![]() If they went into battle, Annabeth wouldn’t want him getting hurt because he was too distracted about her. Piper put some charmspeak in her voice, which maybe wasn’t cool, but Percy needed to be able to focus. “But I’ve got this bad feeling.…” He took a deep breath, like he was trying hard not to freak out. “So Annabeth was kidnapped on a motor scooter,” she summed up, “by Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.” When Percy was done, Piper still couldn’t believe it. They gathered on deck so that Coach Hedge could hear the story. Percy Jackson was running toward them, and Piper could tell from his expression that he brought bad news. “I may have busted my head a few times, but I’m not that stupid.” The colors of the Roman afternoon suddenly seemed sharper, as if the world had switched to high definition. ![]() But I wouldn’t have had the courage to stand up to him without your taking the lead. “Hercules was a jerk,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. He didn’t think the universe owed him an apology whenever something went wrong-unlike another son of the sky god she’d recently met. She liked that he had a little self-doubt. Piper wasn’t sure that he bought what she was saying, but she was glad he could confide in her. It just means that you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed.” “Being a hero doesn’t mean you’re invincible. “I’ve spent most of this trip knocked out and helpless.” “It sure felt that way when Chrysaor attacked,” Jason said. I’m not used to being one of so many, well, equals. “Being in this crew of seven…I’m not sure what to do. Jason looked uncomfortable, but he didn’t deny it. We were always pushing teamwork, working as a unit. Coming from your boyfriend, I’ve been thinking was kind of a scary line. Jason plucked an extinguished candle from his cake. She just didn’t understand how it would help. She also kept thinking about Achelous’s advice: If you had made it to Rome, the story of the flood would have served you better. Could it be that the cornucopia had drained all the goodness out of him? Maybe now that the horn was gone, Achelous would be able to fill up with some happiness and keep it for himself. She didn’t understand how such a lonely, depressed spirit could produce a horn of plenty that shot out pineapples and birthday cakes. Sure, he had tried to kill them, but Piper still felt bad for the old god. She wondered if Achelous was getting used to having no horns at all. Hercules had been a pretty huge disappointment as a big brother, and the old river god Achelous had said some unflattering things about the sons of Jupiter. Since they’d left the Pillars of Hercules yesterday evening, Jason had seemed distracted. She didn’t want to jinx that wish, and she definitely didn’t want to find out that he’d wished for something different. Piper wondered if he’d made a wish-hopefully that he and Piper would survive this quest and stay together forever. She pictured him behind the wheel of some old Lincoln with a STUDENT DRIVER sign on top and a grumpy teacher in the passenger seat with an emergency brake pedal. Jason had killed so many monsters and saved the world so many times that the idea of him sweating a driving test seemed ridiculous. Piper didn’t want to push it, or make a celebration if he didn’t feel like celebrating. “The Romans would find that auspicious-the first day of the month named for Julius Caesar. He’d only been reunited with his sister last winter. Jason had been given to Lupa the wolf when he was only two years old. Piper wondered what that would be like-not even knowing the day you were born. Thalia told me the last time she was at camp.” “And honestly…before last month, I didn’t even know when my birthday was. Piper turned over her cornucopia and spilled out an entire meal-neatly wrapped sandwiches, canned drinks, fresh fruit, and (for some reason) a birthday cake with purple icing and candles already lit. They spread their blanket under a willow tree next to a pond. They’re cute, and they have redeeming social value. Once she and Jason had gotten tired of pacing the deck, listening to Coach Hedge sing “Old MacDonald” (with weapons instead of animals), they decided to have a picnic in the park. PIPER TRIED TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |