Chapter 1

The terrified boy screamed. He screamed for his mommy. He screamed at the large armed men around him, telling them to go away and leave them alone. The men ignored him, but they parted as a middle-aged woman with dark curly hair was shoved roughly toward the toddler. The man holding her snarled, "Shut the brat up!"

The boy ran to her and latched onto her lef. She smoothed his hair and knelt in from of him. "Stay here," she whispered, "I'll be right back. You need to be brave now."

"Mommy, where go," the boy sobbed,

She shushed him urgently as the man glared. The boy looked at her with wide sea-green eyes that glistened with tears, then hugged her tightly. "Come back," he pleaded into her shirt. "Make tookies, watch Nemo."

The woman smiled. "Of course, Goldfish. Now, be good. No more crying. Stay quiet until I come back, okay?"

He nodded and sniggled, She removed her ring and handed it to him. His eyes widened. "Hold this for me, okay," she whispered.

"Otay," He murmered.

"I love you, baby. See you soon." She kissed his forehead and stood. The man came and took her arm again steering her away.

Three-year-old Percy Jackson watched, clutching the ring in his hands, as tears rolled silently down his small face.