"People aren't sure," Monica shrugged, "some say it's treasure, some say it's a portal to hell, me? Well I think Churchill found something here, something magical, and he built this school over it in order to keep it hidden."
"And again, not to say this all isn't amazing to know, how does this relate to the cursed book you know have?"
Monica sighed, "there were...rumors, mostly. The people online talking about this mentioned that Churchill would have let some sort of guardian to protect whatever he was trying to hide. I thought it was a lie, but now...."
Percy hummed, "Monica....tell me, what did you do last night?"
Monica blinked, "what do you mean?"
"What do you remember from last night?"
"Well I....I think I just fell asleep."
"What time did you fall asleep?"
"7?"
"And yet you looked like you were recovering from a hangover today morning in class," Percy groaned.
"Percy you don't think that thing we followed yesterday was her do you?" Thalia asked in concern.
"The demon must have taken over," Percy theorized as he lifted one of Monica's hands. Her nails were painted pink, and it was clearly chipped, "so the thing that we followed yesterday was probably her body, but the demon was in control."
"Wait, demon?" Monica blinked, "what do you mean demon? Why do you think I'm being possessed by a demon?"
"Believe me, I know," Percy told her.
"How? Did you meet one?"
Percy nodded, "yeah, but it's kind of a long story. Anyway, so how did you even find the book?"
Monica looked like she wanted to ask Percy more questions but held back. "Once I school started I went around looked for any clues Churchill might have left behind. I looked around the library until I stumbled upon a few books dating back to the foundation of the school. In them I found clues leading to a book which spoke about Yancy academy's construction."
"Which is when you found the cursed book," Thalia completed for her.
"Then that means the blood lust I felt that morning didn't come from Tyler, but the demon," Percy said with narrowed eyes.
"Bloodlust?" Monica asked.
"It's kind of like a sense of dread you get from magical beings," Thalia explained, "it varies on the strength of the creature, and from what Percy felt the demon doesn't really seem that strong."
"That could have changed," Percy told Thalia, "demons feed on humans, it could be using Monica to get a power boost for itself."
"Then we need to stop it."
"Agreed."
"Okay, okay, time out," Monica form a 'T' with her hand, "I'm sorry but what the hell is going on? You two are taking this was to casually. I mean you said you had experience with magic but....I mean how the hell are you two just so relaxed about this?"
Percy and Thalia looked at each other and shrugged. "Our life is kind of like this all the time," Thalia admitted, "we just get used to it."
Monica looked to Percy who nodded, "trust us Monica, we got your back."
"You guys seriously don't understand what you're getting into here," Monica shot back, "this isn't some math exam you pass or risk you take by sneaking out to watch a movie, this is life and death stuff."
Percy chuckled, "we know, and we understand what you're getting into."
"But-"
"-Enough Monica," Thalia cut her odd, "we are going to help you, and that's final."
Monica sighed, "look I appreciate the offer, but seriously, I'm fine."
"You are possessed by a demon, how is that fine?"
"Because I already reached out for help," Monica crossed her hands, "I may be reckless, but I'm not an idiot. When I woke up today I felt something was off, so I called a couple of buddies of mine and asked them to help me out."
"I'm sorry what?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
"What, you didn't think I was the only one interested in this place did you? While I was searching around the net I found a bunch of people who helped me out. One of them mentioned they had experience handling the supernatural and if I ever got into trouble I should call them."
"So they are coming here? Now?" Thalia asked.
"Yeah, they said they should be here by evening."
Percy and Thalia looked at each other again. [Does that mean we are going to have more humans to protect while we actually deal with this thing?] Thalia asked in frustration.
[Looks like it,] Percy sighed, [honestly, I can see why the Gods prefer not interacting with them. It's like every time something dangerous happens humans go like 'oh look at that dangerous thing that can kill me! Let's go touch it!']
Thalia chuckled but Monica looked confused. "Wait...what language were you guys speaking?"
Percy smiled, "it's a language we made up in camp. We use it when we want to have a private conversation."
Lie Successful!
Monica nodded, "...okay" target="_blank">huh...okay....anyway, like I said, thanks, but no thanks. I and my friends can handle this. You guys don't have to get involved."
Thalia smiled, "it's almost cute how much she wants to protect us."
Percy nodded, "yeah."
