I was standing in a small bedroom. The floor was wooden and cold, and walls were a smooth white. Everything seemed quiet, indifferent to my presence. However, I felt like an intruder. The sunlight that entered through the room was cold, like a cloud was covering the sun. The walls were bare except for an ornate mirror. I looked into it, and frowned a little. I looked older, and I didn't really like it. It looked like I had to shoulder even more burdens. Still frowning, looking around the room and saw that someone was laying on the big oak bed that took up most of the room.
I stepped carefully around to the bedside and realized it was my brother, Zak. I scowled, ready to strangle him, but he already had bruises on his face and around his neck. Suddenly my anger melted away. I wanted to say that it wasn't his fault, orders were orders, but I hated myself for thinking that. I reached out and shook his arm. He groaned and just rolled over, exposing his back. I stepped back, staring at the crisscrossed scars that laced his back with new cuts over them. He had been whipped.
Pain suddenly laced through my body and I turned back towards the mirror. My face was now bruised, my cheek showing off a purple, knuckle shaped bruise. My lip was cut and my eye was a dark blue. I frowned, tilting my head back. It hurt and I nearly stopped, but I forced my head back and my collar of my shirt down so I could see the rings around my neck clearly. Someone had strangled me. I shuddered, letting my fingertip run over the rings of red before rolling my shoulders to readjust my shirt. I yelped in pain when a stabbing sensation raced up and down my back. I turned quickly, lifting my shirt to look at my back.
It mirrored Zak's exactly. Had we been standing next to each other, the lines connected between us. It was as if someone had stood us next to each other and just went all out with a whip. I growled a little, angry and ready to kill whoever did this to me. I didn't really care about Zak, the fucker, but I was pissed. No one had a right to abuse me. I wanted to rip someone's head off their shoulders.
The door to the room opened with a creak and I swung around to face whoever entered but I saw no one. I glanced to Zak, seeing he was awake and looking at me with sad eyes. I scowled, but returned my gaze to the doorway. Suddenly I felt as if I couldn't move, like all my limbs locked up. No matter how I tried I couldn't free myself, and the pressure only increased with each struggle. Without anything else to do, I just stopped. I didn't want to find out if this pressure could kill me.
"Curioussss," a voice hissed behind me. I looked at Zak, but he focused on his reflection in the mirror, running his fingers over his own injuries. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes when I felt something sharp trail along my back, cutting in my shirt. "Thisss one actsss like he doesss not know."
"Perhapsss he doesn't, brother," A second voice, just as oily and disgusting, said. "Perhapsss he isss a different person. What isss your name, mortal?" It asked me. I shivered when I felt the sharp object trail up my spine. It didn't cut my skin yet, but I didn't want to provoke the creatures into doing that, so I sucked up my pride.
"Mitchell," I growled between my gritted teeth. There was a long silence, Zak remaining on the bed, trying to ignore whatever was behind me. All the hairs on my body stood up when something stepped around me, as if to look at me in the face. However, I couldn't see anything. I could only feel its presence, heavy and dark and evil. I heard it breathing, and I even saw air move around it, but I couldn't see the monster itself.
"Curiousss. Sssame boy…sss a different time?" It hissed. I groaned, trying to turn my head away. I felt its breath on my face when it talked, and I just imagined it close enough to kiss. I gagged a little, my imagination for the creature's appearance going a little wild.
"Different time?"
"Yessss, thissss boy isss from the passst." The one in front of me spoke. I swallowed thickly. Was I in the future, stuck in my future body? I wanted to wake up desperately. I closed my eyes tightly, willing myself awake.
"How interessssting. Perhapsss we ssshould welcome him," the other hissed before making a weird choking sound that I realized was laughter. A cold dread seeped into my bones as Zak finally looked towards us, staring at me with fear. I quickly realized that this welcoming would not be a good thing, at all. I started to struggle, but there was no use. I was not getting free anytime soon.
Zak covered his ears and closed his eyes tightly and I wished desperately that I was somewhere else. Suddenly, without warning, a horrible stab of pain raced through my nerves. It was like my blood was on fire, and at the center of it all was the wound where I was cut. I screamed. The fire wasn't fading, the pain lingered, licking eagerly at my nerves. I struggled even more, screaming again as another cut joined the first. I looked down, seeing my red shirt darker in areas. Another slash appeared in my shirt, and I screamed again, tears forming in my eyes. I couldn't take this much longer. Blood dripped from my wounds, slowly like it had been frozen. It only made it worse.
