Alright Ch. 8 is here. Only a little over a 1k words, sorry it's not as long. If you feel like my story is missing any important info, please let me know. Sometimes I the things I see in my head feel obvious when they really aren't haha. My brain is just weird like that. Thanks for reading and enjoy!


Simon cocked his head sideways. "You just left like thirty seconds ago." I rubbed the back of my neck, it felt like thirty minutes. "And now you're all hot and standing there with coffee. What the heck happened?"

After I was done wondering why I was holding multiple coffees and croissants, I realized what Simon had just said about me. Eric probably would have bopped him in the head if he hadn't been just as confused. I felt my cheeks warm up. Simon was staring at me. I glanced at Eric and he was too. "Come get your coffee and stop staring at me you, dorks." Now they both looked as embarrassed as I was. We all sat down and had our nectar infused coffees with croissants. We had better offer her a nice sacrifice later.

I turned my head, my perfect high pony tail swishing around back and forth. "I ran into Aphrodite."

"Yeah and she totally upgraded your outfit. You look totally hot in those cargo pants. You can totally pull of that cute grease monkey look." Simon didn't know when to shut up. I crossed my arms over the black tank top I was wearing.

Eric smacked Simon in the back of the head this time. That made me feel a little better.

"So anyways, she gave us a guide." I pointed at the bird sitting on the chariot.

I explained to them what I thought was important. I didn't mention the whole part where Aphrodite accepted my challenge from like two years ago. I was mentally kicking myself for that one. I did not need a goddess meddling in my life. Especially during a quest.

I took an inventory of myself. I still had my sword and shield and hammer. The only thing that changed was in my back pack. Instead of my usual change of clothes there was another set of cargo pants and a tank top.

I remembered what Ares had told me as we were heading out. "Your dad says hi by the way. He also told me to tell you to practice with those chakrams." Eric pulled the weapons off his shield as I snapped the reigns for the horses to go. I was afraid this bumpy ride would end a bloody mess the way he was practicing, but I kept my mouth shut.

I could hear Simon snoring. He was curled up on the floor, now hanging onto my leg. I didn't know how he got that way, but I gave a small laugh. Simon was pretty cute, even when he was being annoying. Plus, I heard him singing, he had a great voice.

"You should get some rest," I said to Eric without taking my eyes off the road. Not that I was worried about running into anything.

"I'm fine. I slept some this morning."

There was a silence.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Well I mean you and Simon kind of took care of me for like twelve straight hours and then not to mention you kept me from falling face first out of the chariot this morning."

I chanced a glance at Eric. He was smiling looking at the weapons in his hands. We continued following the white dove. She would disappear sometimes, but I just kept the chariot headed in the same direction until she returned.

By supper time we had made it to the edge of Kansas. The dove had landed on the tree and had sat there just looking at us.

We stopped and waited for her to leave. She just stared at us.

Simon stretched from his spot on the floor. "What time is it?" he yawned.

"I guess it's time to eat I said stepping off the chariot." I tied the horses and started to brush them down.

"Maybe we should stop here for the night. I think we're getting close and I want you guys to be awake when we get there." Simon still looked sleepy and Eric looked ready to drop.

"Should we feed the bird?" Eric asked.

"I'll feed it!" Simon hopped up. He grabbed a sandwich and went to the tree. He held out a piece and the bird took it surprisingly enough. "Good little- Er- Hey Charlie, does this bird have a name?"

"Aγάπη."

"Love," Eric said thoughtfully.

Simon proceeded to coo at the bird, "Good little Aγάπη."

I looked at Eric who smiled at me. I just rolled my eyes. Eric seemed to be in a better mood.

Once we had eaten and settled down, I announced I would take first watch again. "But, you were the only one who had watch last night," Simon protested.

"Yeah, and then I slept for twelve hours while you guys had to take care of me."

No one argued with me after that.

We didn't start a fire and the boys just laid in the chariot, curled up in their blankets. A chill set in as the sun left the sky and a breeze picked up. I sat facing away from the back of the chariot. It was the best defensive position in my opinion. I felt something hit me in the back of the head. I turned to find the weapon of the assault. There was a jacket lying on the ground. I glanced at the boys. One or both were pretending to be asleep, so I didn't know who to thank. I put the jacket on and feeling way better. It was still warm from it's last wearer.

The night was quiet. I woke Eric up next. He smiled after he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

I scrunched my eyebrows. "Why are you so happy?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment, "Maybe it's because we are actually getting along now?"

I sighed looking away. That was probably my fault.

"Go to sleep," he said giving me a small push towards the chariot. I nodded and curled up next to Simon.

"Oh, wait," I said taking off the jacket. "Is this yours?"

"It's Simon's."

"Oh, ok." I draped it back on Simon and crawled under the Eric's blanket.

As soon as I got settled I felt Simon snuggle up against me. I started to wonder if he slept with a teddy bear back at camp.