The Skeletons In The Closet

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jason's POV

We appeared on a beach overlooking the water. So this was the very start of one of the most eventful summers of Percy's life. In the distance, I saw a car driving along the beach.

Percy's face turned a little red. "Oh shit, I forgot about this part. Don't look Annie."

Annabeth had just finished putting her hair up into a messy bun and gave Percy a strange look. "Uh...what?"

As the car came closer, I realized that a younger Percy was behind the wheel. Doing quick math, I realized that he would've been fifteen almost sixteen. Rachel was in the passenger's seat beside him.

"I swear this is the only time I kissed someone other than you," Percy said really quickly.

Annabeth grimmaced. "Oh."

Percy looked very scared for his life in that moment. "I'm not mad," Annabeth said with a laugh. "We weren't together, you were allowed."

Percy and Rachel sat talking in the car for a little while longer when Blackjack, Percy's pegasus, landed on the hood of the car. Percy jumped, "Blackjack, what are you--"

"Sup, Percy," a guy I recognized as Beckendorf said. He was seriously ripped and ready for battle, a bronze breast plate on his chest and a sword strapped to his side. He had a stuffed bag over his shoulder that I guessed was full of some Hephaestus level explosives.

"Time?" Percy asked, looking a little discouraged and disappointed.

Beckendorf nodded and Rachel waved awkwardly. "Hi."

"Oh, hey. I'm Beckendorf. You must be Rachel. Percy's told me...uh, I mean he mentioned you."

"Smooth," Leo chuckled, staring up at his half brother in admiration. He didn't seem to realize quite yet that this was all in the past and Beckendorf was dead now. I decided not to remind him.

"Really? Good," Rachel said. "So I guess you guys have to go save the world now."

"Pretty much," Beckendorf said.

Percy turned to Rachel. "Would you tell my mom--"

"I'll tell her. I'm sure she's used to it. And I'll explain to Paul about the hood."

Percy nodded and Rachel gave him a quick kiss. "Good luck," she said. "Now, get going, half-blood. Go kill some monsters for me."

"Crinnnnnge," Leo groaned.

Percy hopped on Blackjack behind Beckendorf and they flew off into the distance. We ended up on a cruise ship that I recognized as the Princess Andromeda from past flashbacks.

The two half-bloods quickly made their way to the engine room where they set to work distributing Greek fire explosives all over. They were trying to blow up the ship full of monsters.

"Wait," Leo said, piecing two and two together. "Jake Mason said that Beckendorf died in an explosion. Said you were there, Perce. Is this--"

Percy looked away, providing us with a wordless response.

Back in the engine room, as they were attaching the deadly bombs with duct tape, footsteps echoed from outside.

Percy glanced over at Beckendorf. "How much longer?"

"Too long," Beckendorf said, tapping his watch. "I still have to wire the receiver and prime the charges. Ten more minutes at least."

Percy's fingers started to twitch, his hand going to his pocket where lied his sword. "I'll distract them. Meet you at the rendezvous point."