Annabeth's Pov

Suddenly Allison (She didn't say her name but I guessed it was her name) came up to me, Grover and Percy.

-Thank you three for helping us hold Echdina back.

Allison said, she smiled gently. Allison was definitely Apollo's daughter, no doubt about it, only Apollo's children would have the appearance of the sun no matter how they smiled.
-No, it's nothing..thank you for saving me.

I said, still feeling the free fall sensation running down my spine, making me shiver.

-No, it's nothing. Don't worry, you guys did a great job.

Allison said and turned her head towards Percy and Grover. The two boys backed away a little.

-No need to back away like that. You two are great men. Thanks for telling us.

Allison said, putting her hand on Percy's shoulder as if it was a physical compliment, Percy was slightly startled by the compliment. I wondered what he had been through when he sent the Iris message to the Amazons. Now that I think about it, he did look a little shaken up when he came out of the bathroom.

Grover was no exception. When I met him before and told him about meeting Artemis's hunters, he seemed bright-eyed and cheerful. I guess he liked strong, independent girls, but now he seemed a little scared of the Amazons. Was there something that made a difference?
Elisa walked over to us, standing guard over Allison. She bowed her head, which surprised and startled me a little.

-I'm sorry for lying to you guys and luring you into a trap. Thank you so much.

Elisa said, I couldn't see your face but I guessed you had your eyes closed.

-It's okay, we know you didn't mean it and you always feel guilty about it.

Grover said, his expression and tone full of sympathy. I didn't need some Satyr's sympathetic link to understand how Elisa had felt during the trip.

- As the daughter of Nemesis, I will definitely repay you.

Elisa said, standing up straight. Her golden eyes were clearly moved.

I felt the pride that was rising in my heart quickly extinguished. I didn't play any role in this! The credit all belongs to Percy! Thinking of this, my face suddenly became hot with shame. There, the daughter of one of the big 3! And yet she was useless and even thrown down.
- No, it's nothing. Just take us to California.

I said and smiled nervously. I felt like I was a teenage girl with a social disorder. That kind of character is usually the main character in books, but how could I be the main character?
- If you three want to go to California, I can lend you this girl, Alisck.

Allison said, reaching for the pure white Pegasus beside her. I didn't know which was worse, riding a horse to California or being in a truck to New Mexico. And did any of us really know how to ride a horse? And horses tended to dislike me.

-Don't worry, Alisk is one of those well-trained horses. This girl will definitely get us to California and don't worry, she's better and faster than those truck beds.
Allison said, smiling gently, probably sensing my anxiety. Allison must have guessed that we were on a mission.

I turned to look at Percy and Grover. Percy was a little shaken and Grover was shaking all over. Needless to say, I knew they both had a bad experience.

-Yes, thank you.

Percy stepped forward, accepting the offer. Well, he wanted to finish the mission as soon as possible, huh? I suddenly remembered what he said on the bus. What happened to his mother? I was curious, but how could I ask someone I had just met 5-6 hours ago?

So, Grover, Percy, and I were given Alisk. I don't know why I was the first one to ride Alisk. We were also planning to take turns during the trip. Grover was shaking a lot. It was understandable, he was a satyr, being so far from the ground was definitely not fun.
I was picked up by Allison first (okay, it sounds weird, but that horse was taller than me). Wow, it felt like I had been on a horse for a long time. Next, Grover and Percy were picked up one by one. Grover clung to my shirt, and Percy clung to Grover's shirt. I felt like I had two little brothers! This thought made me chuckle a little inside.

I pulled the rope tight and rode Alisk up into the sky. The feeling of Alisk flying straight up I don't know if it was like a plane or not because I've never been on a plane but I felt my back lose some feeling and got some goosebumps. I tried to adjust so that Alisk could fly more steadily in the sky. The other two and I turned around and waved goodbye to the Amazons. Hopefully we'll see each other again.

And now we're in the sky. Awesome! My brain can't stop thinking about the worst scenarios like Alisk plunging down on us all to our deaths, Zeus striking lightning and us all turning into human flesh and roasted horses, etc. I was taught to ride a Pegasus a few years ago but it's been a while since I've ridden one and the last one I rode kicked me off its back after 10 minutes. And I haven't even considered riding a Pegasus since I learned I could Shadow Travel. Like, who wants to ride a horse instead of teleporting?

The plus point is that Alisk's fur is very soft. If she were a sheep and not a mythical creature, bed sheet and mattress merchants would want Alisk's fur.

Looking down, there's nothing special about it, I think you'll understand when you fly. But I have to admit, being this far from the ground is quite scary. I hope I tied my shoelaces properly, I don't want it to fall. I wonder what mortals would see, maybe a helicopter, a bird, a kite, just kidding, I think they'd see something more negative like a crow because I'm here.
I turned to look at Grover and Percy, their faces were pale. Neither of them wanted to look down. Maybe I should find a topic to talk about to make them less scared? What should I say? We didn't talk much on the train.

-Just now...thank you for being willing to risk your life to save us..

Percy said, his voice shaking slightly because he was still a little panicked but I could see the silent gratitude. So he really thought I would abandon them? I know Hades is portrayed in the media as a villain in Disney movies but to judge me so hastily just because I am Hades' child? I felt a little uncomfortable in my heart.

-It's okay, no one deserves to die anyway. You're still young.

I said, trying to sound mature and calling him a kid out of annoyance. I didn't think so at the time, but later I realized I was acting like a kid.

-Huh? Hey! You're only 12-13!

Percy said, laughing a little. I didn't understand what he was laughing about. (The me of 4 years later was covering my face because I understood what he was laughing about).
-Hey, is it safe to ride a flying horse without any safety gear like this..?? At camp, at least you tie the horse to keep it from flying too far..

