Poseidon Rising (Sequel to TDOTSG)

Forboding

Jason's POV

Paige is a terrible driver. But I'm afraid to say anything out of the fear that she'll get distracted and drive us into a pole. She admitted to not even knowing how to drive automatic, I have no idea why she thought she could figure out driving manual. Every few seconds the car shudders and starts jumping. She shrieks, collects herself, then does something else wrong that causes a new round of screaming.

Finally, after what seems like several torturous hours, she pulls the car over, ending up on the sidewalk, but stops. She turns around and smiles sheepishly.

"Guess I'll be handing the reins back to you." she says, holding out her hands to me.

"What the hell are you doing? Offering me imaginary reins?"

She scowls. "If you want me to keep driving...."

"No!" John yelps. "No. I'm too young to die. Not to mention girls across America would be devastated."

Paige rolls her eyes. "Here's one that wouldn't be."

"Okay everybody shut up!" I yell. "Paige, get out of the drivers seat. No one's dying."

She grumbles, but obliges and flings the door open. A passing car honks several times and swerves wildly to avoid the open door. Paige gets out and waves apologetically. I quickly scramble out and practically shove her in the back seat before climbing into the drivers seat and slamming the door shut.

I sigh loudly. "How have you survived all these years?"

"Hey! Are you implying that I'm stupid?" she demands, crossing her arms.

"Probably." John snickers.

"Don't make me drive us off a cliff." I threaten.

"Do it." Paige taunts. "I dare you."

I shrug. "I can fly so... point me in the direction of the nearest cliff."

"Ugh!" she groans. "Just drive stupid. Let us move forward!"

+++

Everyone was beginning to give up hope when Jess's aura led us to an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. I stop the car a few meters away from the warehouse and we all get out of the car.

"Can I say what's on everybody's mind?" Paige asks. "This is some creepy shit. And I hope we're in the wrong place."

I know what she means. Even in broad daylight, there's something very.... wrong about the warehouse. It's not just that's it's abandoned. There's an ominous feeling to it. And honestly, I'm hoping we don't have to go inside. But every time I look at it, I get that sick feeling in my gut.

"We're not." I sigh, knowing I'm going to regret my words. "Come on, let's check it out."

We trudge forwards, using hands and rocks and sticks and whatever else we can find to shield ourselves from the blinding sun. I obviously miscalculated how far away we were from the warehouse because it feels like we've been walking forever and we're still not there. I end up just taking my shirt off and pulling it over my head so that I can't see the sun or anything else.

"It's like your dad decided, hey my kid and his friends are going on a walk today! I'm just gonna make it boiling hot for them so they sweat to death." Paige complains in a weird attempt at sounding like Jupiter.

"We share some blood. I wouldn't really call him my dad." I snap, aggravated.

"Hey. Guys." John says, yanking my shirt back so hard air is cut off for a second. I swing violently before he lets go. "Stop. This is pointless."