¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

I.

ｔｈｅ　ｔｉｔａｎｓ　ｃｕｒｓｅ

LUCIA DIDN'T DO MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCES. Awkward sweaty pre-teen bodies all over the smelly gym floor, overly sweet artificial punch, cheap decorations, and terrible music that would never make it into her iPods playlist. To say the least, she was not enjoying her time.

It was no better that Westover Hall, her school for the past year, wasn't known for being bright, happy, and fun. It was more so a black stone-cursed castle that kept kids prisoners and drained them of happiness.

Lucia was brought over to Westover hall in Maine after an altercation in New York with her step-mom. the court decided a military academy in Maine was the best option for her (mostly because it was either that or juvie). Lucia wasn't one to have a big temper or lash out or blow up cars. yet, she still ended up on a bus with a hairy driver that she swore had horns and was taken away from home in new york to Maine.

Now here she was in the dingy old gym sitting on the bleachers in a pair of jeans, an oversized hand-me-down sweatshirt, listening to music on the only gift she'd ever gotten.

She only looked up for a moment when she saw two familiar figures arguing near the bleachers. Lucia smiled before standing from where she sat and making her way over to them.

The girl, Bianca Di Angelo, wore a floppy green cap, like she was trying to hide her face. The boy was her little brother, Nico. They both had dark silky hair and olive skin, and they used their hands a lot as they talked.

Nico was shuffling his mythomagic cards. His sister seemed to be scolding him about something. She kept looking around like she sensed something was wrong.

"B?" Lucia asked "You alright?"

"Lucia!" the younger girl stepped forward wrapping her arms around Lucia's neck "Oh we've been trying to find you all night"

"I was wondering where you guys were too!" Lucia laughed hugging her back before Nico popped in shoving himself between them. Squished between the two he looked up at Lucia with a toothy grin his shorter arms wrapped around her waist "hey Neeks how are you"

Lucia patted his head once they broke away from their hug

"Annoying" Bianca huffed "Like always" 

Nico's eyebrows furrowed together before he stuck his tongue out at his sister

Lucia giggled at the pair as they started arguing again, hands flying everywhere as they spoke in Italian. The Di Angelos hadn't been to school for long but ever since they've come Lucia and them became rather close. They may have been a little younger than her but they were good company to have, The best she had in a while.

"Mr. and Ms Di Angelo" Lucia jumped as the siblings stopped arguing, she stuffed her iPod and headphones into her pocket before turning to see none other than her vice principal looming down on them

"What was that Ms Verano."

"Oh! nothing Dr thorn just a-"

"Electronic Device," he asked raising an eyebrow "You know you can get in trouble for that. I bet you're fully aware of our no electronics rule Mrs Verano."

"Mmm doesn't ring a bell" she shrugged " Don't know what you're talking about...now! if you'll excuse us, we would like to go dance."

Lucia stepped forward pulling Bianca and Nico away from the freaky old man

"I don't think so." their principal practically growled his hands tightening around Bianca and Lucia's necks and pulling them back so hard Bianca's hat fell off

"Hey, you hag !" Lucia snapped, "Who do you think you are!"

"Lucia it's okay."

"Follow me or else you'll get in even more trouble" he hissed pulling them forward Nico grabbed his sister's hand, afraid to be left alone.

"They didn't do anything!" Lucia tried as they were pulled out of the gym "I was the one who broke the rules let them enjoy the dance."

"Shut up and walk." he spat leading them into a dark hallway

Lucia's eyebrows furrowed, she went to speak again but Bianca grabbed onto her wrist—a sign to stay calm.

She huffed and he pushed them forward, she was angry at herself for dragging Bianca and Nico into her mess.

"Where are you taking us." Nico frowned

Dr thorn stopped in his place, he looked around him before huffing

"Dr—"

Bianca was cut off as he walked away from them, pushing Lucia back into the wall, causing her to groan in pain.

"What the fuck!" she yelled as Bianca helped her up

Before they could collect themselves they heard footsteps coming from behind them the three of them turned quickly coming face to face with a boy, who held a double-edged bladed bronze sword. It had a leather-wrapped grip and a flat hilt riveted with gold studs.  the sword reflected light into the dark hallway and onto the boy's face, letting his features show...

Lucia froze as she stared at him, his gaze was set on the Di Angelos but that didn't stop her from noticing his jet-black hair, Mediterranean tan skin, and the sea-green eyes she could recognize anywhere.

"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you." The boy reassured them "I'm going to get you out of here I'm—"

"Percy?"

The boy finally looked towards her, his eyebrows furrowing together and his mouth falling agape

"Luz? What are you—"

Suddenly, Lucia saw glowing eyes looming behind Percy, preparing to attack him.

"Percy! Behind you!" Lucia yelled stepping forward as he hit the wall and slashed his sword "Why in the world do you have a sword"

"Is that what you're worried about right now?" He asked

"Well I just think it's pretty random"

A cold laugh echoed through the hallway

"Yes, Perseus Jackson. I know who you are." Percy was pinned to the wall by some kind of foot-long spike.

The boy futilely attempted to free himself and Lucia stepped forward to help him, she noticed it grazed his skin when Dr. Thorn stepped into the dim light.

He still looked human, but his face was ghoulish. He had perfect white teeth and his brown/blue eyes reflected the light of Percy's sword.

"Thank you for coming out of the gym. I hate middle school dances." He said, slowly approaching the boy. 

Percy tried to swing his sword at Thorn, but he was just out of reach. 

Another WHIISH cut through the air, this time much closer, causing Lucia to flinch.

Behind her, Bianca was rigid with fright, her face half an inch from another spike.

"All four of you will come with me," Dr. Thorn said. "Quietly. Obediently. If you make a single noise, if you call out for help or try to fight, I will show you how accurately I can throw."

next time i'll leave my iPod in my room