You'll Learn to Love Me

Chapter 34: Bacchus and Laylana Almost Dies (Again)

The two girls headed to the mess hall for some food. Piper grabbed a bagel and Laylana grabbed two slices of toast with butter. They both climbed up to the deck and joined the others as the boat settled in the middle of a field of sunflowers. The oars retracted. The gangplank lowered itself. It was beautiful here, and Laylana wished they could stay longer, and just enjoy the view and sights.

Percy noticed the girls coming up first. He smiled in greeting. Laylana smiled back at her brother, noticing his new choice of clothes. He was wearing his favorite pair of jeans and a fresh orange Camp Half-Blood T-shirt, as if he'd never been away from the Greek side. He was standing at the rail with his arm around Annabeth. The blonde herself had that sparkle return to her eyes when she was around Percy, which Laylana was more than happy for.

"So!" Annabeth plucked the bagel out of Piper's hand and took a bite, but that didn't bother Piper. Back at camp, she had joined in on the joke that her and Laylana had of stealing each other's food. She offered it to Laylana, who took a bite before Annabeth also stole a bite of Laylana's toast. "Here we are. What's the plan?"

"I want to check out the highway," Piper said. "Find the sign that says Topeka 32."

Leo spun his Wii controller in a circle, and the sails lowered themselves. "We shouldn't be far," he said. "Festus and I calculated the landing as best we could. What do you expect to find at the mile marker?"

Piper explained what she'd seen in the knife—the man in purple with a goblet. 

"Purple shirt?" Jason asked. "Vines on his hat? Sounds like Bacchus."

"Dionysus," Percy muttered. "If we came all the way to Kansas to see Mr. D—"

"Bacchus isn't so bad," Jason said. "I don't like his followers much...."

Piper shuddered and Laylana grimaced. She had a flashback of when the four of them had their encounter with the maenads. Although that could have been the worst day of her life, it was also one of the best. That was the day her and Leo made up, and he confessed his feelings for her and asked her to be his girlfriend. 

"But the god himself is okay," Jason continued. "I did him a favor once up in the wine country."

Percy looked appalled. "Whatever, man. Maybe he's better on the Roman side. But why would he be hanging around in Kansas? Didn't Zeus order the gods to cease all contact with mortals?"

Frank grunted. The big guy was wearing a blue tracksuit this morning, like he was ready to go for a jog in the sunflowers.

"The gods haven't been very good at following that order," he noted. "Besides, if the gods have gone schizophrenic like Hazel said—"

"And Leo and Laylana said," added Leo.

Frank scowled at him and Laylana lightly punched him in the arm. "Then who knows what's going on with the Olympians? Could be some pretty bad stuff out there."

"Sounds dangerous!" Leo agreed cheerfully. "Well...you guys have fun. I've got to finish repairs on the hull. Coach Hedge is gonna work on the broken crossbows. And, uh, Annabeth—I could really use your help. You're the only other person who even sort of understands engineering."

Annabeth looked apologetically at Percy. "He's right. I should stay and help."

"I'll come back to you." He kissed her on the cheek. "Promise."

Laylana's heart ached. She felt a sense of dread, but didn't want to say anything. She put a completely fake smile on and stepped up. "I'll go too. Keep an eye on him for you."

Annabeth looked at her and grinned. Percy looked offended. "I don't need looking after!" 

"Really? You don't?" Laylana deadpanned. "Last time I left you alone you went missing for six months. What did we say? Never again?"