Charmolypi

Chapter 148

The cabins were the weirdest collection of buildings you've ever seen. Zeus and Hera's big white-columned buildings, Cabins One and Two, stood in the middle, with five gods' cabins on the left and five goddesses' cabins on the right, so they all made a U around the central green and the barbecue hearth.

Percy made the rounds, telling everyone about capture the flag. When he knocked on the Ares cabin, and effectively woke up one of the campers from his midday nap, he got yelled at. He then asked him where Clarisse was, but the answer shocked him.

"Went on a quest for Chiron. Top secret!"

"So she's not visiting her mother?" Percy asked, shocked by the revelation. "Is she okay?"

"Haven't heard from her in a month. She's missing in action. Like your butt's gonna be if you don't get outta here!"

"That's exactly how Frank acts when he's woken up!" Leo said, before he started howling with laughter.

Frank's cheeks turned red as he was about to answer, but the moment Hazel started whispering in his ear, he instantly calmed down.

Percy knew better than to interfere between someone and their nap, so he let him be. He finally made it to Cabin Three. It was a low gray building hewn from sea stone, with shells and coral fossils imprinted in the rock. Inside, it was just as empty as always, except for Percy's bunk. A Minotaur horn hung on the wall next to his pillow.

He took Annabeth's baseball cap out of his backpack and set it on his nightstand. He'd give it to her when they found her. And he was certain that they would find her.

"Aw, Percy! That was so sweet," Annabeth told him, causing the boy's face to turn pink.

Percy carefully took off his wristwatch and activated the shield. It creaked noisily as it spiraled out. Dr. Thorn's spike had dented the brass in a dozen places. One gash kept the shield from opening all the way, so it looked like a pizza with two slices missing. The beautiful metal pictures that my brother had crafted were all banged up. In the picture of Percy, Annabeth, and Thea fighting the Hydra, it looked like a meteor had made a crater in Percy's head. He hung the shield on its hook, next to the Minotaur horn, but it was painful to look at now. Maybe Beckendorf from the Hephaestus cabin could fix it for me. He was the best armorsmith in the camp.

Percy was starring at the shield when he noticed a strange sound, something like water gurgling, and he realized that there was something new in his room. At the back of the cabin was a big basin of gray sea rock, with a sprout like the head of a fish carved in stone. Out of its mouth burst a stream of water, a saltwater spring that trickled into the pool. The water must've been hot, because it sent mist into the cold winter air like a sauna.

Percy stepped up to the pool. There was no note attached, or anything, but he knew that it was a gift from Poseidon. He turned into the water and said, "Thanks, dad."

The surface rippled. At the bottom of the pool, coins shimmered—a dozen or so golden drachma. Percy's eyes widened when he realized what the fountain was for. It was a reminder to keep in touch with his family. Without a second thought he opened the nearest window, and the wintery sunlight made a rainbow in the mist. Then he fished out a coin out of the hot water.

"That's so sweet!"

"Your dad is so cool, Percy!"

"At least your godly parent loves you."

"Iris, O Goddess of the Rainbow," Percy said, "accept my offering."

He tossed a coin into the mist and it disappeared. Then realized he didn't know who to contact first. He hesitated for a moment, then he made up his mind.