Percy never had the best luck. He had been home for a week and while home, something had felt off. He had this bad feeling in his gut, almost like someone was watching him. Not like the way the gods constantly watched him. No, this was different. Over the week he had seen numerous people eyeing his apartment. This sounds paranoid, but the people constantly wore sunglasses and acted too casual to be normal civilians (at least in Percy's opinion). He kind of wished that whoever they were would just come out so he could stop this feeling of dread that had formed in the pit of his stomach.
"Percy? Percy honey, are you ok?" the worried voice of his mother brought him out of his thoughts as he walked into the kitchen area.
"Yeah, mom I'm fine," he answered. She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push the issue. In truth, Percy had been doing better since he had been home. He didn't have nightmares every night and when he did have one he was consoled by his loving mother and stepfather. He did feel bad though. They had a baby to take care of and that was probably also keeping them up. They shouldn't have to worry about a 17-year-old with night terrors.
"Percy, why don't we get out of the apartment today? All four of us can go to the park, how does that sound?"
Percy wanted to go out, but he also felt that the walls of the apartment were the only reason that whoever was watching them hadn't attacked. However, he couldn't say no to the look on his mother's face. Percy nodded with a fake smile in response. Sally Jackson smiled and went to get Estelle ready as Percy got Paul. He was just praying that he would have a safe day in the park.
As they locked up the apartment and walked onto the busy streets of Manhattan, Percy noticed a lady with scarlet red hair. He didn't take much notice and carried on his way. Further along their journey however, Percy noticed another woman, who resembled the one he saw earlier. Instead of red hair however, she was blonde. He then noticed the two men following on top of the rooftops. Percy would've barely seen them if not for his heightened demigod senses.
He then realized the red head woman he had seen earlier was the same lady with the blonde hair, she was just constantly changing what she was wearing to confuse him. It almost worked when she changed into a jogger outfit. As for the two following on the rooftops, he was sure that they were both male. That was all he could tell without revealing that he knew they were there.
"Percy, you seem pretty distracted today, is everything alright?" Paul asked, putting his hand on Percy's shoulder.
"We are being followed," he murmured quietly. Paul tensed up. "Don't react," Percy quickly added as he saw Paul start to look around in an attempt to spot the pursuers. Percy didn't want to worry his stepfather but he felt that if things got messy he could count on Paul to get his family to safety.
"Monsters?" Paul asked, worry laced in his voice.
"I don't think so, but I would rather be safe than sorry." Paul nodded, a frown forming on his face. He didn't like when Percy dropped his easy attitude and became a warrior, since he (appropriately) thought Percy was too young to be so battle hardened.
"Do you need to leave?" he whispered. Percy shook his head.
"They are keeping their distance right now, but when I tell you, you need to take my mom and my sister back to the apartment as fast as possible," Percy ordered. Paul nodded, not questioning Percy's tone.
"Will you be ok?" Paul asked after a few minutes.
"I will be fine. If I don't come back after a day or two, call camp. Ask for Jason Grace or Nico di Angelo, those two can probably get here the fastest," Percy said, hoping it didn't come to that. Paul nodded. At that point they reached Central Park and they were still being followed. They made their way to a park bench. Percy could tell that Paul was trying to relax, but he wasn't trained for faking calm in a dangerous situation. Percy put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Paul relaxed a little, but there was still obvious tension in his shoulders. He prayed that nothing would happen, but in reality Percy knew that he wasn't that lucky.
Hawkeye and Black Widow had been camping out around Perseus's apartment for the last few days. The Avengers had taken turns watching him and his family (to the dismay of many of them). From what Clint could see the kid seemed pretty normal. He'd go to the shops for groceries, take out the rubbish, all normal things for a teenager. Was Fury sure this was the guy?
"The target is leaving. I'm on pursuit," Natasha spoke into her comms. Clint snapped out of his thoughts as his comms crackled with life.
"Keep your distance. The rest of the team are suiting-up, keep close to the target at the location," Steve said through the comms.
"Roger that," Natasha stated as she made her way to follow the family.
"Roger that," came Clint's voice though the com. He was oddly relieved to be getting some action after four days of watching the apartment with no activity.
"They are heading to Central Park," Natasha spoke as she watched them in the reflection of a shopping window.
"Roger," came the short reply from Hawkeye.
Both Clint and Natasha met just outside Central Park once the Jackson family entered. They hid in the bushes, watching the family of four, as they waited for the rest of the team to arrive. It was a little unnerving that the kid seemed to look in their direction when they first settled in their spots and then actively avoided looking at their positions. Did the kid know they were there?
They heard the distant hum of Stark's suit. Clint couldn't help a small smile gracing his lips - then he saw the reaction of the kid. Percy shot to his feet and said something to his parents, who grabbed the baby and made a hasty retreat out of the park. The teen stayed, looking up into the sky.
"Hey kid," Stark spoke in his usual smug tone as he hovered in the air.
"Hold positions, we are on our way. ETA one minute," Steve said, "and Tony, keep him distracted." Clint snorted at the exasperated tone from Cap.
"What do you want?" The kid demanded. His body was relaxed but Clint could tell that Percy was ready for a fight.
"I just want to ask you some questions," Stark said.
"Questions? No thanks, I'm not interested in a survey." the teen answered sarcastically waving his hand. Even in the metal suit, Stark looked confused. Clint wanted to laugh, but that would give away his position.
"You have to come with me. We can talk and nobody has to get hurt." By this time, the rest of the Avengers had arrived at the park and were hiding in the surrounding bushes. They were all waiting for Captain America's command.