Percy and Jason's Totally Rad Roadtrip

CH.3 - For The Love of Pizza

After Percy didn't show up for pizza, Jason couldn't help but worry a little. Percy never missed out on pizza. So after an hour had passed, Jason knew it was time to go looking for him.

He followed the signs that pointed him to the lake. Making his way down a trail to the beach, he found Percy's flip-flops sitting alone in the sand. He looked up and scanned the lake with no sign of his cousin.

He commanded the air around him to become a miniature tornado, surrounding him as he levitated above the lake for a moment before diving in.

It was hard for him to see through the dark waters, but he managed to reached the bottom. The mossy floor squished under his shoes, and he had to step over sunken logs and veer past fish cribs.

"Percy!" he called out. No reply came.

He was about to try again, but someone asked behind him, "You are the son of Zeus?"

He turned to find a glowing green nymph watching him from a few feet away. She didn't seem threatening, but he wasn't about to let his guard down.

He nodded to her. "Jupiter, actually. How did you know that?"

"Your partner told me," she replied.

"My partner?" he asked, trying not to choke. "No, no, no. You've got it all wrong. We aren't like that. We're cousins. We both have girlfriends. We--"

"No need to explain," she stopped him. "Where is he?"

Jason wanted to keep arguing, but her question disturbed him. "Wait, so you've met him?"

"Yes. He left saying he would fetch you for assistance."

"How long ago?"

She looked up at the surface. "The sun was setting when he went off."

"That was more than a half an hour ago," he muttered. He stared at the moon above, rippling in the waves on the surface.

"Did he not appear to you?" the nymph asked.

"No. He never came back. That's why I came looking for him."

"You think he is in danger?"

Jason didn't answer. He just hoped Percy hadn't been taken again like they both were by Hera. But he knew that wouldn't happen here. Percy had probably just gotten sidetracked. As usual.

"He has to be around here somewhere," Jason decided. "Is there anything around that might have caught his attention?"

"Nothing," the nymph said sadly. "He probably took a good, close look at this lake and fled. It's disgusting! Who wouldn't want to leave?" She sighed deeply.

Jason wasn't sure how to reply to that. He chose to ignore it. "So there aren't any monsters or anything in this lake?"

"No, the nymphs are all who dwell here. That is if you don't include the fish. And as it appears for the meantime, I am the only nymph."

Jason looked around again. Nothing but darkness. "Percy wouldn't leave anyone who needed help. He has to still be here. We'll just have to find him."

She smiled at him. "So we shall, and the lake will be restored!"

Jason started walking again in no specific direction. He took out his coin and flipped it, catching his golden sword in hand. The nymph followed beside him, staring at his mini cyclone that swirled around him.

"I'm Jason, by the way," he decided to mention.

"I'm Clyte," she answered, turning away from him. "Do you hear that?"