Thinking of You- A Percy Jackson Story

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

It wasn’t too much later that Leo and Jason prepared the Argo II for landing. Jason had suggested a remote location just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. This way, the ship can stay out of the eye of mortals. Jason and Leo still weren’t talking. Annabeth wondered how long it would be until one of those two gave in and finally apologized.

“We’ll be there in about ten minutes. I just want to get away from a lot of the traffic and commotion of the city.”

“We wouldn’t have to worry about this if you actually finished building this ship, we wouldn’t be having this issue,” Jason muttered.

Leo finally snapped. “You know what, Jason? Why don’t you stop hounding me for something that was a mistake? Not everyone is as perfect as you are. The Stolls messed with the ship in April and I didn’t know that they messed with the engine. We just have to make a small pit stop and then we’ll be right on our way.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “You don’t even know how long it is going to take to fix.”

“No, I guess you are right. But it’ll go a heck of a lot faster with Annabeth helping me. In fact, if you and Piper help me, it’ll go as fast as lightning. If you just stop hounding me about this, we’ll get back on track a lot faster.”

Jason stared at his friend, sighed, and covered his eyes, massaging his eyebrows. “I know, I’m sorry really sorry, man. I shouldn’t have blown up at you like this; I’m just freaking out about this whole thing. The four of us have to stick together, no matter what.”

Leo grinned. “It’s okay, Jason. I know you’re freaking. I have to keep remembering that it you screw up, the world may very well end.”

Jason let out a short snicker. “Yeah, no pressure or anything.” Jason then went over to Leo and patted his back. “I am really sorry about it.”

“Don’t worry about it. But, know we have to lower the ship,” Leo said.

About an hour later, the demigods and Gleeson Hedge walked off of the ship. Leo landed it just outside of the city to keep it out of sight, but not too far because they may have to walk into the city. Before Leo got off, he dismembered the ship’s engine.

“What? I really don’t think you’re going to want a demon to take the Argo on us, do you? You never know, they may specialize in mechanics.” Piper just shook her head. Then, completely ignoring her, Leo continued, “Besides, since we’re going into the city, I want to see if a mechanic can help me.”

Jason looked at Leo. “We’re going into the city?”

“Yup, I need a couple parts for the engine.”

“What about your magic belt? Can’t you just get it from there?”

“That’s the thing: I don’t know exactly what we need. I can think of a few things that may work, but I don’t want to accidently use the wrong thing and have to stop again in a few days to fix it- especially if we’re picking up some of the Roman campers. That’d just make Camp Half-Blood look bad.”

“Oh, I guess you’re right. When are we going into the city?”

Leo looked at Gleeson. “How about we go right now? The sooner we go, the sooner it can get fixed.” When the satyr nodded, affirming Leo’s thought, the son of Hephaestus continued, “So I guess we’re going right now.”

“Wait a second, Leo. Who’s going to watch the ship,” Piper interjected.

Leo’s shoulders drooped, seeing another flaw in his plan. “Oh, I didn’t think of that.”