Chapter Text
“GO! GO! GO!, “Percy yelled to Tyson as he ran, Estelle in his arms., “Back to base! “He caught up to Tyson and handed Estelle off to him., “Go! I’ll catch up! Don’t let Annabeth go outside and wait for me ok.”
Percy made sure Tyson was running before he turned to the group of zombies that were shuffling toward him., “You wanna dance! “He yelled, pulling a handgun out of his bag., “Let’s dance!”
Percy ran at the first zombie shooting it right in the jaw, hitting the one right behind him, smacking it upside the head knocking the head off. He then took the club he had attached to his belt and hit another in the head. He kept hitting them with the club for a few minutes before a gunshot rang through his ears. It wasn’t his gun since he didn’t hit the trigger. But then he noticed that a zombie had fallen at his feet, one he didn’t hit, the one that was shot.
“Hey, you ok?” A voice yelled as some more of the zombies were killed in front of him. The voice belonged to a tall boy with dark skin and black buzzed sides with blonde locs., “I saw that a walker was about to bite you so I shot it. Do you need any place to stay?”
Percy stared at him for a few minutes, he could’ve sworn he met him before. Then it hit him., “Jason Grace?”
The boy's face fell., “How-, “He stopped., “You’re Percy Jackson. My sister's friend!, “Jason was gawking at him now., “D-Do you know where she is?”
Percy blinked at him., “I-, “He was cut off by a deep groan, a zombie., “How close is your base?”
“About ten minutes from here. Where’s yours?”
“Fifteen.”
“Ok., “Jason nodded., “We’ll head to my base.”
Jason had started to run towards the city square, the complete opposite of where Percy’s base was. Percy couldn’t help but stare at him, he had such a similar face to his sister. The same eyes, the same nose, eyebrows, and lips. Their faces were identical. The only difference, Thalia had freckles. Also, Jason was over six feet, while Thalia was barely over five and a half. As well as his hair was bleached blonde and locked, while Thalia had kept her naturally black and had it buzzed, every once in a while she would have it in an afro, but not that much.
He kept walking behind him stealing looks at him and comparing everything to them. Then he abruptly stopped and turned to him. Percy would be lying if he said he didn’t bump into him.
“Sorry.”
“It’s ok., “Jason shrugged., “We’re getting super close so I just wanted to warn you about who I’m staying with.”
Percy raised his eyebrows in a confused manner before nodding for him to continue speaking.
“So I’m staying with my best friends and boyfriend., “He turned and looked at Percy as if looking for a reaction., “You’re chill with that?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”
“Oh well some people aren’t., “Jason shivered as if pushing off a bad memory., “My own mom and dad weren’t, so I try to ease people into it. Anyways so that’s who I’m staying with, it’s not like they’re bad or anything but on the odd scale they land on a solid eleven.”
Percy nodded lightly., “So they’re weirdos?”
“Uh- no. But also yes., “Jason shrugged., “Kinda complicated.”
“Ok.”
Before Percy knew it they were there. It was a small apartment building with all the windows and doors boarded up., “Uh- how do you get in?”
“You’ll see!”
Percy was confused by his response but nonetheless followed him into the small alleyway between the apartment building and the large building next to it. He had just barely been able to fit in the tight squeeze. He followed him down it for a few minutes before they reached the back where it was a wide open space. All of the surrounding buildings had no alleyways there, it had obviously been the only way there. It was wide and comfortable.
“Wow!, “He looked around his face wide., “How’d you find this place?”
“I didn't find it, Leo, my boyfriend, he was the one that found it., “He smiled fondly as he spoke of him. That just made Percy’s heart swell that a younger couple could be so happy during an apocalypse., “He grew up in the foster care system. Started in Texas, and got here. There was a time when he ran from his foster mom and found this place. When we were all looking for a place he led up here.”
“Oh., “Percy whispered, he understood that the foster system was bad, Tyson his brother was in it for a while before his mom adopted him., “Well I’m glad that you guys found a safe place.”
“Yeah. I mean there are a few walkers around here once in a while but Piper will come out here and kill it before it can make more come and hoard up., “Jason explained as he walked over to the next building over, and started to climb a ladder, Percy following.
For the rest of the climb up, they were in silence. When they reached the roof Jason had pulled the bag off of his back and started to ruffle around in it.
“Whatcha lookin’ for?, “A voice called from another roof building, making Percy and Jason both look up.
Two roof buildings away a Latino boy with black curly hair falling to his shoulders sat with a smile., “Who’s ya, friend?”
Percy was about to answer before he realized that he probably knew Jason. He looked over at him to see him blushing lightly before rolling his eyes.
“Hi, Leo., “His smile bloomed across his entire face. Watching the small boy jump from one roof and then jump to the next one, before being across from them.
When he was closer Percy could notice he had pointed ears and Amber eyes that held an amused look.
“Hi, wh’ats up? “His smile was genuinely breathtaking.
