Apollo's Prophecy (Book One)

Chapter One

Hello! I thought it'd be nice if I uploaded two chapters this week since the first was just a Prologue. Let me know what day you think is best for me to do my weekly uploads! I hope this can be something to look forward to during these times. I know it serves as a great distraction from me and the fact that my wedding is most likely going to be cancelled due to this, but escaping into the world of fiction and fantasy is helping me greatly! Anyway, enjoy and please leave me feedback / correct any mistakes you find :) - Amy

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     Danika arrived in Athens late at night and was slightly disappointed she hadn't landed before sunset. The small white bus waited for the last group of students in the taxi pickup area. A majority of the students would have already arrived a few days earlier, but the tickets were cheaper for this night and Danika knew it wasn't fair to make her parents pay extra money so she could have more time to smoothly adjust to the timezone.

     Lugging her pink suitcases behind her, Danika made her way onto the bus that thankfully had an English sign on it. It is a course taught in English after all, she thought before smiling at older gentleman who was sitting on the bus steps.

     "Hello, I'm Danika Warren. Is there somewhere I can store these or do I just bring them onto the bus with me?" she motioned to her luggage. The bus was empty so she didn't mind carrying them up.

     For a moment, the man looked at her as if he had just seen a ghost. His eyes watched her as he appeared to be contemplating something, but quickly shook his head and smiled. "I can help you with that." His accent was very easy to understand. "The others were supposed to arrive a few hours ago, but their plane was delayed so they only landed recently."

     Danika nodded and smiled at him as he carefully put her luggage away in the storage compartment of the bus.

     "Oh, how silly of me to forget to introduce myself! My name is Harold. My last name is much too hard for anyone to pronounce so I won't bother with that," the driver explained.

     "Well it's very nice to meet you, Harold," Danika smiled before shaking his outstretched hand. She marvelled at his bulging muscles. He looked very strong for his age.

     "They're still here!" A girl's voice sounded from behind the new acquaintances, making them turn.

     "I told you we'd be fine," the boy spoke as they jogged towards the bus with their luggage. He shared several features with the girl.

     "You must be Julie and Marcus," Harold said with a warm smile. The pair smiled back and nodded. "I'm Harold, your bus driver for the summer. Let me put your bags under the bus and we can head over to the hotel you'll be staying at for the time being."

     Danika smiled. "Hi, I'm Danika," she introduced herself to the duo, sticking out her hand.

     "I'm Julie and this is my twin brother Marcus," the girl responded, her accent showing through more now that she wasn't running.

     "Are you from New Zealand?" Danika asked.

     The twins looked surprised.

     "Finally someone guesses right instead of assuming we're Aussies," Marcus replied. "You know we're better at rugby? We just beat them for the cup!"

     Danika laughed and the trio made their way into the bus, sitting near the front so they could get to know each other and keep Harold company.

***

     Danika frantically ran through the small streets with a map in her left hand. The add-on for her cellphone plan that would allow her to call her parents every now had practically cost an arm and a leg, so data was a luxury she couldn't afford.