"Thanks Rital." He said facing me. For some reason, every time he said my name my heart skipped a beat. We sat in a calming silence for a while and just looked at each other's eyes. It wasn't awkward or anything, just relaxing.
Seth stood up breaking our eye contact and went to his bed wrapping himself up in his covers. "Goodnight." I said.
"Goodnight Rital."
~~~~~~~
That night, I slept like a rock. No nightmares, only memories.
I flustered my eyes open to see myself on a ship, a nice one. Then I realized I was on a cruise I went on a year ago with my dad. We never went on trips like this so I remember everything vividly. I walked towards the top deck and looked out towards the ocean. 'I wish I could be here right now, just enjoying myself.' I thought.
Everything went black and I opened my eyes to see myself back at school. Expect no one seemed to notice me. Then I saw myself, walking out of the cafeteria holding Kalen's hand.
Kalen was once my boyfriend, but then I caught him cheating on me with one of my friends. I hated him after it and wanted revenge on him so bad. But I soon let the beef I had with him die down and I eventually forgave him.
We started dating 2 years ago and broke up 8 months ago. I felt uneasy looking at myself with him so I pinched myself to wake up.
But I couldn't, I kept seeing more and more moments from my past, including what had happened with my uncle. I saw myself helplessly watching him freeze to death in front of my eyes, which scarred me for the rest of my life.
I woke up gasping for air and saw the sunlight spill into the room through the window. Seth was sound asleep still wrapped around in the covers. I stood up and went to the bathroom to wash of my face. I forgot to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste so I couldn't brush my teeth.
I walked out of the room and Seth was awake and packing up his bag. "I am going to call him." Seth said grabbing the phone provided in the hotel. I grabbed my backpack and set it on the bed.
"I am going to get more water." I said. Seth nodded and I went to the elevator.
I pressed the button to the lobby and felt an uneasy feeling. Like something was going to happen.
But nothing did, the door just opened to the lobby. I went to the vending machines they had there and got 4 bottles of water and decided to walk up the stairs instead.
Ever since me and Seth embarked on this quest, I have had an uneasy feeling that something was always coming for us. 'Is this how I am going to live the rest of my life? In paranoia?' I thought.
I got to the floor we were staying on and opened the door to the room. Seth was already ready to head out. I shoved the bottles in my backpack and went after him as he walked out the door.
We checked out of the hotel and I saw an old truck outside waiting for us. It was a rusty cooper and looked like it was about to break down. "That is our ride." Seth said. "I know it isn't the best but it is all we got right now."
I took a deep breath and we began to approach the truck.
I hoped in the backseat with Seth beside me and saw the driver. He was still young, maybe 17. He has wearing a red baseball cap and a jacket with Cleveland Brown on it. The truck itself smelled terrible, like he saw storing rotten fish inside. I tried not to breath through my nose but didn't want him to be offended. "I am Reggie," the boy said. "What is your name?"
"Um... I am Rital." I relied shakily. Seth patted my hand in comfort and took hold of my fingers. They interlocked and I blushed turning away.
Reggie noticed this looking through the rear view mirror. He smirked and started up the truck and began to pull out from the hotel. "So Rital," Reggie started. "How do you know Seth?"
I looked at Seth wondering what I should say. Reggie didn't seem to know Seth was a demigod. "We met at a summer camp." I replied. Seth nodded and gave me a small smile.
"Interesting. So do you live near here?" Reggie asked.
"I live up North forwards the West Coast." I answered.
"I heard what is happening over there. The new ice age. Tragic isn't it?"
"Ya, tragic."
We continued on the road in silent. Seth and Reggie began talking and catching up with each other. "Why are you guys going to New York?"
"Long story." Seth said.
"Okay then...so when did you two begin dating."
I looked at how we were holding hands and pulled away blushing. Seth chuckled and replied, "It isn't like that. Just close friends."
For some reason him calling me just his friend made me frown. Reggie then starting looking at me a lot through the rear view mirror making me feel uncomfortable.
I was slightly trembling and curled my legs up and buried my face into my knees. I leaned my head on the window and admired the fields we were passing by.
Our time was starting to run out. 'We had to save Khione fast.' I thought.