Another cut joins the others and I was openly sobbing now. The pain was so bad. My head hurt, my heart hurt, all of my organs screams protest and my nerves did not cease. They just kept reporting the pain. I gasped for air, tears streaming down my face. "M-M-Mer-Mercy," I begged. One of the creatures laughed and they just added another cut. I screamed again, my voice cracking. I couldn't handle this. I was going to die. "Gods, gods, please," I sobbed, sagging as much as I could under the pressure on my body. Another cold round of laughter entered my ears, but I couldn't really comprehend it. Suddenly another cut was added with the others, and my vision went black.
I woke up suddenly, launching myself out of bed, and fighting against creatures that weren't there. I must've yelled because Beckendorf was up in a second, one of his axes drawn and ready to attack. I held my stance, ready to fight hand-to-hand to whatever had been torturing me, but there was nothing else in the room. My breath was fast and heavy and I felt dizzy. I breathed out slowly, lowering my arms to my side. Suddenly, and without warning, the door flung open. I stopped it from hitting my face just in time, seeing Annabeth entering with her dagger at the ready. When she realized there was no danger in the room, she frowned and lowered her weapon, glancing between us. Beckendorf was just watching me, however, and that turned her attention onto me. She didn't have to ask me anything. I knew the questions would be coming, so I held up my hand as I leaned against the wall, trying to control my lungs.
My other hand rubbed over my stomach, lifting my shirt. My skin was unbroken, no wounds or cuts there. However, I still felt the lingering sting of the pain, like a memory. I took a shaky breath, poking the spots where I was cut in my dream. Surprisingly, nothing happened. I sighed heavily, grateful that it was only a dream. I leaned my head back against the wall as my breathing returned to normal. "Just a dream," I breathed softly, moving off the wall. Annabeth's eyes narrowed as I glanced to the clock on the bedside table between the two beds. In red digital lettering, it read clearly five thirty-seven. I sighed, rubbing my eyes. The sun would be rising soon. There was no point in going back to bed.
"Demi-gods don't have just dreams, Mitchell," Annabeth scolded softly as she walked over to me, slowly as if I were a bomb or a wild animal. I eyed her as I pulled the blanket back onto the bed from where it fell when I jumped out of bed. "What was in the dream?" She asked slowly and I shrugged. I didn't really remember, actually…There was a room, and my brother. Then pain, so much pain, and something about time.
"Look, nothing happened. I was just being," I trailed off, looking between my two companions. Should I tell them that I had been tortured in my dreams? I didn't think that would bring morale up at all. I shrugged, as if I didn't care, "I was just being attacked. No big deal, okay?" Annabeth looked at me like I was lying and I felt slightly offended, even though I was technically lying. I frowned at her, narrowing my eyes as I crossed my arms defensively. "What?" I snapped and she sighed.
"Nothing, Mitch, nothing," she murmured, leaning against the threshold. I sighed, glancing at the clock.
"We'll get ready and leave, then, since we're all up. We can get breakfast in the city and then get on a train." Annabeth nodded, yawning as she left. I turned back towards Beckendorf who raised an eyebrow at me while putting his axe back onto his thumb.
"You okay, man?" He asked. I shrugged, going to brush my teeth. I didn't know, so I couldn't really answer.
We got ready quickly. I didn't want to be in the hotel longer than I had to. The dream, truthfully, shook me to the core. I didn't know why, or what it was about it, but I felt like something horrible was fast approaching us and I didn't want anything to do with it. I just wanted to get the fucking bird and return it to Apollo so I could go back to camp and go back to training. Quests, I decided, were overrated if fucked up dreams came along with it.
I checked us out of the hotel while Annabeth flagged down a cab for us. We left the hotel and went back to the city. The city was already alive with activity, buzzing with people. Just as I was starting to feel a bit tired from my restless and painful sleep, the sun finally broke the horizon and I felt energized, ready to face anything that day. It sort of annoyed me that we'd be spending the day on a train. I stifled a yawn as we pulled up to the station. We left the cab quickly, Annabeth paying half the toll before we disappeared into the crowd. Lousy and immoral, I know, but we didn't have a lot of money and we need to manage it carefully.
