UNFORGIVEN¹ PERCY JACKSON

010

The four walked into the hotel; there were games everywhere, snack bars, and pink lights. If the logical side of Evelyn was non-existent, she would've gone ahead and played some games. But she also got an uneasy feeling about this place.

"I know we're supposed to be saving the world but would it be unprofessional if we just hung out here for a bit?" Percy said as he gaped at the scenery before him.

"I think we should get out of here." Evelyn quipped.

Annabeth spoke up, "Look, we find Hermes, we get him to hook us up with a ride to Los Angeles and a plan to get us into the underworld, and we are out of here ten seconds later."

"I was just kidding," Percy stated.

"Wait, hang on." Grover interrupted, looking around the place.

"What?"

"Your mom told you all the stories, did she read you the odyssey?" Grover questioned.

"Graphic novel." Percy answered, as Evelyn and Annabeth furrowed their brows at his answer. "It counts,"

"Odysseus lands on a beach, there's these guys who've forgotten where they came from, forgot everything that was important to them and they got that because the ate"

"The lotus flowers," Percy cut Grover off, the four of them turned to a sign that said 'Lotus Hotel and Casino' with a lotus logo.

"If we go in there, and then forget everything that would be bad on a number of levels." Grover concluded, and Evelyn looked around the area, taking in the high energy of the place.

"But if Hermes is in there though, then what choice do we have?" Percy shrugged and looked at Evelyn, "What do you think princess?"

Evelyn's head snapped back to him and made a face at the nickname which the other three were amused at, "I don't know, just don't eat anything I guess."

Annabeth rolled her eyes playfully and started walking ahead of them, and they quickly followed. 

Grover suddenly spoke up, "Wait, why were you looking at me?" and Evelyn just patted him on the back.

Once they were further inside the place, Grover spoke up, "This place is a lot bigger than it looked from the outside, he could be anywhere." 

"Let's split up," Annabeth stated.

"I thought we didn't do that anymore." Percy pointed out, "Also you guys have seen him before but I haven't, so I'm not gonna be much help alone."

Annabeth poked Evelyn, "Eve, you take Percy over there and Grover go check that side of the floor. I'll take this area,"

"Okay. Then let's meet back in the lobby in 20 minutes." Evelyn nodded.

"What do I say to him if I find him first?" Grover asked.

"Nothing," Annabeth answered. "Meet me here and you'll take me to him."

"Let's go," Evelyn pulled Percy with her, going off on their own.

Evelyn and Percy walked side by side, exchanging glances as they searched for any sign of Hermes, the atmosphere was strangely enticing, and the temptation to indulge in the distractions surrounding them lingered in the air.

Percy looked at Evelyn, debating if he should ask what he wanted to know or not, "Hey, what happened earlier? At the truck, you looked kinda sick."

Evelyn froze, she really didn't want to tell any of them yet, "It's fine, I'm okay now. It was just a weird dream." She waved him off and didn't look him in the eye, "Let's just find Hermes and get out of here."