Sunburn- phoebus apollo

--ix. they check into C.C.'s spa & resort

THEY BARELY MANAGED TO GET AWAY. 

Percy was knocked out; Clarisse had gotten thrown gods-knew-where; Tyson was.... Rhea wanted to cry when she thought about Tyson. 

Rhea and Annabeth managed to salvage some supplies from the wreck--Hermes's (now empty) flask, an airtight bag of ambrosia, a couple of sailors' shirts and a bottle of Dr. Pepper. Rhea's bow and arrow necklace from Apollo still hung undamaged on her neck, which gave her a sense of relief. 

They sailed for what felt like hours. Now that they were in the Sea of Monsters, the water glittered a more brilliant green, like Hydra acid. The wind smelled fresh and salty, but it carried a strange metallic scent, too--as if a thunderstorm were coming. Or something even more dangerous. Rhea knew what direction they needed to go. She knew they were exactly one hundred thirteen nautical miles west by northwest of their destination. But that didn't make Rhea feel any less lost.

Rhea placed her head on Annabeth's shoulder and curled up next to her, trying not to think about what had happened earlier.

She opened her eyes a little when she felt Annabeth weave her hand through hers. "Tyson may have survived." Annabeth said half-heartedly, trying to make her feel better. "I mean, fire can't kill him."

Rhea sighed, her eyes flickering to her brother who was still passed out before back to the ground. "I hope so." She mumbled, playing with Annabeth's fingers.

"I'm sorry, Rhea," Annabeth whispered. "I was wrong about Tyson. I wish I could tell him that."

"I'm not mad at you," Rhea said. "I know you have had bad experiences with Cyclopes, and I know it's hard not to judge them. But Tyson...."

Annabeth grew quiet for a few moments before saying, "Get some rest. I'll take first watch."

Rhea didn't need to be told twice. She shut her eyes and was out in seconds.

*****

When Annabeth shook Rhea awake, they were approaching land--an island with a small mountain in the center, a dazzling white collection of buildings, a beach dotted with palm trees, and a harbor filled with a strange assortment of boats.

By the time Rhea regained her senses, Percy was already awake.

The current was pulling their rowboat toward what looked like a tropical paradise.

"Welcome!" said the lady with the clipboard.

She looked like a flight attendant--blue business suit, perfect makeup, hair pulled back in a ponytail. She shook their hands as they stepped onto the dock. With the dazzling smile she gave them, one would've thought they'd just gotten off the Princess Andromeda rather than a banged-up rowboat.

Then again, their rowboat wasn't the weirdest ship in port. Along with a bunch of pleasure yachts, there was a U.S. Navy submarine, several dugout canoes, and an old-fashioned three-masted sailing ship. There was a helipad with a "Channel Five Fort Lauderdale" helicopter on it, and a short runway with a Learjet and a propeller plan that looked like a World War II fighter. Maybe they were replicas for tourists to look at or something.

"Is this your first time with us?" the clipboard lady inquired.

The trio exchanged looks. Annabeth said, "Umm...."