EDITED

Makai's P.O.V.

The ends of my boots scuffed against the pavement as I kicked a pebble ahead of me, watching it bounce a few times. I started up my driveway and slipped inside the door, pulling off my coat and sliding the locks into place.

It had been really good to see Nico again. He was coming back to Camp early so that he could help Percy teach the swordsmanship classes. He had promised to meet me as soon as school was over, and he was going to help me explain everything to Andy, to which I was eternally thankful. My stomach was churning just thinking about it. I was really worried that Andy would be mad at me for not telling her- even though it seemed set in stone some part of me wished it wouldn't be true. Being a demigod was awesome... but it also sucked and was filled with pain and death.

Shaking my head I bounded up the stairs to my room, flopping on the bed and pulling out my phone. Maybe I should check in on Andy?

I messaged her and waited for a few minutes, gradually getting more concerned. What if something had happened? She didn't know anything about fighting, as edgy as she tried to make herself look.

I vaulted off the bed and paced around my room, biting my lip.

Making up my mind I dialed her number as I grabbed my sword, running down the stairs. I stopped pulling on my combat boots as she answered, relieved.

"Hey Andy, where a-"

She interrupted me, her voice cautious. "Hey! Makai! Figuratively speaking if you started, let's say, start having your eyes play tricks on you, what would you do? Because I have this friend who keeps telling me that she's seeing things that don't exist, and I don't really know how to help her. Got any idea's?"

My eyes flickered shut. This wasn't good. Moving quickly I continued lacing up my boots in a hurry, using my shoulder to keep my phone at my ear. "Okay, well. I'd probably talk to them and try and understand what they're seeing, because maybe they're not crazy."

She was breathing a little heavier and my stomach was in knots. Why couldn't she just tell me?

Andy kept starting and stopping like a broken text-to-voice app, until finally she pieced together a whole sentence that made sense. "Well. She doesn't think she's seeing things. So she's not sure if she's actually crazy or not, and so she doesn't want to tell me."

An exasperated sigh escaped my lips. Did she actually not trust me that much? "Well I would ask her to tell you anyway, and then maybe you'd find out that she's not actually crazy. Maybe she can just see things other people can't."

She inhaled quickly and then stayed quiet. Impatient, I stopped going around in circles and instead just cut straight to the point. "Maybe I would tell your friend that I can see stuff other people can't. Scary stuff that can give you nightmares but does actually exist." I heard the sound of her feet pounding on the ground slowing but she remained panting. "Andy. Just tell me what happened! Please! I promise I won't think you're crazy."

She muttered something under her breath that I didn't catch and then finally, "Fine!" she spoke. "Fine I'll tell you what happened!" Her voice rose and she started to sound freaked out again.

Her answer was confusing. Had she said shower or powder? I dragged my hand through my hair, trying not the freak out. "What? Can you repeat that?"

She breathed a little slower and I relaxed a little bit. " This guy attacked me, and I'm pretty sure I killed him. But he turned into this powdery stuff?" Her voice cracked a bit. "Am I going crazy? I'm totally going crazy. Great. Ain't this just fabulous. Is this what taking crack cocaine feels like?"

I scoffed. Andy would let her eye's be gouged out before she went anywhere near drugs or alcohol- which seemed a little strange since she was fine with violence and cursing. "No you're not crazy. Just-" I cut myself off, unsure of what to do. "Just come here, okay? We'll figure it out. Just promise me you'll come to my house as soon as you can." 

She seemed to agree, and was calm again. But I knew that she would be freaking out again as soon as I told her the actual truth. That would be so fun. I couldn't wait.  She was silent on the line for a second before finally responding. "Yeah. Okay. Sure, see you in a few minutes."

Once the line went dead I tossed my phone on the counter and turned on the kitchen sink, pulling out a drachma. The spray from the tap when everywhere and I winced, glad that Sarah and Thomas weren't home yet since they were still picking up Sam from the daycare. Tossing the coin into the spray I asked Iris to connect me to Nico. Once I could see him I sighed in relief, relief, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach and immediately speaking. "Nico! Andy was attacked by something and she saw through the mist again. I'm pretty sure that she's sending out a signal that's even stronger now, especially since we talked on the phone."

He sighed and then ran his hands through his hair. "Could you bring her to Camp now?" He saw me shaking my head and shrugged. "You're going to have to. But tomorrow would probably be better. Hey, wait a second, Percy!" He shouted.

A monotone voice asked me for another drachma and I tossed it into the spray of water, sighing. "Hurry up, you're wasting all my money." I groaned to Nico. He laughed and gestured Percy over again, more urgently this time.

"Don't worry I'll pay you bac-" Percy cut him off.

"What's up-" He stopped as soon as he saw me. "Oh hey, Makai."

