Chapter Five:

Early, early that morning, they left. They had packed light, but there was plenty of money, weapons, and stuff to last them a good week.

"Where are we heading?" asked Erik, finally.

"Los Angeles," replied Mara. "Ares lost some of his items...probably his favorite sword...and he'd like it back. He's probably too lazy-"

"Mara!" hissed Erik and Justin, looking around in a frightened way. Justin said, "Don't talk about Lord Ares that way. He wouldn't appreciate it. Besides...no matter who you are, you can't defeat Ares in a fight."

Mara frowned, looking up at the sky. "Sorry, Lord Ares." Then, she continued, "Anyhow, he was last rumored to be in California, so I figured that's where we'd head."

"Do you know how many monsters are in California?" muttered Arielle. "We could die just trying to get Ares his sword."

"Yes...but Ares sword is as important to him as Zeus lightening bolt is to Zeus, or Poseidon's trident, Hades helm," Erik sighed softly, not meeting their glances. "I don't suppose you have any real, set plans?"

"No," replied Mara. "I was thinking we could travel by train to Springfield, Illinois, and then take a plane to Seattle, Washington, and then drive to Los Angeles."

"Drive?" exclaimed the other three.

"Yes, drive," Mara replied. "We have fifteen days to do this. Our getting there will be around three to five days. Not only that, it's safe to move around through transportation. Monsters can get us if we aren't moving all the time."

Arielle nodded. "I suppose it's a good plan. Come on."

"All passengers going to Springfield, Illinois, please board now. Please board now if going to Springfield, Illinois," came the woman's voice over the P.A. system. "Trip will be 13 hours."

"So we're probably traveling around 73, 74 miles per hour. Not bad," Arielle murmured to herself. "Would be nice if we could go faster, however...should not complain. Let's board, you three. Do you have plans for anything during those 13 hours, Mara?"

Mara smiled sadly. "Reading, board games, TV, sleeping?"

"Ooh, let's play Monopoly!" exclaimed Arielle, excitedly. "We never play Monopoly at Camp Half Blood."

They climbed in to their compartment. There was plenty of food, lots of board games, and a TV. Justin turned on the sports channel and started watching an ice hockey match. The other three started a Monopoly game.

To be direct, the train ride was the best, the more boring, and the most fun rides of Mara's life. It took forever, yet getting to know each of the group members was a real treat. Justin was smart, sweet, and intelligent with a great sense of humor. Arielle was friendly, wise, and excitable. Erik...was...well, Erik. He was her favorite of them all. He was easy to talk to, fun, happy, cheerful, friendly, and witty.

"I'm going to take a nap," Arielle said. "I haven't gotten any sleep the past few days."

"Me neither," said Mara, lying down on the couch. Erik sat down next to her head, looking down at her. "Don't sit on my hair," she said, teasingly.

He smiled, lifting up her head and placing her on his lap. "Good night, gorgeous."

Mara felt herself blush. "Good night, Erik."

"So..." Justin said, when he thought Mara to be asleep. "Have something there for Aphrodite's girl?"

"Yeah, I guess. She's different than the other Aphrodite girls," Erik replied.

"Yeah. She's pretty."

"No, it isn't just that! She's actually...nice."

"I see. The Aphrodite girl who doesn't belong under the Aphrodite cabin, and the Ares boy who doesn't belong under the Ares cabin," stated Justin.

Erik flushed with anger. "Justin," he began. "I don't mean-"

Justin replied, calmly, coolly, "Erik, I know. Calm down."

Mara fell deeper in to sleep. A dream immediately touched her. She was back in the Aphrodite cabin.

Dream:

Alice was lying on her bed, underneath her Hephaestus boyfriend. She tried desperately to squirm away.

"Alice!" exclaimed Mara.

"She can't hear you," came a soft, beautiful voice.

Mara turned around, trying to see the owner of the voice. All she saw was the cabin.

"You can't see me, dear. I am your mother. Just listen, for now, and watch."

Mara hesitantly looked back at Alice and her boyfriend. Both of them were hiding under the covers, and clothes were strewn across the floor. Mara winced. There had to be better situations to come across.

Alice tried to pull away, but the boy drew back his arm and slapped her cheek. "I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Hold still!" he snarled.

"L-look," Alice stammered. "Please, please, can we not..."

He forced her to kiss him. Alice attempted to charm speak to him, but it made him angrier. She whimpered with pain and closed her eyes tightly when he started whispering horrible things to her.

"Mother, why aren't you stopping this?" Mara asked, weakly.

