Freak || Percy Jackson x OC

Sixty-Two: I touched the butt

SEN

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

When you think "monster island," you think craggy rocks and bones scattered on the beach like the island of the Sirens.

The Cyclops's island was nothing like that. Well... okay, it had a rope bridge across a chasm, which was not a good sign. You might as well put up a billboard that said, SOMETHING EVIL LIVES HERE. But except for that, the place looked like a Caribbean postcard. It had rolling green fields and tropical fruit trees and white beaches. As the ship sailed toward the shore, Annabeth breathed in the sweet air.

"The Fleece." She breathed.

Sen leaned against the railing, her nose tilted into the air to sniff. Even though the Fleece wasn't visible yet, there was absolutely no denying its presence. The air smelled absolutely wonderful, filled with nature magic in every atom. Sen could feel the life travel back into her bones despite how sore her body had been after her attempt to join the Sirens. Everything in her head seemed to clear into concise blocks capable of being stacked and organized perfectly. Her hair felt soft and beautiful again, and a smile spread her face. There was no denying that the Fleece could heal anyone and anything, including Thalia's tree.

"If we take it away," Percy began. He was so close to Sen, his voice startled her and shook her out of her momentary bliss. "will the island die?"

Annabeth shook her head. "It'll fade. Go back to what it would be normally, whatever that is."

Sen stared at the island. Part of her felt somewhat guilty for destroying this island paradise in the middle of mayhem and destruction, but she knew she had to get that Fleece one way or the other. Thalia's tree dying would be the final straw in breaking the camel's back- or rather, it'd be the tipping point for the destruction of Camp Half-Blood.

And, even without that, whether or not the Fleece was dire to the survival of demigods, Sen hadn't come all this way, lost all this time, happiness, lost Tyson just to turn around and quit right now.

In the meadow at the base of the ravine, several dozen sheep were milling around. They looked peaceful enough, but they were huge- the size of hippos. Just past them was a path that led up into the hills. At the top of the path, near the edge of the canyon, was a massive oak tree, branches twisting and curling every way, with thick green leaves exploding with life and vibrancy. Something gold glittered in its branches.

"This is too easy." Percy frowned. Sen had to agree. "We could just hike up there and take it."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "There's supposed be a guardian. A dragon or..."

That's when a deer emerged from the bushes. It trotted into the meadow, probably looking for grass to eat, when the sheep all bleated at once and rushed the animal. It happened so fast that the deer stumbled and was lost in a sea of wool and trampling hooves. Sen jumped a bit, her eyes wide.

Grass, blood, and tufts of fur flew into the air.

A second later the sheep all moved away, back to their regular peaceful wanderings. Where the deer had been was a pile of clean white bones.

"Oh!" Sen nodded. She exchanged looks with her two friends. "Well, I think we found the guardian."

"Let's hope they don't find us." Percy grunted.