"Hey!" Monica yelled blushing up a storm, "I'm serious here! You two could be in serious danger, I don't need you here and I don't want you here! Seriously!"
"Wow, she just said serious like three times," Percy whistled, "I guess she must be pretty-"
"-Don't say it Jackson."
"-Serious," Percy chuckled. Monica groaned while Thalia rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's antics. "Anyway, in all seriousness, hehe, we are not letting you do this alone Monica. We may not be 'experts' like your friends," Percy tried really hard to suppress his sarcasm, but judging from the anger in Monica's eyes he failed, "but we'll try keep out of their way."
Monica huffed, "fine.....but don't say I didn't warn you."
Just then the door opened and Clarisse and the others walked back in. Tyler looked terrified, which was understandable considering he had just been told every monster he ever read about as a child was real, and a demon was currently possessing his twin sister.
"We good?" Percy asked.
"Yeah, he's a little shaken up, but I think he understands the message," Clarisse smirked, "it was honestly fun seeing him slowly melt down."
"Monica!" Tyler ran to his sister, "I'm so sorry. All those times you said magic existed and now....I'm sorry! Please, whatever you want I'll do it. I promise I won't call you weird or freakish ever again!"
Monica looked stunned as she watched her brother apologise for everything he did to her, from teasing her with other boys to calling her a witch.
Percy turned to Michael, "what did you guys to do him?"
"First we cleared the Mist from his eyes and then Clarisse stabbed him with her spear. it went straight through. After Tyler realised he wasn't dead she explained everything," Michael said with a shiver.
Percy and Thalia turned to Clarisse. The daughter of Ares shrugged, "what? He wouldn't have believed me if I didn't show proof. I figured shoving a celestial bronze spear through his heart would make him more open to suggestions."
The demigods shuddered, Percy sighed, 'I might be crazy, but Clarisse has made it an art form.'
After Tyler stopped begging by Monica's bed side everyone got filled in on what was happening. Clarisse didn't like that Monica was involving other mortals, but she knew is she couldn't do anything to stop her. If they tried to shut them out Monica would just become angry and would refuse to accept their help.
"So when are your demon hunting experts arriving?" Percy asked.
"They should be here by now," Monica said as she got back on her feet. They were wobbly, but luckily it seemed she had recovered enough from the incident from before.
"Where did you agree to meet them?" Thalia asked.
"Outside school grounds."
"Then outside we go," Michael cheered as the small group walked out of the medical room.
"We need to remain quite," Percy told them as they snuck down the corridor, "we should be approaching curfew right now and we can't afford to be seen."
"We, got a problem," Clarisse said as they snuck to the main building's door. They went outside but at the bottom of the stairs Percy spotted Mrs. J sitting with a pad and a stack of papers by her side.
"Shit," Percy pushed them away from the door and back inside, "Mrs. J is down there."
"Crap," Monica hissed, "we need to find a way around her."
"There is no other way out of this place," Tyler supplied.
"One of us needs to go down there and distract her," Michael said with a smile.
"And I'm guessing you'll be volunteering as tribute?" Clarisse glared at her boyfriends with crossed arms.
"I-I mean, well I one of her favorite students."
"Pft, yeah right, if anything I am her favorite student," Tyler huffed.
"Actually Percy is her favorite," Monica cut them both off as she turned to Percy, "think you can handle her?"
Percy nodded, "I'll distract her long enough for you guys to sneak away, deal?"
"Percy," Thalia growled, "don't you dare get two feet of that woman."
Percy gulped, "I-I'll try."
"Good, and don't even think about flirting with her!" Thalia hissed. She didn't understand why, but she didn't like the woman, not one bit.
Percy told the others to stay back while he walked down the stairs approaching Mrs. J.
"Lovely evening isn't it?" Percy asked.
"What?" Mrs. J asked jumping in surprise. She looked back and smiled, "oh, it's you Percy."
"How are you ma'am?"
"Find, all things considering," she sighed as she stretched her hands up. As she did so Percy couldn't help but notice the way she pushed her chest forward emphasising her large breasts.
Zap!
Percy wiped in surprise as he felt a jolt of lighting hit his ass. He looked around and saw Thalia glare at him. Monica and Tyler looked confused, the Mist prevented them from noticing anything, but the other demigods knew, and they just chuckled in response.
