Chaos Descends

Everything Is Bigger In Texas

We ended up staying in florida the rest of the afternoon. Hazel and Axel wanted to look around and Nightwing had yet to wake up. We were also stocking up on food at the dollar stores. We tried to be as healthy as possible but the junk food was really tempting. "We can probably leave when we get back to Nightwing. I can shadow travel. I mean, I can't exactly track him but I could try." Hazel offered.

"Sounds good. If you think you can do it, we'll try it." Hazel smiled.

"Thanks." I nodded my head.

"You said you've never done it before right?" Axel asked. I turned to glare at him but he didn't look particularly annoyed, more curious than anything. Hazel nodded her head slowly. "What if it doesn't work. You could take us somewhere we don't want to be. Or where Nico hasn't been."

"Hey, It's worth a shot and frankly, I want to get out of this heat. Let's head back to Nightwing." Percy suggested. I nodded my head and we dropped the subject.

My big dog was sitting on the persons lawn, getting sprayed by sprinkles. He was sleeping peacefully though, not bothered by the water spraying him at all. I shook my head at the sight while Hazel tried to prepare for the journey. We had barely a smidgen of shadows from a nearby tree and at this time of day, It was the best we could do with the time. The real shadows wouldn't be out for another two hours or so, technically.

"There's too much sun." Hazel grumbled. "I don't know how Nico learned to shadow travel when the sun was out but he needs to teach me." Percy and I laughed. Axel more of smirked. Maybe because he wanted to say he might never be able to teach her. Nico was going to die or become immortal if we didn't stop him. "Okay, I think.. I think I got it." Hazel said, her eyes snapping open.

"You know where Nico is?" I questioned excitedly.

"I think so.."

"How can you tell it's him and not another hellhound or your dad or something." Axel asked.

"It's faint. But.. I can feel Nightwing's energy and I think my dad's would be a lot more powerful. This one is a bit muted but still angry and raw."

"Sounds like our man." Percy said with a nod of his head. I rolled my eyes at my brother.

"Let's go then." Hazel nodded and closed her eyes. I squeezed her hand tightly. Hazel took Axel's hand and Percy grabbed onto me.

"Touch Nightwing please Percy." Hazel murmured. She sounded cool, calm. The second Percy's hand touched Nightwing's fur, we fell into darkness.

--

We were chocking on dust. I let go of their hands, trying to wave away some of the dirt we had kicked up. "It's still hot!" Axel complained. "Where are we?"

"Oh gods." I groaned as the dust settled. "We're in Houston." I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air. My friends turned around and around, looking for a sign or something to indicate that I was right.

"How do you know we're in Houston?" Percy asked.

"I moved around a lot remember? And I hated Houston. I told my mom to never send me here again and she didn't."

"Why do you hate Houston?" Axel questioned. "It always seemed like an okay place to me." I sighed.

"Technically, I'm not even supposed to be here. I'm banned from coming here. Long story." I murmured, rubbing my forehead.

"Well is Nico nearby? Can you tell? Why would he be in Texas." Hazel closed her eyes and seemed to be trying to feel around her.

"I can't.. I don't think he's even been here." She dropped her hands and sighed. "I'm sorry guys. I guess I read it wrong." She swayed a little and I grabbed her arm.