u d r e a m i n g a b o u t ? "
I was r e l u c t a n t t o say a n y t h i n g . I t was t h e s e c o n d t i m e
I'd d r e a m e d a b o u t t h e evil voice f r o m t h e p i t . B u t i t b o t h ­
e r e d m e s o m u c h I finally t o l d her.
A n n a b e t h was
q u i e t for a l o n g t i m e .
" T h a t doesn't
s o u n d like H a d e s . H e always a p p e a r s o n a b l a c k t h r o n e , a n d
h e never l a u g h s . "
" H e offered m y m o t h e r i n t r a d e . W h o else c o u l d d o
that?"
" I guess
. . .
i f h e m e a n t , ' H e l p m e rise f r o m t h e
U n d e r w o r l d . ' I f h e w a n t s war w i t h t h e O l y m p i a n s . B u t w h y
ask y o u t o b r i n g h i m t h e m a s t e r b o l t i f h e already h a s i t ? "
I s h o o k my h e a d , w i s h i n g I k n e w t h e answer. I t h o u g h t
about what Grover had told me, that the Furies on the bus
s e e m e d t o have b e e n l o o k i n g for s o m e t h i n g .
Where is it? Where?
M a y b e Grover sensed m y e m o t i o n s . H e s n o r t e d i n his
sleep,
muttered something
a b o u t vegetables,
and turned
his h e a d .
A n n a b e t h r e a d j u s t e d his c a p s o i t covered his h o r n s .
"Percy, y o u can't b a r t e r w i t h H a d e s . Y o u k n o w t h a t , right?
He's
deceitful, h e a r t l e s s ,
a n d greedy.
I d o n ' t care if h i s
K i n d l y O n e s weren't a s aggressive t h i s t i m e — "
" T h i s t i m e ? " I asked. " Y o u m e a n you've r u n i n t o t h e m
before?"
H e r h a n d c r e p t u p t o h e r n e c k l a c e . S h e fingered a g l a z e d
w h i t e b e a d p a i n t e d w i t h t h e i m a g e o f a p i n e tree, o n e o f h e r
clay e n d - o f - s u m m e r t o k e n s . " L e t ' s just say I've g o t n o love
[199]
for t h e L o r d o f t h e D e a d . Y o u can't b e t e m p t e d t o m a k e a
d e a l for y o u r m o m . "
" W h a t w o u l d y o u d o i f i t was y o u r d a d ? "
" T h a t ' s easy," s h e said. "I'd leave h i m to rot."
"You're n o t s e r i o u s ? "
A n n a b e t h ' s g r a y eyes fixed o n m e . S h e w o r e t h e s a m e
e x p r e s s i o n she'd w o r n i n t h e w o o d s a t c a m p , t h e m o m e n t
she
drew her sword against the
hellhound.
" M y dad's
r e s e n t e d m e since t h e day I was b o r n , Percy," she said. " H e
never w a n t e d a baby. W h e n h e g o t m e , h e a s k e d A t h e n a t o
t a k e m e b a c k a n d raise m e o n O l y m p u s b e c a u s e h e was t o o
b u s y w i t h his w o r k . S h e wasn't h a p p y a b o u t t h a t . S h e t o l d
h i m h e r o e s h a d t o b e raised b y t h e i r m o r t a l p a r e n t . "
" B u t h o w . . . I m e a n , I guess y o u weren't b o r n i n a h o s p i t a l . . . ."
" I a p p e a r e d o n m y father's d o o r s t e p , i n a g o l d e n cradle,
carried d o w n from O l y m p u s by Z e p h y r the West W i n d .
You'd t h i n k my d a d w o u l d r e m e m b e r that as a miracle,
right? Like, m a y b e he'd t a k e s o m e digital p h o t o s o r s o m e t h i n g . B u t h e always t a l k e d a b o u t m y arrival a s i f i t were t h e
m o s t i n c o n v e n i e n t t h i n g t h a t h a d ever h a p p e n e d t o h i m .
W h e n I was five h e g o t m a r r i e d a n d t o t a l l y f o r g o t a b o u t
A t h e n a . H e g o t a 'regular' m o r t a l wife, a n d h a d t w o ' r e g u lar' m o r t a l k i d s , a n d t r i e d t o p r e t e n d I d i d n ' t exist."
I s t a r e d o u t t h e t r a i n w i n d o w . T h e lights o f a s l e e p i n g
t o w n were d r i f t i n g by. I w a n t e d t o m a k e A n n a b e t h feel b e t ter, b u t I d i d n ' t k n o w how.
" M y m o m m a r r i e d a really awful guy," I t o l d her.
" G r o v e r said s h e d i d i t t o p r o t e c t m e , t o h i d e m e i n t h e
[200]
s c e n t o f a h u m a n family. M a y b e that's w h a t y o u r d a d was
thinking."
A n n a b e t h k e p t w o r r y i n g a t h e r n e c k l a c e . S h e was p i n c h i n g t h e g o l d college r i n g t h a t h u n g w i t h t h e b e a d s . I t
o c c u r r e d t o m e t h a t t h e r i n g m u s t b e h e r father's. I w o n d e r e d w h y she w o r e i t i f she h a t e d h i m s o m u c h .
" H e d o e s n ' t care a b o u t m e , " she said. " H i s w i f e — m y
s t e p m o m — t r e a t e d m e like a freak. S h e w o u l d n ' t let m e p l a y
w i t h h e r c h i l d r e n . M y d a d w e n t a l o n g w i t h her. W h e n e v e r
something
dangerous
happened—you
know,
something
w i t h m o n s t e r s — t h e y w o u l d b o t h l o o k a t m e resentfully,
like, ' H o w d a r e y o u p u t o u r family a t risk.' Finally, I t o o k t h e
h i n t . I wasn't w a n t e d . I r a n away."
" H o w o l d were y o u ? "
" S a m e age as w h e n I s t a r t e d c a m p . Seven."
" B u t . . . y o u c o u l d n ' t have g o t t e n all t h e way to H a l f B l o o d H i l l b y yourself."
" N o t a l o n e , n o . A t h e n a w a t c h e d over m e , g u i d e d m e
t o w a r d h e l p . I m a d e a c o u p l e o f u n e x p e c t e d friends w h o
t o o k care o f m e , for a s h o r t t i m e , anyway."
I w a n t e d t o ask w h a t h a p p e n e d , b u t A n n a b e t h s e e m e d
lost in sad memories. So I listened to the s o u n d of Grover
s n o r i n g a n d g a z e d o u t t h e t r a i n w i n d o w s a s t h e d a r k fields
o f O h i o r a c e d by.
T o w a r d t h e e n d o f o u r s e c o n d day o n t h e t r a i n , J u n e 1 3 ,
e i g h t days before t h e s u m m e r solstice, w e p a s s e d t h r o u g h
s o m e g o l d e n hills a n d over t h e M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r i n t o S t .
Louis.
[201]
A n n a b e t h c r a n e d h e r n e c k t o see t h e G a t e w a y A r c h ,
w h i c h l o o k e d t o m e like a h u g e s h o p p i n g b a g h a n d l e s t u c k
o n t h e city.
" I w a n t t o d o that," s h e s i g h e d .
" W h a t ? " I asked.
" B u i l d s o m e t h i n g like t h a t . Y o u ever see t h e P a r t h e n o n ,
Percy?"
" O n l y in pictures."
" S o m e d a y , I ' m g o i n g t o see i t i n p e r s o n . I ' m g o i n g t o
b u i l d t h e g r e a t e s t m o n u m e n t t o t h e g o d s , ever. S o m e t h i n g
t h a t ' l l last a t h o u s a n d years."
I l a u g h e d . "You? An a r c h i t e c t ? "
I d o n ' t k n o w why, b u t I f o u n d it funny. Just t h e idea of
A n n a b e t h t r y i n g t o sit q u i e t l y a n d d r a w all day.
H e r cheeks flushed. "Yes, a n architect. A t h e n a expects
h e r c h i l d r e n t o create t h i n g s , n o t just tear t h e m d o w n , like
a c e r t a i n g o d of e a r t h q u a k e s I c o u l d m e n t i o n . "
I watched the churning b r o w n water of the Mississippi
below.
" S o r r y , " A n n a b e t h said. " T h a t was m e a n . "
" C a n ' t we w o r k t o g e t h e r a little?" I p l e a d e d . "I m e a n ,
d i d n ' t A t h e n a a n d P o s e i d o n ever c o o p e r a t e ? "
A n n a b e t h h a d to t h i n k a b o u t it. "I guess . . . t h e chariot,"
she
said
tentatively.
"My
mom
invented
it,
but
P o s e i d o n c r e a t e d h o r s e s o u t o f t h e crests o f waves. S o t h e y
h a d to work together to make it complete."
" T h e n w e can c o o p e r a t e , t o o . R i g h t ? "
W e r o d e i n t o t h e city, A n n a b e t h w a t c h i n g a s t h e A r c h
disappeared behind a hotel.
[202]
" I s u p p o s e , " s h e s a i d a t last.
We pulled into the A m t r a k station downtown. T h e
i n t e r c o m t o l d us we'd have a t h r e e - h o u r layover b e f o r e
d e p a r t i n g for D e n v e r .
G r o v e r s t r e t c h e d . Before he was even fully awake, he
said, " F o o d . "
" C o m e o n , g o a t boy," A n n a b e t h said. "Sightseeing."
"Sightseeing?"
" T h e G a t e w a y Arch," she said. " T h i s m a y b e m y o n l y
chance to ride to the top. Are you c o m i n g or not?"
Grover a n d I exchanged looks.
I w a n t e d to say n o , b u t I figured t h a t if A n n a b e t h was
g o i n g , we c o u l d n ' t very well let h e r go a l o n e .
G r o v e r s h r u g g e d . "As l o n g as there's a s n a c k b a r w i t h out monsters."
T h e A r c h was a b o u t a m i l e f r o m t h e t r a i n s t a t i o n . L a t e i n
t h e day t h e lines t o get i n weren't t h a t l o n g . W e t h r e a d e d o u r
way t h r o u g h t h e u n d e r g r o u n d m u s e u m , l o o k i n g a t covered
w a g o n s a n d o t h e r j u n k f r o m t h e 1 8 0 0 s . I t wasn't all t h a t
t h r i l l i n g , b u t A n n a b e t h k e p t telling u s i n t e r e s t i n g facts
a b o u t h o w t h e A r c h was b u i l t , a n d G r o v e r k e p t p a s s i n g m e
jelly b e a n s , so I was okay.
I kept looking around, though, at the other people in
line. " Y o u s m e l l a n y t h i n g ? " I m u r m u r e d t o Grover.
H e t o o k his n o s e o u t o f t h e jelly-bean b a g l o n g e n o u g h
to
sniff.
"Underground," he
said
distastefully.
"Under-
g r o u n d air always smells like m o n s t e r s . P r o b a b l y d o e s n ' t
m e a n anything."
[203]
B u t s o m e t h i n g felt w r o n g to m e . I h a d a feeling we
shouldn't be here.
"Guys,"
I
said.
"You
know
the
gods'
symbols
of
power?"
A n n a b e t h had been in the middle of reading about the
c o n s t r u c t i o n e q u i p m e n t u s e d t o b u i l d t h e A r c h , b u t she
l o o k e d over. " Y e a h ? "
"Well, H a d e — "
G r o v e r cleared his t h r o a t . " W e ' r e in a p u b l i c place. . . .
You mean, our friend downstairs?"
" U m , right," I said. " O u r f r i e n d way d o w n s t a i r s . D o e s n ' t
he have a h a t like A n n a b e t h ' s ? "
" Y o u m e a n t h e H e l m o f D a r k n e s s , " A n n a b e t h said.
"Yeah, that's his s y m b o l of power. I saw it n e x t to h i s seat
d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r solstice c o u n c i l m e e t i n g . "
" H e was t h e r e ? " I asked.
S h e n o d d e d . "It's t h e o n l y t i m e he's allowed t o visit
O l y m p u s — t h e d a r k e s t day o f t h e year. B u t his h e l m i s a l o t
m o r e p o w e r f u l t h a n m y invisibility h a t , i f w h a t I've h e a r d i s
true. . . .
" I t allows h i m t o b e c o m e d a r k n e s s , " G r o v e r c o n f i r m e d .
" H e can m e l t i n t o s h a d o w o r pass t h r o u g h walls. H e can't
b e t o u c h e d , o r seen, o r h e a r d . A n d h e can r a d i a t e fear s o
i n t e n s e i t c a n drive y o u i n s a n e o r s t o p y o u r h e a r t . W h y d o
y o u t h i n k all r a t i o n a l creatures fear t h e d a r k ? "
" B u t t h e n . . . h o w do we k n o w he's n o t h e r e r i g h t now,
w a t c h i n g u s ? " I asked.
A n n a b e t h a n d Grover exchanged looks.
" W e don't," G r o v e r said.
[204]
" T h a n k s , t h a t m a k e s me feel a l o t better," I said. " G o t
any b l u e jelly b e a n s left?"
I d a l m o s t m a s t e r e d m y j u m p y nerves w h e n I saw t h e
t i n y little elevator car w e were g o i n g t o r i d e t o t h e t o p o f
t h e A r c h , a n d I k n e w I was in t r o u b l e . I h a t e c o n f i n e d
places. T h e y m a k e m e n u t s .
W e g o t s h o e h o r n e d i n t o t h e car w i t h this b i g fat lady
a n d h e r d o g , a C h i h u a h u a w i t h a r h i n e s t o n e collar. I figured
m a y b e t h e d o g was a seeing-eye C h i h u a h u a , b e c a u s e n o n e o f
t h e g u a r d s said a w o r d a b o u t it.
W e s t a r t e d g o i n g u p , i n s i d e t h e A r c h . I d never b e e n i n
a n elevator t h a t w e n t i n a curve, a n d m y s t o m a c h wasn't t o o
h a p p y a b o u t it.
" N o p a r e n t s ? " t h e fat lady a s k e d u s .
S h e h a d b e a d y eyes;
pointy,
coffee-stained t e e t h ;
a
f l o p p y d e n i m h a t , a n d a d e n i m dress t h a t b u l g e d s o m u c h ,
s h e l o o k e d like a b l u e - j e a n b l i m p .
"They're
below,"
Annabeth
told
her.
"Scared
of
heights."
" O h , t h e p o o r darlings."
The
Chihuahua
growled. T h e
woman
said,
"Now,
now, sonny. Behave." T h e d o g h a d b e a d y eyes like its o w n e r ,
i n t e l l i g e n t a n d vicious.
I said, " S o n n y . Is t h a t his n a m e ? "
" N o , " t h e lady t o l d me.
S h e smiled, a s i f t h a t cleared e v e r y t h i n g u p .
At the t o p of the Arch, the observation deck reminded
m e o f a t i n c a n w i t h c a r p e t i n g . R o w s o f tiny w i n d o w s
l o o k e d o u t over t h e city o n o n e side a n d t h e river o n t h e
[205]
o t h e r . T h e view was okay, b u t if there's a n y t h i n g I like less
t h a n a c o n f i n e d space, it's a c o n f i n e d space six h u n d r e d feet
in t h e air. I was ready to go p r e t t y q u i c k .
Annabeth kept talking about structural supports, and
h o w she w o u l d ' v e m a d e t h e w i n d o w s bigger, a n d d e s i g n e d a
s e e - t h r o u g h floor. S h e p r o b a b l y could've stayed u p t h e r e for
h o u r s , b u t luckily for m e t h e p a r k r a n g e r a n n o u n c e d t h a t
t h e o b s e r v a t i o n d e c k w o u l d b e closing i n a few m i n u t e s .
I s t e e r e d G r o v e r a n d A n n a b e t h t o w a r d t h e exit, l o a d e d
t h e m i n t o t h e elevator, a n d I was a b o u t t o get i n m y s e l f
w h e n I realized t h e r e were already t w o o t h e r t o u r i s t s i n s i d e .
N o r o o m for m e .
T h e p a r k r a n g e r said, " N e x t car, sir."
" W e ' l l get out," A n n a b e t h said. " W e ' l l w a i t w i t h you."
B u t t h a t was g o i n g t o m e s s e v e r y b o d y u p a n d t a k e even
m o r e t i m e , so I said, " N a w , it's okay. I'll see y o u guys at t h e
bottom."
G r o v e r a n d A n n a b e t h b o t h l o o k e d n e r v o u s , b u t t h e y let
t h e elevator d o o r slide s h u t . T h e i r car d i s a p p e a r e d d o w n t h e
ramp.
N o w t h e o n l y p e o p l e left o n t h e o b s e r v a t i o n d e c k were
m e , a little b o y w i t h his p a r e n t s , t h e p a r k ranger, a n d t h e fat
lady with her C h i h u a h u a .
I s m i l e d uneasily at t h e fat lady. S h e s m i l e d b a c k , h e r
forked tongue flickering between her teeth.
Wait a minute.
Forked tongue?
Before
I
could
decide
if I'd
really
seen
that,
Chihuahua jumped down and started yapping at me.
[206]
her
" N o w , now, sonny," t h e l a d y said. " D o e s t h i s l o o k like a
g o o d time? W e have all t h e s e nice p e o p l e here."
" D o g g i e ! " said t h e little boy. " L o o k , a d o g g i e ! "
H i s parents pulled h i m back.
T h e C h i h u a h u a bared his teeth at me, foam d r i p p i n g
f r o m his b l a c k l i p s .
" W e l l , son," t h e fat lady sighed. " I f y o u insist."
Ice s t a r t e d f o r m i n g i n m y s t o m a c h . " U m , d i d y o u j u s t
call t h a t C h i h u a h u a y o u r s o n ? "
"Chimera,
dear,"
the
fat
lady
corrected.
"Not
a
C h i h u a h u a . It's a n easy m i s t a k e t o m a k e . "
S h e r o l l e d u p h e r d e n i m sleeves, revealing t h a t t h e s k i n
o f h e r a r m s was scaly a n d g r e e n . W h e n s h e s m i l e d , I saw
t h a t h e r t e e t h were fangs. T h e p u p i l s o f h e r eyes were s i d e ways slits, like a reptile's.
T h e C h i h u a h u a b a r k e d l o u d e r , a n d w i t h each b a r k , i t
grew. F i r s t t o t h e size o f a D o b e r m a n , t h e n t o a l i o n . T h e
b a r k b e c a m e a roar.
T h e little b o y s c r e a m e d . H i s p a r e n t s p u l l e d h i m b a c k
t o w a r d t h e exit, s t r a i g h t i n t o t h e p a r k ranger, w h o s t o o d ,
paralyzed, gaping at the monster.
T h e C h i m e r a was n o w s o tall its b a c k r u b b e d a g a i n s t
t h e roof. I t h a d t h e h e a d o f a l i o n w i t h a b l o o d - c a k e d m a n e ,
t h e b o d y a n d h o o v e s of a g i a n t g o a t , a n d a s e r p e n t for a
tail, a t e n - f o o t - l o n g d i a m o n d b a c k g r o w i n g r i g h t o u t o f its
s h a g g y b e h i n d . T h e r h i n e s t o n e d o g collar still h u n g a r o u n d
its neck, a n d t h e p l a t e - s i z e d d o g t a g was n o w easy t o
read: CHIMERA—RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, P O I S O N O U S — I F
F O U N D , PLEASE CALL TARTARUS
[207]
EXT.
954.
I realized I h a d n ' t even u n c a p p e d m y s w o r d . M y h a n d s
were n u m b . I was t e n feet away f r o m t h e C h i m e r a ' s b l o o d y
maw, a n d I k n e w t h a t as s o o n as I m o v e d , t h e creature
would lunge.
T h e s n a k e l a d y m a d e a hissing n o i s e t h a t m i g h t ' v e b e e n
laughter.
"Be h o n o r e d , P e r c y J a c k s o n . L o r d Z e u s rarely
allows m e t o test a h e r o w i t h o n e o f m y b r o o d . F o r I a m t h e
M o t h e r of M o n s t e r s , the terrible Echidna!"
I s t a r e d at her. A l l I c o u l d t h i n k to say was: "Isn't t h a t a
k i n d of anteater?"
S h e h o w l e d , h e r r e p t i l i a n face t u r n i n g b r o w n a n d g r e e n
w i t h rage. "I h a t e it w h e n p e o p l e say t h a t ! I h a t e Australia!
N a m i n g t h a t r i d i c u l o u s a n i m a l after m e . F o r t h a t , Percy
J a c k s o n , m y s o n shall d e s t r o y y o u ! "
T h e C h i m e r a charged, its l i o n t e e t h g n a s h i n g . I m a n aged t o l e a p aside a n d d o d g e t h e b i t e .
I e n d e d u p n e x t t o t h e family a n d t h e p a r k ranger, w h o
were all s c r e a m i n g now, t r y i n g t o p r y o p e n t h e e m e r g e n c y
exit d o o r s .
I c o u l d n ' t let t h e m get h u r t . I u n c a p p e d my sword, r a n
t o t h e o t h e r side o f t h e deck, a n d yelled, " H e y , C h i h u a h u a ! "
T h e C h i m e r a t u r n e d faster t h a n I w o u l d ' v e t h o u g h t
possible.
Before I c o u l d s w i n g my s w o r d , it o p e n e d its m o u t h ,
e m i t t i n g a s t e n c h like t h e world's largest b a r b e c u e p i t , a n d
s h o t a c o l u m n o f flame s t r a i g h t a t m e .
I dove t h r o u g h t h e e x p l o s i o n . T h e c a r p e t b u r s t i n t o
flames; t h e h e a t was so intense, it nearly seared o f f my eyebrows.
[208]
W h e r e I h a d b e e n s t a n d i n g a m o m e n t b e f o r e was a
r a g g e d h o l e i n t h e side o f t h e A r c h , w i t h m e l t e d m e t a l
s t e a m i n g a r o u n d t h e edges.
G r e a t , I t h o u g h t . W e just b l o w t o r c h e d a n a t i o n a l m o n ument.
R i p t i d e was n o w a s h i n i n g b r o n z e b l a d e i n m y h a n d s ,
a n d as t h e C h i m e r a t u r n e d , I s l a s h e d at its n e c k .
T h a t was m y fatal m i s t a k e . T h e b l a d e s p a r k e d h a r m lessly o f f t h e d o g collar. I t r i e d to regain my b a l a n c e , b u t I
was s o w o r r i e d a b o u t d e f e n d i n g m y s e l f a g a i n s t t h e fiery
lion's m o u t h , I c o m p l e t e l y f o r g o t a b o u t t h e s e r p e n t tail u n t i l
i t w h i p p e d a r o u n d a n d s a n k its fangs i n t o m y calf.
M y w h o l e leg was o n fire. I t r i e d t o j a b R i p t i d e i n t o t h e
C h i m e r a ' s m o u t h , b u t t h e s e r p e n t tail w r a p p e d a r o u n d m y
a n k l e s a n d p u l l e d m e o f f b a l a n c e , a n d m y b l a d e flew o u t o f
my hand, spinning out of the hole in the Arch and down
t o w a r d t h e M i s s i s s i p p i River.
I m a n a g e d to get to my feet, b u t I k n e w I h a d lost. I was
w e a p o n l e s s . I c o u l d feel d e a d l y p o i s o n r a c i n g u p t o m y
chest. I r e m e m b e r e d C h i r o n saying t h a t A n a k l u s m o s w o u l d
always r e t u r n t o m e , b u t t h e r e was n o p e n i n m y p o c k e t .
M a y b e i t h a d fallen t o o far away. M a y b e i t o n l y r e t u r n e d
w h e n it was in p e n f o r m . I d i d n ' t k n o w , a n d I wasn't g o i n g
t o live l o n g e n o u g h t o figure i t o u t .
I
backed
into
the
hole
in
the
wall. T h e
Chimera
a d v a n c e d , g r o w l i n g , s m o k e c u r l i n g f r o m its l i p s . T h e s n a k e
lady, E c h i d n a , cackled. " T h e y d o n ' t m a k e h e r o e s like t h e y
u s e d t o , eh, s o n ? "
T h e m o n s t e r g r o w l e d . I t s e e m e d i n n o h u r r y t o finish
[209]
m e o f f n o w t h a t I was b e a t e n .
I g l a n c e d a t t h e p a r k r a n g e r a n d t h e family. T h e little
b o y was h i d i n g b e h i n d his father's legs. I h a d t o p r o t e c t
t h e s e p e o p l e . I c o u l d n ' t j u s t . . . die. I t r i e d to t h i n k , b u t
m y w h o l e b o d y was o n f i r e . M y h e a d felt dizzy. I h a d n o
s w o r d . I was facing a massive, fire-breathing m o n s t e r a n d its
m o t h e r . A n d I was scared.
T h e r e was n o p l a c e else t o go, s o I s t e p p e d t o t h e edge
o f t h e h o l e . Far, far below, t h e river glittered.
I f I d i e d , w o u l d t h e m o n s t e r s g o away? W o u l d t h e y leave
t h e h u m a n s alone?
" I f y o u are t h e s o n o f P o s e i d o n , " E c h i d n a h i s s e d , " y o u
w o u l d n o t fear water. J u m p , Percy J a c k s o n . S h o w m e t h a t
w a t e r will n o t h a r m y o u . J u m p a n d retrieve y o u r s w o r d .
Prove your bloodline."
Yeah, right, I t h o u g h t . I'd r e a d s o m e w h e r e t h a t j u m p i n g
i n t o w a t e r f r o m a c o u p l e o f stories u p was like j u m p i n g
o n t o s o l i d a s p h a l t . F r o m here, I'd s p l a t t e r o n i m p a c t .
T h e C h i m e r a ' s m o u t h g l o w e d red, h e a t i n g u p for a n o t h e r blast.
" Y o u have n o faith," E c h i d n a t o l d m e . " Y o u d o n o t
t r u s t t h e g o d s . I c a n n o t b l a m e y o u , little c o w a r d . B e t t e r y o u
die now. T h e g o d s are faithless. T h e p o i s o n i s i n y o u r h e a r t . "
S h e was r i g h t : I was d y i n g . I c o u l d feel my b r e a t h slowing d o w n . N o b o d y c o u l d save m e , n o t even t h e g o d s .
I b a c k e d u p a n d l o o k e d d o w n a t t h e water. I r e m e m b e r e d t h e w a r m g l o w of my father's smile w h e n I was a baby.
H e m u s t have seen m e . H e m u s t have visited m e w h e n I was
i n m y cradle.
[210]
I
remembered
the
swirling
green
trident
that
had
a p p e a r e d above m y h e a d t h e n i g h t o f c a p t u r e t h e flag, w h e n
Poseidon h a d claimed me as his son.
B u t t h i s wasn't t h e sea. T h i s was t h e M i s s i s s i p p i , d e a d
c e n t e r o f t h e U S A . T h e r e was n o Sea G o d h e r e .
" D i e , faithless o n e , " E c h i d n a r a s p e d , a n d t h e C h i m e r a
s e n t a c o l u m n o f f l a m e t o w a r d m y face.
"Father, help me," I prayed.
I t u r n e d a n d j u m p e d . M y clothes o n
fire, p o i s o n c o u r s -
i n g t h r o u g h m y veins, I p l u m m e t e d t o w a r d t h e river.
[211]
I'd love t o tell y o u I h a d s o m e d e e p revelation o n m y way
down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed
i n t h e face o f d e a t h , e t cetera.
T h e t r u t h ? M y o n l y t h o u g h t was: A a a a g g g h h h h h !
T h e river r a c e d t o w a r d m e a t t h e s p e e d o f a t r u c k . W i n d
r i p p e d the breath from my lungs. Steeples and skyscrapers
a n d b r i d g e s t u m b l e d i n a n d o u t o f m y vision.
A n d t h e n : Flaaa~boooom!
A w h i t e o u t of b u b b l e s . I s a n k t h r o u g h t h e m u r k , sure
t h a t I was a b o u t t o e n d u p e m b e d d e d i n a h u n d r e d feet o f
m u d a n d l o s t forever.
B u t m y i m p a c t w i t h t h e w a t e r h a d n ' t h u r t . I was falling
slowly n o w , b u b b l e s t r i c k l i n g u p t h r o u g h m y fingers. I sett l e d o n t h e river b o t t o m soundlessly. A catfish t h e size o f
m y s t e p f a t h e r l u r c h e d away i n t o t h e g l o o m . C l o u d s o f silt
a n d d i s g u s t i n g g a r b a g e — b e e r b o t t l e s , o l d shoes, p l a s t i c
b a g s — s w i r l e d u p all a r o u n d m e .
At t h a t p o i n t , I realized a few t h i n g s : first, I h a d n o t
b e e n flattened i n t o a p a n c a k e . I h a d n o t b e e n b a r b e c u e d . I
c o u l d n ' t even feel t h e C h i m e r a p o i s o n b o i l i n g i n m y veins
a n y m o r e . I was alive, w h i c h was g o o d .
S e c o n d r e a l i z a t i o n : I wasn't wet. I m e a n , I c o u l d feel t h e
[212]
c o o l n e s s o f t h e water. I c o u l d see w h e r e t h e
fire o n m y
clothes h a d been quenched. But when I t o u c h e d my own
s h i r t , it felt perfectly dry.
I l o o k e d a t t h e garbage f l o a t i n g b y a n d s n a t c h e d a n o l d
cigarette lighter.
N o way, I t h o u g h t .
I flicked t h e lighter. It s p a r k e d . A tiny flame a p p e a r e d ,
right there at the b o t t o m of the Mississippi.
I grabbed a soggy hamburger wrapper o u t of the curr e n t a n d i m m e d i a t e l y t h e p a p e r t u r n e d dry. I lit i t w i t h n o
p r o b l e m . As s o o n as I let it go, t h e flames s p u t t e r e d o u t .
T h e w r a p p e r t u r n e d b a c k i n t o a slimy rag. W e i r d .
B u t t h e s t r a n g e s t t h o u g h t o c c u r r e d t o m e o n l y last: I
was b r e a t h i n g . I was u n d e r w a t e r , a n d I was b r e a t h i n g n o r mally.
I s t o o d u p , t h i g h - d e e p i n m u d . M y legs felt shaky. M y
h a n d s t r e m b l e d . I s h o u l d ' v e b e e n d e a d . T h e fact t h a t I
wasn't s e e m e d like . . . well, a m i r a c l e . I i m a g i n e d a w o m a n ' s
voice, a voice t h a t s o u n d e d a b i t like my m o t h e r : Percy, what
do you say?
" U m . . . t h a n k s . " U n d e r w a t e r , I s o u n d e d like I d i d on
r e c o r d i n g s , like a m u c h o l d e r k i d . " T h a n k y o u . . . Father."
N o r e s p o n s e . J u s t t h e d a r k drift o f garbage d o w n r i v e r ,
t h e e n o r m o u s catfish gliding by, t h e f l a s h o f s u n s e t o n t h e
water's surface far above, t u r n i n g e v e r y t h i n g t h e c o l o r o f
butterscotch.
W h y h a d P o s e i d o n saved me? T h e m o r e I t h o u g h t
a b o u t it, t h e m o r e a s h a m e d I felt. So I'd g o t t e n l u c k y a few
t i m e s before. A g a i n s t a t h i n g like t h e C h i m e r a , I h a d never
[213]
s t o o d a c h a n c e . T h o s e p o o r p e o p l e i n t h e A r c h were p r o b ably t o a s t . I c o u l d n ' t p r o t e c t t h e m . I was no h e r o . M a y b e I
s h o u l d just stay d o w n h e r e w i t h t h e catfish, j o i n t h e b o t t o m
feeders.
Fump-fump-fump.
A
riverboat's
paddlewheel
churned
above m e , swirling t h e silt a r o u n d .
T h e r e , n o t f i v e feet i n f r o n t o f m e , was m y s w o r d , its
gleaming b r o n z e hilt sticking up in the m u d .
I h e a r d t h a t w o m a n ' s voice again: Percy, take the sword. Your
father believes in you. T h i s t i m e , I k n e w t h e voice wasn't in my
h e a d . I wasn't i m a g i n i n g it. H e r w o r d s s e e m e d t o c o m e f r o m
everywhere, r i p p l i n g t h r o u g h t h e w a t e r like d o l p h i n s o n a r .
" W h e r e are y o u ? " I called a l o u d .
T h e n , t h r o u g h the gloom, I saw h e r — a w o m a n the
c o l o r o f t h e water, a g h o s t i n t h e c u r r e n t , f l o a t i n g just above
t h e s w o r d . S h e h a d l o n g b i l l o w i n g hair, a n d h e r eyes, barely
visible, were g r e e n like m i n e .
A l u m p f o r m e d i n m y t h r o a t . I said, " M o m ? "
No, child, only a messenger, though your mother's fate is not as hopeless as you believe. Go to the beach in Santa Monica.
"What?"
It is your father's will. Before you descend into the Underworld, you
must go to Santa Monica. Please, Percy, 1 cannot stay long. The river here
is too foul for my presence.
" B u t . . . " I was sure t h i s w o m a n was m y m o t h e r , o r a
v i s i o n o f her, anyway. " W h o — h o w d i d y o u — "
T h e r e was s o m u c h I w a n t e d t o ask, t h e w o r d s j a m m e d
up in my throat.
1 cannot stay, brave one, t h e w o m a n said. S h e r e a c h e d o u t ,
[214]
a n d I felt t h e c u r r e n t b r u s h my face like a caress. You must go
to Santa Monica! And, Percy, do not trust the gifts. . . .
H e r voice faded.
" G i f t s ? " I asked. " W h a t gifts? W a i t ! "
S h e m a d e o n e m o r e a t t e m p t t o s p e a k , b u t t h e s o u n d was
g o n e . H e r i m a g e m e l t e d away. I f i t was m y m o t h e r , I h a d
l o s t h e r again.
I felt like d r o w n i n g myself. T h e o n l y p r o b l e m : I was
immune to drowning.
Your father believes in you, she h a d said.
S h e d also called me brave . . . u n l e s s she was t a l k i n g to
t h e catfish.
I w a d e d t o w a r d R i p t i d e a n d g r a b b e d i t b y t h e hilt. T h e
C h i m e r a m i g h t still b e u p t h e r e w i t h its snaky, fat m o t h e r ,
w a i t i n g t o finish m e off. A t t h e very least, t h e m o r t a l p o l i c e
w o u l d b e arriving, t r y i n g t o figure o u t w h o h a d b l o w n a h o l e
i n t h e A r c h . I f t h e y f o u n d m e , they'd have s o m e q u e s t i o n s .
I c a p p e d m y sword,
stuck the ballpoint p e n in my
p o c k e t . " T h a n k you, Father," I said again t o t h e d a r k water.
T h e n I k i c k e d u p t h r o u g h t h e m u c k a n d s w a m for t h e
surface.
I c a m e a s h o r e n e x t to a f l o a t i n g M c D o n a l d ' s .
A b l o c k away, every e m e r g e n c y vehicle in St. L o u i s was
s u r r o u n d i n g t h e A r c h . Police h e l i c o p t e r s circled o v e r h e a d .
T h e crowd of onlookers reminded me of T i m e s Square on
N e w Year's Eve.
A little girl said, " M a m a ! T h a t b o y w a l k e d o u t o f t h e
river."
[215]
" T h a t ' s nice, dear," h e r m o t h e r said, c r a n i n g h e r n e c k t o
watch the ambulances.
" B u t he's d r y ! "
" T h a t ' s nice, dear."
A n e w s lady was t a l k i n g for t h e camera: " P r o b a b l y n o t
a t e r r o r i s t attack, we're t o l d , b u t it's still very early in t h e
investigation. T h e d a m a g e , as y o u c a n see, is very s e r i o u s .
W e ' r e t r y i n g t o get t o s o m e o f t h e survivors, t o q u e s t i o n
t h e m a b o u t eyewitness r e p o r t s o f s o m e o n e falling f r o m t h e
Arch."
Survivors. I felt a surge of relief. M a y b e t h e p a r k r a n g e r
a n d t h a t family m a d e i t o u t safely. I h o p e d A n n a b e t h a n d
G r o v e r were okay.
I t r i e d t o p u s h t h r o u g h t h e c r o w d t o see w h a t was g o i n g
o n i n s i d e t h e p o l i c e line.
". . . an a d o l e s c e n t boy," a n o t h e r r e p o r t e r was saying.
" C h a n n e l Five h a s l e a r n e d t h a t surveillance c a m e r a s s h o w
a n a d o l e s c e n t b o y g o i n g w i l d o n t h e o b s e r v a t i o n deck,
s o m e h o w s e t t i n g o f f this freak e x p l o s i o n . H a r d t o believe,
J o h n , b u t that's w h a t we're h e a r i n g . Again, n o c o n f i r m e d
fatalities . . ."
I b a c k e d away, t r y i n g t o k e e p m y h e a d d o w n . I h a d t o
g o a l o n g way a r o u n d t h e p o l i c e p e r i m e t e r . U n i f o r m e d officers a n d n e w s r e p o r t e r s were everywhere.
I'd a l m o s t l o s t h o p e o f ever
finding
Annabeth and
G r o v e r w h e n a familiar voice b l e a t e d , " P e r r r - c y ! "
I t u r n e d a n d g o t t a c k l e d b y Grover's b e a r h u g — o r g o a t
h u g . H e said, " W e t h o u g h t you'd g o n e t o H a d e s t h e h a r d
way!
[216]
A n n a b e t h s t o o d b e h i n d h i m , t r y i n g t o l o o k angry, b u t
even s h e s e e m e d relieved t o see m e . " W e can't leave y o u
a l o n e for
five m i n u t e s ! W h a t h a p p e n e d ? "
" I s o r t o f fell."
"Percy! Six h u n d r e d a n d t h i r t y feet?"
B e h i n d us,
a
cop
shouted,
"Gangway!" T h e
crowd
p a r t e d , a n d a c o u p l e of p a r a m e d i c s h u s t l e d o u t , r o l l i n g a
w o m a n on a stretcher. I r e c o g n i z e d h e r i m m e d i a t e l y as t h e
m o t h e r o f t h e little b o y w h o ' d b e e n o n t h e o b s e r v a t i o n
d e c k . S h e was saying, " A n d t h e n t h i s h u g e d o g , t h i s h u g e
fire-breathing C h i h u a h u a — "
" O k a y , m a ' a m , " t h e p a r a m e d i c said. " J u s t c a l m d o w n .
Y o u r family i s f i n e . T h e m e d i c a t i o n i s s t a r t i n g t o k i c k in."
" I ' m n o t crazy! T h i s b o y j u m p e d o u t o f t h e h o l e a n d
t h e m o n s t e r d i s a p p e a r e d . " T h e n she saw m e . " T h e r e h e is!
That's the boy!"
I t u r n e d q u i c k l y a n d p u l l e d A n n a b e t h a n d G r o v e r after
m e . W e disappeared i n t o the crowd.
"What's going on?" Annabeth demanded.
" W a s she
t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e C h i h u a h u a o n t h e elevator?"
I told t h e m the whole story of the Chimera, Echidna,
m y h i g h - d i v e act, a n d t h e u n d e r w a t e r lady's m e s s a g e .
" W h o a , " said Grover. " W e ' v e g o t t o get y o u t o S a n t a
M o n i c a ! Y o u can't i g n o r e a s u m m o n s f r o m y o u r d a d . "
Before A n n a b e t h
could respond, we passed another
r e p o r t e r d o i n g a n e w s b r e a k , a n d I a l m o s t froze in my t r a c k s
w h e n h e said, " P e r c y J a c k s o n . T h a t ' s right, D a n . C h a n n e l
Twelve has l e a r n e d t h a t t h e b o y w h o m a y have c a u s e d t h i s
explosion fits the description of a young m a n wanted by
[217]
a u t h o r i t i e s for a serious N e w Jersey b u s a c c i d e n t t h r e e days
ago. And t h e b o y is believed to be traveling west. F o r o u r
viewers at h o m e , h e r e is a p h o t o of P e r c y Jackson."
W e d u c k e d a r o u n d t h e n e w s van a n d s l i p p e d i n t o a n
alley.
" F i r s t t h i n g s first," I t o l d Grover. " W e ' v e g o t t o get o u t
of town!"
Somehow, we made it back to the A m t r a k station witho u t getting spotted. We g o t on b o a r d the train just before it
p u l l e d o u t for D e n v e r . T h e t r a i n t r u n d l e d w e s t a s d a r k n e s s
fell, p o l i c e l i g h t s still p u l s i n g against t h e St. L o u i s skyline
b e h i n d us.
[218]
T h e n e x t a f t e r n o o n , J u n e 1 4 , seven days b e f o r e t h e s o l stice, o u r t r a i n r o l l e d i n t o D e n v e r . W e h a d n ' t e a t e n since t h e
n i g h t b e f o r e i n t h e d i n i n g car, s o m e w h e r e i n K a n s a s . W e
h a d n ' t t a k e n a s h o w e r since H a l f - B l o o d H i l l , a n d I was sure
t h a t was o b v i o u s .
"Let's t r y t o c o n t a c t C h i r o n , " A n n a b e t h said. " I w a n t t o
tell h i m a b o u t y o u r t a l k w i t h t h e river spirit."
" W e can't use p h o n e s , r i g h t ? "
"I'm n o t talking about phones."
W e w a n d e r e d t h r o u g h d o w n t o w n for a b o u t h a l f a n
h o u r , t h o u g h I wasn't sure w h a t A n n a b e t h was l o o k i n g for.
T h e air was d r y a n d h o t , w h i c h felt w e i r d after t h e h u m i d ity
of
St.
Louis.
Everywhere
we
turned,
the
Rocky
M o u n t a i n s s e e m e d t o b e s t a r i n g a t m e , like a t i d a l wave
a b o u t t o c r a s h i n t o t h e city.
F i n a l l y w e f o u n d a n e m p t y d o - i t - y o u r s e l f car wash. W e
veered t o w a r d t h e stall f a r t h e s t f r o m t h e street, k e e p i n g o u r
eyes o p e n for p a t r o l cars. W e were t h r e e a d o l e s c e n t s h a n g i n g o u t at a car w a s h w i t h o u t a car; any c o p w o r t h h i s
d o u g h n u t s would f i g u r e w e were u p t o n o good.
" W h a t exactly are we d o i n g ? " I asked, as G r o v e r t o o k
o u t the spray gun.
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" I t ' s seventy-five c e n t s , " h e g r u m b l e d . "I've o n l y g o t t w o
q u a r t e r s left. A n n a b e t h ? "
" D o n ' t l o o k a t m e , " s h e said. " T h e d i n i n g car w i p e d m e
out."
I f i s h e d o u t m y last b i t o f c h a n g e a n d p a s s e d G r o v e r a
q u a r t e r , w h i c h left m e t w o nickels a n d o n e d r a c h m a f r o m
Medusa's place.
" E x c e l l e n t , " G r o v e r said. " W e c o u l d d o i t w i t h a s p r a y
b o t t l e , o f c o u r s e , b u t t h e c o n n e c t i o n isn't a s g o o d , a n d m y
a r m gets t i r e d o f p u m p i n g . "
" W h a t are y o u t a l k i n g a b o u t ? "
H e fed i n t h e q u a r t e r s a n d set t h e k n o b t o F I N E MIST.
"I-M'ing."
" I n s t a n t messaging?"
"Iris-messaging," A n n a b e t h c o r r e c t e d . " T h e r a i n b o w g o d ­
dess Iris carries messages for t h e g o d s . I f y o u k n o w h o w t o
ask, a n d she's n o t t o o busy, she'll d o t h e same for half-bloods."
" Y o u s u m m o n t h e g o d d e s s w i t h a spray g u n ? "
G r o v e r p o i n t e d t h e n o z z l e i n t h e air a n d w a t e r h i s s e d
o u t i n a t h i c k w h i t e m i s t . " U n l e s s y o u k n o w a n easier way
to m a k e a rainbow."
Sure enough, late a f t e r n o o n light filtered t h r o u g h the
vapor a n d broke into colors.
A n n a b e t h h e l d h e r p a l m o u t t o m e . " D r a c h m a , please."
I h a n d e d it over.
S h e r a i s e d t h e c o i n over h e r h e a d . " Ό g o d d e s s , a c c e p t
o u r offering."
She threw t h e d r a c h m a into the rainbow. It disappeared
in a g o l d e n s h i m m e r .
[220]
"Half-Blood Hill," A n n a b e t h requested.
For a moment, nothing happened.
T h e n I was l o o k i n g t h r o u g h t h e m i s t a t strawberryfields, a n d t h e L o n g I s l a n d S o u n d i n t h e d i s t a n c e . W e
s e e m e d t o b e o n t h e p o r c h o f t h e Big H o u s e . S t a n d i n g w i t h
h i s b a c k to us at t h e r a i l i n g was a s a n d y - h a i r e d g u y in s h o r t s
a n d a n o r a n g e t a n k t o p . H e was h o l d i n g a b r o n z e s w o r d a n d
seemed to be staring intently at something d o w n in the
meadow.
" L u k e ! " I called.
H e t u r n e d , eyes w i d e . I c o u l d swear h e was s t a n d i n g
t h r e e feet in f r o n t of me t h r o u g h a screen of m i s t , except I
c o u l d o n l y see t h e p a r t o f h i m t h a t a p p e a r e d i n t h e r a i n b o w .
" P e r c y ! " H i s s c a r r e d face b r o k e i n t o a g r i n . "Is t h a t
A n n a b e t h , too? T h a n k the gods! Are you guys okay?"
" W e r e . . . uh . . . fine," A n n a b e t h s t a m m e r e d . S h e was
madly straightening her dirty T-shirt, trying to c o m b the
loose
hair
out
of
her
face.
"We
thought—Chiron—I
mean—"
" H e ' s d o w n a t t h e cabins." Luke's smile faded. " W e ' r e
h a v i n g s o m e issues w i t h t h e c a m p e r s . L i s t e n , i s e v e r y t h i n g
c o o l w i t h you? Is G r o v e r all r i g h t ? "
" I ' m r i g h t here," G r o v e r called. H e h e l d t h e n o z z l e o u t
t o o n e side a n d s t e p p e d i n t o Luke's line o f vision. " W h a t
k i n d o f issues?"
J u s t t h e n a big L i n c o l n C o n t i n e n t a l p u l l e d i n t o t h e car
w a s h w i t h its stereo t u r n e d t o m a x i m u m h i p - h o p . A s t h e
car slid i n t o t h e n e x t stall, t h e b a s s f r o m t h e s u b w o o f e r s
vibrated so much, it s h o o k the pavement.
[221]
" C h i r o n h a d t o — w h a t ' s t h a t n o i s e ? " L u k e yelled.
"I'll t a k e care o f it!" A n n a b e t h yelled b a c k , l o o k i n g very
relieved t o have a n excuse t o get o u t o f sight. " G r o v e r , c o m e
on!
" W h a t ? " G r o v e r said. " B u t — "
"Give Percy the nozzle a n d c o m e on!" she ordered.