"I can't stop every harmful relationship-even my own daughter's," came Aphrodite's miserable voice. "This is why Alice is so horrible about the rules and how you must act perfect. She's had to act perfect just to stay with this jerk-though I don't see why she'd want to. I've gone to Hephaestus about it. He got all annoyed with me saying how he couldn't stop it. My poor daughter...in an abusive relationship."

Mara felt her eyes start to burn with tears, and she took a few steps towards the door.

"He doesn't just do this," Aphrodite's voice was a whisper now. Mara had to strain to hear her. "Alice has bruises on her shoulder and her back. She never wears anything slim or beautiful because she's scared everyone will see the bruises. That's why she sits around all the time."

"I don't want to see this!" cried Mara. "Why can't Stephen or Demetrius or Thomas...what about the girls?"

"Mia is the only one that knows. She's sworn to secrecy. I thought I'd let you know, because you're the only one who can save her when you get back. Find Lord Ares stupid-er, Lord Ares sword, and bring it back immediately. Alice needs help. You can turn this all around."

"But Alice needs protection, and I'm not-"

"I can't give you answers!" Aphrodite cried. "Just think. I know you and I aren't Athena, but you don't have to do all this by yourself. Just...try to save Alice. Mara, my dear...you are one of the bravest daughters I've ever had. Time to wake now. Erik is probably wondering if you're dead."

Mara was shaken awake. She sat up straight, horror overcoming her expression.

"Are you alright?" asked Justin.

"Bad dream?" suggested Arielle.

She managed a weak nod. "Where are we?"

"We're going to be there in an hour...er, Springfield. Yeah." Erik stood up and walked to the other side of the compartment, dishing himself some food.

"You mean...I slept for..."

"A good ten hours," said Justin. "I'm guessing you haven't gotten proper sleep in..."

"Three or four days," said Mara honestly. "Even then...I wouldn't call my dream 'sleeping'. It was horrible."

"What was it about?" asked Arielle.

Mara looked at her, then the boys. She hesitantly said, "It was about my sister. Alice."

"Alice?" asked Justin. "I know her. The tall pretty girl with the long blonde hair."

"Ha!" Mara gave a cold laugh. "What's her boyfriend's name?"

"Cornelius," replied Justin, a look of jealousy coming over his eyes.

Mara gave him a sad smile. "Thanks. He's from Hephaestus, right?" All of them nodded, slightly confused. Mara stood up, looking out the windows. "Don't worry, Alice. We'll think of something."

She looked down, and saw her watch. Hope filled her chest. She tapped the watch face three times.

Chris's face filled the screen. "Hey, there. How's that quest of yours going?"

"Long!" exclaimed Mara. "It's taking 13 hours to get to Springfield, another six to get to Seattle, then about a day to get to where we're trying to go. We're not even sure if that's the right place! Then, we'll probably fly the whole way back, so long Zeus isn't mad at us."

Chris looked hesitant. "I guess you're not calling to complain about the trip?"

"No, actually. Look, there's a guy named Cornelius in your cabin, right?" When Chris nodded, Mara continued. "Well...his girlfriend is my sister, Alice. Try to keep Cornelius away from her. Talk to him. Try to keep him in the shop. Mess up a lot so he has to come over and help you. Make stupid mistakes."

"What?" Chris looked highly offended. "Why? He gets angry when we hold him up from spending time with Alice!"

"Of course he does!" snapped Mara. "He's...please trust me, Chris. And, tell Stephen, Demetrius, and Thomas to stay near Alice at all times."

"What's wrong, Mara?" asked Chris.

"Please, just trust me," pleaded Mara. "Be nice to Alice. I know, she's horrible to everyone. Just try to keep Cornelius busy."

Chris gave a reluctant nod. "Don't be surprised if I call you tomorrow telling you that I was kicked out of the shop, or reclaimed by someone else."

Mara snorted. "Yeah, right. Thanks, Chris. I appreciate. And, tell Stephen that his girlfriend, Arielle, says hi."

"Right. Bye, Mara. Don't get killed after telling me to kill myself."

"Haha." Mara tapped the watch two times, causing Chris's face to disappear.

"He's hurting her, isn't he?" asked Arielle, softly, standing next to Mara.

Mara nodded slowly, nervously, hesitantly. "Yes. He is."

The woman over the P.A. system announced, "Fifteen minutes until we reach Springfield, Illinois. Thank you for traveling with east to mid-U.S. train system!"

With a soft sigh, Mara packed the rest of the items up. "Well...we'd better find a way to the airport."

"A taxi," said Justin obviously. He sat down next to the window, watching the train come to the station.