The Kiss Of Death - A Percy Jackson And The Sea Of Monsters Fanfiction

10 - Clarisse Blows Up Everything

"You are in so much trouble," Clarisse said.

We'd just finished a ship tour we didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. We'd seen the coal bunker, the boilers and engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute. We'd seen the pilothouse and the powder magazine and gunnery deck (Clarisse's favourite) with two Dahlgren smoothbore cannons on the port and starboard sides and a Brooke nine-inch rifled gun fore and aft - all specially refitted to fire celestial bronze cannon balls. Everywhere we went, dead Confederate sailors stared at us, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia. They were interested in Percy, too, because his name was Jackson – like the Southern general but then he ruined it by telling them he was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees. All of them bowed and were obligated to call me 'Lady' because they were dead and my father was the Reaper of Souls. Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Annabeth hold his hand, which she didn't look too thrilled about.

I got to see Aaron, who was Clarisse's quest buddy. In our conversation of what happened, I decided to refrain from telling him about what happened with Luke and I. But for some reason, I was feeling uneasy about him. I realised, after he wouldn't stop touching me throughout the whole tour – holding my hand, an arm around my shoulders or waist – that I'd much prefer to be snogging with Luke again. I decided that I was just feeling conflicted and it was just hormones acting up. But on the bright side, I'm not on my period anymore! Yay!

Finally, we were escorted to dinner. The CSS Birmingham captain's quarters were about the size of a walk-in closet, but still much bigger than any other room on board. The table was set with white linen and china. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, and Dr Peppers were served by skeletal crewmen.

"Tantalus expelled you for eternity," Clarisse told us smugly. "Mr. D said if any of you show your face at camp again, he'll turn you into squirrels and run you over with his SUV."

"Did they give you this ship?" Percy asked.

"'Course not. Her father did." I said in a 'duh' tone, Clarisse shot me a smirk. I felt like I was going mad, because I returned it.

"Ares?"

Clarisse sneered. "You think your daddy is the only one with sea power? The spirits on the losing side of every war owe a tribute to Ares. That's their curse for being defeated. I prayed to my father for a naval transport and here it is. These guys will do anything I tell them. Won't you, Captain?"

The captain stood behind her looking stiff and angry. His glowing green eyes fixed Percy with a hungry stare. "If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone."

Clarisse smiled. "Destroy anyone. I like that."

Tyson gulped.

"Clarisse," I said, "Luke might be after the Fleece, too. We saw him. He's got the coordinates and he's heading south. He has a cruise ship full of monsters–"

"Good! I'll blow him out of the water." Clarisse hummed.

"You don't understand," Annabeth said. "We have to combine forces. Let us help you–"

"No!" Clarisse pounded the table. "This is my quest, smart girl! Finally, I get to be the hero, and you two will not steal my chance."

"Clarisse," I said, "Tantalus is using you. He doesn't care about the camp. He'd love to see it destroyed. He's setting you up to fail."

"No! I don't care what the Oracle-" She stopped herself.

"What?" Percy said. "What did the Oracle tell you?"