We stopped at a gas station. It was a tiny place.

“Alright, let's see what Johanna put in our bags. Also get anything we need that she didn't put in them,” Mindy said.

“And Bobbie should change our of zir pjs. Ze looks like a hobo.” Bec laughed.

“Yeah, I should. Y'all go through my bag while I change, I guess?” I said.

Kore nodded at me. I grabbed my clothes out of the bag and left the others to go inside of the gas station.

It smelled like lemons inside and at the checkout counter was a chubby black lady. She was gorgeous. Like probably shouldn't be working in a gas station gorgeous.

“Hi. Where's the restroom?” I asked.

“In the back. Just take a couple more steps to the left and you should see it.” She said. Her voice was amazing; it sounded like a jazz singer’s voice had a baby with an angel.

“Thanks.” I said as I walked to where she said. The bathroom looked pretty okay. It was better than a Dollar General bathroom at least. I touched the mirror to make sure it wasn't one that could be seen through. Thank goodness it wasn't. I really wanted to change out of my pajamas which happened to be an oversized shirt with holes and a pair of fuzzy shorts. Not ideal to go on a quest wearing. The necklace that Hecate gave me was still on. I should probably keep it on.

When I exited the restroom, Kore was walking around the gas station, grabbing stuff.

“Hey. Where's Bec and Mindy?” I asked.

Kore looked at me and nodded her head towards the door. Bec and Mindy were outside, each holding throwing knives. They were laughing and hitting soda cans with the knives.

“Should they really have those out?” I asked.

“Yes, there only one mortal here.” Kore signed carefully as to not drop anything that was in her arms. Unfortunately a box of tampons fell to the ground.

“Do you want me to carry the stuff?” I asked as I picked the box up. Kore nodded when I stood up. She shoved everything into my arms; tampons, pads, chips, soda, water, beef jerky, and snack cakes.

“Damn. Did Johanna pack any food?” I asked.

“No. Some vitamins. Packed a lot of money. About a thousand dollars in each bag. Knew the Ravi twins rich but did not think they give us four thousand dollars.’ Kore signed before grabbing a pack of Oreos.

“So are you still fasting?” I asked.

Kore shook her head. “Break fast while travel.”

The woman smiled at us when we got to the counter.

“Road trip?” She asked.

“Yes, ma'am.” I said.

“My girlfriend loves road trips, me on the other hand prefer traveling by plane.” She said as she started to ring us up.

“Planes are nice if you feel safe thousands of miles off the ground.” I smiled.

“I feel safe anywhere. Perks of being a goddess.”

Kore and I both looked at each and then back at the woman.

“I'm Aphrodite. I'm here to help because well my girlfriend, Artemis, asked me to. There's a van parked out back. Take it instead of those bikes. It's a lot safer. Apollo says y'all are about to go on a hard quest,” She said.

“What?” I said.

“You heard me. Kore, take this stuff and go to the van with Mindy and Bec. I need to talk to Bobbie here.” Aphrodite shoved the junk into two large plastic bags. Kore took them and half ran out of the gas station. I guess when a goddess tells you to leave, you do so and you do it quickly.

“Listen here, you will have to make a choice between your sisters. Mindy or Megara. Listen to your heart. Find your own path if you can. Don't tell anyone I told you this. Also kiss the girl in the cell. Trust me, it'll be worth it,” Aphrodite said.

I blinked at her.

“Now go. And take your meds, Artemis told me to tell you that by the by.” Aphrodite smiled.

The van was a horrible shade of green.

Kore was in the driver's seat and Bec was in the passenger side, Mindy was probably in the back.

Mindy smiled when I got in. “So what did Aphrodite tell you?” She asked.

“To listen to my heart when the time comes for something,” I said. It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the full truth.

“Did she tell you what the something was?” Mindy asked.

“Nope. She was very vague about the whole thing.” I shrugged.

“Anything else?”

“She told me to take my pill. Did you see my meds in one of the bags?” I asked.

“Yup. I got them in my hoodie pocket, the bags are in the far back. Kore can you toss a drink back here?” Mindy asked. A soda hit her square in the chest.

“That was mean but thanks.” Mindy said before pulling out the pill bottle. I took them from her hand and proceed to take my meds. I put the bottle into the pocket of my cargo shorts. So glad I grabbed them.

Bec glanced back at us and then they turned on the radio; really loudly. I looked out the window and as we drove my eyes fell close.

