An Assassin's Guide to Family

Chapter 32: Past

-------------------- Percy's POV: ------------------------

"Hurry up Percy, we gotta go!" Dick yelled from the passenger side of the car, his hair was blown back almost mocking curtain bangs. He had a huge smile on his face as he waved for Tim and I to hurry.

Today was the first day of summer, and the guys had invited me to the beach before I got to leave for camp. Of course, I said yes, I wanted to spend more time with them before I left for the summer, but when I'd remembered we weren't going to a private beach like camp half-blood's, panic had iced through my veins.

I sighed, pulling down slightly on the edge of my shirt, even though I loved the ocean I wasn't very comfortable in my bathing suit around random people, especially not people at the beach. They always gave me weird looks, and I've gotten more than one story of a cop pulling me aside to ask if I've been abused. It was always awful and embarrassing for my mom.

I felt a hand on my back as I looked over to Tim, he had a small reassuring smirk. "I promise Percy, everything's going to be fine." I nodded, lessening my grip on my shirt but not letting it go.

"Of course," I replied with as much confidence as I could. Tim's smile grew as he walked over to the car, hoisting two massive picnic baskets up and into the trunk of the car, the whole vehicle jostling with the newfound weight. The food was too much for us alone, but Dick had told me that they'd invited some friends over who would be joining us, this only aided in tripling my worries.

I sucked in a deep breath before walking forwards. I tossed myself into the back seat before feeling the car shift as Tim got in beside me. Jason looked back at the two of us, the black glasses covering his eyes made his smile look mischievous.

"You guys ready?" he asked, I turned around, finding the trunk to be filled with stuff. It ranged from things like floaties and towels to picnic baskets and blankets to sit on. A massive umbrella laid diagonally between Tim and me, threatening to be catapulted out the front with one forceful stop. It almost looked like a hwacha, something the Hephaestus kids had built and nearly killed me with. Of course, I'd earned some good stuff from them in return but nearly getting shot by an arrow definitely made you wearier.

"Yes! Now go!" Dick yelled, excitement laced in his voice. Jason looked up into the rearview mirror, looking at Tim and me. Tim gave a thumbs up and Jason's eyes turned to me. I nodded, Jason smiled and turned to the road.

"Alright, everyone hold on tight!" With a click of the gate button and a squeal of the tires, Jason hit the gas, my back pressing tight against the back of the seat as we peeled off, Jason letting out a holler and Dick turning up the radio super loud. I could barely think over the racket as we raced off towards the beach.

As we raced out of Gotham I could only watch as the scene slowly faded from dark cloudy days to bright cheery blue skies with puffy white clouds hanging above us. We drove for what had to be an hour of nerve-wracking swerving, loud singing from Dick and Jason (Even occasionally Tim and I but only for the Disney songs), and worrying for me.

When we finally turned off the highway and into a city I could almost feel my heart in my chest, suddenly I was just considering swimming with my shirt and pants on, I mean sure, I wasn't wearing anything too revealing but hopping in with a large shirt and baggy pants couldn't have been an average look.

As Jason slowed down I knew we were nearing the beach, I forced myself to breathe evenly. But as we neared the crowded parts Jason didn't stop, instead continuing down the path. I watched as we passed through the main part of the beach town and towards a less populated area. I turned with my eyebrows knitted towards Tim, who merely gave me a smile in return. I turned back to the window just as we pulled to a stop, Dick handing Jason a card before Jason placed it in front of a scanner. The machine took a minute before letting us through. This time we drove slowly, Jason rolling my window down for me as the relaxing smell of salt water and ocean breeze flooded the car, whipping my hair every which way. But even through the curtains that was my hair, I could see us approaching an empty beach, the white pristine sand uninhabited by tourists and children. I could feel my heart leap as a smile rose to my lips, suddenly I could feel my excitement reach that of Dick's, if not more.