Darkness & Sea Go Hand-in-Hand [Hiatus]

6

With water bottles packed, and a few snacks from the snack machine, the three were off on their way again.
They all sat in the boat cautiously; Annabeth rowing, Percy eating miniature cookies, and Nico looking down at the sand beneath the water.

Land wasn't so far away; far enough for the boat not to grind against the sandbar, but close enough to see some monsters hidden in the shadows.

"Ah," Percy sighed. "I was wondering where the dangers were when we got on the beach. Why didn't anything attack us?"

Nico used his sword to splash some of the water towards some of the eyes staring back at them, making then retreat.
"Whatever it was that poisoned the water, that poisoned you," Nico said, "might also poison whatever's on land..."
He drifted off, trying to think how something could be so dangerous to fend off monsters. but couldn't kill one of them unless they pushed themselves to use it, or had to drink it, possibly.

With a small laugh, that heald no amusement, Percy said "Gee, who ever could want to poison li'l ol' me?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Everyone, Percy." Nico answered, crossing his arms. "Literally everyone."

Percy scoffed and crossed his legs on his seat in the boat.
"Not Annabe-"

"Ya," she said, cutting him off. "There are moments."

Nico shrugged, smirking.

"I feel very much in danger right now." Percy said, pouting at the two.

After a moment, they had to laugh
Even Nico couldn't help but laugh a little.

Wiping a joyful tear from his eye, Percy suggested "You really should laugh more, Neeks. It's...kinda nice to hear."

Nico blushed and turned away, but he still smirked a little.
"Ya, no thanks. Don't get use to it, Jackson."

Annabeth shrugged.
"Even you could laugh every once and a while, Nico. But be careful, we don't want your face to crack before the quest is over."
She winked, and laughed a bit.

Nico mumbled curses under his breath and stared at the beach passing away from them, blending into woods.

---

By the time the sun was beginning to set, the trio were near the border of Mexico and Texas.

"Well," Nico said as he used the branch-oar to turn to land. "Dry land, here we come."

Using a stick pulled off of the branch to poke the water, Percy asked "Do you guys think the water is safer now?"

Nico shrugged.
"I'd wait. If it's not, well...you need your energy. In case we fall into danger or something."

Annabeth, tugging the loose hairtie out of her hair, pulling her tangled blonde locks back, she nodded.
"He's right, Seaweed Brain." She said, patting his knee. "Nico already has troubles enough protecting himself, let alone someone else, too. We don't know if the water's safe now, but we shouldn't take that risk."

Percy, scanning the ocean beyond, sighed.
"Ya," he agreed. "You're right. Let's just hope that if we have to go through water again, it's not poisoned."

As Nico brought them onto land, Percy stood, one foot on the rim of the boat, ready to jump onto land, which he did once the boat slid against the sand.

His fingers spinning Riptide's pen cap in his pocket, Percy said "Let's be careful. We could be wrong about this being the half way point."

Nico gripped the handle of his sword tightly, the flat of the blade against his shoulder. The splinter in the palm of his other hand still stung.
As hard as he tried, as much as he bit and pinched, the stupid tiny thing of wood smaller than an ant bothered him.