Hi, I'm super sorry I haven't updated in ages :( I don't think this chapter is very good, but I just needed to write something! I hadn't updated in so long. I hate when people don't update stories and when I started this I promised myself I wouldn't be one of those people. So this is the next chapter, read and hopefully enjoy. I appreciate reviews, corrections to grammar, and suggestions on the plot

"Mom, why do I have to go to this camp?" asked Percy packing another t-shirt into his backpack

"Don't you want me here?" he sniffed.

"Of coarse I do sweetheart!" putting a reassuring hand on Percy's shoulder "I will always want you here."

"Then why do I have to go?"

Sally let out a sigh, she had been avoiding this conversation for seven years.

"Percy your different."

Percy wiped his nose, "What do you mean I'm different?"

"Percy, do you remember when we watched Hercules?"

Percy smiled a little "Yeah"

Hercules was about the only movie Percy had ever sat all the way through, without his ADHD flaring up.

"Do you remember who Hercules Dad was."

"Zeus" Percy answered immediately.

"Yeah, Do you remember what Zeus was?"

"Yellow?"

Sally smothered a laugh "He was also a god."

Percy looked a little confused. Sally didn't know how else to say this other than just say it

"Percy, your Dad is a god too."

Percy stared at her dumbfounded, when he finally found his voice, the first thing he said was

"Is he yellow too?"

Sally couldn't hold back her chuckle this time. "No silly, he's not yellow."

"So who is he?"

Sally was about to answer when there was a yell from the kitchen

"SALLY!"

"Gabe."

...

Sally had said they could help themselves to breakfast, and that's just what they did.

Personally, Luke thought it was impressive how much he could eat while simultaneously stuff food into his backpack. Annabeth was going to town on a jar of olives, for someone so small she sure could eat.

Thalia was draining a whole bottle of coke, but Grover was the champion eater.

Not only was he managing to make and eat sandwiches at warp speed, he was also chowing down on tin cans. Luke was just about to try and stuff another packet of pop tarts into his bag when a man stumbled into the kitchen.

"What in the?!" muttered the man

Luke smelled him before he saw him. An odor hung over this guy, one of old chips, onions and beer.

From the stench Luke guessed this guy must be Gabe.

"You wanna tell me why I shouldn't call the police this instant?" his breath was fowl, Luke could smell it from where he was standing.

"We're not stealing," said Grover nervously, he may not be very brave but Luke was just glad he was wearing pants!

"Your wife gave us permission." said Thalia facing Gabe head on.

No one messed with Thalia, she was about the bravest girl Luke had ever met.

Even so Luke didn't like the way Gabe's eyes fell on Thalia, like he was sizing her up. Luke felt a wave of anger pass through him. He took a step in front of Thalia from Gabe, some mortals were worse than the monsters. Gabe glared at Luke, maybe he was thinking about shoving him out of the way. Luke would have liked to see him try he and Thalia had faced scarier monsters than this loser.

"SALLY!" shouted Gabe

One awkward silence later Sally entered the room. Luke didn't know if it were just his imagination but Sally seemed to shrink under neath Gabe's gaze.

"Hellow Gabe, what seems to be the problem?"

Gabe took a few steps towards her but Sally stood her ground.

"What I want to know is why there are four homeless kids in my kitchen? Wasn't your brat enough."

Sally winced at Gabe's reference to her son.

"They just stayed one night, I'm dropping them to camp this morning, they were in trouble."

Gabe snorted he leaned in close to Sally and whispered something Luke couldn't hear, but the look on Sally's face sent a shiver down Luke's spine.

Percy entered the now cramped kitchen clutching a rather large backpack.

"Where do you think your going kid?" sneered Gabe

Luke expected the Percy kid to back down, Gabe was easily four times his size but he looked Gabe straight in the eye and stood his ground next to his mother. Brave kid.

"Percy is going to camp as well."

Gabe's face pulled into a gruesome smile revealing his yellow teeth.

"How much is this camp going to cost me?" Gabe asked scratching his beer belly

"Nothing, its free." Sally spoke in a quiet voice

Gabe snorted obviously not convinced. "Really it is, its a special programme for children with dyslexia and ADHD."

"If it were up to me, we'd have thrown you out years ago."

Luke thought Gabe had finally gone too far, that Sally was going to snap and slap him across the face or something. She narrowed her eyes at him but after a breath she seemed to regain her composure.

"I'll make your favourite dip when I come back and pick up your favourite chips as soon as I'm back." And then cringing in distaste she leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek.

The grin that spread across Gabes ugly face when Sally leaned in to kiss him made Luke want to barf. This guy was the biggest loser Luke had ever seen, and Luke had seen a lot of losers.

"Come on kids," said Sally grabbing Percy's hand in one hand and picking up the keys with the other.

"I'll be back soon."

...

Thalia should have known things wouldn't run this smoothly. She should have guessed something would go horribly horribly wrong, after all they were demigods.

But Thalia liked to think of herself as an optimist and she liked to assume that she wouldn't have a daily near death experience but hey, optimism can only get you so far. No sooner had they reached the dusty old '78 camero there was a horrid shout.

