Thunder and Blood

3

Percy

I spend the night in a dark alleyway, holding riptide in my palm until I see the sun begin to rise. I didn't sleep at all, not with every little sound scaring me more than the last. I wish Annabeth were here. She'd know what to do. 

She always knows what to do.

I think to myself, maybe the best way to get through this quest is to do what she would do. But what would she do? She would probably start with finding some food... but then I'd need money to buy the food. 

No. she wouldn't use money. 

She'd steal the food. 

I get up, ready to set off on my mission. Water isn't a problem for me, I can get that anywhere. But where could I get food? I walk down the street. Last night, after the encounter with the cat, I had run almost halfway across town, now I'm by some animal hospital. The sign says closed, but I hear voices inside. 

I let my curiosity get the best of me. I creep out to the side, peeking in through one of the slightly open windows. I see a man, who is maybe the veterinarian, standing with some kids around my age. The first is a boy, dark hair and a tattoo on his left arm, he has his arms crossed, listening to the man speak. Then there is a girl, standing beside him, dark hair as well, but unlike the boy, she actually has an even jawline. 

The vet turns to her. "Allison," I'm assuming that's her name, "can your father help?"

"He's on his way."

There are three more boys in the room, and then three more girls, one I recognize from the highway. I had hit her car. But my focus is on the dark haired boy with the tattoo. He is looking around the room, as if sensing my presence. I duck below the windowsill just as he turns to look at it. 

A different girl speaks up. "He just disappeared from the hospital, right? During the scan?" She asks, Scott nods. "Do you think he's... do you think the nogitsune has control?"

"I hope not." But he sounds off, worried.

"Scott?" The vet asks him. "Is everything okay?"

"Someone else is here." He says cautiously. "I can hear them."

"Stiles?" Asks the girl I had hit, the redhead.

I make a face. What the hell is a Stiles? 

"I- I'm not sure." Scott replies. "But I want to find out. I hear a door open, then footsteps. I peek around the corner of the building, just in time to see Scott come into view. He's looking around, not sure where I am. If I don't do something, and fast, he'll find what he's looking for. I'm blocked in, I have nowhere to go. 

Desperately not wanting them to find me and ruin my quest, I close my eyes, trying to feel the rushing water in the sewers beneath me. I hear it roaring in the pipes as I will all the water within a half a mile radius towards me. Scott stops, as if he can hear it too. He looks down at the storm drain beneath his feet, stepping off of it. It begins to rattle and shake, he stares at it in confusion. 

And then it explodes. 

The build up of pressure blows the storm drain out of the ground, and the water blasts up, reaching past the roof of the animal hospital. I hear Scott swear, moving further back to try and stay dry. 

Just for the fun of it, I take a ball of water and splash him separately in the face,

I hear one of his friends laugh. When he turns to face them, I make my move. With the water acting as my cover, I run towards it, not a drop soaking me. I use it to lift me into the air, I land on the top of the animal hospital, tucking and rolling to break my fall. I stand quickly, brushing myself off.