The Legend--Finding Marcus

I Make My Mom Cry With a Speech

We were back at my house. I wasn't talking to anyone. I couldn't describe what happened this soon. I can't imagine how Marcus felt. He was the only person I would talk to, and I was the only person he'd talk to. Finally, the next day, I told everybody how I used charmspeak to make him swear that he wouldn't follow us. I told them how when every I closed my eyes I could see his glowing yellow ones.

"Oh my gosh, Marcus. You were there for weeks. If this is how Kara feels and she was only there for thirty minutes, how do you feel?" Diana asked

"I'm worried" he said

"Why are you worried" I asked

"Because of what he wanted me to do"

"What did he want?" Jaina asked

"He wanted to rule the sea. To strike Poseidon down hard" Marcus explained

"We have to go back" I said "We have to stop him"

"You are still terrified. You said yourself that you see his eyes when you close yours" Diana said

"This is bigger than me. This is about the world. What will happen if Cetus rules the sea?"

"No one is testing your bravery Kara" Hector said "I am a son of the war god, and I think that you should stay home for this"

"Don't think of me as a twelve year old, think of me as a warrior" I said

"We'll take Percy with us" Diana said

"That's Mr. Jackson to you!" I heard from another room

"We'll take Mr. Jackson with us" Diana corrected

"What if one of you gets captured? What if my dad gets captured and you'll drown?" I asked

"We are leaving today. Your dad won't get captured. I promise" Jaina said

Those were the least true words I've ever heard. Even less true than my dad saying that we won't be watching It's a Wonderful Life next year. The next day after this conversation, Diana, Jaina, and Hector ran from the bathroom. Marcus was sleeping.

"Where's my dad?" I asked

My mom came running.

"What's going on? Where's Percy?" she asked

"He got captured. We were fighting Cetus, and he threatened to go after you and your mom. Mr. Jackson went with him and sent us back here" Jaina explained

Tears started to fill my eyes. When I blinked, they started to fall.

"No, Jaina, you promised-" I began

"I know-"

"You promised me that my dad wouldn't get captured!" I put my hands over my ears and shook my head. I started pacing.

"Honey" Mom said " It's not their fault"

"Yes it is!" I yelled putting my hands down in frustration "They made me stay! I was going to go! I could have talked Cetus into not wanting to rule the oceans! But no, I'm just a scared twelve year old girl who can't go! Now my dad is in captivity by a monster!"

"Your father has battled the titans, giants, and has even been to Tartarus. He will be fine"

"I could have been there" I said calming down.

"Are you feeling better?" Mom asked

I nodded. The yelling was really helpful. I looked at Jaina. I never thought a daughter of Ares would be guilty about what happened during war, but her face looked like it was filled with guilt.

"I'm sorry Jaina. I know that it wasn't your fault. It was Hector who told me to stay. And it was Diana's idea to bring my dad along, but I gave you all the blame because the words 'I promise' came out of your mouth. I know that none of you wanted or intended for my dad to get captured. All I want to know, is how we get him back" I said. I was pretty satisfied with my speech. In fact, my mom was almost in tears.

"What?" I asked

"Sorry, that was beautiful. As a daughter of Athena, I really loved it" she said

Marcus came out of our guest room.

"You know that I'm trying to sleep right? I haven't rested since I left for my quest" he said

"Sorry" I whispered, wiping the remaining tear off my cheek.

Marcus went back into the room and closed the door.

"Okay, how do we get my dad back?" I asked

"We go back again. And we fight as hard as we possibly can" Jaina said