Annabeth Chase and the Lightning Thief

Chapter 31 - We arrive at the Underworld

Valencia Boulevard was death. I mean, literally, it was where the DOA RECORDING STUDIOS were located. The name was big and bright, etched in gold upon black marble. Below it was another sign, but stenciled on the doors rather being actually official: NO SOLICITORS. NO LOITERING. NO LIVING.

It seemed like a great place, especially seeing as it was crowded with people, despite it being almost midnight, and a big ugly security guard sitting at the front desk. This was going to be so fun.

"Okay. You remember the plan," Percy said, turning to Grover and I.

The satyr gulped. "The plan. Yeah. I love the plan."

"What happens if the plan doesn't work?" I asked.

"Don't think negative."

"Right. We're entering the Land of the Dead, and I shouldn't think negative."

Percy's face went glum. He pulled out the three shining pearls the Nereid had given him and stared at them wistfully.

I felt guilty. It wasn't his fault we were here. He was doing the best he could. We had nothing to go on either. It was our first quest too. None of us knew what we were doing.

"I'm sorry, Percy," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. "You're right, we'll make it. It'll be fine."

I nudged Grover sharply.

"Oh right!" he exclaimed. "We got this far. We'll find the master bolt and save your mom. No problem."

Percy looked grateful, smiling thankfully at us. He slipped the pearls back into his pocket. "Let's whup some Underworld butt."

We walked into the lobby. There was Muzak playing, although nobody except the scary guard seemed to appreciate it. There were people everywhere. Sitting on the black leather chairs, standing up, crowding about. They looked ordinary when you glanced at them, but when you actually focused on them, they started to get transparent. It didn't improve the mood much.

The security guard sat on a raised podium, making his already tall lanky form seem even taller. He was dressed in a silk Italian suit and tortoiseshell shades with a black rose pinned above a silver name tag. I couldn't read it, but I already knew what it said anyway. Any one who studied the Greek myths would. He had chocolate-coloured skin and bleached blonde hair, cut military style. All in all, not really someone I would consider a threat.

Percy squinted at the man's name tag, then seemed bewildered. "Your name is Chiron?"

I wanted to slap him. Of course it wasn't Chiron. Didn't he know who Charon was?

The man smiled coldly and leaned over the desk as if to see Percy better. "What a precious young lad. Tell me, mate, do I look like a centaur?"

"N-no."

"Sir," Charon added smoothly.

"Sir."

He took his name tag and gestured to each letter as he spelt it out. "Can you read this, mate? It says C-H-A-R-O-N. Say it with me: CARE-ON."

"Charon."

"Amazing! Now: Mr Charon."

"Mr Charon."

"Well done." He leaned back, pleased. "I hate being confused with that old horse-man. And now, how may I help you little dead ones?"

Percy looked flabbergasted. He opened his mouth a few times but nothing came out. Hie eyes pleaded with me to save him.