Cassandra Jackson: The Lightning Thief

Sally Teaches Us Bullfighting

We tore through the night along dark country roads. Wind slammed against the Camaro. Rain lashed the wind-shield. I didn't know how Sally could see anything, but she kept her foot on the gas.

Every time there was a flash of lightning, I looked at Percy who was too preoccupied staring at Grover's non-human hooves. I was scared. The Minotaur had fought me before. I barely didn't get out alive. Heck, more monsters were attacking me and coming back quicker and quicker.

Then, out of the blue, Percy asked, "So, you and my mom... know each other?" I turned, interested to see what his response was.

Graver's eyes flitted to the rearview mirror, looking for Minnie. "Not exactly," he said. "I mean, we've never met in person. But she knew I was watching you."

"Watching me?"

"Keeping tabs on you. Making sure you were okay. But I wasn't faking being your friend," he added hastily. "I am your friend."

"Um...what are you, exactly?"

"That doesn't matter right now."

"It doesn't matter? From the waist down, my best friend is a donkey-"

Grover let out a sharp, throaty "Blaa-ha-ha!"

...The first thing I learned about Satyrs...never, EVER, call them donkeys. I learned it is equal to a federal crime in the animal culture.

"Goat!" he cried.

"What?" 

"I'm a goat from the waist down."

"You just said it didn't matter."

"Blaa-ha-ha! There are satyrs who would trample you underhoof for such an insult!"

"Whoa. Wait. Satyrs. You mean like ... Mr. Brunner's myths?"

"Were those old ladies at the fruit stand a myth, Percy? Was Mrs. Dodds a myth?"

"So you admit there was a Mrs. Dodds!"

"Of course."

"Then why-"

"The less you knew, the fewer monsters you'd attract," Grover said, "we put Mist over the humans' eyes. We hoped you'd think the Kindly One was a hallucination. But it was no good. You started to realize who you are."

"Who I-wait a minute, what do you mean?"

Minnie bellowed. Very close, I sensed that it was hot on our trail. 

"Minnie is still on our trail guys!" I said.

"Whos Minnie?" Percy asked.

"The thing"

"What thing?"

A FRICKING FRACKING THING THAT EXISTS AND WILL TRY TO KILL US!

...but to not freak him out, I said, "A mon-

"Percy," Sally interrupted, "there's too much to explain and not enough time. We have to get you to safety."

"Safety from what? Who's after me?"

"Oh, nobody much," Grover said, obviously still miffed about the donkey comment. "Just the Lord of the Dead and a few of his blood-thirstiest minions."

"Grover!"

"Sorry, Mrs. Jackson. Could you drive faster, please?"

I tried to keep calm, but I couldn't. I mean yeah, Im a demi-god, but Im still seven years old! I couldn't do it. I felt something unnaturally hot roll down my face, and I hurriedly wiped the tears away.