Book 1 - The Constriction in Breathing Air

Chapter 7

Percy shouldered his full bag, following the others to the border. He had reorganized the pack he had initially brought, pulled out some books and photos and replaced them with clothes and Ziplock bags of ambrosia squares. Katie had also passed him a bag of strawberries, and the camp store had loaned him one hundred dollars and twenty gold drachmas.

He'd also taken the money pouch his dad had left on his bedside table. It bequeathed him an amount of drachma that shouldn't, logically, fit in such a small bag and, funnily enough, a credit card. An expensive credit card, with little silver fish swimming across it.

His mom would despise even the look of it, but resources were resources.

There had also been a small, bronze dagger with a trident shaped end attached to a wrist sheath, perfectly sized to his forearm. The handle was wrapped, but the center of the trident held a singular pearl.

At least he knew his dad was taking the quest seriously.

Chiron gave both him and Annabeth a canteen full of nectar. She had her Yankees cap, a backpack full of more supplies, and her bronze knife. Grover had on his fake feet and pants to pass as human, and he carried a set of reed pipes. He also had a backpack, but the rattle it made let Percy know they'd find little to help them in a pinch.

They met Chiron by Thalia's tree. Next to him stood the surfer dude Percy had only seen around. Grover explained that he was the camp's head of security. To Percy, his body was covered in a light fog, and several eyes peered out from all different angles. He looked like a biblically-accurate angel and he smelled like lilies and olives.

"This is Argus," Chiron introduced. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things."

The eye on Argus' forehead blinked.

The wind carried some strawberries, and Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of beat-up basketball shoes.

"Hey!" He panted. "Glad I caught you."

The shoes reeked.

Annabeth blushed, the way she always did when Luke was around.

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

Like heck he ever would; his eyes watered over them, but thankfully nobody noticed. He was barely able to grab them without choking.

"Maia!" Luke said, looking pleased.

White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels. Not even the sweet smell of strawberries could hide the stench. The shoes flapped around on the ground until the wings folded 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 turned sad.

Percy worked through the choke in his throat and smiled. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

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

Percy nodded, and they shook hands. Luke patted Grover's head, then gave a good-bye hug to Annabeth, who looked like she might pass out. She quickly rushed to the car.

He waited until Luke was gone to hand the shoes to Grover. His eyes lit up in response.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Definitely," Percy assured. Actually, he was close to begging.

His friend took them and laced them over his fake feet, eagerly taking to the air.