G r o v e r m u t t e r e d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t girls b e i n g h a r d e r t o
understand than the Oracle at Delphi, then he handed me
t h e s p r a y g u n a n d followed A n n a b e t h .
I r e a d j u s t e d t h e h o s e so I c o u l d k e e p t h e r a i n b o w g o i n g
a n d still see L u k e .
" C h i r o n h a d t o b r e a k u p a fight," L u k e s h o u t e d t o
m e over t h e m u s i c . " T h i n g s are p r e t t y t e n s e here, Percy.
W o r d l e a k e d o u t a b o u t t h e Z e u s — P o s e i d o n standoff. W e ' r e
still n o t sure h o w — p r o b a b l y t h e s a m e s c u m b a g w h o s u m m o n e d t h e h e l l h o u n d . N o w t h e c a m p e r s are s t a r t i n g t o take
sides. It's s h a p i n g u p like t h e T r o j a n W a r all over again.
A p h r o d i t e , Ares, a n d A p o l l o are b a c k i n g P o s e i d o n , m o r e o r
less. A t h e n a i s b a c k i n g Z e u s . "
I s h u d d e r e d t o t h i n k t h a t Clarisse's c a b i n w o u l d ever b e
o n m y dad's side for a n y t h i n g . I n t h e n e x t stall, I h e a r d
A n n a b e t h a n d s o m e g u y a r g u i n g w i t h each o t h e r , t h e n t h e
music's v o l u m e d e c r e a s e d drastically.
" S o what's y o u r s t a t u s ? " L u k e a s k e d m e . " C h i r o n will b e
s o r r y h e m i s s e d you."
I
told
him
pretty
much
everything,
including
my
d r e a m s . It felt so g o o d to see h i m , to feel like I was b a c k at
c a m p even for a few m i n u t e s , t h a t I d i d n ' t realize h o w l o n g
I h a d talked until the beeper went off on the spray machine,
[222]
a n d I realized I o n l y h a d o n e m o r e m i n u t e b e f o r e t h e w a t e r
s h u t off.
" I w i s h I c o u l d b e there," L u k e t o l d m e . " W e can't h e l p
m u c h f r o m h e r e , I ' m afraid, b u t listen . . . i t h a d t o b e H a d e s
w h o t o o k t h e m a s t e r b o l t . H e was t h e r e a t O l y m p u s a t t h e
w i n t e r solstice. I was c h a p e r o n i n g a field t r i p a n d we saw him."
" B u t C h i r o n said t h e g o d s can't take each o t h e r ' s m a g i c
i t e m s directly."
" T h a t ' s t r u e , " L u k e said, l o o k i n g t r o u b l e d . "Still . . .
H a d e s has t h e h e l m o f d a r k n e s s . H o w c o u l d a n y b o d y else
s n e a k i n t o t h e t h r o n e r o o m a n d steal t h e m a s t e r b o l t ? You'd
have t o b e invisible."
W e were b o t h silent, u n t i l L u k e s e e m e d t o realize w h a t
he'd said.
" O h , hey," h e p r o t e s t e d . " I d i d n ' t m e a n A n n a b e t h . S h e
a n d I have k n o w n each o t h e r forever. S h e w o u l d never . . . I
m e a n , she's like a little sister to me."
I w o n d e r e d i f A n n a b e t h w o u l d like t h a t d e s c r i p t i o n . I n
t h e stall n e x t t o us, t h e m u s i c s t o p p e d c o m p l e t e l y . A m a n
s c r e a m e d i n t e r r o r , car d o o r s s l a m m e d , a n d t h e L i n c o l n
p e e l e d o u t o f t h e car wash.
" Y o u ' d b e t t e r g o see w h a t t h a t was," L u k e said. " L i s t e n ,
are y o u w e a r i n g t h e flying shoes? I'll feel b e t t e r if I k n o w
they've d o n e y o u s o m e g o o d . "
" O h . . . u h , yeah!" I t r i e d n o t to s o u n d like a g u i l t y liar.
"Yeah, they've c o m e i n handy."
"Really?" H e grinned. " T h e y f i t a n d everything?"
T h e w a t e r s h u t off. T h e m i s t s t a r t e d t o e v a p o r a t e .
" W e l l , t a k e care o f y o u r s e l f o u t t h e r e i n Denver," L u k e
[223]
called, h i s voice g e t t i n g fainter. " A n d tell G r o v e r it'll b e b e t ter this t i m e ! N o b o d y will get t u r n e d i n t o a p i n e tree i f h e
just—
B u t t h e m i s t was g o n e , a n d Luke's i m a g e f a d e d t o n o t h ing. I was a l o n e in a wet, e m p t y car w a s h stall.
A n n a b e t h and Grover came around the corner, laughing, b u t s t o p p e d w h e n t h e y saw m y face. A n n a b e t h ' s s m i l e
faded. " W h a t h a p p e n e d , Percy? W h a t d i d L u k e say?"
" N o t m u c h , " I lied, my s t o m a c h feeling as e m p t y as a
Big T h r e e c a b i n . " C o m e o n , let's find s o m e d i n n e r . "
A few m i n u t e s later, we were s i t t i n g at a b o o t h in a g l e a m i n g c h r o m e d i n e r . All a r o u n d u s , families were e a t i n g b u r g ers a n d d r i n k i n g m a l t s a n d s o d a s .
Finally t h e waitress c a m e over. S h e raised h e r e y e b r o w
skeptically. " W e l l ? "
I said, " W e , u m , w a n t t o o r d e r d i n n e r . "
" Y o u k i d s have m o n e y t o p a y for it?"
Grover's lower l i p quivered. I was afraid he w o u l d s t a r t
bleating, or worse, start eating the linoleum. A n n a b e t h
looked ready to pass o u t from hunger.
I was t r y i n g to t h i n k up a s o b s t o r y for t h e waitress
when a rumble shook the whole building; a motorcycle the
size o f a b a b y e l e p h a n t h a d p u l l e d u p t o t h e c u r b .
All c o n v e r s a t i o n i n t h e d i n e r s t o p p e d . T h e m o t o r c y c l e ' s
h e a d l i g h t glared red. Its gas t a n k h a d flames p a i n t e d o n it,
a n d a s h o t g u n h o l s t e r riveted t o e i t h e r side, c o m p l e t e w i t h
s h o t g u n s . T h e seat was l e a t h e r — b u t l e a t h e r t h a t l o o k e d like
. . . well, C a u c a s i a n h u m a n s k i n .
[224]
T h e g u y o n t h e b i k e w o u l d ' v e m a d e p r o wrestlers r u n
for M a m a . H e was d r e s s e d i n a r e d m u s c l e s h i r t a n d b l a c k
jeans a n d a black l e a t h e r d u s t e r , w i t h a h u n t i n g knife
s t r a p p e d t o his t h i g h . H e w o r e r e d w r a p a r o u n d s h a d e s ,
a n d h e h a d t h e cruelest, m o s t b r u t a l face I d ever s e e n —
h a n d s o m e , I guess, b u t w i c k e d — w i t h a n oily black crew c u t
a n d cheeks t h a t were s c a r r e d f r o m many, m a n y f i g h t s . T h e
weird t h i n g was, I felt like Id seen h i s face s o m e w h e r e
before.
A s h e w a l k e d i n t o t h e diner, a h o t , d r y w i n d b l e w
t h r o u g h t h e p l a c e . All t h e p e o p l e rose, a s i f t h e y were h y p n o t i z e d , b u t t h e b i k e r waved his h a n d dismissively a n d t h e y
all sat d o w n again. E v e r y b o d y w e n t b a c k t o t h e i r conversat i o n s . T h e waitress b l i n k e d , a s i f s o m e b o d y h a d just p r e s s e d
t h e r e w i n d b u t t o n o n h e r b r a i n . S h e a s k e d u s again, " Y o u
k i d s have m o n e y t o p a y for it?"
T h e b i k e r said, "It's o n m e . " H e slid i n t o o u r b o o t h ,
w h i c h was way t o o s m a l l for h i m , a n d c r o w d e d A n n a b e t h
against t h e w i n d o w .
H e l o o k e d u p a t t h e waitress, w h o was g a p i n g a t h i m ,
a n d said, "Are y o u still h e r e ? "
H e p o i n t e d a t her, a n d she stiffened. S h e t u r n e d a s i f
she'd b e e n s p u n a r o u n d , t h e n m a r c h e d b a c k t o w a r d t h e
kitchen.
T h e b i k e r l o o k e d a t m e . I c o u l d n ' t see his eyes b e h i n d
t h e r e d s h a d e s , b u t b a d feelings s t a r t e d b o i l i n g i n m y s t o m ach. A n g e r , r e s e n t m e n t , b i t t e r n e s s . I w a n t e d to h i t a wall. I
wanted to pick a fight with somebody. W h o did this guy
t h i n k h e was?
[225]
H e gave m e a w i c k e d g r i n . " S o you're o l d Seaweed's k i d ,
huh?"
I s h o u l d ' v e b e e n s u r p r i s e d , or scared, b u t i n s t e a d I felt
like I was l o o k i n g at my s t e p d a d , G a b e . I w a n t e d to r i p this
guy's h e a d off. " W h a t ' s i t t o y o u ? "
A n n a b e t h ' s eyes flashed m e a w a r n i n g . "Percy, this i s — "
T h e b i k e r r a i s e d his h a n d .
"S'okay," he said. "I d o n ' t m i n d a little a t t i t u d e . L o n g as
y o u r e m e m b e r w h o ' s t h e b o s s . Y o u k n o w w h o I a m , little
cousin?"
T h e n i t s t r u c k m e w h y t h i s guy l o o k e d familiar. H e h a d
the same vicious sneer as s o m e of the kids at C a m p HalfB l o o d , t h e o n e s f r o m c a b i n five.
"You're Clarisse's dad," I said. "Ares, g o d of war."
A r e s g r i n n e d a n d t o o k o f f his s h a d e s . W h e r e his eyes
s h o u l d ' v e b e e n , t h e r e was o n l y f i r e , e m p t y sockets g l o w i n g
with miniature nuclear explosions. " T h a t ' s right, p u n k . I
h e a r d y o u b r o k e Clarisse's spear."
" S h e was a s k i n g for it."
"Probably. T h a t ' s cool. I don't fight my kids' fights, you
k n o w ? W h a t I ' m h e r e f o r — I h e a r d y o u were i n t o w n . I g o t
a little p r o p o s i t i o n for you."
T h e waitress c a m e b a c k w i t h h e a p i n g trays o f f o o d —
cheeseburgers, fries, o n i o n r i n g s , a n d c h o c o l a t e shakes.
A r e s h a n d e d h e r a few g o l d d r a c h m a s .
S h e l o o k e d n e r v o u s l y a t t h e c o i n s . "But, t h e s e a r e n ' t . . . "
A r e s p u l l e d o u t h i s h u g e knife a n d s t a r t e d cleaning his
fingernails. "Problem, sweetheart?"
T h e waitress swallowed, t h e n left w i t h t h e g o l d .
[226]
"You
can't
do
that," I
told
Ares.
"You
can't
just
t h r e a t e n p e o p l e w i t h a knife."
A r e s l a u g h e d . "Are y o u k i d d i n g ? I love t h i s c o u n t r y . Best
p l a c e since S p a r t a . D o n ' t y o u c a r r y a w e a p o n , p u n k ? Y o u
should. Dangerous world out there. W h i c h brings me to my
p r o p o s i t i o n . I n e e d y o u to do me a favor."
" W h a t favor c o u l d I do for a g o d ? "
" S o m e t h i n g a g o d d o e s n ' t have t i m e t o d o himself. It's
n o t h i n g m u c h . I left m y s h i e l d a t a n a b a n d o n e d w a t e r p a r k
h e r e in t o w n . I was g o i n g on a little . . . d a t e w i t h my girlfriend. We were i n t e r r u p t e d . I left my s h i e l d b e h i n d . I w a n t
y o u t o fetch i t for m e . "
" W h y d o n ' t y o u g o b a c k a n d get i t y o u r s e l f ? "
T h e fire in his eye s o c k e t s g l o w e d a little h o t t e r .
" W h y don't I t u r n you into prairie d o g a n d r u n you
over w i t h my H a r l e y ? Because I d o n ' t feel like it. A g o d is
giving y o u a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o p r o v e yourself, P e r c y J a c k s o n .
W i l l y o u p r o v e y o u r s e l f a c o w a r d ? " H e l e a n e d forward. " O r
m a y b e y o u o n l y fight w h e n there's a river to dive i n t o , so
y o u r d a d d y can p r o t e c t you."
I w a n t e d t o p u n c h t h i s guy, b u t s o m e h o w , I k n e w h e was
w a i t i n g for t h a t . Ares's p o w e r was c a u s i n g m y anger. H e ' d
love it if I a t t a c k e d . I d i d n ' t w a n t to give h i m t h e satisfaction.
" W e ' r e n o t interested," I said.
" W e ' v e already g o t a
quest."
Ares's fiery eyes m a d e me see t h i n g s I d i d n ' t w a n t to
s e e — b l o o d a n d s m o k e a n d c o r p s e s o n t h e battlefield. " I
k n o w all a b o u t y o u r q u e s t , p u n k . W h e n t h a t
[227]
item was
f i r s t s t o l e n , Z e u s s e n t his b e s t o u t l o o k i n g for it: A p o l l o ,
A t h e n a , A r t e m i s , a n d m e , naturally. If I c o u l d n ' t sniff o u t a
w e a p o n t h a t p o w e r f u l . . ." He licked h i s lips, as if t h e very
thought of the master bolt m a d e him hungry. "Well . . . if
I c o u l d n ' t f i n d it, y o u g o t n o h o p e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , I ' m t r y i n g
t o give y o u t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e d o u b t . Y o u r d a d a n d I g o way
b a c k . A f t e r all, I ' m t h e o n e w h o t o l d h i m m y s u s p i c i o n s
a b o u t o l d C o r p s e Breath."
"You t o l d h i m H a d e s stole the bolt?"
" S u r e . F r a m i n g s o m e b o d y t o s t a r t a war. O l d e s t t r i c k i n
t h e b o o k . I r e c o g n i z e d it i m m e d i a t e l y . In a way, y o u g o t me
t o t h a n k for y o u r little quest."
"Thanks," I grumbled.
" H e y , I ' m a g e n e r o u s guy. J u s t d o m y little j o b , a n d I'll
h e l p y o u on y o u r way. I'll a r r a n g e a r i d e west for y o u a n d
y o u r friends."
" W e ' r e d o i n g f i n e o n o u r own."
"Yeah, r i g h t . N o m o n e y . N o w h e e l s . N o
clue w h a t
you're u p against. H e l p m e o u t , a n d m a y b e I'll tell y o u
something you need to know. Something about your m o m . "
"My mom?"
H e grinned. " T h a t got your attention. T h e water park
is a m i l e w e s t on D e l a n c y . Y o u can't m i s s it. L o o k for t h e
T u n n e l o f Love ride."
" W h a t i n t e r r u p t e d y o u r d a t e ? " I asked.
"Something
scare y o u o f f ?"
A r e s b a r e d his t e e t h , b u t I'd seen his t h r e a t e n i n g l o o k
b e f o r e o n Clarisse. T h e r e was s o m e t h i n g false a b o u t it,
a l m o s t like h e was n e r v o u s .
[228]
"You're l u c k y y o u m e t m e , p u n k , a n d n o t o n e o f t h e
o t h e r O l y m p i a n s . T h e y ' r e n o t a s forgiving o f r u d e n e s s a s I
a m . I'll m e e t y o u b a c k h e r e w h e n you're d o n e . D o n ' t d i s a p p o i n t me."
A f t e r t h a t I m u s t have fainted, or fallen i n t o a t r a n c e ,
b e c a u s e w h e n I o p e n e d my eyes again, A r e s was g o n e . I
might've t h o u g h t the conversation h a d been a dream, b u t
A n n a b e t h a n d Grover's e x p r e s s i o n s t o l d m e o t h e r w i s e .
" N o t g o o d , " G r o v e r said. "Ares s o u g h t y o u o u t , Percy.
T h i s is not good."
I stared o u t the window. T h e motorcycle h a d disappeared.
D i d Ares really k n o w s o m e t h i n g a b o u t m y m o m , o r
was h e j u s t p l a y i n g w i t h me? N o w t h a t h e was g o n e , all t h e
anger h a d d r a i n e d o u t o f m e . I realized A r e s m u s t love t o
m e s s w i t h p e o p l e ' s e m o t i o n s . T h a t was h i s p o w e r — c r a n k ing u p t h e p a s s i o n s s o badly, t h e y c l o u d e d y o u r ability t o
think.
"It's p r o b a b l y s o m e k i n d o f trick," I said. " F o r g e t A r e s .
Let's j u s t go."
" W e can't," A n n a b e t h said. " L o o k , I h a t e Ares a s m u c h
as anybody, b u t you don't ignore the gods unless you want
s e r i o u s b a d f o r t u n e . H e wasn't k i d d i n g a b o u t t u r n i n g y o u
into a rodent."
I l o o k e d d o w n a t m y cheeseburger,
which suddenly
didn't seem so appetizing. " W h y does he need us?"
" M a y b e it's a p r o b l e m t h a t r e q u i r e s b r a i n s , " A n n a b e t h
said. "Ares h a s s t r e n g t h . T h a t ' s all h e h a s . E v e n s t r e n g t h h a s
to bow to w i s d o m sometimes."
[229]
" B u t t h i s w a t e r p a r k . . . h e a c t e d a l m o s t scared. W h a t
w o u l d m a k e a w a r g o d r u n away like t h a t ? "
A n n a b e t h a n d G r o v e r g l a n c e d n e r v o u s l y a t each o t h e r .
A n n a b e t h said, " I ' m afraid we'll have t o f i n d o u t . "
T h e s u n was s i n k i n g b e h i n d t h e m o u n t a i n s b y t h e t i m e w e
f o u n d t h e w a t e r p a r k . J u d g i n g f r o m t h e sign, i t o n c e h a d
b e e n called W A T E R L A N D , b u t n o w s o m e o f t h e l e t t e r s were
s m a s h e d o u t , s o i t r e a d WAT R A D .
T h e m a i n gate was p a d l o c k e d a n d t o p p e d w i t h b a r b e d
wire. I n s i d e , h u g e d r y waterslides a n d t u b e s a n d p i p e s c u r l e d
everywhere, l e a d i n g t o e m p t y p o o l s . O l d tickets a n d advertisements fluttered a r o u n d the asphalt. W i t h night c o m i n g
o n , t h e p l a c e l o o k e d sad a n d creepy.
" I f Ares brings his girlfriend here for a date," I said, staring up at t h e b a r b e d wire, "I'd h a t e to see w h a t she l o o k s like."
"Percy," A n n a b e t h w a r n e d . "Be m o r e respectful."
" W h y ? I t h o u g h t y o u h a t e d Ares."
" H e ' s still a g o d . A n d h i s girlfriend is very t e m p e r a mental."
"You don't want to insult her looks," Grover added.
" W h o i s she? E c h i d n a ? "
"No,
Aphrodite,"
Grover
said,
a
little
dreamily.
" G o d d e s s o f love."
"I
t h o u g h t she was
married
to
somebody," I
said.
"Hephaestus."
" W h a t ' s y o u r p o i n t ? " h e asked.
" O h . " I s u d d e n l y felt t h e n e e d t o c h a n g e t h e subject.
" S o h o w d o we get in?"
[230]
"Μaia!"
Grover's s h o e s s p r o u t e d w i n g s .
H e f l e w over t h e fence, d i d a n u n i n t e n d e d s o m e r s a u l t i n
midair, t h e n s t u m b l e d t o a l a n d i n g o n t h e o p p o s i t e side. H e
d u s t e d o f f h i s jeans, a s i f h e ' d p l a n n e d t h e w h o l e t h i n g .
"You guys c o m i n g ? "
A n n a b e t h a n d I h a d t o c l i m b t h e o l d - f a s h i o n e d way,
h o l d i n g d o w n t h e b a r b e d w i r e for e a c h o t h e r a s w e c r a w l e d
over t h e t o p .
T h e shadows grew long as we walked t h r o u g h the park,
c h e c k i n g o u t t h e a t t r a c t i o n s . T h e r e w a s A n k l e Biter I s l a n d ,
H e a d Over Wedgie, and D u d e , Where's M y Swimsuit?
N o m o n s t e r s came t o get us. N o t h i n g m a d e t h e slight­
est n o i s e .
W e f o u n d a s o u v e n i r s h o p t h a t h a d b e e n left o p e n .
M e r c h a n d i s e still l i n e d t h e shelves: s n o w g l o b e s , p e n c i l s ,
postcards, a n d racks o f —
" C l o t h e s , " A n n a b e t h said. " F r e s h c l o t h e s . "
"Yeah," I said. " B u t y o u can't j u s t — "
"Watch me."
She snatched an entire row of stuff of t h e racks a n d
d i s a p p e a r e d i n t o t h e c h a n g i n g r o o m . A few m i n u t e s l a t e r
she came o u t in Waterland flower-print shorts, a big red
Waterland T-shirt,
and
commemorative
Waterland
surf
s h o e s . A W a t e r l a n d b a c k p a c k was s l u n g over h e r s h o u l d e r ,
o b v i o u s l y stuffed w i t h m o r e g o o d i e s .
" W h a t t h e heck." G r o v e r s h r u g g e d . S o o n , all t h r e e o f u s
were d e c k e d o u t like w a l k i n g a d v e r t i s e m e n t s for t h e d e f u n c t
theme park.
W e c o n t i n u e d s e a r c h i n g for t h e T u n n e l o f Love. I g o t
[231]
t h e feeling t h a t t h e w h o l e p a r k was h o l d i n g its b r e a t h . " S o
A r e s a n d A p h r o d i t e , " I said, t o k e e p m y m i n d o f f t h e g r o w i n g d a r k , " t h e y have a t h i n g g o i n g ? "
" T h a t ' s o l d gossip, Percy," A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . " T h r e e t h o u s a n d - y e a r - o l d gossip."
" W h a t about Aphrodite's husband?"
" W e l l , y o u k n o w , " s h e said. " H e p h a e s t u s . T h e b l a c k s m i t h . H e was c r i p p l e d w h e n h e was a baby, t h r o w n o f f
M o u n t O l y m p u s b y Z e u s . S o h e isn't exactly h a n d s o m e .
Clever w i t h his h a n d s , a n d all, b u t A p h r o d i t e isn't i n t o
brains and talent, you k n o w ? "
" S h e likes bikers."
"Whatever."
"Hephaestus knows?"
" O h sure," A n n a b e t h said. " H e c a u g h t t h e m t o g e t h e r
o n c e . I m e a n , literally c a u g h t t h e m , in a g o l d e n net, a n d
invited all t h e g o d s t o c o m e a n d l a u g h a t t h e m . H e p h a e s t u s
i s always t r y i n g t o e m b a r r a s s t h e m . T h a t ' s w h y t h e y m e e t i n
o u t - o f - t h e - w a y p l a c e s , like . . ."
S h e s t o p p e d , l o o k i n g s t r a i g h t a h e a d . " L i k e that."
I n f r o n t o f u s was a n e m p t y p o o l t h a t w o u l d ' v e b e e n
a w e s o m e for s k a t e b o a r d i n g . It was at least fifty yards across
a n d s h a p e d like a b o w l .
A r o u n d the rim, a d o z e n b r o n z e statues of C u p i d s t o o d
g u a r d w i t h w i n g s s p r e a d a n d b o w s ready t o fire. O n t h e
o p p o s i t e side f r o m u s , a t u n n e l o p e n e d u p , p r o b a b l y w h e r e
t h e w a t e r f l o w e d i n t o w h e n t h e p o o l was full. T h e sign
above i t read, T H R I L L R I D E O ' LOVE: T H I S I S N O T Y O U R
P A R E N T S ' T U N N E L O F LOVE!
[232]
G r o v e r c r e p t t o w a r d t h e e d g e . " G u y s , look."
Marooned
a t t h e b o t t o m o f t h e p o o l was
a pink-
a n d - w h i t e t w o - s e a t e r b o a t w i t h a c a n o p y over t h e t o p a n d
little h e a r t s p a i n t e d all over it. In t h e left seat, glinting in
t h e fading light, was Ares's shield, a p o l i s h e d circle of b r o n z e .
" T h i s is t o o easy," I said. " S o we j u s t w a l k d o w n t h e r e
a n d get it?"
A n n a b e t h r a n h e r fingers a l o n g t h e b a s e o f t h e n e a r e s t
C u p i d statue.
" T h e r e ' s a G r e e k letter c a r v e d here," she said. " E t a . I
w o n d e r . . ."
"Grover," I said, " y o u s m e l l any m o n s t e r s ? "
H e sniffed t h e w i n d . " N o t h i n g . "
" N o t h i n g — l i k e , in-me-Arch-and-you-didn't-smell-Echidna
n o t h i n g , o r really n o t h i n g ? "
G r o v e r l o o k e d h u r t . " I t o l d y o u , t h a t was u n d e r g r o u n d . "
" O k a y , I ' m sorry." I t o o k a d e e p b r e a t h . " I ' m g o i n g
d o w n there."
"I'll g o w i t h you." G r o v e r d i d n ' t s o u n d t o o e n t h u s i a s t i c ,
b u t I g o t t h e feeling h e was t r y i n g t o m a k e u p for w h a t h a d
h a p p e n e d in St. Louis.
" N o , " I t o l d h i m . " I w a n t y o u t o stay u p t o p w i t h t h e
flying s h o e s . You're t h e R e d B a r o n , a flying ace, r e m e m b e r ?
I'll b e c o u n t i n g o n y o u for b a c k u p , i n case s o m e t h i n g goes
wrong."
G r o v e r p u f f e d u p his chest a little. " S u r e . B u t w h a t
could go wrong?"
" I d o n ' t k n o w . J u s t a feeling. A n n a b e t h , c o m e w i t h
me—"
[233]
"Are y o u k i d d i n g ? " S h e l o o k e d a t m e a s i f I d j u s t
d r o p p e d f r o m t h e m o o n . H e r cheeks were b r i g h t r e d .
"What's the problem now?" I demanded.
" M e , go w i t h y o u to t h e . . . t h e ' T h r i l l R i d e of Love'?
H o w e m b a r r a s s i n g i s that? W h a t i f s o m e b o d y saw m e ? "
" W h o ' s g o i n g t o see y o u ? " B u t m y face was b u r n i n g
n o w , t o o . Leave i t t o a girl t o m a k e e v e r y t h i n g c o m p l i c a t e d .
" F i n e , " I t o l d her. "I'll do it myself." B u t w h e n I s t a r t e d
d o w n t h e side o f t h e p o o l , she followed m e , m u t t e r i n g
a b o u t h o w b o y s always m e s s e d t h i n g s u p .
W e r e a c h e d t h e b o a t . T h e s h i e l d was p r o p p e d o n o n e
seat, a n d n e x t to it was a lady's silk scarf. I t r i e d to i m a g i n e
A r e s a n d A p h r o d i t e here, a c o u p l e of g o d s m e e t i n g in a
j u n k e d - o u t a m u s e m e n t - p a r k ride. W h y ? T h e n I noticed
s o m e t h i n g I h a d n ' t seen f r o m u p t o p : m i r r o r s all t h e way
a r o u n d t h e r i m o f t h e p o o l , facing t h i s s p o t . W e c o u l d see
ourselves n o m a t t e r w h i c h d i r e c t i o n w e l o o k e d . T h a t m u s t
b e it. W h i l e Ares a n d A p h r o d i t e were s m o o c h i n g w i t h
each o t h e r t h e y c o u l d l o o k a t t h e i r favorite p e o p l e : t h e m selves.
I p i c k e d u p t h e scarf. I t s h i m m e r e d p i n k ,
perfume
was
indescribable—rose,
or
mountain
and the
laurel.
S o m e t h i n g g o o d . I smiled, a little dreamy, a n d was a b o u t to
r u b t h e s c a r f against m y c h e e k w h e n A n n a b e t h r i p p e d i t o u t
of my h a n d a n d stuffed it in her pocket. " O h , no you don't.
S t a y away f r o m t h a t love m a g i c . "
"What?"
"Just get t h e shield, S e a w e e d Brain, a n d let's get o u t o f
here."
[234]
T h e m o m e n t I t o u c h e d t h e shield, I k n e w w e were i n
trouble. My hand broke through something that had been
c o n n e c t i n g it to t h e d a s h b o a r d . A c o b w e b , I t h o u g h t , b u t
t h e n I l o o k e d a t a s t r a n d o f i t o n m y p a l m a n d s a w i t was
s o m e k i n d o f m e t a l filament, s o fine i t was a l m o s t invisible.
A t r i p wire.
" W a i t , " A n n a b e t h said.
" T o o late."
" T h e r e ' s a n o t h e r G r e e k l e t t e r o n t h e side o f t h e b o a t ,
a n o t h e r E t a . T h i s is a trap."
N o i s e e r u p t e d all a r o u n d u s , o f a m i l l i o n gears g r i n d i n g ,
a s i f t h e w h o l e p o o l were t u r n i n g i n t o o n e giant m a c h i n e .
G r o v e r yelled, " G u y s ! "
U p o n t h e r i m , t h e C u p i d statues were d r a w i n g t h e i r
b o w s i n t o firing p o s i t i o n . Before I c o u l d s u g g e s t t a k i n g
cover, t h e y s h o t , b u t n o t a t u s . T h e y fired a t each o t h e r ,
across
the
rim
of
the
pool.
Silky
cables
trailed
from
t h e a r r o w s , arcing over t h e p o o l a n d a n c h o r i n g w h e r e t h e y
l a n d e d to f o r m a huge g o l d e n asterisk. T h e n smaller metallic
threads
s t a r t e d weaving t o g e t h e r magically b e t w e e n
the
main strands, making a net.
" W e have to get out," I said.
" D u h ! " A n n a b e t h said.
I g r a b b e d the shield and we ran, b u t going up the slope
o f t h e p o o l was n o t a s easy a s g o i n g d o w n .
" C o m e on!" Grover shouted.
H e was t r y i n g t o h o l d o p e n a s e c t i o n o f t h e n e t for u s ,
b u t wherever h e t o u c h e d it, t h e g o l d e n t h r e a d s s t a r t e d t o
w r a p a r o u n d his h a n d s .
[235]
T h e C u p i d s ' heads p o p p e d open. O u t came video cam­
eras. S p o t l i g h t s r o s e u p all a r o u n d t h e p o o l , b l i n d i n g u s
w i t h i l l u m i n a t i o n , a n d a l o u d s p e a k e r voice b o o m e d : " L i v e
to O l y m p u s in o n e m i n u t e . . . F i f t y - n i n e s e c o n d s , fiftye i g h t . . ."
" H e p h a e s t u s ! " A n n a b e t h screamed. " I ' m so stupid! Eta
i s ' Ή . ' H e m a d e t h i s t r a p t o c a t c h h i s wife w i t h Ares. N o w
we're g o i n g t o b e b r o a d c a s t live t o O l y m p u s a n d l o o k like
absolute fools!"
We'd almost m a d e it to the r i m when t h e row of mir­
r o r s o p e n e d like h a t c h e s a n d t h o u s a n d s of t i n y m e t a l l i c . . .
things p o u r e d out.
A n n a b e t h screamed.
I t was a n a r m y o f w i n d - u p creepy-crawlies: b r o n z e - g e a r
bodies,
spindly
legs,
little
pincer
mouths,
all
scuttling
t o w a r d u s i n a wave o f clacking, w h i r r i n g m e t a l .
" S p i d e r s ! " A n n a b e t h said. " S p — s p — a a a a h ! "
I'd never seen h e r like t h i s b e f o r e . S h e fell b a c k w a r d in
terror and almost got overwhelmed by the spider robots
before I pulled her up a n d dragged her back toward the
boat.
T h e t h i n g s were c o m i n g o u t f r o m all a r o u n d t h e r i m
now, m i l l i o n s o f t h e m , f l o o d i n g t o w a r d t h e c e n t e r o f t h e
p o o l , completely s u r r o u n d i n g us. I t o l d myself they p r o b a ­
bly weren't p r o g r a m m e d t o kill, j u s t c o r r a l u s a n d b i t e u s
a n d m a k e u s l o o k s t u p i d . T h e n again, t h i s was a t r a p m e a n t
for g o d s . A n d w e weren't g o d s .
A n n a b e t h a n d I climbed into the boat. I started kicking
away
the
spiders
as
they
swarmed
[236]
aboard.
I
yelled
at
A n n a b e t h t o h e l p m e , b u t she was t o o p a r a l y z e d t o d o m u c h
m o r e t h a n scream.
" T h i r t y , t w e n t y - n i n e , " called t h e l o u d s p e a k e r .
T h e spiders started spitting out strands of metal thread,
t r y i n g t o tie u s d o w n . T h e s t r a n d s were easy e n o u g h t o
b r e a k a t first, b u t t h e r e were s o m a n y o f t h e m , a n d t h e s p i d e r s j u s t k e p t c o m i n g . I k i c k e d o n e away f r o m A n n a b e t h ' s
leg a n d its p i n c e r s t o o k a c h u n k o u t o f m y n e w s u r f
shoe.
G r o v e r h o v e r e d above t h e p o o l i n his flying sneakers,
trying to pull the n e t loose, b u t it wouldn't b u d g e .
T h i n k , I t o l d myself. T h i n k .
T h e T u n n e l o f Love e n t r a n c e was u n d e r t h e n e t . W e
c o u l d use it as an exit, except t h a t it was b l o c k e d by a m i l lion r o b o t spiders.
"Fifteen, f o u r t e e n , " t h e l o u d s p e a k e r called.
W a t e r , I t h o u g h t . W h e r e d o e s t h e ride's w a t e r c o m e
from?
T h e n I saw t h e m : h u g e w a t e r p i p e s b e h i n d t h e m i r r o r s ,
w h e r e t h e s p i d e r s h a d c o m e f r o m . A n d u p above t h e n e t ,
next to one of the Cupids, a glass-windowed b o o t h that
m u s t b e t h e controller's s t a t i o n .
" G r o v e r ! " I yelled. " G e t i n t o t h a t b o o t h ! F i n d t h e ' o n '
switch!"
"But—"
" D o it!" I t was a c r a z y h o p e , b u t i t was o u r o n l y c h a n c e .
The
spiders
were
all over t h e p r o w
o f t h e b o a t now.
A n n a b e t h was s c r e a m i n g h e r h e a d off. I h a d t o get u s o u t o f
there.
[237]
G r o v e r was i n t h e c o n t r o l l e r ' s b o o t h n o w , s l a m m i n g
away a t t h e b u t t o n s ,
"Five, f o u r — "
G r o v e r l o o k e d u p a t m e hopelessly, raising his h a n d s .
H e was l e t t i n g m e k n o w t h a t he'd p u s h e d every b u t t o n , b u t
still n o t h i n g was h a p p e n i n g .
I c l o s e d m y eyes a n d t h o u g h t a b o u t waves, r u s h i n g
water, t h e M i s s i s s i p p i River. I felt a familiar t u g in my g u t .
I t r i e d to i m a g i n e t h a t I was d r a g g i n g t h e o c e a n all t h e way
to Denver.
" T w o , o n e , zero!"
Water exploded out of the pipes. It roared into the pool,
s w e e p i n g away t h e s p i d e r s . I p u l l e d A n n a b e t h i n t o t h e seat
n e x t t o m e a n d f a s t e n e d h e r seat b e l t j u s t a s t h e t i d a l wave
s l a m m e d i n t o o u r b o a t , over t h e t o p , w h i s k i n g t h e s p i d e r s
away a n d d o u s i n g u s completely, b u t n o t c a p s i z i n g us. T h e
b o a t t u r n e d , lifted i n t h e f l o o d , a n d s p u n i n circles a r o u n d
the whirlpool.
T h e w a t e r was full o f s h o r t - c i r c u i t i n g s p i d e r s , s o m e o f
t h e m s m a s h i n g a g a i n s t t h e p o o l ' s c o n c r e t e wall w i t h s u c h
force t h e y b u r s t .
S p o t l i g h t s glared d o w n a t u s . T h e C u p i d - c a m s were
r o l l i n g , live t o O l y m p u s .
B u t I c o u l d o n l y c o n c e n t r a t e on c o n t r o l l i n g t h e b o a t . I
w i l l e d i t t o r i d e t h e c u r r e n t , t o k e e p away f r o m t h e wall.
M a y b e i t was m y i m a g i n a t i o n , b u t t h e b o a t s e e m e d t o
r e s p o n d . A t least, i t d i d n ' t b r e a k i n t o a m i l l i o n pieces. W e
s p u n a r o u n d o n e last t i m e , t h e w a t e r level n o w a l m o s t h i g h
e n o u g h to shred us against the metal net. T h e n the boat's
[238]
nose turned toward the tunnel and we rocketed through into
the darkness.
A n n a b e t h and I held tight, b o t h of us screaming as the
b o a t s h o t curls a n d h u g g e d c o r n e r s a n d t o o k forty-fived e g r e e p l u n g e s p a s t p i c t u r e s o f R o m e o a n d Juliet a n d a
b u n c h o f o t h e r V a l e n t i n e s D a y stuff.
T h e n w e were o u t o f t h e t u n n e l , t h e n i g h t air w h i s t l i n g
t h r o u g h o u r hair as the b o a t barreled straight toward the
exit.
I f t h e r i d e h a d b e e n i n w o r k i n g order, w e w o u l d ' v e
sailed o f f a r a m p b e t w e e n t h e g o l d e n G a t e s o f Love a n d
s p l a s h e d d o w n safely i n t h e exit p o o l . B u t t h e r e was a p r o b l e m . T h e G a t e s o f Love were c h a i n e d . T w o b o a t s t h a t h a d
b e e n w a s h e d o u t o f t h e t u n n e l b e f o r e u s were n o w p i l e d
against the b a r r i c a d e — o n e submerged, t h e o t h e r cracked in
half.
" U n f a s t e n y o u r seat belt," I yelled to A n n a b e t h .
"Are y o u crazy?"
" U n l e s s y o u w a n t t o get s m a s h e d t o d e a t h . " I s t r a p p e d
Ares's s h i e l d t o m y a r m . " W e ' r e g o i n g t o have t o j u m p for
it." M y idea was s i m p l e a n d i n s a n e . A s t h e b o a t s t r u c k , w e
w o u l d u s e its force like a s p r i n g b o a r d t o j u m p t h e gate. I'd
h e a r d o f p e o p l e surviving car crashes t h a t way, g e t t i n g
t h r o w n t h i r t y o r f o r t y feet away f r o m a n a c c i d e n t . W i t h
luck, w e w o u l d l a n d i n t h e p o o l .
Annabeth seemed to understand. She gripped my h a n d
as t h e gates g o t closer.
" O n m y m a r k , " I said.
" N o ! O n m y mark!"
[239]
"What?"
" S i m p l e physics!" s h e yelled. " F o r c e t i m e s t h e trajectory
angle—
" F i n e ! " I s h o u t e d . " O n your m a r k ! "
S h e h e s i t a t e d . . . h e s i t a t e d . . . t h e n yelled, " N o w ! "
Crack!
A n n a b e t h was r i g h t . I f w e d j u m p e d w h e n I t h o u g h t w e
s h o u l d ' v e , w e w o u l d ' v e c r a s h e d i n t o t h e gates. S h e g o t u s
m a x i m u m lift.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h a t was a little m o r e t h a n w e n e e d e d .
O u r b o a t s m a s h e d i n t o t h e p i l e u p a n d w e were t h r o w n i n t o
t h e air, s t r a i g h t over t h e gates, over t h e p o o l , a n d d o w n
toward solid asphalt.
Something grabbed me from behind.
A n n a b e t h yelled, " O u c h ! "
Grover!
In
midair,
he
had
grabbed
me
by
the
shirt,
and
A n n a b e t h b y t h e a r m , a n d was t r y i n g t o p u l l u s o u t o f a
c r a s h l a n d i n g , b u t A n n a b e t h a n d I h a d all t h e m o m e n t u m .
"You're t o o heavy!" G r o v e r said. " W e ' r e g o i n g d o w n ! "
W e s p i r a l e d t o w a r d t h e g r o u n d , G r o v e r d o i n g his b e s t
t o slow t h e fall.
W e s m a s h e d i n t o a p h o t o - b o a r d , Grover's h e a d g o i n g
s t r a i g h t i n t o t h e h o l e w h e r e t o u r i s t s w o u l d p u t t h e i r faces,
pretending to be N o o - N o o the Friendly W h a l e . Annabeth
a n d I t u m b l e d t o t h e g r o u n d , b a n g e d u p b u t alive. Ares's
s h i e l d was still o n m y a r m .
O n c e we caught our breath, A n n a b e t h and I got Grover
o u t o f t h e p h o t o - b o a r d a n d t h a n k e d h i m for saving o u r
[240]
lives. I l o o k e d b a c k a t t h e T h r i l l R i d e o f Love. T h e w a t e r
was s u b s i d i n g . O u r b o a t h a d b e e n s m a s h e d t o pieces a g a i n s t
t h e gates.
A h u n d r e d yards away, a t t h e e n t r a n c e p o o l , t h e C u p i d s
were still filming. T h e s t a t u e s h a d swiveled s o t h a t t h e i r
c a m e r a s were t r a i n e d s t r a i g h t o n us, t h e s p o t l i g h t s i n o u r
faces.
" S h o w ' s over!" I yelled. " T h a n k you! G o o d n i g h t ! "
T h e C u p i d s t u r n e d back t o their original positions. T h e
l i g h t s s h u t off. T h e p a r k w e n t q u i e t a n d d a r k again, except
for t h e g e n t l e trickle o f w a t e r i n t o t h e T h r i l l R i d e o f Love's
exit p o o l . I w o n d e r e d i f O l y m p u s h a d g o n e t o a c o m m e r cial b r e a k , o r i f o u r r a t i n g s h a d b e e n any g o o d .
I h a t e d b e i n g teased. I h a t e d b e i n g t r i c k e d . A n d I h a d
p l e n t y o f experience h a n d l i n g bullies w h o l i k e d t o d o t h a t
stuff to me. I hefted the shield on my a r m and t u r n e d to
m y friends. " W e n e e d t o have a little talk w i t h Ares."
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The w a r g o d was w a i t i n g for u s i n t h e d i n e r p a r k i n g l o t .
" W e l l , well," h e said. " Y o u d i d n ' t get y o u r s e l f killed."
" Y o u k n e w it was a trap," I said.
A r e s gave me a w i c k e d g r i n . " B e t t h a t c r i p p l e d b l a c k s m i t h was s u r p r i s e d w h e n h e n e t t e d a c o u p l e o f s t u p i d k i d s .
You looked good on T V "
I s h o v e d his s h i e l d at h i m . "You're a jerk."
A n n a b e t h and Grover caught their breath.
A r e s g r a b b e d t h e s h i e l d a n d s p u n i t i n t h e air like p i z z a
d o u g h . I t c h a n g e d f o r m , m e l t i n g i n t o a b u l l e t p r o o f vest. H e
s l u n g it across his b a c k .
" S e e t h a t t r u c k over t h e r e ? " H e p o i n t e d t o a n e i g h t e e n w h e e l e r p a r k e d across t h e street f r o m t h e d i n e r .
"That's
y o u r r i d e . T a k e y o u s t r a i g h t t o L.A., w i t h o n e s t o p i n
Vegas."
T h e e i g h t e e n - w h e e l e r h a d a sign o n t h e b a c k , w h i c h I
c o u l d r e a d o n l y b e c a u s e i t was r e v e r s e - p r i n t e d w h i t e o n
black, a g o o d c o m b i n a t i o n for dyslexia: K I N D N E S S I N T E R N A T I O N A L : H U M A N E Z O O T R A N S P O R T . W A R N I N G : LIVE W I L D
ANIMALS.
I said, "You're k i d d i n g . "
Ares s n a p p e d his fingers. T h e b a c k d o o r o f t h e t r u c k
[242]
u n l a t c h e d . " F r e e r i d e west, p u n k . S t o p c o m p l a i n i n g . A n d
here's a little s o m e t h i n g for d o i n g t h e job."
He slung a blue nylon backpack off his handlebars and
tossed it to me.
I n s i d e were fresh c l o t h e s for all o f u s , t w e n t y b u c k s i n
cash, a p o u c h full o f g o l d e n d r a c h m a s , a n d a b a g o f D o u b l e
Stuf Oreos.
I said, " I d o n ' t w a n t y o u r l o u s y — "
" T h a n k y o u , L o r d Ares," G r o v e r i n t e r r u p t e d , giving m e
his b e s t r e d - a l e r t w a r n i n g l o o k . " T h a n k s a lot."
I g r i t t e d my t e e t h . It was p r o b a b l y a d e a d l y i n s u l t to
refuse s o m e t h i n g f r o m a g o d , b u t I d i d n ' t w a n t a n y t h i n g
that Ares h a d touched. Reluctantly, I slung the backpack
over m y s h o u l d e r . I k n e w m y a n g e r was b e i n g c a u s e d b y t h e
w a r g o d ' s p r e s e n c e , b u t I was still i t c h i n g t o p u n c h h i m i n
t h e n o s e . H e r e m i n d e d m e o f every bully I'd ever faced:
N a n c y Bobofit, Clarisse, S m e l l y G a b e , sarcastic t e a c h e r s —
every jerk w h o ' d called m e s t u p i d i n s c h o o l o r l a u g h e d a t m e
w h e n I'd g o t t e n expelled.
I l o o k e d b a c k at t h e diner, w h i c h h a d o n l y a c o u p l e of
c u s t o m e r s now. T h e waitress w h o ' d s e r v e d u s d i n n e r was
w a t c h i n g n e r v o u s l y o u t t h e w i n d o w , like s h e was afraid A r e s
m i g h t h u r t u s . S h e d r a g g e d t h e fry c o o k o u t f r o m t h e
k i t c h e n t o see. S h e said s o m e t h i n g t o h i m . H e n o d d e d , h e l d
u p a little d i s p o s a b l e c a m e r a a n d s n a p p e d a p i c t u r e o f u s .
G r e a t , I t h o u g h t . W e ' l l m a k e t h e p a p e r s again t o m o r r o w .
I imagined the headline: TWELVE-YEAR-OLD OUTLAW
BEATS UP DEFENSELESS BIKER.
" Y o u owe m e o n e m o r e t h i n g , " I t o l d Ares, t r y i n g t o
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k e e p m y voice level. " Y o u p r o m i s e d m e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t
my mother."
" Y o u sure y o u can h a n d l e t h e n e w s ? " H e k i c k - s t a r t e d
his m o t o r c y c l e . "She's n o t dead."
T h e g r o u n d seemed t o spin beneath me. " W h a t d o you
mean?
" I m e a n she was t a k e n away f r o m t h e M i n o t a u r b e f o r e
s h e c o u l d die. S h e was t u r n e d i n t o a s h o w e r o f g o l d , right?
