daylight | percy jackson

truck travels

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

BOOK ONE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

❝ you give off cheetah. ❞

IN THE dim glow of the diner's parking lot, Ares awaited their arrival. The group approached him with stern expressions, Percy seething with anger, and Aria shooting fiery glares.

"What was that stunt, Ares?" Percy spat out, his voice a low growl. "You knew it was a trap."

Aria, arms crossed, chimed in, "I don't remember signing up to be in a reality show rigged by the gods. Do you, Jackson?"

"No, I can't recall ever doing that either, Silvers," Percy replied back to her.

Ares, unapologetic, merely chuckled. "Did you get my shield?"

Percy reluctantly handed over the item, eyeing Ares with a glare. "Yeah, here's your precious shield."

Ares pointed across the street to a rugged looking truck. "That's your ride. It'll take you straight to LA, with a quick stop to Vegas."

The van had a large sign on the back that even Aria with her demigod dyslexia could make out. It read: KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL: HUMANE ZOO TRANSPORT: LIVE WILD ANIMALS.

"Oh my," Annabeth squeaked out.

"I feel ill," Grover added.

"Are you actually joking?" Percy asked.

"Guys, be honest, do I give off cheetah or giraffe vibes?" Aria pondered, and the group, including Ares, turned to look at her weirdly. Funny enough, Ares was the one to speak up.

"You give off cheetah," he said firmly.

"Thank you! I feel very cheetah," Aria replied.

"Can we go back to the fact that we are riding in a truck with freaking animals," Percy said, rather annoyed at Aria and Ares' interaction.

"It's a free ride west you little shit. Stop complaining."

Aria stepped forward, blocking Ares' path with a determined look. Annabeth shot her a warning glance, but Aria wasn't one to back down easily.

"Now that we've done your dirty work, Ares," Aria said, "you owe Percy some information about his mother. That was the deal."

Ares glanced back at her, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're a bold one, aren't you?"

Ignoring the comment, Aria crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "Spill it, or we're not going anywhere with your so-called ride."

Ares chuckled, seemingly amused by her audacity. He reached into his leather jacket and pulled out a small, blue bag. Tossing it to Percy, he said, "There's twenty bucks, some random food, a few drachmas, and fresh clothes in there. Consider it a parting gift."

Percy caught the bag, eyeing it suspiciously. "I don't want your lousy—"

Grover quickly stepped in, his voice dripping with gratitude, "Thank you, kind Ares. We appreciate your generosity."

Ares shot them a wry smile before turning to leave again. Aria, however, wasn't done. She took a step closer to him, her gaze unwavering.

"Now, the information," she demanded.

Ares sighed, clearly irritated but realising he had little choice. "Fine, Jackson. Your dear mother is alive. She was taken away before the Minotaur got to her. She was turned into a shower of gold, right? That's metamorphosis, not death. She's being kept."