𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄! percy jackson¹

xxiii . Run Boy, Run

"Tyson can come if he wants to," Percy told me. "And he wants to."

I wanted to kill him, but we didn't have time. For we had reached the beach, and I saw Annabeth and Tyson waiting by the water. Annabeth didn't seem happy with Tyson beside her either, but time was running out—and saving camp was more important than arguing.

So I let out a sigh, "Fine. But how do you propose we get to Luke's ship, Water Boy?"

"Hermes said my father would help?"

Hermes?

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Annabeth said.

Percy nodded and took a few steps into the water. He stared out into the ocean before awkwardly calling out, "Um, Dad? How's it going?"

"Percy!" Annabeth whispered. "We're kinda in a hurry!"

"Right," he said. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. We watched in anticipation. Annabeth kept looking over her back for the Harpies, which sounded like they were right behind us. "We need your help!" he called again. "We need to get to that ship, before we get eaten and stuff, so ..."

Nothing happened at first. My hand went to my necklace, ready to fight the Harpies if I had to. Luke's yacht was off in the distance, and I tried to ignore how nervous I was in the utmost possibility of having to see him again. The last time I saw Luke I still thought he was my friend—and now here I was trying to save him, and save Thalia and the Camp from his manipulated mind.

Then, about a hundred metres out to sea, three white lines appeared on the water surface. They moved fast towards the shore, like claws ripping through the ocean. As they neared the beach, the surf burst apart and the heads of three white stallions reared out of the waves. I gasped.

"Fish ponies!" Tyson let out in amazement.

"Hippocampi!" I corrected my hands to my mouth. "Oh, they're so pretty!"

And they were. The hippocampus were glistening with bright silver scales and rainbow tail fins with a horses body for its front. Fantastic white. The nearest one whinnied at my comment in appreciation and nuzzled my hand. I was never a fan of water ( and while being the best friend of the Son of Poseidon helped me get more familiar with it, there was still that slight fear whenever I got seasick ), I couldn't help but wait to get on one of these. Despite of everything, I smiled. I glanced at Percy, expecting him to be just as amazed, but he just gave me a look. I frowned at him.

"We can admire them later," he told me. "Come on!"

"There!" a voice screeched behind us. "Bad children out of cabins! Snack time for lucky harpies!"

Five of them were fluttering over the top of the dunes—ugly, plump looking hags with pinched faces and talons with feathery wings too small for their bodies. They weren't fast—thank the gods—but they were vicious if they caught you.

"Claire," Percy called, "grab the duffel bags!"

"I already have one—!"

"Just grab one!"

I didn't argue anymore. I reached forward and grabbed the lasting two duffel bags: one for Tyson and one for me. With a push, I got Tyson moving and got them onto the hippocampi. Poseidon must have known that Tyson was a passenger because there was a hippocampus big enough for a cyclops to ride. However, there wasn't a fourth one for me.