{BOOK 2} Percy Jackson's Sister

Study Date with a Blowfish

      I ate dinner alone that night. Percy didn't show up, probably still upset from the meeting. Everyone kept glancing my way, probably wondering if I knew anything.

     I saw Chiron and Grover make their way towards the cabins, no doubt to look for Percy. I got up to follow when someone grabbed my arm.

     "Is it true?" Justin said, letting go of my arm. We walked together to the campfire, only a couple campers were there, most were still finishing dinner. "You're leaving with the Hunters?"

     I nodded.

    "But you just got here!" Justin complained.

    "I have to look for Annabeth," I said.

    He hung his head in understanding but still looked a little upset.

     "I'll be back before you know it," I said. "I still owe you a sword fighting match."

      He smiled and looked at me as if wanting to say something but couldn't decide what.

     "Please be careful," he said.

      I laughed. "That is the lamest thing you could've possibly said."

     "I'm serious," he said, smiling. "If you die, it's extra work for camp."

      I punched him in the arm. "I'm gonna go check on Percy."

     I stood up and began walking towards cabin three.

    "Cassidy, wait!" Justin called.

    I turned around and raised an eyebrow in question.

    "Um..." He looked at the floor and then back at me. "I... I'll see you in the morning."

     I smiled at him and said goodnight. Something inside me told me I would not be seeing him in the morning.

-

     I entered our cabin and saw that Percy was facing the water fountain Poseidon had gifted us.

    "Show me Sally Jackson," he said. "Upper East Side, Manhattan."

     I walked up behind him and rested my head on his shoulder. We waited for the image to clear.

     When it did, it wasn't what we were expecting. I walked closer to make sure I was seeing correctly.

     Next to Sally, sat a dude in the kitchen, with a long haircut and brown jacket. Books were lain on the table but they didn't seem to be using them much. They were laughing and drinking out of Sally's nice glasses.

      I turned to Percy and he wore the same confused expression that was probably on my face.

     The guy had just asked her if she wanted more wine.

     "Ah, I shouldn't," Sally said. "You go ahead if you want."

     "Actually, I'd better use your bathroom. May I?"

      "Down the hall," she said, barely containing her laughter. The dude left our field of view.

       "Mom!" Percy said.

       She jumped all of a sudden, looking for the source of the voice. She focused on us. "Percy! Cassidy! Oh, honey! Is everything okay?"

     "What are you doing?" Percy asked instead of answering her question.

       She seemed confused by the question. "Homework."

     Then she registered Percy's slightly annoyed face. "Oh, honey, that's just Paul—um, Mr. Blofis. He's in my writing seminar."

     "Blowfish?" I smiled at the name.

     "Blofis. He'll be back in a minute. Tell me what's wrong. Cassie, what happened to your arm?"

     I looked down at the bandage that still wrapped around my bicep. The nectar helped my bullet wound, it slightly sped up the healing process. I had even forgotten it was there.

      "Oh, I got sh-"

       Percy slammed his hand over my mouth. "Mosquito bite."

     Sally gave him a look that made it clear she didn't believe him. "Mosquito bite?"

      I licked Percy's hand and he pulled it away, making a face and wiping his hand on my shirt.

      "No," I said. "Bullet wound."

      "BULLET WOUND?" Sally's face paled.

      "I'm fine," I said. "But Annabeth isn't."

      Percy and I took turns recounting what had happened and the quest I hat to go on tomorrow. Percy told her how he wasn't allowed to go.

      "Oh, Percy..."

      "Yeah. So they tell me there's nothing I can do. I guess I'll be coming home."

       She fidgeted nervously with her pencil, just like Percy did with Riptide. "Percy, as much as I want you to come home"—she paused as if not believing what was coming out of her mouth—"as much as I want you to be safe, I want you to understand something. You need to do whatever you think you have to."

       Percy blinked. "What do you mean?"

      "I mean, do you really, deep down, believe that you have to help save her? That you have to go with your sister on this quest? Do you think it's the right thing to do? Because I know one thing about you, Percy. Your heart is always in the right place. Listen to it."

     "You're... you're telling me to go?"

      Sally gave her signature loving smile. "I'm telling you that... you're getting too old for me to tell you what to do. I'm telling you that I'll support you, even if what you decide to do is dangerous. I can't believe I'm saying this."

     "Mom—"

     Sally turned her head to the side, hearing Mr. Blowfish coming back.

    "I don't have much time," she said. "I love both of you. Percy, whatever you decide, I'll support you. And I know you'll do what's best for Annabeth."

    "How can you be sure?" Percy asked

    "Because she'd do the same for you."

     Sally then waved her hand over the image and disappeared, leaving Percy and I alone in our cabin, and her alone with Mr. Blowfish.