Blood Of Poseidon

IV. The Ghost Town

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The sun's first rays pierced the horizon, casting long shadows across the sand dunes. Percy Jackson woke up from his deep slumber, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from the previous day's battle. He couldn't grasp what happened to him. He couldn't move even a bit. Each tries sent a excruciating pain through him. Slowly the images of previous battle came into his mind. And he cursed at himself, Because he didn't know how much time passed since he had fallen unconscious. He couldn't afford to lose. To fail.

Percy dragged himself to the rocks he had used as shade. He groaned and whimpered in pain as he moved closer to the bags. When he had finally reached his bag, he was already exhausted. He felt his consciousness slipping. But with his last energy he grabbed his bag, taking out the flask of water. A sip of water slowly helped him bear the pain. He took the remaining chunks of ambrosia and ate them. He mixed the remaining nectar with the water. But anything he did reduced his pain and gave him energy to raise him to his feet. The wounds had not healed. The heat had left them dry and hurting. This was the last chance. If he was to survive he should reach the nearest water source with nothing to quench his thirst or his hunger or help him reduce the pain. The weight of exhaustion pressing down on him, but he knew he couldn't afford to rest any longer. The sun was already heating up, casting long shadows across the arid landscape.   Percy muttered to himself, trying to muster the strength to stand. "I can't fail now." With a deep breath, He pushed himself to his feet. Every muscle in his body protested, but he ignored the pain. He had faced worse before and survived. This was just another challenge, another test of his resolve.

The desert stretched out before him, an endless expanse of sand and rock. The sun was already blazing, and the heat was almost unbearable. Percy knew he had to keep moving, despite the conditions. As he trudged through the desert, Percy felt his strength waning. The heat was oppressive, and every step felt like a monumental effort. The rocky terrain made it difficult to walk, and the constant glare of the sun made it hard to see. He used his instincts to guide him. Hours passed, and the landscape grew more calm. Percy felt a growing sense of urgency; he knew time was running out. He was pushing himself to the limit, but he couldn't afford to slow down. He didn't know where he was going. He let his instincts take him. Finally, after what felt like eternity, in the distance, Percy spotted a faint glimmer of light. Hope surged within him as he realized it must be some town. Relief washed over him, pushing him forward with renewed determination. He couldn't afford to falter now, not when he was so close.

As Percy approached closer, the small settlement came into clearer view. The town was a cluster of buildings amidst the desert landscape, a stark contrast to the vast emptiness surrounding it. He felt a mixture of exhaustion and relief as he entered the outskirts of the town.  The streets were quiet, the late morning heat keeping most people indoors. Percy scanned his surroundings, searching for signs of life. He needed to find food and water urgently, resources that were now more precious than ever. Spotting a Pipe ahead, Percy quickened his pace. The sight of water comforted him. And he sat beneath it, he even allowed the water to wet him. The water, even though hot, replenished him. He washed his wounds which slowly knit together. The pain subsided, But still it wasn't enough to mend his broken bones. His chest still heart like hell when he moved, He was sure his ribs might have snapped. After a satisfying bathe, He needed to find food and water urgently, resources that were now more precious than ever. Spotting a diner ahead, Percy quickened his pace. The smell of food wafted through the air, enticing and comforting after days of surviving on dwindling supplies. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, grateful for the shelter from the relentless sun.

The diner was a modest establishment, its interior dimly lit and filled with the comforting aroma of cooking food. A few patrons sat at tables, their conversations muted against the background hum of the air conditioning. Percy approached the counter, his movements slow and deliberate. The waitress, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, looked up as he approached. "Can I help you, hon?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern as she noticed Percy's disheveled appearance. "I... I need food and water," Percy managed to say, his throat hoarse. "Please." The waitress nodded sympathetically. "Of course, sweetheart. You look like you've been through the wringer. Sit down, I'll get you something to eat and drink." Percy sank into a nearby booth, relief flooding through him. He watched as the waitress bustled behind the counter, filling a glass with water and preparing a plate of food. The sight of fresh, nourishing food made his stomach growl in anticipation. As the waitress brought over the food and water, Percy dug in with gusto. The cool water was like a balm to his parched throat, and he savored every bite of the simple meal. It had been days since he had eaten a proper meal, and the replenishment was more than physical—it lifted his spirits. After finishing his meal, he walked to the counter, The waitress was still there. "Excuse me, ma'am, Where am I?" he asked. "You are in Park Village." Percy nodded and paid for his meal. "Is there anything else I can do for you my boy?" She asked. "Actually. Yes, Can you show me the Ghost towns nearby." The waitress looked at him skeptically but showed him the map nonetheless. After looking thoroughly at the map, He found a town which was farthest from the roads and clearly abandoned. "Which town is this?" He pointed at the town mark. "Pardon me, I am dyslexic." "It's Leadfield." "Leadfield," Percy murmured to himself, tracing the route on the map. "It's farthest from the roads, completely abandoned... Enyo may have mentioned this town." He recalled the conversations with Chiron and the oracle's prophecy. There was no room for doubt now. Leadfield was where he needed to go next, where his true test awaited. With renewed determination, Percy finished his meal and refilled his water flask. He knew he couldn't linger in Park Village Junction for long. Every moment counted, and he had to reach Leadfield before nightfall.  Before leaving the diner, Percy thanked the waitress profusely. The waitress smiled kindly. "You take care of yourself out there, hon. It's a harsh world, but I can see you've got the spirit to make it through." With a final nod of thanks, Percy left the diner and stepped back into the scorching heat of Park Village.