𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆 ― percy jackson

013. HIGHWAY TO HELL

                         Aurora saw the turmoil in his eyes. He was thinking about what she had said about having a backup plan, because in all honesty their likely to survive would drastically improve with a backup plan, but realizing just how much the frown has deemed, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Percy. You're right, we'll make it. It'll be fine."

                         Annabeth was quick to read the room and agree, "Everything'll be fine," she assured. "There's nothing to worry about."

                         Annabeth gave Grover a nudge already seeing the effect the words had on Percy, "Oh, right!" he chimed in. "We got this far. We'll find the master bolt and save your mom. No problem."

                         Percy looked at the three and felt really grateful. However, his gaze lingered a little longer on Aurora's.

                         Percy slipped the pearls back in his pocket,"Let's whup some Underworld butt."

                         They walked inside the DOA lobby. Muzak played softly on hidden speakers. The carpet and walls were steel gray. Pencil cactuses grew in the corners like skeleton hands. The furniture was black leather, and every seat was taken. There were people sitting on couches, people standing up, people staring out the windows or waiting for the elevator. Nobody moved, or talked, or did much of anything. Out of the corner of Aurora's eye, she could see them all just fine, but if she focused on any one of them in particular, they started looking . . . transparent.

                         It caused goosebumps to arise, all over her body.

                         The security guard's desk was a raised podium, so they had to look up at him. He was tall and elegant, with chocolate-colored skin and bleached-blond hair shaved military style. He wore tortoise shell shades and a silk Italian suit that matched his hair. A black rose was pinned to his lapel under a silver name tag.

                         Percy read the name tag, then looked at him in bewilderment, "Your name is Chiron?"

                         He leaned across the desk his smile was sweet and cold, like a python's, right before it eats you. Aurora shivered at the thought of the snake.

                         "What a precious young lad," He had a strange accent—British, maybe, but also as if he had learned English as a second language. "Tell me, mate, do I look like a centaur?"

                         "N-no."

                         "Sir," he added smoothly

                         "Sir," Percy said.

                         He pinched the name tag and ran his finger under the letters, "Can you read this, mate? It says C-H-A-R-O-N. Say it with me: CARE-ON."

                         "Charon."

                         "Amazing! Now: Mr. Charon."

                         Aurora scoffed and shook her head while turning her head towards her best friend, "For Aphrodite's sake, Make it stop"

                         Annabeth only shook her head in amusement.

                         "Mr. Charon," Percy said.

                         "Well done," He sat back. "I hate being confused with that old horseman. And now, how may I help you little dead ones?"