“Can you pass the board over to us?”
“I don’t know Jason, what’s the magic word? “Leo was now leaning over the side of the building, his eyes shining in the sunlight just right.
“Please., “Jason sighed in a tone that was more amused than annoyed.
“I was looking for Worcestershire sauce, but I guess ‘please’ works too., “Leo shrugged, rolling his eyes before he passed over a thick brown board to Jason and Percy.
Once they were over Jason had slid it back onto the rooftop and turned to his boyfriend to kiss him on the head., “Where are my fucking glasses?”
“Piper has' em’ because I would’a lost ’em.”
“Ok., “Jason whispered lightly, kissing him on the nose quickly before introducing Percy and Leo., “Leo this is Percy, Thalia’s friend. And Percy, this is Leo, my boyfriend.”
“Hi, nice to meetcha! “Leo smiled as he put out his hand to shake.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you too!, “Percy smiled back, shaking his hand., “I’ll be honest when Jason said you were from Texas I wasn’t expecting a full-blown southern accent.”
“Haha! Yeah, I have a New York accent too, much like your own, and a ‘normal’ accent. But I like the southern one the most, gots the most personality.,” Leo now spoke with a thin southern accent, making Percy recognize that he was a professional accent changer.
“Yeah, yeah, you two., “Jason rolled his eyes before walking over to the hatch that was on the roof and opening it., “Let’s get inside before the sun goes down.”
“All right!., “Leo smiled as he ran over to him and slid through the hatch with a giggle.
Percy couldn’t help but laugh at the short Latino boy.
A few seconds later they were all on the highest floor of the abandoned apartment building., “So what floor is your base on? “Percy asked, looking at them.
“Our base is in the basement., “Leo smiled., “Wanna guess why?”
“Uh because of a play on words?”
“No ya ding dong! Because it’s the only place our generator will work., “Leo laughed as he skipped down the steps, Jason staying back so Percy followed him.
Just as they were reaching the second floor Leo stopped skipping around and started to act more on edge.
“Is something wrong? “Percy asked.
“The traps I set, they’ve been set off., “Leo was looking around his eyes scanning all around him., “Jason, give me the gun.”
Jason had grabbed a gun from his waist and handed him it, all in one swift movement as if it was a daily occurrence. Percy stood stunned, as he watched Leo’s demeanor go from bouncing up and down and all around, to quiet and stalking in a calm and collective manner. It scared Percy.
He watched Leo pause before turning to the corner and pausing- he heard something. Percy peeked back at Jason who was ruffling in his bag grabbing at something- it was a smaller handgun- he had heard it too. Percy had reached for his own gun too. He stood behind Leo as he adjusted how he stood, his grip on the gun, and his shoulders before- He jumped out from the corner they were in and shot.
He heard a body drop.
He and Jason looked around to see a dead Zombie in front of a young girl.
The girl had tanned skin, dark hair, and pale brown eyes. She was wearing a CHB team track shirt, black baggy jeans with a ton of pockets, and had an orange headband pushing back her hair which was cut choppy-like.
Percy Leo and Jason had all stood there for a few seconds staring at her staring back at them. Then she stood up and lunged at Leo embracing him in a hug., “When you left for supplies, I went out because there was a walker. I tried to kill it but it started to run at me. So I went through the alleyway, I was so surprised when it followed me. I kept trying to kill it but then it just trapped me in this corner. I thought I was done for, Leo.”
Leo sighed against her, dropping the gun and hugging her back., “He didn’t bite you right?”
“No., “The girl who Percy now suspected was Piper shook her head.
“Good, any injuries In general? “Leo had pulled out of the hug and looked up at her. He wasn’t much shorter than her, but just enough to need to look up at her.
“I cut my arm on one of the boards, but other than that, no.”
“That’s good., “Jason said from behind Percy making Piper, Leo, and him all turn.
“Who are you?”
Percy turned to Piper while pointing to himself, “Me?”
“Yes, you. I mean no offense to Jason, but I’ve seen his ugly mug more than enough., “Piper sighed, rolling her eyes before looking back at Leo., “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Yep! Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Cough Medicine. All accounted for in my bag., “Leo smiled as he pointed at the bag that was slung over his shoulder. Percy had sworn that wasn’t there before, but then again he hadn’t slept in the past few days so, minor hallucinations made sense.
“Good., “Jason smiled., “Now, let’s get in the basement before the body explodes. I don’t really want to see brains explode right now.”
Percy laughed lightly at that before following Leo, Jason and the girl who he was now 100% sure was Piper all walked into the base.
Not much later Percy was watching Leo dilate Piper's pupils with a flashlight while they were going over brief introductions., “So this is Percy, he’s Thalia's friend., “Jason explained as he pointed to Percy white his head, his hands busy reloading his, Leo’s, and Percy's guns with the ammo he admitted to stealing from the local gun store.
“Hm., “Was all Piper said., “Percy. That sounds familiar, is it short for Perseus?”
