The Mysterious Hero

Brazil

-Percy-
Not only was this whole trip out of my way and annoying, but I wasn't even given anything to go off.  Usually in issued quests there was some kind of prominent danger stated or a main enemy, warning, SOMETHING to scare me.  But now there was none.  That scared me even more.

Annabeth seemed too calm for being used as a pawn AGAIN.  It upset me so much I almost wanted to jump out of the flying chariot I was on.  Jenna shot me a look like she knew what I was thinking. Sometimes I felt like she was in my head, and that both annoyed me and made me uncomfortable.  I knew she could mind-communicate with the twins, but not me... right?

And what was that whole thing about coming from the future?  What did that even mean?

"Stop it," Jenna said directly at my face.  I took me a second to realize that she was talking about me physically and not my thoughts.

"Stop what?"  I asked slowly, unsure of what I had been doing that needed stopping.

"Staring at me like a pedophile,"  She said completely seriously with a ting of annoyance in her voice.  I felt my cheeks grow hot as Annabeth burst out into hysterical laughter.  I head Apollo trying to contain his from the front seat.

"Sorry," was all I could manage before turning away.  

"How long will this even take?"  I asked, wanting this ride to be over.

"As long as it takes for the sun to set in Brazil,"   And why Brazil?  I groaned and put my face in my hands, starting to feel a little claustrophobic.

"Wake me up when we get there,"  I closed my eyes and fell asleep within a couple of minutes, sleep deprived.

The next thing I knew, Jenna was yelling at me to get off of her and wake up and Annabeth was trying to calm her.  Apollo was watching the whole scene like we were a comedy.

I grumbled groggily and say, rubbing my eyes.

"You drool-" Annabeth started, but I cut her off.

"I am well aware."

She smiled at me lovingly but I was too tired to smile or anything along the lines of moving.  Annabeth probably figured this, because she pulled me up and out of the chariot/car and into the dusky outside air.  It was sticky and humid and gross and just generally made me want to back to sleep.

"It's too hot out," I complained.  For once, nobody disagreed.  Even Apollo looked a little flustered.

"Don't think so,"  He said suddenly.

"What?"  Annabeth and I asked in unison.  Apollo and Jenna looked at us like we were idiots and then continued whatever silence it was that we had interrupted.  

"Okay" Apollo said after a long silence, "This way."  And he started walking.  Why would we be walking?  Oh, because there was no sign of modern civilization or otherwise in sight.  And also WHY BRAZIL?

The darkness set in until all we had to show us where not to put our feet was the moonlight, which I didn't particularly trust as much as the sunlight.

"Do we have to travel after dark?"  I complained.  It was starting to feel kind of cold despite being unbearably hot before.

"Yes," Jenna said.  She had taken the lead, pushing Apollo further to the back of the group.  He looked tired, but surely gods couldn't get tired, right?  He stumbled over a tree root and nearly fell, his half closed eyes not assisting in the navigation of his own body.

"I think we should stop," Annabeth noted, "Apollo doesn't look too good."

"I'm completely fine,"  He insisted.

"Then why are you slurring your words?"

"Why are YOU out of focus?"  He blinked a couple of times.  Jenna sighed like this event was a little ditch that she had to jump over.  

"What's wrong?"  I asked, wanting to contribute something but not knowing what or how.

"I..."  He paused to gather his words, "I'm a sun god.  And this is moon time."  He stopped again, sinking to the ground to sit.  Jenna tapped her foot impatiently.

"I'm not in my place, so... I can't..."  He was really struggling now.

"What?"  I asked.  Annabeth looked at me like I was an idiot, which I assumed I was, especially in this situation.

"Look away!"  He suddenly shouted.  I did just in time to feel a blaze of heat behind me, and the area in front of me as far as I could see illuminated by a burning golden light.  I saw Annabeth out of the corner of my eye, her eyes averted, and I sighed with relief.  The glow slowly faded, and Jenna spoke from behind us:

"It's okay to turn around now."

We did, and I saw her crouched by Apollo.

"How did you not get incinerated?"  I asked, which Annabeth stared.

Jenna shrugged, "I'm awesome."

It sounded like something Apollo would say.  But Apollo wasn't saying anything.  He wasn't doing anything.  Just laying there with his closed and his mouth slightly open.  

He looked dead.