The Aftermath: Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Long Time No See

3rd Person POV

Just as Percy crossing the street, with Leah in his arms, to head back to the apartment, to return the runaway toddler to her mother, he felt her clench onto his shirt tightly. Before he could ask what was wrong, he heard her scream out of pure terror. Percy, going into high alert, held Leah tighter to him and reflexively pulled out his trusty pen, releasing Riptide, before turning around to see what was causing her to panic.


Right when he turned around, all he saw was black and a pair red eyes tumble into him. While holding Leah tightly against his chest, protecting her face and head, Percy fell back onto the sidewalk. Next thing he felt were licks accross his face, and then he suddenly heard someone whistle loudly, while simultaneously hearing a familiar voice call out for Leah.


Percy realized that the big black creature with red eyes was Mrs. O’Leary after the fact that she started licking his face, as she always did. But, before he could greet her, Percy checked to see if Leah was okay.


“You alright?” he asked the small toddler, who started crying softly out of fear.


“Leah!” Percy heard Annabeth’s panicked voice before he felt the quirky little toddler get pulled out of his arms. For some reason, the sudden absence of the small child made Percy’s stomach drop slightly.


After Annabeth snatched Leah, Percy stood up wincing from the pain he felt in his shoulders and back, and started to dust his clothes off. He then looked across the street to see a familiar boy with shaggy black hair, dressed in dark skinny jeans, and a dark gray t-shirt, with a pair of black converse on his feet. “No way….”


After hearing her voice, Percy turned around to see that Thalia was there at the scene too. Of course, instead of fumbling around the toddler, like Annabeth was, Thalia was staring wide eyed at the boy across the street.


"Long time no see" said the boy in a husky tone. Everyone who wasn't looking at him before, was looking at him now. He was standing there with a smirk on his face, and Mrs. O'Leary at his feet.


After fussing with her child, Annabeth finally realized that there was no apparent danger, and also realized who the boy was. With a soft voice she uttered his name,  


"Nico."