Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 3: The Gods and Friendship

We have been walking for hours as we walk through the city. I can officially say that I can hardly feel my legs anymore. What I wouldn't give for a soft bed or a shower. Annabeth is also looking ready to drop on the ground for some sleep as she walks next to me. For an eight-year-old, it doesn't surprise me. I mean, I am only three years older, so I am pretty tired as well. Eh, well, it depends on how you look at it. One could say I am sixty-nine years older than her.

"Annabeth, should I carry you for a while?" I ask her. "I can walk. It's fine..." she says with a yawn. I smile at her, and pull her on my back anyway. She hardly resists me. "Thank you, Alex..." she says before I feel her falling asleep. "Sleep tight, Wise Girl."

Thalia glances at me and Annabeth. "She seems to trust you. Have you known each other long?" she asks in a soft tone to not wake her up.

"Only for a night, really. Annabeth found me, and she said she saved me from something," I answer. Luke smiles at the little girl. "She's a good kid. Do you know who her parents are?" He asks.

"No, I didn't really have a moment to talk with her. It has been a crazy night," I say with a deep sigh. He chuckles softly. "I can imagine. Any idea who your Godly parent is?"

I shrug. "No. I have no idea. Who are your Godly parents?" I ask Thalia and Luke. "Zeus, Lord of the Sky!" Thalia says with a bit of pride in her voice. I look at her with raised eyebrows. "Wow, isn't he the leader of the gods?"

"He sure is. King of all the Olympians," she says with a smirk. I turn to Luke. "And you?"

"Hermes, messenger of the Gods," he says. I cannot help but notice a bit of resentment in his voice. He does not hold his father in high regard, it seems. It makes me wonder why.

Although, now that I think about it... who is my father? Which god came to my mother, making her give birth to me? I hope it was someone caring, because the gods know she deserved it. My mother was a kind and caring woman. Sometimes I felt she deserved someone better than me.

"I think I know Annabeth's Godly parent. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom," Thalia says. Luke nods in agreement. "It must be. She's way too smart for her age, and you call her Wise Girl. Annabeth probably spewed a lot of facts and tidbits at you?" He asks with a chuckle.

"Yeah..." I free one hand to get out one of the copper one cent coins. I throw it towards Luke with the flick of my finger. "It started with that coin. Said it was special and worth thousands of dollars."

Both Luke and Thalia look with raised eyebrows at the coin. "Gods, really?" Luke asks in disbelief while holding the coin up. "Yup."

Thalia smirks a bit as she looks at Luke. "Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Luke smiles brightly. "Excellent idea, Thalia! How many coins do you have, Alexandra?" He asks excitedly. "Uhm, I got four of them. What are you planning?"

"Well, my rich friend! What do you say to one of the best hotels in town? A soft bed, delicious food, and a warm shower..." he says while his eyebrows go up and down. "Who's in favor?" Thalia asks rather loudly.

Luke raises his hand almost immediately. On my back, I feel Annabeth shifting as I see a hand emerge on the right side of my head. "Me..." she says very softly. She is still asleep?!

"And the majority has spoken! Onward, my friends," Thalia exclaims. I softly laugh as I follow Thalia while Annabeth continues to sleep on my back. It took some time to find a shop to sell the coins too, mainly due to the fact it was still the middle of the night.

Thalia looks at the shop that we found, she quints her eyes and with furrowed brows she looks at the sign. "Pan Sop? Are you sure they will buy it? Sounds like a shop for cleaning supplies," she says. I laugh loudly as a few tears start to form.