T h a t ' s m e t a m o r p h o s i s . N o t d e a t h . She's b e i n g k e p t . "
"Kept. W h y ? "
" Y o u n e e d t o s t u d y war, p u n k . H o s t a g e s . Y o u take
s o m e b o d y t o c o n t r o l s o m e b o d y else."
" N o b o d y ' s controlling me."
H e l a u g h e d . " O h yeah? See y o u a r o u n d , kid."
I b a l l e d u p m y f i s t s . "You're p r e t t y s m u g , L o r d A r e s , for
a g u y w h o r u n s f r o m C u p i d statues."
B e h i n d his sunglasses, fire glowed. I felt a h o t w i n d in
m y hair. " W e ' l l m e e t again, Percy J a c k s o n . N e x t t i m e you're
in a fight, w a t c h y o u r back."
H e revved his H a r l e y , t h e n r o a r e d o f f d o w n D e l a n c y
Street.
A n n a b e t h said, " T h a t was n o t s m a r t , Percy."
" I d o n ' t care."
" Y o u d o n ' t w a n t a g o d a s y o u r enemy. Especially n o t
t h a t god."
" H e y , guys," G r o v e r said. "I h a t e to i n t e r r u p t , b u t . . ."
H e p o i n t e d t o w a r d t h e diner. A t t h e register, t h e last
t w o c u s t o m e r s were p a y i n g t h e i r check, t w o m e n i n i d e n t i cal b l a c k coveralls, w i t h a w h i t e l o g o o n t h e i r b a c k s t h a t
[244]
matched the one on the KINDNESS I N T E R N A T I O N A L truck.
" I f we're t a k i n g t h e z o o express," G r o v e r said, " w e n e e d
to hurry."
I d i d n ' t like it, b u t w e h a d n o b e t t e r o p t i o n . Besides, I'd
seen e n o u g h o f D e n v e r .
W e r a n across t h e street a n d c l i m b e d i n t h e b a c k o f t h e
b i g rig, c l o s i n g t h e d o o r s b e h i n d u s .
T h e first t h i n g t h a t h i t m e was t h e smell. I t was like t h e
world's b i g g e s t p a n o f k i t t y litter.
The
trailer
was
dark
inside
until
I
uncapped
A n a k l u s m o s . T h e b l a d e cast a faint b r o n z e l i g h t over a very
s a d scene. S i t t i n g in a r o w of filthy m e t a l cages were t h r e e
of t h e m o s t p a t h e t i c z o o a n i m a l s I'd ever b e h e l d : a z e b r a , a
m a l e a l b i n o lion, a n d s o m e w e i r d a n t e l o p e t h i n g I d i d n ' t
k n o w t h e n a m e for.
S o m e o n e h a d t h r o w n t h e l i o n a sack o f t u r n i p s , w h i c h
h e o b v i o u s l y d i d n ' t w a n t t o eat. T h e z e b r a a n d t h e a n t e l o p e
h a d each g o t t e n a S t y r o f o a m tray o f h a m b u r g e r m e a t . T h e
zebra's m a n e was m a t t e d w i t h c h e w i n g g u m , like s o m e b o d y
h a d been spitting on it in their spare time. T h e antelope h a d
a s t u p i d silver b i r t h d a y b a l l o o n t i e d t o o n e o f his h o r n s t h a t
read O V E R T H E HILL!
A p p a r e n t l y , n o b o d y h a d w a n t e d t o get close e n o u g h t o
t h e l i o n t o m e s s w i t h h i m , b u t t h e p o o r t h i n g was p a c i n g
a r o u n d o n s o i l e d b l a n k e t s , i n a space way t o o s m a l l for h i m ,
p a n t i n g f r o m t h e stuffy h e a t o f t h e trailer. H e h a d flies
b u z z i n g a r o u n d his p i n k eyes a n d his r i b s s h o w e d t h r o u g h
his w h i t e fur.
[245]
" T h i s i s k i n d n e s s ? " G r o v e r yelled. " H u m a n e z o o t r a n s port?"
He probably would've gone right back outside to beat
u p t h e t r u c k e r s w i t h his r e e d p i p e s , a n d I w o u l d ' v e h e l p e d
h i m , b u t j u s t t h e n t h e t r u c k ' s e n g i n e r o a r e d t o life, t h e
trailer s t a r t e d s h a k i n g , a n d w e were forced t o sit d o w n o r
fall d o w n .
W e h u d d l e d i n t h e c o r n e r o n s o m e m i l d e w e d feed sacks,
t r y i n g t o i g n o r e t h e smell a n d t h e h e a t a n d t h e f l i e s . G r o v e r
t a l k e d t o t h e a n i m a l s i n a series o f g o a t bleats, b u t t h e y j u s t
s t a r e d a t h i m sadly. A n n a b e t h was i n favor o f b r e a k i n g t h e
cages a n d freeing t h e m o n t h e s p o t , b u t I p o i n t e d o u t i t
wouldn't do m u c h good until the truck stopped moving.
Besides, I h a d a feeling we m i g h t l o o k a l o t b e t t e r to t h e l i o n
than those turnips.
I f o u n d a w a t e r jug a n d refilled t h e i r b o w l s , t h e n u s e d
Anaklusmos to drag the mismatched food o u t of their
cages. I gave t h e m e a t t o t h e l i o n a n d t h e t u r n i p s t o t h e
zebra and the antelope.
G r o v e r c a l m e d t h e a n t e l o p e d o w n , while A n n a b e t h u s e d
h e r knife t o c u t t h e b a l l o o n o f f his h o r n . S h e w a n t e d t o c u t
t h e g u m o u t o f t h e zebra's m a n e , t o o , b u t w e d e c i d e d t h a t
w o u l d b e t o o risky w i t h t h e t r u c k b u m p i n g a r o u n d . W e t o l d
G r o v e r t o p r o m i s e t h e a n i m a l s we'd h e l p t h e m m o r e i n t h e
m o r n i n g , t h e n w e s e t t l e d i n for n i g h t .
G r o v e r c u r l e d u p o n a t u r n i p sack; A n n a b e t h o p e n e d
o u r b a g o f D o u b l e S t u f O r e o s a n d n i b b l e d o n o n e halfh e a r t e d l y ; I t r i e d t o cheer m y s e l f u p b y c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n t h e
fact t h a t w e were halfway t o L o s A n g e l e s . H a l f w a y t o o u r
[246]
d e s t i n a t i o n . I t was o n l y J u n e f o u r t e e n t h . T h e solstice wasn't
u n t i l t h e twenty-first. W e c o u l d m a k e i t i n p l e n t y o f t i m e .
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , I h a d n o i d e a w h a t t o e x p e c t next.
T h e g o d s k e p t t o y i n g w i t h m e . A t least H e p h a e s t u s h a d t h e
decency to be honest about it—he'd p u t up cameras and
a d v e r t i s e d m e a s e n t e r t a i n m e n t . B u t even w h e n t h e c a m e r a s
weren't r o l l i n g , I h a d a feeling my q u e s t was b e i n g w a t c h e d .
I was a s o u r c e of a m u s e m e n t for t h e g o d s .
" H e y , " A n n a b e t h said, " I ' m s o r r y for freaking o u t b a c k
at t h e w a t e r p a r k , Percy."
" T h a t ' s okay."
"It's just . . ." S h e s h u d d e r e d . " S p i d e r s . "
"Because o f t h e A r a c h n e story," I g u e s s e d . " S h e g o t
t u r n e d i n t o a spider for challenging your m o m to a weaving
contest, right?"
A n n a b e t h n o d d e d . "Arachne's c h i l d r e n have b e e n t a k i n g
revenge on t h e c h i l d r e n of A t h e n a ever since. If there's a
s p i d e r w i t h i n a m i l e of m e , it'll find m e . I h a t e t h e creepy
little t h i n g s . Anyway, I owe you."
" W e ' r e a t e a m , r e m e m b e r ? " I said. "Besides, G r o v e r d i d
t h e fancy f l y i n g . "
I t h o u g h t h e was asleep, b u t h e m u m b l e d f r o m t h e c o r ner, " I was p r e t t y a m a z i n g , wasn't I ? "
Annabeth and I laughed.
S h e p u l l e d a p a r t a n O r e o , h a n d e d m e half. " I n t h e Iris
m e s s a g e . . . d i d L u k e really say n o t h i n g ? "
I m u n c h e d m y c o o k i e a n d t h o u g h t a b o u t h o w t o answer.
T h e c o n v e r s a t i o n via r a i n b o w h a d b o t h e r e d m e all evening.
" L u k e said y o u a n d h e g o way b a c k . H e also s a i d G r o v e r
[247]
w o u l d n ' t fail t h i s t i m e . N o b o d y w o u l d t u r n i n t o a p i n e
»
tree.
I n t h e d i m b r o n z e l i g h t o f t h e s w o r d b l a d e , i t was h a r d
to read their expressions.
G r o v e r let o u t a m o u r n f u l bray.
"I should've told you the t r u t h from the beginning." H i s
voice t r e m b l e d . "I t h o u g h t if y o u k n e w w h a t a failure I was,
y o u w o u l d n ' t w a n t m e along."
" Y o u were t h e satyr w h o t r i e d t o rescue T h a l i a , t h e
daughter of Zeus."
H e n o d d e d glumly.
"And the other two half-bloods T h a l i a befriended, the
o n e s w h o g o t safely t o c a m p . . . " I l o o k e d a t A n n a b e t h .
" T h a t was y o u a n d L u k e , wasn't it?"
S h e p u t d o w n h e r O r e o , u n e a t e n . " L i k e y o u said, Percy,
a s e v e n - y e a r - o l d h a l f - b l o o d w o u l d n ' t have m a d e it very far
a l o n e . A t h e n a g u i d e d m e t o w a r d h e l p . T h a l i a was twelve.
L u k e was f o u r t e e n . T h e y ' d b o t h r u n away f r o m h o m e , like
m e . T h e y were h a p p y t o t a k e m e w i t h t h e m . T h e y were . . .
a m a z i n g m o n s t e r - f i g h t e r s , even w i t h o u t t r a i n i n g . W e traveled n o r t h f r o m V i r g i n i a w i t h o u t any real p l a n s , f e n d i n g o f f
m o n s t e r s for a b o u t t w o weeks b e f o r e G r o v e r f o u n d u s . "
" I was s u p p o s e d t o e s c o r t T h a l i a t o c a m p , " h e said, sniffling. " O n l y T h a l i a . I h a d strict orders from Chiron: don't
d o a n y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d slow d o w n t h e rescue. W e k n e w
H a d e s was after her, see, b u t I c o u l d n ' t j u s t leave L u k e a n d
A n n a b e t h by themselves. I t h o u g h t . . . I t h o u g h t I could
l e a d all t h r e e o f t h e m t o safety. I t was m y fault t h e K i n d l y
O n e s c a u g h t u p w i t h u s . I froze. I g o t s c a r e d o n t h e way
[248]
back to camp and t o o k some wrong turns. If Id just been a
little q u i c k e r . . ."
" S t o p it," A n n a b e t h said. " N o o n e b l a m e s y o u . T h a l i a
d i d n ' t b l a m e y o u either."
" S h e sacrificed herself to save us," he said miserably. " H e r
d e a t h was m y fault. T h e C o u n c i l o f C l o v e n E l d e r s said so."
"Because
you
wouldn't
leave
two
other
half-bloods
b e h i n d ? " I said. " T h a t ' s n o t fair."
"Percy's right," A n n a b e t h said. " I w o u l d n ' t b e h e r e t o d a y
i f i t weren't for y o u , G r o v e r . N e i t h e r w o u l d L u k e . W e d o n ' t
care w h a t t h e c o u n c i l says."
G r o v e r k e p t sniffling i n t h e d a r k . "It's just m y luck. I ' m
t h e l a m e s t satyr ever, a n d I find t h e t w o m o s t p o w e r f u l halfb l o o d s o f t h e century, T h a l i a a n d Percy."
"You're n o t lame," A n n a b e t h insisted. "You've g o t m o r e
c o u r a g e t h a n any satyr I've ever m e t . N a m e o n e o t h e r w h o
w o u l d d a r e go to t h e U n d e r w o r l d . I b e t Percy is really g l a d
you're h e r e r i g h t now."
S h e k i c k e d m e i n t h e shin.
"Yeah," I said, w h i c h I w o u l d ' v e d o n e even w i t h o u t t h e
k i c k . "It's n o t l u c k t h a t y o u f o u n d T h a l i a a n d m e , Grover.
You've g o t t h e b i g g e s t h e a r t of any satyr ever. You're a n a t u r a l searcher. T h a t ' s w h y y o u ' l l b e t h e o n e w h o f i n d s Pan."
I h e a r d a d e e p , satisfied sigh. I w a i t e d for G r o v e r to say
s o m e t h i n g , b u t his b r e a t h i n g o n l y g o t heavier. W h e n t h e
s o u n d t u r n e d to s n o r i n g , I realized he'd fallen sleep.
" H o w does he do that?" I marveled.
"I d o n ' t know," A n n a b e t h said. " B u t t h a t was really a
nice thing you told him."
[249]
" I m e a n t it."
W e r o d e i n silence for a few m i l e s , b u m p i n g a r o u n d o n
t h e feed sacks. T h e z e b r a m u n c h e d a t u r n i p . T h e l i o n licked
t h e last o f t h e h a m b u r g e r m e a t o f f his lips a n d l o o k e d a t
m e hopefully.
A n n a b e t h r u b b e d h e r n e c k l a c e like she was t h i n k i n g
deep, strategic t h o u g h t s .
" T h a t p i n e - t r e e b e a d , " I said. "Is t h a t f r o m y o u r first
year?
S h e l o o k e d . S h e h a d n ' t realized w h a t she was d o i n g .
"Yeah," she said. " E v e r y A u g u s t , t h e c o u n s e l o r s p i c k t h e
m o s t i m p o r t a n t event o f t h e s u m m e r , a n d t h e y p a i n t i t o n
t h a t year's b e a d s . I've g o t T h a l i a ' s p i n e tree, a G r e e k t r i r e m e
on fire, a c e n t a u r in a p r o m d r e s s — n o w that was a weird
s u m m e r . . . ."
" A n d t h e college r i n g is y o u r father's?"
" T h a t ' s n o n e o f y o u r — " S h e s t o p p e d herself. "Yeah.
Yeah, it is."
" Y o u d o n ' t have t o tell m e . "
" N o . . . it's okay." S h e t o o k a s h a k y b r e a t h . " M y d a d
s e n t i t t o m e f o l d e d u p i n a letter, t w o s u m m e r s ago. T h e
r i n g was, like, h i s m a i n k e e p s a k e f r o m A t h e n a . H e w o u l d n ' t
have g o t t e n t h r o u g h his d o c t o r a l p r o g r a m a t H a r v a r d w i t h o u t her. . . . T h a t ' s a l o n g story. Anyway, he said he w a n t e d
m e t o have it. H e a p o l o g i z e d for b e i n g a jerk, said h e loved
m e a n d m i s s e d m e . H e w a n t e d m e t o c o m e h o m e a n d live
with him."
" T h a t d o e s n ' t s o u n d s o bad."
"Yeah, well . . . t h e p r o b l e m was, I believed h i m . I t r i e d
[250]
t o g o h o m e for t h a t s c h o o l year, b u t m y s t e p m o m was t h e
s a m e a s ever. S h e d i d n ' t w a n t h e r k i d s p u t i n d a n g e r b y livi n g w i t h a freak. M o n s t e r s a t t a c k e d . W e a r g u e d . M o n s t e r s
a t t a c k e d . W e a r g u e d . I d i d n ' t even m a k e i t t h r o u g h w i n t e r
b r e a k . I called C h i r o n a n d c a m e r i g h t b a c k t o C a m p H a l f Blood."
" Y o u t h i n k you'll ever t r y living w i t h y o u r d a d again?"
S h e w o u l d n ' t m e e t m y eyes. " P l e a s e . I ' m n o t i n t o selfinflicted pain."
" Y o u s h o u l d n ' t give u p , " I t o l d her. " Y o u s h o u l d w r i t e
h i m a letter or s o m e t h i n g . "
"Thanks
father's
made
for t h e
his
advice,"
choice
she s a i d coldly,
about
who
he
wants
"but my
to
live
with."
W e p a s s e d a n o t h e r few m i l e s o f silence.
" S o i f t h e g o d s fight," I said, "will t h i n g s line u p t h e
way t h e y d i d w i t h t h e T r o j a n W a r ? W i l l i t b e A t h e n a versus
Poseidon?"
S h e p u t h e r h e a d against t h e b a c k p a c k A r e s h a d given
u s , a n d c l o s e d h e r eyes. " I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t m y m o m will
d o . I j u s t k n o w I'll fight n e x t to you."
"Why?"
"Because you're m y friend, S e a w e e d Brain. A n y m o r e
stupid questions?"
I c o u l d n ' t t h i n k of an answer for t h a t . F o r t u n a t e l y I
d i d n ' t have t o . A n n a b e t h was asleep.
I
had
trouble
following
her
example,
with
Grover
s n o r i n g a n d a n a l b i n o l i o n s t a r i n g h u n g r i l y a t m e , b u t eventually I c l o s e d my eyes.
[251]
* * *
My nightmare started out as something Id dreamed a mill i o n t i m e s b e f o r e : I was b e i n g forced to take a s t a n d a r d i z e d
t e s t while w e a r i n g a straitjacket. A l l t h e o t h e r k i d s were
g o i n g o u t to recess, a n d t h e t e a c h e r k e p t saying, Come on,
Percy. You're not stupid, are you? Pick up your pencil.
T h e n the d r e a m strayed from the usual.
I l o o k e d over at t h e n e x t d e s k a n d saw a girl s i t t i n g
t h e r e , also w e a r i n g a straitjacket. S h e was my age, w i t h
u n r u l y black, p u n k - s t y l e hair,
d a r k eyeliner a r o u n d h e r
s t o r m y g r e e n eyes, a n d freckles across h e r n o s e . S o m e h o w , I
k n e w w h o she was. S h e was T h a l i a , d a u g h t e r o f Z e u s .
S h e s t r u g g l e d against t h e straitjacket, glared a t m e i n
f r u s t r a t i o n , a n d s n a p p e d , Well, Seaweed Brain? One of us has to
get out of here.
She's right,
my dream-self thought. I'm going back
t o t h a t cavern. I ' m g o i n g t o give H a d e s a piece o f m y
mind.
T h e straitjacket m e l t e d o f f m e . I fell t h r o u g h t h e classr o o m f l o o r . T h e teacher's voice c h a n g e d u n t i l i t was c o l d
a n d evil, e c h o i n g f r o m t h e d e p t h s o f a g r e a t c h a s m .
Percy Jackson, it said. Yes, the exchange went well, I see.
I was b a c k in t h e d a r k cavern, s p i r i t s of t h e d e a d drifti n g a r o u n d m e . U n s e e n i n t h e pit, t h e m o n s t r o u s t h i n g was
s p e a k i n g , b u t t h i s t i m e i t wasn't a d d r e s s i n g m e . T h e n u m b i n g p o w e r o f its voice s e e m e d d i r e c t e d s o m e w h e r e else.
And he suspects nothing? it asked.
A n o t h e r voice, o n e I a l m o s t r e c o g n i z e d , a n s w e r e d a t m y
s h o u l d e r . Nothing, my lord. He is as ignorant as the rest.
[252]
I l o o k e d over, b u t n o o n e was t h e r e . T h e s p e a k e r was
invisible.
Deception upon deception, t h e t h i n g in t h e p i t m u s e d a l o u d .
Excellent.
Truly, my lord, said t h e voice n e x t to m e , you are well-named
the Crooked One. But was it really necessary? I could have brought you
what I stole directly —
You? t h e m o n s t e r s a i d in s c o r n . You have already shown your
limits. You would have jailed me completely had I not intervened.
But, my lord—
Peace, little servant. Our six months have bought us much. Zeus's
anger has grown. Poseidon has played his most desperate card. Now we
shall use it against him. Shortly you shall have the reward you wish, and
your revenge. As soon as both items are delivered into my hands . . . but
wait. He is here.
What? T h e invisible s e r v a n t s u d d e n l y s o u n d e d t e n s e . You
summoned him, my lord?
No.
T h e full force
o f t h e m o n s t e r ' s a t t e n t i o n was
n o w p o u r i n g over m e , freezing me in p l a c e . Blast his father's
blood—he is too changeable, too unpredictable. The boy brought himself
hither.
Impossible! t h e s e r v a n t cried.
For a weakling such as you, perhaps,
t h e voice s n a r l e d . T h e n
its c o l d p o w e r t u r n e d b a c k on m e . So . . . you wish to dream of
your quest, young half-blood? Then I will oblige.
T h e scene c h a n g e d .
I was s t a n d i n g in a vast t h r o n e r o o m w i t h black m a r b l e
walls a n d b r o n z e f l o o r s . T h e e m p t y , h o r r i d t h r o n e was
m a d e f r o m h u m a n b o n e s fused t o g e t h e r . S t a n d i n g a t t h e
[253]
f o o t o f t h e dais was m y m o t h e r , frozen i n s h i m m e r i n g
g o l d e n light, h e r a r m s o u t s t r e t c h e d .
I t r i e d to s t e p t o w a r d her, b u t my legs w o u l d n ' t m o v e . I
r e a c h e d for her, o n l y t o realize t h a t m y h a n d s were w i t h e r ing to bones. G r i n n i n g skeletons in Greek a r m o r crowded
a r o u n d m e , d r a p i n g m e w i t h silk r o b e s , w r e a t h i n g m y h e a d
w i t h laurels t h a t s m o k e d w i t h C h i m e r a p o i s o n , b u r n i n g
i n t o m y scalp.
T h e evil voice b e g a n to l a u g h . Hail, the conquering hero!
I woke with a start.
G r o v e r was s h a k i n g m y s h o u l d e r . " T h e t r u c k ' s s t o p p e d , "
h e said. " W e t h i n k they're c o m i n g t o check o n t h e animals."
" H i d e ! " A n n a b e t h hissed.
S h e h a d i t easy. S h e just p u t o n h e r m a g i c c a p a n d d i s a p p e a r e d . G r o v e r a n d I h a d t o dive b e h i n d feed sacks a n d
h o p e w e l o o k e d like t u r n i p s .
The
trailer
doors
creaked open.
Sunlight
and
heat
p o u r e d in.
" M a n ! " o n e o f t h e t r u c k e r s said, waving his h a n d i n
f r o n t o f h i s ugly n o s e . " I w i s h I h a u l e d a p p l i a n c e s . " H e
climbed inside a n d p o u r e d some water from a jug into the
animals' dishes.
"You hot, big boy?" he asked the lion, t h e n splashed
t h e rest o f t h e b u c k e t r i g h t i n t h e lion's face.
T h e lion roared in indignation.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," t h e m a n said.
N e x t t o m e , u n d e r t h e t u r n i p sacks, G r o v e r t e n s e d . F o r
a peace-loving herbivore, he looked d o w n r i g h t m u r d e r o u s .
[254]
T h e trucker threw
the
antelope
a squashed-looking
H a p p y M e a l bag. H e s m i r k e d a t t h e z e b r a . " H o w y a d o i n ' ,
Stripes? L e a s t we'll b e g e t t i n g r i d o f you this s t o p . Y o u like
m a g i c shows? You're g o n n a love t h i s o n e . T h e y ' r e g o n n a saw
y o u i n half!"
T h e z e b r a , w i l d - e y e d w i t h fear, l o o k e d s t r a i g h t a t m e .
T h e r e was no s o u n d , b u t as clear as day, I h e a r d it say:
Free me, lord. Please.
I was t o o s t u n n e d to react.
T h e r e was a l o u d knock, knock, knock on t h e side of t h e
trailer.
T h e t r u c k e r i n s i d e w i t h u s yelled, " W h a t d o y o u w a n t ,
Eddie?"
A
voice
outside—it
must've
been
Eddie's—shouted
b a c k , " M a u r i c e ? W h a t ' d y a say?"
" W h a t are y o u b a n g i n g for?"
Knock, knock, knock.
O u t s i d e , E d d i e yelled, " W h a t b a n g i n g ? "
O u r g u y M a u r i c e r o l l e d h i s eyes a n d w e n t b a c k o u t s i d e ,
c u r s i n g a t E d d i e for b e i n g a n i d i o t .
A s e c o n d later, A n n a b e t h a p p e a r e d n e x t t o m e . S h e
m u s t ' v e d o n e t h e b a n g i n g t o get M a u r i c e o u t o f t h e trailer.
S h e said, " T h i s t r a n s p o r t b u s i n e s s can't b e legal."
" N o k i d d i n g , " G r o v e r said. H e p a u s e d , a s i f l i s t e n i n g .
" T h e l i o n says t h e s e g u y s are a n i m a l s m u g g l e r s ! "
That's right, t h e zebra's voice said in my m i n d .
"We've
got
to
free
them!"
Grover
said.
He
and
A n n a b e t h b o t h l o o k e d a t m e , w a i t i n g for m y lead.
I'd h e a r d t h e z e b r a talk, b u t n o t t h e l i o n . W h y ? M a y b e
[255]
i t was a n o t h e r l e a r n i n g d i s a b i l i t y . . . I c o u l d o n l y u n d e r s t a n d zebras? T h e n I t h o u g h t : h o r s e s . W h a t h a d A n n a b e t h
s a i d a b o u t P o s e i d o n c r e a t i n g horses? W a s a z e b r a close
e n o u g h to a horse? W a s t h a t w h y I c o u l d u n d e r s t a n d it?
T h e z e b r a said, Open my cage, lord. Phase. I'll be fine after that.
O u t s i d e , E d d i e a n d M a u r i c e were still yelling a t each
o t h e r , b u t I k n e w they'd b e c o m i n g i n s i d e t o t o r m e n t t h e
a n i m a l s again any m i n u t e . I g r a b b e d R i p t i d e a n d s l a s h e d t h e
l o c k o f f t h e zebra's cage.
T h e z e b r a b u r s t o u t . I t t u r n e d t o m e a n d b o w e d . Thank
you, lord.
G r o v e r h e l d u p his h a n d s a n d said s o m e t h i n g t o t h e
z e b r a in g o a t talk, like a blessing.
Just a s M a u r i c e was p o k i n g his h e a d b a c k inside t o check
o u t t h e n o i s e , t h e z e b r a l e a p e d over h i m a n d i n t o t h e street.
T h e r e was yelling a n d s c r e a m i n g a n d cars h o n k i n g . W e
r u s h e d t o t h e d o o r s o f t h e trailer i n t i m e t o see t h e z e b r a gall o p i n g d o w n a w i d e b o u l e v a r d l i n e d w i t h h o t e l s a n d casinos
a n d n e o n signs. W e ' d just released a z e b r a in Las Vegas.
M a u r i c e a n d E d d i e r a n after it, w i t h a few p o l i c e m e n
r u n n i n g after t h e m , s h o u t i n g , " H e y ! Y o u n e e d a p e r m i t for
that!"
" N o w w o u l d b e a g o o d t i m e t o leave," A n n a b e t h said.
" T h e o t h e r a n i m a l s first," G r o v e r said.
I c u t t h e l o c k s w i t h m y s w o r d . G r o v e r r a i s e d his h a n d s
a n d s p o k e t h e s a m e g o a t - b l e s s i n g he'd u s e d for t h e z e b r a .
" G o o d luck," I t o l d t h e a n i m a l s . T h e a n t e l o p e a n d t h e
l i o n b u r s t o u t o f t h e i r cages a n d w e n t o f f t o g e t h e r i n t o t h e
streets.
[256]
S o m e tourists screamed. M o s t just backed off a n d t o o k
p i c t u r e s , p r o b a b l y t h i n k i n g i t was s o m e k i n d o f s t u n t b y
o n e of the casinos.
" W i l l t h e a n i m a l s b e o k a y ? " I a s k e d Grover. " I m e a n ,
the desert and a l l — "
" D o n ' t worry," h e said. " I p l a c e d a satyr's s a n c t u a r y o n
them."
"Meaning?"
" M e a n i n g t h e y ' l l r e a c h t h e w i l d safely," h e said. " T h e y ' l l
find water, f o o d , s h a d e , w h a t e v e r t h e y n e e d u n t i l t h e y find
a safe p l a c e to live."
" W h y can't y o u p l a c e a blessing like t h a t on u s ? " I asked.
" I t o n l y w o r k s o n w i l d animals."
" S o i t w o u l d o n l y affect Percy," A n n a b e t h r e a s o n e d .
"Hey!" I protested.
" K i d d i n g , " she said. " C o m e o n . Let's get o u t o f t h i s
filthy t r u c k . "
W e s t u m b l e d o u t i n t o t h e d e s e r t a f t e r n o o n . I t was a
h u n d r e d a n d t e n d e g r e e s , easy, a n d w e m u s t ' v e l o o k e d like
d e e p - f r i e d v a g r a n t s , b u t e v e r y b o d y was t o o i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e
wild animals to pay us m u c h attention.
W e passed the M o n t e Carlo and the M G M . W e passed
pyramids, a pirate ship, and the Statue of Liberty, which
was a p r e t t y s m a l l replica, b u t still m a d e m e h o m e s i c k .
I wasn't sure w h a t we were l o o k i n g for. M a y b e j u s t a
p l a c e to get o u t of t h e h e a t for a few m i n u t e s , find a s a n d w i c h a n d a glass of l e m o n a d e , m a k e a n e w p l a n for g e t t i n g
west.
W e m u s t have t a k e n a w r o n g t u r n , b e c a u s e w e f o u n d
[257]
ourselves a t a d e a d e n d , s t a n d i n g i n f r o n t o f t h e L o t u s
H o t e l a n d C a s i n o . T h e e n t r a n c e was a h u g e n e o n flower, t h e
p e t a l s l i g h t i n g u p a n d b l i n k i n g . N o o n e was g o i n g i n o r o u t ,
b u t t h e g l i t t e r i n g c h r o m e d o o r s were o p e n , spilling o u t airconditioning
that
smelled
like
flowers—lotus
blossom,
m a y b e . I d never s m e l l e d o n e , s o I wasn't sure.
T h e d o o r m a n smiled at us. "Hey, kids. You look tired.
Y o u w a n t t o c o m e i n a n d sit d o w n ? "
I'd l e a r n e d to be s u s p i c i o u s , t h e last w e e k or so. I figured
a n y b o d y m i g h t be a m o n s t e r or a g o d . Y o u just c o u l d n ' t tell.
B u t this g u y was n o r m a l . O n e l o o k a t h i m , a n d I c o u l d see.
Besides, I was s o relieved t o h e a r s o m e b o d y w h o s o u n d e d
s y m p a t h e t i c t h a t I n o d d e d a n d s a i d we'd love t o c o m e
in. I n s i d e , w e t o o k o n e l o o k a r o u n d , a n d G r o v e r said,
"Whoa."
T h e w h o l e l o b b y was a g i a n t g a m e r o o m . A n d I ' m n o t
t a l k i n g a b o u t cheesy o l d P a c - M a n g a m e s o r s l o t m a c h i n e s .
T h e r e was a n i n d o o r w a t e r s l i d e s n a k i n g a r o u n d t h e glass
elevator, w h i c h w e n t s t r a i g h t u p a t least f o r t y f l o o r s . T h e r e
was a c l i m b i n g wall o n t h e side o f o n e b u i l d i n g , a n d a n
i n d o o r b u n g e e - j u m p i n g b r i d g e . T h e r e were v i r t u a l - r e a l i t y
suits w i t h w o r k i n g laser g u n s . A n d h u n d r e d s o f v i d e o
g a m e s , each o n e t h e size o f a w i d e s c r e e n T V Basically, y o u
n a m e it, t h i s p l a c e h a d it. T h e r e were a few o t h e r k i d s p l a y i n g , b u t n o t t h a t m a n y . N o w a i t i n g for any o f t h e g a m e s .
T h e r e were waitresses a n d s n a c k b a r s all a r o u n d , serving
every k i n d o f f o o d y o u can i m a g i n e .
" H e y ! " a b e l l h o p said. At least I g u e s s e d he was a b e l l hop. He wore a white-and-yellow Hawaiian shirt with lotus
[258]
designs, shorts, and flip-flops. " W e l c o m e to the L o t u s
C a s i n o . H e r e ' s y o u r r o o m key."
I s t a m m e r e d , " U m , b u t . . ."
" N o , n o , " h e said, l a u g h i n g . " T h e bill's t a k e n care of.
N o extra charges, n o t i p s . Just g o o n u p t o t h e t o p f l o o r ,
r o o m 4 0 0 1 . I f y o u n e e d a n y t h i n g , like extra b u b b l e s for
t h e h o t t u b , o r skeet targets for t h e s h o o t i n g r a n g e , o r w h a t ever, j u s t call t h e f r o n t d e s k . H e r e are y o u r L o t u s C a s h cards.
T h e y w o r k i n t h e r e s t a u r a n t s a n d o n all t h e g a m e s a n d
rides."
H e h a n d e d u s each a g r e e n p l a s t i c c r e d i t card.
I k n e w there m u s t be s o m e mistake.
Obviously he
t h o u g h t w e were s o m e millionaire's k i d s . B u t I t o o k t h e c a r d
a n d said, " H o w m u c h i s o n h e r e ? "
H i s eyebrows k n i t t o g e t h e r . " W h a t d o y o u m e a n ? "
" I m e a n , w h e n d o e s i t r u n o u t o f cash?"
H e l a u g h e d . " O h , you're m a k i n g a j o k e . H e y , that's c o o l .
E n j o y y o u r stay."
W e t o o k t h e elevator u p s t a i r s a n d checked o u t o u r
r o o m . I t was a suite w i t h t h r e e s e p a r a t e b e d r o o m s a n d a b a r
s t o c k e d w i t h candy, s o d a s , a n d c h i p s . A h o t l i n e t o r o o m
service. Fluffy towels a n d w a t e r b e d s w i t h feather p i l l o w s . A
b i g - s c r e e n television w i t h satellite a n d h i g h - s p e e d I n t e r n e t .
T h e b a l c o n y h a d its o w n h o t t u b , a n d sure e n o u g h , t h e r e
was a s k e e t - s h o o t i n g m a c h i n e a n d a s h o t g u n , so y o u c o u l d
l a u n c h clay p i g e o n s r i g h t o u t over t h e L a s Vegas skyline a n d
p l u g t h e m w i t h y o u r g u n . I d i d n ' t see h o w t h a t c o u l d b e
legal, b u t I t h o u g h t i t was p r e t t y c o o l . T h e view over t h e
Strip
and
the
desert
was
amazing,
[259]
though
I
doubted
we'd ever find t i m e to l o o k at t h e view w i t h a r o o m like
this.
" O h , g o o d n e s s , " A n n a b e t h said. " T h i s p l a c e is . . ."
"Sweet," G r o v e r said. " A b s o l u t e l y sweet."
T h e r e were c l o t h e s i n t h e closet, a n d t h e y f i t m e . I
f r o w n e d , t h i n k i n g t h a t this was a little s t r a n g e .
I t h r e w Ares's b a c k p a c k i n t h e t r a s h can. W o u l d n ' t n e e d
t h a t a n y m o r e . W h e n w e left, I c o u l d j u s t charge a n e w o n e
at the hotel store.
I t o o k a shower, w h i c h felt a w e s o m e after a week of
g r i m y travel. I c h a n g e d c l o t h e s , ate a b a g of chips, d r a n k
t h r e e C o k e s , a n d c a m e o u t feeling b e t t e r t h a n I h a d i n a
long time. In the back of my m i n d , some small p r o b l e m
k e p t n a g g i n g m e . I'd h a d a d r e a m o r s o m e t h i n g . . . I
n e e d e d t o t a l k t o m y friends. B u t I was sure i t c o u l d wait.
I came out of the b e d r o o m and found that Annabeth
a n d G r o v e r h a d also s h o w e r e d a n d c h a n g e d c l o t h e s . G r o v e r
was
eating
potato
chips
to
his
heart's
content,
while
Annabeth cranked up the N a t i o n a l Geographic Channel.
"All t h o s e s t a t i o n s , " I t o l d her,
"and you t u r n on
N a t i o n a l Geographic. Are you insane?"
"It's interesting."
"I feel g o o d , " G r o v e r said. "I love t h i s place."
W i t h o u t h i s even realizing it, t h e w i n g s s p r o u t e d o u t o f
his s h o e s a n d lifted h i m a f o o t o f f t h e g r o u n d , t h e n b a c k
d o w n again.
" S o w h a t n o w ? " A n n a b e t h asked. " S l e e p ? "
Grover and I l o o k e d at each other and grinned. We b o t h
h e l d u p o u r g r e e n p l a s t i c L o t u s C a s h cards.
[260]
" P l a y t i m e , " I said.
I c o u l d n ' t r e m e m b e r t h e last t i m e I h a d so m u c h fun. I
c a m e f r o m a relatively p o o r family. O u r idea of a s p l u r g e
was e a t i n g o u t at Burger K i n g a n d r e n t i n g a v i d e o . A fivestar Vegas hotel? F o r g e t it.
I b u n g e e - j u m p e d t h e l o b b y f i v e o r six t i m e s , d i d t h e
waterslide, s n o w b o a r d e d t h e artificial ski s l o p e , a n d p l a y e d
v i r t u a l - r e a l i t y laser t a g a n d F B I s h a r p s h o o t e r . I saw G r o v e r
a few t i m e s , g o i n g f r o m g a m e t o g a m e . H e really liked t h e
reverse h u n t e r t h i n g — w h e r e t h e d e e r g o o u t a n d s h o o t t h e
r e d n e c k s . I saw A n n a b e t h p l a y i n g trivia g a m e s a n d o t h e r
b r a i n i a c stuff. T h e y h a d this h u g e 3 - D s i m g a m e w h e r e
y o u b u i l d y o u r o w n city, a n d y o u c o u l d actually see t h e
h o l o g r a p h i c b u i l d i n g s rise o n t h e d i s p l a y b o a r d . I d i d n ' t
t h i n k m u c h o f it, b u t A n n a b e t h loved it.
I ' m n o t sure w h e n I f i r s t realized s o m e t h i n g was w r o n g .
P r o b a b l y , i t was w h e n I n o t i c e d t h e g u y s t a n d i n g n e x t t o
m e a t V R s h a r p s h o o t e r s . H e was a b o u t t h i r t e e n , I guess, b u t
his c l o t h e s were weird. I t h o u g h t he was s o m e Elvis i m p e r s o n a t o r ' s s o n . H e w o r e b e l l - b o t t o m jeans a n d a r e d T - s h i r t
w i t h black p i p i n g , a n d his h a i r was p e r m e d a n d gelled like
a N e w Jersey girl's o n h o m e c o m i n g n i g h t .
We played a game of sharpshooters together and he
said, " G r o o v y , m a n . Been h e r e t w o weeks, a n d t h e g a m e s
k e e p g e t t i n g b e t t e r a n d better."
Groovy?
Later, w h i l e we were t a l k i n g , I said s o m e t h i n g was
" s i c k , " a n d h e l o o k e d a t m e k i n d o f s t a r t l e d , a s i f he'd never
h e a r d t h e w o r d u s e d t h a t way before.
[261]
H e said his n a m e was D a r r i n , b u t a s s o o n a s I s t a r t e d
asking h i m questions he got bored with me and started to
g o b a c k t o t h e c o m p u t e r screen.
I said, " H e y , D a r r i n ? "
"What?"
" W h a t year i s it?"
He frowned at me. "In the game?"
" N o . I n real life."
H e h a d t o t h i n k a b o u t it. " 1 9 7 7 . "
" N o , " I said, g e t t i n g a little scared. "Really."
" H e y , m a n . Bad vibes. I g o t a g a m e h a p p e n i n g . "
After that he totally ignored m e .
I s t a r t e d t a l k i n g to p e o p l e , a n d I f o u n d it wasn't easy.
T h e y were g l u e d t o t h e T V screen, o r t h e v i d e o g a m e , o r
t h e i r f o o d , or whatever. I f o u n d a g u y w h o t o l d me it was
1 9 8 5 . A n o t h e r g u y t o l d m e i t was 1 9 9 3 . T h e y all c l a i m e d
t h e y h a d n ' t b e e n in h e r e very l o n g , a few days, a few weeks
a t m o s t . T h e y d i d n ' t really k n o w a n d t h e y d i d n ' t care.
T h e n i t o c c u r r e d t o m e : h o w l o n g h a d I b e e n here? I t
s e e m e d like o n l y a c o u p l e of h o u r s , b u t was it?
I t r i e d t o r e m e m b e r w h y w e were h e r e . W e were g o i n g t o
L o s A n g e l e s . W e were s u p p o s e d t o find t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e
U n d e r w o r l d . My m o t h e r . . . for a s c a r y s e c o n d , I h a d t r o u ble r e m e m b e r i n g h e r n a m e . Sally. Sally J a c k s o n . I h a d t o f i n d
her. I h a d t o s t o p H a d e s f r o m c a u s i n g W o r l d W a r I I I .
I f o u n d A n n a b e t h still b u i l d i n g h e r city.
" C o m e on," I t o l d her. " W e ' v e g o t t o get o u t o f here."
N o response.
I s h o o k her. " A n n a b e t h ? "
[262]
She looked up, annoyed. " W h a t ? "
" W e n e e d t o leave."
"Leave? W h a t are y o u t a l k i n g a b o u t ? I've j u s t g o t t h e
towers—"
" T h i s p l a c e is a trap."
S h e d i d n ' t r e s p o n d u n t i l I s h o o k h e r again. " W h a t ? "
"Listen. T h e Underworld. O u r quest!"
" O h , c o m e o n , Percy. J u s t a few m o r e m i n u t e s . "
" A n n a b e t h , t h e r e are p e o p l e here f r o m 1 9 7 7 . K i d s w h o
have never aged. Y o u check in, a n d y o u stay forever."
" S o ? " she asked. " C a n y o u i m a g i n e a b e t t e r place?"
I g r a b b e d h e r w r i s t a n d y a n k e d h e r away f r o m t h e g a m e .
" H e y ! " S h e s c r e a m e d a n d h i t m e , b u t n o b o d y else even
b o t h e r e d l o o k i n g a t u s . T h e y were t o o busy.
I m a d e h e r l o o k directly in my eyes. I said, " S p i d e r s .
Large, h a i r y spiders."
T h a t j a r r e d her. H e r vision cleared. " O h m y g o d s , " she
said. " H o w l o n g have w e — "
" I d o n ' t k n o w , b u t we've g o t t o find Grover."
W e w e n t searching, a n d f o u n d h i m still p l a y i n g V i r t u a l
Deer Hunter.
"Grover!" we b o t h shouted.
He
said,
"Die,
human!
Die,
silly
polluting
nasty
person!"
"Grover!"
H e t u r n e d t h e p l a s t i c g u n o n m e a n d s t a r t e d clicking, a s
if I were j u s t a n o t h e r i m a g e f r o m t h e screen.
I looked at Annabeth, and together we t o o k Grover by
t h e a r m s a n d d r a g g e d h i m away. H i s flying s h o e s s p r a n g t o
[263]
life a n d s t a r t e d t u g g i n g his legs i n t h e o t h e r d i r e c t i o n a s h e
s h o u t e d , " N o ! I j u s t g o t t o a n e w level! N o ! "
T h e L o t u s b e l l h o p h u r r i e d u p t o u s . " W e l l , now, are
y o u r e a d y for y o u r p l a t i n u m cards?"
" W e ' r e leaving," I t o l d h i m .
" S u c h a s h a m e , " he said, a n d I g o t t h e feeling t h a t
h e really m e a n t it, t h a t we'd b e b r e a k i n g his h e a r t i f w e
w e n t . " W e j u s t a d d e d a n e n t i r e n e w f l o o r full o f g a m e s for
platinum-card members."
H e h e l d o u t t h e cards, a n d I w a n t e d o n e . I k n e w t h a t i f
I t o o k o n e , I'd never leave. I'd stay here, h a p p y forever, p l a y ing g a m e s forever, a n d s o o n I'd forget m y m o m , a n d m y
q u e s t , a n d m a y b e even m y o w n n a m e . I'd b e p l a y i n g v i r t u a l
r i f l e m a n w i t h g r o o v y D i s c o D a r r i n forever.
G r o v e r r e a c h e d for t h e card, b u t A n n a b e t h y a n k e d b a c k
his a r m a n d said, " N o , t h a n k s . "
W e w a l k e d t o w a r d t h e d o o r , a n d a s w e d i d , t h e smell o f
t h e f o o d a n d t h e s o u n d s o f t h e g a m e s s e e m e d t o get m o r e
a n d m o r e inviting. I t h o u g h t a b o u t o u r r o o m u p s t a i r s . W e
c o u l d just stay t h e n i g h t , sleep in a real b e d for o n c e . . . .
T h e n we burst through the doors of the Lotus Casino
a n d r a n d o w n t h e sidewalk. I t felt like a f t e r n o o n , a b o u t t h e
s a m e t i m e o f day we'd g o n e i n t o t h e casino, b u t s o m e t h i n g
was w r o n g . T h e w e a t h e r h a d c o m p l e t e l y c h a n g e d . I t was
stormy, with heat lightning flashing o u t in the desert.
Ares's b a c k p a c k was s l u n g over m y s h o u l d e r , w h i c h was
o d d , b e c a u s e I was sure I h a d t h r o w n it in t h e t r a s h can in
r o o m 4 0 0 1 , but at the m o m e n t I had other problems to
worry about.
[264]
I r a n t o t h e n e a r e s t n e w s p a p e r s t a n d a n d r e a d t h e year
first. T h a n k t h e g o d s , i t was t h e s a m e year i t h a d b e e n w h e n
w e w e n t in. T h e n I n o t i c e d t h e d a t e : J u n e t w e n t i e t h .
W e h a d b e e n i n t h e L o t u s C a s i n o for five days.
W e h a d o n l y o n e d a y left u n t i l t h e s u m m e r solstice. O n e
day to complete o u r quest.
[265]
It was A n n a b e t h ' s idea.
S h e l o a d e d us i n t o t h e b a c k of a Vegas taxi as if we
actually h a d m o n e y , a n d t o l d t h e driver,
" L o s Angeles,
please."
T h e c a b b i e c h e w e d h i s cigar a n d sized u s u p . " T h a t ' s
t h r e e h u n d r e d m i l e s . F o r t h a t , y o u g o t t a p a y u p front."
" Y o u a c c e p t c a s i n o d e b i t cards?" A n n a b e t h asked.
He shrugged. " S o m e of 'em. Same as credit cards. I
gotta swipe 'em through first."
A n n a b e t h h a n d e d h i m h e r g r e e n L o t u s C a s h card.
H e l o o k e d a t i t skeptically.
" S w i p e it," A n n a b e t h invited.
H e did.
H i s m e t e r m a c h i n e s t a r t e d r a t t l i n g . T h e lights f l a s h e d .
