Storybook Island

The Last Olympian

Note: This chapter proceeds after chapter two (Battle of the Labyrinth).

*Abigail*

It was a while before Meghan and I returned to Storybook Island. We'd been leaving for long stretches and wanted to spend some time with our family before embarking on another grand adventure.

In that time, I had flunked math, gained five pounds in stress food, and lost, like, ten friends due to my antisocial tendencies. Meghan, on the other hand, had a glow up, read seven classics, and raised an empire of plants.

The night we did finally stay with Uncle Charlie was strange, to say the least. Because, get this, Meghan and I agreed on where to go next! (Whaaaaaaat?)

So that's how we found ourselves back in Manhattan, unlocking the locker we'd rented until the summer to find our stuff.

"There's so much to carry!" I whined.

"Lucky there's two of us. Come on, help me!" She commanded, pushing a bag toward me with her foot.

I groaned, scooping it up and tossing it over my arm. "Hey, question, do you think we're going to die this time?"

"Well, considering that the Battle of Manhattan takes place in The Last Olympian, yeah. But I have a plan." Meghan led the way out to the curb.

"Great! What is it?"

"We're going to go home early, right before the battle."

"That's a good idea."

"I know."

I waved my arms around to catch a taxi's attention, getting annoyed looks from the New Yorkers. They weren't the friendliest bunch.

The taxi pulled up and the driver put it in park. We stumbled over to the trunk and Meghan popped the hatch, opening it up so that we could shove our stuff in.

She rolled her eyes when I beamed proudly after lifting a heavy suitcase in. We'd chosen to retain our past visit, meaning that all the athleticism I'd built up from training in The Battle of the Labyrinth remained intact.

Meghan shut the trunk and we climbed into the car, smiling awkwardly at the driver.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a thick New York accent. I loved New York accents.

"Long Island Sound, Brunner's Strawberry Farms," Meghan answered.

He nodded, merging into the traffic and driving through the busy streets. It was hectic, and I had no idea how he didn't hit any pedestrians.

Finally, we stopped outside the camp. Meghan paid the driver (that's right, we remembered to bring money this time) and we got out, getting our things and struggling across the border.

When we crossed, a few dryads offered to help us carry our stuff, so we got down to the Big House without crying.

"Pickards!" Chiron greeted. "You've returned. How was the school year?"

"So great," I answered unconvincingly.

Meghan nodded. "Awesome. We... uh... did school."

"That's right! We did school. Lots of it."

"I joined the basketball team!"

"I didn't, but I took a pottery class," I lied.

Chiron chuckled. "You two are so strange. Well, your siblings will be delighted that you have returned."

Indeed they were. The minute we walked through the doors of cabin seven, they all jumped up, screaming and running over to crush us in hugs.

"Oh my gods, you're home!" Kayla cried.