𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝐶ℎ𝑖ℎ𝑢𝑎ℎ𝑢𝑎-𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

THEY SPENT THE NEXT two days on the Amtrak train, heading west through hills, over rivers, past amber waves of grain. It was beautiful scenery. Astoria was entranced by the various landscapes as the only reference she had in her previous life were pictures. The sight should've prompted relaxation for everyone if not for Percy being a wanted child.

On several East Coast newspapers, there were pictures of Percy. A tourist had managed snag a shot of him getting off the Greyhound bus and send it over to the media. There was a wild look in Jackson's eyes and his sword was a metallic blur in his hands, like a baseball bat or lacrosse stick.

The picture's caption read:

Twelve year-old Percy Jackson, wanted for questioning in the Long Island disappearance of his mother two weeks ago, is shown here fleeing from the bus where he accosted several elderly female passengers. The bus exploded on an east New Jersey roadside shortly after Jackson fled the scene. Based on eyewitness accounts, police believe the boy may be traveling with two teenage accomplices. His stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered cash reward for information leading to his capture.

"Don't worry," Annabeth, who sat next to Percy, told him. "Mortal police could never find us." Even though she tried to reassure him, her voice didn't sound too confident.

Astoria read the page with an impassive expression before setting it aside. Percy looked at her from across suspiciously. "You seem pretty calm about the whole situation for someone new to all this." Annabeth glanced at Percy, but had to agree. Mortals would usually be mortified, or at least shocked about the existence of Greek 'mythology'. The concept was even difficult for new half-bloods to understand. Yet Astoria was indifferent and knew things that shouldn't have been known.

"Your knowledge is pretty suspicious." Annabeth noted. "It's like already know what's going to happen."

"Well?" Grover asked curiously.

"I think," Astoria paused, "that you all need to trust in the process. There are some things I can't tell you yet."

"Why not?" Astoria's eyes met sea green. Then they trailed to her other companions.

She wanted to tell them, 'hey, just so you know, I can tell you what will happen, but oh wait! I can't 'cause I entered from another reality and me being here has altered the future!' Letting it off her chest was the first thing she wanted to do, but it wasn't wise. Knowing without being able to do anything would only bring negative outcomes, and she couldn't stray further from the plot. Gods know what would happen if it did.

"I just can't," she insisted. "There'll be a time when you all understand, but now is not right. Who knows what would happen if I told you. There's too much at stake and I can't afford to take the risk."

"Trust, am I right?" Percy grumbled. Annabeth didn't push any further, but Astoria saw the gears turning in her head, and Grover just dropped the subject. The rest of the day, the four sat in silence, with the two demigods bouncing their feet or fidgeting every once in a while.

The next morning, Astoria woke up to Annabeth shaking her shoulders. At the same time, Grover was snoring and bleating in his sleep. Percy was already awake, albeit still sleepy. Grover shuffled his feet and his fake foot fell off. The three had to stick it back on before any of the other passengers noticed. Luckily, the adults in the train were preoccupied by their computers and papers.

"So," Annabeth asked Percy, once they got Grover's sneaker readjusted. "Who wants your help?"

"What do you mean?"