Rise of the Demigods

Chapter XIV-Jack

         Neither boy spoke as they walked back to the other demigods. Jack was absentmindedly twirling his staff, little sprouts of snow gently falling around him and Percy. Jack couldn't help but think that by having Percy and Jason go with him, they could defeat Pitch and rescue the Guardians without anyone getting hurt, and that's how Jack liked it. No one getting hurt because of them. Because of him.

But, as usual, there was that little voice of doubt in his head disagreeing with the whole plan in general.

This is a very bad idea, Jack thought as he and Percy continued to slowly trudge forward. Then again, was anything that they planned a good idea? 

He still had the note Pitch had 'accidently' dropped in his place as he made his escape clutched tightly in his hand. So tight in fact, that it started to grow little icicles around the edges of the paper.

Jack hated the thought that Pitch had gotten to his new family. He hated it even more knowing that he hasn't even seen them or Jamie since the meeting a couple days ago. He practically felt useless that he couldn't help the ones he loved.

Yes, that was a little cheesy, but Jack didn't really care. The only thing he cared about right now was rescuing the Guardians. And Jack will not stoop until he knows that everyone he loves is safe and sound.

Jack glanced at the demigod beside him, who was off in his own world as well. Percy was a great kid, Jack thought. He barely knows me, but he's determined to help me. The thought made Jack smile a little. Then, Jack was hit with an idea.

He hid his mischievous grin and nudged the prince of the fishies in the ribs. When he felt Percy stare at him, Jack looked straight ahead and challenged, "Race you to the others?"

Percy slowly grinned back at him. "You're on, Frost."

"Three," Jack counted off. "Two-"

"One!" Percy shouted, taking off on a head start.

Jack shook his head and chuckled. He waited for a few seconds before flying after the sea-green eyed demigod.

"You're going down, Jackson," Jack said to himself, closing in on the sprinting son of Poseidon. 

Jack was gaining speed as Percy was running. As soon as Jack was on Percy's tail, said demigod turned around to find Jack flying, back parallel to the ground.

"That's not fair," Percy gasped as he tried to run faster.

Jack smirked. "See you at the finish line, Jackson." And Jack flew past Percy, speeding up even more. 

He reached the rest of the Seven in no time. Jack threw his fists in the air, flipping and landing on the tip top of his staff.

"The Guardian is the winner! I am the champion!" Jack shouted. He looked down to see the demigods staring up at him.

"What?" He asked defensively.

Annabeth looked like she wanted to say something, but then changed her mind and shook her head.

"So what did you and Percy talk about?" Leo asked. 

The smile that Jack had melted off his face. He wasn't sure if he wanted the others to know about what Pitch had wrote to him.

Thankfully, Percy showed up to save him from answering. Jack was pretty sure that he knew that Percy heard the conversation that just took place, since he wasn't that far behind, but instead of talking about it, the prince of the horses turned to him and pointed at him.

"You cheated," Percy accused, changing the subject.

Jack was grateful that Percy switched the conversation on their race, so he raised his hands in defense. "Well, technically I didn't," he replied. "Never said anything about using powers."