Finally a n infinity s y m b o l c a m e u p n e x t t o t h e d o l l a r
sign.
T h e cigar fell o u t o f t h e driver's m o u t h . H e l o o k e d b a c k
at us, h i s eyes w i d e . " W h e r e to in L o s A n g e l e s . . . u h , Y o u r
Highness?"
" T h e S a n t a M o n i c a Pier." A n n a b e t h sat u p a little
straighter. I c o u l d tell she l i k e d t h e " Y o u r H i g h n e s s " t h i n g .
" G e t u s t h e r e fast, a n d y o u c a n k e e p t h e change."
[266]
M a y b e she s h o u l d n ' t have t o l d h i m t h a t .
T h e cab's s p e e d o m e t e r never d i p p e d b e l o w ninety-five
t h e w h o l e way t h r o u g h t h e M o j a v e D e s e r t .
O n t h e r o a d , w e h a d p l e n t y o f t i m e t o talk. I t o l d A n n a b e t h
a n d G r o v e r a b o u t m y latest d r e a m , b u t t h e details g o t s k e t c h ier t h e m o r e I t r i e d t o r e m e m b e r t h e m . T h e L o t u s C a s i n o
s e e m e d to have s h o r t - c i r c u i t e d my m e m o r y . I c o u l d n ' t recall
w h a t t h e invisible servant's voice h a d s o u n d e d like, t h o u g h I
was sure i t was s o m e b o d y I k n e w . T h e s e r v a n t h a d called t h e
monster in the pit something other than "my lord" . . . some
special n a m e or title. . . .
" T h e Silent O n e ? " A n n a b e t h suggested.
"The Rich
O n e ? B o t h o f t h o s e are n i c k n a m e s for H a d e s . "
" M a y b e . . . " I said, t h o u g h n e i t h e r s o u n d e d q u i t e r i g h t .
" T h a t t h r o n e r o o m s o u n d s like H a d e s ' s , " G r o v e r said.
" T h a t ' s t h e way it's usually d e s c r i b e d . "
I shook my head.
"Something's wrong. T h e throne
r o o m wasn't t h e m a i n p a r t o f t h e d r e a m . A n d t h a t voice
f r o m t h e p i t . . . I d o n ' t k n o w . I t just d i d n ' t feel like a god's
voice."
A n n a b e t h ' s eyes w i d e n e d .
" W h a t ? " I asked.
" O h . . . n o t h i n g . I was j u s t — N o , it has to be H a d e s .
M a y b e h e s e n t t h i s thief, t h i s invisible p e r s o n , t o get t h e
master bolt, and something went w r o n g — "
"Like what?"
" I — I d o n ' t know," she said. " B u t i f h e s t o l e Z e u s ' s s y m b o l o f p o w e r f r o m O l y m p u s , a n d t h e g o d s were h u n t i n g
[267]
h i m , I m e a n , a l o t o f t h i n g s c o u l d g o w r o n g . S o this t h i e f
h a d t o h i d e t h e b o l t , o r h e l o s t i t s o m e h o w . Anyway, h e
failed t o b r i n g i t t o H a d e s . T h a t ' s w h a t t h e voice said i n
y o u r d r e a m , right? T h e guy failed. T h a t w o u l d explain w h a t
t h e F u r i e s were s e a r c h i n g for w h e n t h e y c a m e after u s o n t h e
b u s . M a y b e t h e y t h o u g h t w e h a d retrieved t h e bolt."
I wasn't sure w h a t was w r o n g w i t h her. S h e l o o k e d p a l e .
" B u t if I'd already retrieved t h e bolt," I said, " w h y w o u l d
I be traveling to t h e U n d e r w o r l d ? "
" T o threaten H a d e s , " Grover suggested. " T o bribe or
b l a c k m a i l h i m i n t o g e t t i n g y o u r m o m back."
I w h i s t l e d . " Y o u have evil t h o u g h t s for a goat."
" W h y , t h a n k you."
" B u t t h e t h i n g i n t h e p i t s a i d i t was w a i t i n g for two
i t e m s , " I said. " I f t h e m a s t e r b o l t is o n e , what's t h e o t h e r ? "
G r o v e r s h o o k h i s h e a d , clearly mystified.
A n n a b e t h was l o o k i n g a t m e a s i f she k n e w m y n e x t
q u e s t i o n , a n d was silently w i l l i n g m e n o t t o ask it.
" Y o u have a n idea w h a t m i g h t b e i n t h a t pit, d o n ' t y o u ? "
I a s k e d her. "I m e a n , if it isn't H a d e s ? "
" P e r c y . . . let's n o t t a l k a b o u t it. Because if it isn't
H a d e s . . . N o . It h a s to be H a d e s . "
W a s t e l a n d r o l l e d by. We p a s s e d a sign t h a t said CALIF O R N I A STATE LINE, 12 MILES.
I g o t t h e feeling I was m i s s i n g o n e s i m p l e , critical p i e c e
of i n f o r m a t i o n . It was like w h e n I s t a r e d at a c o m m o n w o r d
I s h o u l d k n o w , b u t I c o u l d n ' t m a k e sense of it b e c a u s e o n e
o r t w o l e t t e r s were f l o a t i n g a r o u n d . T h e m o r e I t h o u g h t
a b o u t m y q u e s t , t h e m o r e I was sure t h a t c o n f r o n t i n g H a d e s
[268]
wasn't t h e real answer. T h e r e was s o m e t h i n g else g o i n g o n ,
s o m e t h i n g even m o r e d a n g e r o u s .
The
problem
was:
we
were
hurtling
toward
the
U n d e r w o r l d a t ninety-five m i l e s a n h o u r , b e t t i n g t h a t H a d e s
h a d t h e m a s t e r b o l t . I f w e g o t t h e r e a n d f o u n d o u t w e were
w r o n g , w e w o u l d n ' t have t i m e t o c o r r e c t ourselves. T h e s o l stice d e a d l i n e w o u l d p a s s a n d w a r w o u l d b e g i n .
" T h e answer i s i n t h e U n d e r w o r l d , " A n n a b e t h a s s u r e d
m e . " Y o u saw spirits o f t h e d e a d , Percy. T h e r e ' s o n l y o n e
p l a c e t h a t c o u l d b e . W e ' r e d o i n g t h e r i g h t thing."
S h e t r i e d t o b o o s t o u r m o r a l e b y s u g g e s t i n g clever
strategies for g e t t i n g i n t o t h e L a n d o f t h e D e a d , b u t m y
h e a r t wasn't i n it. T h e r e were j u s t t o o m a n y u n k n o w n fact o r s . I t was like c r a m m i n g for a test w i t h o u t k n o w i n g t h e
subject. A n d believe m e , I'd d o n e that e n o u g h t i m e s .
T h e cab s p e d west. E v e r y g u s t o f w i n d t h r o u g h D e a t h
Valley s o u n d e d like a s p i r i t o f t h e d e a d . E v e r y t i m e t h e
brakes hissed on an eighteen-wheeler, it r e m i n d e d me of
E c h i d n a ' s r e p t i l i a n voice.
A t s u n s e t , t h e taxi d r o p p e d u s a t t h e b e a c h i n S a n t a M o n i c a .
I t l o o k e d exactly t h e way L . A . b e a c h e s d o i n t h e m o v i e s ,
o n l y i t s m e l l e d w o r s e . T h e r e were carnival r i d e s l i n i n g t h e
Pier, p a l m trees l i n i n g t h e sidewalks, h o m e l e s s guys s l e e p i n g
i n t h e s a n d d u n e s , a n d surfer d u d e s w a i t i n g for t h e perfect
wave.
Grover, A n n a b e t h , a n d I w a l k e d d o w n t o t h e e d g e o f t h e
surf.
" W h a t n o w ? " A n n a b e t h asked.
[269]
T h e Pacific was t u r n i n g g o l d i n t h e s e t t i n g s u n . I
t h o u g h t a b o u t h o w l o n g i t h a d b e e n since I d s t o o d o n t h e
b e a c h a t M o n t a u k , o n t h e o p p o s i t e side o f t h e c o u n t r y ,
l o o k i n g o u t at a different sea.
H o w c o u l d t h e r e b e a g o d w h o c o u l d c o n t r o l all that?
W h a t d i d m y science t e a c h e r u s e d t o s a y — t w o - t h i r d s o f
t h e earth's surface was covered i n water? H o w c o u l d I b e t h e
s o n o f s o m e o n e t h a t powerful?
I stepped into the surf
" P e r c y ? " A n n a b e t h said. " W h a t are y o u d o i n g ? "
I k e p t w a l k i n g , u p t o m y waist, t h e n m y chest.
S h e called after m e , " Y o u k n o w h o w p o l l u t e d t h a t w a t e r
is? T h e r e ' r e all k i n d s o f t o x i c — "
That's when my head went under.
I h e l d my b r e a t h at first. It's difficult to i n t e n t i o n a l l y
i n h a l e water. Finally I c o u l d n ' t s t a n d it a n y m o r e . I g a s p e d .
Sure enough, I could breathe normally.
I w a l k e d d o w n i n t o t h e s h o a l s . I s h o u l d n ' t have b e e n
able t o see t h r o u g h t h e m u r k , b u t s o m e h o w I c o u l d tell
w h e r e e v e r y t h i n g was. I c o u l d sense t h e r o l l i n g t e x t u r e of
the b o t t o m . I could make o u t sand-dollar colonies dotting
t h e s a n d b a r s . I c o u l d even see t h e c u r r e n t s , w a r m a n d c o l d
s t r e a m s swirling t o g e t h e r .
I felt s o m e t h i n g r u b a g a i n s t my leg. I l o o k e d d o w n a n d
a l m o s t s h o t o u t o f t h e w a t e r like a ballistic missile. S l i d i n g
a l o n g b e s i d e m e was a f i v e - f o o t - l o n g m a k o s h a r k .
B u t t h e t h i n g wasn't a t t a c k i n g . I t was n u z z l i n g m e .
H e e l i n g like a d o g . Tentatively, I t o u c h e d its d o r s a l fin. It
b u c k e d a little, as if inviting me to h o l d t i g h t e r . I g r a b b e d
[270]
t h e f i n w i t h b o t h h a n d s . I t t o o k off, p u l l i n g m e a l o n g . T h e
shark carried me d o w n into the darkness. It deposited me at
t h e edge of the ocean proper, where the sand b a n k d r o p p e d
o f f i n t o a h u g e c h a s m . I t was like s t a n d i n g o n t h e r i m o f t h e
G r a n d C a n y o n a t m i d n i g h t , n o t b e i n g able t o see m u c h , b u t
k n o w i n g t h e v o i d was r i g h t t h e r e .
T h e surface s h i m m e r e d m a y b e a h u n d r e d a n d f i f t y feet
above. I k n e w I s h o u l d ' v e b e e n c r u s h e d by t h e p r e s s u r e .
T h e n again, I s h o u l d n ' t have b e e n able to b r e a t h e . I w o n d e r e d if t h e r e was a l i m i t to h o w d e e p I c o u l d go, if I c o u l d
s i n k s t r a i g h t t o t h e b o t t o m o f t h e Pacific.
T h e n I saw s o m e t h i n g g l i m m e r i n g i n
the
darkness
below, g r o w i n g b i g g e r a n d b r i g h t e r as it rose t o w a r d m e . A
w o m a n ' s voice, like m y m o t h e r ' s , called: " P e r c y Jackson."
A s she g o t closer, h e r s h a p e b e c a m e clearer. S h e h a d
flowing b l a c k hair, a dress m a d e of g r e e n silk. L i g h t flicke r e d a r o u n d her, a n d h e r eyes were s o d i s t r a c t i n g l y b e a u t i f u l
I h a r d l y n o t i c e d t h e s t a l l i o n - s i z e d sea h o r s e s h e was r i d i n g .
S h e d i s m o u n t e d . T h e sea h o r s e a n d t h e m a k o s h a r k
w h i s k e d o f f a n d s t a r t e d p l a y i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t l o o k e d like
tag. T h e u n d e r w a t e r lady s m i l e d a t m e . "You've c o m e far,
Percy Jackson. Well done."
I wasn't q u i t e sure w h a t to d o , so I b o w e d . "You're t h e
w o m a n w h o s p o k e t o m e i n t h e M i s s i s s i p p i River."
"Yes, child. I am a N e r e i d , a s p i r i t of t h e sea. It was n o t
easy t o a p p e a r s o far upriver, b u t t h e n a i a d s , m y freshwater
c o u s i n s , h e l p e d s u s t a i n m y life force. T h e y h o n o r L o r d
P o s e i d o n , t h o u g h t h e y d o n o t serve i n his c o u r t . "
" A n d . . . y o u serve in P o s e i d o n ' s c o u r t ? "
[271]
S h e n o d d e d . " I t h a s b e e n m a n y years since a child o f t h e
S e a G o d h a s b e e n b o r n . W e have w a t c h e d y o u w i t h g r e a t
interest."
S u d d e n l y I r e m e m b e r e d faces in t h e waves o f f M o n t a u k
Beach w h e n I was a little boy, reflections of s m i l i n g w o m e n .
L i k e s o m a n y o f t h e weird t h i n g s i n m y life, I d never given
i t m u c h t h o u g h t before.
" I f my father is so i n t e r e s t e d in m e , " I said, " w h y isn't
h e here? W h y d o e s n ' t h e s p e a k t o m e ? "
A cold current rose out of the depths.
" D o n o t j u d g e t h e L o r d o f t h e Sea t o o harshly," t h e
Nereid told me. " H e stands at the brink of an unwanted
war. H e has m u c h t o o c c u p y his t i m e . Besides, h e i s f o r b i d d e n t o h e l p y o u directly. T h e g o d s m a y n o t s h o w s u c h
favoritism."
"Even to their own children?"
" E s p e c i a l l y t o t h e m . T h e g o d s can w o r k b y i n d i r e c t
i n f l u e n c e only. T h a t is w h y I give y o u a w a r n i n g , a n d a
gift."
S h e h e l d o u t h e r h a n d . T h r e e w h i t e pearls f l a s h e d i n h e r
palm.
" I k n o w y o u j o u r n e y t o H a d e s ' s realm," s h e said. " F e w
m o r t a l s have ever d o n e this a n d survived: O r p h e u s , w h o h a d
great
music
skill;
Hercules,
who
had
great
strength;
H o u d i n i , w h o c o u l d escape even t h e d e p t h s o f T a r t a r u s . D o
y o u have t h e s e t a l e n t s ? "
" U m . . . no, ma'am."
"Ah, b u t y o u have s o m e t h i n g else, Percy. Y o u have gifts
y o u have o n l y b e g u n t o k n o w . T h e oracles have f o r e t o l d a
[272]
g r e a t a n d t e r r i b l e future for y o u , s h o u l d y o u survive t o m a n h o o d . P o s e i d o n w o u l d n o t have y o u die b e f o r e y o u r t i m e .
T h e r e f o r e t a k e these, a n d w h e n y o u are i n n e e d , s m a s h a
p e a r l at y o u r feet."
" W h a t will h a p p e n ? "
" T h a t , " she said, " d e p e n d s o n t h e n e e d . B u t r e m e m b e r :
w h a t b e l o n g s t o t h e sea will always r e t u r n t o t h e sea."
" W h a t about the warning?"
H e r eyes f l i c k e r e d w i t h g r e e n light. " G o w i t h w h a t y o u r
h e a r t tells y o u , o r y o u will lose all. H a d e s feeds o n d o u b t
a n d h o p e l e s s n e s s . H e will trick y o u i f h e can, m a k e y o u m i s t r u s t y o u r o w n j u d g m e n t . O n c e y o u are i n his r e a l m , h e will
never willingly let y o u leave. K e e p faith. G o o d luck, Percy
Jackson."
S h e s u m m o n e d h e r sea h o r s e a n d r o d e t o w a r d t h e v o i d .
" W a i t ! " I called. "At t h e river, y o u s a i d n o t t o t r u s t t h e
gifts. W h a t gifts?"
" G o o d - b y e , y o u n g hero," s h e called b a c k , h e r voice fadi n g i n t o t h e d e p t h s . " Y o u m u s t listen t o y o u r h e a r t . " S h e
b e c a m e a s p e c k o f g l o w i n g green, a n d t h e n s h e was g o n e .
I w a n t e d to
follow h e r d o w n i n t o t h e
darkness. I
w a n t e d t o see t h e c o u r t o f P o s e i d o n . B u t I l o o k e d u p a t t h e
s u n s e t d a r k e n i n g o n t h e surface. M y friends were waiting.
We h a d so little t i m e . . . .
I kicked upward toward the shore.
W h e n I r e a c h e d t h e b e a c h , m y c l o t h e s d r i e d instantly. I
told Grover and A n n a b e t h what had happened, and showed
t h e m t h e pearls.
A n n a b e t h g r i m a c e d . " N o gift c o m e s w i t h o u t a price."
[273]
" T h e y were free."
" N o . " She s h o o k her head. " ' T h e r e is no such thing as
a free lunch.' T h a t ' s an a n c i e n t G r e e k saying t h a t t r a n s l a t e d
p r e t t y well i n t o A m e r i c a n . T h e r e will be a p r i c e . Y o u wait."
O n t h a t h a p p y t h o u g h t , w e t u r n e d o u r b a c k s o n t h e sea.
W i t h s o m e s p a r e c h a n g e f r o m Ares's b a c k p a c k , w e t o o k
t h e b u s i n t o W e s t H o l l y w o o d . I s h o w e d t h e driver t h e
U n d e r w o r l d a d d r e s s slip I'd t a k e n f r o m A u n t y E m ' s G a r d e n
Gnome
Emporium,
but
he'd
never
heard
of
DOA
Recording Studios.
" Y o u r e m i n d m e o f s o m e b o d y I saw o n T V , " h e t o l d m e .
" Y o u a child a c t o r or s o m e t h i n g ? "
" U h . . . I ' m a s t u n t d o u b l e . . . for a l o t o f child actors."
" O h ! T h a t explains it."
We thanked h i m and g o t off quickly at the next stop.
W e w a n d e r e d for m i l e s o n foot, l o o k i n g for D O A .
N o b o d y s e e m e d t o k n o w w h e r e i t was. I t d i d n ' t a p p e a r i n
the phone book.
Twice, w e d u c k e d i n t o alleys t o avoid c o p cars.
I froze in f r o n t of an a p p l i a n c e - s t o r e w i n d o w b e c a u s e a
television was p l a y i n g a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h s o m e b o d y w h o
l o o k e d very f a m i l i a r — m y s t e p d a d , S m e l l y G a b e . H e was
t a l k i n g t o B a r b a r a W a l t e r s — I m e a n , a s i f h e were s o m e
k i n d o f h u g e celebrity. S h e was i n t e r v i e w i n g h i m i n o u r
a p a r t m e n t , in t h e m i d d l e of a p o k e r g a m e , a n d t h e r e was a
young b l o n d lady sitting next to him, patting his hand.
A fake tear g l i s t e n e d o n h i s cheek. H e was saying,
" H o n e s t , M s . W a l t e r s , i f i t wasn't for S u g a r here, m y g r i e f
[274]
c o u n s e l o r , I'd be a wreck. My s t e p s o n t o o k e v e r y t h i n g I
cared a b o u t . My wife . . . my C a m a r o . . . I — I ' m sorry.
I have t r o u b l e t a l k i n g a b o u t it."
" T h e r e y o u have it, A m e r i c a . " B a r b a r a W a l t e r s t u r n e d t o
t h e c a m e r a . " A m a n t o r n a p a r t . A n a d o l e s c e n t b o y w i t h serio u s issues. L e t m e s h o w y o u , again, t h e last k n o w n p h o t o o f
this t r o u b l e d y o u n g fugitive, t a k e n a week ago in Denver."
T h e screen c u t t o a grainy s h o t o f m e , A n n a b e t h , a n d
G r o v e r s t a n d i n g o u t s i d e t h e C o l o r a d o diner, t a l k i n g t o
Ares.
" W h o are t h e o t h e r c h i l d r e n i n t h i s p h o t o ? " B a r b a r a
W a l t e r s asked dramatically. " W h o i s t h e m a n w i t h t h e m ? I s
Percy J a c k s o n a d e l i n q u e n t , a t e r r o r i s t , or p e r h a p s t h e
b r a i n w a s h e d v i c t i m o f a f r i g h t e n i n g n e w cult? W h e n w e
c o m e back, we c h a t w i t h a l e a d i n g child p s y c h o l o g i s t . S t a y
tuned, America."
" C ' m o n , " G r o v e r t o l d m e . H e h a u l e d m e away b e f o r e I
could p u n c h a hole in the appliance-store window.
It
got
dark,
and
hungry-looking
characters
started
c o m i n g o u t o n t h e streets t o play. N o w , d o n ' t g e t m e w r o n g .
I ' m a N e w Yorker. I d o n ' t scare easy. B u t L.A. h a d a totally
different
feel
from
N e w York.
Back
home,
everything
s e e m e d close. I t d i d n ' t m a t t e r h o w b i g t h e city was, y o u
c o u l d get a n y w h e r e w i t h o u t g e t t i n g l o s t . T h e street p a t t e r n
a n d t h e subway m a d e sense. T h e r e was a s y s t e m t o h o w
t h i n g s w o r k e d . A k i d c o u l d be safe as l o n g as he wasn't
stupid.
L.A. wasn't like t h a t . I t was s p r e a d o u t , c h a o t i c , h a r d t o
m o v e a r o u n d . I t r e m i n d e d m e o f A r e s . I t wasn't e n o u g h for
[275]
L . A . t o b e big; i t h a d t o prove i t was b i g b y b e i n g l o u d a n d
s t r a n g e a n d difficult t o navigate, t o o . I d i d n ' t k n o w h o w w e
were ever g o i n g t o f i n d t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d b y
t o m o r r o w , t h e s u m m e r solstice.
W e w a l k e d p a s t g a n g b a n g e r s , b u m s , a n d street h a w k e r s ,
w h o l o o k e d a t u s like t h e y were t r y i n g t o f i g u r e i f w e were
worth the trouble of mugging.
As we h u r r i e d p a s s e d t h e e n t r a n c e of an alley, a voice
f r o m t h e d a r k n e s s said, " H e y , you."
L i k e an i d i o t , I s t o p p e d .
Before I k n e w it, we were s u r r o u n d e d . A g a n g of k i d s
h a d circled u s . Six o f t h e m i n a l l — w h i t e k i d s w i t h e x p e n sive
clothes
and
mean
faces.
Like
the
kids
at Yancy
Academy: rich brats playing at being b a d boys.
Instinctively, I u n c a p p e d R i p t i d e .
W h e n the sword appeared out of nowhere, the kids
b a c k e d off, b u t t h e i r leader was either really s t u p i d or really
brave, b e c a u s e h e k e p t c o m i n g a t m e w i t h a s w i t c h b l a d e .
I m a d e the mistake of swinging.
T h e k i d yelped. B u t h e m u s t ' v e b e e n o n e h u n d r e d p e r cent mortal,
because the
blade passed harmlessly right
t h r o u g h his chest. H e l o o k e d d o w n . " W h a t t h e . . . "
I figured I h a d a b o u t t h r e e s e c o n d s b e f o r e his s h o c k
t u r n e d to
anger.
"Run!"
I
screamed at A n n a b e t h
and
Grover.
W e p u s h e d t w o k i d s o u t o f t h e way a n d r a c e d d o w n t h e
street, n o t k n o w i n g w h e r e w e were g o i n g . W e t u r n e d a s h a r p
corner.
"There!" Annabeth shouted.
[276]
O n l y o n e s t o r e o n t h e b l o c k l o o k e d o p e n , its w i n d o w s
glaring w i t h n e o n . T h e sign above t h e d o o r said s o m e t h i n g
like C R S T U Y ' S WATRE BDE ALPACE.
" C r u s t y ' s W a t e r B e d Palace?" G r o v e r t r a n s l a t e d .
It d i d n ' t s o u n d like a place I'd ever go except in an e m e r gency, b u t t h i s definitely qualified.
We burst t h r o u g h the doors, ran behind a water bed, and
d u c k e d . A s p l i t s e c o n d later, t h e g a n g k i d s r a n p a s t o u t s i d e .
"I t h i n k we lost them," Grover p a n t e d .
A voice b e h i n d u s b o o m e d , " L o s t w h o ? "
W e all j u m p e d .
S t a n d i n g b e h i n d us was a g u y w h o l o o k e d like a r a p t o r
in a leisure suit. He was at least seven feet tall, w i t h
a b s o l u t e l y n o hair. H e h a d gray, l e a t h e r y skin, t h i c k - l i d d e d
eyes, a n d a cold, r e p t i l i a n smile. H e m o v e d t o w a r d u s slowly,
b u t I g o t t h e feeling h e c o u l d m o v e fast i f h e n e e d e d t o .
H i s suit m i g h t ' v e c o m e f r o m t h e
Lotus
Casino. It
b e l o n g e d b a c k i n t h e seventies, b i g - t i m e . T h e s h i r t was silk
paisley, u n b u t t o n e d halfway d o w n his hairless chest. T h e
lapels o n his velvet jacket were a s w i d e a s l a n d i n g s t r i p s . T h e
silver chains a r o u n d h i s n e c k — I c o u l d n ' t even c o u n t t h e m .
" I ' m C r u s t y , " he said, w i t h a t a r t a r - y e l l o w s m i l e .
I r e s i s t e d t h e urge to say, Yes, you are.
" S o r r y t o barge in," I t o l d h i m . " W e were just, u m ,
browsing."
" Y o u m e a n h i d i n g f r o m t h o s e n o - g o o d kids," h e g r u m b l e d . " T h e y h a n g a r o u n d every n i g h t . I get a l o t o f p e o p l e
i n here, t h a n k s t o t h e m . Say, y o u w a n t t o l o o k a t a w a t e r
bed?"
[277]
I was a b o u t to say No, thanks, w h e n he p u t a h u g e p a w on
my shoulder and steered me deeper i n t o the s h o w r o o m .
T h e r e was every k i n d o f w a t e r b e d y o u c o u l d i m a g i n e :
different
kinds
of
wood,
different
patterns
of
sheets;
queen-size, king-size, emperor-of-the-universe-size.
" T h i s i s m y m o s t p o p u l a r m o d e l . " C r u s t y s p r e a d his
h a n d s p r o u d l y over a b e d covered w i t h b l a c k satin sheets,
w i t h b u i l t - i n Lava L a m p s o n t h e h e a d b o a r d . T h e m a t t r e s s
v i b r a t e d , so it l o o k e d like oil-flavored J e l l - O .
" M i l l i o n - h a n d massage," C r u s t y t o l d u s . " G o o n , t r y i t
o u t . S h o o t , t a k e a n a p . I d o n ' t care. N o b u s i n e s s today, a n y way."
" U m , " I said, "I d o n ' t t h i n k . . ."
" M i l l i o n - h a n d m a s s a g e ! " G r o v e r cried, a n d dove in.
" O h , y o u guys! T h i s i s cool."
"Hmm,"
Crusty
said,
stroking
his
leathery
chin.
"Almost, almost."
" A l m o s t w h a t ? " I asked.
H e l o o k e d a t A n n a b e t h . " D o m e a favor a n d t r y this
o n e over h e r e , h o n e y . M i g h t fit."
A n n a b e t h said, " B u t w h a t — "
H e p a t t e d h e r reassuringly o n t h e s h o u l d e r a n d led h e r
over t o t h e Safari D e l u x e m o d e l w i t h t e a k w o o d l i o n s c a r v e d
into the frame a n d a l e o p a r d - p a t t e r n e d comforter. W h e n
A n n a b e t h d i d n ' t w a n t t o lie d o w n , C r u s t y p u s h e d her.
"Hey!" she protested.
C r u s t y s n a p p e d his fingers. "Ergo!"
R o p e s s p r a n g f r o m t h e sides o f t h e b e d , l a s h i n g a r o u n d
Annabeth, holding her to the mattress.
[278]
G r o v e r t r i e d t o get u p , b u t r o p e s s p r a n g f r o m h i s b l a c k satin b e d , t o o , a n d l a s h e d h i m d o w n .
" N - n o t c - c - c o o l ! " h e yelled, h i s voice v i b r a t i n g f r o m t h e
m i l l i o n - h a n d m a s s a g e . " N - n o t c - c o o l a-at all!"
T h e giant looked at Annabeth, then t u r n e d toward me
a n d g r i n n e d . " A l m o s t , d a r n it."
I t r i e d t o s t e p away, b u t his h a n d s h o t o u t a n d c l a m p e d
a r o u n d t h e b a c k o f m y neck.
" W h o a , kid. D o n ' t worry.
W e ' l l find y o u o n e in a sec."
" L e t m y friends go."
" O h , sure I will. B u t I g o t t o m a k e t h e m f i t , f i r s t . "
" W h a t do you mean?"
"All t h e b e d s are exactly six feet, see? Y o u r friends are
too short. G o t to make them fit."
A n n a b e t h a n d Grover kept struggling.
"Can't stand
imperfect
measurements,"
Crusty mut-
t e r e d . "Ergo!"
A n e w set o f r o p e s l e a p e d o u t f r o m t h e t o p a n d b o t t o m
of
the
beds,
wrapping
around
Grover
and
Annabeth's
ankles, t h e n a r o u n d t h e i r a r m p i t s . T h e r o p e s s t a r t e d t i g h t ening, pulling my friends from b o t h ends.
" D o n ' t worry," C r u s t y t o l d m e . " T h e s e are s t r e t c h i n g
j o b s . M a y b e t h r e e extra inches o n t h e i r s p i n e s . T h e y m i g h t
even live. N o w w h y d o n ' t w e f i n d a b e d y o u like, h u h ? "
" P e r c y ! " G r o v e r yelled.
M y m i n d was racing. I k n e w I c o u l d n ' t t a k e o n t h i s g i a n t
water-bed salesman alone. He w o u l d snap my neck before I
ever g o t m y s w o r d o u t .
" Y o u r real n a m e ' s n o t C r u s t y , is it?" I asked.
[279]
"Legally, it's P r o c r u s t e s , " he a d m i t t e d .
" T h e Stretcher," I said. I r e m e m b e r e d t h e s t o r y : t h e
g i a n t w h o ' d t r i e d t o kill T h e s e u s w i t h excess h o s p i t a l i t y o n
h i s way t o A t h e n s .
"Yeah," t h e s a l e s m a n said.
"But w h o can p r o n o u n c e
Procrustes? B a d for b u s i n e s s . N o w 'Crusty,' a n y b o d y can say
that."
"You're r i g h t . It's g o t a g o o d r i n g to it."
H i s eyes lit u p . " Y o u t h i n k s o ? "
" O h , absolutely," I said.
"And the workmanship on
t h e s e beds? F a b u l o u s ! "
H e g r i n n e d hugely, b u t his f i n g e r s d i d n ' t l o o s e n o n
m y n e c k . " I tell m y c u s t o m e r s t h a t . E v e r y t i m e . N o b o d y
bothers to look at the workmanship. H o w many built-in
Lava L a m p h e a d b o a r d s have y o u seen?"
" N o t t o o many."
" T h a t ' s right!"
"Percy!" A n n a b e t h yelled. " W h a t are y o u d o i n g ? "
" D o n ' t m i n d her," I t o l d P r o c r u s t e s . "She's i m p o s s i b l e . "
T h e g i a n t l a u g h e d . "All m y c u s t o m e r s are. N e v e r six feet
exactly. S o i n c o n s i d e r a t e . A n d t h e n t h e y c o m p l a i n a b o u t t h e
fitting."
" W h a t d o y o u d o i f they're l o n g e r t h a n six feet?"
" O h , t h a t h a p p e n s all t h e t i m e . It's a s i m p l e f i x . "
H e let g o o f m y neck, b u t before I c o u l d react, h e
r e a c h e d b e h i n d a n e a r b y sales d e s k a n d b r o u g h t o u t a h u g e
d o u b l e - b l a d e d b r a s s axe. H e said, " I j u s t c e n t e r t h e s u b ject as b e s t I can a n d l o p o f f w h a t e v e r h a n g s over on e i t h e r
end."
[280]
"Ah," I said, swallowing h a r d . "Sensible."
" I ' m s o g l a d t o c o m e across a n intelligent c u s t o m e r ! "
The
ropes
were
really
stretching
my
friends
now.
A n n a b e t h was t u r n i n g pale. G r o v e r m a d e g u r g l i n g s o u n d s ,
like a s t r a n g l e d g o o s e .
" S o , C r u s t y . . . " I said, t r y i n g t o k e e p m y voice light. I
glanced
at
the
sales
tag
on
the
valentine-shaped
H o n e y m o o n Special. " D o e s t h i s o n e really have d y n a m i c
s t a b i l i z e r s t o s t o p wave m o t i o n ? "
"Absolutely. T r y i t out."
"Yeah, m a y b e I will. B u t w o u l d it w o r k even for a b i g
g u y like you? N o waves a t all?"
"Guaranteed."
" N o way."
"Way."
"Show me."
H e sat d o w n eagerly o n t h e b e d , p a t t e d t h e m a t t r e s s .
" N o waves. See?"
I s n a p p e d my fingers. "Ergo."
R o p e s l a s h e d a r o u n d C r u s t y a n d f l a t t e n e d h i m against
the mattress.
" H e y ! " h e yelled.
" C e n t e r h i m just right," I said.
The
ropes
readjusted
themselves
at
my
command.
C r u s t y s w h o l e h e a d s t u c k o u t t h e t o p . H i s feet s t u c k o u t
the b o t t o m .
" N o ! " h e said. " W a i t ! T h i s i s just a d e m o . "
I u n c a p p e d R i p t i d e . "A few s i m p l e a d j u s t m e n t s . . ."
I h a d n o q u a l m s a b o u t w h a t I was a b o u t t o d o . I f
[281]
C r u s t y were h u m a n , I c o u l d n ' t h u r t h i m anyway. I f h e was
a m o n s t e r , he d e s e r v e d to t u r n i n t o d u s t for a while.
" Y o u drive a h a r d bargain," he t o l d m e . "I'll give y o u
t h i r t y p e r c e n t o f f o n selected f l o o r m o d e l s ! "
" I t h i n k I'll s t a r t w i t h t h e t o p . " I raised m y sword.
" N o m o n e y d o w n ! N o i n t e r e s t for six m o n t h s ! "
I s w u n g t h e s w o r d . C r u s t y s t o p p e d m a k i n g offers.
I cut the ropes on the other beds. A n n a b e t h and Grover
g o t t o t h e i r feet, g r o a n i n g a n d w i n c i n g a n d c u r s i n g m e a l o t .
" Y o u l o o k taller," I said.
" V e r y funny," A n n a b e t h said. "Be faster n e x t t i m e . "
I l o o k e d a t t h e b u l l e t i n b o a r d b e h i n d C r u s t y ' s sales
d e s k . T h e r e was a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t for H e r m e s D e l i v e r y
Service, a n d a n o t h e r for t h e A l l - N e w C o m p e n d i u m o f L . A .
A r e a M o n s t e r s — " T h e o n l y M o n s t r o u s Yellow Pages y o u ' l l
ever n e e d ! " U n d e r t h a t , a b r i g h t o r a n g e f l i e r for D O A
R e c o r d i n g S t u d i o s , offering c o m m i s s i o n s for h e r o e s ' s o u l s .
" W e are always l o o k i n g for n e w t a l e n t ! " D O A s a d d r e s s was
right underneath with a map.
" C o m e on," I t o l d m y friends.
"Give us a minute," Grover complained.
" W e were
almost stretched to death!"
" T h e n you're r e a d y for t h e U n d e r w o r l d , " I said. "It's
o n l y a b l o c k f r o m here."
[282]
W e s t o o d i n t h e s h a d o w s o f V a l e n c i a Boulevard, l o o k i n g
up at g o l d letters e t c h e d in b l a c k m a r b l e : DOA RECORDING
STUDIOS.
U n d e r n e a t h , s t e n c i l e d o n t h e glass d o o r s : N O SOLICITORS. NO LOITERING. NO LIVING.
I t was a l m o s t m i d n i g h t , b u t t h e l o b b y was b r i g h t l y lit
a n d full o f p e o p l e . B e h i n d t h e security d e s k sat a t o u g h l o o k i n g g u a r d w i t h sunglasses a n d a n earpiece.
I t u r n e d t o m y friends. " O k a y . Y o u r e m e m b e r t h e plan."
" T h e plan," G r o v e r g u l p e d . "Yeah. I love t h e plan."
A n n a b e t h said,
" W h a t happens
if the plan doesn't
work?"
" D o n ' t t h i n k negative."
" R i g h t , " she said.
"We're entering the L a n d of the
D e a d , a n d I s h o u l d n ' t t h i n k negative."
I t o o k t h e pearls o u t of my pocket, the three milky
s p h e r e s t h e N e r e i d h a d given m e i n S a n t a M o n i c a . T h e y
d i d n ' t s e e m like m u c h o f a b a c k u p i n case s o m e t h i n g w e n t
wrong.
Annabeth p u t her h a n d on my shoulder.
Percy. You're r i g h t , we'll m a k e it. It'll be fine."
S h e gave G r o v e r a n u d g e .
[283]
" I ' m sorry,
" O h , right.'" h e c h i m e d in. " W e g o t this far. W e ' l l f i n d
t h e m a s t e r b o l t a n d save y o u r m o m . N o p r o b l e m . "
I l o o k e d at t h e m b o t h , a n d felt really grateful. O n l y a
few m i n u t e s before, I'd a l m o s t g o t t e n t h e m s t r e t c h e d t o
d e a t h o n deluxe w a t e r b e d s , a n d n o w t h e y were t r y i n g t o b e
brave for m y sake, t r y i n g t o m a k e m e feel b e t t e r .
I s l i p p e d t h e pearls b a c k i n m y p o c k e t . "Let's w h u p
some U n d e r w o r l d butt."
W e walked inside the D O A lobby.
M u z a k p l a y e d softly o n h i d d e n speakers. T h e c a r p e t
a n d walls were steel gray. P e n c i l cactuses g r e w in t h e c o r n e r s
like s k e l e t o n h a n d s . T h e f u r n i t u r e was b l a c k leather, a n d
every seat was t a k e n . T h e r e were p e o p l e s i t t i n g o n c o u c h e s ,
people standing up, people staring o u t the windows or waiti n g for t h e elevator. N o b o d y m o v e d , o r talked, o r d i d m u c h
o f a n y t h i n g . O u t o f t h e c o r n e r o f m y eye, I c o u l d see t h e m
all just f i n e , b u t i f I f o c u s e d o n any o n e o f t h e m i n p a r t i c ular, t h e y s t a r t e d l o o k i n g . . . t r a n s p a r e n t . I c o u l d see r i g h t
t h r o u g h their bodies.
T h e security guard's d e s k was a r a i s e d p o d i u m , s o w e
had to look up at him.
H e was tall a n d elegant, w i t h c h o c o l a t e - c o l o r e d s k i n
a n d b l e a c h e d - b l o n d h a i r s h a v e d m i l i t a r y style. H e w o r e
t o r t o i s e s h e l l s h a d e s a n d a silk I t a l i a n suit t h a t m a t c h e d his
hair. A b l a c k r o s e was p i n n e d to h i s lapel u n d e r a silver
n a m e tag.
I r e a d t h e n a m e tag, t h e n l o o k e d a t h i m i n b e w i l d e r ment. "Your name is Chiron?"
H e l e a n e d across t h e d e s k . I c o u l d n ' t see a n y t h i n g i n his
[284]
glasses except m y o w n reflection, b u t his smile was sweet
a n d cold, like a p y t h o n ' s , r i g h t b e f o r e it eats y o u .
"What
a
precious
accent—British,
maybe,
young
lad."
b u t also
as
He
had
a
strange
if he h a d learned
E n g l i s h as a s e c o n d l a n g u a g e . " T e l l m e , m a t e , do I l o o k like
a centaur?"
"N-no."
"Sir," h e a d d e d s m o o t h l y .
"Sir," I said.
H e p i n c h e d t h e n a m e t a g a n d r a n h i s finger u n d e r t h e
letters. " C a n y o u read t h i s , m a t e ? I t says C - H - A - R - 0 - N .
Say i t w i t h m e : C A R E - O N . "
"Charon."
" A m a z i n g ! N o w : Mr. C h a r o n . "
" M r . C h a r o n , " I said.
" W e l l d o n e . " H e s a t b a c k . " I hate b e i n g c o n f u s e d w i t h
t h a t o l d h o r s e - m a n . A n d now, h o w m a y I h e l p y o u little
dead ones?"
H i s q u e s t i o n c a u g h t in my s t o m a c h like a fastball. I
l o o k e d a t A n n a b e t h for s u p p o r t .
" W e w a n t t o g o t h e U n d e r w o r l d , " she said.
C h a r o n ' s m o u t h t w i t c h e d . " W e l l , that's refreshing."
" I t is?" she asked.
"Straightforward a n d honest. N o screaming. N o ' T h e r e
m u s t b e a m i s t a k e , M r . C h a r o n . ' " H e l o o k e d u s over. " H o w
d i d y o u die, t h e n ? "
I n u d g e d Grover.
" O h , " h e said. " U m . . . d r o w n e d . . . i n t h e b a t h t u b . "
"All t h r e e o f y o u ? " C h a r o n a s k e d .
[285]
We nodded.
"Big b a t h t u b . " C h a r o n l o o k e d m i l d l y i m p r e s s e d .
"I
d o n ' t s u p p o s e y o u have c o i n s for passage. N o r m a l l y , w i t h
a d u l t s , y o u see, I c o u l d charge y o u r A m e r i c a n E x p r e s s , or
a d d t h e ferry p r i c e t o y o u r last cable bill. B u t w i t h c h i l d r e n
. . . alas, y o u never die p r e p a r e d . S u p p o s e y o u ' l l have to t a k e
a seat for a few centuries."
" O h , b u t we have coins." I set t h r e e g o l d e n d r a c h m a s on
t h e counter, p a r t of t h e stash I'd f o u n d in Crusty's office desk.
" W e l l , n o w . . ." C h a r o n m o i s t e n e d his lips. " R e a l d r a c h m a s . R e a l g o l d e n d r a c h m a s . I haven't seen t h e s e in . . ."
H i s fingers h o v e r e d greedily over t h e c o i n s .
W e were s o close.
T h e n C h a r o n l o o k e d a t m e . T h a t c o l d stare b e h i n d his
glasses s e e m e d t o b o r e a h o l e t h r o u g h m y chest.
"Here
now," h e said. " Y o u c o u l d n ' t r e a d m y n a m e correctly. A r e
y o u dyslexic, lad?"
" N o , " I said. " I ' m dead."
C h a r o n l e a n e d f o r w a r d a n d t o o k a sniff. "You're n o t
d e a d . I s h o u l d ' v e k n o w n . You're a godling."
" W e have t o get t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d , " I insisted.
C h a r o n m a d e a g r o w l i n g s o u n d d e e p i n his t h r o a t .
I m m e d i a t e l y , all t h e p e o p l e i n t h e w a i t i n g r o o m g o t u p
a n d s t a r t e d p a c i n g , agitated, l i g h t i n g cigarettes, r u n n i n g
h a n d s t h r o u g h t h e i r hair, o r c h e c k i n g t h e i r w r i s t w a t c h e s .
"Leave w h i l e y o u can," C h a r o n t o l d u s . "I'll j u s t take
t h e s e a n d forget I saw you."
H e s t a r t e d t o g o for t h e c o i n s , b u t I s n a t c h e d t h e m
back.
[286]
" N o service, n o tip." I t r i e d t o s o u n d braver t h a n I felt.
Charon growled again—a deep, blood-chilling sound.
T h e s p i r i t s o f t h e d e a d s t a r t e d p o u n d i n g o n t h e elevator
doors.
"It's a s h a m e , t o o , " I s i g h e d . " W e h a d m o r e to offer."
I h e l d u p t h e entire b a g f r o m C r u s t y ' s stash. I t o o k o u t
a fistful o f d r a c h m a s a n d let t h e c o i n s spill t h r o u g h m y
fingers.
C h a r o n ' s g r o w l c h a n g e d i n t o s o m e t h i n g m o r e like a
lion's p u r r . " D o y o u t h i n k I can be b o u g h t , godling? Eh . . .
j u s t o u t o f curiosity, h o w m u c h have y o u g o t t h e r e ? "
"A lot," I said. "I b e t H a d e s d o e s n ' t p a y y o u well e n o u g h
for s u c h h a r d work."
" O h , y o u d o n ' t k n o w t h e h a l f o f it. H o w w o u l d y o u like
t o b a b y s i t t h e s e s p i r i t s all day? Always 'Please d o n ' t let m e
be d e a d ' or 'Please let me across for free.' I haven't h a d a p a y
raise i n t h r e e t h o u s a n d years. D o y o u i m a g i n e suits like t h i s
come cheap?"
" Y o u deserve better," I agreed. "A little a p p r e c i a t i o n .
R e s p e c t . G o o d pay."
W i t h each w o r d , I stacked a n o t h e r g o l d c o i n o n t h e
counter.
C h a r o n g l a n c e d d o w n a t h i s silk I t a l i a n jacket, a s i f
i m a g i n i n g h i m s e l f i n s o m e t h i n g even b e t t e r . " I m u s t say,
lad, you're m a k i n g s o m e sense now. J u s t a little."
I s t a c k e d a n o t h e r few c o i n s . "I c o u l d m e n t i o n a p a y
raise w h i l e I ' m t a l k i n g t o H a d e s . "
H e sighed. " T h e b o a t ' s a l m o s t full, anyway. I m i g h t a s
well a d d y o u t h r e e a n d be off."
[287]
H e s t o o d , s c o o p e d u p o u r m o n e y , a n d said,
"Come
along.
W e p u s h e d t h r o u g h t h e c r o w d o f w a i t i n g spirits, w h o
s t a r t e d g r a b b i n g a t o u r c l o t h e s like t h e w i n d , t h e i r voices
w h i s p e r i n g t h i n g s I c o u l d n ' t m a k e o u t . C h a r o n shoved t h e m
o u t o f t h e way, g r u m b l i n g , " F r e e l o a d e r s . "
H e e s c o r t e d u s i n t o t h e elevator, w h i c h was already
crowded with souls
of the
dead,
each
one holding
a
g r e e n b o a r d i n g p a s s . C h a r o n g r a b b e d t w o spirits w h o were
t r y i n g t o get o n w i t h u s a n d p u s h e d t h e m b a c k i n t o t h e
lobby.
" R i g h t . N o w , n o o n e get any ideas while I ' m g o n e , " h e
a n n o u n c e d to the waiting r o o m . "And if anyone moves the
dial o f f m y easy-listening s t a t i o n again, I'll m a k e sure you're
h e r e for a n o t h e r t h o u s a n d years. U n d e r s t a n d ? "
H e s h u t t h e d o o r s . H e p u t a key c a r d i n t o a s l o t i n t h e
elevator p a n e l a n d w e s t a r t e d t o d e s c e n d .
