The sun had dipped behind the horizon, leaving the world with only the dim light of the fading day. The oppressive heat had finally started to let up, but the air was still thick and humid, clinging to their skin like a second layer. Percy's legs ached with each step, the constant walking taking its toll on him and the rest of the group. They needed a place to rest, somewhere to recover before they started thinking about the next leg of their journey.
"Should we stop here?" Leo asked, his voice laced with exhaustion. He kicked a small rock down the cracked road, his jacket too big for him now, sleeves rolled up.
Percy scanned the area. They were standing in front of what appeared to be an old hospital. The word "HOSPITAL" was barely legible on a rusted sign hanging crookedly above the entrance. The parking lot was overgrown with weeds, and the building looked ancient, the walls cracked, windows shattered, and parts of the roof caving in. But it was a building, and more importantly, it seemed intact enough to offer some shelter for the night.
"I think we could make it work," Percy said, shifting the weight of his pack. The heat had made everything feel heavier, even the small canteen at his side. He squinted into the distance, searching for any movement. The roads had been eerily empty for hours, but that didn't mean danger wasn't lurking nearby.
Annabeth was the first to speak. "We need to get inside before it gets too dark. The last thing we want is to be stuck outside with no cover."
Without another word, the group made their way toward the hospital's rusted gates. They creaked in protest as they pushed them open, revealing an overgrown courtyard. Tall, withered trees stood at the perimeter, casting long shadows over the cracked sidewalk. It felt like stepping into the past, a forgotten place that the world had left behind.
"Stay alert," Annabeth murmured as she led the way, eyes scanning the area. "There could be something in here."
"Yeah, like zombies," Leo added, his voice tinged with dry humor. He was looking up at the crumbling structure, but there was no real amusement in his tone. Everyone was tired, and it was getting harder to keep the mood light.
The door to the hospital was just as run-down as the rest of the building. The front entrance had long since been barricaded, but Leo found an old service door at the back that seemed to be partially open. He glanced over his shoulder.
"Looks like we can get in. It's a bit of a squeeze, but we should be fine."
Annabeth gave him a curt nod. "Good. Let's go."
Percy followed, his gun at his side, every sense heightened as they made their way through the darkened hallways. The air inside was stale, heavy with the smell of old medical supplies and mildew. The hallway stretched before them, lit only by the dim light filtering through shattered windows and the faint glow from a flashlight Leo had scavenged earlier.
As they walked further in, the others spread out, each of them checking rooms, peering into the shadows for any sign of danger. Annabeth was already scanning the hallway, looking for a place they could fortify. Her crowbar was still in her hand, her posture tense as she moved with her usual precision.
"Check this out," Will's voice rang out from a nearby room, his words laced with unexpected excitement.
Percy glanced over. Will was standing in what looked like an old doctor's office, his eyes wide as he stared at a cabinet filled with medical supplies. Bandages, antiseptics, and even a few old syringes sat neatly on the shelves, untouched by time. Will's hands hovered over the supplies as if he couldn't believe they were still here.
"I used to dream about working in a place like this," Will said, his voice low and almost reverent. He stepped forward, examining a shelf of old, dusty textbooks. "A real hospital. They had everything here. So much I could have used."
