chapter four,
stranger danger!

SILENCE FILLED THE AIR AS the kids ate their meal.  It was quite delicious, Victor wouldn't lie.  But he still had suspicions about Aunty Em. "So do tell me what brings you here around my shop?"

"We're on a -" Percy stated, only to be cut off when Victor harshly kicked his foot. "We're going to the airport to meet up with our parents. The cab we were in broke down so we had to walk." Victor lied, hoping the woman would believe him. "That is just awful! I bet your feet are tired."

"Mine do hurt a bit actually." Lily stated, earning a glare from Annabeth.  "We're going to be leaving soon, actually.  Right guys?"  Percy's face was full of confusion, making Annabeth roll her eyes at him.  "I said, we're going to be leaving soon, right?"

"Yeah, we are! But the food was delicious, Mrs. Em." Victor answered as he took his plate into the kitchen.  "But are you kids really leaving so soon? I bet you've come a long way and need some rest."

Victor awkwardly laughed, "I'm sure we'll be fine.  I think the next bus isn't that far from here, actually."  The boy set his plate on the counter, quickly walking back to his seat.  "I would like to speak to your blonde friend. It'll only take a minute."

"Sure-" Percy said, standing up but only to be gently pulled back down into his seat by Lily. "Percy, I don't think you should go with her. I have a bad feeling about them." she whispered to the blonde, his cheeks slightly red. "I promise I'll be fine."

The blonde followed Aunty Em, looking back at the others.

VICTOR DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER what Percy had done that made Medusa so angry as the group was currently hiding from her.  "Percy, why is she looking for us?" Victor whispered.  "I kind of told her that I don't think you guys would betray me and that you were right about her."

"Percy! Why would you say that? Now she's going to turn us to stone and I do not want to look bad when she does." The four kids gave Liliana a look, causing the girl to sheepishly smile.  "Sorry, bad timing.  Got it."

Grover had an idea, putting on a pair of flying shoes.  "I'll distract her.  You guys get out of here!"  Percy looked at him in disbelief, "No, I'm not leaving you.  We're getting out together, dude.  You're my best friend and I'm not letting you meet your uncle's fate."

Medusa entered the room, only to be met with Grover colliding into her.  Annabeth then placed her invisibility cap on the woman's head, making her disappear.  "Now!"  Victor heard a loud slicing sound, closing his eyes shut. "Is she dead?" the boy asked.

"I think so." Percy answered, taking the head off the floor. Lily's face cringed in disgust, trying not to vomit. "That is so gross! I don't think I can look at a burger the same way after all of this."

"Me neither."  Long story short, Percy eventually turned Alecto to stone and the five friends were able to escape.  Percy had sent Medusa's head to Olympus (despite Annabeth's dismay) and Victor couldn't wait to see the look on his father's face when it arrived.

THE FIVE WERE ON A TRAIN, ALL WERE ASLEEP... well, except Victor.  "Hey, you asleep?" he whispered, causing Annabeth to sigh.  "Yes."

"Oh, sorry."

"What is it?"

"Uh... I was wondering if we got know each other a bit more.  You know, since we're on this quest and all."

"What do you want to know about me?"

"Anything."  Annabeth sat up, looking at him.  "You wanna know how I ended up alone on the road in the first place? I started out as a gift to my father, that's how it works with Athena.  We're born from a thought in her mind, and then given to a partner she feels connected to.  And for a while, I was treated like a gift." she stated with a small smile.  "My father cared for me, he loved me.  I knew it.  Then he met a woman, they had their own kids.  And to her, I - I wasn't a gift.  I was a problem so I left.  I was seven.  It isn't the gods who think that way.  It's everybody.  But at least with the gods you know the rules.  Show them respect and they'll be in your corner, no matter what."

"I know how you feel."  Annabeth furrowed her brows, "Really?"

The boy nodded, "I came to camp around the age of 9.  Me and my mom were at the park when a monster attacked.  Luckily, my mom wasn't hurt but it was a scary journey.  She dropped me off and I waited and waited to get claimed.  It took Ares 2 years to claim me, two years for me to know of his existence.  I felt like I was some kind of joke to him so why should I try to win his love? I guess a part of me wanted him to care, to feel proud of me in some way.  But I don't know."

"Well, maybe you can prove him wrong.  We're on this quest, right?"

"Yeah, we are."

"Its the perfect opportunity to show him that you're worthy to be his son.  Plus you'd have some victory over Clarisse."

"That is true.  I'd love to see the look on her face when she hears that I beat up some monsters."  Annabeth yawned, her eyes feeling heavy.  "But good night, Victor."

"Good night, Annabeth."

But little did he know that he would face his dad.

Maya Speaks 💫:

Guess who skipped writing the rest of that episode??? Me!! I'll see if I can write it in the next chapter but that's focusing on episode 5 so...

But Annie and Vic are back!! Sorry for the long wait guys!! I'm so excited to write the next chapter tho!!