Percy Jackson and the Incarnate - 2: Who is the spy?

CHAPTER 5 POV: Percy Jackson

I put on my hood as I stood in front of the house I had known since I was thirteen. The smell of the blue cookies made me nostalgic. How I missed my mother. How I missed my Stepfather. How I missed my stepsister, Estelle. Come to think of it, I was feeling extremely guilty. I know my mom. She would never be angry at me. But to make her worry for a year thinking I was dead was bad.

I stood there, hesitant to knock the door. Hestia saw my hesitancy and squeezed my hand. She looked at me and gave me a nod, assuring me to carry forward.

"Percy. Or shall I say Evlogimenos. Your mother will be so happy to see you. I sense your hesitancy. She is always forgiving, a trait you inherited from her. She will accept you. Stay with your family for a day or two, even a week if you wish. Spend time with them before coming back to the camp. I will take my leave.", she said, and fire travelled away.

After a minute of standing in silence, and not to be suspected by anyone, I knocked the door.

"Coming", a male voice responded. The door opened and my stepfather stood before me. Paul. His salt pepper hair and his good looks.

"Yes. How can I help you?", he asked and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you Mr. Blofis?", I asked and nearly cursed It sounded more like blowfish. I hope he doesn't spot the slip up.

"Yes. How can I help you, Mr...."?

"Evlogimenos.", I replied in a deeper tone to hide my actual voice.

"Mr. Evlogimenos.", he completed.

"Is Sally Jackson around? I need to talk to her.", I said and if he was smart, he would have found out the clue.

"Yes. She is here. What does this concern about?", he asked. After a few seconds, his eyes went wide before asking, "How do you know Sally's maiden name? It had been a while since she used it now that she is Mrs. Blofis."

"Indeed smart, Mr. Blofis. Or I shall say Paul.", I said and emphasized on his first name. He widens in shock before calming himself.

"What do you want?", he asked sternly. I had to admit, he did good to remain composed in front of a total stranger.

"This concerns her son, Percy Jackson.", I said.

"What? I never saw him with you. He is now d-dead for a year.", he controlled his sob.

"He is not.", I replied nonchalantly.

"Excuse me?", he asked in shock.

"He is not dead. He is alive and I know his whereabouts.", I said calmly.

"Is this a prank? I hope it is not. Come in.", he said in disbelief as he allowed me inside the room.

"SALLY! Come here ASAP!!", Paul bellowed, which was very much unlike him. And after a minute, from the kitchens came the first goddess in my life, my mother Sally Jackson. She still had that warm smile. She had now a few strands of grey hair, but other than that she remained the same.

"Paul? What happened? I never saw you scream! Who is this person?", she asked pointing to me.

"I am Evlogimenos. Nice to meet you.", I said and gave a slight bow.

"Sally. He c-c-claims that our son, P-Percy is not dead, and he knows where he is.", Paul stuttered, shocked beyond belief.

"WHAT? Are you telling me the truth?", she asked me dead serious. I gulped and nodded. Even after all the powers I had, I still fear her serious face, which is very rare.

"Very well, please sit down. Like some cookies?", she asked curtly.

"Absolutely. Percy had praised lavishly about your blue cookies. I would definitely want a taste.", I said, trying to contain my excitement.

She gave a small smile. "Be right back."

"I sat on the couch with Paul next to me. He still had a shocked look on his face.

"Where did you meet him?", he asked.

"In India. I was visiting my friend when he introduced me to him.", I replied.

"How did he reach India? Of all places?", He wondered.

"Ask him when he returns.", I replied.

"What? He is returning?", my mom came with the tray of cookies. She had a look of surprise but relief and tears of joy.

"Yes. He will return shortly. Now, where is Estelle? I heard he had a step-sister.", I said, barely containing my excitement.

"Estelle.", My mom called and a two-year-old girl with sea-green eyes and salt-pepper hair tied in ponytails crawled towards her. She was a mini ball of energy.
"Mommy.", she squeals as mom lifts.

"Hello Estelle. Nice to meet you.", I said gently.

"You?", she asked innocently pointing at me. I gave a small chuckle.

"I am Evlogimenos. Percy's friend. I came here to inform you about the whereabouts of Percy.", I said in my normal voice. I looked at my mother who had confusion written all over her face. She must have recognized the voice.

"When will he return?", Paul asked.

"He has returned. He is here, in Manhattan.", I said.

"Where in Manhattan?", Mom asked as she held my shoulders and shook me violently.

"I am hurt that you couldn't recognize my voice. Mom.", I said and flipped back my hood and gave her my smile. Huge mistake!!

Paul sitting beside me hugged me so fiercely that I chocked. Estelle climbed onto my lap and cried while mom gave me a bear hug that could rival Tyson.

"Mom.... Can't.... Breathe.", I chocked.

After a minute, they relented. I hugged mom. She hugged me back fiercely. Paul took care of Estelle. She was crying in shock.

"Percy!! Is that you!! Oh! Gods!!!! I can't believe it!!!! You're here.", she literally sobbed onto my shoulders, wetting my jacket.

"Percy. You never died?", Paul asked incredulously.

"Yep. I never died. I had to be in incognito, so I had to fake my death.", I replied.

"Who knows this?", Mom asked.

"Hestia, Annabeth, Apollo Chiron and Rachel because she is an oracle. It was top secret. Still, it is. I reveal only to the closest ones. Hence, I revealed to you three.", I said.

"Percy!! You had no idea how it felt without you. No silly antics like this again. Poseidon was distraught. The sea is never the same.", she hugged me tightly, fearing I would vanish like in dreams.

"You are not dreaming mom. It is real. I have returned.", I consoled her.

"So, is Hari alive too?", Paul suddenly asked.

"Yes. He is alive. It was his idea to fake our deaths.", I said.

"Where is he?"

"His training is not complete. It will take one more year. I have returned to take stock of the situation and plan in incognito. If possible, I would also spy the enemy.", I explained.

"So, you come here, give us the biggest heart attack and the happiest moment, only to spoil it by leaving for camp?", mom asked angrily.

"Mom. I never left. I will never. I planned of staying with you guys for a week before I start my plan. I shall go to the camp and train them. This week is all ours.", I said and kissed her cheek affectionately. She wiped her tears and kissed me back.

"Per-cy!!", Estelle bounced up and down and she squealed.

"Yes, I am Estelle. I missed you. Can we play. I week.", I said, and she nodded vigorously.

"I am so happy Percy. Do you plan to tell Poseidon?", he asked.

"Yes. I will. At camp. But all after one week.", I said and lifted Estelle like a rocket and zoomed her to her bed while she giggled. We played till mom called us for dinner. She forced me to sleep in her room. Gods. I felt guilty for leaving them. One week I will spend with them as their son. I promise.