✓ | The Crown of the Dead

I am (almost) Impaled

Home was a lot of things, I suppose.

People usually said the thing that made home home was family, and I hadn't had that since I was eight years old. I hadn't been home in a long time.

Home to me was not a hill in the middle of the woods with a pine tree on it. Home was certainly not in the middle of the woods for me in general. Home was Dad baking cookies and wiping flour across my nose, and Papa sneaking the hot and gooey ones on the drying rack that were specifically marked off limits; home was the playhouse I had in my backyard and riding bikes in the street with the Markowitz's; home had become Aunt Piper's arms whenever I cried, and hot chocolate on cold winter days. That was home. Not this.

Percy unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. Charlie did too, as did the others, so I followed. I grabbed my duffel bag and swung it over my shoulder.

"It's been years. It's so weird to finally be back..."

Leo walked over to Percy's side and whistled. "What would Annabeth say if she were here?"

Percy shrugged. "Probably something upsetting," he let out a laugh.

"Cal?"

"Probably something annoying."

They both laughed.

"She wouldn't be annoying! Mom would say something whimsical," Essie added. "Something inspirational for our adventure ahead!"

"My mom would tell us not to forget to wear sunscreen," Luke offered.

"She would, wouldn't she?" Charlie smiled.

Essie looked to me. "What would your mom say, Bianca?"

My face went hot. "I don't... I don't actually have a mom..."

Essie frowned. "I'm sorry."

"No I-- I have two dads."

"Oh!" Her smile returned. "What would they say?"

"Umm..." I thought for a moment. "Well, my dad would probably make sure I had everything. Pester me, you know? And my papa would tell me to have fun and get dirty. Anything my dad didn't want me to do. Playfully. They always did that."

Essie giggled.

"Accurate," Percy said. "They did like to bicker."

Leo looked down at his watch. "Oh dang. We gotta go. We're sort of on a time sensitive business schedule kids, so say your goodbyes," Leo held out his arms, and Essie fell into them.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Charlie seemed distraught. "You're just... leaving us here?"

"This is Camp Half-Blood. You'll be safe here," Percy kissed Charlie's head. "Just head up over the hill and across the boundary line. Then you'll be inside. Find Chiron. He'll explain everything I couldn't."

"We're going to see you again... right?" Charlie confirmed.

"Of course!" He wrapped her in a hug. "It's not that big of a deal, I promise. C'mere squirt."

Luke ran to Percy's embrace just as Leo approached me.

"Nice to finally meet you, di Angelo," Leo held out his hand. I took it, and he leaned in slightly closer. "They'll be back. I know they will."

I smiled and nodded. I didn't believe him.

"Wow..." Essie sighed deeply next to me. "This is amazing. I'm ready to romanticize this opportunity as much as I can. You know what! I have the perfect Spotify playlist for this—" she pulled her phone out of her pocket.