I sent them to get breakfast while I got our tickets. Unfortunately, I found out we only had enough money to get to Richmond. I frowned, and took our money back without paying for the tickets. We'd have to find another way south. I found Annabeth and Beckendorf in a Dunken Donuts, sipping coffee and eating breakfast sandwiches. I sat down next to the Son of Hephaestus, sighing heavily. "Too expensive," I remarked with a sigh, looking between them as I picked up the breakfast chicken sandwich they ordered for me. "If we did take the train, we'd only be able to afford to get to Richmond, with barely enough left to make a phone call." Annabeth sighed heavily, closing her eyes and resting her head on the table. I chewed as I watched the people pass by, talking on cell phones and discussing business and reading newspapers, looking tired and over all unhappy.
"So what do we do?" Annabeth asked, lifting her head to sip her coffee.
"We steal a car," I replied before taking another bite of my sandwich. Beckendorf sighed a little, tapping the table. Annabeth frowned, looking as if she disapproved of this, but what were we going to do? Magic ourselves there with wishes? Walk there? No. "That or I continue on alone." Annabeth's face darkened and I knew that she would comply with the theft. "Good, now that that's settled, we'll have to boost a car." I sighed a little, sipping the coffee they got me. They looked at me oddly. I looked between them then realized they had been in camp for so long, and even if they hadn't, they would've been with a parent, father or mother, with a life that wouldn't have needed them to learn what that term meant. "Steal…it means steal," I sighed heavily, rubbing my eyes. "Obviously," I murmured. Now more than ever did I miss Olivia; she would've made fun of them, break the icy, awkward moment. But no, I was left alone on the ground. I just needed to get over it.
It's Apollo's fault you're alone. A voice in the back of my head suddenly spoke up. I jumped a little, nearly spilling the coffee all over the table. Beckendorf looked at me oddly as Annabeth had put her head down again and didn't notice. I glanced behind me, narrowing my eyes. You know it's true. It is Apollo's fault. Why didn't he just take you to camp when he found you in Chicago? I frowned, thinking about it. That was a very legitimate point, and I was sort of concerned about why this was coming up now. Who was talking? I turned a little in my seat, scanning the small restaurant. There was a chuckle in my head, and I flinched again. Beckendorf put his hand on my shoulder.
"Man, what is it?"
I shook my head a little, glancing towards the entrance. I was about to go back to my sandwich when I heard it again. It's me, the thing you're hunting. I froze mid-bite and just put my sandwich down, glancing around frantically now. I could tell I was making Beckendorf nervous because he nudged Annabeth awake. She sat up quickly and when she realized I was, well, spazzing out, she jumped right into the situation. However, I was long gone, trying to find the raven that was talking to me.
You won't be able to. I'm a long way away from you.
"What the fuck," I whispered, standing and grabbing my bag, leaving the Dunken Donuts, with my companions quickly following. "What. The. Fuck." I hissed, glancing over my shoulder, very paranoid now.
Yeah. Most Apollo's kids can't hear me. I've only met three so far.
"No. Nope. Nope, nope, nope, you need to shut up. You can't talk to me when you're not even here. Fuck off." I growled, finding an empty corner of the station, pacing back and forth. My companions seemed even more uneasy now, gripping their daggers, ready to spring into action if it were needed. I, however, was breaking down, so I tried to rationalize the information my brain was giving me by sorting it into what I knew.
First, a bird that literally has been alive centuries, spouting off random fortunes, is talking to me despite in an unknown location with unknown captors. Secondly, it wasn't even supposed to be talking to me, but I was some special case because…I don't even know. Maybe I was dropped on my head and it turned on the bird receiver in my brain. Thirdly, I was stuck in New York for the time being, with no way of getting to New Orleans, where the next leg of our journey was supposed to take us. Sure, I could steal a car, but now that I had a feathery conscience on my shoulder, watching me and my thoughts, I felt guilty for it and I hadn't even done it yet!
Oh you have.
