𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 - 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒚 𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒙 𝒐𝒄

‧⁺˚*･༓𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬༓･*˚⁺‧

The bus stopped at the terminal and Grover ran to the bathroom. 

Percy grabbed Phoenix's hand and started running.

"Okay!" Phoenix exclaimed. "Where are we going, Percy?"

"Somewhere."

"Alright," She nodded. "But I don't think we should leave Grover."

"Well, good thing I don't care what you think."

"What?" Phoenix stopped and pulled Percy to a halt. 

"Yeah," He nodded. "I heard you guys talking about me, y'know I thought you were my friend Phoenix."

"Wha- Percy- I am," She shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"When you and Grover were in Mr. Brunner's office," Percy sighed.

"You were stalking us?"

"Well, more like I happened to go to talk to Mr. Brunner when I heard you."

"So the loud noise," She nodded. "And the soap."

"Yeah. That."

"What the hell Percy?"

"Look, I'm sorry."

"Do you realize how dangerous this is?"

"No Phoenix! I don't! I don't know why Mr. Brunner called me gifted, why you were talking about a winter solstice, and why Grover handed me a business card saying he needed to protect me, and I don't know why three old ladies cut a string and it's life-changing. Honestly, I don't even know who you are anymore."

"Percy," Phoenix sighed.

"I don't even know who I am anymore."

"I- I know how terrible you feel, but I promise, it will all get so much better."

"That's what Grover said," He shook his head.

"Percy. Soon. I promise."

"Okay," He nodded. "Let's get a taxi."

"And go where?" 

"My house."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I don't where else we could go."

"Well, maybe we could go find our friend."

"No."

"Okay," She nodded and followed him to a taxi.

"East One-hundred-and-fourth and First," Percy told the driver.

They walked into Percy's apartment, Percy was hoping his mom would be home fromwork. 

Instead, Smelly Gabe was in the living room, playing poker with hisbuddies. The television blared ESPN. Chips and beer cans were strewn allover the carpet. 

Hardly looking up, he said around his cigar, "So, you're home." 

"Where's my mom?" 

"Working," he said. "Who's the girlfriend?"

"Friend, from school."

 "You got any cash?" 

That was it. 

No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been in the last six months? 

"I don't have any cash," Percy told him. 

He raised a greasy eyebrow.Gabe could sniff out money like a bloodhound, which was surprising since his smell should've covered up everything else. 

"You took a taxi from the bus station," he said. "Probably paid with atwenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under thisroof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"