by Emery Pugh
Chapter 13
Godric
I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep that night – but I was wrong. I passed out as soon as I laid down, not even changed into my pajamas.
For the first time in years, I had a solid night’s sleep. No demigod dreams or visions. I guess the Fates finally gave me a break.
I woke up naturally as the sun’s rays shone through the cabin window. Springing out of bed, I started packing a small bag for the quest – I had a small Celestial Bronze dagger, some matches, a book, a watch, and dozens of snack bars.
I took a glance back at my cabin as I walked outside, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time I see it.
The warm light of dawn filled the valley as I strolled towards Thalia’s pine tree with the Golden Fleece (which helps protect the camp through its powerful magic). We’re all supposed to meet here before our departure to Charleston, South Carolina, where we would meet the other part of the team from Camp Jupiter.
Sanderson and Andromeda arrived a few minutes later. The air was grim and nobody said a word.
A thought nagged me at the back of my mind. It was a flashback to the horrors of my last quest. I gritted my teeth and pushed the thought away.
Based on the look Sanderson gave me, he was thinking the same thing. We held our gaze for a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. In time-lapse, we both re-experienced the previous quest.
My eyes stung as I tore my eyes away. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This quest won’t be like the last one. But even as I said it, I knew I was lying to myself. Was it really going to be different?
Hector was the last one to arrive, by thirty minutes. Nobody blamed him for that – he was a new camper, and he was already having a potential death sentence handed to him.
Beside him were two satyrs, chattering nervously. I caught snippets of their conversation – they were trying to help Hector perceive this new weird world of gods and monsters.
My vocal cords felt like they were glued together with adhesive. I forced them apart. “Are we all ready?”
Sanderson and Andromeda nodded. Hector gave me a shy glance. Garret and Hedge quieted down and stood to attention.
I nudged my chin in the direction of a white van with the design of Camp Half-Blood on it – strawberries. We’d sell the strawberries that grew in the fields in New York City to earn our funding. The vans were often repurposed, though, for quests.
We climbed inside. The driver was already waiting for us in the front seat. I took my place directly behind the driver with Sanderson and Andromeda to my right, and Hector and the two satyrs behind us.
“To Grand Central Terminal, New York City,” I instructed the driver. With a skid, we were off.
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The atmosphere started out terse – nobody said a word. Gradually, though, it loosened up. Sanderson and I exchanged jokes while Andromeda laughed at them. Even Hector and the satyrs threw in a few good ones.
I grabbed a snack bar from my backpack and slowly munched on it, pondering the quest. I didn’t know anyone from the Roman side of the quest team. Would we all get along? And would there be conflict as to who would lead the quest? I was only the head of the Greek side – the Romans probably chose someone to represent them too.
I sighed. As a son of Zeus, I had high expectations held to me. Being the quest leader wasn’t anything special – it only loaded more burden onto my shoulders. If the quest failed, I’d be mostly to blame.
Just like last time, that little voice in my head whispered.
Shut up, I told it. It’s going to be different.
Thankfully, the voice said nothing more.
“Godric?” Sanderson tapped me on the shoulder. “Are you okay? You’re sending electric sparks everywhere.”
I blinked, startled out of my daze of thoughts. The remaining chunk of the protein bar dropped into my lap.
“Oh… I’m alright. Sorry about that,” I replied sheepishly. “I got distracted.”
Sanderson seemed to understand my thoughts. We rarely needed to exchange words – our minds were almost like one.
The van trundled to a halt. We had arrived at our destination.
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Grand Central Terminal was one of the largest train stations in the world. It’s also one of the most packed.
We said our goodbyes and thanks to the driver, who proceeded to set up a strawberry stand with a sign reading, As the summer season ends, get the last of the fresh strawberries!
Nobody seemed to pay us any attention as we zig-zagged through the crowd. I clutched my ticket in one hand and a protein bar in the other.
The train whistled. We were just in time to board it.
Handing our tickets to the conductor, he let us pass through and we settled in the third to last car. The closer to the dining car, the better.
We took the same seating arrangement as in the van just as the train rumbled, and we started our half-day journey to Charleston, South Carolina.
I prayed that the train ride would be smooth. I received an answer from the seat in front of me. Grrrr.
The Lighthouse 