"What?" I snapped, glaring at the tiled wall. Annabeth glanced to Beckendorf nervously, clearly believing I had completely lost it. "What do you mean I have?"
The future is a tricky thing, Son of Apollo. I can see everything that could happen. It doesn't necessarily mean it will, just that it could, and in one of the many different futures, you do end up stealing a car. In one, you crash and every one dies, in another you crash and only one of you dies, and in a third you manage to get away safely. Of course those are only three of millions of ways it could go.
"Okay. Okay, yep, I'm crazy. Guys, I'm crazy because—"
DO NOT TELL THEM. The voice was so loud and screeching; I went to cover my ears before I realized it would do nothing to help. It sounded like nails down a chalkboard. I shuddered, rubbing my ears. My companions were looking at me like I was utterly mad, which I suppose I was. I had to be. How on the gods' green earth was I hearing an albino bird that could see the future (or all the futures)? I was crazy, insane; it was as simple as that. But I shouldn't tell them, the voice was right. They'd only drag me back to camp and I would fail my quest. I stared at them and they stared at me, and it was pretty awkward before I managed a smile.
"Got you," I teased, leaning against the wall. Annabeth looked furious while Beckendorf didn't look amused at all. I didn't blame them. I would've been pissed. "Look, we need a car. I prefer a new one, so we'll stop by a nice neighborhood and see if we can pick up a nice ford or something." I said lightly, crossing my arms. "I've never been in New York, though, so I don't know where the best places are," I said, looking at them. Annabeth sheathed her dagger and pointed her finger at me.
"Do not ever do that again," she snapped before retreating a little to think. Beckendorf also put his weapons away and just watched me. I smiled at him, before looking away and watched the people walk on by.
Clever. I nearly jumped again, but managed to hold my body still. I swallowed a little, trying to look like I was thinking intently about something, like stealing a car or something. Well, there was only one path that led you along this route. You can't go to New Orleans. I scowled, and nearly replied out loud, but Beckendorf was still watching me.
And why not? I replied, annoyed. That's where you are, apparently.
The voice sighed, like I was asking it to tell me how many sides a square had. I hid my scowl and tried to keep my temper in place. I am here, in New Orleans, but if you come to get me, you'll commit a crime and the gods will kill you. I blanched a little at that. Commit a crime? What crime would I commit that would warrant execution? And I couldn't just up and leave my quest, it would just be immoral and wrong and I didn't want to do it. I couldn't do it, my pride wouldn't allow it.
What crime?
I can't tell you. I nearly groaned, but I was still aware of being watched. I had to act natural, and I was probably failing miserably. I wasn't an actor, not a good one anyways. But you cannot come to New Orleans.
What if I change my decision?
Don't try and change the future.
Well, too bad, I thought to myself, smiling a bit at Beckendorf. "Hey, I'm going to go to the bathroom. I'll meet you guys outside at the bus station." Beckendorf looked skeptical, but nodded and went over to Annabeth while I departed from them. I still had the money that Annabeth gave me to take the train, and there was plenty for one ticket, and the train left in five minutes. I bought my ticket quickly and boarded the train without any trouble. I felt guilt growing in my stomach, but I didn't care. I needed to be on this train, and really they would only get in my way. Even though I knew that was far from the truth, I kept telling myself that. I sat by the window, watching the station. Then the train started to move and felt like I could breathe easier. Then I remembered the prophecy: Two will fail their purpose. The raven voice in my head was right. You can't change the future.
I swallowed thickly and faced forward, staying on guard. I had a long trip ahead of me.
The day passed without me doing much of anything. It made me want to read a book or something. I tried to put the fact that I left my friends behind out of my head. Had they been here, I wouldn't be so bored…and so vulnerable. I didn't think about that, however, and I just watched the scenery pass by outside. I avoided conversation with everyone, and I eventually just succumbed to sleep…which was very stupid.
I was in the room again, the white room, with my half-brother. I was lying on the bed this time, and Zak was leaning over me, ripping the shreds of my shirt off and away from the cuts that I had endured that morning. The cuts were deep, bloody, and swollen. They bled still and it hurt to move or even breathe. Zak looked pale, and scared, and I wondered if the things that tortured me were still in the room.
