"Okay, come on, Rubylia and Sam. I don't think that Oceanus can come, though. I'm sorry, but 3 is the sacred number of the gods. I'm really sorry, but maybe another quest." The three took one last look at the camp, and set off to go to California. "Argus, take us to Downtown Manhattan, please!" We all filed into the bus, and the smell of fresh strawberries overwhelmed us.

"Argus, stop the bus. Now." I told everyone to be quiet and got out of the bus. We were on an alleyway, and there was something big in there. I turned around, and Sam and Rubylia were standing next to me, weapons at the ready. I clutched my hair pin, and it soon grew into a bow, with a quiver full of arrows. (instead of a sword, it's a bow.) We rounded the corner, and a Laistrygonian Giant was eating week-old shrimp out of someone's garbage. I notched an arrow, and aimed at his head. It flew gracefully, and landed between the eyes, so he looked like a giant, shrimp eating, unicorn. Sam and Rubylia drew their swords and began to take close combat, and I grabbed mine and joined them. He was soon a goner, and I sheathed my sword and acquired my bow.

"Okay, now that we got that problem solved, let's get to the airport! The easiest way of quick transportation! Does, uh, anyone have any cash? I got twenty dollars and ten golden drachma." Katie and Rubylia fished around in their backpacks, and together, we forged together thirty dollars, three bus tokens, and a coupon to Starbucks. "Well, that's just great! We'll be lucky to get to downtown Manhattan with this money!" We asked Argus for some cash, but he nodded no. Well, I guess we're hiking. Make sure you have good hiking boots, 'cause were going cross country. Argus, please take us as far as you'll go, west please!" I prayed to all the gods, even minor. We would need all the help we could get.

"Great. Just great." I mumbled as I switched my Converses for some hiking boots. I clutched my necklace, and looked at the pic of my dad. I missed him so much, but I just hated my step-mom. She thought that it was my fault of all the monsters, gods, goddess, and weirdos who stop at our house. We piled into the van again, and set off for the biggest journey of my life.

CAPTCHA: prom He got party fever! 

"We're okay, Lily!" I popped into the shield picture, and showed her our surroundings. We were in a little ditch, with trees all around us. Katie decided we should camp here, then went on and on about how the level of the ditch would keep us from floods, (like that would happen!) the smell of the pine cones would cover our scent, (that I was glad about) and how there was a burger place across the street (thank you Zeus!). We set up our sleeping bags, and somehow Rubylia had managed to fit a miniature tent in her backpack. (I wonder if she had tooth paste?). We had set up our camp, and Rubylia and I cooked a little dinner of squirrels and berries while Lily and Katie chatted. 

"Rubylia, Katie, wake up. It's time to figure out where to go next. I just finished my watch, and I think I hear something." At that, they woke up instantly and grabbed their weapons. We crept out of the tent, and heard a rustle in the bushes. Katie took out her bow, since it didn't make a glow, and notched an arrow. She aimed the arrow, and out walked a teenage guy, sandy hair, khaki pants, and a t-shirt. He had an awesome smile, and looked at Katie a particular. "Lord Apollo?" She asked, lowering her bow. "That's right, Katie. I prefer a bow, too. Up, haiku coming!

"Katie uses bows.

Everyone loves Apollo.

I am so awesome."

"H-Hi Lord Apollo!" I stammered. "Uh, what are you doing here? It's almost sunrise!" I looked up to the East, but there was no sun. All the New Yorkers were probably thinking that the world was gonna end. I saw a light flicker on the shield, and Lily's face appeared. "What are you doing here, Lord Apollo?" I repeated. Lily nodded, and canceled the message. "I heard you were in town, and wanted to help you." A bright light started to shine, and we averted our eyes. A red sports car appeared, but then he clicked the car keys, and it turned into a van. We climbed into the van, and off we were. "Lord Apollo, why are you helping us?" Katie asked. "Well, your little friend Sarah joined the Hunters, and my lil' sis Artemis said that Sarah sensed that something was wrong with a friend. She gave me a call, and, well, here I am! Now, do you want a ride, or do you?" He climbed into the van, not waiting for an answer, and instantly we were burning up. "I don't think that the van had an air conditioning, does it?"

(Where is everyone????????)

"Thank you, Lord Apollo." I grabbed Katie's arm, 'cause she was starting a long conversation with Apollo about the history of bows, and why they're better than swords. "Katie, we really have to go!" She finally got up, and the three of us left the bus. We were in Louisiana, because, well, I just knew we were in Louisiana, I just had a feeling. "What do we do know?" Katie asked.

"Rubylia, what do you think we should do?"