Percy Jackson Back in Time

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It didn't take me long to pack. I grabbed few things like a lighter, duct tape, 2 pairs of clothes, bandages, a small first aid kit, some rations of food, a silver pocket knife (incase of werewolves), one hundred dollars in mortal money and twenty golden drachmas, a small hunting knife which I put in its sheath on my person and of course my dual swords. 

Chiron gave Annabeth and me each a canteen of nectar and a Ziploc bag full of ambrosia squares, to be used only in emergencies because of the risk of it burning us up, literally.

Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap, which she told me had been a twelfth-birthday present from her mom. She carried a book on famous classical architecture, written in Ancient Greek, to read when she got bored, which I knew she wouldn't have the time to read, and a long bronze knife, hidden in her shirt sleeve.

Grover wore his fake feet and his pants to pass as human. He wore a green rasta-style cap, because when it rained his curly hair flattened and you could just see the tips of his horns. His bright orange backpack was full of scrap metal and apples to snack on. In his pocket was a set of reed pipes his daddy goat had carved for him, even though he only knew two songs: Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 12 and Hilary Duff's ‘So Yesterday,’ both of which sounded pretty bad on reed pipes.

We waved good-bye to the other campers, took one last look at the strawberry fields, the ocean, and the Big House, then hiked up Half-Blood Hill to the tall pine tree that used to be Thalia, daughter of Zeus.

Chiron was waiting for us in his wheelchair. Next to him stood Argus. Argus had eyes all over his body so he could never be surprised. Today, he was wearing a chauffeur's uniform, so I could only see a few of his eyes on his hands, face and neck.

"This is Argus," Chiron told me. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things."

I heard footsteps behind us.

Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of basketball shoes.

"Hey!" he panted. "Glad I caught you."

Annabeth blushed, the way she always did when Luke was around.

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told me. "And I thought ... um, maybe you could use these."

He handed me the sneakers, which looked pretty normal, but I knew they were enchanted to drag us into tartarus.

Luke said, "Maia!"

White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels and they tried to fly out my hands, but i kept a good grip on them.

"Awesome!" Grover said.

I grimaced at his words. Those shoes totally weren't awesome.

Luke smiled. "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days...." His expression turned sad.

"Hey, man," I said. "Thanks."

 "Listen, Percy ..." Luke looked uncomfortable. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just ... kill some monsters for me, okay?"

I hesitated for a second then shook his hand.

‘What was Luke really about to say?’ I wondered.

Luke patted Grover's head between his horns, then gave a good-bye hug to Annabeth, who looked like she might pass out.

She saw me staring at her and flushed, embarrassed then turned away.

 picked up the flying shoes and had a sudden urge to throw them away, but they were really helpful during our quest. Before I could decide anything Grover walked by and said, “Sweet kicks. Can I have them, since you know… you aren't allowed in the air?”