Inferno (Leo Valdez x OC) (2)

Nothing bad has ever happened in an aquarium

"Kids." I heard someone mutter.

I startled awake and jolted upwards. Suddenly, I felt like I was falling and cried out before hitting the hard floor with a groan.

"You never fail to amaze me, kid." They sighed.

I groaned and rolled onto my back. "Hey Coach." I mumbled.

I was laying with half my body on the floor and my legs still hanging on my bed, my face was squashed against the wooden floor and my body was twisted at an uncomfortable angle.

I shuffled onto my side and my legs crashed to the floor. "Oof." I huffed.

"Enjoy your sleepover?" Coach raised an eyebrow, looking down at me.

I pushed myself to my feet and glanced over at Hazel who was snoring peacefully on the other side of my bed, a half-finished bag of mini cheddars next to her. I nodded, grinning.

"Didn't get up to anything did you." Hedge eyed me carefully.

"Coach!" I yelped, my face going red. "She's dating Frank." I whispered, glancing at Hazel.

Hedge nodded. "Okay... okay. Anyways, I need you to come with me into town with the others."

I sat up, rubbing my back. "What?"

"Well, Jackson and Zhang are both ready to go, I'm just not sure if I can handle Jackson by myself after... you know." Coach narrowed his eyes.

"You are so paranoid." I deadpanned, pushing myself to my feet and walking over to my closet.

"You never know." Hedge grumbled.

"Well, you do right now. Percy isn't gonna try anything." I grabbed a T-shirt and some jogging trousers. I frowned. "How cold is it gonna be?"

Hedge threw his arms in the air. "I don't know, goat legs, remember?" He gestures to his furry legs.

I sighed. "Fine, I'll meet you on deck."

Coach grinned and closed the door behind him.

I had a quick shower and changed into new clothes. I grabbed a flannel shirt and nudged Hazel.

She yawned and her eyes cracked open. "Anwen?" She mumbled.

"Hey, sorry." I smiled sheepishly. "I've got to go into Atlanta but feel free to stay here for as long as you like."

She smiled. "Thanks, I'm probably gonna go back to sleep though." She yawned.

I grinned. "Fair point." I grabbed the knives from my bedside table and sheathed them under my clothes, throwing my flannel over my shoulder. I turned to her as I walked out. "Don't touch cactus." I smiled as I shut the door and continued down the hall.

Once I was on deck, I saw Percy talking to Coach and Frank. I walked over to them in time to here Percy say: "When in doubt, start in the middle." He pointed towards downtown.

"What about with a sandwich?" I frowned.

Percy sighed. "Let me have this one." I shrugged.

Catching a ride there was easier than we thought. The four of us headed to the presidential library – which turned out to be the Carter centre – and asked the staff if they could call a taxi or give us directions to the nearest bus stop.

Percy could've summoned Blackjack but seemed hesitant after the last incident. Frank didn't want to polymorph into anything. I didn't want to call on anyone, not even Hoots, not after what was going on with Sarff and Calon.