He noticed I was awake, and looked into my eyes. His gaze was curious, and that made me curious and it was just a very bizarre moment. He finally removed the last piece of my shirt, which had been completely destroyed. Apparently they hadn't stopped when I passed out, which made me wonder if I was in the future or something weird like that. I was confused, though, and I just wanted to figure out what was going on.
You're just seeing the future, boy. I jumped, hitting Zak's hand away and causing laces of pain to run up and down my stomach and back. I groaned, stilling quickly to avoid even more pain. The voice chuckled in my head. It's a rare gift among demi-gods, so I commend you. However, without that percentage of demi-gods with the future sight, most of them are indeed Apollo's children, so I'm not that impressed. I groaned again, my head pounding with pain. I felt sick, like the slightest movement would cause me to vomit. Zak looked worried, but he didn't say anything, just laid down next to me, turning away from me. I ignored him, he wasn't worth my time.
They're catching and keeping as many Apollo kids as they possibly can to see if any of them have the future sight. I would say that your gift is a gift, but right it is only a curse.
I breathed in slowly, hissing in pain. Zak mirrored my sigh, and then we both fell silent.
How am I doing this? I asked warily. I wasn't sure I wanted to know the true extent of my newfound powers.
You're not. Oh. Well, then. Not yet, anyways. I'm doing this, showing you the future. The crime you'll commit is very near at hand, and you'll escape with me and your brother. I scowled, glancing to Zak. I would take him with me only to have Apollo kill him for what he's done. And if Apollo wouldn't, I would. You'll return me to Apollo, Lord of Prophecy, and then Zeus will pass judgment and Artemis will slay you. I paled a little, swallowing thickly. No, that will not happen. I will not commit this crime.
Why do I only see the future when I'm sleeping?
Because you're not sleeping.
I jolted, and found myself on the train, staring blearily out the window. I blinked a few times before sitting up and stretching. The sun was setting, so I must've been close. I shifted a little before standing and stretching a little. I got a few glances, but I didn't care. I shoved my bag under my chair, longing to call Chloe, just to talk to someone. Or maybe I'd call Rex, see if he knew anything about our traitorous brother. Or I could call Annabeth and Beckendorf, to explain why I left them behind. I sighed a little, watching the scenery pass by. Someone made the announcement that we were close to New Orleans, that's we'd arrive within half an hour.
I'd arrive in the city with the sun still up. That's when I realized I had no idea where to look for the raven. I groaned, wondering if Annabeth's map could've helped. I gritted my teeth and glared out the window. I'd just have to figure it out. Maybe I'd stop by the harbor, see if the Princess Andromeda was anchored. I sighed a little, rubbing my eyes before grabbing my bag and getting ready to depart the train as it pulled up to the station.
I left the train station without another glance back. The sun was setting fast, and I needed a place to rest and think. I had enough money for a couple nights at a motel if it was a shitty one. I hesitated then headed to the French Quarter. A few people looked at me, but most just ignored me. As far as New Orleans went, I wasn't the oddest character on the streets. I found a few small bed and breakfasts but most were too expensive. Finally, a lady directed me to a very small house that rented rooms out for inexpensive prices.
I approached the house slowly. They had a sign outside advertising vacancy in red neon letters. I read it as Canvacy before I realized what it said. I personally was not the worst dyslectic at camp, but in the mortal world, I was absolute shit compared to everyone else. I frowned, and entered the foyer which acted as a small lobby. I adjusted my knapsack as I stepped up to the counter. Inside was…nice. It was homey, a little small and crowded, but warm. The counter was dark wood, with mini lace tablecloths underneath the flower vases and the lamp. I knew they had a special name, but hell if I knew what it was.
Some country music was playing from the living room and there were voices coming from within the house talking about food. My stomach grumbled loudly and I wanted some so much. On the counter was a small silver bell, so I tapped it making a ding. There was a scuffle of footsteps, and a young girl about my age entered. She had long blonde hair, long like my sister's. My heart swelled a little and my stomach felt pained. She had blue eyes with flecks of green in them. She wore a lot of black makeup but, it suited her. She wore grey leggings and an oversize t-shirt that was a lighter grey than her leggings, with black and white giraffes on it. It looked like a thin dress. She looked, well, like a hipster or something, yet it worked in the environment. She smiled widely at me as she went around to the back of the counter.