Percy sighed, 'focus Percy, focus.' He looked at her side and noticed a stack of question papers that were corrected.
"So ma'am what are you doing out here?" Percy asked.
"Well I just thought it was a very nice night, no reason to waste it," she looked up seeing the beautiful crescent moon shining down below bathing her and Percy in silverlight. "So I figured I might as well correct my papers out here, you know, with some fresh air."
Percy nodded, "I see....so I take it those are our papers?"
Mrs. J nodded, "indeed. You did very well in your last exam Percy. Though I would suggest you brush up on your Egyptian history. They are a very important ancient and important culture you know."
Percy sighed, "yeah, got it Mrs. J."
The teacher chuckled, "anyway, how is Monica doing?"
"Still unconscious," Percy lied easily, "Thalia and the others left some time ago, the only reason I stayed is because I kept argueing with Tyler and time just seemed to slip away."
Lie Succeeded!
"Yes, time is a bitch to all of us," Mrs. J looked far away, her eyes were unfocused, she seemed to be recalling something.
"Anyway, it's getting late, we should probably get to our rooms," Percy said looking at his watch.
"Oh dear me, you're right," Mrs. J got up and looked at her papers and sighed, "so much work....oh, I know! Percy, be a dear and help me carry these will you?"
Percy blinked, "ah, yeah, sure. Not a problem." Percy looked behind and motioned to Thalia to carry on without him, he would catch up when he could.
He quickly grabbed the stack of test papers Mrs. J was correcting and followed her along as they walked back into the main building. Thalia and the others ran before Mrs. J and Percy entered, and stayed hidden until they left. Once they were out of sight Thalia and the others ran out of the building making their way to the school boundaries.
"Do you know where my room is?" Mrs. J asked.
"Yeah, in the right wing, correct?" Percy said as he walked behind her.
"Right, how did you know?"
"Oh, I just like exploring things. In my last year here I pretty much mapped out this entire place in my head."
Mrs. J nodded, "impressive. I did the same when I first came here., though I went to the library instead. I don't exactly have the freedom you enjoy, so much work to do, no wonder my mother hated school."
Percy was surprised, "wait, there are maps of the school in the library?"
Mrs. J nodded, "indeed. I think it's in the history section, if your interested you should check them out. Maybe you might even find one or two secret passages you didn't know about."
Percy chuckled, "yeah, maybe."
"So tell me something about yourself Percy," Mrs. J asked as they began walking up the stairs to the third floor.
"Well, there's nothing much to say really. I'm 14 years old, though I'm told I look much older."
"Yes, I was very surprised to hear your real age. I've seen many miracles puberty performing, myself included, but you Percy take the cake. And the bakery."
Percy laughed, "yeah, guess it did kind of hit me hard. Anyway I'm right now studying in the 10 grade because my mom and the school felt I'll do best there. I'm somewhat good at studies, so they thought it would be nice."
"'Somewhat good' is an understatement Percy," They reached the third floor and Mrs. J lead them to the fourth door down the hallway, "you have a near perfect grade score. I would even say you're something of a genius."
"Thanks Mrs. J."
"So any plans for the future? I know that being a child genius a lot of choices would be open to you, you are probably going to have a hell of a time picking what you like."
"Well...I am thinking about becoming a cop."
"A cop?"
"Yeah, I have a job in New York, I go there during the weekends and intern at the 12th precinct. So I kind of like it."
"Well, if that's the case I'm sure that if you do join New York will have earned a very talented police officer," she opened the door and took the stack of papers off of Percy's hands, "thank you Percy. Have a nice night."
Percy smiled as Mrs. J closed the door behind her. The moment the door closed Percy took off in a blur of speed running out of the main building and towards the gate.
He ran across the threshold so fast the gate gaurd didn't even notice anything wrong. The only indicator that Percy had passed was a gust of wind.
Percy ran down the road leading from the school to the town nearby. He looked around for his friends when he spotted them up head, talking with two guys in front of a black van.
He slowed down, he didn't want Monica and Tyler questioning how he got there so fast. He quickly hide behind a tree and stealthily walked towards them until he got within earshot of them.
"And I'm telling you I'm not just going to let a bunch of kids tag along," a vaguely familiar voice spoke. Percy couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew he heard it before.