" W h a t h a p p e n s t o t h e spirits w a i t i n g i n t h e l o b b y ? "
A n n a b e t h asked.
" N o t h i n g , " C h a r o n said.
"For h o w long?"
"Forever, o r u n t i l I ' m feeling g e n e r o u s . "
" O h , " s h e said. " T h a t ' s . . . fair."
C h a r o n r a i s e d a n eyebrow.
" W h o e v e r s a i d d e a t h was
fair, y o u n g miss? W a i t u n t i l it's y o u r t u r n . Y o u ' l l die s o o n
e n o u g h , w h e r e you're going."
" W e ' l l get o u t alive," I said.
"Ha."
I g o t a s u d d e n d i z z y feeling. W e weren't g o i n g d o w n
[288]
a n y m o r e , b u t forward. T h e air t u r n e d m i s t y . S p i r i t s a r o u n d
m e s t a r t e d c h a n g i n g s h a p e . T h e i r m o d e r n c l o t h e s flickered,
t u r n i n g i n t o g r a y h o o d e d r o b e s . T h e f l o o r o f t h e elevator
b e g a n swaying.
I
blinked hard. W h e n I
o p e n e d m y eyes,
Charon's
creamy Italian suit h a d been replaced by a long black robe.
His
tortoiseshell
glasses
were
gone. W h e r e
his
eyes
s h o u l d ' v e b e e n were e m p t y s o c k e t s — l i k e Ares's eyes, except
C h a r o n ' s were t o t a l l y d a r k , full o f n i g h t a n d d e a t h a n d
despair.
H e saw m e l o o k i n g , a n d said, " W e l l ? "
"Nothing," I managed.
I t h o u g h t h e was g r i n n i n g , b u t t h a t wasn't it. T h e flesh
o f his face was b e c o m i n g t r a n s p a r e n t , l e t t i n g m e see s t r a i g h t
t h r o u g h t o his skull.
T h e f l o o r k e p t swaying.
G r o v e r said, " I t h i n k I ' m g e t t i n g seasick."
W h e n I b l i n k e d again, t h e elevator wasn't a n elevator
a n y m o r e . W e were s t a n d i n g i n a w o o d e n b a r g e . C h a r o n was
p o l i n g us across a d a r k , oily river, swirling w i t h b o n e s , d e a d
fish, a n d o t h e r , s t r a n g e r t h i n g s — p l a s t i c d o l l s , c r u s h e d carn a t i o n s , s o g g y d i p l o m a s w i t h gilt edges.
" T h e R i v e r Styx," A n n a b e t h m u r m u r e d . "It's so . . ."
" P o l l u t e d , " C h a r o n said. " F o r t h o u s a n d s o f years, y o u
h u m a n s have b e e n t h r o w i n g i n e v e r y t h i n g a s y o u c o m e
across—hopes,
dreams,
wishes
that
never
came
true.
I r r e s p o n s i b l e w a s t e m a n a g e m e n t , i f y o u ask m e . "
M i s t c u r l e d o f f t h e f i l t h y water. A b o v e u s ,
almost
l o s t i n t h e g l o o m , was a ceiling o f stalactites. A h e a d , t h e
[289]
far
shore
glimmered
with
greenish
light,
the
color
of
poison.
P a n i c c l o s e d u p m y t h r o a t . W h a t was I d o i n g here?
T h e s e p e o p l e a r o u n d me . . . t h e y were d e a d .
A n n a b e t h g r a b b e d h o l d o f m y h a n d . U n d e r n o r m a l circ u m s t a n c e s , this w o u l d ' v e e m b a r r a s s e d m e , b u t I u n d e r s t o o d h o w she felt. S h e w a n t e d r e a s s u r a n c e t h a t s o m e b o d y
else was alive on t h i s b o a t .
I f o u n d m y s e l f m u t t e r i n g a prayer, t h o u g h I wasn't q u i t e
s u r e w h o I was p r a y i n g t o . D o w n h e r e , o n l y o n e g o d m a t tered, a n d h e was t h e o n e I h a d c o m e t o c o n f r o n t .
The
shoreline
of the
Underworld
came
into
view.
C r a g g y r o c k s a n d black volcanic s a n d s t r e t c h e d i n l a n d
a b o u t a h u n d r e d y a r d s t o t h e b a s e o f a h i g h s t o n e wall,
w h i c h m a r c h e d o f f in e i t h e r d i r e c t i o n as far as we c o u l d see.
A s o u n d came from somewhere nearby in the green gloom,
e c h o i n g o f f t h e s t o n e s — t h e h o w l o f a large a n i m a l .
" O l d T h r e e - F a c e i s h u n g r y , " C h a r o n said. H i s s m i l e
t u r n e d skeletal i n t h e g r e e n i s h light. " B a d l u c k for y o u ,
godlings."
T h e b o t t o m o f o u r b o a t slid o n t o t h e black s a n d . T h e
d e a d b e g a n to d i s e m b a r k . A w o m a n h o l d i n g a little girl's
hand. An old m a n and an old w o m a n hobbling along a r m
in a r m . A b o y no o l d e r t h a n I was, s h u f f l i n g silently a l o n g
i n his g r a y r o b e .
C h a r o n said, "I'd w i s h y o u luck, m a t e , b u t t h e r e isn't any
d o w n here. M i n d y o u , d o n ' t forget t o m e n t i o n m y p a y
raise."
H e c o u n t e d o u r g o l d e n c o i n s i n t o his p o u c h , t h e n t o o k
[290]
u p his p o l e . H e w a r b l e d s o m e t h i n g t h a t s o u n d e d like a
B a r r y M a n i l o w s o n g a s h e ferried t h e e m p t y b a r g e b a c k
across t h e river.
W e followed t h e s p i r i t s u p a w e l l - w o r n p a t h .
I ' m n o t sure w h a t I was e x p e c t i n g — P e a r l y G a t e s , or a b i g
black portcullis, or something. But the entrance to t h e
U n d e r w o r l d l o o k e d like a cross b e t w e e n a i r p o r t security
a n d t h e Jersey T u r n p i k e .
T h e r e were t h r e e s e p a r a t e e n t r a n c e s u n d e r o n e h u g e
black archway t h a t said Y O U ARE N O W E N T E R I N G EREBUS.
Each entrance h a d a pass-through metal detector w i t h security c a m e r a s m o u n t e d o n t o p . B e y o n d t h i s were t o l l b o o t h s
m a n n e d b y b l a c k - r o b e d g h o u l s like C h a r o n .
T h e h o w l i n g o f t h e h u n g r y a n i m a l was really l o u d now,
b u t I c o u l d n ' t see w h e r e i t was c o m i n g f r o m . T h e t h r e e h e a d e d d o g , C e r b e r u s , w h o was s u p p o s e d t o g u a r d H a d e s ' s
d o o r , was n o w h e r e t o b e seen.
T h e d e a d q u e u e d u p i n t h e t h r e e lines, t w o m a r k e d
ATTENDANT ON DUTY, and one marked EZ DEATH. T h e EZ
D E A T H line was m o v i n g r i g h t a l o n g . T h e o t h e r t w o were
crawling.
" W h a t d o y o u figure?" I a s k e d A n n a b e t h .
" T h e fast line m u s t g o s t r a i g h t t o t h e A s p h o d e l Fields,"
she said. " N o c o n t e s t . T h e y d o n ' t w a n t t o risk j u d g m e n t
f r o m t h e c o u r t , b e c a u s e i t m i g h t g o against t h e m . "
" T h e r e ' s a c o u r t for d e a d p e o p l e ? "
"Yeah. T h r e e j u d g e s . T h e y s w i t c h a r o u n d w h o sits o n
t h e b e n c h . K i n g M i n o s , T h o m a s Jefferson, S h a k e s p e a r e —
[291]
p e o p l e like t h a t . S o m e t i m e s t h e y l o o k a t a life a n d d e c i d e
t h a t p e r s o n n e e d s a special r e w a r d — t h e F i e l d s o f E l y s i u m .
Sometimes they decide on p u n i s h m e n t . But m o s t people,
well, t h e y j u s t lived. N o t h i n g special, g o o d o r b a d . S o t h e y
g o t o t h e A s p h o d e l Fields."
"And do what?"
G r o v e r said,
" I m a g i n e s t a n d i n g in a w h e a t field in
K a n s a s . Forever."
" H a r s h , " I said.
" N o t a s h a r s h a s that," G r o v e r m u t t e r e d . " L o o k . "
A c o u p l e o f b l a c k - r o b b e d g h o u l s h a d p u l l e d aside o n e
s p i r i t a n d were frisking h i m a t t h e s e c u r i t y d e s k . T h e face o f
t h e d e a d m a n l o o k e d vaguely familiar.
"He's that preacher w h o made the news, remember?"
Grover asked.
" O h , yeah." I d i d r e m e m b e r now. W e ' d seen h i m o n T V
a c o u p l e o f t i m e s a t t h e Y a n c y A c a d e m y d o r m . H e was this
a n n o y i n g televangelist f r o m u p s t a t e N e w Y o r k w h o ' d raised
m i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s for o r p h a n a g e s a n d t h e n g o t c a u g h t
s p e n d i n g t h e m o n e y o n s t u f f for h i s m a n s i o n , like g o l d p l a t e d t o i l e t seats, a n d a n i n d o o r p u t t - p u t t g o l f c o u r s e .
H e ' d d i e d i n a p o l i c e chase w h e n h i s " L a m b o r g h i n i for t h e
L o r d " w e n t o f f a cliff.
I said, " W h a t ' r e t h e y d o i n g t o h i m ? "
"Special
punishment
from
Hades,"
Grover
guessed.
" T h e really b a d p e o p l e get his p e r s o n a l a t t e n t i o n a s s o o n a s
t h e y arrive. T h e F u r — t h e K i n d l y O n e s will set u p a n etern a l t o r t u r e for h i m . "
T h e t h o u g h t o f t h e F u r i e s m a d e m e s h u d d e r . I realized
[292]
I was i n t h e i r h o m e t e r r i t o r y n o w . O l d M r s . D o d d s w o u l d
b e licking h e r lips w i t h a n t i c i p a t i o n .
" B u t if he's a preacher," I said, " a n d he believes in a different hell. . . ."
G r o v e r s h r u g g e d . " W h o says he's seeing t h i s p l a c e t h e
way we're seeing it? H u m a n s see w h a t t h e y w a n t t o see.
You're very s t u b b o r n — e r , p e r s i s t e n t , t h a t way."
W e g o t closer t o t h e gates. T h e h o w l i n g was s o l o u d
n o w i t s h o o k t h e g r o u n d a t m y feet, b u t I still c o u l d n ' t figu r e o u t w h e r e i t was c o m i n g f r o m .
T h e n , a b o u t fifty feet i n f r o n t o f u s , t h e g r e e n m i s t
s h i m m e r e d . S t a n d i n g just w h e r e t h e p a t h split i n t o t h r e e
lanes was a n e n o r m o u s s h a d o w y m o n s t e r .
I h a d n ' t s e e n it b e f o r e b e c a u s e it was h a l f t r a n s p a r e n t ,
like t h e d e a d . U n t i l i t m o v e d , i t b l e n d e d w i t h w h a t e v e r was
b e h i n d it. O n l y its eyes a n d t e e t h l o o k e d solid. A n d i t was
staring straight at me.
M y jaw h u n g o p e n . A l l I c o u l d t h i n k t o say was, " H e ' s
a Rottweiler."
I'd always i m a g i n e d C e r b e r u s as a b i g black mastiff. B u t
he was o b v i o u s l y a p u r e b r e d R o t t w e i l e r , except of c o u r s e
t h a t h e was t w i c e t h e size o f a w o o l l y m a m m o t h , m o s t l y
invisible, a n d h a d t h r e e h e a d s .
T h e d e a d walked r i g h t u p t o h i m — n o fear a t all. T h e
ATTENDANT ON DUTY lines p a r t e d on either side of h i m . T h e
EZ DEATH spirits walked r i g h t b e t w e e n his front p a w s a n d
u n d e r h i s belly, w h i c h t h e y c o u l d d o w i t h o u t even c r o u c h i n g .
" I ' m s t a r t i n g t o see h i m better," I m u t t e r e d . " W h y i s
that?"
[293]
"I t h i n k . . ." A n n a b e t h m o i s t e n e d h e r l i p s . " I ' m afraid
it's b e c a u s e we're g e t t i n g closer to b e i n g dead."
T h e dog's m i d d l e h e a d c r a n e d t o w a r d u s . I t sniffed t h e
air a n d g r o w l e d .
" I t can s m e l l t h e living," I said.
" B u t that's okay," G r o v e r said, t r e m b l i n g n e x t t o m e .
"Because we have a plan."
" R i g h t , " A n n a b e t h said. I'd never h e a r d h e r voice s o u n d
q u i t e so small. "A plan."
We moved toward the monster.
T h e m i d d l e h e a d s n a r l e d a t us, t h e n b a r k e d s o l o u d m y
eyeballs r a t t l e d .
" C a n y o u u n d e r s t a n d it?" I a s k e d Grover.
" O h yeah," h e said. " I can u n d e r s t a n d it."
" W h a t ' s i t saying?"
" I d o n ' t t h i n k h u m a n s have a f o u r - l e t t e r w o r d t h a t
t r a n s l a t e s , exactly."
I t o o k t h e b i g stick o u t o f m y b a c k p a c k — a b e d p o s t
I'd
broken
held it up,
toward
off
Crusty's
Safari
and tried to
Cerberus—Alpo
Deluxe
channel
floor
model.
I
happy dog thoughts
commercials,
cute
little
pup-
p i e s , fire h y d r a n t s . I t r i e d to smile, like I wasn't a b o u t
t o die.
" H e y , Big Fella," I called u p . "I b e t t h e y d o n ' t p l a y w i t h
you much."
"GROWWWLLLL!"
" G o o d boy," I said weakly.
I waved t h e stick. T h e dog's
m i d d l e h e a d followed
t h e m o v e m e n t . T h e o t h e r t w o h e a d s t r a i n e d t h e i r eyes o n
[294]
m e , completely ignoring the spirits. I h a d C e r b e r u s s u n d i v i d e d a t t e n t i o n . I wasn't sure t h a t was a g o o d t h i n g .
" F e t c h ! " I t h r e w t h e stick i n t o t h e g l o o m , a g o o d s o l i d
t h r o w . I h e a r d it go ker~sploosh in t h e R i v e r Styx.
C e r b e r u s glared a t m e , u n i m p r e s s e d . H i s eyes were b a l e ful a n d c o l d .
S o m u c h for t h e p l a n .
C e r b e r u s was n o w m a k i n g a n e w k i n d o f g r o w l , d e e p e r
d o w n in his three throats.
" U m , " G r o v e r said. " P e r c y ? "
"Yeah?"
" I just t h o u g h t y o u ' d w a n t t o know."
"Yeah?"
" C e r b e r u s ? H e ' s saying we've g o t t e n s e c o n d s t o p r a y t o
t h e g o d of o u r c h o i c e . A f t e r t h a t . . . well . . . he's h u n g r y . "
" W a i t ! " A n n a b e t h said. S h e s t a r t e d rifling t h r o u g h h e r
pack.
Uh-oh, I thought.
"Five s e c o n d s , " G r o v e r said. " D o w e r u n n o w ? "
A n n a b e t h p r o d u c e d a r e d r u b b e r b a l l t h e size o f a
g r a p e f r u i t . It was l a b e l e d WATERLAND, DENVER, CO. Before
I c o u l d s t o p her, she r a i s e d t h e ball a n d m a r c h e d s t r a i g h t u p
to Cerberus.
S h e s h o u t e d , "See t h e ball? Y o u w a n t t h e ball, C e r b e r u s ?
Sit!"
C e r b e r u s l o o k e d as s t u n n e d as we were.
All t h r e e o f his h e a d s c o c k e d sideways. Six n o s t r i l s
dilated.
"Sit!" A n n a b e t h called again.
[295]
I was s u r e t h a t any m o m e n t s h e w o u l d b e c o m e t h e
world's largest M i l k b o n e d o g b i s c u i t .
B u t instead,
C e r b e r u s licked h i s t h r e e sets o f lips,
shifted o n h i s h a u n c h e s , a n d sat, i m m e d i a t e l y c r u s h i n g a
d o z e n spirits who'd been passing u n d e r n e a t h h i m in the EZ
DEATH line. T h e s p i r i t s m a d e m u f f l e d hisses a s t h e y dissip a t e d , like t h e air l e t o u t o f tires.
A n n a b e t h said, " G o o d b o y ! "
S h e t h r e w C e r b e r u s t h e ball.
H e c a u g h t i t i n his m i d d l e m o u t h . I t was barely b i g
e n o u g h for h i m t o chew, a n d t h e o t h e r h e a d s s t a r t e d s n a p p i n g a t t h e m i d d l e , t r y i n g t o get t h e n e w toy.
" D r o p it!" A n n a b e t h o r d e r e d .
C e r b e r u s ' s h e a d s s t o p p e d fighting a n d l o o k e d a t her. T h e
ball was w e d g e d b e t w e e n t w o of his t e e t h like a t i n y p i e c e
o f g u m . H e m a d e a l o u d , scary w h i m p e r , t h e n d r o p p e d t h e
ball, n o w slimy a n d b i t t e n nearly i n half, a t A n n a b e t h ' s feet.
" G o o d boy." S h e p i c k e d u p t h e ball, i g n o r i n g t h e m o n ster s p i t all over it.
S h e t u r n e d t o w a r d u s . " G o now. E Z DEATH l i n e — i t ' s
faster."
I said, " B u t — "
" N o w ! " S h e o r d e r e d , i n t h e s a m e t o n e she was u s i n g o n
the dog.
G r o v e r a n d I i n c h e d f o r w a r d warily.
Cerberus started to growl.
"Stay!" A n n a b e t h o r d e r e d t h e m o n s t e r . " I f y o u w a n t t h e
ball, stay!"
C e r b e r u s w h i m p e r e d , b u t h e stayed w h e r e h e was.
[296]
" W h a t a b o u t y o u ? " I asked A n n a b e t h a s w e p a s s e d her.
" I k n o w w h a t I ' m d o i n g , Percy," she m u t t e r e d . "At least,
I ' m p r e t t y sure. . . ."
G r o v e r a n d I w a l k e d b e t w e e n t h e m o n s t e r ' s legs.
Please, A n n a b e t h , I p r a y e d . D o n ' t tell h i m t o sit again.
W e m a d e i t t h r o u g h . C e r b e r u s wasn't any less scarylooking from the back.
A n n a b e t h said, " G o o d d o g ! "
S h e h e l d u p t h e t a t t e r e d r e d ball, a n d p r o b a b l y c a m e t o
the
same
conclusion I
d i d — i f she
rewarded Cerberus,
there'd b e n o t h i n g left for a n o t h e r trick.
S h e t h r e w t h e b a l l anyway. T h e m o n s t e r ' s left m o u t h
immediately snatched it up, only to be attacked by the m i d dle h e a d , w h i l e t h e r i g h t h e a d m o a n e d i n p r o t e s t .
W h i l e t h e m o n s t e r was d i s t r a c t e d , A n n a b e t h w a l k e d
b r i s k l y u n d e r its belly a n d j o i n e d u s a t t h e m e t a l d e t e c t o r .
" H o w d i d y o u d o t h a t ? " I a s k e d her, a m a z e d .
" O b e d i e n c e school," she s a i d breathlessly, a n d I was s u r p r i s e d to see t h e r e were tears in h e r eyes. " W h e n I was
little, at my d a d ' s h o u s e , we h a d a D o b e r m a n . . . ."
" N e v e r m i n d that," G r o v e r said, t u g g i n g a t m y s h i r t .
" C o m e on!"
W e were a b o u t t o b o l t t h r o u g h t h e E Z DEATH line w h e n
C e r b e r u s m o a n e d pitifully f r o m all t h r e e m o u t h s . A n n a b e t h
stopped.
S h e t u r n e d t o face t h e d o g , w h i c h h a d d o n e a o n e eighty to l o o k at us.
C e r b e r u s p a n t e d expectantly, t h e tiny r e d ball i n pieces
in a p u d d l e of d r o o l at its feet.
[297]
" G o o d boy," A n n a b e t h said, b u t h e r voice s o u n d e d
melancholy and uncertain.
T h e m o n s t e r ' s h e a d s t u r n e d sideways, a s i f w o r r i e d
a b o u t her.
"I'll b r i n g y o u a n o t h e r ball s o o n , " A n n a b e t h p r o m i s e d
faintly. " W o u l d y o u like t h a t ? "
T h e monster whimpered. I didn't need to speak dog to
k n o w C e r b e r u s was still w a i t i n g for t h e ball.
" G o o d d o g . I'll c o m e visit y o u s o o n . I — I p r o m i s e . "
A n n a b e t h t u r n e d t o u s . "Let's go."
Grover and I p u s h e d t h r o u g h the metal detector, which
immediately
screamed
and
set
off
flashing
red
lights.
" U n a u t h o r i z e d possessions! M a g i c detected!"
Cerberus started to bark.
W e b u r s t t h r o u g h t h e E Z DEATH gate, w h i c h s t a r t e d even
m o r e alarms blaring, and raced into the U n d e r w o r l d .
A few m i n u t e s later, we were h i d i n g , o u t of b r e a t h , in
t h e r o t t e n t r u n k o f a n i m m e n s e b l a c k tree a s s e c u r i t y g h o u l s
s c u t t l e d p a s t , yelling for b a c k u p f r o m t h e F u r i e s .
G r o v e r m u r m u r e d , " W e l l , Percy, w h a t have w e l e a r n e d
today?"
" T h a t t h r e e - h e a d e d d o g s prefer r e d r u b b e r balls over
sticks?"
" N o , " Grover told me. "We've learned that your plans
really, really b i t e ! "
I wasn't sure a b o u t t h a t . I t h o u g h t m a y b e A n n a b e t h a n d
I h a d b o t h h a d t h e r i g h t idea. E v e n h e r e i n t h e U n d e r w o r l d ,
e v e r y b o d y — e v e n m o n s t e r s — n e e d e d a little a t t e n t i o n o n c e
in a w h i l e .
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I t h o u g h t a b o u t t h a t a s w e w a i t e d for t h e g h o u l s t o p a s s .
I p r e t e n d e d n o t t o see A n n a b e t h w i p e a t e a r f r o m h e r c h e e k
a s she l i s t e n e d t o t h e m o u r n f u l k e e n i n g o f C e r b e r u s i n t h e
d i s t a n c e , l o n g i n g for h i s n e w friend.
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I m a g i n e t h e largest c o n c e r t c r o w d you've ever seen, a f o o t ball field p a c k e d w i t h a m i l l i o n fans.
N o w i m a g i n e a field a m i l l i o n t i m e s t h a t big, p a c k e d
w i t h p e o p l e , a n d i m a g i n e t h e electricity h a s g o n e o u t , a n d
t h e r e i s n o n o i s e , n o light, n o b e a c h b a l l b o u n c i n g a r o u n d
over t h e c r o w d . S o m e t h i n g t r a g i c has h a p p e n e d b a c k s t a g e .
W h i s p e r i n g m a s s e s o f p e o p l e are j u s t m i l l i n g a r o u n d i n t h e
s h a d o w s , w a i t i n g for a c o n c e r t t h a t will never s t a r t .
I f y o u can p i c t u r e t h a t , y o u have a p r e t t y g o o d idea w h a t
t h e F i e l d s o f A s p h o d e l l o o k e d like. T h e b l a c k grass h a d
b e e n t r a m p l e d b y e o n s o f d e a d feet. A w a r m , m o i s t w i n d
b l e w like t h e b r e a t h o f a s w a m p . Black t r e e s — G r o v e r t o l d
m e t h e y were p o p l a r s — g r e w i n c l u m p s h e r e a n d t h e r e .
T h e cavern ceiling was s o h i g h above u s i t m i g h t ' v e b e e n
a b a n k o f s t o r m c l o u d s , except for t h e stalactites, w h i c h
g l o w e d faint gray a n d l o o k e d w i c k e d l y p o i n t e d . I t r i e d n o t
t o i m a g i n e t h e y ' d fall o n u s a t any m o m e n t , b u t d o t t e d
a r o u n d t h e f i e l d s were several t h a t h a d fallen a n d i m p a l e d
t h e m s e l v e s in t h e black grass. I guess t h e d e a d d i d n ' t have to
w o r r y a b o u t little h a z a r d s like b e i n g s p e a r e d b y stalactites
t h e size o f b o o s t e r r o c k e t s .
A n n a b e t h , Grover, a n d I t r i e d t o b l e n d i n t o t h e crowd,
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k e e p i n g an eye o u t for security g h o u l s . I c o u l d n ' t h e l p l o o k i n g for familiar faces a m o n g t h e s p i r i t s o f A s p h o d e l , b u t t h e
d e a d are h a r d t o l o o k at. T h e i r faces s h i m m e r . T h e y all l o o k
slightly a n g r y o r c o n f u s e d . T h e y will c o m e u p t o y o u a n d
s p e a k , b u t t h e i r voices s o u n d like chatter, like b a t s t w i t t e r ing. O n c e t h e y realize y o u can't u n d e r s t a n d t h e m , t h e y
frown a n d m o v e away.
T h e d e a d aren't scary. T h e y ' r e just sad.
W e c r e p t a l o n g , f o l l o w i n g t h e line o f n e w arrivals t h a t
s n a k e d f r o m t h e m a i n gates t o w a r d a b l a c k - t e n t e d p a v i l i o n
with a b a n n e r that read:
JUDGMENTS FOR ELYSIUM AND ETERNAL DAMNATION
Welcome, N e w l y Deceased!
O u t t h e b a c k o f t h e t e n t c a m e t w o m u c h s m a l l e r lines.
T o t h e left, s p i r i t s f l a n k e d b y security g h o u l s were
marched d o w n a rocky p a t h toward the Fields of Punishm e n t , w h i c h g l o w e d a n d s m o k e d i n t h e d i s t a n c e , a vast,
c r a c k e d w a s t e l a n d w i t h rivers o f lava a n d m i n e f i e l d s a n d
m i l e s o f b a r b e d wire s e p a r a t i n g t h e different t o r t u r e areas.
E v e n f r o m far away, I c o u l d see p e o p l e b e i n g c h a s e d by
hellhounds,
burned
at the
stake,
forced to
run
naked
t h r o u g h cactus p a t c h e s o r listen t o o p e r a m u s i c . I c o u l d j u s t
m a k e o u t a tiny hill, w i t h t h e a n t - s i z e figure o f S i s y p h u s
s t r u g g l i n g t o m o v e his b o u l d e r t o t h e t o p . A n d I saw w o r s e
tortures, t o o — t h i n g s I don't want to describe.
T h e line c o m i n g f r o m t h e r i g h t side o f t h e j u d g m e n t
p a v i l i o n was m u c h b e t t e r . T h i s o n e l e d d o w n t o w a r d a s m a l l
valley s u r r o u n d e d b y w a l l s — a g a t e d c o m m u n i t y , w h i c h
[301]
seemed to be the only happy part of the U n d e r w o r l d .
B e y o n d t h e s e c u r i t y gate were n e i g h b o r h o o d s o f b e a u t i f u l
h o u s e s f r o m every t i m e p e r i o d i n h i s t o r y , R o m a n villas a n d
m e d i e v a l castles a n d V i c t o r i a n m a n s i o n s . Silver a n d g o l d
flowers b l o o m e d o n t h e l a w n s . T h e grass r i p p l e d i n r a i n b o w
c o l o r s . I c o u l d h e a r l a u g h t e r a n d smell b a r b e c u e c o o k i n g .
Elysium.
In t h e m i d d l e of t h a t valley was a g l i t t e r i n g b l u e lake,
with three
small
islands
like
a vacation resort
in
the
B a h a m a s . T h e Isles o f t h e Blest, for p e o p l e w h o h a d c h o s e n
t o b e r e b o r n t h r e e t i m e s , a n d t h r e e t i m e s achieved E l y s i u m .
I m m e d i a t e l y I k n e w that's w h e r e I w a n t e d to go w h e n I d i e d .
" T h a t ' s w h a t it's all a b o u t , " A n n a b e t h said, like she was
r e a d i n g m y t h o u g h t s . " T h a t ' s t h e p l a c e for heroes."
B u t I t h o u g h t o f h o w few p e o p l e t h e r e were i n E l y s i u m ,
h o w t i n y i t was c o m p a r e d t o t h e F i e l d s o f A s p h o d e l o r even
t h e F i e l d s o f P u n i s h m e n t . S o few p e o p l e d i d g o o d i n t h e i r
lives. It was d e p r e s s i n g .
W e left t h e j u d g m e n t p a v i l i o n a n d m o v e d d e e p e r i n t o
t h e A s p h o d e l F i e l d s . I t g o t darker. T h e c o l o r s f a d e d f r o m
o u r clothes. T h e crowds o f chattering spirits began t o thin.
After a few m i l e s of w a l k i n g , we b e g a n to h e a r a familiar screech i n t h e d i s t a n c e . L o o m i n g o n t h e h o r i z o n was a
p a l a c e o f g l i t t e r i n g black o b s i d i a n . A b o v e t h e p a r a p e t s
swirled t h r e e d a r k b a t l i k e creatures: t h e F u r i e s . I g o t t h e
feeling t h e y were w a i t i n g for u s .
" I s u p p o s e it's t o o late t o t u r n back," G r o v e r said w i s t fully.
" W e ' l l b e okay." I t r i e d t o s o u n d c o n f i d e n t .
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" M a y b e w e s h o u l d search s o m e o f t h e o t h e r p l a c e s
first," G r o v e r s u g g e s t e d . " L i k e , E l y s i u m , for i n s t a n c e . . ."
" C o m e o n , g o a t boy." A n n a b e t h g r a b b e d h i s a r m .
G r o v e r y e l p e d . H i s sneakers s p r o u t e d w i n g s a n d his legs
s h o t forward, p u l l i n g h i m away f r o m A n n a b e t h . H e l a n d e d
f l a t o n his b a c k i n t h e grass.
"Grover," A n n a b e t h chided. " S t o p messing around."
"But I d i d n ' t — "
H e y e l p e d again. H i s s h o e s were f l a p p i n g like c r a z y n o w .
T h e y levitated off t h e g r o u n d a n d started dragging h i m
away f r o m u s .
"Matal" h e yelled, b u t t h e m a g i c w o r d s e e m e d t o have n o
effect. " Μ a i a , already! N i n e - o n e - o n e ! H e l p ! "
I g o t over b e i n g s t u n n e d a n d m a d e a g r a b for Grover's
h a n d , b u t t o o late. H e was p i c k i n g u p s p e e d , s k i d d i n g
d o w n h i l l like a b o b s l e d .
W e r a n after h i m .
Annabeth shouted, " U n t i e the shoes!"
It was
a
smart
when your shoes
idea,
are
but
I
pulling you
guess
it's
not
so
a l o n g feetfirst
easy
a t full
s p e e d . G r o v e r t r i e d t o sit u p , b u t h e c o u l d n ' t g e t c l o s e t o t h e
laces.
W e k e p t after h i m , t r y i n g t o k e e p h i m i n s i g h t a s h e
z i p p e d b e t w e e n t h e legs o f s p i r i t s w h o c h a t t e r e d a t h i m i n
annoyance.
I was s u r e G r o v e r was g o i n g t o b a r r e l s t r a i g h t t h r o u g h
t h e gates o f H a d e s ' s p a l a c e , b u t h i s s h o e s veered s h a r p l y t o
the right and dragged h i m in the opposite direction.
T h e s l o p e g o t steeper. G r o v e r p i c k e d u p speed. A n n a b e t h
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a n d I h a d t o s p r i n t t o k e e p u p . T h e cavern walls n a r r o w e d o n
either side, a n d I realized w e d entered s o m e k i n d o f side t u n nel. N o black grass o r trees now, just r o c k u n d e r f o o t , a n d t h e
d i m light o f t h e stalactites above.
" G r o v e r ! " I yelled, m y voice e c h o i n g .
" H o l d on to
something!"
" W h a t ? " h e yelled b a c k .
H e was g r a b b i n g a t gravel, b u t t h e r e was n o t h i n g b i g
e n o u g h t o slow h i m d o w n .
T h e t u n n e l g o t d a r k e r a n d colder. T h e hairs o n m y a r m s
b r i s t l e d . I t s m e l l e d evil d o w n h e r e . I t m a d e m e t h i n k o f
t h i n g s I s h o u l d n ' t even k n o w a b o u t — b l o o d s p i l l e d o n a n
a n c i e n t s t o n e altar, t h e foul b r e a t h o f a m u r d e r e r .
T h e n I saw w h a t was a h e a d o f u s , a n d I s t o p p e d d e a d
in my tracks.
T h e t u n n e l w i d e n e d i n t o a h u g e d a r k cavern, a n d i n t h e
m i d d l e was a c h a s m t h e size of a city b l o c k .
G r o v e r was s l i d i n g s t r a i g h t t o w a r d t h e edge.
" C o m e o n , Percy!" A n n a b e t h yelled, t u g g i n g a t m y wrist.
"But t h a t ' s — "
" I k n o w ! " she s h o u t e d . " T h e p l a c e y o u d e s c r i b e d i n
y o u r d r e a m ! B u t Grover's g o i n g t o fall i f w e d o n ' t c a t c h
h i m . " S h e was r i g h t , o f c o u r s e . Grover's p r e d i c a m e n t g o t m e
m o v i n g again.
H e was yelling, clawing a t t h e g r o u n d , b u t t h e w i n g e d
shoes kept dragging h i m toward the pit, and it didn't l o o k
like w e c o u l d p o s s i b l y get t o h i m i n t i m e .
W h a t saved h i m were h i s h o o v e s .
T h e flying sneakers h a d always b e e n a l o o s e fit o n h i m ,
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a n d f i n a l l y G r o v e r h i t a b i g r o c k a n d t h e left s h o e c a m e
flying off. I t s p e d i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s , d o w n i n t o t h e c h a s m .
T h e r i g h t s h o e k e p t t u g g i n g h i m a l o n g , b u t n o t a s fast.
G r o v e r was able t o s l o w h i m s e l f d o w n b y g r a b b i n g o n t o t h e
b i g r o c k a n d u s i n g i t like a n a n c h o r .
H e was t e n feet f r o m t h e edge o f t h e p i t w h e n w e
caught h i m and hauled h i m back up the slope. T h e other
w i n g e d s h o e t u g g e d itself off, circled a r o u n d u s a n g r i l y a n d
k i c k e d o u r h e a d s i n p r o t e s t before f l y i n g o f f i n t o t h e c h a s m
t o j o i n its t w i n .
W e all collapsed, e x h a u s t e d , o n t h e o b s i d i a n gravel. M y
l i m b s felt like lead. E v e n my b a c k p a c k s e e m e d heavier, as if
somebody h a d filled it with rocks.
G r o v e r was s c r a t c h e d u p p r e t t y b a d . H i s h a n d s were
b l e e d i n g . H i s eyes h a d g o n e s l i t - p u p i l e d , g o a t style, t h e way
t h e y d i d w h e n e v e r h e was terrified.
"I d o n ' t k n o w h o w . . ." he p a n t e d . "I d i d n ' t . . ."
" W a i t , " I said. " L i s t e n . "
I heard s o m e t h i n g — a deep whisper in the darkness.
A n o t h e r few s e c o n d s , a n d A n n a b e t h said, "Percy, t h i s
place—"
"Shh." I stood.
T h e s o u n d was g e t t i n g l o u d e r , a m u t t e r i n g , evil voice
f r o m far, far b e l o w u s . C o m i n g f r o m t h e p i t .
G r o v e r sat u p . " W h — w h a t ' s t h a t n o i s e ? "
A n n a b e t h h e a r d it t o o , now. I c o u l d see it in h e r eyes.
"Tartarus. T h e entrance to Tartarus."
I uncapped Anaklusmos.
T h e bronze sword expanded, gleaming in the darkness,
[305]
a n d t h e evil voice s e e m e d to falter, j u s t for a m o m e n t , b e f o r e
r e s u m i n g its c h a n t .
I c o u l d a l m o s t m a k e o u t w o r d s now, a n c i e n t , a n c i e n t
w o r d s , o l d e r even t h a n G r e e k . As if . . .
" M a g i c , " I said.
" W e have t o get o u t o f here," A n n a b e t h said.
Together, we dragged Grover to his hooves and started
b a c k u p t h e t u n n e l . M y legs w o u l d n ' t m o v e fast e n o u g h . M y
b a c k p a c k w e i g h e d m e d o w n . T h e voice g o t l o u d e r a n d
angrier b e h i n d us, and we broke into a run.
N o t a m o m e n t too soon.
A c o l d b l a s t o f w i n d p u l l e d a t o u r b a c k s , a s i f t h e entire
p i t were i n h a l i n g . F o r a t e r r i f y i n g m o m e n t , I l o s t g r o u n d ,
m y feet s l i p p i n g i n t h e gravel. I f we'd b e e n any closer t o t h e
edge, w e w o u l d ' v e b e e n s u c k e d in.
W e k e p t s t r u g g l i n g forward, a n d finally r e a c h e d t h e t o p
o f t h e t u n n e l , w h e r e t h e cavern w i d e n e d o u t i n t o t h e F i e l d s
o f A s p h o d e l . T h e w i n d d i e d . A wail o f o u t r a g e e c h o e d
f r o m d e e p i n t h e t u n n e l . S o m e t h i n g was n o t h a p p y we'd
g o t t e n away.
" W h a t was t h a t ? " G r o v e r p a n t e d , w h e n we'd c o l l a p s e d i n
t h e relative safety o f a b l a c k p o p l a r grove. " O n e o f H a d e s ' s
pets?"
A n n a b e t h a n d I l o o k e d at each o t h e r . I c o u l d tell she
was n u r s i n g a n idea, p r o b a b l y t h e s a m e o n e she'd g o t t e n
d u r i n g t h e taxi r i d e t o L.A., b u t she was t o o scared t o s h a r e
it. T h a t was e n o u g h t o terrify m e .
I c a p p e d m y sword, p u t t h e p e n b a c k i n m y p o c k e t .
"Let's k e e p going." I l o o k e d a t Grover. " C a n y o u walk?"
[306]
H e swallowed. "Yeah, sure. I never liked t h o s e s h o e s ,
anyway."
H e t r i e d t o s o u n d brave a b o u t it, b u t h e was t r e m b l i n g
a s b a d l y a s A n n a b e t h a n d I were. W h a t e v e r was i n t h a t p i t
was n o b o d y ' s p e t . I t was u n s p e a k a b l y o l d a n d p o w e r f u l .
E v e n E c h i d n a h a d n ' t given m e t h a t feeling. I was a l m o s t
relieved t o t u r n m y b a c k o n t h a t t u n n e l a n d h e a d t o w a r d t h e
palace of H a d e s .
Almost.
T h e F u r i e s circled t h e p a r a p e t s , h i g h i n t h e g l o o m . T h e
o u t e r walls o f t h e fortress g l i t t e r e d black, a n d t h e t w o s t o r y - t a l l b r o n z e gates s t o o d w i d e o p e n .
U p close, I saw t h a t t h e e n g r a v i n g s o n t h e gates were
scenes o f d e a t h . S o m e were f r o m m o d e r n t i m e s — a n a t o m i c
b o m b exploding over a city, a trench filled w i t h gas m a s k w e a r i n g s o l d i e r s , a line of A f r i c a n f a m i n e v i c t i m s w a i t i n g
w i t h e m p t y b o w l s — b u t all o f t h e m l o o k e d a s i f t h e y ' d b e e n
e t c h e d i n t o t h e b r o n z e t h o u s a n d s o f years ago. I w o n d e r e d
i f I was l o o k i n g a t p r o p h e c i e s t h a t h a d c o m e t r u e .
I n s i d e t h e c o u r t y a r d was t h e s t r a n g e s t g a r d e n I'd ever
seen.
Multicolored mushrooms,
poisonous
shrubs,
and
weird l u m i n o u s p l a n t s g r e w w i t h o u t s u n l i g h t . P r e c i o u s j e w els m a d e u p for t h e lack o f f l o w e r s , piles o f r u b i e s a s b i g a s
m y fist, c l u m p s o f r a w d i a m o n d s . S t a n d i n g h e r e a n d t h e r e
like f r o z e n p a r t y g u e s t s were M e d u s a ' s g a r d e n s t a t u e s —
p e t r i f i e d c h i l d r e n , satyrs, a n d c e n t a u r s — a l l s m i l i n g g r o tesquely.
In
the
center
of
the
garden
[307]
was
an
orchard
of
p o m e g r a n a t e trees, t h e i r o r a n g e b l o o m s n e o n b r i g h t i n t h e
d a r k . " T h e g a r d e n o f P e r s e p h o n e , " A n n a b e t h said. " K e e p
walking."
I u n d e r s t o o d w h y she w a n t e d t o m o v e o n . T h e t a r t s m e l l
of t h o s e p o m e g r a n a t e s was a l m o s t o v e r w h e l m i n g . I h a d a
s u d d e n desire t o eat t h e m , b u t t h e n I r e m e m b e r e d t h e s t o r y
of Persephone.
O n e bite of U n d e r w o r l d food, a n d we
w o u l d never be able to leave. I p u l l e d G r o v e r away to k e e p
h i m f r o m p i c k i n g a b i g juicy o n e .
W e w a l k e d u p t h e s t e p s o f t h e palace, b e t w e e n black
c o l u m n s , t h r o u g h a black m a r b l e p o r t i c o , a n d i n t o t h e
h o u s e o f H a d e s . T h e e n t r y h a l l h a d a p o l i s h e d b r o n z e floor,
w h i c h s e e m e d t o b o i l i n t h e reflected t o r c h l i g h t . T h e r e was
no ceiling, just t h e cavern roof, far above. I guess t h e y never
h a d to w o r r y a b o u t rain d o w n here.
E v e r y side d o o r w a y was g u a r d e d by a s k e l e t o n in m i l i t a r y gear. S o m e w o r e G r e e k a r m o r , s o m e British r e d c o a t
uniforms, some camouflage with tattered American flags on
t h e s h o u l d e r s . T h e y c a r r i e d spears o r m u s k e t s o r M - 1 6 s .
N o n e o f t h e m b o t h e r e d u s , b u t t h e i r h o l l o w eye sockets foll o w e d u s a s w e w a l k e d d o w n t h e hall, t o w a r d t h e b i g set o f
d o o r s at the opposite end.
Two U.S. M a r i n e skeletons guarded the doors. T h e y
g r i n n e d d o w n a t us, r o c k e t - p r o p e l l e d g r e n a d e l a u n c h e r s
h e l d across t h e i r chests.
" Y o u know," G r o v e r m u m b l e d ,
"I bet H a d e s doesn't
have t r o u b l e w i t h d o o r - t o - d o o r salesmen."
My backpack weighed
o u t why. I w a n t e d to
a ton
o p e n it,
[308]
now.
I
check to
couldn't figure
see if I h a d
s o m e h o w p i c k e d u p a s t r a y b o w l i n g ball, b u t t h i s wasn't t h e
time.
"Well,
guys," I
said.
"I
suppose
we
should .
.
.
knock?"
A h o t w i n d blew d o w n the corridor, and the doors
s w u n g o p e n . T h e g u a r d s s t e p p e d aside.
"I guess t h a t m e a n s entrez-vous," A n n a b e t h said.
T h e r o o m i n s i d e l o o k e d j u s t like i n m y d r e a m , except
t h i s t i m e t h e t h r o n e o f H a d e s was o c c u p i e d .
H e was t h e t h i r d g o d I'd m e t , b u t t h e f i r s t w h o really
struck me as godlike.
H e was a t least t e n feet tall, for o n e t h i n g , a n d d r e s s e d
i n b l a c k silk r o b e s a n d a c r o w n o f b r a i d e d g o l d . H i s s k i n
was a l b i n o w h i t e , his h a i r s h o u l d e r - l e n g t h a n d jet black. H e
wasn't b u l k e d u p like Ares, b u t h e r a d i a t e d p o w e r . H e
l o u n g e d o n h i s t h r o n e o f fused h u m a n b o n e s , l o o k i n g lithe,
graceful, a n d d a n g e r o u s as a p a n t h e r .
I i m m e d i a t e l y felt like he s h o u l d be giving t h e o r d e r s .
He knew m o r e than I did. He should be my master. T h e n I
t o l d m y s e l f t o s n a p o u t o f it.
H a d e s ' s a u r a was affecting m e , just a s Ares's h a d . T h e
L o r d o f t h e D e a d r e s e m b l e d p i c t u r e s I'd seen o f A d o l p h
H i t l e r , o r N a p o l e o n , o r t h e t e r r o r i s t leaders w h o d i r e c t s u i cide b o m b e r s . H a d e s h a d t h e s a m e i n t e n s e eyes, t h e s a m e
k i n d o f m e s m e r i z i n g , evil c h a r i s m a .
" Y o u are brave t o c o m e h e r e , S o n o f P o s e i d o n , " h e s a i d
i n a n oily voice. "After w h a t y o u have d o n e t o m e , very
brave i n d e e d . O r p e r h a p s y o u are s i m p l y very foolish."
N u m b n e s s c r e p t i n t o m y j o i n t s , t e m p t i n g m e t o lie
[309]
d o w n a n d j u s t t a k e a little n a p a t H a d e s ' s feet. C u r l u p h e r e
a n d sleep forever.
I f o u g h t t h e feeling a n d s t e p p e d f o r w a r d . I k n e w w h a t I
h a d t o say. " L o r d a n d U n c l e , I c o m e w i t h t w o requests."
H a d e s r a i s e d a n eyebrow. W h e n h e sat f o r w a r d i n his
t h r o n e , s h a d o w y faces a p p e a r e d i n t h e folds o f his b l a c k
r o b e s , faces o f t o r m e n t , a s i f t h e g a r m e n t were s t i t c h e d o f
t r a p p e d s o u l s f r o m t h e F i e l d s o f P u n i s h m e n t , t r y i n g t o get
o u t . T h e A D H D p a r t o f m e w o n d e r e d , off-task, w h e t h e r
t h e rest o f h i s c l o t h e s were m a d e t h e s a m e way. W h a t h o r rible t h i n g s w o u l d y o u have t o d o i n y o u r life t o get woven
into Hades's underwear?
" O n l y t w o r e q u e s t s ? " H a d e s said. " A r r o g a n t child. A s i f
y o u have n o t already t a k e n e n o u g h . S p e a k , t h e n . I t a m u s e s
m e n o t t o strike y o u d e a d yet."
I swallowed. T h i s was g o i n g a b o u t as well as I'd feared.
I g l a n c e d a t t h e e m p t y , smaller t h r o n e n e x t t o H a d e s ' s .