"Hey," she greeted, resting her elbows on the counter, smiling at me. I smiled a little back, leaning against the counter. "How many nights?" I shrugged a little, looking around.
"What are your rates?" I asked softly, looking at her. She shrugged back, and I quickly realized she was teasing me. It reminded me of Olivia and made me smile. I liked this mortal girl.
"Depends what type of a room you want," she replied with a smirk, resting her head on her hand. I grinned back at her and mimicked her by putting my head on my hand. She grinned as I answered.
"Simplest and cheapest," I replied, tapping on the counter top. She smiled a little, twirling her hair around her fingers as she tapped the table with her other hand.
"That would be one twin sized bed, barely any view, and no bathroom add-on," she said gently as I ran my fingers over my hair, unable to twirl it like she did. "And that's fifty-five a night. We provide food, and everything." She murmured with a smile. I nodded. It was a good deal and it would buy me several nights, especially since they offered food.
"Sounds good, but I gotta ask, why such low rates?" I asked, reaching in my pocket to my wallet with most of the money. She flushed a little, shrugging as I handed over 115 to pay for the room and tax for two nights, however she added me back the five. "No, come on, tell me." She sighed heavily.
"We're good people?" She asked me with a teasingly smile. I shook my head with a smirk, putting the five dollars into my pocket again. She sighed heavily as she typed into the computer there. "You wouldn't believe me, kid. What's your name?"
"Mitchell Hower, and try me. I live a pretty unbelievable life." I replied with a grin. She typed my name in to the computer before recounting the money.
"My mom lives by the rules of the Greek Gods," she replied. I stared at her. Okay, I didn't not believe it, but at the same time I was caught off guard. A lady in the mortal world believed in the Greek Gods? I felt like she might've been a demi-god, this mother. The girl noticed my look and sighed again, unlocking a drawer to put the cash in. "See, I told you that you wouldn't believe me. Have a phone number?"
"No and no, I do believe you. What do you know about the Greek Gods?" She didn't seem too heartbroken over the fact I didn't have a phone number, unlike most places.
She shrugged a little, looking at me again. "Got an ID?" I winced a little, shaking my head. She nodded and put the money into the drawer and locked it up. "I know about the main twelve, right? My mom particularly likes Hermes, Messenger of the Gods, and God of Travelers," she said with a slight smile as if she knew something I didn't know.
"And of the thieves," I added on and she smirked, nodding as she gestured for me to follow her into the living room where the TV was tuned to some local news channel. "So, has your mother met him?" I asked, testing the waters. The girl looked at me, as one would expect, however not with a look that said something along the lines of the hell are you smoking, but more along the lines of, how the hell did you guess that? "Wow, I didn't know…well, I did know, I guess, that demi-gods had kids, led normal lives." I murmured, looking at her, wondering if my future would be similar.
"How—" She started, but was cut off when an older woman entered the living room. The woman looked like the girl I stood next to, but older, a little more angular and sharp in her features, like Hermes. She had brown hair, but blue eyes like her daughter. She was still fit, as if she left camp yesterday. She raised an eyebrow at me and leaned against the threshold of the archway she just entered in through. Behind her, I could see a homey kitchen.
"Harley, you should really wait for me when helping customers," the woman said. She had a kind voice, but a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, so much like the Stoll Brothers. I was becoming more and more convinced that I had found a daughter and granddaughter of Hermes all the way down here in New Orleans. The girl, Harley, glanced to me and stepped back from me, wary. "What's your name?" The mother asked me.
"Mitchell Hower," I replied and she raised her eyebrow at me.
"You haven't been claimed?" I sighed a little. When demi-gods met other demi-gods, you usually said your name then whose son or daughter you were. To not to this wasn't rude or anything, it was just expected. The only reason you really had for not telling was because you didn't know. "An unclaimed on a quest is utterly stupid," she stated and I shrugged, completely agreeing with her. It happened, but rarely.
"Son of Apollo," I said finally and she smiled a little.
