PERCY
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The last thing Percy wanted to do on his summer break was blow up another school. But there he was Monday morning, the first week of June, sitting in his mom's car in front of Goode High School on East 81st.
Goode was this big brownstone building overlooking the East River. A bunch of BMWs and Lincoln Town Cars were parked out front. Staring up at the fancy stone archway, Percy wondered how long it would take him to get kicked out of this place.
"Just relax." Sally didn't sound relaxed. "It's only an orientation tour. And remember, dear, this is Paul's school. So try not to... you know."
"Destroy it?"
"Yes."
Paul Blofis, Sally's boyfriend, was standing out front, greeting future ninth graders as they came up the steps. With his salt-and-pepper hair, denim clothes, and leather jacket, he reminded Percy of a TV actor, but he was just an English teacher. He'd managed to convince Goode High School to accept Percy for ninth grade, despite the fact that he'd gotten kicked out of every school he'd ever attended. Percy tried to warn him it wasn't a good idea, but he wouldn't listen.
Percy looked at Sally. "You haven't told him the truth about me, have you?"
She tapped her fingers nervously on the wheel. She was dressed up for a job interview- her best blue dress and high-heeled shoes.
"I thought we should wait." She admitted.
"So we don't scare him away." Percy frowned.
"I'm sure orientation will be fine, Percy. It's only one morning."
"Great." Percy mumbled. "I can get expelled before I start the school year."
"Think positive. Tomorrow you're off to camp! After orientation, you've got your date-"
"It's not a date!" Percy protested. "It's just Sen, mom, Jeez!" Just Sen, who Percy had been crushing on hardcore for a very long time now. Just Sen, who Percy dreamed about and wanted nothing more than to see her again. Yep. Just Sen.
Sally raised an eyebrow. "She's coming all the way from camp to see you."
"Yeah..." Percy blushed.
"You're going to the movies."
"Mom-"
"Just the two of you."
"W-Well-"
"You're going alone to the movies with your crush."
"Mom, seriously!" Percy groaned, resting his elbows on the dashboard and holding his hair in his hands. He could feel the coarseness of the grey streak, though it wasn't grey anymore- he and Sen had died it blue for Christmas.
Sally held up her hands in surrender, but Percy could tell she was trying hard not to smile. "You'd better get inside, dear. I'll see you tonight."
Percy was about to get out of the car when he looked over the steps of the school. Paul Blofis was greeting a girl with frizzy red hair. She wore a maroon T-shirt and ratty jeans decorated with marker drawings. When she turned, Percy caught a glimpse of her face, and the hairs on his arms stood straight up.
"Percy? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing." Percy stammered. "Does the school have a side entrance?"
"Down the block on the right. Why?"
"I'll see you later."
Sally started to say something, but Percy got out of the car and ran for his life, hoping the redheaded girl wouldn't see him.
What was she doing here? Not even Percy's luck could be this bad.
Yeah, right. Percy was about to find out his luck could get a whole lot worse.
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Sneaking into orientation didn't work out too well. Two cheerleaders in purple-and-white uniforms were standing at the side entrance, waiting to ambush freshmen.
"Hi!" They smiled, which Percy figured was the first and last time any cheerleaders would be that friendly to him. One was blond with icy blue eyes. The other was African American with dark curly hair like Medusa's. Both girls had their names stitched in cursive on their uniforms, but with Percy's dyslexia, the words looked like meaningless spaghetti.
"Welcome to Goode." The blonde girl said. "You are so going to love it."
But as she looked Percy up and down, her expression said something more like, Eww, who is this loser?
The other girl stepped uncomfortably close to Percy. He studied the stitching on her uniform and made out Kelli. She smelled like roses and something else Percy recognized from riding lessons at camp- the scent of freshly washed horses. It was a weird smell for a cheerleader. Maybe she owned a horse or something. Anyway, she stood so close Percy got the feeling she was going to try to push him down the steps, which wouldn't be the first time a pretty girl had done that. "What's your name, fish?"
"Fish?"
"Freshman."
"Uh, Percy." Percy gulped.
"Oh, Percy Jackson." The blond one said. "We've been waiting for you."
That sent a major Uh-oh chill down Percy's back. They were blocking the entrance, smiling in a not-very-friendly way. Percy's hand crept instinctively toward his pocket, where he kept his lethal ballpoint pen, Riptide.
Then another voice came from inside the building. "Percy?" It was Paul Blofis, somewhere down the hallway. Percy had never been so glad to hear his voice.
The cheerleaders backed off. Percy was so anxious to get past them, he accidentally kneed Kelli in the thigh.
Clang.