“Uh yeah, how’d you know?”
“My one friend’s boyfriend went by Percy despite his name being Perseus., “Piper shrugged off her coat so Leo could Examen her arm better.
“What was your friend's name?”
“Annabeth.”
“She’s my girlfriend.”
“You’re kidding?!”
“I’m not. Annabeth Chase? Hated being called Annie? Got called ‘Wise girl’ throughout middle school and high school., “Percy was smiling now, the way Piper's face fell in shock he knew that it was his Annabeth she knew.
“Yes! Oh my god! Is she ok? “Piper bounced up and down, stopping when Leo placed his ice pack on her neck.
“Yeah! She’s back at base with my younger sister, brother, and cousin., “Percy watched Jason deflate when he didn’t say Thalia’s name., “My cousin’s sister has been talking to him using a radio station. His boyfriend is actually with his sister. He said he is scared for his boyfriend's well-being.”
“If Jason was stuck with my siblings, I'd be scared for his well-being too., “Leo butted in shivering before his face dropped., “If they’re still alive…”
Jason smiled as he walked over and wrapped his arm around his neck, “Leo, they're alive, trust me. Beckendorf, Jake, Nyssa, and Harley are strong. Especially, Beckendorf, he’s strong.”
“And hot., “Percy hummed earning a face from Leo.
“What?”
“Charles Beckendorf?”
“Yes?”
“Yeah, he used to be my science tutor. He was hot. Bi awaking.”
“A-are you serious? “Leo snorted grabbing his face.
“Oh yeah, the second I heard Jake, I knew you were a Beckendorf foster kid., “Percy shrugged, as he cracked his knuckles and neck.
“A Beckendorf foster kid? Is that what we were called?”
“No. he called you guys all pet names like, once the Harley kid, he called them a cuddly demon bear. I didn’t get it, nor did anyone else, but Silena Beauregard would laugh sometimes. Everyone else would call you guys that because we knew his mother and father were the nicest and fostered. Also with the fact that he talked about you all like you were the best thing to ever happen. It was honestly super cute., “Percy laughed looking over at Leo., “But trust me. He and your siblings are ok.”
Percy watched Leo’s face break out of its scared look and morph into a bright smile., “Thanks.”
“I hate to break the silence, “Percy said after a few seconds of quiet before standing up., “But do you guys have a walky-talky with a good frequency, or something similar?”
“Yeah, but we’ll have to go to the roof to set it up., “Leo said, as he got off his seat and walked over to the corner., “It's also really heavy. Jason usually carries it by himself, but since you’ve gotta few muscles visible, you can help. Ok, water boy?”
“Water Boy?”
“I remember you now. Beckendorf called you water boy because you were the lead swimmer., “Leo smiled at the memory while handing Jason a bag.
“He called my water boy?” Percy asked as he took the second bag from Leo.
“Yep!”
Percy laughed at that as he followed Leo, Jason and Piper. They had been cracking jokes while leading the way out of the basement and towards the stairs. When they reached the floor Piper was cornered on Percy felt his stomach flip upside down, seeing the blood all over the walls with the organs and other intestinal objects. He looked up and saw Jason was holding Leo’s hand while whispering words of reassurance to him. Piper had stepped closer to Leo and held his other hand to comfort him as well.
Once they got to the next floor Piper had let go of Leo’s hand and Jason stopped whispering which made Percy wonder what happened to make Leo so scared.
When they got to the roof, Percy, Jason, and Piper all stepped back and watched Leo go to town building it.
“He’s like a professional., “Percy wowed aloud watching Leo.
“This is, his, element., “Jason whispered while watching him. Percy looked over and saw a glint in Jason’s eye, that just made him know he was: Down Bad ™.
Percy heard Piper laugh, making him look over at her and see the saw the same. When Piper caught Percy’s eye she raised her eyebrows and mouthed ‘Down Fucking Bad.’ Percy laughed at her before turning his attention back to Leo who was almost done with the….
“Uh; what is that?”
“This is a homemade satellite! Reaches from one side of Manhattan to the other side of Maine., “Leo smiled as he adjusted the last leg, then headed to the huge radio thing that had walky talkys attached to it., “Here ya go’ water boy!”
Ok… Percy thought as he took the walky talky from Leo and started to adjust the channel 67.4291 he got there and heard yelling back and forth.
“I DON’T KNOW, OK?, “Percy Heard- Nico screamed into the channel before Bianca yelled back.
“How do you NOT know Nico?!, “Her scream was horse as if she’s been yelling for a while., “Percy is our cousin! Where’s Annabeth?”
“She had to be held back by Tyson to not go to where they were before he went missing., “Nico’s voice sounded just as bad as Bianca’s.
“Guys?”
“Huh?, “ Bianca’s side had asked. It wasn’t her though it was a male voice. Williams. William Solace’s. Nico’s boyfriend., “Percy is that you?”
“Yeah it’s me.”