Percy asked, looking a little worried because he saw Grover was also scared.

-I don't know. Probably not, but is anything in this mythical world safe? We just fought monsters.

I told him again. Percy nodded in agreement with me.

-By the way, when are we going to take a break?

Grover said, his voice still shaking but much calmer than before.

-Probably in the evening? After all, I don't have much energy left.

I said, that's right, I really don't have much energy left.

-But it's only early afternoon!? You dont have much energy left but still manage to ride until evening, are you sure? Are you a monster or something?

Percy said in a surprised voice. Actually, the Haephatus demigods was famous for their strength and power since they spent a lot of time hammering but Percy didn't have any muscle at all, if not quite skinny.

-I'm stronger than the average demigod. Being a child of one of the big 3 has its advantages (although the disadvantages are more).

I said while trying to control Alisk. Ugh, this girl doesn't like me at all, neither do horses.

It took me a while to think It's the middle of summer and Oh my god it's fucking hot, I'm still wearing my winter coat in case anyone's wondering (No, I'm not going to the underworld just for the clothes, you know). My body temperature is normally cold so it's fine underground but being this close to the sun...and it's the middle of summer. I try to focus the cold air towards me to cool myself down. It's the only thing I can do as a child of Hades.

- And why did you seem so nervous after sending the IM to the Amazons on the train? What did they say?

I asked Percy, I was curious myself and I think you were too, although everyone could guess why.

- Yeah, you didn't tell me why on the train either.

Grover said, his voice quite worried.
-------
FLASH BACK
------
Percy's pov

"Help!?" Why would Elisa ask for help again when she already asked for help?? And in Morse code too? It's like she didn't want to be found. Now that I think about it, wasn't that black box a little suspicious? Judging by her scent, Elisa was still a demigod... And that Chimera was unusually weak. Not that I wanted it to be stronger or anything, but it was just too unusual and easy. And that guilty, nervous, worried expression on her face...

Wait. Could it be that she was being threatened by something? That would certainly make more sense than whether she was really planning on swallowing us or was a monster in disguise. Could Elisa be the lightning thief? No no, what am I thinking, I should really stop suspecting everyone, it's completely impossible.

Elisa had also given the address of Amazon headquarters. If I were her, I'm not sure I would have been so specific. It seemed to reinforce the theory that Elisa was silently asking for help. Thinking of this, I looked up at Elisa's face inquiringly. Then she nodded. I was sure that neither of us had any kind of telepathy, but that was all it took for me to run to the bathroom.
I took a Drachma from my pocket. I turned on the faucet and threw it in.

-Please help me, Rainbow Goddess Iris. Um, Amazon Queen, Allison? Seattle, Washington.
This is my first Iris Message. Before I left, my new awesome half-brother Charles taught me some basics to make sure I'm still alive when I return.

The illusion screen blurred. In front of me was a blonde, slightly tanned woman who looked to be around 35-40 years old. I don't like people that much older than me, but I have to admit she's quite pretty. Elisa said she's Apollo's daughter, right?

Before I could say anything, a spear was pointed straight at my face by a black-haired girl standing next to the person I assumed was Allison. WHAT THE HELL!? I knew they were surprised and on guard and hated men but if this wasn't through an Iris message, I would be dead for sure!

-Miss- Calm down! I swear on the River Styx that I meant no harm!

I said with a trembling voice. I remembered Elisa's words so I made myself look weak and I was indeed trembling.

-Who are you!? What are you planning!? Who gave you the headquarters address!?

The black-haired girl asked with a murderous intent that I could feel just from a flickering illusion. Allison, on the other hand, seemed quite calm. I suddenly remembered Gabe's face after losing a card game and drowning in alcohol, ugh, that image made me shiver and it was hard to calm down

-Yes..I'm Percy Jackson, Son of Haephatus..um, Elisa Whitehead told me the address..
I answered hesitantly because I was still shivering at the image that was in my mind.
-Elisa Whitehead? Why would she give you the address!?

The black-haired girl became more agitated, making me panic even more. I didn't understand why, I didn't remember being so scared when I faced Medusa or Minotaur but now standing in front of this woman..

-She said that while she was delivering the goods, she was attacked by Echdina..yes.

I said. Then I saw both of their faces change. The black-haired girl seemed to become more violent, about to say something that I definitely didn't want to hear.

-I swear on the River Styx that I am not lying..If I am lying, you can do whatever you want to me..

I said softly. The black-haired girl still seemed to want to shout something at me.

-Come on, Sloane. This kid doesn't seem to be lying. And if he is, we'll have other ways to punish him other than yelling at him. It's too early to assume this kid is lying just because he's a boy. So let's explain.

Allison said. Her voice was like a bell. And she had saved me.I quickly explained everything to them.

-Huh, really? Thanks for telling us. We'll be there soon. And don't be so scared, Sloane isn't usually like that.

Allison said with a smile. Then I turned off IM. I walked out of the bathroom. Why was I so scared? I wondered. Maybe it was because I've been so nervous lately that I got easily agitated and that Sloane girl... I wonder if she's Gabe's relative. But never mind, I don't want to think about this anymore.

I took a breath and walked out of the bathroom. When I came out, I saw Chase looking at Elisa, she seemed to feel bad for the black-haired girl whose last name was "whitehead". I wondered if I should tell Chase. I didn't trust her completely, she was suspicious but I didn't think she was a completely bad person either. Was it too hasty to judge Chase as untrustworthy because she was the daughter of Hades? I sat down next to Grover.
-------
FLASHBACK ENDED
-------
-Um, it's nothing.

Percy's eyes darted away. I wondered why.