Her leg made a hollow, metallic sound, like Percy had just hit a flagpole.
"Ow." She muttered, curling her lip. Her canines looked a little.. prominent. "Watch it, fish."
Percy glanced down, but her leg looked like a regular old leg. He was too freaked out to ask questions. He dashed into the hall, the cheerleaders laughing behind him.
"There you are!" Paul smiled. "Welcome to Goode!"
"Hey, Paul- uh, Mr. Blofis." Percy glanced back, but the weird cheerleaders had disappeared.
"Percy, you look like you've seen a ghost."
"Yeah, uh-"
Paul clapped Percy on the back. "Listen, I know you're nervous, but don't worry. We get a lot of kids here with ADHD and dyslexia. The teachers know how to help."
Percy almost wanted to laugh. If only ADHD and dyslexia were his biggest worries. He knew Paul was trying to help, but if Percy told him the truth about being a demigod, he'd either think Percy was crazy or he'd run away screaming. Those cheerleaders, for instance. Percy had a bad feeling about them...
Then Percy looked down the hall, and he remembered he had another problem. The redheaded girl he'd seen on the front steps was just coming in the main entrance.
Don't notice me. Don't notice me.
She noticed. Her eyes went wide.
"Where's the orientation?" Percy blurted.
"The gym. That way. But-"
"Bye."
"Percy?" Paul called, but Percy was already running.
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He thought he lost her.
A bunch of kids were heading for the gym, and soon Percy was just one of three hundred fourteen-year-olds all crammed into the bleachers. A marching band played an out-of-tune fight song that sounded like somebody hitting a bag of cats with a metal baseball bat. Older kids, probably student council members, stood up front modeling the Goode school uniform and looking all, Hey, we're cool. Teachers milled around, smiling and shaking hands with students. The walls of the gym were plastered with big purple-and-white banners that said WELCOME FUTURE FRESHMEN, GOODE IS GOOD, WE'RE ALL FAMILY, and a bunch of other happy slogans that pretty much made Percy want to throw up.
None of the other freshmen looked thrilled to be there, either. Coming to orientation in June, when school doesn't even start until September, is not cool. But at Goode, "We prepare to excel early!" At least that's what the brochure said.
He complained about it to Sen. Her response?
Get your shit together and go get ready for high school! Also, should I buy a pink swimsuit or a different color?
She wasn't very helpful.
The marching band stopped playing. A guy in a pinstripe suit came to the microphone and started talking, but the sound echoed around the gym so Percy had no idea what he was saying. He might've been gargling.
Someone grabbed Percy's shoulder, "What are you doing here?"
It was her; Percy's redheaded nightmare.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare." Percy said.
Her jaw dropped like she couldn't believe Percy had the nerve to remember her name. "And you're... you didn't even tell me! I didn't get your name last December when you and that weird girl tried to kill me."
"Don't call her weird." Percy warned.
Rachel squinted.
Percy groaned. "Look, I wasn't- I didn't- What are you doing here?"
"Same as you, I guess. Orientation."
"You live in New York?" Percy squinted.
"What, you though I lived at the Hoover Dam?"
It had never occurred to Percy. The only time he'd thought about her afterwards was when he asked Sen why she could see. He supposed he just figured she lived in the Hoover Dam area, since that's where he and Sen had met her. They'd spent maybe ten minutes together, during which time Percy accidentally swung a sword at her, Sen threw a fan through her, she'd saved their lives, and then winged angels came to the rescue. You know, your typical chance meeting.
Some guy behind Percy whispered, "Hey, shut up. The cheerleaders are talking!"
"Hi, guys!" A girl bubbled into the microphone. It was the blonde Percy had seen at the entrance. "My name is Tammi, and this is like, Kelli." Kelli did a cartwheel.
Next to Percy, Rachel yelped like someone had stuck her with a pin. A few kids looked over and snickered, but Rachel just stared at the cheerleaders in horror. Tammi didn't seem to notice the outburst. She started talking about all the great ways kids could get involved during their freshman year.
"Run." Rachel said. "Now."
"Why?"
Rachel didn't explain. She pushed her way to the edge of the bleachers, ignoring the frowning teachers and grumbling kids she was stepping on.
Percy hesitated. Tammi was explaining how they were about to break into small groups and tour the school. Kelli caught his eye and gave Percy an amused smile, like she was waiting to see what he'd do. It would look bad if Percy left right now. Paul Blofis was down there with the rest of the teachers. He'd wonder what was wrong.
Then he thought about Rachel Elizabeth Dare, and the special ability she'd shown last winter at Hoover Dam. She'd been able to see a group of security guards who weren't guards at all, who weren't even human. His heart pounding, Percy got up and followed her out of the gym.
