Chapter 36– Where It All Begins: Fish
While Dante flew calmly toward Camp Half-Blood, the wind rushing past his wings under the starry night sky.
On the other side at the beginning of the story of Percy was in the school pool, the water cool and silent around him, trying to see how long he could stay underwater, lungs burning but mind peaceful, unaware of the shit that was about to happen to him.
After a while, Percy surfaced from the bottom of the pool, water streaming from his hair, gasping for air, and looked at Grover sitting on the edge with a stopwatch.
"So, how long was it this time?"
Grover smiled widely and said:
"Well, it was seven minutes. Man, how do you do that?"
Percy replied, treading water:
"I like being in the water. It's where I feel at peace, like all my worries stop existing."
Grover said, standing up:
"Well, get ready, fish boy. We have a field trip today and you can't get in more trouble."
Percy replied, climbing out and dripping on the tiles:
"Yeah, I know. No problem."
Percy then got dressed quickly in the locker room, towel-drying his hair, and said:
"So let's go."
Grover replied:
"Well, we should go then."
Percy said, slinging his bag over his shoulder:
"Wait. I have to stop by home to grab some stuff."
Percy sighed deeply thinking about seeing his stepdad, the familiar dread knotting in his stomach.
They then took the subway to Percy's house, the train rattling through the tunnels, crowded with commuters.
When they got to the door of the rundown apartment building, Grover said:
"Well, I'll wait down here."
Percy replied:
"Thanks. I won't take long."
He then went in, the stairwell smelling of old takeout, and said as he opened the door:
"Mom, I'm home. I had to grab some stuff for the field trip that I forgot."
Sally smiled warmly at her son from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel, and said:
"Okay. So what did you forget, dear?"
They were interrupted when Gabe yelled from the kitchen, voice slurred and angry:
"Woman, where's my beer?"
Sally replied calmly:
"It's in the fridge."
Gabe yelled louder:
"Yeah? Then go get it quick! Or do you think it's gonna magically appear on my table?"
Sally then got up to get it, shoulders tense.
Gabe said mockingly:
"That's right. Hurry up."
While slapping her ass hard as she passed by him, the sound echoing in the small apartment.
Percy, seeing that, clenched his fists and said:
"Hey, wait a minute, man. Do you really have to do that?"
He then looked at his mom with disgust and said:
"What a charming guy you found. How many farmers did you have to fight off who wanted to take this pig to the slaughter?"
Gabe stood up heavily from his chair and said:
"This is my house, kid. And the rules are how I make them. I'm the only one who decides, got it?"
Then he stomped off to his room, muttering.
Percy looked at his mom and asked quietly:
"Why do you stay with this pig? He smells like sewage, sleeps all day, and worst of all, treats you like trash."
Sally thought when hearing Percy: Son, that smell is what keeps you safe and stops them from finding you. From taking you away from me.
Sally then looked at her son with sad eyes and said:
"He helps us, Percy, in a way you still can't understand."
Percy replied frustrated:
"Yeah, that's right. I don't understand. I wish I did, but I can't imagine the reason or help he gives us that makes you stay with him even when he treats you like that."
He then went down the stairs, met Grover waiting on the sidewalk, and said:
"Well, I'm done. Let's go to the field trip before I get myself in more trouble."
Grover replied:
"Well, let's go then."
When they got to the museum door, the grand steps bustling with students, Percy heard a mysterious voice in his head:
Be prepared. Your life will change, but don't be afraid. You will have help.
Grover looked at Percy, who had suddenly stopped on the steps, and asked:
"What's wrong?"
Percy looked at him and asked:
"Didn't you hear something? Someone saying something?"
Grover replied, glancing around:
"I didn't hear anything. Come on, let's go in before we're late."
Percy then looked at Mr. Brunner in his wheelchair, lecturing the group:
And how the gods of Olympus killed their father to rise to power and how Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades stayed in power as the strongest
At that moment, Mr. Brunner looked at Percy and asked:
"Percy, what were half-gods and half-humans called? Percy, you know."
He then wheeled closer and asked:
"What's the correct name for a child of a human and a god?"
Percy looked at him and said:
"Demigod."
Mr. Brunner smiled and said:
"Exactly. And many became great heroes, like Hercules and Achilles. Can you tell me another? I'll give you a hint: you have something in common."
Percy looked at the mural on the wall and saw the images reorganizing, the name "Perseus" appearing clearly.
He then looked at Mr. Brunner and said:
"Perseus."
Mr. Brunner smiled and said:
"Correct."
He then heard his teacher calling him sharply:
"Percy, we need to talk. Come with me."
Percy replied:
"Okay."
While following her through the echoing halls to an empty room in the museum.
Percy looked in the dimly lit room and saw that his teacher had disappeared. He then asked, voice echoing:
"Teacher, where are you?"
He then saw her perched on top of a statue, shadows playing across her face. She then started transforming into a hideous flying monster—leathery wings unfurling, claws extending, face twisting—and, with a horrible screeching voice, screamed:
"You stole the lightning bolt!"
Percy fell to the floor in shock, heart pounding, and said:
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
She then lunged at him while screaming:
"Give me back the lightning bolt!"
She then held him in the air with her sharp claws digging in and said:
"Give me back the lightning bolt or I'll rip your heart out!"
At that moment, Mr. Brunner and Grover burst into the room.
Mr. Brunner looked at her fiercely and said:
"Let him go or I swear I'll cut you to pieces."
The monster threw him to the floor while fleeing and said:
"You won't be able to protect him forever. Everyone already knows he has the lightning bolt."
He then smashed the window with a crash of glass and fled into the sky.
Percy got up shakily and looked at Grover and Mr. Brunner and said:
"What the hell was that? What was that horrible thing?"
Mr. Brunner replied gravely:
"That was a Fury hidden in our school. I should have known."
Percy looked at them and said:
"A Fury? What's a Fury? And why did you say you could cut them to pieces?"
Mr. Brunner asked:
"What did she want from you?"
Percy replied:
"She kept repeating over and over that I was a thief, that I stole the lightning bolt, and that I should give it back if I didn't want to die."
Mr. Brunner said:
"They found him."
Grover replied:
"Shit."
Mr. Brunner said:
"He's in danger here. He must be taken to the camp."
Grover replied:
"That's the only way."
Mr. Brunner said:
"If they think he's the thief, there's no other safe place for him."
At that moment he looked at Percy and said:
"To defend yourself is a powerful weapon."
He said while handing him a pen.
Percy took the pen and said:
"So much power. When she comes back next time, should I draw her?"
Mr. Brunner replied:
"Take it to his mother and don't let him out of your sight."
They then ran out of the museum, footsteps echoing.
Percy looked at Grover and asked:
"But why did Mr. Brunner ask you to watch me?"
Grover replied:
"Because I'm your protector."
Percy looked at him and said:
"You're kidding me, right?"
Grover asked:
"Why can't I be your protector?"
Percy replied:
"You use crutches."
Grover said seriously:
"I'd risk my life to save you. Now just follow me and let's find your mom."
They then ran toward the apartment, hearts pounding in the city streets.