Catching Water (Discontinued, rewrite in progress)

Apparently I have an Aunt Medusa

Bethany’s POV

            I enter Auntie Ems Garden Emporium to an extremely good smell. Food.

            “Hello, I am Auntie Em.” Says a misty voice, belonging to a woman under a veil. “What brings you here?”

            “Uh... food?” Grover says, not sure what to say.

            “Ah.” The woman says. I catch a glimpse of a sly and icy smile. I don’t understand though. But we sit down, looking at the statues. One includes a little girl with an Easter basket. There’s also one of a Satyr, which Grover finds very interesting.

            “That looks like my uncle Ferdinand.” Grover says slowly. Auntie Em comes forward with the food.

            “Ah, lovely,” She says icily. “How about a picture.”

            “Sure.” Percy says.

            “Beautiful. Remember to smile.” She says with a false laugh. “They always forget to smile.” She starts taking off the veil.

            “It is my Uncle Ferdinand.” Grover decides.

“Where’s the camera?” Annabeth says nervously. Auntie ‘Em’ doesn’t answer. “Percy!” She snaps. “Look away!” He listens, and quite on time too, because by that time she’d removed the veil. She is no lady that goes by the name ‘Em.’ She’s Medusa.

 Out of the corner of my eye, a see Percy uncap riptide. I reveal Ocean Wave. 4 feet of glowing white devined silver extends in front of me, which even surprises Medusa. But then again, monsters are always taken aback by devined silver- it’s very rare.

“How are we supposed to fight something we can’t look at?” Grover yelped. Percy got an idea.

“How about we look at a reflection?” I suggest.

“Good idea.” Annabeth said. We find an orb that shows the face of the petrifying (literally) Medusa.

“Now!” Percy yells, and we thrust our weapons behind us. Unfortunately, ‘Em’ is too quick, and she catches Percy, who closes his eyes.

“It won’t be bad if you were a statue, is it, Percy Jackson?” Medusa muses. I watch my brothers face in the orb, and I’m completely horrified. “Let me see your eyes. I hear that they’re as clear as your fathers.”

“HOW DARE YOU!” I shriek. Medusa turns her focus to me.

“Oh, dear Bethany Rose. I hoped I’d meet you here.” She slurs. “Your mother put up quite a fight, I must say. She even escaped my clutches. I ended up with a water jug on my head.” She laughs. “Now I can get my revenge.”

I watch Medusa in the orb as she lunges for me, but Percy cuts off her head from behind. I flinch, and close my eyes. I open them to see Annabeth walking toward Percy, her eyes still on the orb.

“Don’t move. Don’t look down.” She says. She covers Medusas head with the veil, and we relax.

“We should clean up.” Percy says.

“Ya.” I say. I look up, and notice everything go back to its original state. A few grocery bags wrap themselves around Medusas head.

“How did you do that?” I ask Annabeth.

“But I didn’t.” Annabeth says, looking confused. She looks at me oddly. “Bethany, did you notice that the orb appeared when you suggested looking at the reflection.”

“No?” I say.

“This is weird. I’ve only seen things happen like this if you are a child of Hecate, but this is a different case. This is... I don’t know. I can’t explain it.” Annabeth rambles, frustrated that she can’t find an explaination.

“How about we talk about this later, and get on with our mission. We have a time limit, you know.” Percy suggests.

“Okay.” Annabeth agrees.

“Sometimes, I’m glad to have a brother.” I tell Percy as we exit the shop.

“Half-brother.” He corrects me.

“Whatever.” I smile, and roll my eyes, punching Percy playfully in the arm.

“Keep up, seaweed brains!” Annabeth calls over her shoulder. I look at Percy, and we burst out laughing.