The Case

Bonus Chapter - Grover POV

Officer Ares is meeting us in Demeter's Cafe. Police officers love their coffee, so he requested our third meeting to be here.

Percy was anxiously waiting for Ares's arrival.

"Why are you nervous, Percy? This is what you want. We're building a case against that horrible Smelly Gabe. He's gonna rot in jail," I expressed my support.

"This just seems too easy," my best friend acknowledged. "I've had this monster in my life for the past several years. Him suddenly leaving seems too good to be true."

I stared at my friend fondly. He was eating a cupcake that he ordered from the cafe. Unfortunately, Demeter refused to make it blue. According to her, making her cake batter with blue dye is a violation of her principles. However, she managed to use blue icing.

It's been so hard to watch him suffer over the past few years. Every time that he'd show up to my house with blood pooling or every time he'd cry into my arms because of his mom's cancer, it hurt so much.

We go through our lives together. I am always by his side because I know that he'd always be by mine. We have each other's backs. That's what being best friends is about.

He is finally starting to recover and heal.

"Bro, this is a good thing. Everything will go as planned. Ares has built a solid case, and he'll arrest Gabe very soon," I expressed firmly.

"Thanks, Grover. For everything," Percy affirmed while looking at me.

"Don't mention it. It's a bummer that Demeter didn't give you a completely blue cupcake. How does it taste?"

"It would be better if it was blue," Percy commented slyly.

"DID I JUST HERE SOMEONE INSULT MY BAKING?" a voice quirked in a high-pitch voice. I winced while watching an irritated Demeter walk over. She was dressed in her signature hay-bail apron. Flowers were also in her hair like always.

"Perseus Jackson, my baking is spectacular if I do say so myself," Demeter stopped right in front of Percy. He nervously looked up at Demeter.

"I'm just saying that the taste would have been elevated if the cupcake was blue. It's important to cater to your customer's needs," Percy voiced. "I learned that at my job."

"I know what's good for my customers," Demeter laughed. "Besides, if I privately cater to every weird request, then I'd have to close my business."

"Demeter, you just called me weird," Percy smirked.

"Well, she has a point, Percy," I blurted out.

Demeter and I laughed together as Percy protested half-heartedly. The cafe was bustling with activity. However, Demeter liked me and Percy, so she always tried to approach us.

"Hello, Demeter, may I get a coffee black?" Officer Ares requested.

Percy and I straighten as Ares took his seat opposite of us. We were sitting in the booth near the back of the cafe. This was our usual booth. Demeter obliged and left the table to get Ares's coffee.

Officer Ares opened a file and placed it on the table.

"All right, the case is almost finished. The only thing left to do is get your signature, Percy, to verify that this is your case and complaint," Ares expressed. "I wouldn't worry if I were you. The case is strong, and Gabe will be put behind bars."

Percy breathed out in relief. I patted his shoulder to express my support. I knew that everything would work out. Things were finally looking up.

"When will you arrest him?" I asked on Percy's behalf.

Officer Ares didn't;t answer right away because Demeter came by with his coffee. Ares took a sip before gazing at us.

"As soon as you sign, we can proceed. The DA's office has already approved the arrest, and the court will find him guilty. It's practically official."

"That's amazing. That devil deserves to rot in jail."

"Yes. People like him are a parasite to society. In my opinion, the only way to cure the parasite is to remove them," Ares growled while clenching his firsts.

Considering Ares's personality, it still surprised me that he worked on domestic abuse cases a lot. I expected Ares to be a homicide officer or something near that extreme. However, people are complex, and Ares probably has a story behind his line of work.

I nudged my best friend to sign the papers.

Percy raised the pen with a shaking hand. I knew that he wanted this, but he was also conflicted. He wasn't conflicted about putting Gabe away; he was just confused that it is happening so fast and so easily.

Considering everything he went through, it was hard for Percy to accept that life can go in his favor. But, he is an amazing person. Life can go his way.

"Percy, go ahead. Your life is getting better, and this is a step that you have to take. You'll be fine. You have me and Annabeth and the others," I expressed.

He nodded firmly and smiled.

Then, Percy signed the case documents. The arrest warrant was sealed, and the only option now was to wait for the police to gather Gabe and lock him away.

"Congrats, buddy," I whispered while embracing him.

Percy tightly hugged back. His body was shaking, so I held onto him for a bit longer. Right now, we were making progress, and my best friend is safe.

Let's just focus on the positives.

***

"Nico and Will, can you guys stop making out?" Thalia exclaimed. "We're glad that you both are together, but we don't need to see this."

"Yeah, what happens in the gay bedroom can stay there," Connor shouted. Everyone was laughing and cheering.

"It's just a bedroom," Will snapped and flustered.

We were watching a movie at Jason, Thalia, and Percy's house, but the movie was very boring. As such, everyone started to find other ways to entertain themselves. Nico and Will were more public and dirty about it.

Juniper giggled against my side. Her vocal tone gets high and cheery when she laughed, and I find it so cute. Gods, we've been dating for years now, yet I still get butterflies in my stomach. Juniper is just so pretty.

"Guys, let's just change the movie," Annabeth suggested.

She was sitting next to Percy. He was snuggled against her, and he was asleep. His head was rested against her shoulder while his one arm was wrapped around her stomach.