It was s h a p e d like a black flower, g i l d e d w i t h g o l d . I w i s h e d
Queen
Persephone
were
here.
I
recalled
something
in
t h e m y t h s a b o u t h o w she c o u l d c a l m h e r h u s b a n d ' s m o o d s .
B u t i t was s u m m e r . O f c o u r s e , P e r s e p h o n e w o u l d b e above
in the world of light with her m o t h e r , the goddess of agriculture, D e m e t e r . H e r visits, n o t t h e t i l t o f t h e p l a n e t , create
the seasons.
A n n a b e t h cleared h e r t h r o a t . H e r f i n g e r p r o d d e d m e i n
the back.
" L o r d H a d e s , " I said. " L o o k , sir, t h e r e can't be a war
a m o n g t h e g o d s . It w o u l d be . . . b a d . "
" R e a l l y b a d , " G r o v e r a d d e d helpfully.
[310]
" R e t u r n Z e u s ' s m a s t e r b o l t to m e , " I said. " P l e a s e , sir.
Let me carry it to Olympus."
H a d e s ' s eyes g r e w d a n g e r o u s l y b r i g h t . " Y o u d a r e k e e p
u p this p r e t e n s e , after w h a t y o u have d o n e ? "
I glanced back at my friends. T h e y looked as confused
as I was.
" U m . . . U n c l e , " I said. " Y o u k e e p saying 'after w h a t
you've d o n e . ' W h a t exactly have I d o n e ? "
T h e throne r o o m shook with a tremor so strong, they
p r o b a b l y felt it u p s t a i r s in L o s A n g e l e s . D e b r i s fell f r o m t h e
cavern ceiling. D o o r s b u r s t o p e n all a l o n g t h e walls, a n d
skeletal w a r r i o r s m a r c h e d in, h u n d r e d s o f t h e m , f r o m every
t i m e p e r i o d a n d n a t i o n i n W e s t e r n civilization. T h e y l i n e d
t h e p e r i m e t e r o f t h e r o o m , b l o c k i n g t h e exits.
H a d e s bellowed, " D o y o u t h i n k I want war, g o d l i n g ? "
I w a n t e d to say, Well, these guys don't look like peace activists.
B u t I t h o u g h t t h a t m i g h t be a d a n g e r o u s answer.
" Y o u are t h e L o r d of t h e D e a d , " I said carefully. "A w a r
would expand your kingdom, right?"
" A t y p i c a l t h i n g for m y b r o t h e r s t o say! D o y o u t h i n k I
n e e d m o r e subjects? D i d y o u n o t see t h e s p r a w l o f t h e
Asphodel Fields?"
"Well . . ."
" H a v e y o u any idea h o w m u c h m y k i n g d o m has swollen
i n t h i s p a s t c e n t u r y a l o n e , h o w m a n y s u b d i v i s i o n s I've h a d
to open?"
I o p e n e d m y m o u t h t o r e s p o n d , b u t H a d e s was o n a r o l l
now.
" M o r e s e c u r i t y g h o u l s , " h e m o a n e d . "Traffic p r o b l e m s
[311]
at t h e j u d g m e n t pavilion. D o u b l e o v e r t i m e for t h e staff. I
u s e d to be a rich g o d , Percy J a c k s o n . I c o n t r o l all t h e p r e c i o u s m e t a l s u n d e r t h e e a r t h . B u t m y expenses!"
" C h a r o n w a n t s a p a y raise," I b l u r t e d , just r e m e m b e r i n g
t h e fact. As s o o n as I said it, I w i s h e d I c o u l d sew up my
mouth.
" D o n ' t get m e s t a r t e d o n C h a r o n ! " H a d e s yelled. " H e ' s
been
impossible
ever
since
he
discovered
Italian
suits!
P r o b l e m s everywhere, a n d I've g o t t o h a n d l e all o f t h e m
personally. T h e c o m m u t e t i m e a l o n e f r o m t h e p a l a c e t o t h e
gates i s e n o u g h t o drive m e insane! A n d t h e d e a d just k e e p
arriving. No, g o d l i n g . I n e e d no h e l p g e t t i n g subjects! I d i d
n o t ask for this war."
"But you t o o k Zeus's master bolt."
" L i e s ! " M o r e r u m b l i n g . H a d e s r o s e f r o m his t h r o n e ,
t o w e r i n g t o t h e h e i g h t o f a f o o t b a l l g o a l p o s t . " Y o u r father
m a y fool Z e u s , boy, b u t I am n o t so s t u p i d . I see his plan."
" H i s plan?"
"You were t h e t h i e f o n t h e w i n t e r solstice," h e said.
" Y o u r father t h o u g h t t o k e e p y o u his little secret. H e
directed you into the throne r o o m on Olympus. You t o o k
t h e m a s t e r b o l t and m y h e l m . H a d I n o t s e n t m y F u r y t o
discover y o u a t Y a n c y A c a d e m y , P o s e i d o n m i g h t have s u c c e e d e d i n h i d i n g his s c h e m e t o s t a r t a war. B u t n o w y o u have
b e e n forced i n t o t h e o p e n . Y o u will b e e x p o s e d a s P o s e i d o n ' s
thief, a n d I will have my h e l m b a c k ! "
" B u t . . ." A n n a b e t h s p o k e . I c o u l d tell h e r m i n d was
going a million miles an hour. " L o r d H a d e s , your h e l m of
darkness is missing, too?"
[312]
" D o n o t play i n n o c e n t w i t h m e , girl. You a n d the satyr
have b e e n h e l p i n g this h e r o — c o m i n g here t o t h r e a t e n m e i n
Poseidon's n a m e , n o d o u b t — t o b r i n g m e a n u l t i m a t u m . D o e s
P o s e i d o n t h i n k I can be blackmailed i n t o s u p p o r t i n g h i m ? "
" N o ! " I said. " P o s e i d o n d i d n ' t — I d i d n ' t — "
" I have
said n o t h i n g of t h e helm's disappearance,"
H a d e s snarled, " b e c a u s e I h a d n o i l l u s i o n s t h a t a n y o n e o n
O l y m p u s w o u l d offer m e t h e slightest justice, t h e slightest
h e l p . I c a n ¿11 afford f o r w o r d t o get o u t t h a t m y m o s t p o w erful w e a p o n of fear is m i s s i n g . So I s e a r c h e d for y o u
myself, a n d w h e n i t was clear y o u were c o m i n g t o m e t o
deliver y o u r t h r e a t , I d i d n o t t r y t o s t o p you."
" Y o u d i d n ' t t r y t o s t o p us? B u t — "
" R e t u r n m y h e l m now, o r I will s t o p d e a t h , " H a d e s
t h r e a t e n e d . " T h a t i s m y c o u n t e r p r o p o s a l . I will o p e n t h e
e a r t h a n d have t h e d e a d p o u r b a c k i n t o t h e w o r l d . I will
m a k e y o u r l a n d s a n i g h t m a r e . A n d you, P e r c y J a c k s o n — y o u r
s k e l e t o n will lead m y a r m y o u t o f H a d e s . "
T h e skeletal s o l d i e r s all t o o k o n e s t e p forward, m a k i n g
t h e i r w e a p o n s ready.
A t t h a t p o i n t , I p r o b a b l y s h o u l d have b e e n terrified. T h e
s t r a n g e t h i n g was, I felt o f f e n d e d . N o t h i n g gets m e a n g r i e r
t h a n b e i n g a c c u s e d of s o m e t h i n g I d i d n ' t d o . I've h a d a l o t
of experience w i t h that.
"You're as b a d as Z e u s , " I said. " Y o u t h i n k I s t o l e f r o m
you? T h a t ' s w h y y o u s e n t t h e F u r i e s after m e ? "
" O f course," H a d e s said.
"And the other monsters?"
H a d e s c u r l e d his lip. " I h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e m . I
[313]
w a n t e d n o q u i c k d e a t h for y o u — I w a n t e d y o u b r o u g h t
b e f o r e m e alive s o y o u m i g h t face every t o r t u r e i n t h e F i e l d s
o f P u n i s h m e n t . W h y d o y o u t h i n k I let y o u e n t e r m y k i n g d o m s o easily?"
"Easily?"
"Return my property!"
" B u t I d o n ' t have y o u r h e l m . I c a m e for t h e m a s t e r b o l t . "
" W h i c h y o u already p o s s e s s ! " H a d e s s h o u t e d .
"You
c a m e h e r e w i t h it, little fool, t h i n k i n g y o u c o u l d y o u
threaten me!"
"But I didn't!"
" O p e n your pack, then."
A h o r r i b l e feeling s t r u c k m e . T h e w e i g h t i n m y b a c k p a c k , like a b o w l i n g ball. It c o u l d n ' t b e . . . .
I s l u n g it o f f my s h o u l d e r a n d u n z i p p e d it. I n s i d e was a
t w o - f o o t - l o n g m e t a l cylinder, s p i k e d o n b o t h e n d s , h u m m i n g w i t h energy.
"Percy," A n n a b e t h said. " H o w — "
" I — I don't know. I don't understand."
" Y o u heroes are always t h e same," H a d e s said. " Y o u r p r i d e
m a k e s y o u foolish, t h i n k i n g y o u c o u l d b r i n g s u c h a w e a p o n
before m e . I d i d n o t ask for Zeus's m a s t e r bolt, b u t since it is
here, y o u will yield it to m e . I am sure it will m a k e an excellent
bargaining t o o l . A n d n o w . . . my h e l m . W h e r e is it?"
I was speechless. I h a d no h e l m . I h a d no idea h o w t h e
master bolt had gotten into my backpack. I wanted to think
H a d e s was p u l l i n g s o m e k i n d o f trick. H a d e s was t h e b a d
guy. B u t s u d d e n l y t h e w o r l d t u r n e d sideways. I r e a l i z e d I'd
b e e n p l a y e d w i t h . Z e u s , P o s e i d o n , a n d H a d e s h a d b e e n set
[314]
a t each o t h e r s t h r o a t s b y s o m e o n e else. T h e m a s t e r b o l t h a d
b e e n in t h e b a c k p a c k , a n d Id g o t t e n t h e b a c k p a c k f r o m . . .
" L o r d H a d e s , wait," I said. " T h i s is all a m i s t a k e . "
"A mistake?" H a d e s roared.
T h e s k e l e t o n s a i m e d t h e i r w e a p o n s . F r o m h i g h above,
t h e r e was a f l u t t e r i n g o f l e a t h e r y w i n g s , a n d t h e t h r e e F u r i e s
s w o o p e d d o w n t o p e r c h o n t h e b a c k o f t h e i r master's
t h r o n e . T h e o n e w i t h M r s . D o d d s ' s face g r i n n e d a t m e
eagerly a n d flicked h e r w h i p .
" T h e r e i s n o m i s t a k e , " H a d e s said. " I k n o w w h y y o u
have c o m e — I k n o w t h e real r e a s o n y o u b r o u g h t t h e b o l t .
Y o u c a m e to b a r g a i n for her"
H a d e s l o o s e d a ball o f g o l d fire f r o m his p a l m . I t
e x p l o d e d o n t h e s t e p s i n f r o n t o f m e , a n d t h e r e was m y
m o t h e r , f r o z e n i n a s h o w e r o f g o l d , j u s t a s s h e was a t t h e
m o m e n t when the M i n o t a u r began to squeeze her to death.
I c o u l d n ' t speak. I r e a c h e d o u t to t o u c h her, b u t t h e l i g h t
was as h o t as a b o n f i r e .
"Yes," H a d e s said w i t h satisfaction. "I t o o k her. I knew,
P e r c y Jackson, t h a t y o u w o u l d c o m e t o b a r g a i n w i t h m e
eventually. R e t u r n m y h e l m , a n d p e r h a p s I will let h e r g o .
S h e i s n o t d e a d , y o u k n o w . N o t yet. B u t i f y o u displease m e ,
t h a t will change."
I
thought
about
the
pearls
in
my
pocket.
Maybe
t h e y c o u l d get m e o u t o f t h i s . I f I c o u l d j u s t g e t m y m o m
free . . .
"Ah, t h e pearls," H a d e s said, a n d m y b l o o d froze. "Yes,
m y b r o t h e r a n d h i s little t r i c k s . Bring t h e m f o r t h , Percy
Jackson."
[315]
M y h a n d m o v e d a g a i n s t m y will a n d b r o u g h t o u t t h e
pearls.
" O n l y three," H a d e s said.
" W h a t a shame. You do
realize each o n l y p r o t e c t s a single p e r s o n . T r y t o t a k e y o u r
m o t h e r , t h e n , little g o d l i n g . A n d w h i c h o f y o u r friends will
y o u leave b e h i n d t o s p e n d e t e r n i t y w i t h me? G o o n . C h o o s e .
O r give m e t h e b a c k p a c k a n d a c c e p t m y t e r m s . "
I l o o k e d a t A n n a b e t h a n d Grover. T h e i r faces were g r i m .
" W e were tricked," I t o l d t h e m . " S e t u p . "
"Yes, b u t w h y ? " A n n a b e t h asked. " A n d t h e voice i n t h e
pit-"
"I d o n ' t k n o w yet," I said. " B u t I i n t e n d to ask."
" D e c i d e , b o y ! " H a d e s yelled.
"Percy." G r o v e r p u t his h a n d o n m y s h o u l d e r . " Y o u can't
give h i m t h e b o l t . "
" I k n o w that."
"Leave m e here," h e said. " U s e t h e t h i r d p e a r l o n y o u r
mom."
"No!"
" I ' m a satyr," G r o v e r said. " W e d o n ' t have souls like
h u m a n s d o . H e c a n t o r t u r e m e u n t i l I die, b u t h e w o n ' t get
me forever. I'll j u s t be r e i n c a r n a t e d as a flower or s o m e t h i n g .
It's t h e b e s t way."
" N o . " A n n a b e t h d r e w h e r b r o n z e knife. " Y o u t w o g o
o n . Grover, y o u have t o p r o t e c t Percy. Y o u have t o get y o u r
searcher's license a n d s t a r t y o u r q u e s t for P a n . G e t h i s m o m
o u t o f h e r e . I'll cover you. I p l a n t o g o d o w n fighting."
" N o way," G r o v e r said. " I ' m staying b e h i n d . "
" T h i n k again, g o a t boy," A n n a b e t h said.
[316]
" S t o p it, b o t h o f y o u ! " I felt like m y h e a r t was b e i n g
ripped in two. T h e y had both been with me through so
much. I remembered Grover dive-bombing M e d u s a in the
s t a t u e g a r d e n , a n d A n n a b e t h saving u s f r o m C e r b e r u s ; w e d
survived H e p h a e s t u s ' s W a t e r l a n d ride, t h e St. L o u i s A r c h ,
the L o t u s Casino. I h a d spent t h o u s a n d s of miles worried
t h a t I d b e b e t r a y e d b y a friend, b u t t h e s e friends w o u l d
never d o t h a t . T h e y h a d d o n e n o t h i n g b u t save m e , over a n d
over, a n d n o w t h e y w a n t e d t o sacrifice t h e i r lives for m y
mom.
"I k n o w w h a t to d o , " I said. " T a k e these."
I h a n d e d t h e m each a pearl.
A n n a b e t h said, " B u t , Percy . . ."
I t u r n e d a n d faced my m o t h e r . I d e s p e r a t e l y w a n t e d to
sacrifice m y s e l f a n d u s e t h e last p e a r l o n her, b u t I k n e w
w h a t she w o u l d say. S h e w o u l d never allow it. I h a d to g e t
t h e b o l t b a c k t o O l y m p u s a n d tell Z e u s t h e t r u t h . I h a d t o
s t o p t h e war. S h e w o u l d never forgive m e i f I saved h e r
instead. I t h o u g h t a b o u t the p r o p h e c y m a d e at H a l f - B l o o d
H i l l , w h a t s e e m e d like a m i l l i o n years ago. You will fail to save
what matters most in the end.
" I ' m sorry," I t o l d her. "I'll be back. I'll find a way."
The
smug
look
on
Hades's
face
faded.
He
said,
"Godling . . . ?"
"I'll f i n d y o u r h e l m , U n c l e , " I t o l d h i m . "I'll r e t u r n it.
R e m e m b e r a b o u t C h a r o n ' s p a y raise."
" D o n o t defy m e — "
"And it wouldn't h u r t to play with Cerberus once in a
while. H e likes r e d r u b b e r balls."
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" P e r c y Jackson, y o u will n o t — "
I s h o u t e d , " N o w , guys!"
W e s m a s h e d t h e p e a r l s a t o u r feet. F o r a scary m o m e n t ,
nothing happened.
H a d e s yelled, " D e s t r o y t h e m ! "
T h e a r m y o f s k e l e t o n s r u s h e d forward, s w o r d s o u t ,
g u n s clicking t o full a u t o m a t i c . T h e F u r i e s l u n g e d , t h e i r
w h i p s b u r s t i n g i n t o flame.
Just as the skeletons o p e n e d fire, the pearl fragments at
my feet e x p l o d e d w i t h a b u r s t of g r e e n l i g h t a n d a g u s t of
fresh sea w i n d . I was e n c a s e d in a m i l k y w h i t e s p h e r e , w h i c h
was s t a r t i n g t o f l o a t o f f t h e g r o u n d .
A n n a b e t h a n d G r o v e r were r i g h t b e h i n d m e . S p e a r s a n d
bullets sparked harmlessly off t h e pearl bubbles as we floated
u p . H a d e s yelled w i t h s u c h rage, t h e entire fortress s h o o k
a n d I k n e w it was n o t g o i n g to be a peaceful n i g h t in L . A .
" L o o k u p ! " G r o v e r yelled. " W e ' r e g o i n g t o crash!"
S u r e e n o u g h , w e were r a c i n g r i g h t t o w a r d t h e stalactites,
w h i c h I f i g u r e d w o u l d p o p o u r b u b b l e s a n d skewer u s .
" H o w do you control these things?" A n n a b e t h shouted.
"I don't t h i n k you do!" I s h o u t e d back.
W e s c r e a m e d a s t h e b u b b l e s s l a m m e d i n t o t h e ceiling
and . . . Darkness.
W e r e w e dead?
N o , I c o u l d still feel t h e r a c i n g s e n s a t i o n . W e were g o i n g
u p , r i g h t t h r o u g h s o l i d r o c k as easily as an air b u b b l e in
water. T h a t was t h e p o w e r o f t h e pearls, I r e a l i z e d — W h a t
belongs to the sea will always return to the sea.
F o r a few m o m e n t s , I c o u l d n ' t see a n y t h i n g o u t s i d e t h e
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s m o o t h walls o f m y s p h e r e , t h e n m y p e a r l b r o k e t h r o u g h o n
t h e ocean f l o o r . T h e t w o other milky spheres, A n n a b e t h a n d
Grover, k e p t p a c e w i t h m e a s w e s o a r e d u p w a r d t h r o u g h t h e
water. And—ker-blam!
W e e x p l o d e d o n t h e surface, i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e S a n t a
M o n i c a Bay, k n o c k i n g a surfer o f f his b o a r d w i t h a n i n d i g nant, "Dude!"
I g r a b b e d G r o v e r a n d h a u l e d h i m over to a life buoy. I
c a u g h t A n n a b e t h a n d d r a g g e d h e r over t o o . A c u r i o u s s h a r k
was circling us, a g r e a t w h i t e a b o u t eleven feet l o n g .
I said, "Beat it."
T h e s h a r k t u r n e d a n d r a c e d away.
T h e surfer s c r e a m e d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t b a d m u s h r o o m s
a n d p a d d l e d away f r o m us as fast as he c o u l d .
S o m e h o w , I k n e w w h a t t i m e i t was: early m o r n i n g , J u n e
2 1 , t h e day o f t h e s u m m e r solstice.
I n t h e d i s t a n c e , L o s A n g e l e s was o n fire, p l u m e s o f
s m o k e rising f r o m n e i g h b o r h o o d s all over t h e city. T h e r e
h a d b e e n a n e a r t h q u a k e , all r i g h t , a n d i t was H a d e s ' s fault.
H e was p r o b a b l y s e n d i n g a n a r m y o f t h e d e a d after m e r i g h t
now.
B u t a t t h e m o m e n t , t h e U n d e r w o r l d wasn't m y biggest
problem.
I h a d t o get t o s h o r e . I h a d t o get Z e u s ' s t h u n d e r b o l t
b a c k t o O l y m p u s . M o s t o f all, I h a d t o have a s e r i o u s c o n versation with the g o d who'd tricked me.
[319]
A C o a s t G u a r d b o a t p i c k e d u s u p , b u t they were t o o b u s y t o
k e e p u s for long, o r t o w o n d e r h o w three k i d s i n street clothes
h a d g o t t e n o u t i n t o t h e m i d d l e o f t h e bay. T h e r e was a d i s a s ter t o m o p u p . T h e i r radios were j a m m e d w i t h distress calls.
T h e y d r o p p e d us off at the Santa M o n i c a Pier with
towels a r o u n d o u r s h o u l d e r s a n d w a t e r b o t t l e s t h a t s a i d I'M
A J U N I O R C O A S T G U A R D ! a n d s p e d o f f t o save m o r e p e o p l e .
O u r c l o t h e s were s o p p i n g wet, even m i n e . W h e n t h e
C o a s t G u a r d b o a t h a d a p p e a r e d , I d silently p r a y e d t h e y
w o u l d n ' t p i c k m e o u t o f t h e w a t e r a n d find m e perfectly dry,
w h i c h m i g h t ' v e r a i s e d s o m e eyebrows. S o I'd w i l l e d m y s e l f
t o get s o a k e d . S u r e e n o u g h , m y u s u a l w a t e r p r o o f m a g i c h a d
a b a n d o n e d m e . I was also b a r e f o o t , b e c a u s e I'd given my
s h o e s t o Grover. B e t t e r t h e C o a s t G u a r d w o n d e r w h y o n e o f
u s was b a r e f o o t t h a n w o n d e r w h y o n e o f u s h a d h o o v e s .
After r e a c h i n g d r y l a n d , w e s t u m b l e d d o w n t h e b e a c h ,
w a t c h i n g t h e city b u r n against a b e a u t i f u l s u n r i s e . I felt as if
I'd just c o m e b a c k f r o m t h e d e a d — w h i c h I h a d . M y b a c k p a c k was heavy w i t h Z e u s ' s m a s t e r b o l t . M y h e a r t was even
heavier f r o m seeing m y m o t h e r .
" I d o n ' t believe it," A n n a b e t h said. " W e w e n t all t h a t
way—"
[320]
" I t was a trick," I said. "A s t r a t e g y w o r t h y of A t h e n a . "
"Hey," she warned.
" Y o u get it, d o n ' t y o u ? "
S h e d r o p p e d h e r eyes, h e r a n g e r fading. "Yeah. I get it."
"Well, I don't!" Grover complained.
"Would some-
body—"
" P e r c y . . ." A n n a b e t h said. " I ' m s o r r y a b o u t y o u r
m o t h e r . I ' m so sorry. . . ."
I p r e t e n d e d n o t t o h e a r her. I f I t a l k e d a b o u t m y
m o t h e r , I was g o i n g to s t a r t c r y i n g like a little k i d .
" T h e p r o p h e c y was right," I said. " Y o u shall g o w e s t
a n d face t h e g o d w h o h a s t u r n e d . ' B u t i t wasn't H a d e s .
H a d e s d i d n ' t w a n t war a m o n g t h e Big T h r e e . S o m e o n e else
p u l l e d o f f t h e theft. S o m e o n e s t o l e Z e u s ' s m a s t e r b o l t , a n d
Hades's helm, a n d framed me because I'm Poseidon's kid.
P o s e i d o n will get b l a m e d b y b o t h sides. B y s u n d o w n today,
t h e r e will be a t h r e e - w a y war. A n d I'll have c a u s e d it."
G r o v e r s h o o k his h e a d , mystified. " B u t w h o w o u l d b e
t h a t sneaky? W h o w o u l d w a n t w a r t h a t b a d ? "
I s t o p p e d in my tracks, looking d o w n the beach. "Gee,
let m e t h i n k . "
T h e r e h e was, w a i t i n g for us, i n h i s b l a c k l e a t h e r d u s t e r
a n d his sunglasses, a n a l u m i n u m baseball b a t p r o p p e d o n
his s h o u l d e r . H i s m o t o r c y c l e r u m b l e d b e s i d e h i m , its h e a d light t u r n i n g t h e sand red.
" H e y , kid," Ares said, s e e m i n g g e n u i n e l y p l e a s e d t o see
m e . " Y o u were s u p p o s e d t o die."
" Y o u t r i c k e d me," I said. "You s t o l e t h e h e l m a n d t h e
master bolt."
[321]
Ares g r i n n e d . " W e l l , n o w , I d i d n ' t steal t h e m p e r s o n ally. G o d s t a k i n g each o t h e r ' s s y m b o l s o f p o w e r — t h a t ' s a
b i g n o - n o . B u t you're n o t t h e o n l y h e r o i n t h e w o r l d w h o
can r u n errands."
" W h o d i d y o u use? Clarisse? S h e was t h e r e a t t h e w i n t e r solstice."
T h e idea s e e m e d t o a m u s e h i m . " D o e s n ' t m a t t e r . T h e
p o i n t is, k i d , you're i m p e d i n g t h e w a r effort. See, you've g o t
t o die i n t h e U n d e r w o r l d . T h e n O l d S e a w e e d will b e m a d
a t H a d e s for k i l l i n g you. C o r p s e B r e a t h will have Z e u s ' s
m a s t e r b o l t , s o Z e u s ' l l b e m a d a t him. A n d H a d e s i s still
l o o k i n g for t h i s . . ."
F r o m his p o c k e t h e t o o k o u t a ski c a p — t h e k i n d b a n k
r o b b e r s w e a r — a n d p l a c e d i t b e t w e e n t h e h a n d l e b a r s o f his
b i k e . I m m e d i a t e l y , t h e cap t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a n e l a b o r a t e
b r o n z e war h e l m e t .
" T h e helm of darkness," Grover gasped.
"Exactly," A r e s said.
" N o w w h e r e was I ? O h yeah,
H a d e s will b e m a d a t b o t h Z e u s a n d P o s e i d o n , b e c a u s e h e
d o e s n ' t k n o w w h o t o o k t h i s . P r e t t y s o o n , w e g o t a nice little t h r e e - w a y slugfest going."
" B u t they're y o u r family!" A n n a b e t h p r o t e s t e d .
Ares s h r u g g e d . "Best k i n d o f war. Always t h e b l o o d iest. N o t h i n g like w a t c h i n g y o u r relatives fight, I always
say.
" Y o u gave m e t h e b a c k p a c k i n Denver," I said. " T h e
m a s t e r b o l t was i n t h e r e t h e w h o l e t i m e . "
"Yes a n d no," A r e s said. "It's p r o b a b l y t o o c o m p l i c a t e d
for y o u r little m o r t a l b r a i n t o follow, b u t t h e b a c k p a c k
[322]
i s t h e m a s t e r bolt's s h e a t h , j u s t m o r p h e d a b i t . T h e b o l t i s
c o n n e c t e d t o it, s o r t o f like t h a t s w o r d y o u g o t , k i d . I t
always r e t u r n s t o y o u r p o c k e t , r i g h t ? "
I wasn't sure h o w A r e s k n e w a b o u t t h a t , b u t I guess a
g o d o f war h a d t o m a k e i t h i s b u s i n e s s t o k n o w a b o u t
weapons.
"Anyway," A r e s c o n t i n u e d , "I t i n k e r e d w i t h t h e m a g i c a
bit, so the bolt would only return to the sheath once you
r e a c h e d t h e U n d e r w o r l d . Y o u get close to H a d e s . . . . Bingo,
y o u g o t m a i l . I f y o u d i e d a l o n g t h e w a y — n o loss. I still h a d
the weapon."
" B u t w h y n o t just k e e p t h e m a s t e r b o l t for y o u r s e l f ?" I
said. " W h y s e n d i t t o H a d e s ? "
Ares g o t a t w i t c h in his jaw. F o r a m o m e n t , it was a l m o s t
a s i f h e w e r e l i s t e n i n g t o a n o t h e r voice, d e e p i n s i d e h i s
h e a d . " W h y d i d n ' t I . . . yeah . . . w i t h t h a t k i n d of firep o w e r . . ."
He h e l d t h e t r a n c e for o n e s e c o n d . . . t w o s e c o n d s . . . .
I exchanged nervous looks with A n n a b e t h .
Ares's face cleared. " I d i d n ' t w a n t t h e t r o u b l e . B e t t e r t o
have y o u c a u g h t r e d h a n d e d , h o l d i n g t h e t h i n g . "
"You're
lying,"
I
said.
"Sending
the
bolt
to
the
U n d e r w o r l d wasn't y o u r idea, was it?"
" O f c o u r s e i t was!" S m o k e d r i f t e d u p f r o m h i s s u n glasses, as if t h e y were a b o u t to c a t c h fire.
" Y o u d i d n ' t o r d e r t h e theft," I g u e s s e d . " S o m e o n e else
s e n t a h e r o t o steal t h e t w o i t e m s . T h e n , w h e n Z e u s s e n t y o u
t o h u n t h i m d o w n , y o u c a u g h t t h e thief. B u t y o u d i d n ' t t u r n
h i m over t o Z e u s . S o m e t h i n g c o n v i n c e d y o u t o let h i m g o .
[323]
You k e p t the items until another hero could c o m e along
a n d c o m p l e t e t h e delivery. T h a t t h i n g i n t h e p i t i s o r d e r i n g
you around."
" I a m t h e g o d o f war! I t a k e o r d e r s f r o m n o o n e ! I d o n ' t
have d r e a m s ! "
I h e s i t a t e d . " W h o said a n y t h i n g a b o u t d r e a m s ? "
A r e s l o o k e d agitated, b u t h e t r i e d t o cover i t w i t h a
smirk.
"Let's get b a c k t o t h e p r o b l e m a t h a n d , k i d . You're alive.
I can't have y o u t a k i n g t h a t b o l t t o O l y m p u s . Y o u j u s t m i g h t
get t h o s e h a r d h e a d e d i d i o t s t o l i s t e n t o y o u . S o I've g o t t o
kill y o u . N o t h i n g p e r s o n a l . "
H e s n a p p e d his fingers. T h e s a n d e x p l o d e d a t his feet
a n d o u t c h a r g e d a w i l d b o a r , even larger a n d uglier t h a n t h e
o n e w h o s e h e a d h u n g above t h e d o o r o f c a b i n seven a t
C a m p H a l f - B l o o d . T h e b e a s t p a w e d t h e s a n d , glaring a t m e
w i t h b e a d y eyes as it l o w e r e d its r a z o r - s h a r p t u s k s a n d
w a i t e d for t h e c o m m a n d t o kill.
I s t e p p e d i n t o t h e surf. " F i g h t me yourself, Ares."
He l a u g h e d , b u t I h e a r d a little e d g e to his l a u g h t e r . . .
a n u n e a s i n e s s . "You've o n l y g o t o n e talent, k i d , r u n n i n g
away. Y o u r a n f r o m t h e C h i m e r a . Y o u r a n f r o m t h e U n d e r w o r l d . Y o u d o n ' t have w h a t i t takes."
"Scared?"
" I n y o u r a d o l e s c e n t d r e a m s . " B u t h i s sunglasses were
s t a r t i n g t o m e l t f r o m t h e h e a t o f his eyes.
i n v o l v e m e n t . S o r r y , k i d . You're n o t a t m y level."
A n n a b e t h said, "Percy, r u n ! "
T h e giant b o a r charged.
[324]
" N o direct
But I was d o n e r u n n i n g from monsters. Or H a d e s , or
Ares, or anybody.
As the boar rushed me, I u n c a p p e d my pen and sidestepped. R i p t i d e appeared in my hands. I slashed upward.
T h e b o a r ' s severed r i g h t t u s k fell a t m y feet, while t h e
d i s o r i e n t e d a n i m a l c h a r g e d i n t o t h e sea.
I shouted, "Wave!"
Immediately,
a
wave
surged
up
from
nowhere
and
e n g u l f e d t h e b o a r , w r a p p i n g a r o u n d i t like a b l a n k e t . T h e
b e a s t s q u e a l e d o n c e i n t e r r o r . T h e n i t was g o n e , s w a l l o w e d
b y t h e sea.
I t u r n e d b a c k t o A r e s . "Are y o u g o i n g t o fight m e n o w ? "
I asked. " O r are y o u g o i n g t o h i d e b e h i n d a n o t h e r p e t
Ares's face was p u r p l e w i t h rage. " W a t c h it, k i d . I c o u l d
turn you i n t o — "
"A c o c k r o a c h , " I said. " O r a t a p e w o r m . Yeah, I ' m sure.
T h a t ' d save y o u f r o m g e t t i n g y o u r g o d l y h i d e w h i p p e d ,
wouldn't it?"
F l a m e s d a n c e d a l o n g t h e t o p o f h i s glasses. " O h , m a n ,
y o u are really a s k i n g to be s m a s h e d i n t o a grease s p o t . "
" I f I lose, t u r n m e i n t o a n y t h i n g y o u w a n t . T a k e t h e
b o l t . I f I w i n , t h e h e l m a n d t h e b o l t are m i n e a n d you have
to go away."
Ares sneered.
H e s w u n g t h e b a s e b a l l b a t o f f his s h o u l d e r .
"How
w o u l d y o u like t o get s m a s h e d : classic o r m o d e r n ? "
I showed h i m my sword.
" T h a t ' s c o o l , d e a d boy," h e said. " C l a s s i c i t is." T h e
[325]
baseball b a t changed into a huge, t w o - h a n d e d sword. T h e
h i l t was a large silver skull w i t h a r u b y in its m o u t h .
"Percy," A n n a b e t h said. " D o n ' t d o t h i s . H e ' s a god."
" H e ' s a coward," I t o l d her.
S h e swallowed. " W e a r t h i s , a t least. F o r luck."
S h e t o o k o f f h e r necklace, w i t h h e r five years' w o r t h o f
c a m p b e a d s a n d t h e r i n g f r o m h e r father, a n d t i e d i t a r o u n d
my neck.
"Reconciliation,"
she
said.
"Athena
and
Poseidon
together."
My face felt a little w a r m , b u t I m a n a g e d a smile.
"Thanks."
" A n d t a k e this," G r o v e r said. H e h a n d e d m e a f l a t t e n e d
t i n can t h a t he'd p r o b a b l y b e e n saving in his p o c k e t for a
t h o u s a n d m i l e s . " T h e satyrs s t a n d b e h i n d you."
" G r o v e r . . . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t o say."
H e p a t t e d m e o n t h e s h o u l d e r . I stuffed t h e t i n c a n i n
my back pocket.
" Y o u all d o n e saying g o o d - b y e ? " A r e s c a m e t o w a r d m e ,
h i s b l a c k l e a t h e r d u s t e r t r a i l i n g b e h i n d h i m , his s w o r d g l i n t ing like fire in t h e s u n r i s e . "I've b e e n fighting for eternity,
k i d . M y s t r e n g t h i s u n l i m i t e d a n d I c a n n o t die. W h a t have
you got?"
A s m a l l e r ego, I t h o u g h t , b u t I s a i d n o t h i n g . I k e p t my
feet i n t h e surf, b a c k i n g i n t o t h e w a t e r u p t o m y a n k l e s . I
t h o u g h t b a c k t o w h a t A n n a b e t h h a d said a t t h e D e n v e r
diner, so l o n g ago: Ares has strength. That's all he has. Even strength
has to bow to wisdom sometimes.
H e cleaved d o w n w a r d a t m y h e a d , b u t I wasn't t h e r e .
[326]
M y b o d y t h o u g h t for m e . T h e w a t e r s e e m e d t o p u s h m e
i n t o t h e air a n d I c a t a p u l t e d over h i m , s l a s h i n g as I c a m e
d o w n . B u t A r e s was j u s t a s q u i c k . H e t w i s t e d , a n d t h e s t r i k e
t h a t should've c a u g h t h i m directly i n t h e s p i n e was deflected
off the e n d of his sword hilt.
H e grinned. " N o t bad, n o t bad."
H e s l a s h e d again a n d I was forced t o j u m p o n t o d r y
l a n d . I t r i e d t o s i d e s t e p , t o get b a c k t o t h e water, b u t A r e s
seemed to k n o w what I wanted. He outmaneuvered me,
p r e s s i n g s o h a r d I h a d t o p u t all m y c o n c e n t r a t i o n o n n o t
g e t t i n g sliced i n t o pieces. I k e p t b a c k i n g away f r o m t h e surf.
I c o u l d n ' t find any o p e n i n g s t o attack. H i s s w o r d h a d a
reach several feet l o n g e r t h a n A n a k l u s m o s .
Get in close, L u k e h a d t o l d me o n c e , b a c k in o u r s w o r d
class. When you've got the shorter blade, get in close.
I s t e p p e d inside w i t h a t h r u s t , b u t A r e s was w a i t i n g for
that. He knocked my blade out of my hands a n d kicked me
in t h e chest. I w e n t a i r b o r n e — t w e n t y , m a y b e t h i r t y feet. I
w o u l d ' v e b r o k e n m y b a c k i f I h a d n ' t c r a s h e d i n t o t h e soft
sand of a dune.
"Percy!" A n n a b e t h yelled. " C o p s ! "
I was seeing d o u b l e . My chest felt like it h a d j u s t b e e n
h i t w i t h a b a t t e r i n g r a m , b u t I m a n a g e d t o get t o m y feet.
I c o u l d n ' t l o o k away f r o m A r e s for fear he'd slice me in
half, b u t o u t o f t h e c o r n e r o f m y eye I s a w r e d l i g h t s flashing o n t h e s h o r e l i n e b o u l e v a r d . C a r d o o r s were s l a m m i n g .
" T h e r e , officer!" s o m e b o d y yelled. " S e e ? "
A g r u f f c o p voice: " L o o k s like t h a t k i d o n T V . . . w h a t
t h e h e c k . . ."
[327]
"That
guy's
armed,"
another
cop
said.
"Call
for
backup."
I r o l l e d to o n e side as Ares's b l a d e slashed t h e s a n d .
I r a n for my s w o r d , s c o o p e d it u p , a n d l a u n c h e d a s w i p e
a t Ares's face, o n l y t o find m y b l a d e d e f l e c t e d again.
Ares s e e m e d t o k n o w exactly w h a t I was g o i n g t o d o t h e
m o m e n t b e f o r e I d i d it.
I s t e p p e d b a c k t o w a r d t h e surf, f o r c i n g h i m to follow.
" A d m i t it, kid," A r e s said. " Y o u g o t n o h o p e . I ' m just
t o y i n g w i t h you."
M y senses were w o r k i n g o v e r t i m e . I n o w u n d e r s t o o d
w h a t A n n a b e t h h a d said a b o u t A D H D k e e p i n g y o u alive i n
b a t t l e . I was w i d e awake, n o t i c i n g every little detail.
I c o u l d see w h e r e Ares was tensing. I c o u l d tell w h i c h
way he w o u l d strike. At t h e s a m e t i m e , I was aware of
A n n a b e t h a n d Grover, t h i r t y feet to my left. I saw a s e c o n d
c o p car p u l l i n g u p , siren wailing. S p e c t a t o r s , p e o p l e w h o h a d
b e e n w a n d e r i n g t h e streets b e c a u s e o f t h e e a r t h q u a k e , were
s t a r t i n g to gather. A m o n g t h e crowd, I t h o u g h t I saw a few
w h o were w a l k i n g w i t h t h e strange, t r o t t i n g gait o f d i s g u i s e d
satyrs. T h e r e were s h i m m e r i n g f o r m s o f spirits, t o o , a s i f t h e
d e a d h a d risen f r o m H a d e s t o w a t c h t h e b a t t l e . I h e a r d t h e
f l a p o f l e a t h e r y w i n g s circling s o m e w h e r e above.
M o r e sirens.
I s t e p p e d f a r t h e r i n t o t h e water, b u t Ares was fast. T h e
t i p o f h i s b l a d e r i p p e d m y sleeve a n d g r a z e d m y f o r e a r m .
A p o l i c e voice on a m e g a p h o n e said, " D r o p t h e g u n s !
Set t h e m on the ground. N o w ! "
Guns?
[328]
I l o o k e d at Ares's w e a p o n , a n d it s e e m e d to be flickering; s o m e t i m e s it l o o k e d like a s h o t g u n , s o m e t i m e s a t w o h a n d e d s w o r d . I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e h u m a n s were seeing
i n m y h a n d s , b u t I was p r e t t y sure i t w o u l d n ' t m a k e t h e m
like m e .
Ares t u r n e d to glare at o u r s p e c t a t o r s , w h i c h gave me a
m o m e n t t o b r e a t h e . T h e r e were f i v e p o l i c e cars now, a n d a
line o f officers c r o u c h i n g b e h i n d t h e m , p i s t o l s t r a i n e d o n u s .
" T h i s is a private m a t t e r ! " A r e s b e l l o w e d . "Be g o n e ! "
H e s w e p t h i s h a n d , a n d a wall o f r e d f l a m e r o l l e d across
t h e p a t r o l cars. T h e p o l i c e barely h a d t i m e t o dive for cover
b e f o r e t h e i r vehicles e x p l o d e d . T h e c r o w d b e h i n d t h e m s c a t tered, s c r e a m i n g .
Ares r o a r e d w i t h laughter. " N o w , little h e r o . Let's a d d
you to the barbecue."
He slashed. I d e f l e c t e d his b l a d e . I g o t close e n o u g h to
strike, t r i e d t o fake h i m o u t w i t h a feint, b u t m y b l o w was
k n o c k e d aside. T h e waves were h i t t i n g m e i n t h e b a c k now.
A r e s was u p t o his t h i g h s , w a d i n g i n after m e .
I felt t h e r h y t h m of t h e sea, t h e waves g r o w i n g larger as
t h e t i d e r o l l e d in, a n d s u d d e n l y I h a d an idea. Little waves, I
t h o u g h t . A n d t h e w a t e r b e h i n d m e s e e m e d t o r e c e d e . I was
h o l d i n g b a c k t h e t i d e b y force o f will, b u t t e n s i o n was
b u i l d i n g , like c a r b o n a t i o n b e h i n d a c o r k .
A r e s c a m e t o w a r d , g r i n n i n g confidently. I l o w e r e d my
b l a d e , as if I were t o o e x h a u s t e d to go o n . Wait for it, I t o l d
t h e sea. T h e p r e s s u r e n o w was a l m o s t lifting m e o f f m y feet.
A r e s raised his s w o r d . I released t h e t i d e a n d j u m p e d , r o c k e t i n g s t r a i g h t over A r e s on a wave.
[329]
A s i x - f o o t wall of w a t e r s m a s h e d h i m full in t h e face,
leaving h i m c u r s i n g a n d s p u t t e r i n g w i t h a m o u t h full o f seaw e e d . I l a n d e d b e h i n d h i m w i t h a s p l a s h a n d feinted t o w a r d
his h e a d , a s I d d o n e before. H e t u r n e d i n t i m e t o raise h i s
sword, b u t t h i s t i m e h e was d i s o r i e n t e d , h e d i d n ' t a n t i c i p a t e
t h e trick. I c h a n g e d d i r e c t i o n , l u n g e d t o t h e side, a n d
s t a b b e d R i p t i d e s t r a i g h t d o w n i n t o t h e water, s e n d i n g t h e
p o i n t t h r o u g h t h e god's heel.
T h e r o a r t h a t followed m a d e H a d e s ' s e a r t h q u a k e l o o k
like a m i n o r event. T h e very sea was b l a s t e d b a c k f r o m A r e s ,
leaving a w e t circle of s a n d fifty feet w i d e .
I c h o r , t h e g o l d e n b l o o d o f t h e g o d s , flowed f r o m a g a s h
i n t h e w a r god's b o o t . T h e e x p r e s s i o n o n h i s face was
b e y o n d h a t r e d . I t was p a i n , s h o c k , c o m p l e t e d i s b e l i e f t h a t
he'd b e e n w o u n d e d .
H e l i m p e d t o w a r d m e , m u t t e r i n g a n c i e n t G r e e k curses.
Something stopped him.
It was as if a c l o u d covered t h e s u n , b u t w o r s e . L i g h t
faded. S o u n d a n d c o l o r d r a i n e d away. A cold, heavy p r e s e n c e p a s s e d over t h e b e a c h , s l o w i n g t i m e , d r o p p i n g t h e
t e m p e r a t u r e t o freezing, a n d m a k i n g m e feel like life was
h o p e l e s s , fighting was useless.
T h e d a r k n e s s lifted.
Ares looked stunned.
P o l i c e cars were b u r n i n g b e h i n d u s . T h e c r o w d o f s p e c tators h a d fled. A n n a b e t h a n d Grover s t o o d on the beach,
i n s h o c k , w a t c h i n g t h e w a t e r f l o o d b a c k a r o u n d Ares's feet,
his glowing golden ichor dissipating in the tide.
Ares lowered his sword.
[330]
" Y o u have m a d e a n enemy, g o d l i n g , " h e t o l d m e . " Y o u
have sealed y o u r fate. E v e r y t i m e y o u raise y o u r b l a d e i n b a t tle, every t i m e y o u h o p e for success, y o u will feel m y curse.
Beware, P e r s e u s J a c k s o n . Beware."
H i s b o d y b e g a n t o glow.
"Percy!" A n n a b e t h shouted. " D o n ' t watch!"
I t u r n e d away a s t h e g o d A r e s revealed his t r u e i m m o r tal f o r m . I s o m e h o w k n e w t h a t if I l o o k e d , I w o u l d d i s i n t e g r a t e i n t o ashes.
T h e light died.
I l o o k e d b a c k . A r e s was g o n e . T h e t i d e r o l l e d o u t t o
reveal H a d e s ' s b r o n z e h e l m o f d a r k n e s s . I p i c k e d i t u p a n d
w a l k e d t o w a r d m y friends.
B u t before I g o t t h e r e , I h e a r d t h e flapping of l e a t h e r y
w i n g s . T h r e e e v i l - l o o k i n g g r a n d m o t h e r s w i t h lace h a t s a n d
fiery w h i p s d r i f t e d d o w n f r o m t h e sky a n d l a n d e d i n f r o n t
of me.
T h e middle Fury, the one w h o h a d been M r s . D o d d s ,
s t e p p e d forward. H e r fangs were b a r e d , b u t for o n c e s h e
didn't look threatening. She looked m o r e disappointed, as if
she'd b e e n p l a n n i n g t o have m e for s u p p e r , b u t h a d d e c i d e d
I m i g h t give h e r i n d i g e s t i o n .
" W e saw t h e w h o l e t h i n g , " s h e h i s s e d . " S o . . . i t t r u l y
was n o t y o u ? "
I t o s s e d h e r t h e h e l m e t , w h i c h she c a u g h t i n s u r p r i s e .
