𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒! ♆ 𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔𝒐𝒏

𝟎𝟔, 𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐚

「 ✦ ᶠᶸᶜᵏᵧₒᵤ! ✦ 」

кαιℓαηι ρєєℓє∂ нєя ѕтι¢ку ƒσяєнєα∂ off the window, the sight of red making her want to throw up. She brought a hand up to her forehead, wincing as she felt liquid. Blood.

She didn't even have time to register what had happened before Grover was tugging at her shirt, pulling her through the back windshield and standing her upright.

Rain poured down on them, soaking their clothes instantly. Kailani put a hand out, watching as the droplets danced across her palm, washing the blood on her fingers away.

She felt Grover tap her shirt, and nod his head over to the side of the car. Kailani nodded and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, both of them leaning on each other for support. Percy and his mother were still in the car and they needed to help them.

"Is everyone okay?" Mrs. Jackson asked, as Grover swung the car door open and she stumbled out.

Percy climbed over the center console and climbed out afterwards. He stood next to his mother, wanting to help her since Grover and Kailani had each other.

The blonde boy looked to his friends, who nodded in approval. "Yeah, we're okay," Percy answered, wrapping an arm around his mother's lower back for balance.

Mrs. Jackson flipped on her flashlight, shining it around and trying to find a way to go. There were bushes and shrubs, along with a fence that they had collided with.

"This way!" Mrs. Jackson decided, leading the way with Percy.

They took a couple of steps, before Grover limped forward, no longer needing Kailani. She hugged herself, the rain causing her to shiver.

"We're here," Grover said, though he sounded grim. Lightning flashed, illuminating a single pine tree at the top of the hill. "That's the boundary. No monsters can cross it. Percy and Kailani will be safe on the other side."

"'Percy will be...'" Percy turned looking at his mother. "But won't all of us be safe?" he asked, not understanding his friend's words.

"We're all going, right?" Kailani asked, seemingly on the same wavelength as Percy.

No one answered them. Rain continued to drench them, though Kailani's didn't stick to her body. She seemed to be completely dry, despite the cold feeling taking over her.

Mrs. Jackson stepped forward, looking directly into Grover's eyes. "Grover, I am entrusting you to protect my son, my only child."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Jackson," Grover said, "Percy will be totally safe at camp—"

"Swear it."

"What's happening?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, do I need to swear on something, too?" Kailani asked, raising a brow.

She wondered if her own mother would be this protective over her if she were here. Probably not, seeing as she dipped the second she got the opportunity.

"Swear it, Grover!" Mrs. Jackson repeated. "Keep him—keep them—safe from anyone or anything that comes for them, that wants to do harm, that looks at them the wrong way. Do you understand me?"

She changed her words mid-sentence, finally including Kailani since she realized the young girl had no one looking out for her.

"I swear!" Grover said quickly.

Mrs. Jackson nodded, a sense of relief washing over her. She felt like a weight was just lifted off of her shoulders.

But in the distance, the Minotaur roared, zoning in on their location. Kailani whipped her body around, her hair smacking her in the face.