Fated To Fall: PJO

ADHD Kid of the Year

"So," Annabeth said, "What's with the bracelet?"

Theo looked over at his wrist where some leather bands were braided with each other, a charm of a pomegranate with seeds made of pearls braided on top, next to a charm of a swan.

"It was a gift," he said, "According to my dad, my mom gave it to him when she left. Told him to give it to me when I was old enough."

Annabeth eyes seem to grow darker as thoughts ran through her head at the bracelet.

"What?" He asked.

She shook her head focusing on the seat ahead of them, "Nothing, the bracelet just looks familiar."

Argus drove them out of the countryside and into western Long Island. It felt
weird to be on a highway again, Annabeth and Grover sitting next to Percy and Theo in the front as if they were normal carpoolers.

After two weeks at Half-Blood Hill, the real
world seemed like a fantasy. Theo found myself staring at every McDonald's, every kid in the back of his parents' car, every billboard and shopping mall.

"So far so good," Theo heard Percy tell Annabeth. "Ten miles and not a single monster."

She gave him an irritated look. "It's bad luck to talk that way, seaweed brain."

"Remind me again-why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you."

"Could've fooled me."

She folded her cap of invisibility. "Look...we're just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals."

"Why?"

She sighed. "How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught
Poseidon with his girlfriend in Athena's temple, which is hugely disrespectful." Theo wrinkled up his nose, he didn't think that was fair. She was a mortal who couldn't say no to any god, much less Poseidon. "Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring forhis gift. My mom created the olive tree. The people saw that her gift was better, so they named the city after her."

"They must really like olives."

"Oh, forget it."

"Now, if she'd invented pizza-that I could understand."

"I said, forget it!"

In the front seat, Argus smiled. He didn't say anything, but one blue eye on the side of his neck winked at Theo.

Traffic slowed us down in Queens. By the time they got into Manhattan it was sunset and starting to rain.

Argus dropped us at the Greyhound Station on the Upper East Side, not far from Sally and Gabe's apartment. Taped to a mailbox was a soggy flyer with Percy's picture on it:

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BOY?

Theo ripped it down before Annabeth, Percy and Grover could notice.

Argus unloaded their bags, made sure they got their bus tickets, then drove away, the eye on the back of his hand opening to watch them as he pulled out of the parking lot.

Theo thought about how close he was to his old apartment. His dad was likely at home. Chris and Eve too. Did they notice his absence, or even miss him?

Grover shouldered his backpack. He gazed down the street in the direction Percy was looking. "You want to know why she married him, Percy?"

Percy stared at him. "Were you reading my mind or something?"

"Just your emotions." He shrugged. "Guess I forgot to tell you satyrs can do that. You were thinking about your mom and your stepdad, right?"