" R e t u r n t h a t t o L o r d H a d e s , " I said. " T e l l h i m t h e
t r u t h . Tell h i m t o call o f f t h e war."
S h e h e s i t a t e d , t h e n r a n a f o r k e d t o n g u e over h e r green,
l e a t h e r y l i p s . "Live well, Percy J a c k s o n . B e c o m e a t r u e h e r o .
[331]
Because i f y o u d o n o t , i f y o u ever c o m e i n t o m y c l u t c h e s
again . . ."
S h e cackled, savoring t h e idea. T h e n she a n d h e r sisters
r o s e o n t h e i r b a t s ' w i n g s , f l u t t e r e d i n t o t h e s m o k e - f i l l e d sky,
and disappeared.
I j o i n e d G r o v e r a n d A n n a b e t h , w h o were s t a r i n g a t m e
in amazement.
" P e r c y . . ." G r o v e r said. " T h a t was so i n c r e d i b l y . . ."
"Terrifying," s a i d A n n a b e t h .
"Cool!" Grover corrected.
I d i d n ' t feel terrified. I certainly d i d n ' t feel c o o l . I was
t i r e d a n d sore a n d c o m p l e t e l y d r a i n e d o f energy.
" D i d y o u guys feel t h a t . . . w h a t e v e r it was?" I asked.
T h e y b o t h n o d d e d uneasily.
" M u s t ' v e b e e n t h e F u r i e s overhead," G r o v e r said.
B u t I wasn't s o sure. S o m e t h i n g h a d s t o p p e d Ares f r o m
k i l l i n g m e , a n d w h a t e v e r c o u l d d o t h a t was a l o t s t r o n g e r
than the Furies.
I looked at Annabeth, a n d an understanding passed
b e t w e e n u s . I k n e w n o w w h a t was i n t h a t pit, w h a t h a d s p o ken from the entrance of Tartarus.
I
reclaimed
my
backpack
from
Grover
and
looked
i n s i d e . T h e m a s t e r b o l t was still t h e r e . S u c h a s m a l l t h i n g t o
a l m o s t cause W o r l d W a r I I I .
" W e have t o
get b a c k t o N e w York," I said.
"By
tonight."
" T h a t ' s i m p o s s i b l e , " A n n a b e t h said, " u n l e s s w e — "
"Fly," I agreed.
S h e s t a r e d a t m e . "Fly, like, i n a n a i r p l a n e , w h i c h y o u
[332]
were w a r n e d never t o d o lest Z e u s strike y o u o u t o f t h e sky,
and c a r r y i n g a w e a p o n t h a t has m o r e d e s t r u c t i v e p o w e r t h a n
a nuclear b o m b ? "
"Yeah," I said. " P r e t t y m u c h exactly like t h a t . C o m e on."
[333]
I t ' s f u n n y h o w h u m a n s can w r a p t h e i r m i n d a r o u n d t h i n g s
a n d f i t t h e m i n t o t h e i r v e r s i o n o f reality. C h i r o n h a d t o l d
m e t h a t l o n g ago. A s usual, I d i d n ' t a p p r e c i a t e h i s w i s d o m
u n t i l m u c h later.
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e L.A. n e w s , t h e e x p l o s i o n a t t h e S a n t a
M o n i c a beach h a d been caused w h e n a crazy k i d n a p p e r
fired a s h o t g u n at a p o l i c e car. He a c c i d e n t a l l y h i t a gas
main that had ruptured during the earthquake.
T h i s c r a z y k i d n a p p e r (a.k.a. A r e s ) was t h e s a m e m a n
w h o had abducted me and two other adolescents in N e w
Y o r k a n d b r o u g h t u s across c o u n t r y o n a t e n - d a y odyssey o f
terror.
P o o r little Percy J a c k s o n wasn't a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l c r i m i n a l after all. H e ' d c a u s e d a c o m m o t i o n o n t h a t G r e y h o u n d
b u s i n N e w Jersey t r y i n g t o get away f r o m his c a p t o r ( a n d
afterward, w i t n e s s e s w o u l d even swear t h e y h a d seen t h e
leather-clad m a n o n the b u s — " W h y
didn't
I remember him
b e f o r e ? " ) . T h e crazy m a n h a d c a u s e d t h e e x p l o s i o n i n t h e
St. L o u i s A r c h . A f t e r all, n o k i d could've d o n e t h a t . A c o n c e r n e d waitress i n D e n v e r h a d seen t h e m a n t h r e a t e n i n g h i s
a b d u c t e e s o u t s i d e h e r diner, g o t t e n a f r i e n d to t a k e a p h o t o ,
a n d n o t i f i e d t h e p o l i c e . Finally, brave Percy J a c k s o n ( I was
[334]
b e g i n n i n g t o like this k i d ) h a d s t o l e n a g u n f r o m h i s c a p t o r
i n L o s Angeles a n d b a t t l e d h i m s h o t g u n - t o - r i f l e o n t h e
b e a c h . P o l i c e h a d arrived just i n t i m e . B u t i n t h e s p e c t a c u lar e x p l o s i o n , f i v e p o l i c e cars h a d b e e n d e s t r o y e d a n d t h e
c a p t o r h a d f l e d . N o fatalities h a d o c c u r r e d . P e r c y J a c k s o n
a n d his t w o friends were safely i n p o l i c e c u s t o d y .
T h e r e p o r t e r s fed u s t h i s w h o l e story. W e j u s t n o d d e d
a n d a c t e d tearful a n d e x h a u s t e d ( w h i c h wasn't h a r d ) , a n d
p l a y e d v i c t i m i z e d k i d s for t h e c a m e r a s .
"All I want," I said, c h o k i n g b a c k my tears, "is to see my
loving s t e p f a t h e r again. E v e r y t i m e I saw h i m o n T V , calling
me a d e l i n q u e n t p u n k , I k n e w . . . s o m e h o w . . . we w o u l d
b e okay. A n d I k n o w he'll w a n t t o r e w a r d each a n d every
p e r s o n i n t h i s b e a u t i f u l city o f L o s Angeles w i t h a free
m a j o r a p p l i a n c e f r o m his s t o r e . H e r e ' s t h e p h o n e n u m b e r . "
T h e p o l i c e a n d r e p o r t e r s were s o m o v e d t h a t t h e y p a s s e d
a r o u n d t h e h a t a n d r a i s e d m o n e y for t h r e e tickets o n t h e
next plane t o N e w York.
I k n e w t h e r e was n o c h o i c e b u t t o f l y . I h o p e d Z e u s
w o u l d c u t m e s o m e slack, c o n s i d e r i n g t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
B u t i t was still h a r d t o force m y s e l f o n b o a r d t h e f l i g h t .
T a k e o f f was a n i g h t m a r e . E v e r y s p o t o f t u r b u l e n c e was
scarier t h a n a G r e e k m o n s t e r . I d i d n ' t u n c l e n c h my h a n d s
f r o m t h e a r m r e s t s u n t i l w e t o u c h e d d o w n safely a t L a
G u a r d i a . T h e local press was w a i t i n g for u s o u t s i d e security,
b u t w e m a n a g e d t o evade t h e m t h a n k s t o A n n a b e t h , w h o
l u r e d t h e m away i n h e r invisible Yankees cap, s h o u t i n g ,
" T h e y ' r e over b y t h e f r o z e n y o g u r t ! C o m e on!," t h e n r e j o i n e d u s a t b a g g a g e claim.
[335]
W e s p l i t u p a t t h e taxi s t a n d . I t o l d A n n a b e t h a n d
G r o v e r t o get b a c k t o H a l f - B l o o d H i l l a n d let C h i r o n k n o w
w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . T h e y p r o t e s t e d , a n d i t was h a r d t o let
t h e m g o after all w e d b e e n t h r o u g h , b u t I k n e w I h a d t o d o
t h i s last p a r t o f t h e q u e s t b y myself. I f t h i n g s w e n t w r o n g ,
i f t h e g o d s d i d n ' t believe m e . . . I w a n t e d A n n a b e t h a n d
G r o v e r t o survive t o tell C h i r o n t h e t r u t h .
I h o p p e d in a taxi a n d h e a d e d i n t o M a n h a t t a n .
T h i r t y m i n u t e s later, I w a l k e d i n t o t h e l o b b y o f t h e E m p i r e
State Building.
I m u s t have l o o k e d like a h o m e l e s s k i d , w i t h my t a t t e r e d
c l o t h e s a n d my s c r a p e d - u p face. I h a d n ' t s l e p t in at least
twenty-four hours.
I w e n t u p t o t h e g u a r d a t t h e f r o n t d e s k a n d said, " S i x
hundredth floor."
He was r e a d i n g a h u g e b o o k w i t h a p i c t u r e of a w i z a r d
o n t h e f r o n t . I wasn't m u c h i n t o fantasy, b u t t h e b o o k
must've been good, because the guard t o o k a while to l o o k
up. " N o such f l o o r , kiddo."
"I need an audience with Zeus."
H e gave m e a v a c a n t smile. " S o r r y ? "
"You heard me."
I was a b o u t to d e c i d e t h i s g u y was just a r e g u l a r m o r t a l ,
a n d I'd b e t t e r r u n for i t b e f o r e h e called t h e straitjacket
patrol,
when
he
said,
"No
appointment,
no
audience,
k i d d o . L o r d Z e u s d o e s n ' t see a n y o n e u n a n n o u n c e d . "
" O h , I t h i n k he'll m a k e a n exception." I s l i p p e d o f f m y
backpack and unzipped the top.
[336]
T h e g u a r d l o o k e d inside a t t h e m e t a l cylinder, n o t gett i n g w h a t it was for a few s e c o n d s . T h e n his face w e n t p a l e .
" T h a t isn't . . ."
"Yes, it is," I p r o m i s e d . " Y o u w a n t me take it o u t a n d — "
" N o ! N o ! " H e s c r a m b l e d o u t o f his seat,
fumbled
a r o u n d his d e s k for a key card, t h e n h a n d e d i t t o m e . " I n s e r t
t h i s i n t h e s e c u r i t y slot. M a k e s u r e n o b o d y else i s i n t h e elev a t o r w i t h you."
I d i d a s h e t o l d m e . A s s o o n a s t h e elevator d o o r s closed,
I s l i p p e d t h e key i n t o t h e slot. T h e c a r d d i s a p p e a r e d a n d a
new b u t t o n appeared on the console, a red one that said
600.
I p r e s s e d it a n d w a i t e d , a n d w a i t e d .
M u z a k played. " R a i n d r o p s k e e p falling on my h e a d . . . ."
Finally, ding. T h e d o o r s slid o p e n . I s t e p p e d o u t a n d
a l m o s t h a d a h e a r t attack.
I was s t a n d i n g on a n a r r o w s t o n e w a l k w a y in t h e m i d dle o f t h e air. Below m e was M a n h a t t a n , f r o m t h e h e i g h t o f
an airplane. In front of me, white marble steps w o u n d up
t h e s p i n e o f a c l o u d , i n t o t h e sky. M y eyes followed t h e
stairway t o its e n d , w h e r e m y b r a i n j u s t c o u l d n o t a c c e p t
w h a t I saw.
L o o k again, m y b r a i n said.
W e ' r e l o o k i n g , m y eyes i n s i s t e d . It's really t h e r e .
F r o m the t o p of the clouds rose the decapitated peak of
a m o u n t a i n , its s u m m i t covered w i t h snow. C l i n g i n g t o t h e
m o u n t a i n s i d e were d o z e n s o f m u l t i l e v e l e d p a l a c e s — a city
of m a n s i o n s — a l l with white-columned porticos, gilded
t e r r a c e s , a n d b r o n z e b r a z i e r s g l o w i n g w i t h a t h o u s a n d fires.
[337]
R o a d s w o u n d crazily u p t o t h e p e a k , w h e r e t h e largest
palace g l e a m e d a g a i n s t t h e snow. P r e c a r i o u s l y p e r c h e d gard e n s b l o o m e d w i t h olive trees a n d r o s e b u s h e s . I c o u l d m a k e
o u t an open-air market filled with colorful tents, a stone
a m p h i t h e a t e r b u i l t o n o n e side o f t h e m o u n t a i n , a h i p p o d r o m e a n d a c o l i s e u m o n t h e o t h e r . I t was a n A n c i e n t G r e e k
city, except it wasn't in r u i n s . It was new, a n d clean, a n d c o l orful, t h e way A t h e n s m u s t ' v e l o o k e d twenty-five h u n d r e d
years ago.
T h i s p l a c e can't b e h e r e , I t o l d myself. T h e t i p o f a
m o u n t a i n h a n g i n g over N e w Y o r k C i t y like a b i l l i o n - t o n
asteroid? H o w c o u l d s o m e t h i n g like t h a t b e a n c h o r e d above
the E m p i r e State Building, in plain sight of millions of
people, a n d n o t get noticed?
B u t h e r e it was. A n d h e r e I was.
M y t r i p t h r o u g h O l y m p u s was a d a z e . I p a s s e d s o m e
giggling w o o d n y m p h s w h o t h r e w olives a t m e f r o m t h e i r
g a r d e n . H a w k e r s i n t h e m a r k e t offered t o sell m e a m b r o s i a o n - a - s t i c k , a n d a n e w shield, a n d a g e n u i n e glitter-weave
r e p l i c a o f t h e G o l d e n Fleece, a s seen o n H e p h a e s t u s - T V
T h e n i n e m u s e s were t u n i n g t h e i r i n s t r u m e n t s for a c o n c e r t
in the p a r k while a small crowd gathered—satyrs and naiads
a n d a b u n c h o f g o o d - l o o k i n g teenagers w h o m i g h t ' v e b e e n
m i n o r gods and goddesses. N o b o d y seemed worried about
an i m p e n d i n g civil war. In fact, e v e r y b o d y s e e m e d in a festive m o o d . Several o f t h e m t u r n e d t o w a t c h m e p a s s , a n d
whispered to themselves.
I c l i m b e d t h e m a i n r o a d , t o w a r d t h e b i g palace a t t h e
p e a k . I t was a reverse c o p y o f t h e p a l a c e i n t h e U n d e r w o r l d .
[338]
T h e r e , e v e r y t h i n g h a d b e e n b l a c k a n d b r o n z e . H e r e , everyt h i n g g l i t t e r e d w h i t e a n d silver.
I r e a l i z e d H a d e s m u s t ' v e b u i l t his palace t o r e s e m b l e t h i s
o n e . H e wasn't w e l c o m e d i n O l y m p u s except o n t h e w i n t e r
solstice,
so
he'd
b u i l t his
own
Olympus
underground.
D e s p i t e my b a d experience w i t h h i m , I felt a little s o r r y for
t h e guy. T o b e b a n i s h e d f r o m t h i s p l a c e s e e m e d really unfair.
It w o u l d make anybody bitter.
Steps led up to a central courtyard. Past that, the throne
room.
Room really isn't t h e r i g h t w o r d . T h e p l a c e m a d e G r a n d
C e n t r a l S t a t i o n l o o k like a b r o o m closet. M a s s i v e c o l u m n s
r o s e t o a d o m e d ceiling, w h i c h was g i l d e d w i t h m o v i n g c o n stellations.
Twelve t h r o n e s , b u i l t for b e i n g s t h e size o f H a d e s , were
a r r a n g e d i n a n i n v e r t e d U , j u s t like t h e c a b i n s a t C a m p
Half-Blood.
An
enormous
fire
crackled
in
the
central
h e a r t h pit. T h e t h r o n e s were e m p t y except for t w o a t t h e
e n d : t h e h e a d t h r o n e o n t h e r i g h t , a n d t h e o n e t o its i m m e d i a t e left. I d i d n ' t have t o b e t o l d w h o t h e t w o g o d s were
t h a t were s i t t i n g t h e r e , w a i t i n g for m e t o a p p r o a c h . I c a m e
t o w a r d t h e m , m y legs t r e m b l i n g .
T h e g o d s were i n g i a n t h u m a n f o r m , a s H a d e s h a d
b e e n , b u t I c o u l d barely l o o k at t h e m w i t h o u t feeling a
tingle, a s i f m y b o d y were s t a r t i n g t o b u r n . Z e u s , t h e L o r d
o f t h e G o d s , w o r e a d a r k b l u e p i n s t r i p e d suit. H e sat o n
a simple throne of solid platinum. He h a d a well-trimmed
b e a r d , m a r b l e d gray a n d b l a c k like a s t o r m c l o u d . H i s
face was p r o u d a n d h a n d s o m e a n d g r i m , h i s eyes r a i n y gray.
[339]
A s I g o t n e a r e r t o h i m , t h e air c r a c k l e d a n d s m e l l e d o f
ozone.
T h e g o d s i t t i n g n e x t t o h i m was h i s b r o t h e r , w i t h o u t a
d o u b t , b u t h e was d r e s s e d very differently. H e r e m i n d e d m e
o f a b e a c h c o m b e r f r o m Key W e s t . H e w o r e l e a t h e r s a n d a l s ,
khaki Bermuda shorts, and a T o m m y Bahama shirt with
c o c o n u t s a n d p a r r o t s all over it. H i s s k i n was d e e p l y t a n n e d ,
his h a n d s s c a r r e d like a n o l d - t i m e f i s h e r m a n ' s . H i s h a i r was
black, like m i n e . H i s face h a d t h a t s a m e b r o o d i n g l o o k t h a t
h a d always g o t t e n m e b r a n d e d a rebel. B u t h i s eyes, seag r e e n like m i n e , were s u r r o u n d e d b y s u n - c r i n k l e s t h a t t o l d
m e h e s m i l e d a lot, t o o .
H i s t h r o n e was a d e e p - s e a fisherman's chair. It was t h e
s i m p l e swiveling k i n d , w i t h a black l e a t h e r seat a n d a b u i l t in h o l s t e r for a fishing p o l e . I n s t e a d of a p o l e , t h e h o l s t e r
h e l d a b r o n z e t r i d e n t , flickering w i t h g r e e n l i g h t a r o u n d t h e
tips.
T h e g o d s weren't m o v i n g o r s p e a k i n g , b u t t h e r e was t e n s i o n in t h e air, as if they'd j u s t finished an a r g u m e n t .
I a p p r o a c h e d t h e f i s h e r m a n ' s t h r o n e a n d k n e l t a t his
feet. " F a t h e r . " I d a r e d n o t l o o k u p . M y h e a r t was r a c i n g . I
c o u l d feel t h e e n e r g y e m a n a t i n g f r o m t h e t w o g o d s . I f I said
the w r o n g thing, I h a d no d o u b t they could blast me i n t o
dust.
T o m y left, Z e u s s p o k e . " S h o u l d y o u n o t a d d r e s s t h e
master of this house first, boy?"
I kept my head down, a n d waited.
"Peace, b r o t h e r , " P o s e i d o n f i n a l l y said. H i s voice s t i r r e d
my o l d e s t m e m o r i e s : t h a t w a r m glow I r e m e m b e r e d as a
[340]
baby, t h e s e n s a t i o n o f t h i s god's h a n d o n m y f o r e h e a d .
" T h e b o y defers t o h i s father. T h i s i s o n l y right."
" Y o u still claim h i m t h e n ? " Z e u s asked, m e n a c i n g l y .
" Y o u claim t h i s child w h o m y o u sired a g a i n s t o u r sacred
oath?"
"I
have
admitted
my
wrongdoing,"
Poseidon
said.
" N o w I w o u l d h e a r h i m speak."
Wrongdoing.
A l u m p w e l l e d up in my t h r o a t . W a s t h a t all I was? A
wrongdoing? T h e result of a god's mistake?
"I
have
spared h i m
once
already,"
Zeus
grumbled.
" D a r i n g to fly t h r o u g h my d o m a i n . . . p a h ! I s h o u l d have
b l a s t e d h i m o u t o f t h e sky for h i s i m p u d e n c e . "
" A n d risk d e s t r o y i n g y o u r o w n m a s t e r b o l t ? " P o s e i d o n
a s k e d calmly. " L e t u s h e a r h i m o u t , b r o t h e r . "
Z e u s g r u m b l e d s o m e m o r e . " I shall listen," h e d e c i d e d .
" T h e n I shall m a k e u p m y m i n d w h e t h e r o r n o t t o cast t h i s
boy down from Olympus."
"Perseus," P o s e i d o n said. " L o o k a t m e . "
I d i d , a n d I wasn't sure w h a t I saw in h i s face. T h e r e was
n o clear sign o f love o r a p p r o v a l . N o t h i n g t o e n c o u r a g e m e .
I t was like l o o k i n g a t t h e o c e a n : s o m e days, y o u c o u l d tell
w h a t m o o d i t was in. M o s t days, t h o u g h , i t was u n r e a d a b l e ,
mysterious.
I g o t t h e feeling P o s e i d o n really d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t o
t h i n k o f m e . H e d i d n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r h e was h a p p y t o have
me as a s o n or n o t . In a s t r a n g e way, I was g l a d t h a t
P o s e i d o n was s o d i s t a n t . I f he'd t r i e d t o a p o l o g i z e , o r t o l d
me he loved m e , or even s m i l e d , it w o u l d ' v e felt fake. L i k e a
[341]
h u m a n d a d , m a k i n g s o m e l a m e excuse for n o t b e i n g a r o u n d .
I c o u l d live w i t h t h a t . A f t e r all, I wasn't sure a b o u t h i m yet,
either.
' A d d r e s s L o r d Z e u s , boy," P o s e i d o n t o l d m e . " T e l l h i m
y o u r story."
So I t o l d Z e u s e v e r y t h i n g , just as it h a d h a p p e n e d . I
t o o k o u t t h e m e t a l cylinder, w h i c h b e g a n s p a r k i n g i n t h e
S k y G o d ' s p r e s e n c e , a n d l a i d i t a t his feet.
T h e r e was a l o n g silence, b r o k e n o n l y b y t h e crackle o f
t h e h e a r t h fire.
Z e u s o p e n e d h i s p a l m . T h e l i g h t n i n g b o l t flew i n t o it.
A s h e c l o s e d his fist, t h e m e t a l l i c p o i n t s flared w i t h electricity, u n t i l h e was h o l d i n g w h a t l o o k e d m o r e like t h e classic t h u n d e r b o l t , a t w e n t y - f o o t javelin of arcing, h i s s i n g
e n e r g y t h a t m a d e t h e hairs o n m y s c a l p rise.
" I sense t h e b o y tells t h e t r u t h , " Z e u s m u t t e r e d . " B u t
t h a t Ares would do such a thing . . . it is m o s t unlike him."
" H e i s p r o u d a n d impulsive," P o s e i d o n said. " I t r u n s i n
t h e family."
" L o r d ? " I asked.
T h e y b o t h said, "Yes?"
"Ares d i d n ' t act a l o n e . S o m e o n e e l s e — s o m e t h i n g e l s e —
c a m e u p w i t h t h e idea."
I d e s c r i b e d m y d r e a m s , a n d t h e feeling I'd h a d o n
t h e b e a c h , t h a t m o m e n t a r y b r e a t h o f evil t h a t h a d s e e m e d
t o s t o p t h e w o r l d , a n d m a d e A r e s b a c k o f f f r o m killing me.
" I n t h e d r e a m s , " I said, " t h e voice t o l d m e t o b r i n g t h e
b o l t t o t h e U n d e r w o r l d . A r e s h i n t e d t h a t he'd b e e n h a v i n g
[342]
d r e a m s , t o o . I t h i n k he was b e i n g u s e d , j u s t as I was, to s t a r t
a war."
" Y o u are a c c u s i n g H a d e s , after all?" Z e u s asked.
" N o , " I said. " I m e a n , L o r d Z e u s , I've b e e n i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f H a d e s . T h i s feeling o n t h e b e a c h was different. I t
was t h e s a m e t h i n g I felt w h e n I g o t close to t h a t p i t .
T h a t was t h e e n t r a n c e t o T a r t a r u s , wasn't it? S o m e t h i n g
p o w e r f u l a n d evil is s t i r r i n g d o w n t h e r e . . . s o m e t h i n g even
older t h a n the gods."
P o s e i d o n a n d Z e u s l o o k e d a t each o t h e r . T h e y h a d a
quick, intense discussion in Ancient Greek. I only caught
o n e w o r d . Father.
Poseidon m a d e some kind of suggestion, b u t Z e u s
c u t h i m off. P o s e i d o n t r i e d t o argue. Z e u s h e l d u p his
h a n d angrily. " W e will s p e a k o f t h i s n o m o r e , " Z e u s said.
" I m u s t g o p e r s o n a l l y t o p u r i f y this t h u n d e r b o l t i n t h e
waters o f L e m n o s , t o r e m o v e t h e h u m a n t a i n t f r o m its
metal."
He rose a n d looked at me. H i s expression softened just
a f r a c t i o n of a d e g r e e . " Y o u have d o n e me a service, boy.
F e w h e r o e s c o u l d have a c c o m p l i s h e d a s m u c h . "
"I h a d help,
sir," I said.
"Grover U n d e r w o o d and
Annabeth Chase—"
" T o s h o w y o u my t h a n k s , I shall s p a r e y o u r life. I do n o t
t r u s t y o u , P e r s e u s J a c k s o n . I d o n o t like w h a t y o u r arrival
m e a n s for t h e f u t u r e o f O l y m p u s . B u t for t h e sake o f p e a c e
in t h e family, I shall let y o u live."
" U m . . . t h a n k y o u , sir."
" D o n o t p r e s u m e t o fly again. D o n o t let m e find y o u
[343]
h e r e w h e n I r e t u r n . O t h e r w i s e y o u shall taste t h i s b o l t . A n d
it shall be y o u r last s e n s a t i o n . "
T h u n d e r s h o o k the palace. W i t h a blinding flash of
l i g h t n i n g , Z e u s was g o n e .
I was a l o n e i n t h e t h r o n e r o o m w i t h m y father.
" Y o u r uncle," P o s e i d o n sighed, " h a s always h a d a flair
for d r a m a t i c exits. I t h i n k h e w o u l d ' v e d o n e well a s t h e g o d
o f theater."
A n u n c o m f o r t a b l e silence.
"Sir," I said, " w h a t was in t h a t p i t ? "
Poseidon regarded me. " H a v e you n o t guessed?"
" K r o n o s , " I said. " T h e k i n g o f t h e T i t a n s . "
E v e n i n t h e t h r o n e r o o m o f O l y m p u s , far away f r o m
T a r t a r u s , t h e n a m e Kronos d a r k e n e d t h e r o o m , m a d e t h e
h e a r t h fire seem n o t quite so w a r m on my back.
P o s e i d o n g r i p p e d his t r i d e n t . " I n t h e F i r s t W a r , Percy,
Z e u s c u t o u r father K r o n o s i n t o a t h o u s a n d pieces, j u s t a s
K r o n o s h a d d o n e t o his o w n father, O u r a n o s . Z e u s cast
Kronos's remains into the darkest pit of Tartarus. T h e T i t a n
army
was
scattered,
their
mountain
fortress
on
Etna
d e s t r o y e d , t h e i r m o n s t r o u s allies driven t o t h e f a r t h e s t c o r n e r s o f t h e e a r t h . A n d yet T i t a n s c a n n o t die, any m o r e t h a n
we g o d s can. W h a t e v e r is left of K r o n o s is still alive in s o m e
h i d e o u s way, still c o n s c i o u s in his e t e r n a l p a i n , still h u n g e r i n g for power."
" H e ' s healing," I said. " H e ' s c o m i n g back."
P o s e i d o n s h o o k his h e a d . " F r o m t i m e t o t i m e , over t h e
e o n s , K r o n o s h a s s t i r r e d . H e e n t e r s men's n i g h t m a r e s a n d
b r e a t h e s evil t h o u g h t s . H e w a k e n s restless m o n s t e r s f r o m
[344]
t h e d e p t h s . B u t t o suggest h e c o u l d rise f r o m t h e p i t i s
a n o t h e r thing."
" T h a t ' s w h a t h e i n t e n d s , F a t h e r . T h a t ' s w h a t h e said."
P o s e i d o n was silent for a l o n g t i m e .
" L o r d Z e u s h a s c l o s e d d i s c u s s i o n o n this m a t t e r . H e
will n o t allow t a l k o f K r o n o s . Y o u have c o m p l e t e d y o u r
q u e s t , child. T h a t i s all y o u n e e d t o do."
" B u t — " I s t o p p e d myself. A r g u i n g w o u l d d o n o g o o d .
I t w o u l d very p o s s i b l y a n g e r t h e o n l y g o d w h o I h a d o n m y
side. "As . . . a s y o u w i s h , Father."
A faint s m i l e p l a y e d o n his l i p s . " O b e d i e n c e d o e s n o t
c o m e n a t u r a l l y t o you, d o e s it?"
" N o . . . sir."
" I m u s t take s o m e b l a m e for t h a t , I s u p p o s e . T h e sea d o e s
n o t like t o b e restrained." H e rose t o his full h e i g h t a n d t o o k
u p his t r i d e n t . T h e n h e s h i m m e r e d a n d b e c a m e t h e size o f a
regular m a n , s t a n d i n g directly i n f r o n t o f m e . " Y o u m u s t go,
child. B u t first, k n o w t h a t y o u r m o t h e r has returned."
I stared at him, completely stunned. " M y mother?"
" Y o u will find h e r a t h o m e . H a d e s s e n t h e r w h e n y o u
recovered his h e l m . E v e n t h e L o r d o f D e a t h pays h i s d e b t s . "
M y h e a r t was p o u n d i n g . I c o u l d n ' t believe it. " D o y o u
. . . w o u l d y o u . . ."
I w a n t e d t o ask i f P o s e i d o n w o u l d c o m e w i t h m e t o see
her, b u t t h e n I realized t h a t was r i d i c u l o u s . I i m a g i n e d l o a d ing t h e G o d o f t h e Sea i n t o a taxi a n d t a k i n g h i m t o t h e
U p p e r E a s t S i d e . I f he'd w a n t e d t o see m y m o m all t h e s e
years, h e w o u l d have. A n d t h e r e was S m e l l y G a b e t o t h i n k
about.
[345]
P o s e i d o n ' s eyes t o o k o n a little s a d n e s s . " W h e n y o u
r e t u r n h o m e , Percy, y o u m u s t m a k e a n i m p o r t a n t c h o i c e .
Y o u will find a p a c k a g e w a i t i n g in y o u r r o o m . "
"A p a c k a g e ? "
" Y o u will u n d e r s t a n d w h e n y o u see it. N o o n e can
c h o o s e y o u r p a t h , Percy. Y o u m u s t decide."
I n o d d e d , t h o u g h I didn't k n o w what he meant.
" Y o u r m o t h e r i s a q u e e n a m o n g w o m e n , " P o s e i d o n said
wistfully. " I h a d n o t m e t s u c h a m o r t a l w o m a n i n a t h o u s a n d years. Still . . . I a m s o r r y y o u were b o r n , child. I have
b r o u g h t y o u a hero's fate, a n d a hero's fate is never h a p p y . It
is never a n y t h i n g b u t tragic."
I t r i e d n o t t o feel h u r t . H e r e was m y o w n d a d , telling
m e h e was s o r r y I'd b e e n b o r n . " I d o n ' t m i n d , Father."
" N o t yet, p e r h a p s , " h e said. " N o t yet. B u t i t was a n
unforgivable m i s t a k e o n m y p a r t . "
"I'll leave y o u then." I b o w e d awkwardly. " I — I w o n ' t
b o t h e r y o u again."
I was five s t e p s away w h e n he called, "Perseus."
I turned.
T h e r e was a different l i g h t in h i s eyes, a fiery k i n d of
p r i d e . " Y o u d i d well, P e r s e u s . D o n o t m i s u n d e r s t a n d m e .
W h a t e v e r else y o u d o , k n o w t h a t y o u are m i n e . Y o u are a
t r u e s o n o f t h e Sea G o d . "
A s I w a l k e d b a c k t h r o u g h t h e city o f t h e g o d s , conversations stopped. T h e muses paused their concert. People
a n d satyrs a n d n a i a d s all t u r n e d t o w a r d m e , t h e i r faces f i l l e d
w i t h r e s p e c t a n d g r a t i t u d e , a n d as I p a s s e d , t h e y k n e l t , as if
I were s o m e k i n d o f h e r o .
[346]
Fifteen m i n u t e s later, still in a t r a n c e , I was b a c k on t h e
streets o f M a n h a t t a n .
I c a u g h t a taxi t o m y m o m ' s a p a r t m e n t , r a n g t h e d o o r bell, a n d t h e r e s h e w a s — m y b e a u t i f u l m o t h e r , s m e l l i n g o f
p e p p e r m i n t a n d licorice, t h e weariness a n d w o r r y e v a p o r a t ing f r o m h e r face as s o o n as she saw m e .
"Percy! O h , t h a n k g o o d n e s s . O h , m y baby."
S h e c r u s h e d t h e air r i g h t o u t o f m e . W e s t o o d i n t h e
hallway a s s h e cried a n d r a n h e r h a n d s t h r o u g h m y hair.
I'll a d m i t i t — m y eyes were a little misty, t o o . I was
s h a k i n g , I was so relieved to see her.
S h e t o l d m e she'd just a p p e a r e d a t t h e a p a r t m e n t t h a t
m o r n i n g , scaring G a b e half o u t of his wits. She didn't
r e m e m b e r a n y t h i n g since t h e M i n o t a u r , a n d c o u l d n ' t believe
it w h e n G a b e t o l d h e r I was a w a n t e d c r i m i n a l , traveling
across t h e c o u n t r y , b l o w i n g u p n a t i o n a l m o n u m e n t s . She'd
b e e n g o i n g o u t o f h e r m i n d w i t h w o r r y all d a y b e c a u s e s h e
h a d n ' t h e a r d t h e n e w s . G a b e h a d forced h e r t o g o i n t o w o r k ,
saying she h a d a m o n t h ' s salary t o m a k e u p a n d she'd b e t t e r
get s t a r t e d .
I swallowed b a c k m y anger a n d t o l d h e r m y o w n story. I
t r i e d t o m a k e i t s o u n d less scary t h a n i t h a d b e e n , b u t t h a t
wasn't easy. I was j u s t g e t t i n g to t h e fight w i t h A r e s w h e n
G a b e ' s voice i n t e r r u p t e d f r o m t h e living r o o m . " H e y , Sally!
T h a t m e a t l o a f d o n e yet o r w h a t ? "
S h e c l o s e d h e r eyes. " H e isn't g o i n g t o b e h a p p y t o see
you, Percy. T h e s t o r e g o t h a l f a m i l l i o n p h o n e calls t o d a y
f r o m L o s A n g e l e s . . . s o m e t h i n g a b o u t free a p p l i a n c e s . "
[347]
" O h , yeah. A b o u t t h a t . . ."
She managed
a weak
smile.
"Just
don't make h i m
angrier, all right? C o m e on."
I n t h e m o n t h I'd b e e n g o n e , t h e a p a r t m e n t h a d t u r n e d
i n t o G a b e l a n d . G a r b a g e was a n k l e d e e p o n t h e c a r p e t . T h e
sofa h a d b e e n r e u p h o l s t e r e d i n b e e r cans. D i r t y s o c k s a n d
underwear hung off the lampshades.
G a b e a n d t h r e e o f his b i g g o o n y friends were p l a y i n g
poker at the table.
W h e n G a b e saw m e , his cigar d r o p p e d o u t o f h i s
m o u t h . H i s face g o t r e d d e r t h a n lava. " Y o u g o t nerve c o m i n g here, y o u little p u n k . I t h o u g h t t h e p o l i c e — "
" H e ' s n o t a fugitive after all," m y m o m i n t e r j e c t e d . "Isn't
that wonderful, Gabe?"
G a b e looked back and forth between us. He didn't seem
t o t h i n k m y h o m e c o m i n g was s o w o n d e r f u l .
" B a d e n o u g h I h a d to give b a c k y o u r life i n s u r a n c e
m o n e y , Sally," h e g r o w l e d . " G e t m e t h e p h o n e . I'll call t h e
cops."
"Gabe, no!"
H e r a i s e d h i s eyebrows. " D i d y o u just say ' n o ' ? Y o u
t h i n k I ' m g o n n a p u t u p w i t h this p u n k again? I c a n still
press charges against h i m for r u i n i n g m y C a m a r o . "
"But—"
H e raised his h a n d , a n d m y m o t h e r f l i n c h e d .
F o r t h e first t i m e , I realized s o m e t h i n g . G a b e h a d h i t m y
m o t h e r . I d i d n ' t k n o w w h e n , o r h o w m u c h . B u t I was sure
he'd d o n e it. M a y b e i t h a d b e e n g o i n g o n for years, w h e n I
wasn't a r o u n d .
[348]
A b a l l o o n of a n g e r s t a r t e d e x p a n d i n g in my chest. I
c a m e t o w a r d G a b e , instinctively t a k i n g m y p e n o u t o f m y
pocket.
H e just l a u g h e d . " W h a t , p u n k ? Y o u g o n n a w r i t e o n me?
Y o u t o u c h m e , a n d y o u are g o i n g t o jail forever, y o u u n d e r stand?"
" H e y , G a b e , " his f r i e n d E d d i e i n t e r r u p t e d . " H e ' s j u s t
a kid."
G a b e l o o k e d a t h i m resentfully a n d m i m i c k e d i n a
falsetto voice: "Just a kid."
H i s o t h e r friends l a u g h e d like i d i o t s .
"I'll b e nice t o you, p u n k . " G a b e s h o w e d m e his t o b a c c o s t a i n e d t e e t h . "I'll give y o u five m i n u t e s t o get y o u r s t u f f
a n d clear o u t . A f t e r t h a t , I call t h e police."
"Gabe!" my m o t h e r pleaded.
" H e r a n away," G a b e t o l d her. " L e t h i m stay gone."
I was i t c h i n g to u n c a p R i p t i d e , b u t even if I d i d , t h e
b l a d e w o u l d n ' t h u r t h u m a n s . A n d G a b e , b y t h e l o o s e s t defi n i t i o n , was h u m a n .
My mother took my arm.
"Please, Percy. C o m e o n .
We'll go to your room."
I let h e r p u l l me away, my h a n d s still t r e m b l i n g w i t h
rage.
M y r o o m h a d b e e n c o m p l e t e l y filled w i t h G a b e ' s j u n k .
T h e r e were stacks o f u s e d car b a t t e r i e s , a r o t t i n g b o u q u e t
o f s y m p a t h y flowers w i t h a card f r o m s o m e b o d y w h o ' d seen
h i s B a r b a r a W a l t e r s interview.
" G a b e i s j u s t u p s e t , honey," m y m o t h e r t o l d m e . " I ' l l
t a l k t o h i m later. I ' m sure i t will w o r k out."
[349]
" M o m , it'll never w o r k o u t . N o t a s l o n g a s G a b e ' s here."
S h e w r u n g h e r h a n d s nervously. "I can . . . I'll t a k e y o u
t o w o r k w i t h m e for t h e rest o f t h e s u m m e r . I n t h e fall,
m a y b e there's a n o t h e r b o a r d i n g s c h o o l — "
"Mom."
S h e l o w e r e d h e r eyes. " I ' m t r y i n g , Percy. I j u s t . . . I n e e d
s o m e time."
A p a c k a g e a p p e a r e d on my b e d . At least, I could've
sworn it hadn't been there a m o m e n t before.
I t was a b a t t e r e d c a r d b o a r d b o x a b o u t t h e r i g h t size t o
fit a b a s k e t b a l l . T h e a d d r e s s o n t h e m a i l i n g slip was i n m y
own handwriting:
O v e r t h e t o p i n black m a r k e r , i n a man's clear, b o l d
p r i n t , was t h e a d d r e s s o f o u r a p a r t m e n t , a n d t h e w o r d s :
R E T U R N T O SENDER.
Suddenly I understood what Poseidon had told me on
Olympus.
A package. A decision.
Whatever else you do, know that you are mine. You are a true son of
the Sea God.
[350]
I looked at my mother.
" M o m , do you want Gabe
gone?"
"Percy, i t isn't t h a t s i m p l e . I — "
" M o m , j u s t tell m e . T h a t jerk has b e e n h i t t i n g y o u . D o
you want him gone or not?"
S h e h e s i t a t e d , t h e n n o d d e d a l m o s t i m p e r c e p t i b l y . "Yes,
Percy. I d o . A n d I ' m t r y i n g t o get u p m y c o u r a g e t o tell h i m .
B u t y o u can't d o t h i s for m e . Y o u can't solve m y p r o b l e m s . "
I l o o k e d at t h e b o x .
I could solve h e r p r o b l e m . I w a n t e d to slice t h a t p a c k a g e
o p e n , p l o p i t o n t h e p o k e r table, a n d t a k e o u t w h a t was
inside. I c o u l d s t a r t m y very o w n s t a t u e g a r d e n , r i g h t t h e r e
i n t h e living r o o m .
T h a t ' s what a Greek hero w o u l d do in the stories, I
t h o u g h t . T h a t ' s w h a t G a b e deserves.
B u t a hero's s t o r y always e n d e d in tragedy. P o s e i d o n h a d
told me that.
I r e m e m b e r e d the U n d e r w o r l d . I t h o u g h t a b o u t Gabe's
s p i r i t d r i f t i n g forever i n t h e F i e l d s o f A s p h o d e l , o r c o n d e m n e d t o s o m e h i d e o u s t o r t u r e b e h i n d t h e b a r b e d wire o f
the Fields of P u n i s h m e n t — a n eternal poker game, sitting
u p t o h i s waist i n b o i l i n g oil l i s t e n i n g t o o p e r a m u s i c . D i d
I have t h e r i g h t t o s e n d s o m e o n e there? E v e n G a b e ?
A m o n t h ago, I w o u l d n ' t have h e s i t a t e d . N o w . . .
" I c a n d o it," I t o l d m y m o m . " O n e l o o k inside t h i s b o x ,
a n d he'll never b o t h e r y o u again."
She glanced at the package, a n d seemed to u n d e r s t a n d
i m m e d i a t e l y . " N o , Percy," she said, s t e p p i n g away. " Y o u
can't.
[351]
" P o s e i d o n called y o u a queen," I t o l d her. " H e s a i d he
h a d n ' t m e t a w o m a n like y o u in a t h o u s a n d years."
H e r cheeks f l u s h e d . " P e r c y — "
" Y o u deserve b e t t e r t h a n t h i s , M o m . Y o u s h o u l d g o t o
college, get y o u r d e g r e e . Y o u c a n w r i t e y o u r novel, m e e t a
n i c e g u y m a y b e , live i n a n i c e h o u s e . Y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o p r o t e c t m e a n y m o r e b y staying w i t h G a b e . L e t m e get r i d o f
him."
S h e w i p e d a t e a r o f f h e r cheek. " Y o u s o u n d s o m u c h
like y o u r father," s h e said. " H e offered t o s t o p t h e t i d e for
m e o n c e . H e offered t o b u i l d m e a p a l a c e a t t h e b o t t o m o f
t h e sea. H e t h o u g h t h e c o u l d solve all m y p r o b l e m s w i t h a
wave o f his h a n d . "
"What's wrong with that?"
H e r m u l t i c o l o r e d eyes s e e m e d t o search i n s i d e m e . " I
t h i n k y o u k n o w , Percy. I t h i n k you're e n o u g h like m e t o
u n d e r s t a n d . I f m y life i s g o i n g t o m e a n a n y t h i n g , I have t o
live i t myself. I can't let a g o d t a k e care o f m e . . . o r m y s o n .
I have to . . . find t h e c o u r a g e on my o w n . Y o u r q u e s t h a s
r e m i n d e d m e o f that."
W e l i s t e n e d t o t h e s o u n d o f p o k e r c h i p s a n d swearing,
E S P N f r o m t h e living r o o m television.
"I'll leave t h e box," I said. " I f he t h r e a t e n s y o u . . ."
S h e l o o k e d pale, b u t s h e n o d d e d . " W h e r e will y o u go,
Percy?"
"Half-Blood Hill."
" F o r t h e s u m m e r . . . o r forever?"
" I guess t h a t d e p e n d s . "
W e l o c k e d eyes, a n d I s e n s e d t h a t w e h a d a n a g r e e m e n t .
[352]
W e w o u l d see h o w t h i n g s s t o o d a t t h e e n d o f t h e s u m m e r .
S h e k i s s e d my f o r e h e a d . " Y o u ' l l be a h e r o , Percy. Y o u ' l l
b e t h e g r e a t e s t o f all."
I t o o k o n e last l o o k a r o u n d my b e d r o o m . I h a d a feeling I ' d never see i t again. T h e n I w a l k e d w i t h m y m o t h e r t o
the front door.
" L e a v i n g s o s o o n , p u n k ? " G a b e called after m e . " G o o d
riddance."
I h a d o n e last t w i n g e o f d o u b t . H o w c o u l d I t u r n d o w n
t h e perfect c h a n c e to t a k e revenge on h i m ? I was leaving h e r e
w i t h o u t saving m y m o t h e r .
" H e y , Sally," h e yelled.
" W h a t a b o u t t h a t m e a t loaf,
huh?"
A steely l o o k of a n g e r flared in my m o t h e r ' s eyes, a n d I
t h o u g h t , just m a y b e , I was leaving h e r in g o o d h a n d s after
all. H e r o w n .
" T h e m e a t l o a f i s c o m i n g r i g h t u p , dear," she t o l d G a b e .
" M e a t l o a f surprise."
She looked at me, and winked.
T h e last t h i n g I saw a s t h e d o o r s w u n g c l o s e d was m y
m o t h e r s t a r i n g a t G a b e , a s i f s h e were c o n t e m p l a t i n g h o w
he w o u l d l o o k as a g a r d e n s t a t u e .
[353]
W e were t h e f i r s t h e r o e s t o r e t u r n alive t o H a l f - B l o o d H i l l
since L u k e , s o o f c o u r s e e v e r y b o d y t r e a t e d u s a s i f w e d w o n
some reality-TV contest. According to camp tradition, we
w o r e laurel w r e a t h s t o a b i g feast p r e p a r e d i n o u r h o n o r ,
t h e n led a procession d o w n to the bonfire, where we got to
b u r n t h e b u r i a l s h r o u d s o u r c a b i n s h a d m a d e for u s i n o u r
absence.
A n n a b e t h ' s s h r o u d was s o b e a u t i f u l — g r a y silk w i t h
embroidered o w l s — I told her it seemed a shame n o t to
b u r y h e r i n it. S h e p u n c h e d m e a n d t o l d m e t o s h u t u p .
Being t h e s o n o f P o s e i d o n , I d i d n ' t have any c a b i n
mates, so t h e Ares cabin h a d volunteered to make my
s h r o u d . T h e y ' d t a k e n a n o l d b e d s h e e t a n d p a i n t e d smiley
faces w i t h X ' e d - o u t eyes a r o u n d t h e b o r d e r , a n d t h e w o r d
LOSER p a i n t e d really b i g i n t h e m i d d l e .
I t was f u n t o b u r n .
