He wanted to say that it all started with Poseidon, the man that couldn't be bothered to involve himself in Percy's life. Things just went downhill after, especially since Sally found Gabe Ugliano and thus began Percy's life of running. Running was all he could ever do, hiding never worked. They'd always find him in the end. What Thalia had told him only further proved this.

Percy would've believed anything about his father, he could hear any lie and he'd probably believe it. He didn't know enough about Poseidon to properly judge his character, but hearing Thalia say that some bad people were after Percy just because of who his father was? Yeah, he wasn't so sure that he wanted to find out about what kinda guy could cause that much trouble. (Not that Percy didn't cause trouble, he definitely didn't hold a good reputation in that regard.)

  Percy hadn't heard of Poseidon Olympia until Thalia told him. He'd known of the Olympia family, sure, but he didn't know most of the members. He'd definitely known about Zeus though, he was extremely wealthy and influential. Everyone knew him. That being said, the rest of the Olympia's were very much lesser known, most maintaining their privacy and keeping to their families. It wouldn't make sense for a part of that family to join the Marines though, that's what really made Percy question Thalia's words. Maybe it was a way to escape, but he could've found escape with his own family. Sally and Percy needed him, he could only run.

Maybe Percy wasn't so different from his father. They both ran, they both avoided every issue, they both wanted to escape. Problem was, Poseidon left his problems for Percy to face. He left without caring about the consequences. He should've realized that Sally wouldn't be able to financially support a child, she'd dropped out of school. She could only find small minimum wage jobs that wouldn't even support herself, let alone a baby. It should've been obvious that she'd find the first guy who could help, no matter what he was like. Poseidon just didn't think of that, apparently. He left them with nothing. Percy at least considered the consequences of his actions, which was mainly the reason he was still alive. He could've given up, he tried to give up, but he couldn't just leave Sally with that man. With Gabe. He wasn't even much of a man, he was a coward who liked to take his anger out on anyone around him and make teenagers throw their lives away for his own benefit.

  "I have to talk to him."

  "To who?"

  "Luke." Percy rubbed the back of his neck, he knew what he was saying sounded crazy. He wasn't trying to sound sane, but he had no other options. He needed to know why Kronos was after the Olympia family and why he wanted anything to do with Percy. Percy couldn't do shit for him besides help Gabe deal drugs, that wouldn't do much.

  Thalia frowned, "You're crazy, literally insane."

  "I never said it was a good plan." He chuckled a bit, "But what else am I supposed to do? Wait until I'm the next one found dead in the woods?"

  Thalia shook her head and took a bite of her sandwich that she'd made after the initial conversation. "I said earlier, I don't think he intends on killing you. There's something he wants from you."

  "There's nothing I could give him that he'd find useful." Percy furrowed his brows, "I'm sure of it."

  "You said your dad left you nothing?"

  "Mmhmm, not even a penny." Conversations like these were never fun, endless interrogations on trying to figure out the reason someone did something. Percy didn't know anything about Psychology, so he'd rather just let things happen. "He worked as a marine, so I assume he never really inherited much wealth from your dad. Hades didn't either, right?"

  "They both did, they both inherited a great deal of wealth. Neither one wanted to rely on it though, so they got regular jobs and tried to live regular lives." She sighed, "They'd grown up knowing only wealth, so I guess they wanted to part ways from that lifestyle. My dad on the other hand... it was all he cared about."

  Percy nodded, though he didn't fully understand. If Poseidon was really so rich, why'd he leave Sally with nothing? Why'd he leave Percy at all? Or how about his family from before Percy? They probably would've appreciated some money.

  "Do you have Luke's number?"

  Thalia raised a brow, "Why?"

  "You can't stop me, I just need answers. He's the only one who has them."

  Thalia paused for a moment, staring at her half-eaten sandwich and contemplating. Eventually, she let out a sigh, "Fine. I'll dial it for you, but I'm not gonna sit here and watch you. You're getting yourself killed."