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Percy found Rachel in the band room. She was hiding behind a bass drum in the percussion section.
"Get over here!" She said. "Keep your head down!"
Percy felt pretty stupid hiding behind a bunch of bongos, but he crouched down beside her.
"Did they follow you?" Rachel asked.
"You mean the cheerleaders?"
She nodded nervously.
"I don't think so." Percy said. "What are they? What did you see?"
Her green eyes were bright with fear. She had a sprinkle of freckles on her face that reminded Percy of constellations. Her maroon T-shirt read HARVARD ART DEPT. "You... you wouldn't believe me."
"Oh yeah, I would." Percy nodded. "I know you can see through the Mist."
"The what?"
"The Mist. It's... well, it's like this veil that hides the way things really are. Some mortals are born with the ability to see through it. Like you."
She studied Percy carefully. "You did that at Hoover Dam. You and that weird girl called me a mortal. Like you're not."
"Again, don't call her weird." Percy said, pointing at her. "Her name is Sen."
"Okay- whatever. Who are you?"
"Percy."
"That's a weird name."
"I'll feed you to the cheerleaders."
Rachel gulped. Percy realized he was being a little rude, and he quickly apologized to her. She seemed to kind of blow it off- clearly, she had other priorities.
"Tell me." She begged. "You know what it means. All these horrible things I see?"
"Look, this is going to sound weird. Do you know anything about Greek myths?"
"Like... the Minotaur and the Hydra?"
"Yeah, just try not to say those names when I'm around, okay?" Percy said tentatively. He really didn't want to deal with those guys again.
"And the Furies." She said, warming up. "And the Sirens, and-"
"That's enough outta you!" Percy snapped. He looked around the band hall, sure that Rachel was going to make a bunch of bloodthirsty nasties pop out of the walls; but they were still alone. Down the hallway, he heard a mob of kids coming out of the gymnasium. They were starting the group tours. They didn't have long to talk.
"All those monsters," Percy said. "all the Greek gods- they're real."
"I knew it!"
Percy would've been more comfortable if she'd called him a liar, but Rachel looked like he'd just confirmed her worst suspicions.
"You don't know how hard it's been." Rachel said. "For years I thought I was going crazy. I couldn't tell anybody. I couldn't- " Her eyes narrowed. "Wait. Who are you? I mean really?"
"I'm not a monster."
"Well, I know that. I could see if you were. You look like... you. But you're not human, are you?"
Percy swallowed. Even though he'd had three years to get used to who he was, he'd never talked about it with a regular mortal before- except for his mom, but she already knew. Percy didn't know why, but he took the plunge.
"I'm a half-blood." Percy said. "I'm half human."
"And half what?"
Just then Tammi and Kelli stepped into the band room. The doors slammed shut behind them.
"There you are, Percy Jackson." Tammi said. "It's time for your orientation."
"They're horrible!" Rachel gasped.
Tammi and Kelli were still wearing their purple-and-white cheerleader costumes, holding pom-poms from the rally.
"What do they really look like?" Percy asked, but Rachel seemed too stunned to answer.
"Oh, forget her." Tammi gave the demigod a brilliant smile and started walking toward Rachel and Percy. Kelli stayed by the doors, blocking the exit.
They'd trapped Percy and Rachel. Percy knew they'd have to fight their way out, but Tammi's smile was so dazzling it distracted him. Her blue eyes were beautiful, and the way her hair swept over her shoulders...
"Percy." Rachel warned.
Percy said something really intelligent like, "Uhhhhhh..."
Tammi was getting closer. She held out her pom-poms.
"Percy!" Rachel's voice seemed to be coming from a long way away. "Snap out of it!"
It took all his willpower, but Percy got his pen out of his pocket and uncapped it. Riptide grew into a three-foot-long bronze sword, its blade glowing with a faint golden light. Tammi's smile turned to a sneer.
"Oh, come on." She protested. "You don't need that. How about a kiss instead?"
She smelled like roses and clean animal fur- a weird but somehow intoxicating smell.
Rachel pinched Percy's arm, hard. "Percy, she wants to bite you! Look at her!"
"She's just jealous." Tammi looked back at Kelli. "May I, mistress?"
Kelli was still blocking the door, licking her lips hungrily. "Go ahead, Tammi. You're doing fine."
Tammi took another step forward, but Percy leveled the tip of his sword at her chest. "Get back."
She snarled. "Freshmen." She said with disgust. "This is our school, half-blood. We feed on whom we choose!"
Then she began to change. The color drained out of her face and arms. Her skin turned as white as chalk, her eyes completely red. Her teeth grew into fangs.
