Heroes of New York

4) Kelli

Argus first dropped off the four demigods about one block away from Times Square. He handed them each a dagger, provided by Chiron, and wished them all luck on their mission. So after a mushy Percabeth farewell, he began his drive to the Empire State Building.

"So what now?" Jason asked. Percy shrugged and began walking north.

"We walk I guess." They began to walk around in search of anything out of the ordinary, which shouldn't be too hard right? I mean they did live in one of the most insane states. So they walked for a while, not seeing anything out of the ordinary, that is until they actually began to notice that something was off.

  First of all the streets were empty, for being in New York of course. Usually any street would be swarming with people, especially those near such an iconic landmark like the Square. Second of all no one could shake off the putrid smell of sulfur from their nose, as if it were embedded into their nostrils. Now they knew for sure something lay in Towns Square, as it only seemed to intensify the nearer they got.

  After a while there was nothing to spot other than a few hobo's and some people running errands. It seemed like a lost cause so they decided to head in another direction, investigate further. That was until a man, seemingly coming out of nowhere, crashed into Leo, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. For a moment they stayed in shock, until Percy's anger flared and he was shouting.

  "Hey! Watch where you're going!" Bending down to help Leo he couldn't help but catch onto the strangers features. Definitely a runaway, but from what?

  "Oh, crap! Sorry sorry! I am so sorry I didn"t mean to crash into you! I swear!" The boy said holding out a hand for Leo and Percy to grab. Leo, looking fairly pale, smiled and took both Percy's and the strangers hands.

  "Hey, hey man it's okay I wasn't looking either." He held out his hand "I'm Leo." The man smiled slightly and shook his hand.

  This was one of the things that Percy admired about  Leo. He made friends everywhere he went and could never be angry at anyone. Seeing this Percy couldn't help but smile, until he remembered how pale he had looked when he'd fallen and his anger towards the other man resurfaced.

  "You good?" He asked. Leo nodded and waved him off before turning back to the stranger.

  "The question is are you okay? You seemed in a bit of a hurry." Piper stared intently at the stranger, wary of his next move, which to everyone's surprise was an extended hand.

  "I'm good, uh the names Jack,"And again he scratched the back of his neck. "Look i'm sorry. I wasn't looking and-" he was cut off by a shout.

  "There he is get him!" An older man was running towards them followed by two police officers.

  "Shit! Um sorry I gotta go! Um i'll see you around I guess." He said shaking Leo's hand again before running off.

  Jason looked at the man that was chasing Jack, then back to where Jack had stood. Now, the only thing visible was a black dot up the street then it turned a corner and disappeared. The chasing man approached them and began breathing heavily. He took out an FBI plaque and stood up straight in a weak (and failed) attempt to look intimidating.

  "Agent Rhodes, FBI. Did that man tell you where he was heading?" He asked still out of breath.

  "Um, that man? No, I don't even know him all I know is that he crashed into my friend here." Jason defended, gesturing towards Leo. Rhodes squinted at them, as if trying to recognize their faces but nevertheless nodded.

  "Shit, alright ." He replied before beginning to job back from where he'd come from. "Well, good day to you all."

  Piper looked at Jason with a confused expression, "That was a little weird. Think it had anything to do with this rogue demigod we got on our hands?" Jason shrugged.

  "I really hope not. We don't need the FBI behind us too." Leo stuck his hand in his pocket and was perplexed to find that it wasn't empty.

  "What's that?" Percy asked moving closer towards Leo.

  "It's a card." It was a typical playing card, slightly larger than normal but otherwise the same. That is until he flipped it over. On the other side was a an image of a skull with the word 'Hope' carefully written beneath it.

  "What does it mean?" Jason questioned as he attempted to get a better look at it. Leo slapped it into his other hand and roughly shoved it into his pocket.

  "Beats me." Leo shrugged, "Well come on now don't just stand there looking ridiculously pretty, we have a job to do!"

  Without another word he began walking ahead and the others had no choice but to follow him.

  However seeing the card had invoked something in Piper, a feeling she couldn't shake off, a feeling of dread. Something was going to happen, something she would not be able to stop. Her gaze moved towards Leo, who was now walking besides Percy, and something softened within her.

  "Leo-" A screech filled the air followed by the sound of metal clanking against cement. Piper immediately took out Katropis and placed herself in a defensive stance. Expecting an immediate fight Leo set his hands aflame, fueled by adrenaline and a tinge of fear. However the noise subsided and they were stuck wondering what had caused it, until multiple figures emerged from the shadows. Piper couldn't help but take a step back as a a repulsive sight met her; a group of empousa came into view, each armed with short daggers. Percy rolled his eyes once he saw their leader. Kelli. With a squeal she took a step forward.

  "Well, well, well! Look what we have here. If it isn't fish brain and his pathetic excuses for friend's." She sneered. "What was it again? The brown dumbass, the weak princess and ooh who's this one?" She pointed at Jason. "Could this be the poor orphan?"

  Percy growled, taking a step towards her only to be stopped by Jason putting a calming hand on his shoulder.

"What do you want Kelli?" Jason asked. She cackled and threw her head back. Her other nine stupids followed her example.

"Pathetic and dim-witted. Is it not obvious what we want?" Kelli said.

"Um obviously it's not, or else we wouldn't be asking what you want." Leo said. His voice sounding strained even to his own ears. Apparently, Piper heard it too because she looked back at him and saw him holding his side. She cursed and tapped Jason shoulder, he looked a her and then at Leo.

"Well enough with the talking." Kelli said taking another step forward. "We don't want. To waste this second chance, it's time for phase two. Revenge."