~Perdido Dentro~ -> Pjo

Chapter 7 / Percy Accosts Several Elderly Women, For Fun?

It didn't take me that long to pack. I went back to my cabin and packed my belongings, breaking the news to my fellow cabin members that I may not be returning for the next week or two.

I got a few good luck's from my friends, cabin mates, even the Ares cabin—apparently me standing up to the hell hound made me 'cool' in their eyes.

I had arrived faster than Annabeth, Percy, or Grover did, so I got lectured by Chiron.

"Cassidy, I need you to promise me that you'll keep Percy out of trouble." Chiron said, rollin' in his wheelchair.

"I don't know Chiron, how am I supposed to keep a literal piece of kelp out of harm's way?" I crossed my arms. "Whatever way he goes I have to follow, because he's leading the quest."

"Cassidy, you've been blessed by Apollo himself, do you know what that gives you?" Chiron asked.

"The ability to play all instruments–"

"The ability to manipulate all light sources, do you know how much power that is?" Chiron interrupted. "You have to be careful. Entering the Underworld could have the possibility of bringing you intense pain."

"If Apollo knew of this 'possibility' then why did he bless me, huh?" My tone hardened. If only Chiron knew my hatred for Apollo.

"Cassidy, Apollo blessing you, gave–" Chiron tried, before he noticed the trio walk up. He suddenly dropped the conversation.

I decided to drop the conversation as well.

Chiron gestured over to Argus, "This is Argus," Chiron said to the trio. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things."

I glanced at Luke, which was running up to catch up before we left. He ran up the hill carrying 'Maia,' "Hey!" He panted. "Glad I caught you."

Annabeth blushed when Luke approached, something went through my chest. A sudden ach, but I didn't understand how, nor why.

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told us. "And I thought . . . um, maybe you could use these."

He handed Percy 'Maia.'

"Maia!" Luke said.

White bird wings sprouted out of the heels, for what I guessed, it had startled Percy as he dropped them. They flapped around on the ground before the wings folded back up and disappeared.

"Awesome!" Grover said.

Luke smiled. "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days. . ." His expression formed a frown.

Me and Luke had a similarity when it came to our father figures, we both resented our dads. We believed that they didn't give two shats about us, seeing us as ants while they were kings atop thousands of meters big, thrones.

I chuckled slightly as I saw a slight embarrassed blush form on Percy's cheeks.

"Hey, man," Percy said. "Thanks."

"Listen, Percy. . ." Luke said in a slightly uncomfortable tone. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just. . . kill some monsters for me, okay?"

Luke shook hands with Percy. Luke patted Grover's head between his tiny horns. He gave Annabeth a good-bye hug, which looked like a literal tomato. Before he went over to me and leaned in, and whispered some hopeful advice and his wants.

"Take care of Percy alright?" Luke whispered.

"I'll see what I can do." I smiled.

"Watch out for those closest to you, don't want the world's brightest smile to end up dead." He gave me a hug before pulling away from me.