A s A p o l l o ' s c a b i n led t h e s i n g - a l o n g a n d p a s s e d o u t
s ' m o r e s , I was s u r r o u n d e d b y m y o l d H e r m e s c a b i n m a t e s ,
A n n a b e t h ' s friends f r o m A t h e n a , a n d Grover's satyr b u d d i e s ,
w h o were a d m i r i n g t h e b r a n d - n e w searcher's license he'd
received f r o m t h e C o u n c i l o f C l o v e n E l d e r s . T h e c o u n c i l
h a d called Grover's p e r f o r m a n c e o n t h e q u e s t "Brave t o t h e
[354]
p o i n t o f i n d i g e s t i o n . H o r n s - a n d - w h i s k e r s above a n y t h i n g
we have seen in t h e past."
T h e o n l y o n e s n o t i n a p a r t y m o o d were Clarisse a n d
h e r c a b i n m a t e s , w h o s e p o i s o n o u s l o o k s t o l d m e t h e y ' d never
forgive m e for d i s g r a c i n g t h e i r d a d .
T h a t was o k a y w i t h m e .
E v e n D i o n y s u s ' s w e l c o m e - h o m e s p e e c h wasn't e n o u g h
t o d a m p e n m y s p i r i t s . "Yes, yes, s o t h e little b r a t d i d n ' t get
h i m s e l f k i l l e d a n d n o w he'll have a n even b i g g e r h e a d . W e l l ,
h u z z a h for t h a t . I n o t h e r a n n o u n c e m e n t s , t h e r e will b e n o
c a n o e races t h i s S a t u r d a y . . . ."
I m o v e d b a c k i n t o c a b i n t h r e e , b u t it d i d n ' t feel so
lonely a n y m o r e . I h a d m y friends t o t r a i n w i t h d u r i n g t h e
day. At n i g h t , I lay awake a n d l i s t e n e d to t h e sea, k n o w i n g
m y father was o u t t h e r e . M a y b e h e wasn't q u i t e s u r e a b o u t
m e yet, m a y b e h e h a d n ' t even w a n t e d m e b o r n , b u t h e was
w a t c h i n g . A n d s o far, h e was p r o u d o f w h a t I'd d o n e .
As for my m o t h e r , she h a d a c h a n c e at a n e w life.
H e r letter a r r i v e d a w e e k after I g o t b a c k t o c a m p . S h e
t o l d m e G a b e h a d left m y s t e r i o u s l y — d i s a p p e a r e d o f f t h e
face o f t h e p l a n e t , i n fact. S h e ' d r e p o r t e d h i m m i s s i n g t o
t h e p o l i c e , b u t s h e h a d a f u n n y feeling t h e y w o u l d never
find h i m .
O n a c o m p l e t e l y u n r e l a t e d subject, she'd s o l d h e r first
life-size c o n c r e t e s c u l p t u r e , e n t i t l e d The Poker Player, to a
collector, t h r o u g h a n a r t gallery i n S o h o . She'd g o t t e n s o
m u c h m o n e y for it, s h e d p u t a d e p o s i t d o w n o n a n e w
apartment and made
a p a y m e n t o n h e r first semester's
t u i t i o n a t N Y U . T h e S o h o gallery was c l a m o r i n g for m o r e
[355]
o f h e r w o r k , w h i c h t h e y called " a h u g e s t e p f o r w a r d i n
super-ugly neorealism."
But don't worry, my m o m w r o t e . I'm done with sculpture.
I've disposed of that box of tools you left me. It's time for me to turn to
writing.
At t h e b o t t o m , she w r o t e a P.S.: Percy, I've found a good private school here in the city. I've put a deposit down to hold you a spot, in
case you want to enroll for seventh grade. You could live at home. But if
you want to go year-round at Half-Blood Hill, I'll understand.
I f o l d e d t h e n o t e carefully a n d set it on my b e d s i d e
t a b l e . E v e r y n i g h t b e f o r e I w e n t to sleep, I r e a d it again, a n d
I t r i e d t o d e c i d e h o w t o answer her.
O n t h e F o u r t h o f July, t h e w h o l e c a m p g a t h e r e d a t t h e
beach
for
a
fireworks
display
by
cabin
nine.
Being
H e p h a e s t u s ' s k i d s , t h e y weren't g o i n g to settle for a few
lame
red-white-and-blue
explosions. T h e y ' d
anchored
a
b a r g e o f f s h o r e a n d l o a d e d i t w i t h r o c k e t s t h e size o f P a t r i o t
missiles. A c c o r d i n g t o A n n a b e t h ,
w h o ' d seen t h e s h o w
before, t h e blasts w o u l d b e s e q u e n c e d s o t i g h t l y they'd l o o k
like frames o f a n i m a t i o n across t h e sky. T h e f i n a l e was s u p posed to be a couple of hundred-foot-tall Spartan warriors
w h o w o u l d crackle to life above t h e ocean, fight a b a t t l e ,
then explode into a million colors.
As A n n a b e t h a n d I were s p r e a d i n g a p i c n i c b l a n k e t ,
G r o v e r s h o w e d u p t o tell u s g o o d - b y e . H e was d r e s s e d i n his
u s u a l jeans a n d T - s h i r t a n d sneakers, b u t i n t h e last few
weeks he'd s t a r t e d t o l o o k older, a l m o s t h i g h - s c h o o l age.
H i s g o a t e e h a d g o t t e n thicker. H e ' d p u t o n weight. H i s
[356]
h o r n s h a d g r o w n a t least a n i n c h , s o h e n o w h a d t o wear h i s
r a s t a c a p all t h e t i m e t o pass a s h u m a n .
" I ' m off," he said. "I j u s t c a m e to say . . . well, y o u
know."
I t r i e d to feel h a p p y for h i m . A f t e r all, it wasn't every d a y
a satyr g o t p e r m i s s i o n t o g o l o o k for t h e g r e a t g o d P a n . B u t
it was h a r d saying g o o d - b y e . I'd o n l y k n o w n G r o v e r a year,
yet h e was m y o l d e s t friend.
A n n a b e t h gave h i m a h u g . S h e t o l d h i m t o k e e p his fake
feet o n .
I a s k e d h i m w h e r e he was g o i n g to search first.
" K i n d o f a secret," h e said, l o o k i n g e m b a r r a s s e d .
"I
w i s h y o u c o u l d c o m e w i t h m e , guys, b u t h u m a n s a n d
P a n . . ."
" W e u n d e r s t a n d , " A n n a b e t h said. " Y o u g o t e n o u g h t i n
c a n s for t h e t r i p ? "
"Yeah."
"And you remembered your reed pipes?"
"Jeez, A n n a b e t h , " h e g r u m b l e d .
"You're like a n o l d
m a m a goat."
B u t h e d i d n ' t really s o u n d a n n o y e d .
H e g r i p p e d his w a l k i n g stick a n d s l u n g a b a c k p a c k over
his s h o u l d e r . H e l o o k e d like any h i t c h h i k e r y o u m i g h t see
o n a n A m e r i c a n h i g h w a y — n o t h i n g like t h e little r u n t y b o y
I u s e d t o d e f e n d f r o m bullies a t Y a n c y A c a d e m y .
" W e l l , " h e said, " w i s h m e luck."
H e gave A n n a b e t h a n o t h e r h u g . H e c l a p p e d m e o n t h e
shoulder, then headed back t h r o u g h the dunes.
F i r e w o r k s e x p l o d e d t o life overhead: H e r c u l e s killing
[357]
the
Nemean
lion,
Artemis
chasing
the
boar,
George
W a s h i n g t o n ( w h o , b y t h e way, was a s o n o f A t h e n a ) c r o s s ing the Delaware.
" H e y , Grover," I called.
H e t u r n e d a t the edge o f the w o o d s .
" W h e r e v e r you're g o i n g — I h o p e t h e y m a k e g o o d e n c h i ladas."
G r o v e r g r i n n e d , a n d t h e n h e was g o n e , t h e trees closing
around him.
" W e ' l l see h i m again," A n n a b e t h said.
I t r i e d t o believe it. T h e fact t h a t n o searcher h a d ever
c o m e b a c k in t w o t h o u s a n d years . . . well, I d e c i d e d n o t to
t h i n k a b o u t t h a t . G r o v e r w o u l d b e t h e first. H e h a d t o b e .
July p a s s e d .
I s p e n t my days devising n e w strategies for c a p t u r e - t h e flag a n d m a k i n g alliances w i t h t h e o t h e r c a b i n s t o k e e p t h e
b a n n e r o u t o f Ares's h a n d s . I g o t t o t h e t o p o f t h e c l i m b i n g wall for t h e first t i m e w i t h o u t g e t t i n g s c o r c h e d b y lava.
F r o m t i m e t o t i m e , I'd walk p a s t t h e Big H o u s e , glance
up at the attic windows, a n d think a b o u t the Oracle. I tried
t o c o n v i n c e m y s e l f t h a t its p r o p h e c y h a d c o m e t o c o m p l e tion.
You shall go west, and face the god who has turned.
Been t h e r e , d o n e t h a t — e v e n t h o u g h t h e t r a i t o r g o d h a d
t u r n e d o u t to be Ares rather t h a n H a d e s .
You shall find what was stolen, and see it safe returned.
C h e c k . O n e m a s t e r b o l t delivered. O n e h e l m o f d a r k ness b a c k o n H a d e s ' s oily h e a d .
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You shall he betrayed by one who calls you a friend.
T h i s line still b o t h e r e d m e . Ares h a d p r e t e n d e d t o b e
m y friend, t h e n b e t r a y e d m e . T h a t m u s t b e w h a t t h e O r a c l e
meant. . . .
And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.
I had failed t o save m y m o m , b u t o n l y b e c a u s e I d let h e r
save herself, a n d I k n e w t h a t was t h e r i g h t t h i n g .
So why was I still uneasy?
T h e last n i g h t o f t h e s u m m e r session c a m e all t o o quickly.
T h e c a m p e r s h a d o n e last m e a l t o g e t h e r . W e b u r n e d
p a r t o f o u r d i n n e r for t h e g o d s . A t t h e b o n f i r e , t h e s e n i o r
counselors awarded the end-of-summer beads.
I g o t m y o w n l e a t h e r necklace, a n d w h e n I saw t h e b e a d
for my first s u m m e r , I was g l a d t h e firelight covered my
b l u s h i n g . T h e d e s i g n was p i t c h black, w i t h a sea-green t r i d e n t s h i m m e r i n g i n t h e center.
" T h e c h o i c e was u n a n i m o u s , " L u k e a n n o u n c e d . " T h i s
b e a d c o m m e m o r a t e s t h e f i r s t S o n o f t h e Sea G o d a t t h i s
camp, and the quest he u n d e r t o o k into the darkest part of
t h e U n d e r w o r l d t o s t o p a war!"
T h e entire c a m p g o t t o t h e i r feet a n d cheered. E v e n
Ares's c a b i n felt o b l i g e d t o s t a n d . A t h e n a ' s c a b i n s t e e r e d
A n n a b e t h t o t h e f r o n t s o she c o u l d s h a r e i n t h e a p p l a u s e .
I ' m n o t sure I'd ever felt as h a p p y or s a d as I d i d at t h a t
m o m e n t . I'd f i n a l l y f o u n d a family, p e o p l e w h o c a r e d a b o u t
m e a n d t h o u g h t I'd d o n e s o m e t h i n g r i g h t . A n d i n t h e m o r n ing, m o s t o f t h e m w o u l d b e leaving for t h e year.
* *
*
[359]
T h e n e x t m o r n i n g , I f o u n d a f o r m letter o n m y b e d s i d e
table.
I k n e w D i o n y s u s m u s t ' v e filled i t o u t , b e c a u s e h e s t u b bornly insisted on getting my n a m e wrong:
Dear
Peter J o h n s o n
,
If you intend to stay at C a m p Half-Blood yearround, you m u s t inform the Big H o u s e by n o o n
today. If you do not a n n o u n c e your intentions,
we will a s s u m e you have vacated your cabin or
died a horrible death. Cleaning harpies will begin
w o r k at sundown. T h e y will be authorized to eat
any unregistered c a m p e r s . All personal articles
left behind will be incinerated in the lava pit.
Have a nice day!
Mr. D (Dionysus)
C a m p Director, O l y m p i a n Council # 1 2
That's
another thing
about
ADHD.
Deadlines just
aren't real t o m e u n t i l I ' m s t a r i n g o n e i n t h e face. S u m m e r
was over, a n d I still h a d n ' t a n s w e r e d my m o t h e r , or t h e
c a m p , a b o u t w h e t h e r I'd be staying. N o w I h a d o n l y a few
hours to decide.
T h e d e c i s i o n s h o u l d have b e e n easy. I m e a n ,
nine
m o n t h s of hero training or nine m o n t h s of sitting in a
classroom—duh.
B u t t h e r e was m y m o m t o c o n s i d e r . F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , I
h a d t h e c h a n c e to live w i t h h e r for a w h o l e year, w i t h o u t
G a b e . I h a d a c h a n c e b e a t h o m e a n d k n o c k a r o u n d t h e city
[360]
i n m y free t i m e . I r e m e m b e r e d w h a t A n n a b e t h h a d s a i d s o
l o n g ago on o u r q u e s t : The real world is where the monsters are.
That's where you learn whether you're any good or not.
I t h o u g h t a b o u t t h e fate o f T h a l i a , d a u g h t e r o f Z e u s . I
w o n d e r e d h o w m a n y m o n s t e r s w o u l d a t t a c k m e i f I left
H a l f - B l o o d H i l l . If I stayed in o n e p l a c e for a w h o l e s c h o o l
year, w i t h o u t C h i r o n o r m y friends a r o u n d t o h e l p m e ,
w o u l d m y m o t h e r a n d I even survive u n t i l t h e n e x t s u m m e r ?
T h a t was a s s u m i n g t h e s p e l l i n g tests a n d f i v e - p a r a g r a p h
essays d i d n ' t kill m e . I d e c i d e d I'd g o d o w n t o t h e arena
a n d d o s o m e s w o r d p r a c t i c e . M a y b e t h a t w o u l d clear m y
head.
T h e c a m p g r o u n d s were m o s t l y d e s e r t e d , s h i m m e r i n g i n
t h e A u g u s t h e a t . All t h e c a m p e r s were i n t h e i r c a b i n s p a c k ing up, or r u n n i n g a r o u n d with b r o o m s and m o p s , getting
r e a d y for f i n a l i n s p e c t i o n . A r g u s was h e l p i n g s o m e o f t h e
A p h r o d i t e k i d s h a u l t h e i r G u c c i suitcases a n d m a k e u p k i t s
over t h e hill, w h e r e t h e c a m p ' s s h u t t l e b u s w o u l d b e w a i t i n g
t o take t h e m t o t h e a i r p o r t .
D o n ' t t h i n k a b o u t leaving yet, I t o l d myself. J u s t t r a i n .
I g o t t o t h e s w o r d - f i g h t e r s arena a n d f o u n d t h a t L u k e
h a d h a d t h e s a m e idea. H i s g y m b a g was p l o p p e d a t t h e
e d g e o f t h e stage. H e was w o r k i n g solo, w h a l i n g o n b a t t l e
d u m m i e s w i t h a s w o r d I'd never seen before. It m u s t ' v e b e e n
a r e g u l a r steel b l a d e , b e c a u s e he was slashing t h e d u m m i e s '
h e a d s r i g h t off, s t a b b i n g t h r o u g h t h e i r s t r a w - s t u f f e d g u t s .
H i s o r a n g e c o u n s e l o r ' s s h i r t was d r i p p i n g w i t h sweat. H i s
e x p r e s s i o n was so i n t e n s e , his life m i g h t ' v e really b e e n in
d a n g e r . I w a t c h e d , fascinated, as he d i s e m b o w e l e d t h e w h o l e
[361]
r o w o f d u m m i e s , h a c k i n g o f f l i m b s a n d basically r e d u c i n g
t h e m t o a pile o f s t r a w a n d a r m o r .
T h e y were o n l y d u m m i e s , b u t I still c o u l d n ' t h e l p b e i n g
a w e d b y Luke's skill. T h e g u y was a n i n c r e d i b l e fighter. I t
m a d e m e w o n d e r , again, h o w h e p o s s i b l y could've failed a t
his q u e s t .
Finally, h e saw m e , a n d s t o p p e d m i d - s w i n g . "Percy."
" U m , sorry," I said, e m b a r r a s s e d . " I j u s t — "
"It's okay," h e said, l o w e r i n g his s w o r d . " J u s t d o i n g s o m e
l a s t - m i n u t e practice."
"Those
dummies
won't be
bothering
anybody
any-
more."
L u k e s h r u g g e d . " W e b u i l d n e w o n e s every s u m m e r . "
N o w t h a t his s w o r d wasn't s w i r l i n g a r o u n d , I c o u l d see
s o m e t h i n g o d d a b o u t it. T h e b l a d e was t w o different t y p e s
o f m e t a l — o n e e d g e b r o n z e , t h e o t h e r steel.
L u k e n o t i c e d m e l o o k i n g a t it. " O h , this? N e w toy. T h i s
is Backbiter."
"Backbiter?"
L u k e t u r n e d t h e blade i n t h e light s o i t g l i n t e d wickedly.
" O n e s i d e i s celestial b r o n z e . T h e o t h e r i s t e m p e r e d steel.
Works on mortals and immortals both."
I t h o u g h t about what Chiron had told me when I
s t a r t e d m y q u e s t — t h a t a h e r o s h o u l d never h a r m m o r t a l s
u n l e s s a b s o l u t e l y necessary.
" I d i d n ' t k n o w t h e y c o u l d m a k e w e a p o n s like that."
" They p r o b a b l y can't," L u k e agreed. "It's o n e of a k i n d . "
H e gave m e a t i n y smile, t h e n slid t h e s w o r d i n t o its
s c a b b a r d . " L i s t e n , I was g o i n g t o c o m e l o o k i n g for y o u .
[362]
W h a t d o y o u say w e g o d o w n t o t h e w o o d s o n e last t i m e ,
l o o k for s o m e t h i n g t o fight?"
I d o n ' t k n o w w h y I h e s i t a t e d . I s h o u l d ' v e felt relieved
t h a t L u k e was b e i n g s o friendly. E v e r s i n c e I'd g o t t e n b a c k
f r o m t h e q u e s t , he'd b e e n a c t i n g a little d i s t a n t . I was afraid
h e m i g h t r e s e n t m e for all t h e a t t e n t i o n I'd g o t t e n .
" Y o u t h i n k it's a g o o d idea?" I asked. "I m e a n — "
"Aw, c o m e on." H e r u m m a g e d i n his g y m b a g a n d
p u l l e d o u t a six-pack o f C o k e s . " D r i n k s are o n m e . "
I s t a r e d a t t h e C o k e s , w o n d e r i n g w h e r e t h e h e c k he'd
g o t t e n t h e m . T h e r e were n o r e g u l a r m o r t a l s o d a s a t t h e
c a m p s t o r e . N o way t o s m u g g l e t h e m i n unless y o u t a l k e d
to a satyr, m a y b e .
O f c o u r s e , t h e m a g i c d i n n e r g o b l e t s w o u l d fill w i t h a n y t h i n g y o u w a n t , b u t it j u s t d i d n ' t t a s t e t h e s a m e as a real
C o k e , s t r a i g h t o u t o f t h e can.
S u g a r a n d caffeine. M y w i l l p o w e r c r u m b l e d .
"Sure," I d e c i d e d . " W h y n o t ? "
W e w a l k e d d o w n t o t h e w o o d s a n d k i c k e d a r o u n d for
s o m e k i n d o f m o n s t e r t o fight, b u t i t was t o o h o t . All t h e
m o n s t e r s w i t h any sense m u s t ' v e b e e n t a k i n g siestas i n t h e i r
n i c e c o o l caves.
W e f o u n d a s h a d y s p o t b y t h e creek w h e r e I'd b r o k e n
Clarisse's s p e a r d u r i n g m y first c a p t u r e t h e flag g a m e . W e sat
on a big rock, drank our Cokes, and watched the sunlight in
the woods.
After a w h i l e L u k e said, " Y o u m i s s b e i n g on a q u e s t ? "
" W i t h m o n s t e r s a t t a c k i n g m e every t h r e e feet? A r e y o u
kidding?"
[363]
L u k e raised a n eyebrow.
"Yeah, I m i s s it," I a d m i t t e d . " Y o u ? "
A s h a d o w p a s s e d over h i s face.
I was u s e d t o h e a r i n g f r o m t h e girls h o w g o o d - l o o k i n g
L u k e was, b u t a t t h e m o m e n t , h e l o o k e d weary, a n d angry,
a n d n o t a t all h a n d s o m e . H i s b l o n d h a i r was gray i n t h e
s u n l i g h t . T h e scar o n h i s face l o o k e d d e e p e r t h a n u s u a l . I
could imagine h i m as an old man.
"I've lived at H a l f - B l o o d H i l l y e a r - r o u n d since I was
f o u r t e e n , " h e t o l d m e . " E v e r since T h a l i a . . . well, y o u k n o w .
I t r a i n e d , a n d t r a i n e d , a n d t r a i n e d . I never g o t to be a n o r m a l teenager, o u t t h e r e i n t h e real w o r l d . T h e n t h e y t h r e w
m e o n e q u e s t , a n d w h e n I c a m e back, i t was like, O k a y ,
ride's over. H a v e a nice life.'"
H e c r u m p l e d his C o k e can a n d t h r e w i n t o t h e creek,
w h i c h really s h o c k e d m e . O n e o f t h e first t h i n g s y o u l e a r n
a t C a m p H a l f - B l o o d is: D o n ' t litter. You'll h e a r f r o m t h e
n y m p h s a n d t h e n a i a d s . T h e y ' l l get even. Y o u ' l l crawl i n t o
b e d o n e n i g h t a n d find y o u r sheets filled w i t h c e n t i p e d e s
and mud.
" T h e h e c k w i t h laurel wreaths," L u k e said. " I ' m n o t
g o i n g t o e n d u p like t h o s e d u s t y t r o p h i e s i n t h e Big H o u s e
attic."
" Y o u m a k e i t s o u n d like you're leaving."
L u k e gave m e a t w i s t e d smile. " O h , I ' m leaving, all
right, Percy. I b r o u g h t y o u d o w n h e r e to say g o o d - b y e . "
He s n a p p e d h i s fingers. A s m a l l fire b u r n e d a h o l e in t h e
g r o u n d a t m y feet. O u t c r a w l e d s o m e t h i n g g l i s t e n i n g black,
a b o u t t h e size o f m y h a n d . A s c o r p i o n .
[364]
I started to go for my pen.
"I wouldn't," Luke cautioned. "Pit scorpions can j u m p
u p t o f i f t e e n feet. Its s t i n g e r c a n pierce r i g h t t h r o u g h y o u r
c l o t h e s . Y o u ' l l b e d e a d i n sixty s e c o n d s . "
"Luke, w h a t — "
T h e n it hit me.
You will be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.
"You," I said.
H e s t o o d calmly a n d b r u s h e d o f f h i s jeans.
T h e s c o r p i o n p a i d h i m n o a t t e n t i o n . I t k e p t its b e a d y
black eyes o n m e , c l a m p i n g its p i n c e r s a s i t c r a w l e d o n t o m y
shoe.
"I saw a l o t o u t t h e r e in t h e w o r l d , Percy," L u k e said.
" D i d n ' t y o u feel i t — t h e d a r k n e s s g a t h e r i n g , t h e m o n s t e r s
g r o w i n g stronger? D i d n ' t y o u realize h o w useless it all is? A l l
the heroics—being pawns of the gods. T h e y should've been
o v e r t h r o w n t h o u s a n d s o f years ago, b u t they've h u n g o n ,
thanks to us half-bloods."
I c o u l d n ' t believe t h i s was h a p p e n i n g .
" L u k e . . . you're t a l k i n g a b o u t o u r p a r e n t s , " I said.
H e l a u g h e d . " T h a t ' s s u p p o s e d t o m a k e m e love t h e m ?
T h e i r p r e c i o u s ' W e s t e r n civilization is a disease, Percy. It's
k i l l i n g t h e w o r l d . T h e o n l y way t o s t o p i t i s t o b u r n i t t o t h e
g r o u n d , s t a r t over w i t h s o m e t h i n g m o r e h o n e s t . "
"You're as crazy as Ares."
H i s eyes flared. "Ares is a fool. He never realized t h e
t r u e m a s t e r he was serving. If I h a d t i m e , Percy, I c o u l d
explain. B u t I ' m afraid y o u w o n ' t live t h a t long."
T h e s c o r p i o n c r a w l e d o n t o m y p a n t s leg.
[365]
T h e r e h a d t o b e a way o u t o f t h i s . I n e e d e d t i m e t o
think.
" K r o n o s , " I said. " T h a t ' s w h o y o u serve."
T h e air g o t colder.
" Y o u s h o u l d b e careful w i t h n a m e s , " L u k e w a r n e d .
" K r o n o s g o t y o u t o steal t h e m a s t e r b o l t a n d t h e h e l m .
He spoke to you in your dreams."
Luke's eye t w i t c h e d . " H e s p o k e t o y o u , t o o , Percy. Y o u
s h o u l d ' v e listened."
" H e ' s b r a i n w a s h i n g you, Luke."
"You're w r o n g . H e s h o w e d m e t h a t m y t a l e n t s are b e i n g
w a s t e d . Y o u k n o w w h a t m y q u e s t was t w o years ago, Percy?
M y father, H e r m e s , w a n t e d m e t o steal a g o l d e n a p p l e f r o m
the Garden of the Hesperides and return it to Olympus.
A f t e r all t h e t r a i n i n g I'd d o n e , that was t h e b e s t he c o u l d
t h i n k up."
" T h a t ' s n o t an easy quest," I said. " H e r c u l e s d i d it."
"Exactly," L u k e said. " W h e r e ' s t h e g l o r y i n r e p e a t i n g
w h a t o t h e r s have d o n e ? A l l t h e g o d s k n o w h o w t o d o i s
replay t h e i r p a s t . M y h e a r t wasn't i n it. T h e d r a g o n i n t h e
g a r d e n gave m e t h i s " — h e p o i n t e d angrily a t his s c a r — " a n d
w h e n I c a m e b a c k , all I g o t was pity. I w a n t e d to p u l l
O l y m p u s down stone by stone right then, but I bided my
t i m e . I b e g a n t o d r e a m o f K r o n o s . H e c o n v i n c e d m e t o steal
s o m e t h i n g w o r t h w h i l e , s o m e t h i n g n o h e r o h a d ever h a d t h e
c o u r a g e t o t a k e . W h e n w e w e n t o n t h a t w i n t e r - s o l s t i c e field
t r i p , w h i l e t h e o t h e r c a m p e r s were asleep, I s n u c k i n t o t h e
t h r o n e r o o m and t o o k Zeus's master b o l t right from his
chair. H a d e s ' s h e l m o f d a r k n e s s , t o o . Y o u w o u l d n ' t believe
[366]
h o w easy i t was. T h e O l y m p i a n s are s o a r r o g a n t ; t h e y never
d r e a m e d s o m e o n e w o u l d d a r e steal f r o m t h e m . T h e i r s e c u r i t y is h o r r i b l e . I was halfway across N e w Jersey before I
heard the s t o r m s r u m b l i n g , a n d I k n e w they'd discovered my
theft."
T h e s c o r p i o n was s i t t i n g o n m y k n e e now, s t a r i n g a t m e
w i t h its g l i t t e r i n g eyes. I t r i e d to k e e p my voice level. " S o
why didn't you bring the items to Kronos?"
Luke's s m i l e wavered. " I . . . I g o t o v e r c o n f i d e n t . Z e u s
s e n t o u t his s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s t o find t h e s t o l e n b o l t —
A r t e m i s , A p o l l o , m y father, H e r m e s . B u t i t was Ares w h o
c a u g h t m e . I c o u l d have b e a t e n h i m , b u t I wasn't careful
enough. H e d i s a r m e d me, t o o k the items o f power, threate n e d t o r e t u r n t h e m t o O l y m p u s a n d b u r n m e alive. T h e n
K r o n o s ' s voice c a m e t o m e a n d t o l d m e w h a t t o say. I p u t
t h e i d e a i n Ares's h e a d a b o u t a g r e a t war b e t w e e n t h e g o d s .
I said all he h a d to do was h i d e t h e i t e m s away for a w h i l e
a n d w a t c h t h e o t h e r s fight. A r e s g o t a w i c k e d g l e a m i n h i s
eyes. I k n e w h e was h o o k e d . H e let m e g o , a n d I r e t u r n e d t o
O l y m p u s b e f o r e a n y o n e n o t i c e d m y absence." L u k e d r e w his
n e w s w o r d . H e r a n h i s t h u m b d o w n t h e flat o f t h e b l a d e , a s
i f h e were h y p n o t i z e d b y its b e a u t y . "Afterward, t h e L o r d o f
t h e T i t a n s . . . h - h e p u n i s h e d me w i t h n i g h t m a r e s . I s w o r e
n o t t o fail again. Back a t C a m p H a l f - B l o o d , i n m y d r e a m s ,
I was t o l d t h a t a s e c o n d h e r o w o u l d arrive, o n e w h o c o u l d
b e t r i c k e d i n t o t a k i n g t h e b o l t a n d t h e h e l m t h e rest o f t h e
w a y — f r o m Ares d o w n to Tartarus."
" You s u m m o n e d t h e h e l l h o u n d , t h a t n i g h t in t h e forest."
" W e h a d t o m a k e C h i r o n t h i n k t h e c a m p wasn't safe for
[367]
you, so he would start you on your quest. We h a d to conf i r m his fears t h a t H a d e s was after y o u . A n d i t w o r k e d . "
" T h e flying s h o e s were cursed," I said. " T h e y were s u p posed to drag me and the backpack into Tartarus."
" A n d t h e y w o u l d have, i f y o u ' d b e e n w e a r i n g t h e m . B u t
y o u gave t h e m t o t h e satyr, w h i c h wasn't p a r t o f t h e p l a n .
G r o v e r m e s s e s u p e v e r y t h i n g h e t o u c h e s . H e even c o n f u s e d
t h e curse."
L u k e l o o k e d d o w n a t t h e s c o r p i o n , w h i c h was n o w sitt i n g o n m y t h i g h . " Y o u s h o u l d have d i e d i n T a r t a r u s , Percy.
B u t d o n ' t w o r r y , I'll leave y o u w i t h m y little f r i e n d t o set
t h i n g s right."
" T h a l i a gave h e r life to save you," I said, g r i t t i n g my
teeth. "And this is h o w you repay her?"
" D o n ' t speak of Thalia!" he shouted. " T h e gods ht her
die! T h a t ' s o n e o f t h e m a n y t h i n g s t h e y will p a y for."
"You're b e i n g u s e d , L u k e . Y o u a n d Ares b o t h . D o n ' t listen to Kronos."
"I've b e e n u s e d ? " Luke's voice t u r n e d shrill. " L o o k a t
yourself. W h a t has y o u r d a d ever d o n e for you? K r o n o s will
rise. You've
only
delayed
his
plans.
He
will
cast
the
O l y m p i a n s i n t o T a r t a r u s a n d drive h u m a n i t y b a c k t o t h e i r
caves. A l l except t h e s t r o n g e s t — t h e o n e s w h o serve h i m . "
" C a l l o f f t h e b u g , " I said. " I f you're s o s t r o n g , f i g h t m e
yourself."
L u k e s m i l e d . " N i c e try, Percy. B u t I ' m n o t A r e s . Y o u
can't b a i t m e . M y l o r d i s w a i t i n g , a n d he's g o t p l e n t y o f
q u e s t s for m e t o u n d e r t a k e . "
"Luke—"
[368]
" G o o d - b y e , Percy. T h e r e i s a n e w G o l d e n A g e c o m i n g .
Y o u w o n ' t b e p a r t o f it."
H e s l a s h e d h i s s w o r d i n a n arc a n d d i s a p p e a r e d i n a r i p ple of darkness.
T h e scorpion lunged.
I s w a t t e d i t away w i t h m y h a n d a n d u n c a p p e d m y s w o r d .
T h e thing j u m p e d at me and I cut it in half in midair.
I was a b o u t to c o n g r a t u l a t e m y s e l f u n t i l I l o o k e d d o w n
a t m y h a n d . M y p a l m h a d a h u g e r e d welt, o o z i n g a n d
s m o k i n g w i t h yellow g u c k . T h e t h i n g h a d g o t t e n m e after
all.
M y ears p o u n d e d . M y vision w e n t foggy. T h e water, I
t h o u g h t . I t h e a l e d m e before.
I s t u m b l e d t o t h e creek a n d s u b m e r g e d m y h a n d , b u t
n o t h i n g s e e m e d t o h a p p e n . T h e p o i s o n was t o o s t r o n g . M y
vision was getting dark. I c o u l d barely s t a n d u p .
Sixty seconds, Luke had t o l d m e .
I h a d to get back to c a m p . If I c o l l a p s e d o u t here, my
b o d y w o u l d b e d i n n e r for a m o n s t e r . N o b o d y w o u l d ever
know what had happened.
M y legs felt like lead. M y f o r e h e a d was b u r n i n g . I s t u m bled toward the camp, and the n y m p h s stirred from their
trees.
" H e l p , " I c r o a k e d . " P l e a s e . . ."
Two
of
them
took my
arms,
pulling
me
along.
I
r e m e m b e r m a k i n g i t t o t h e clearing, a c o u n s e l o r s h o u t i n g
for h e l p , a c e n t a u r b l o w i n g a c o n c h h o r n .
T h e n e v e r y t h i n g w e n t black.
* * *
[369]
I w o k e w i t h a d r i n k i n g s t r a w in my m o u t h . I was s i p p i n g
s o m e t h i n g t h a t t a s t e d like l i q u i d c h o c o l a t e - c h i p c o o k i e s .
Nectar.
I o p e n e d my eyes.
I was p r o p p e d u p i n b e d i n t h e s i c k r o o m o f t h e Big
H o u s e , m y r i g h t h a n d b a n d a g e d like a club. A r g u s s t o o d
g u a r d i n t h e c o r n e r . A n n a b e t h sat n e x t t o m e , h o l d i n g m y
n e c t a r glass a n d d a b b i n g a w a s h c l o t h o n m y f o r e h e a d .
" H e r e we are again," I said.
" Y o u idiot," A n n a b e t h said, w h i c h is h o w I k n e w s h e
was overjoyed t o see m e c o n s c i o u s . " Y o u were g r e e n a n d
t u r n i n g g r a y w h e n w e f o u n d y o u . I f i t weren't for C h i r o n ' s
h e a l i n g . . ."
" N o w , now," C h i r o n ' s voice said. "Percy's c o n s t i t u t i o n
deserves s o m e o f t h e credit."
H e was s i t t i n g n e a r t h e f o o t o f m y b e d i n h u m a n f o r m ,
w h i c h was w h y I h a d n ' t n o t i c e d h i m yet. H i s lower h a l f was
magically c o m p a c t e d i n t o t h e wheelchair, h i s u p p e r h a l f
d r e s s e d i n a c o a t a n d tie. H e s m i l e d , b u t his face l o o k e d
w e a r y a n d pale, t h e way i t d i d w h e n he'd b e e n u p all n i g h t
grading Latin papers.
" H o w are y o u feeling?" h e asked.
" L i k e m y insides have b e e n frozen, t h e n microwaved."
"Apt, c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t was p i t s c o r p i o n v e n o m . N o w
y o u m u s t tell m e , i f y o u can, exactly w h a t h a p p e n e d . "
B e t w e e n sips o f nectar, I t o l d t h e m t h e story.
T h e r o o m was q u i e t for a l o n g t i m e .
"I can't believe t h a t L u k e . . ." A n n a b e t h ' s voice faltered.
H e r e x p r e s s i o n t u r n e d a n g r y a n d sad. "Yes. Yes, I can believe
[370]
it. M a y t h e g o d s curse h i m . . . . He was never t h e s a m e after
h i s quest."
"This must be reported to Olympus," Chiron murm u r e d . " I will g o a t o n c e . "
" L u k e is o u t t h e r e r i g h t now," I said. "I have to go after
him."
C h i r o n s h o o k his h e a d . " N o , Percy. T h e g o d s — "
" W o n ' t even
talk
about Kronos," I
snapped.
"Zeus
d e c l a r e d t h e m a t t e r closed!"
"Percy, I k n o w t h i s i s h a r d . B u t y o u m u s t n o t r u s h o u t
for v e n g e a n c e . Y o u aren't ready."
I d i d n ' t like it, b u t p a r t o f m e s u s p e c t e d C h i r o n was
r i g h t . O n e l o o k a t m y h a n d , a n d I k n e w I wasn't g o i n g t o b e
s w o r d fighting any t i m e s o o n . " C h i r o n . . . y o u r p r o p h e c y
f r o m t h e O r a c l e . . . i t was a b o u t K r o n o s , wasn't it? W a s I i n
it? A n d A n n a b e t h ? "
C h i r o n g l a n c e d n e r v o u s l y at t h e ceiling. "Percy, it isn't
my place—"
"You've b e e n o r d e r e d n o t t o t a l k t o m e a b o u t it, haven't
you?
H i s eyes were s y m p a t h e t i c , b u t sad. " Y o u will b e a g r e a t
h e r o , child. I will d o m y b e s t t o p r e p a r e y o u . B u t i f I ' m r i g h t
a b o u t t h e p a t h a h e a d of y o u . . ."
T h u n d e r b o o m e d overhead, r a t t l i n g t h e w i n d o w s .
"All r i g h t ! " C h i r o n s h o u t e d . " F i n e ! "
H e s i g h e d i n f r u s t r a t i o n . " T h e g o d s have t h e i r r e a s o n s ,
Percy. K n o w i n g t o o m u c h o f y o u r f u t u r e i s never a g o o d
thing."
" W e can't j u s t sit b a c k a n d d o n o t h i n g , " I said.
[371]
"We will n o t sit back," C h i r o n p r o m i s e d . " B u t you m u s t
b e careful. K r o n o s w a n t s y o u t o c o m e u n r a v e l e d . H e w a n t s
y o u r life d i s r u p t e d , y o u r t h o u g h t s c l o u d e d w i t h fear a n d
anger. D o n o t give h i m w h a t h e w a n t s . T r a i n patiently. Y o u r
t i m e will c o m e . "
" A s s u m i n g I live t h a t long."
C h i r o n p u t his h a n d o n m y a n k l e . " Y o u ' l l have t o t r u s t
m e , Percy. Y o u will live. B u t first y o u m u s t d e c i d e y o u r p a t h
for t h e c o m i n g year. I c a n n o t tell y o u t h e r i g h t c h o i c e . . . ."
I g o t t h e feeling t h a t h e h a d a very definite o p i n i o n , a n d
i t was t a k i n g all h i s w i l l p o w e r n o t t o advise m e . " B u t y o u
m u s t d e c i d e w h e t h e r t o stay a t C a m p H a l f - B l o o d yearr o u n d , o r r e t u r n t o t h e m o r t a l w o r l d for s e v e n t h g r a d e a n d
b e a s u m m e r c a m p e r . T h i n k o n t h a t . W h e n I get b a c k f r o m
O l y m p u s , y o u m u s t tell m e y o u r decision."
I w a n t e d t o p r o t e s t . I w a n t e d t o ask h i m m o r e q u e s t i o n s . B u t h i s expression t o l d m e t h e r e c o u l d b e n o m o r e
d i s c u s s i o n ; h e h a d said a s m u c h a s h e c o u l d .
"I'll be b a c k as s o o n as I can," C h i r o n p r o m i s e d . "Argus
will w a t c h over you."
He glanced at A n n a b e t h . " O h , and, my dear . . . w h e n ever you're ready, they're here."
" W h o ' s h e r e ? " I asked.
N o b o d y answered.
C h i r o n rolled himself o u t of the r o o m . I heard the
wheels o f his chair c l u n k carefully d o w n t h e f r o n t s t e p s , t w o
at a t i m e .
A n n a b e t h s t u d i e d t h e ice i n m y d r i n k .
" W h a t ' s w r o n g ? " I a s k e d her.
[372]
" N o t h i n g . " S h e set t h e glass on t h e table. "I . . . j u s t
t o o k y o u r advice a b o u t s o m e t h i n g . Y o u . . . u m . . . n e e d a n y thing?"
"Yeah. H e l p m e u p . I w a n t t o g o o u t s i d e . "
"Percy, t h a t isn't a g o o d idea."
I slid my legs o u t of b e d . A n n a b e t h c a u g h t me before I
c o u l d c r u m p l e t o t h e f l o o r . A wave o f n a u s e a r o l l e d over m e .
A n n a b e t h said, "I t o l d y o u . . ."
" I ' m fine," I insisted. I d i d n ' t w a n t to lie in b e d like an
invalid w h i l e L u k e was o u t t h e r e p l a n n i n g t o d e s t r o y t h e
Western world.
I m a n a g e d a s t e p forward. T h e n a n o t h e r , still l e a n i n g
heavily o n A n n a b e t h . A r g u s followed u s o u t s i d e , b u t h e k e p t
his distance.
B y t h e t i m e w e r e a c h e d t h e p o r c h , m y face was b e a d e d
w i t h sweat. M y s t o m a c h h a d t w i s t e d i n t o k n o t s . B u t I h a d
m a n a g e d t o m a k e i t all t h e way t o t h e railing.
I t was d u s k . T h e c a m p l o o k e d c o m p l e t e l y d e s e r t e d . T h e
c a b i n s were d a r k a n d t h e volleyball p i t silent. N o c a n o e s c u t
t h e surface o f t h e lake. B e y o n d t h e w o o d s a n d t h e s t r a w b e r r y f i e l d s , t h e L o n g I s l a n d S o u n d g l i t t e r e d i n t h e last l i g h t
of the sun.
" W h a t are y o u g o i n g t o d o ? " A n n a b e t h a s k e d m e .
" I d o n ' t know."
I t o l d h e r I g o t t h e feeling C h i r o n w a n t e d m e t o stay
year-round, to p u t in m o r e individual training time, b u t I
wasn't sure that's w h a t I w a n t e d . I a d m i t t e d I'd feel b a d
a b o u t leaving h e r a l o n e , t h o u g h , w i t h o n l y Clarisse for c o m pany. . . .
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A n n a b e t h p u r s e d h e r lips, t h e n s a i d quietly, " I ' m g o i n g
h o m e f o r t h e year, Percy."
I s t a r e d at her. " Y o u m e a n , to y o u r dad's?"
S h e p o i n t e d t o w a r d t h e crest o f H a l f - B l o o d H i l l . N e x t
t o T h a l i a ' s p i n e tree, a t t h e very edge o f t h e c a m p ' s m a g i c a l
b o u n d a r i e s , a family s t o o d s i l h o u e t t e d — t w o little c h i l d r e n ,
a w o m a n , a n d a tall m a n w i t h b l o n d hair. T h e y s e e m e d t o
b e w a i t i n g . T h e m a n was h o l d i n g a b a c k p a c k t h a t l o o k e d
like
the
one
Annabeth had
gotten
from Waterland
in
Denver.
" I w r o t e h i m a l e t t e r w h e n w e g o t back," A n n a b e t h said.
" J u s t like y o u s u g g e s t e d . I t o l d h i m . . . I was s o r r y . I'd c o m e
h o m e for t h e s c h o o l year i f h e still w a n t e d m e . H e w r o t e
b a c k i m m e d i a t e l y . We d e c i d e d . . . we'd give it a n o t h e r try."
" T h a t t o o k guts."
S h e p u r s e d h e r lips.
"You won't try anything stupid
d u r i n g t h e s c h o o l year, will you? At least . . . n o t w i t h o u t
sending me an Iris-message?"
I m a n a g e d a smile. "I w o n ' t go l o o k i n g for t r o u b l e . I
usually d o n ' t have to."
" W h e n I get b a c k n e x t s u m m e r , " she said, "we'll h u n t
d o w n L u k e . W e ' l l a s k for a q u e s t , b u t i f w e d o n ' t get
a p p r o v a l , we'll s n e a k o f f a n d d o i t anyway. A g r e e d ? "
" S o u n d s like a p l a n w o r t h y o f A t h e n a . "
S h e h e l d o u t h e r h a n d . I s h o o k it.
" T a k e care, S e a w e e d Brain," A n n a b e t h t o l d m e . " K e e p
y o u r eyes o p e n . "
" Y o u t o o , W i s e Girl."
I w a t c h e d h e r w a l k u p t h e hill a n d j o i n h e r family. S h e
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gave h e r father a n a w k w a r d h u g a n d l o o k e d b a c k a t t h e
valley o n e last t i m e . S h e t o u c h e d T h a l i a ' s p i n e tree, t h e n
allowed h e r s e l f t o b e l e a d over t h e crest a n d i n t o t h e
m o r t a l world.
F o r t h e first t i m e at c a m p , I felt t r u l y a l o n e . I l o o k e d o u t
a t L o n g I s l a n d S o u n d a n d I r e m e m b e r e d m y f a t h e r saying,
The sea does not like to be restrained.
I m a d e my decision.
I
wondered,
if P o s e i d o n
were
watching,
would
he
a p p r o v e o f m y choice?
"I'll be b a c k n e x t s u m m e r , " I p r o m i s e d h i m . "I'll survive
u n t i l t h e n . A f t e r all, I am y o u r son." I a s k e d A r g u s to t a k e
m e d o w n t o c a b i n t h r e e , s o I c o u l d p a c k m y b a g s for h o m e .
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
W i t h o u t t h e assistance of n u m e r o u s valiant h e l p e r s , I
w o u l d have b e e n slain b y m o n s t e r s m a n y t i m e s over a s
I e n d e a v o r e d t o b r i n g t h i s s t o r y t o p r i n t . Thanks t o m y
elder s o n , H a l e y M i c h a e l , w h o h e a r d t h e s t o r y first; m y
y o u n g e r s o n , P a t r i c k J o h n , w h o at t h e age of six is t h e level-
puts up
w i t h m y m a n y l o n g hours at C a m p H a l f - B l o o d . Thanks also
h e a d e d o n e i n t h e family; a n d m y wife, Becky, w h o
t o m y cadre o f m i d d l e - s c h o o l b e t a testers: Travis Stoll,
clever a n d q u i c k a s H e r m e s ; C . C . Kellogg, b e l o v e d a s
A t h e n a ; A l l i s o n Bauer, clear-eyed a s A r t e m i s t h e H u n t r e s s ;
a n d M r s . M a r g a r e t F l o y d , t h e wise a n d k i n d l y seer o f
m i d d l e - s c h o o l E n g l i s h . M y a p p r e c i a t i o n also t o P r o f e s s o r
E g b e r t J . Bakker,
classicist e x t r a o r d i n a i r e ; N a n c y Gallt,
a g e n t summa cum laude; J o n a t h a n B u r n h a m , Jennifer Besser,
a n d S a r a h H u g h e s for believing i n Percy.
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