"Imogen Hitch, Daughter of Hermes. Welcome to my home. Have you already paid?" I nodded, and she smiled a little. "Well, we'll keep that, but the rest of your stay is free. I know how annoying it is to find a place to stay while on a quest." I smiled at her generosity, and nodded my thanks. "I'm going to go back to making dinner. Harley, show him a nice room. No doubt he paid for the shit one," Imogen said as she reentered the kitchen. Harley rolled her eyes a little, and led me into the hallway again. She grabbed a key from behind the counter and led me upstairs. She stopped in front of a door not far from the stairs and unlocked it and opened it.
Inside, it was just a normal room. Wooden floors, a full bed and a dresser with a mirror. There was a door that I assumed led to the bathroom. She smiled a little at me as I dumped my bag onto the bed.
"So you're a demi-god," she said as she leaned against the wall, turning the lamp on. I nodded, looking at her. "What is camp like?" She asked and I chuckled as I sat down on the bed, shrugging.
"It's camp. You fight monsters and each other, climb a rock wall with lava and earthquake settings, hunt hell hounds in the woods, learn how to ride a Pegasus, and make weapons and statues in arts and craft." I smirked at her, sitting up. "And if you're lucky, me and my siblings will help you learn archery and how to play an instrument."
She smirked back at me, coming over and sit by me. "Because your dad is Apollo, God of Archery and Music," she said slowly, as if she were trying to remember what else he did. That was perfectly understandable; my father did so much shit. I was fairly certain he could, if he wanted to, take over Olympus. He controlled the sun for gods' sake.
"God of the sun, teacher to the Muses, God of Prophecy, God of the Arts, the Youthful God, and a few other things." I replied with a smirk. She whistled and I laughed, rubbing my neck. "Hey, does your mother have a fountain or anything that can make a rainbow?" Harley nodded and stood, gesturing for me to follow. I grabbed a couple of drachma and followed. She went downstairs and into the backyard through the kitchen. I nodded to Imogen as we passed.
The backyard was covered in plants, hiding the view from any nosy neighbors. And right there, in the center was a fountain with a lantern overhead. In the spray was a rainbow. I smiled and flipped the coin into the rainbow as Harley sat on a stone bench nearby, held up by statues of little cupids.
"Oh, Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering," I paused, then continued, aware that Harley was watching and listening, "Show me…Rex, Camp Half-Blood." The water shimmered for a moment before I caught view of Rex. He was getting a guitar, probably for the sing along after dinner. "Hey, Rex!" I said loudly, and he turned quickly at the sound of my voice. His face relaxed into an easy smile, something I missed about him.
We said the polite shit, the 'hey, how are you' and all the bull, before I got to ask him the major question I wanted to know. "What do you know about Zak Cozart?" Rex's eyes darkened and he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"When Luke betrayed Percy, when he betrayed the camp, a few campers followed him a few weeks later. Zak was one of them. He was, what? Eleven? He had no clue what he was doing, but he left anyways. I think he was just sick of not hearing from Dad, you know? He didn't want to be forgotten. His mother did that, just dropped him off in front of the boundary, and just left. He was a baby." I sighed heavily, rubbing the back of my neck.
"He attacked a muse, beat her with bronze-toed shoes." Rex looked pained, but I continued on, "Thanks, brother. I'll check in sometime soon." Rex nodded and he reached up to pass his hand through the mist, but stopped when Sky tackled him, and pushed him out of the way and glared at me.
"Mitchell! What got you thinking you could just get up and go on a quest while I'm gone!?" I sighed a little, rubbing my eyes. "And cut your HAIR without my input!?"
"Girl, I ain't your gay best friend. I'll cut my hair without advice if I want." She sighed heavily, pointing at me.
"You better be careful, boy. Or I will find you in the underworld and kill you." I nodded as she swiped through the message and the image faded. Harley chuckled from behind me and I looked over at her, raising an eyebrow but she just raised her hands and I turned back to the rainbow and flipped another drachma into the rainbow.
"Oh, Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering," I said firmly, thinking about what was going to happen next. I took a deep breath, then spoke clearly, "Show me Annabeth…I have no idea where she is." The rainbow shimmered for a moment before revealing Annabeth and Beckendorf in a small motel room. Annabeth saw me instantly and stood up, storming over.