They all whirled their heads around to see a large Cyclopes running down the street.

"I found you!" he yelled pointing at them as if it weren't obvious "You thought that you got away but I smelled you out!" he taunted. Only a cyclops. He flashed his ugly yellow teeth.

"Bernard." Said Annabeth

"Who?" asked Percy looking from Bernard to Annabeth and back again. Thalia couldn't look at Percy without remembering that horrible dream, it sent shivers down her spine.

Percy could never hurt Luke she reminded herself

He dosen't even understand what being a demigod is.

But Thalia couldn't shake the image of Percy and his sword about to come down on Luke's head.

There was no time to think about that stupid dream that cyclopes was coming right for them!

"Run!" shouted Grover

Thalia didn't have to be told twice. With no time to even sit into the car they sprinted down the street.

"Your not going to get away that easily."

Bernard stomped after them managing to create considerable pot holes. The city was going to have a hard time clearing up this mortals of coarse took no notice. Thalia thought she heard one complain loudly about road works. The demigods had one advantage over Bernard. They were fast. Thalia guessed that years of running from monsters was starting to pay off. Sally and Percy were barely managing to keep up but she guessed the whole life and death situation sped them along. Bernard roared in frustration at the speed of his prey. He threw a small car at them. "Duck!"

It barely missed them. Bernard was not discouraged by his failure and threw a silver Volvo at the demigods. "Missed!" Annabeth yelled over her shoulder.

Thalia couldn't help but chuckle, Gods she loved that kid.

To Olympus preserve or raze

Stupid dream. They managed to out run Bernard but they could still here his yells.

They turned the corner. "Quick in here." Said Sally indicating to a Bath and Body Works shop. "Maybe it will cover your scent."

They sprinted for the door.

Crouching behind the counter Thalia prayed to the Gods that for once her luck would turn and that Sally would be right. That all these stupid smelling salts would be enough to cover their stupid demigod stench. She should have known better. They heard him before they saw him. The ground began to rumble and the rows of perfume bottles began to rattle, some even jumped from their shelves and shattered.

"I know your here."

Luke put her finger to her lips to indicate to be quite.

"I can smell you."

Sally was gripping Percy as tightly as Thalia imagined a boa constrictor would. She repressed a spark of jealosy. Her mother had never done anything like that to comfort her when the monsters had come. There were tears streaking Sallys face.

Thalia jumped at a loud sound There was a loud sound of shattering glass. Thalia risked a peak over the counter. Bernard had smashed the window of the bridal shop across the street and was now reaching his meaty fist inside searching for them. The gods must really have something against children of Zeus because the cyclopes turned his head abruptly and looked directly at her.

"I see you."

Grover swore in ancient Greek.

Luke pulled his sword from his backpack, Annabeth pulled out her dagger and Thalia activated her shield. "Do you think we can take him?" asked Luke

"I guess we'll find out."

"No you won't." Said Sally.

"What do you mean."

"Your just children, half bloods or not!"

"What are we going to do, he'll kill us."

SMASH! Shattered glass rained down on them. "Here I come!"

"No he won't." Said Sally determination clear in her face.

A meaty hand was reaching into the store knocking over gift baskets and smashing perfume bottles. Thalia's eyes were watering from the over powering scents.

"I'm going to buy you some time."

"What are you talking about?" asked Luke dodging to avoid to avoid a shelf of perfume bottles from falling on his head. Sally looked down at her son.

"Sweetheart,I know I promised you I would take you to camp" she took a deep breath as if forcing herself through this conversation

"And I know I said I would explain everything but Grover, Luke and Thalia will take care of you and I'm so sorry I can't be with you when you begin your big adventure." Sally was really crying now she cupped Percy's chin in her hands. She sniffed pulling herself together.

"But I need you to listen to me now I want you to run. Run as fast as your legs can carry you and then keep running"

"Mom, what are you talking about your coming too aren't you."

"I can't Sweetheart, this is your journey. You'll always be my hero."

Releasing Percy, she stood up from her hiding place. Immediately the cyclops grabbed her.

"MOM!" yelled Percy who was now being held back by Grover.

"You can't take on a full grown Cyclopes!"

"But I can!" said Thalia gripping her sword

"Hey" said Luke grabbing Thalia's wrist "I thought she said this is when we escape."

"Well screw that noise!"

"Yeah!" Percy agreed "Screw that!"

Thalia resisted the urge to laugh. A seven year old backing her up by saying "Screw that"

Was truly odd. "Come on Luke" she said, jumping over the counter and charging into battle, quickly followed by Luke. She stabbed the Cyclopes in the shin. Bernard immediately dropped Sally.

"Mom!" yelled Percy

"Percy, I'm fine!" Sally called back "Now RUN!"

"But,"

"GO!"

"I can handle-"

"HEY YOU BIG UGLY FATSO! CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" she shouted at Bernard getting up and running

The Cyclopes growled in anger and chased after her.

Thalia was going to argue but Luke grabbed her by the elbow.

"Come on, Thals." He said said "We have to go!"

Thalia wanted to argue but she took one look at Luke and decided against it. She took one last look behind her and ran.