σɾɳιƚԋαʂ (ρʝσ x ɱαʅҽ σƈ)

I am Getting Tired of These Dam Skeletons

Percy: No. I, uh, think we should go farther upstream.

Grover: But—

Percy: Come on. A walk won't hurt us.

I glanced at Thalia. Her eyes said a quick Thank you.

We followed the river for about half a mile before coming to an easier slope that led down to the water. On the shore was a canoe rental operation that was closed for the season, but I left a stack of golden drachmas on the counter and a note saying IOU two canoes.

Zoe: We need to go upstream. The rapids are too swift.

Percy: Leave that to me.

We put the canoes in the water.

Thalia pulled me aside as we were getting the oars.

Thalia: Thanks for back there.

Percy: Don't mention it.

Thalia: Can you really...you know.

Percy: I think so. Usually, I'm good with water.

Thalia: Would you take Zoe? I think, ah, maybe you can talk to her.

Percy: She's not going to like that.

Thalia: Please? I don't know if I can stand being in the same boat with her. She's...she's starting to worry me. Besides...

She looked at Theo, who was sitting near the river with his knees close to his chest while Diego sat on his shoulder rubbing his head on Theo's face.

Thalia: I figure Theo could use some help.

It was about the last thing I wanted to do, but I nodded.

Thalia: I owe you one.

Percy: Two.

Thalia: One and a half.

She smiled, and for a second, I remembered that I actually liked her when she wasn't yelling at me. She turned and helped Grover get their canoe into the water.

As it turned out, I didn't even need to control the currents. As soon as we got in the river, I looked over the edge of the boat and found a couple of naiads staring at me.

They looked like regular teenage girls, the kind you'd see in any mall, except for the fact that they were underwater.

Percy: Hey.

They made a bubbling sound that may have been giggling. I wasn't sure. I had a hard time understanding naiads.

Percy: We're heading upstream. Do you think you could—

Before I could even finish, the naiads each chose a canoe and began pushing us up the river. We started so fast that Grover fell into his canoe with his hooves sticking up in the air.

Zoe: I hate naiads.

A stream of water squirted up from the back of the boat and hit Zoe in the face.

Zoe: She-devils!

She went for her bow.

Percy: Whoa. They're just playing.

Zoe: Cursed water spirits. They've never forgiven me.

Percy: Forgiven you for what?

Zoe slung her bow back over her shoulder.

Zoe: It was a long time ago. Never mind.

We sped up the river, the cliffs looming up on either side of us.