"What in the fuck is wrong with you?" She yelled me and I sighed heavily, closing my eyes slowly. "You need us! Did you forget about Python? Or the fact that Luke has an entire army and you've only got you?"
"Hey, girl, I have a bow—"
"Oh, good. That settles it, you idiot!" I flinched a little and sighed. "We've been worried sick. You could die, and we'd be at fault. We just let you go. If we find you, you moron, I will chain you Beckendorf. You are never leaving his sight." I frowned, looking at their surroundings then groaned.
"You cannot come and find me!" I yelled at them. "There's a reason I dumped you guys!"
"Right, really? What was it, then?" I hesitated; I wasn't allowed to tell them about the raven that could talk to me. My moment of hesitation was enough to make Annabeth sigh heavily. "Exactly, you don't even have a reason. And if you do, if you do, it's a horrible one. We're driving south, deal with it. And we will find you. We'll be there by tomorrow."
"Good luck finding me," I replied icily and she narrowed her eyes.
"Thanks, Golden Boy." And with that she hit the message like she wanted to punch me across the face and they disappeared. I scowled, and took a deep breath. I heard Harley chuckle again from her spot on the bench, but I didn't turn to look at her. Instead, I lifted my third drachma and went to flip the golden coin into the rainbow. Only I faltered, and the coin clattered to the ground, missing the rainbow completely. I felt Harley's eyes on my back as I stooped to pick the coin up. I hesitated, looking at the rainbow again. I wanted to talk to Chloe, but I didn't know what to say to her. "Hey, I left my friends behind, ditched them like a complete jerk, without knowing where I'm going and what I'm going to do. Also, I'm hearing the raven I'm supposed to be finding, and he's telling me that I'm going to be killed, and it's making me doubt the gods. How're you?" She'd not only worry, but I didn't like the idea of her thinking I was something of a Heracles, a hero that didn't like to work with others, or someone that would betray camp, betray her. I glanced to the rainbow again as Imogen called us for dinner. I just slipped the drachma back into my pocket and turned back to Harley as she stood.
We went back inside to find the island in the kitchen set with plates with food on them. I took a seat on a bar stool next to Harley, her mother sitting across from us. I smirked when I saw the metal pail in the center, a fire flickering within it. I watched Imogen made her sacrifice, as did Harley; I paused, thinking then scraped some of my food into the fire. Father, please guide me as much as you can. Lead me down the right path. I thought silently, enjoying the scent that the burning food gave off as I dug into the food. It was only near the end of the meal that Imogen cleared her throat and looked at me.
"You're on a quest, yes?" I nodded, unable to speak as my mouth was full of food. She smiled a little. "If you need any help from us, please, let us know." I swallowed quickly, nearly choking myself. After clearing my throat, I glanced between them.
"I need to find a club, or a dance hall or something like that," I said as I put my fork down. "A place owned by Apollo."
"There's only one place that I know of that creatures of our world go to," Imogen said slowly. "It can get pretty rowdy, pretty rough, and pretty sketchy. Only the toughest go there, and usually to prove themselves to others through fights."
"Are the Muses Melpomene and Thalia there?" I asked quietly. Imogen nodded slowly, narrowing her eyes. "Good. Where is it?" I asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. The night was still young, and the people would just be going out to party.
"Mom, I can take him." Imogen narrowed her eyes more, frowning. She looked ready to protest, but something stopped her. Finally she sighed and shrugged weakly.
"Go on then, and be careful." I nodded, thanking her profusely, and getting up quickly. Harley followed me as I took the stairs two and three at a time, getting up to my room. I grabbed my dagger and made sure Bruhmastra and the quiver charm was on my wrist. I felt the scaly chain mail on my skin, so I didn't worry about that. I pulled my duster on over my arms, and pulled Rex's red leather gloves onto my hands before I left my room. Harley exited a room across the hall from mine. She had changed into black skinny jeans and a black shirt on that had flying sneakers on it. Over that she had a regular black hoodie, the hood pulled over her head. Under the hoodie I saw the handle of a bronze dagger. I smirked a little, wondering how much she knew and if she knew how to use that.
She led the way back down the stairs and we left the house without another word. The door closed and the country music was cut off. The sounds of the French Quarter greeted us, and we exchanged glances before she set off, me next to her, down the sidewalk.
