The Next Generation: Hades's Helm

Chapter 20: Thunder

Sorry about the long chapter.

Ally thought Thunder was asleep. She wasn't.

Thunder was listening to everything. She was last night, too. But it was nice to see - or, well, hear - the two younger girls bonding. Ally did get distracted a couple times, but that was probably just a combination of demigod ADHD and Hayley's almost constant questions.

So, Thunder just laid there, pretending to be asleep and listening. When the two girls were asleep, Thunder sat up, taking the key card that wasn't in the lights. She walks out of the hotel room, walking out of the hotel and walking down the street. She'd missed Korea.

Eventually, after about 30 minutes of just walking around aimlessly, Thunder returns back to the hotel. She takes the elevator back up, using the key card to get into the room and gently shutting it behind her. The two younger girls were still asleep.

Thunder sits on her bed, looking out of the window. She was in her home country, sure, but she still had two little girls that were 5 and 6 years younger than her. She had to make sure they got home safe. It was a lot of responsibility for a 12-year-old girl.

Eventually, Thunder shakes herself from her thoughts and glances at the clock. It was 11:49 pm. Almost midnight. She sighs, laying down on her bed and closing her eyes. She tries to fall asleep, but she lies there for almost an hour. Eventually, however, she does manage to get to sleep.

Thunder had a dream that night. As if she wasn't stressed already.

The dream wasn't super clear. It was really blurry, which was odd. There was a figure that looked vaguely human. It had long, black hair. A bit darker skin, but not black.

Eventually, the image became a bit clearer, but no distinctive features were visible. The figure seemed to smile, but Thunder couldn't be sure.

That is, until the figure spoke. The voice was soft, quiet. Feminine. "Go," she said. "I'll be waiting."

Thunder's eyes snapped open and she sat up quickly, gasping for breath.

Great. So much for sleep.

Thunder sighs, glancing over at the two younger girls. They were both still asleep. She then glances at the clock. It was 6:38.

Thunder sighs, sitting up and getting her clothes for that day. She was up. Might as well take a shower.

As Thunder stood under the warm water, using the hotel shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. As she feels the warm water slip over her shoulders and down her back, she thinks about her dream.

I'll be waiting. The voice had said. Who was waiting? Who was she? Thunder didn't know. She didn't sound familiar. Her features didn't look like anyone she'd ever known.

So again, Thunder was left with more questions than answers. She sighs, letting herself stay in the shower for longer than necessary. But she knew she eventually had to get out.

After about a 45 minute shower, Thunder gets out, wrapping herself in a towel. She dries herself off, wrapping her hair in a towel and dressing herself.

She was wearing a faded ACDC T-shirt and black pants, since it was chilly outside but not cold. She dries off her hair with the towel, but it's still damp.

When she walked out of the bathroom, Ally and Hayley were awake as well, talking quietly and getting their clothes for today.

Thunder only caught snippets of the quiet conversation. From what she gathered, Ally was trying to convince Hayley to take a shower, telling her that nobody would see her since the bathroom was an enclosed room.