𝔐𝔬𝔦𝔯𝔞𝔦𝔬 - 𝔉𝔢𝔪𝔒ℭ𝔵𝔏𝔢𝔬 𝔙𝔞𝔩𝔡𝔢𝔷

15. 'WHAT IS LOVE?'

WARNING; MENTION OF ABUSE -FROM A FLASHBACK-

The next afternoon, June 14, seven days before the solstice, our train rolled into Denver. We hadn't eaten since the night before in the dining car, somewhere in Kansas. We hadn't taken a shower since Half-Blood Hill, and I was sure that was obvious.

"Let's try to contact Chiron," Annabeth said. "I want to tell him about your talk with the river spirit."

"We can't use phones, right?" Percy asked.

I shrugged, looking out the window, with my headphones blaring music so loud Grover was happily singing along without an earbud.

And then one random night, when everything changes

You won't reply, and we'll go back to strangers...

"I'm not talking about phones, Perc."

I giggled, looking to Annabeth. "Aww! You've already got nicknames for each other! Ya'll are so cute! If only you both weren't so flipping oblivious."

She death glared me into silence and I shrugged again.

We wandered through downtown for about half an hour, though I wasn't sure what Annabeth was looking for. The air was dry and hot, which felt weird after the humidity of St. Louis. Everywhere we turned, the Rocky Mountains seemed to be staring at me, and I thought back to the creepy lady in the bathroom at Aunty Em's.

Finally, we found an empty do-it-yourself car wash We veered toward the stall farthest from the street, keeping our eyes open for patrol cars. We were four adolescents hanging out at a car wash without a car; any cop worth his doughnuts would figure out we're up to no good. 

Not to mention the fact, that my brother and I are fugitives.

"What exactly are we doing?" I asked as Grover took out the spray gun and sprayed me with it in an attempt to douse me, but he must've forgot that I was a daughter of Poseidon and stayed dry. "Thanks though, Grov."

"That's what was left in the tube. It's seventy-five cents," he grumbled. "I've only got two quarters left. Annabeth?"

"Don't look at me," she said. "Dining car wiped me out."

Percy flipped his pockets inside out, and I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Kiera." He said, eyeing me warily. "You have money. Don't you?"

"No. . ."

"You're such a bad liar!" He laughed.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am. Not!" I clenched my fists as lights flickered, the water spraying out of the nozzle, spraying into Percy's face.

He grinned, "Thanks, Kie! Now we have water! I'm so smart."

Grover stopped me from shoving the window cleaner down my dear brother's throat. "Kiera!" He cleared his throat. "Okay. Annabeth, you wanna do the honors? My arm gets tired of pumping."

Percy actually looked so lost I wanted to laugh, and then shove the bottle—

"I-M'ing."

Oops. Man, I really gotta stop zoning out. Will I ever meet someone who does this, too?

"Instant messaging?" I asked.

"Iris-messaging," Annabeth corrected. "The rainbow goddess Iris carries messages for the gods. If you know how to ask, and she's not too busy, she'll do the same for half-bloods."