Bottled Up | PJO

⇝τρία(III)⇜

'A conflict runaway from, is a conflict never resolved'

Tanya Cruz was cleaning the café tables as she decided to close early when she heard the door open. Loudly. She turned around, "Estelle what- Henry? Are you alright?"

She rushed to the aid of said bo- satyr and paused.

"Mrs. Cruz I know this is going to sound very insane but," Henry gave a dramatic pause, "Estelle's a demigod"

Tanya blinked, "I know Henry. I just didn't know you were a, uh, satyr?". She guided the wounded boy to a chair and locked the café door. "I'm assuming there's a lot to unpack"

"Estelle's in danger. They're starting to catch on"

"She barely started middle school" Tanya paced trying to find the first-aid kit as she spoke with a distressed look on her face, "why would they catch on to her this soon?"

Estelle took in the scene her gaze drifting to her shoes, the scuffed edge and faint smell of gasoline a clear reminder of the recent incident. She looked up at them and asked, "they who?"

Henry shared a look with Tanya, "just... You remember when I said you were a demigod?"

Estelle nodded her brows furrowing further. Tanya placed the first-aid kit near Henry and bandaged his wounded hand.

"That's just it, monsters, the kind we met before, hunt after demigods. After you"

There was a silent pause before Estelle gave a small laugh, "don't be ridiculous. I have both my parents anyway, how am I supposed to be some god's child"

Tanya looked to Estelle her tone careful and gentle, "remember before Dylan?", she paused trying to figure out how to word it.

"He left", Estelle responded quietly, "he wasn't there. Now you're telling me I have to be afraid of some weird creatures trying to kill me because of something to do with him. The dude that abandoned you after I was born". By the end of her sentence her tone had risen in volume conveying her anger. "Because of him Henry's hurt and all he ever did was nothing. Nothing"

Henry inched back trying to blend with the shadows in the café, he wasn't even sure if he was supposed to be privy to this conversation, Tanya shifted away from the wounded satyr as he nursed his wounds himself.

"I'm sure he couldn't stay", Tanya pulled Estelle into a side-hug, "I don't care about him you know. I have you because of him and I have Dylan and Hela, some of the most important in my life, because he left. You don't need to be angry on my behalf". Estelle looked down biting the inside of her cheek giving a slow nod.

Henry waited a few minutes before clearing his throat and getting they're attention, "we have to take her to camp"

Tanya nodded as she looked at the time, "you can stay over today and I'll ask Dylan to take you two there tomorrow"

"I wouldn't want to intrude", Henry stood up with a wince and turned to leave.

"Stay", Estelle said looking at him in concern, "You can have my room, I'll stay with Hela tonight"

Tanya nodded as she dialed Dylan's number and urge them home soon. She shifted upstairs as she did so leaving Henry and Estelle alone.

"Darling", Dylan answered his voice somewhat faint, "we're still walking Caramel"

"I know. Do you think you two can hurry home? Estelle has a friend over", Tanya murmured into the phone unsure if she should divulge the entire truth to him.

"I'll see what I can do", Dylan's unsteady voice reached Tanya as Hela's laughter could be heard near the phone.

"Mommy!", she screeched into the device, "can you hear me!" She yelled, apparently clinging onto her father as her feet swung mid air.