If Looks Could Kill *Percy Jackson and the Olympians*

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sometimes mortals really make me laugh. I think it's funny to watch how their brains never cease to find a way to make sense of things that are obviously beyond them. For instance, Hades' anger was just another earthquake, Ares blowing back the sea was a final tremor. Also, according to the L.A. news, the crazy explosion of five police cars occurred when a crazy kidnapper fired his shotgun and accidentally hit a gas main that had ruptured during the 'earthquake'.

Also, this crazy kidnapper, who was definitely NOT Ares, the Ancient Greek god of war, was the same man who had abducted 13-year-old Percy Jackson and two of his friends, 14-year-old Violet Wilde and Devin Henderson in Manhattan, New York, and brought the three terrified children on a ten day odyssey of terror all around the country.

Poor, unfortunate Percy Jackson wasn't a wanted criminal anymore- in fact, he was being heralded as a hero for standing up to his kidnapper. He caused the commotion on the bus in New Jersey trying to get away from his kidnapper. Afterward, witnesses would claim to have seen the leather-clad man, but all said they couldn't remember why they hadn't remembered him until now.

The crazy kidnapper caused the explosion from the Arch; after all, no 13-year-old kid could've caused that. In Denver, a worried waitress had seen the kidnapper threatening his three scared victims- she even swore that he raised a fist to hit the girl when she wouldn't comply-and asked a friend to take a picture and later notified police.

Finally, brave Percy Jackson stole one of his captor's rifles and tried to fight him and free his friends, rifle to shotgun, on the beach. The police had arrived just in time, but during the explosion, five cars had been destroyed and the captor had fled. No casualties had occurred and the three kids were safe and sound.

Of course, the news reporters fed us this entire ridiculous story. All Percy, Devin, and I had to do was sit and act tearful and exhausted (the latter of which was not difficult at all) and play the part of victimized kids.

"All I want," Percy said, trying to choke back a sob, "is to see my loving stepfather again. Every time I saw him on TV, calling me a delinquent punk...well, I just knew that, somehow, Devin and Violet and I would be okay. And I know he'll want to reward each and every person in this amazing city of Los Angeles with a free major appliance from his store. Here's the number...."

Devin and I had to choke back our laughter, but I think we were successful in disguising them as coughing fits. Anyway, the police and the reporters were so incredibly moved by Percy that they passed around a hat and raised enough money for the three of us to fly back to New York.

I had never liked planes, or heights for that matter, but I knew Percy had it worse. He sat in the middle of Devin and I, gripping the armrests during all of takeoff, until, finally, I grabbed his hand comfortingly and squeezed. He gave me a nervous smile, but I don't think he relinquished his hold on the other armrest until we were safely back on the ground. I don't know why Zeus didn't strike the plane down....maybe he somehow knew we were coming to return it, or maybe he was just distracted. I'm just grateful we didn't go visit Hades the hard way.

The press was waiting for us outside security, but we managed to evade them, thanks to Devin's awesome sunglasses. He lured them away by putting them on and shouting, "They're over by the frozen yogurt! Let's go!" and then later rejoined Percy and I at baggage claim.

I couldn't wait to see the look on Zeus' face when Percy handed over the bolt, proving that he was not the thief, but Percy had other plans. We waited in silence for a moment at the taxi stand until Percy spoke up.

"You guys...Go back to Camp. Tell Chiron what happened."

"No! Percy, what did I tell you at the beginning of this quest," Devin started.