Sorry for that short chapter. It made me feel like a flake, but I had to leave, so I couldn't write more. Love you lots!

Okay, so our plan took a dive when we missed our plane. Connor promised we would travel by plane, because that was the fastest way to get to Maine, but we were three minutes too late. It sucked. Nico couldn't shadow travel all three of us without being extremely exhausted. The new plan: think of a new plan. The guy with the eyes all over his body—Argus?—drove us into the city, but after that, we were on our own.

Why did he have to leave?

The three of us sat outside this boarding school place called The Yancey Academy, where they probably have a ton of homework, misfit kids, and killer teachers. It looked like a place of cruel, unusual punishment.

Nico growled. "Gods, Connor. The fate of the camp is at stake and you can't even manage to get us to an airport on time."

Connor stood up ready to fight. "It wasn't my fault. And besides, who asked you to be here? Last I checked, this is my quest."

Nico stood up, pulling out in stygian iron sword. "That's where you're wrong. Anna came up with the idea for a peaceful solution. It is her quest to fix your mistake."

I stood up, wedging myself between them. "Okay, okay. Look, we are just upset, because we are not morning people. We're tired and irritable. Why don't we just find a taxi?" They back off each other a little. "What was that one cab driver I heard about? The Grey Sis—"

"No!" Connor and Nico yelled. "Not them."

"Well then," I sighed. "We need to get moving on foot until we have a better plan."

We walked along the busy streets of Manhattan, Connor leading the way, like he had no problem walking fast for miles and miles—which he most likely didn't. Nico stayed by my side, protecting me, like he promised back at McDonald's. I looked at him. His black hair was brushed over the side of his face, covering one eye, he walked like he was in a hurry. He was bitter and angry, but I didn't know why. Sure, he was always a bit moody, but this was worse, almost truly scary.

"You okay?" I asked, taking his hand in mine. His hands were like ice and he tried to pull away at first, but then settled down.

"I just… I hate this quest," he said. "I hate that you are my friend and that you chose to get involved. I hate that River died senselessly. And I really hate that every chance Connor gets, he tries to make a move on you. Do you know how many times I had to glare at him before he backed off? This whole situation sucks."

"Oh." I had no idea how to process all this information. "Wait, back up. Why don't you want to be my friend? Am I not—"

"No, whatever you think, it's not that. I just… Every friend I've made gets hurt. Mom—dead. Bianca—dead. Hazel—not here. Percy—gets thrown into Tartarus trying to save me. Annabeth—same thing. River—dead. I don't want you to get hurt too."

My heart broke. Nico carried all this guilt around all day long—no wonder he was always so sad. "I am so sorry, Nico. I really didn't know. I was heartless."

He looked at me and rolled his eyes. "No. Don't feel bad. I don't need to be pitied. Pity isn't going to help anything. I just want to move on, but this quest… It kinda was a setback. But I'm going to make sure you survive." He wrapped one arm around my shoulder and I could have sworn I saw a slight smile.

"Y'know, Connor is just being friendly. It doesn't mean anything, really."

"We shall see," he said, like he already knew what would happen.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

After realizing he was walking too fast, Connor turned around. "Sorry," he said. "I forgot you guys aren't every fast walkers."

It was almost midnight and we were still in New York. That left us with two days left. I freaked out, trying to get Nico and Connor to move it, but they were too tired. We took turns taking shifts. It was while Connor was out finding firewood that I came up with an idea.

Nico wouldn't go for it at first, tears, begging, and tantrums didn't work on him, but logic did.

"C'mon, Nico," I pleaded. "Why don't you shadow travel to Maine and wait for Connor and I there? One of use needs to be there. What if we can't make it in time? You could save the day. Please?"

"Fine," he sighed. "Fine. But you owe me two McDonald's happy meals when all this is over… But the second I think you might be in danger, I'm coming back."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, brother. But how would you even know I were in trouble?"

He smiled like the chasseur cat. "Brotherly intuition," he laughed, before leaving. I couldn't help but think about how Nico was like Michael. I protected Michael more than he protected me, but they both had that mysterious element to them and they could make you laugh at feel at home no matter what. It was nice having an new brother.

When Connor came back, I explained the new plan to him and he nodded. "Do you honestly think this quest is that hopeless?" He asked finally.

I wasn't sure how to take that. Should I be angry? Sad? Disappointed? Anxious? "No, but we do need a fallback plan. If things… don't go our way." I scooted a little closer to the fire, the nightly chill taking its toll.

Connor laughed humorlessly. "I bet, death breath didn't like the idea of leaving you alone with me, huh?"

I shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. "Um, no. but only because he wants to ensure my safety. It's understandable after losing so many loved ones."

He inched his way closer to me, placing an extra jacket over. "Yeah. That's it, probably. Anyway, you go to sleep. I'll take first watch."

I didn't argue. I didn't sleep much the past few days. In no time, I was out like a light.