Wildfires, Heroes of Olympus ₂

042, shark tale shrimp moment

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
FINLEY              BRIGGS

Leo called this a "Happy fun time!"

Finn disagreed.

Sylvie barely made it to the ship before the Romans overtook the Argo II completely. Because of the attack from the aforementioned Romans—thanks, childhood besties, by the way—Leo was having to use all his skill just to keep the ship in one piece. Percy and Jason hadn't helped much; they were a little too good at cooking up massive storms.

The crew members were trying to manage their way to Charleston Harbor. Apparently Percy talked to a Nereid, who said they should seek help from Chiron's brothers. Finn didn't know this Chiron, but every other Greek on the ship did. He was some important guy back at Camp Half-Blood. And another reminder that Finn didn't grow up even slightly similar to them.

After two hours, Percy and Jason still sat on the deck. Their backs were against the mast, and their heads slumped in exhaustion. Sylvie, Annabeth, and Piper had spent all this time trying to get them to drink water. Finn had spent all this time watching from afar, telling herself she wasn't concerned and only severely nosy. Hazel and Frank stood just out of earshot, having an argument that involved lots of arm waving and head shaking. Finn had never known what was going on with them from day one, so she wasn't about to start learning now.

Luckily, Leo stumbled over before she would have to. It seemed that Coach Hedge had pried him from the controls. He neared his friends, and the sight of Leo had Hazel abruptly stopping her argument with Frank.

Everybody gathered at the mast.

"No sign of pursuit," Frank said.

"Or land," Hazel added. She looked a little green, though Finn figured that was just from the rocking of the boat.

Finn felt a bit sick too. She had to force herself to look away from Jason because of this. She still couldn't believe she was going on a quest with him again, all these years. Three years ago—or was it nearing four at this point?—Finn promised never to follow Jason Grace again. She told herself there wasn't a chance she'd let her guard down for him one time more. Finn had spent her entire childhood showing all of herself to Jason, and that had only left her feeling exposed and raw in the end. That kind of vulnerability hurt more than anything.

I can't believe how much it hurts being around you now.

Finn hoped it hurt him. She felt she earned the right to make him feel everything he'd once made her feel. It was unfair, and it was petty, but Finn always struggled with getting her morals in line. She was only six when she drove her mom to commit suicide. That should say a lot about Finn as a person. Every time she felt tempted to let Jason back in, Finn reminded herself of that. This second chance wasn't something she deserved. Although he didn't know it, it wasn't something he deserved either.

"Duvall," Leo turned to Sylvie, "did you find the map you wanted?"

She nodded, though she looked pale. She'd been pale for hours. Finn wondered what she'd seen at Fort Sumter that could have shaken her up so badly.