"A vampire!" Percy stammered. Then he noticed her legs. Below the cheerleader skirt, her left leg was brown and shaggy with a donkey's hoof. Her right leg was shaped like a human leg, but it was made of bronze. "Uhh, a vampire with-"
"Don't mention the legs!" Tammi snapped. "It's rude to make fun!"
She advanced on her weird, mismatched legs. She looked totally bizarre, especially with the pom-poms, but Percy couldn't laugh- not facing those red eyes and sharp fangs.
"A vampire, you say?" Kelli laughed. "That silly legend was based on us, you fool. We are empousai, servants of Hecate."
"Mmmm." Tammi edged closer to Percy. "Dark magic formed us from animal, bronze, and ghost! We exist to feed on the blood of young men. Now come, give me that kiss!"
She bared her fangs. Percy was so paralyzed he couldn't move, but Rachel threw a snare drum at the empousa's head.
The demon hissed and batted the drum away. It went rolling along the aisles between music stands, its springs rattling against the drumhead. Rachel threw a xylophone, but the demon just swatted that away, too.
"I don't usually kill girls." Tammi growled. "But for you, mortal, I'll make an exception. Your eyesight is a little too good!"
She lunged at Rachel.
"No!" Percy slashed with Riptide. Tammi tried to dodge the blade, but Percy sliced straight through her cheerleader uniform, and with a horrible wail she exploded into dust all over Rachel.
Rachel coughed. She looked like she'd just had a sack of flour dumped on her head. "Gross!"
"Monsters do that." Percy said. "Sorry."
"You killed my trainee!" Kelli yelled. "You need a lesson in school spirit, half-blood!"
Then she too began to change. Her wiry hair turned into flickering flames. Her eyes turned red. She grew fangs. She loped toward Rachel and Percy, her brass foot and hoof clopping unevenly on the band-room floor.
"I am senior empousa." She growled. "No hero has bested me in a thousand years."
"Yeah? Then you're overdue!"
Kelli was a lot faster than Tammi. She dodged Percy's first strike and rolled into the brass section, knocking over a row of trombones with a mighty crash. Rachel scrambled out of the way. Percy put himself between her and the empousa. Kelli circled them, her eyes going from Percy to the sword.
"Such a pretty little blade." She said. "What a shame it stands between us."
Her form shimmered- sometimes a demon, sometimes a pretty cheerleader. Percy tried to keep his mind focused, but it was really distracting.
"Poor dear." Kelli chuckled. "You don't even know what's happening, do you? Soon, your pretty little camp in flames, your friends made slaves to the Lord of Time, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. It would be merciful to end your life now, before you have to see that."
From down the hall, Percy heard voices. A tour group was approaching. A man was saying something about locker combinations.
The empousa's eyes lit up. "Excellent! We're about to have company!
She picked up a tuba and threw it at Percy. Rachel and the demigod ducked. The tuba sailed over their heads and crashed through the window.
The voices in the hall died down.
"Percy!" Kelli shouted, pretending to be scared. "Why did you throw that?"
Percy was too surprised to answer. Kelli picked up a music stand and swiped a row of clarinets and flutes. Chairs and musical instruments crashed to the floor.
"Stop it!" Percy yelled.
People were tromping down the hall now, coming in the direction of the band hall.
"Time to greet our visitors!" Kelli bared her fangs and ran for the doors. Percy charged after her with Riptide. He had to stop her from hurting the mortals.
"Percy, don't!" Rachel shouted. But he hadn't realized what Kelli was up to until it was too late.
Kelli flung open the doors. Paul Blofis and a bunch of freshmen stepped back in shock. Percy raised his sword, ready to destroy the she-demon.
At the last second, the empousa turned toward Percy like a cowering victim. "Oh no, please!" She cried. Percy couldn't stop his blade. It was already in motion.
Just before the celestial bronze hit her, Kelli exploded into flames like a Molotov cocktail. Waves of fire splashed over everything. Percy had never seen a monster do that before, but he didn't have time to wonder about it. He backed into the band room as the flames engulfed the doorway.
"Percy?" Paul Blofis looked completely stunned, staring at Percy from across the fire. "What have you done?"
Kids screamed and ran down the hall. The fire alarm wailed. Ceiling sprinklers hissed to life.
In the chaos, Rachel tugged on Percy's sleeve. "You have to get out of here!"
She was right. The school was in flames and Percy would be held responsible. Mortals couldn't see through the Mist properly. To them it would look like he'd just attacked a helpless cheerleader in front of a group of witnesses. There was no way he could explain it. Percy turned from Paul and sprinted for the broken band room window.
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