Hestia

Percy POV

I woke up in a dimly lit room. For a second, it caught me off guard. I was sleeping in a strange room with weird paintings on the wall. I was never attracted to museums, so I'm not familiar with exhibits and paintings.

I groaned while getting up. My entire stomach was sore. I had difficulty sleeping last night because Stella kept crying. I fed and changed her, but nothing helped. Finally, I put her to sleep, but it took ver three hours. I hoped she didn't bother the people around our room. She was still sleeping in the crib next to my mattress.

I slapped my face to wake myself up.

"There's a clock in your room in case you need the time," a voice echoed.

I looked up to see a red-haired girl. The rooms in the East sector don't have a door, but Charles set up curtains for every room. She was standing at the entrance. She had frizzy hair and a freckled face. I met her yesterday in the dining area, and her name is Rachel.

"It was a rough night with Stella," I responded. I looked around in confusion. "Were you watching me sleep?"

Rachel chuckled. "No, I was watching the baby. I haven't seen a baby since before the apocalypse. I thought there weren't any left."

Her melodious laughter made me smile. She was the only one I met during the apocalypse who doesn't hesitate to smile. Rachel is happy and bright all the time. It's great for boosting people's morale.

I picked Stella up and smelled some poop.

"All right, girl, we gotta change your diaper," I said with fake cheer.

Rachel smiled before saying, "That's going to be my cue to leave. I like babies, but I don't like feces or spit-up. Have fun."

"Thanks, Rachel," I laughed.

"Furthermore, Chiron wanted me to tell you that the bathrooms are open to you. He dropped a bag off late last night." Rachel gestured to the bag of supplies near the room entrance. "Also, breakfast starts at 9 every day."

I nodded before Rachel left. My gaze lingered on her back and a smile grew on my face. Living at this camp didn't seem so bad. However, I'm still hesitant about living and working with other people. However, a baby would be much safer here than outside. I sighed before turning back to Stella. The baby was staring at me with beautiful wide eyes.

"What are you looking at?" I grumbled.

I hugged Stella tightly before getting to work. I didn't change her; instead, I took her to the bathroom.

I used the sink as a bathtub for the baby. She kept screaming and laughing as the cool water washed over her. I couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"She's adorable, Percy. Um, did your wife pass away?" someone asked.

I choked on my spit.

Charles Beckendorf, whom I met yesterday, walked over and tapped Stella's arm playfully. She shrieked in happiness while splashing the water. Charles laughed while I continued to wash Stella's bum and back.

"Hey, Beckendorf. I was never married. I'm a little young for marriage, don't you think?" I asked lightly. "Anyway, Stella isn't actually mine. Her mother died, and she passed on to me. However, I treat her like my daughter. She's family."

I smiled at Stella once more.

"Yeah. I can see that. Also, blood doesn't make a family. Love does. I can see that you love this baby like she's your own."

"I do. Thanks," I replied.

I finished with Stella quickly. I pulled her out of the sink, dried her, and dressed her in a yellow onesie. Charles had finished getting dressed, and he was applying some deodorant to his body.

I hesitated before acknowledging him. "Beck, do you mind watching Stella for a few minutes? I just wanna shower and get dressed."

"Of course, Percy. I got this baby girl."

Beckendorf took Stella out of my hands. For a second, I felt sad at the loss of her in my grasp. However, I knew that I have to start relying on others to help. I couldn't do everything while also taking care of myself.

I nodded at Charles before going for a warm shower. It felt so nice to finally get in a shower and get cleaned.

I moaned in pleasure while the water flowed over my dirty skin.

Yup. I could get used to this.

***

Grover and Juniper help out in the kitchen. They prepare the food for the members of the survival camp. I stared at the cereal on my tray. I haven't had chocolate milk in ages, and I was quite excited about the meal.

"You okay, Percy?" Grover asked. "You're staring at the cereal like it's pure gold.

"In the world, we live in, good food is gold, G-man. Thanks for the meal," I said before walking away from the kitchen.

"Wait, Percy, is it okay if Juniper and I join you?"

"Of course," I exclaimed.

Grover and Juniper grabbed themselves their breakfasts before joining me at a circular table near the side of the large room. This room used to be a Greek and Roman artifacts exhibit. The members moved the statues to the borders of the room. Regardless, this room radiated a powerful aura and a nice aesthetic.

The metropolitan museum loves its Greek and Roman artifacts. Surprisingly, the cafe/kitchen is right next to this room.

Of course, no one was complaining at this point.

"Why did you guys decide to work in the kitchen?" I asked them.

"You probably noticed my limp. Earlier in the apocalypse, I was a part of the Guard. However, during a raid, I fell and hurt my leg. Ever since that incident, my walk hasn't returned to normal," Grover explained.

"He has trouble running, Percy, so it would be dangerous for him to go out. As such, we both decided to work in the kitchen," Juniper finished.

"Plus, you guys are great at making food," I said light-heartedly.

Grover and Juniper smiled at me. I opened a pack of Gerber food and started feeding Estelle. I was carrying her in a green baby backpack. It was in the supply bag that Chiron gave me.

Stella is a good baby. She cried sometimes, but I have no trouble with feeding or changing her. She's chill.

"Did Chiron talk to you about what you'll be doing?" Grover asked.

"Not yet, G-man. He told me that I should first get used to the camp and heal my injuries. Then, I think he wants me to join the guard."

"That makes sense. You're a good fighter and survivor."

"Yeah, Percy," Juniper agreed. "I'm sure that you'll make a great addition to the soldiers and raiders here at the camp."

