The Unusual Half-Blood

Chapter 9: Resolving suspicions

We spent the next two days on the train, heading west. Thankfully, we got a cabin in the sleeper car. It was quite spacious, with 4 berths, and a huge glass window.

Even though we weren't attacked, I didn't let my guard down.

On the second day, June 13th, eight days before the summer solstice, we passed through some golden hills and over the Mississippi River into St. Louis.

It was 9 in the morning.

Grover was lying on the upper berth, snoring and bleating in his sleep.

Annabeth and I were sitting on the lower berths, looking outside the window.

As we passed the Gateway Arch, she craned her neck to see the complete structure.

"You like architecture?" I asked

"Kind of"

"Because of your dad?"

"None of your business." She snapped.

"You don't have to be so hostile, you know? If you don't wanna share, I wouldn't pry."

"I'm not hostile."

If I asked 10 people, all of 10 them would agree that she was.

"Is something bothering you, then?"

She looked at me with an annoyed expression.

"I'm pretty sure you already know what's bothering me. You can fool the others, but not me. Got it?"

Of course. I knew exactly what was bothering her.

And it was something I needed to fix.

Why?

Because she had an essential piece of information that I needed to move forward. 

So, I guess it was about time to drop the facade completely and be myself, at least till the quest is over. That's the most effective way for me to handle everything, from this point onwards. 

"You don't trust me, do you?" I asked, in a colder tone.

"Oh? So, you're coming clean all of a sudden. Why the change of heart?" She asked, slightly unsettled by the sudden shift in my Aura.

"We need unity among us if we want to complete this quest. That can't happen unless we trust each other to an extent. Agree?"

"I do. But can you blame me? Imagine yourself in my shoes. Wouldn't you be cautious?"

"I guess so. But Chiron trusts me. Isn't that good enough?"

"It's not. People can make mistakes." She argued.

"Well, that's a pretty arrogant statement, considering he has thousands of years of wisdom and foresight, much more than either of us."

"Maybe so, but I refuse to believe something until I'm convinced it's true."

"I see. In that case, what would it take for us to work together?"

"Well, you can start by answering some of my questions." She decided.

"I can, but on one condition." I offered.