𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜 ➵ 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

: ̗̀➛𝗦𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 daddy issues

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┌── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──┐

"We will never make it," Zoe said. "We are moving too slowly. But we cannot leave the Ophiotaurus."

"Mooo," Bessie said. He swam next to Percy as the group jogged along the waterfront. They'd left the shopping-center pier far behind. They were heading towards the Golden Gate Bridge, which seemed a lot further than Devi had realized. The sun was already dipping in the west.

Devi ran a hand over her mouth as she felt a cough rise up her throat, trying to suppress it. Her lungs felt tight again. She'd been ignoring since they had left the pier. 

"I don't get it," Percy said. "Why do we have to get there at sunset?"

"The Hesperides are the nymphs of the sunset," Zoe said. "We can only enter their garden as day changes to night."

"What happens if we miss it?"

"Tomorrow is winter solstice. If we miss sunset tonight, we would have to wait until tomorrow evening. And by then, the Olympian Council will be over. We must free Lady Artemis tonight."

Devi didn't say anything. But her thoughts jumped to Annabeth. How scared she must be and worried about her friends. If they didn't move any faster, Annabeth might not be alive by the time they get there.

"We need a car," Thalia said.

"But what about Bessie?" Percy asked.

Grover stopped in his tracks. "I've got an idea! The Ophiotaurus can travel through different bodies of water, right?"

Devi narrowed her eyes, suddenly understanding. You think we can send him to Long Island?"

"Exactly, we can maybe coax him back to Long Island Sound," Grover said. "Then Chiron could help us et him to Olympus."

"But he was  following me," Percy said. "If I'm not there, would he know where he's going?"

"Moo," Bessie said forlornly.

"I... I can show him," Grover said. "I'll go with him."

Devi frowned. "Grover, are you sure? You don't like water."

"I'm the only one who can talk to him," Grover said. "It makes sense."

He bent down and said something in Bessie's ear. Bessie shivered, then made a contented, lowing sound.

"The blessing of the Wild," Grover said. "That should help with safe passage. Percy pray to your dad, too. See if he will grant us safe passage through the seas."

As Percy turned toward the sea, Devi stepped a little closer to him, watching his face. The stress, the guilt—it was all sitting heavy in his shoulders.

She bumped him lightly with her elbow. "Hey. Try not to look like the end of the world is riding on you. Even though it sort of is."

He gave her a half-hearted smile. "Helpful, as always."

"That's what I'm here for," she replied, but there was a rasp in her voice again. She stifled a cough behind her hand.

"Dad," Percy prayed aloud. "Help us. Get the Ophiotaurus and Grover safely to camp. Protect them at sea."

"A prayer like that needs a sacrifice," Thalia said. "Something big."

They all stood in silence for a moment, wondering what they should offer up. Then Devi shrugged off the lion-fur coat.