Blowfish

Chapter 3 - Life's a Beach

When mom said we were going to Montauk, I was furious. Percy was gone, kidnapped, and we were going to a beach day? What had become of the strong, independent woman who would do anything for her son? However bad the circumstances, being close to the ocean always made me feel closer to Percy.

After the 2 and ½ hour drive to Montauk, my spirits were profusely dampened. If only Percy was here to see this, to see the beach he called home. But nothing is better to lift spirits than the sight of waves crashing one after the other into the rocky shoreline.

The waves danced, and the shimmering light bouncing off the waves seemed to leap with joy of the beautiful day. I grabbed a book, hopped out of the car, and ran to a big rock to climb. I scaled it in record time, the moss and algae doing nothing to my hands.

I propped open my book and delighted in its words and pages, as a vision surrounded me of the story. Dragons spewed fire at maidens dressed as knights, and wizards and witches dueled in a spellcasting match. I almost forgot about Percy. Almost.

That's when I saw it. Through the waves, I saw a face. Sea-green eyes, black hair, and eyes crinkled from centuries of smiling. But he wasn't smiling. Somehow, though he was far away, I heard his voice clearly in my head.

He said, Estelle. Find my son. Find Percy. Take this clamshell. It shall protect you throughout your quest.

As a wave roared onto the rock I was sitting upon, I didn't get wet, but it left something. A clamshell the size of my palm was sitting on the rock next to me.

Inside the clamshell is four pearls, he said. If you smash one at your feet, it will guide you to the ocean. What belongs to the ocean will always return to it.

The man disappeared, and I knew who he was. Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes, had given me a quest. A quest to find Percy. To find my brother. I thought, I accept. Thank you, Poseidon.

I slid down the rock and headed to the car to put away the shell for later use, grabbing a beach chair for the one sandy part of beach. The waves lapped slowly against the beach, and the blue sky was cloudless. It was almost perfect. Almost.

When the day was over, I reached into my bag to pull out the clamshell. The sound of the ocean still in my ears, I opened it. Inside it were four beautiful white pearls, without fault of any kind. I shut the clamshell and stuffed it in my bag, saving it for later.

I lay awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, thinking about Percy. Where was he? Was he okay? And the one that frequented my thoughts the most, is he still alive? I thought, No. He's alive. Poseidon wouldn't have given me this quest if Percy was dead. It'll all work out just fine, I thought as I drifted asleep.

...

I dreamed of Percy. Alone, without Riptide, hanging by chains on a menacing stalactite. I wanted to yell, to let him know I was there, but my lungs wouldn't work. I heard a voice rumble throughout the cave. A river was rushing by in the background, but I didn't notice it that much.

Well, it said. If it isn't the great Perseus Jackson, here in my cave. I do wonder, why ever do I have the honour? It paused for a few seconds, then laughed. Oh yes, it said. My minions brought you here.

Percy spat at the voice, "Stop playing games and reveal yourself. Who are you? Ares? A minion of Kronos or Gaia? A servant of Loki, perhaps? Or Set, or Apophis?"

The voice hissed back at Percy, How dare you! I am greater than those you or your feeble weaklings you call friends defeated so easily. I am the future, Perseus Jackson. The Age of the Gods will end soon.