A light line of drool was curling around his mouth.

After our appointment with Ares, Percy had an entire shift of work. He was very tired by the time he arrived at the hangout.

While the others were arguing about what movie to play, I watched Percy and Annabeth closely. At first, I didn't like Annabeth. She forced Percy into a deal that prevented Percy from getting pain relief and distraction. At the time, Percy needed alternative pain relief.

However, I was so grateful that Annabeth and Percy found each other. They were perfect, and Percy was happier than ever.

Annabeth shook Percy to wake him up.

Percy jolted up before looking around in confusion. He seemed confused, which indicated that he must've been dreaming about something else.

"Come on, Seaweed Brain. Wake up and wipe your mouth," Annabeth ordered. "You drool in your sleep."

Percy hesitantly wiped his face before stretching.

"Why'd you wake me up? I was dreaming about swimming in a pool of blue jelly beans. It was heaven, and you ruined it," Percy pouted.

"It's a good thing too. We don't need an induced sugar high," Annabeth clapped back. "Yeah, you're hard enough to control without sugar," I continued.

Annabeth and I high-fived as Percy gaped at us both. Juniper laughed again, which caused me to pull her closer to me.

"ALL RIGHT, WE DECIDED ON ENCANTO. LET'S GO," Piper exclaimed.

"I don't wanna watch a Disney movie," Leo complained.

Several people started cursing at Leo. "Disney movies are the best. You're never too old to enjoy a Disney classic," Katie screeched. "If you say anything bad about Disney, I will personally kick you out of Piper's house."

"And, I'll let you kick him out," Piper affirmed.

"Jeez, guys, I'm feeling the love tonight. Thank you so much," Leo said sarcastically.

Percy chuckled while finally waking up. Then, he checked his phone before sighing. No response yet. Annabeth and I both noticed but didn't say anything. Officer Ares said that he'd call or message after arresting Gabe; however, we haven't heard anything yet.

With each passing hour, nerves bubbled in my stomach. I had spent so much time reassuring Percy, but I couldn't stop my own stress.

What if things didn't go to plan?

I shook my head and decided to focus on good things. I had to remain optimistic and confident for Percy's sake. As soon as Gabe is arrested, Percy would be free.

"Wait. Before watching the movie, let's organize all the plushies and pillow pets. It'll go quickly if everyone helps right now," Jason suggested.

People groaned about doing work, but they didn't object.

The best thing about this group is that everyone is helpful and supportive. The stuffed animal fundraiser is for children without parents; we all wanted to help out in any way that we can because the work is valuable.

Jason and Thalia emptied the bags of stuffed animals in the living room. Right now, the plushies, stuffed animals, and pillow pets were in a giant mix.

We needed to separate by category, and we needed to make sure that every animal was in good condition. Easy enough.

However, pretty soon, we realized a problem.

Everyone started getting attached to particular animals.

"Guys, these are for donation purposes only. You all don't get to keep the stuffed animals that you like. That would be wrong," Jason commanded.

Of course, his words weren't that useful against a few of us.

Leo ran out of the living room holding a dragon plushy. Who knew where he went to hide? Meanwhile, Percy was tightly hugging a panda pillow pet with fear in his eyes.

"PERCY," Jason scolded.

"No, you can't take him from me. He's just so cute."

Jason tried grabbing the panda, but Percy dodged his grasping hands. Everyone was laughing at Percy's pleading face and Jason's failed attempts at getting the animal back.

Jason looked to Annabeth for help, but she simply shrugged.

"You can't have him. Perry is mine," Percy affirmed.

"Hold on, you gave it a name," Jason spat. "What the hell, bro? You're acting like a three-year-old."

"I don't care. Also, he is named Perry. Not it."

Annabeth rolled her eyes but couldn't help her smile. While she argued about it from time to time, I knew that Annabeth loved Percy's immaturity. It was one of his best qualities because it makes people laugh and feel good. That's his thing.

Despite all the pain that he's been through, Percy still maintained his optimism and enthusiasm around others.

Jason tried to grab Perry the panda pillow pet again, but a phone call interrupted us. I looked around the room to focus on whose phone was ringing obnoxiously.

"Percy, that's your phone," Annabeth said seriously.

"Right. I'm gonna get that. However, Perry the panda is staying with me. I refuse to let him get kidnapped and smuggled by Jason," Percy expressed. Everyone continued to laugh as Percy walked out of the room with his phone.

Annabeth and I shared a look before following Percy into the dining room. Since the Grace home was so large, the dining room was in a completely separate section of the house.

I watched Percy closely as his smile faded. Oh, no.

Annabeth gently held Percy's hand, and it tightened around Annabeth.

His eyes were shaking as he gazed between me and Annabeth while listening to Ares via the phone. "What's happening?" I whispered frantically.

The phone call ended after a few seconds. Percy gazed at his phone sadly before looking up at Annabeth and me.

"They went to arrest Gabe, but he wasn't in the apartment. The police are trying to track him down, but Gabe has escaped."

"I'm so sorry, Percy," I whispered while joining Annabeth's and his hug. My arms wrapped around both of them. Almost to shield them. To protect them.

Gabe escaped arrest. Oh No. Shit.