Speed Demons

Part 3

Keith

I was sitting on the couch with Percy, staring at the bulletin board. The strings and pins all aligned in one area of a map with a little red thumb-tack.  Written in permanent marker were the words ENERGY SURGE, with a circle around the red tack. "What do you think it is?" The speedster asked, and I shrugged. 

I guess I should explain. After he and gotten the hoverbike to work, we had nothing else to do. So, we decided to explore the surrounding area, and eventually, we came across this canyon-type area where I had felt this strange energy.  I can't really explain it. It was like something or someone wanted me to be there. "I don't know." I told him, "but I have this feeling that it's important. I think the best we can do is wait and see what the fuss is all about." Percy nodded.

In the caves nearby, I had felt the energy spike. Inside there had been some ancient carvings. each told a slightly different story about a giant blue lion.

"If there's anything I learned on my quest, it's that you should always trust your gut. It knows best." I groaned.

"When are you going to tell me what happened on that quest?" This was the seventh time he had mentioned it, and he wouldn't tell me what happened out there. 

"Red," I rolled my eyes at the nickname, "all I can say right now, is that I've messed with time enough recently, and I don't want to tempt the Norns as much as I have. They have the next few days planned out, so until then, I'm not gonna spill." I almost went off at him, but, he actually looked pretty upset that he couldn't tell anyone.

"Fine," I grumbled before I asked, "who's Zoe?". Percy got up and rearranged some of the strings and photos on the board. "You keep mumbling to yourself about how you've been meaning to call her, so, who's Zoe?"

Percy smiled lightly, "just a friend." I smiled, "don't even think about it." The son of Zoran said sternly, expecting me to tease him.

I rolled my eyes, he's getting worked up over nothing, I thought sadly. Percy thought he could act tough and stern, but I could read him like a book.  A few days after Percy had moved in with me, Hel had appeared to me in a dream. she had one request. Help Percy. 

When I asked what she meant, she said: "Percy has major anxiety." I immediately decided that I wanted to help. Very subtly of course.

Anyways, Percy obviously liked this girl. But, he is so sure that she will never love him back. Why? Because he can't imagine why she would. 

"Percy!" called a voice from behind me. Percy and I both jumped. Percy's head snapped around and I followed his gaze. In a cloud of mist was a tall-looking boy a little bit older than me. His blue eyes turned to me, "Oh, you're at home right now aren't you?" Percy nodded, "Kay, so that makes you Keith?"

"Yes."

The boy grinned, "Pleasure, I'm Travis Stoll, son of Hermes." Then he turned back to the speedster. 

"What's up?" said the boy in question.

Travis's smile fell a bit, "It's... it's Zoe. She seems lonely but, she won't talk to anyone. We've tried anyone we could think of. The hunters can't make it so... you're it. Plan Z. After that there's no more alphabet."

Percy pinched the bridge of his nose, something he did when he was worried. "All right, I'll be there in a minute." Percy turned to me with a smirk on his face, "wanna come to see Camp Half-Blood?" I nodded.

Travis grinned again, "Cool! See you in a bit!" then he swiped his hand through the mist, breaking the connection. 

We went outside, Percy grabbed me, and two seconds later we were standing on a hill over Camp Half-Blood. The son of Zoran made a three-second countdown with his fingers, and as soon as he hit zero, Travis Stoll appeared out of nowhere.