We drove for a little while and none of us spoke to each other. For some reason I was worried I might get pulled over. Don't ask me why. Driving isn't exactly easy when you have ADHD. The car's autopilot only works when it's flying. It took all my concentration to focus on the road. I'd manage though as long as Annabeth, Nico or Leo didn't startle me. When we reached the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge Leo broke the awkward silence.
"This is totally awesome guys. I'm riding in a Maserati GranTurismo with three gods. I love my life." Leo exclaimed. I knew he make the trip fun in addition to being a great asset.
"Yeah it is. Chariots are so ancient Greece.'' Nico said. "You know dudes, I've been wondering why Philadelphia?''
"It has a Greek name why wouldn't it be important to the gods?'' Leo said in reply.
"Yeah I guess your right. Wasn't Philadelphia founded by William Penn?'' I asked as the car swerved to the right a little bit and Annabeth panicked.
"Percy, don't talk, focus on the road.'' Annabeth commanded me as I got my focus back. I really shouldn't talk at all while driving.
"Yeah, he was Percy. He was a demigod as well, Son of Hermes. I checked out that book last night in The Big House. Chiron gave me permission to look at it. It's amazing. You should have a look some time. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a demigod as well, Son of Hermes as was Agatha Christie. Ludwig Von Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach were both Sons of Apollo. Winston Churchill was a Son of Poseidon too like you.'' Nico rambled as I got distracted again by what I was hearing. I really need to check out that book. That's quite an awesome list.
"Percy, good gods watch the road!'' Annabeth yelled. That's not a simple task being the God of Rivers hearing all the world's rivers. It's not like I can complain though dad has an even tougher job. On Olympus it's much easier to block out than when I am on the ground. I'm getting better and better at though. Gods need to prioritize. Every river and tributary thinks it's the most important.
"Guys is just me or does it seem like almost every major historical figure is a demigod?'' Leo asked in amazement.
"Yeah mortals don't realize just how much an effect the Gods still have on civilization. That's not to say one has to be a demigod to be creative or become famous.'' Annabeth explained as I mentally thanked the gods for The Mist. Unusually for us collectively we didn't encounter anything out the ordinary until we reached the Raritan River. For some reason I heard it foremost in my mind. I couldn't exactly make out what it wanted.
I would have thought we'd encounter a monster on the New Jersey Turnpike. Leo is after all a demigod and is a magnet for them. I kind of figured though no monster would want to try and harm Leo given he has three Gods travelling with him. Sorry for the tangent. See how difficult my job as a God is? Don't get me wrong I love being a god.
Even though as a group we didn't notice anything usual I did. The Passaic River seemed unusually rough for a river. I didn't give it much thought I figured it had to do with the intense rainstorm we were driving through.
After a little while of us not talking instead listening to classical music Leo spoke again.
"Percy, I want to say thank you for bringing me with you guys. I never thought I'd get to go on a quest with the God of Heroes. It seems like many people don't appreciate what I can do. I'm not as awesome as you guys.'' Leo said sounding very down in the dumps. He really is very hard on himself. I wonder why?
"Leo don't be so hard on yourself. You've got friends at camp. Jake Mason seems to really like you and others at camp asked you to partner with them. You're not inferior. The number of friends one has is not a measure of how good a person one is. You have great gifts and they will come in handy.'' Annabeth said philosophically.
"Your very wise Annabeth.'' Leo complimented.
"I am Daughter of the Goddess of Wisdom.'' Annabeth said as I sensed something was wrong. We reached the Basilone Bridge, which carries the New Jersey Turnpike over the Raritan River.
"That can't be what I think it is. I'm no weather expert and I know that doesn't belong here.'' Nico said in shock. I briefly turned my head to see a waterspout in the river heading straight for the bridge! I heard laughing as the waterspout approached. I tried to dissipate it but it didn't seem to be having much effect.
"Whoa Shit!'' I yelled as the waterspout hit the bridge and a semi truck was flipped on its side. I swerved to avoid it. Our car spun around several times from the wet pavement as well as several others driving nearby. A lamppost went sailing through the back of a car. No one was sitting there. I was able to lessen the damage by weakening the waterspout but for some reason couldn't I dissipate it. The waterspout crossed the bridge and right before it dissipated on its own I heard a voice.
"I'm going to get you River Boy!''A raspy voice spoke. I wasn't quite sure who it was. I knew it wasn't Kronos. We got out of the car and looked around. There was sand from the riverbed all over the bridge and cars pushed into one another. At least two semi trucks were on their side. There was also a slight crack in the guardrail and in another place it had been twisted into weird shapes. The Maserati didn't have a scratch on it.
"How in the name of Plato does a waterspout form on the Raritan River?''Nico asked me just as emergency vehicles arrived. Fire trucks, police cars, ambulances the works.
"No idea. Waterspouts aren't supposed to happen on rivers." I replied just as I saw a car leaning off the bridge and someone was inside.
"Oh my gods!'' Leo said as he ran over to the car and pulled the door off. Like all demigods he possesses super strength. How strong though depends upon whom you're the son or daughter off.
"Come on! Take my hand.'' Leo said as the elderly women did that and he pulled her to safety just as the car fell into the Raritan River.
"Thanks young man.'' The woman said.
"No problem." Leo said in reply. About a minute later a pickup almost fell of the bridge. Leo pulled out a grappling hook from his tool belt and threw at the car. How did he fit that into the pouch on his belt? It attached to the bumper and he pulled it back unto the roadway. The Mist must have done something because no one noticed the amazing feat he just pulled. I knew it was a wise choice to bring him along.
We did what we could to help the injured when after a few minutes Annabeth turned to me.
"Percy we don't need to do this. That's what police and fire departments are for. We have a mission to complete.'' Annabeth reminded me quietly just as the police told us we could be on our way. The three of us got back in the car just as I discreetly snapped my finger and made the river throw the women's car back on the bridge and we drove off as I began to ponder what had just happened. If things were already this crazy and the Summer Solstice is 13 days away what else would we encounter? We were certainly in for an interesting quest that much was clear.