Sophia Jackson: Hero's Daughter

Chapter Six

I looked back as the cab drove away. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I had no idea what the Romans would be like, and I hoped I could find out alive, and not in the Underworld. 

Sure, I'd met Romans. My Uncle Jason is Roman. So are Aunt Hazel and Uncle Frank. But they're...different. Mom says that since they've had contact with Greeks, especially Jason, it's changed them. I wondered what she'd meant by that...

"So, just to the airport?" The cab driver asked, bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Yup," Logan said, sitting on the edge of his seat. Dakota looked out the window longingly. She hadn't been the same since last night's incident with the eidolon. Of course, I ended up in the extremely awkward middle seat. 

"So... Nice weather today, huh?" I said, looking at my shoes. I hated quiet more than anything else. 

"Mmhmm," Dakota answered. Logan didn't even respond. I understood Dakota, but Logan's explanation was different, unless he felt like me.

To be perfectly honest, my feelings revolved in the terrified neighborhood, sometimes wandering into the guilt zone. This was my first quest, and I was hoping it wouldn't be my last. 

"Here we are," the cabbie said, putting his hand out for his money.

"How much?" I asked, fishing the money out of my backback.

"$89.97. Plus tip." I rolled my eyes, handing him a $100 bill. 

"Enjoy," I managed as we clammered out of the cab. San Francisco, here we come.

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I'd been on plenty of flights to SF. My grandpa and grandma lived there, and so did my uncles on my mom's side. But never alone. I guess technically I wasn't alone, but it wasn't exacty comfortable to be on a six hour plane ride in COMPLETE SILENCE.

Of course, that was exactly how it went. And again, I was in the middle. Until Dakota fell asleep.

"Sophia?" I turned my neck to see Logan looking into my eyes so deeply that it made me want to look away. 

"What do you want?" It came out like a growl.

"Uh... sorry, is this not a good time? I can talk to you later, or-" I smiled, shrugging off my previous wolf-noise. 

"No, it's fine. What's up?"

"I don't know if I can tell you this... "

"Just spit it out, Logan. It's fine."

"I think I may have killed Dakota's brother." Dakota opened her eyes, the mention of her name waking her up.

"You did what to my brother?" Rage coiled up in Dakota's stomach, and her eyes were on fire. I tried to look away, but the middle seat didn't allow for much of that.

"Look, Dakota, I think what Logan's trying to say is-"

"Well, I don't care what frickin' Logan has to say because his frickin' life is about to frickin' end!!!!!!!" The stuartess gave Dakota a look of confusion.

"Dakota, please let me explain, it wasn't on purpose-"

"So you accidentally killed my brother?"

"Yes! Well, sort of. Maybe?" Dakota fell silent, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'd just started to think that maybe you were a nice guy who I could trust. Then you have to go and tell me you killed my brother? Who in Hades name are you, Logan?" I could just see Dakota's heart break, right there. I knew that she couldn't take any more.

"Dakota, listen. I was in Olympus with my dad when it happened. I was messing around with his little trinkets and things, and stumbled upon an older model of his master bolt. I didn't think it worked, so I aimed it at the ocean, but it did work. I saw it hit a beach, and that's really all I know. It very well could have been your brother there, but it wasn't intentional. I swear." 

I didn't want to say anything. No one did. A hush fell over the our row, the only noise being Dakota's nearly-silent whimpers of cryings. 

"Can I get y'all anything? A drink, some food? Maybe... different seat, if you'd like? Or... or anything you want?" 

"We're fine, thanks," I said, Logan's face turned away. Dakota's was reddened from crying. 

"We will be beginning our descent. Please fasten your seat belts, and prepare for landing." The words I'd been waiting for for six hours finally arrived. Descent and Landing. Yes.

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"Alright, do you guys have everything?" I turned to see Dakota and Logan muttering quietly between one another. While I wished I was part of the conversation, it was good to see them talking.

"Uh, yeah, I think so. Let's get going," Dakota said. And the quest began.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey guys! How is you summer going? Yesterday was my first day of summer, and I am so happy! Sorry this chapter is so short and lame... I've ben really busy helping my best friend with her Bat Mitzvah, which is today, so.... yeah! I've really missed you guys, but I am still going to be writing! I might not get much out htis weekend, just because I'm away, but all summer long, look forward to UPDATES!

Question of the Chapter: What should happen first on the quest?

XO!

~PercyAnnabeth20owl