"I hope so, but I'm hesitant to leave Stella with other people. It's hard to trust people again when you've been alone for so long. I've been traveling alone for months, and Stella is too important for me to lose," I answered earnestly.

"I understand, Percy, but you can have faith in us," Juniper whispered.

Suddenly, Grover and Juniper leaned forward. I leaned toward them as well. They were trying to tell me something in private.

"We're not saying that you should trust everyone, but we want you to know that there are some good people here," Grover affirmed.

"What do you know about Luke or Annabeth?" I asked.

"Luke is one of the leaders of the camp. He's been here for a long time, and he's very determined to keep everyone alive," Grover paused and hesitated. Juniper looked at him before sighing.

"What?"

"Luke can be strict, and he always makes sure to get what he wants," Juniper said. "It's not necessarily a bad thing."

"Anyway, Annabeth is wonderful. She's intelligent and fierce. You shouldn't worry about not trusting her. I can happily put my life in her hands. She can protect anyone and everyone," Grover smiled.

They trust Annabeth. Okay, here's the thing.

I don't like Annabeth. There's no denying that she's smoking hot. Also, she is fierce and super smart. However, she's too different from me. Annabeth is simply confusing, and I don't know what to think of her.

"Percy, after you're done with breakfast, you should go see Chiron and Hestia. You'll find them in the Native American art exhibit."

"Who's Hestia?" I asked in confusion.

"You'll find out soon enough. If there's anyone at camp you can trust, it's Chiron and Hestia," Grover said confidently.

Chiron and Hestia. Got it.

***

The Native American exhibit was located in quite a large room. There were models and statues all around the room. In the middle of the room, there was a real-life Native American campfire.

A woman was sitting on a stool next to the fire. Chiron was sitting in his wheelchair while quietly speaking with Hestia. There were many kids in the room too. Their ages ranged from 5 to 15 years old. Two kids ran toward me and Stella with wide eyes. The little boy and girl were staring at Stella with bubbling excitement.

I went on one knee to get on their level.

"Hi, I'm Percy, and this is Stella. What are your names?" I asked with a smile. The kids jumped up and down, trying to make Stella laugh. And, they succeeded.

"I'm Tyson, and this is my friend, Ella."

"It's nice to see you both. If you don't mind, I need to speak with Chiron and Hestia. Can you excuse Stella for a few minutes?"

"Of course, Percy," Ella cooed.

Tyson led me to Chiron and Hestia, who were both looking at me with bright smiles. They seemed to contemplate good news. I held Stella in my arms, but the kids continued to steal her attention.

"Hello, Chiron. Um, I wanted to speak with you and Hestia."

"You must be Percy," the woman said warmly. Her whole aura radiated warmth and comfort. She reminded me of my mom. "My name is Hestia, and I take care of the kids here at camp while their guardians are participating in their duties."

Hestia crouched and pulled a large, thick blanket out. She stepped out of the campfire exhibit and placed the blanket on the floor.

"You can put Estelle down if you want," she expressed.

"Thank you."

The other kids hesitantly crowded around Estelle. Of course, Stella didn't seem to mind. If anything, she accepted rampant attention with grace.

"You take care of the kids. Like daycare?"

"Absolutely. That's one way to look at it. Everyone at the camp trusts me enough to leave their children with me in this exhibit. This exhibit is also the safest place in the museum as it's in the heart of the museum. Furthermore, the back exit over there leads directly to a private garage in case we need to leave," Hestia explained.

"We make sure that the kids are protected here. Hestia is warm and comforting, but she's also a blazing force," Chiron smiled.

"Percy, if you want to join the guard, you have to leave Estelle with someone."

"I want to help out here. I realized that the safest place for the baby is at a survival camp with other people."

"Why did you come to the city?" Hestia asked. Chiron nodded. "Annabeht told me that you were disguised as a zombie to cross the bridge to Manhattan."

I looked at their faces but didn't say anything.

I came to the city because I wanted to go home. I wanted some token of my mom and Paul to be with me. I know a phone is useless, but it means something to me. The picture was giving me comfort, and it gives me hope.

Hestia approached me and gently touched my arms.

"You were going home, weren't you?" she asked softly.

I sighed. "I knew that they were dead, but I wanted some remembrance of them. I just wanted to feel something good."

"It's okay, Percy. Your journey brought you to Stella," Hestia whispered. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I had to lean down to accept her embrace. She was a short woman, but her hug was quite comforting.

Grover was right. Hestia and Chiron can be trusted.

I feel safe leaving Estelle under their care. I knew they'd keep her safe.

"Percy, how about we take a stroll around the museum? Maybe, you can leave Estelle with Hestia for a few hours?" Chiron suggested.

Hestia went to Stella and scooped her into her arms.

I stared at her fondly before nodding. I kissed Estelle on the forehead before following Chiron out of the Native American exhibit room. I walked next to Chiron as he wheeled himself through the museum with ease. I wondered how he got paralyzed from the waist down. It must've been hard to survive with his condition.

"I know what you're thinking, Percy. Everyone has the same questions for me after meeting me for the first time," Chiron said. "I was paralyzed even before the apocalypse. Life was hellish for me even before the zombies, Percy."

"I'm sorry, Chiron. I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay." Chiron took a right, and I followed.

"Anyway, I thought that you can get to meet the guards and start your responsibilities. The guards meet and operate in the hallway/room behind the garage."

"So, I'm starting today?" I asked nervously.

"Yes, Percy. During the zombie apocalypse, there's no time to waste. I'm sure that you know this as well."

"Agreed," I murmured.

Rule #8: Don't waste any time in this zombified world. I guess I'm becoming a guard for the survival camp today. This is gonna be interesting.