I grinned and waved with my empty hand. "Hey. Andy was attacked. I'm pretty sure that the monsters are able to sense her now for some reason. Should I bring her to Camp tonight? Nico and I were thinking that tomorrow would be better." Percy was nodding even before I finished talking.

"Definitely tomorrow. There's some Hellhounds hanging around. They probably followed Nico."

Nico shrugged like 'what can you do?'

I nodded and then realized Grover was still nearby. "Should someone tell Grover? Nico, when can you get here? I'm not sure what attacked Andy and I might need your help."

Percy made a face and I ignored him, if Nico didn't help me I might never tell Andy.

Nico sent me a smile and nodded, thankfully not noticing the look Percy was making. "Yeah I'll be there, and I'll message Grover. Give me around a hour so that I can eat and grab some stuff, otherwise I might not be able to get there."

I nodded and then the image cut out, leaving water all over the marble counters. Grimacing, I heard Sarah and Thomas pull up and quickly wiped up all the water as they walked inside. Sarah saw that I was home and smiled.

Sarah had a amazing smile, and as soon as she unleashed one of those smiles on you, you couldn't help smiling back.

I owed a lot to Sarah and Thomas, and it always felt like I could never make it up to them. Thomas had the sight, so he'd been really accepting of my unusual parentage. Or maybe he'd been accepting of me being a demigod because his daughter was one. Before Thomas met Sarah he had a thing with Athena, and the result was now running around with the Hunters of Artemis.

Thomas ruffled my hair and then he saw my sword. "Did something happen?" He asked, alarmed.

Nodding, I quickly explained and then Sam came running down the hallway. "Makai!" He squealed. Laughing, I caught him in my arms and sank onto the floor, letting him tackle me. "Hey Sammy, what do you think about going out to supper with Mom and Dad?" Sam immediately squealed and jumped up, hanging off his dad as he begged. "Please please please can we go?"

Thomas looked at me and I nodded. I needed them to be away from here in case the presence of all the demigods attracted too many monsters.

Thomas and Sarah immediately started to get ready, packing a simple overnight bag and then piling into the car.

Before they left Sarah gave me a long hug. "Stay safe okay?" She nervously brushed a piece of my hair behind my ear. I nodded and hugged her again before she went to strap Sam into the car seat.

Thomas gave me quick hug before jumping into the drivers seat. He rolled down the window. "Take care of the house and make sure you text us, okay? Love you!" He called. I waved. "Love you too!" I hollered.

Quickly checking the time on my watch I waited anxiously for Andy.

I wasn't waiting for too long before she bolted onto the porch and knocked frantically. Quickly opening the door, I kept my sword in my hand and ushered her in, locking it behind her. "You okay?" I looked her over as I sheathed my sword, a fresh wave of panic setting in as I saw her foot and the blood on her clothes. 

She was still staring at my sword as I gently pushed her down onto a chair. 

"Sit." I commanded. 

 "Woah," she whispered, seeming out of it, "Dude I felt like Hagrid there for a sec- Yur a Wizard Hurry- let me destroy your door and eat cake."

Andy's eyes widened as I pulled out my emergency first aid kit and started wrapping up her foot. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured her a reasonable amount of nectar, "Drink this." With only a few seconds of hesitation Andy tipped the cup back and quickly drank it all. I nodded. That would help.

Andy still hadn't said a word and I knew that she was dying to ask me some questions. Sighing, I stopped what I was doing and stood up, my hands on my hips. "Okay. Shoot." She eyed my weapon warily and I rolled my eyes, getting annoyed. "Chill. I'm not going to stab you."

She rolled her eyes and flipped me off but with she finally spoke. "Why do you have a sword?" She hesitated and waited. "Why-" She tried again, starting to make the connection. "Is it because of the crazy lizard dude?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll get to that, I'm just waiting for one of my friends to get here."

Andy raised a eyebrow. "You have other friends? This is a true achievement."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks." She smirked at me and I continued. "He'll explain."

Andy raised both her eyebrows this time, looking excited. "Him? You're friends with a guy? I sense bachelors."

Ignoring her I stood up and walked to the door as I heard the front porch creak. A knock echoed through the room and I grabbed my sword, carefully approaching the door. I knocked seven times, and then five before waiting.

The person on the other side of the door knocked eight times and then three, confirming that it was Nico.

I immediately opened the door and grinned, happy to see him again even if it had only been a few hours since I had seen him last.

I pulled him over to meet Andy, who was eyeing him warily but also with a hint of excitement, one hand gripping the table and the other was holding her cup, as if she might need to throw it.

I gestured to her and then decided I should probably introduce them.

"This is Andy Parker," I paused, hoping they wouldn't hate each other, that would suck. "Andy, meet Nico di Angelo."