  Percy didn't care what would happen if he called Luke. Nothing could happen over the phone, and he didn't care if Luke tried coming after him. The worst that could happen would be Percy's death, which wasn't going to be the end of the world. Maybe for Percy, but he didn't care.

  "Here, it's dialing." Thalia handed Percy the McLean home phone, he took it and placed it against his ear. Thalia watched him for a moment, then left the room quickly.

  "Hello?"

  Percy anxiously bit at his lip, "Umm, Is this Luke?"

  He already knew it was, Luke always had a voice that stood out. Even so, it was better to confirm even if he knew.

  "It is, and who is this?"

  "It's Percy."

  "Percy?" Luke repeated. "I should've known."

   "What do you want from me?" Percy finally asked, hoping Luke would skip the games and get right to the important shit.

  "What do I-" Luke let out a laugh, "I thought it was obvious what I wanted."

  "What? Annabeth?"

  "No, Annabeth is behind me now. I was upset at first, but I've moved past it. What I want is your father's fortune. Well, Kronos wants it. I'm only the messenger boy."

  Percy frowned, they didn't honestly believe Poseidon left anything behind, did they? "My father didn't leave me anything."
 
  "Then where'd all his money go? Huh? When Kronos had him killed, he was unaware of any family outside of his previous marriage. He'd made sure to have Poseidon leave them with nothing, but when looking for his wealth, there was nothing." Luke lowered his tone, "So Kronos had me do some digging, and as it turns out... there was you."

  Percy didn't say anything. He didn't even want to think about what Luke just said. Kronos had been the cause for Poseidon's demise? And suddenly all his fortune is just no where to be found? Yeah, Percy would've suspected that Poseidon left it to the child he'd abandoned too. No one would think to look there. But alas, Percy had nothing.

  "He never left me anything, I don't know what to tel you."

  "If you won't talk, we will find ways to get it out of you. This is your only warning, Jackson." Luke cackled, "Your two-week suspension will be up soon. Once break ends, there's no hiding from me. You can try telling someone, but it won't do you any good. It'll only get you and your loved ones closer to your graves."

  Percy took the hint, though he couldn't really say he had a way of giving Luke what he wanted. He couldn't just pull all that wealth from out of his pocket. No amount of drug deals would help either, not like Gabe would let him get away with taking that money anyways.

  "Fine. I'll try and find it, but you have to promise that you won't hurt anyone. And I mean anyone. Killing Beckendorf was more than enough to send the message."

  "I make no promises, business is business after all."

  Percy frowned and hung up, placing the phone back where Thalia had found it and slumped over. He buried his head in his arms and tried to figure out a plan. It wasn't like he could just ask his father where all his money was, his mother wouldn't even know.

  Before he knew it, he found himself drifting off to sleep, the stress of the situation momentarily forgotten.

—————-

  "I can't do that, Luke."

  He frowned, "and why not? It's the only way you and your family makes it out of this alive."

  Rachel furrowed her brows and spat, "You've been stalking me for months. Terrorizing me, sending death threats every single occasion you get! Is my family's money worth that much to you?!"

  Luke leaned down and cupped Rachel's chin, "Money is everything, can't you see? Kronos has plans, I'm only obeying orders from him. I'm giving you a way out, a way to live."

  Rachel spit at him, "Go to hell."

  "This is hell."

   "I'm starting to notice that, thanks." Rachel's hands burned, the rope rubbing against them relentlessly. She'd expected to get caught by him, but so soon? She watched as Luke left, leaving her tied up in her dorm. No one would be back for a few more days, her roommate wouldn't find her until then. Unless Mr. Chiron notices her absence, she was screwed.

  ————————-

Back from the dead, had to reread everything but I'm here and with a plan for how this story is gonna end.

I had been trying to subtly hint that Rachel was the mystery girl, don't know how well I did though. Poor  girl.