A woman with green dreads picked me up. “I see you have grown. Adsila would have been so proud. Only four years old and so big.” She said.

“Ellen, you can't keep the child. You know why.” Another voice said.

“She's my niece!” The woman holding me yelled. Her name was Ellen.

“The child is dangerous. You can't raise her.”

Ellen pulled me close and held me tightly. “Zeus already took Minnie. My child and sister are dead because of him. Please. Apollo, please do not take Pam away from me.”

“Zeus is coming. He will kill Pam. Listen, I will give her to Macaria and Macaria will pretend to be you so that she will know you.” Apollo said.

“Apollo… no. Adsila may not have been my biological sister but we were true sisters. You know that. Please consider to let me raise Pam. Please.” Ellen was crying. A loud boom shook the room.

“I’m sorry Ellen, my love.” Apollo ripped me out of my aunt's arms. “Don't worry my little one, your mother will protect you. She has to.” He whispered to me. I was scared.

Apollo ran away from Ellen and behind us I heard Ellen's screams. I was crying. What was going on? Why was Auntie screaming? Was she okay?

“Bobbie! Wake up!” Mindy shook me awake. I stared at her and then I felt tears on my cheeks. The music was off and we were parked in front of a Walmart. Kore and Bec were standing outside.

“Hey.” I said.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Yeah. Just a bad dream.” Questions buzzed in my head. Who was the real Ellen?

“Plants were growing from your fingers. Kore got them off before I woke you,” Mindy said.

“Oh. Maybe I should start wearing weed killer.” I joked.

“Gross. Now we're actually going to buying some plants. Stuff with thorns and lots of seeds. Kore thinks you should practice your powers. Neither Kore nor Bec know about what the necklaces are and what they do.” Mindy said as she pulled a necklace out from under her shirt.

“Shouldn't this control my powers?” I asked, tugging on the little charm.

“I think it only holds it back but it's been years since you've really actually used them so your body is probably experiencing bursts of magic when you aren’t using energy.” Mindy said.

“Okay well I guess I won’t sleep for awhile. Of course I would probably d- Hey, how are you holding up? With the Allen stuff?” I put my hand on her shoulder. I made a mentally note to not make any dying jokes around her.

“I'm good at coping. Trust me. I miss Allen, but I have to move on. Ophiotaurus has appeared so I have to. The world could be in danger and it's my fate to be a hero,” Mindy said.

I frowned, “Being a hero doesn't mean you're not human.”

“Oh Bobbie, it does,” Mindy forced a smile, “we should probably get out. Kore and Bec are probably tired of waiting for us.”

“Yeah.” I opened the door. Best not to argue with her, after all I hardly knew her.

As soon as we enter the Walmart Bec said something about phones and took off. Mindy followed behind them to make sure they didn't do anything illegal. So it was just me and Kore going to the garden area.

“And then there were two.” I said.

Kore smiled. “Bec want cheap phones for emergencies.”

“Ah. That makes sense,” I said.

Kore nodded.

“So I have a question,” I said. Quadria was part nymph. Kore was part nymph.

“What?” Kore stared at me.

“Your mother visited me in a dream. She said she was a quarter nymph,” I said.

“It true. Me, Bec part nymph. Not affect us much since little bit of nymph DNA. No one told until after my mother was dead. No one told how raw our powers are.” Kore's hands and fingers shakes as she moved them.

“Raw?”

“Pure power. The less human, more power.”

“So we must be a pretty powerful group since Apollo is me and Mindy's ancestor.” I said. Kore looked at me. She looked alarmed for a second and then she nodded.

“Explains somethings. Your mom being oracle.”

I nodded. I guessed she was right. It explained somethings. But not everything.

No not everything.

“Hey, uh I'm going to the restroom, I'll meet back up with you in a bit,” I said. I had to be alone. I couldn't take all this.

Kore nodded and pointed at the outdoor area.

I walked away from her. Towards the front of the store and then out the door.

I ran to the car and poured out a bag. I grabbed some money, food, a knife, and water than stuff them into the bag.

I couldn't do this.

I'm not a hero.

I ran. I ran out of the Walmart parking lot and into some nearby woods. I just kept running. I had to get away and fast.

I turned towards where the road was and waited till I saw a car. It was a small blue car. I walked to the edge of the road and waved at them. Luckily they stopped. The driver was a black woman wearing a hijab and she was all alone. I took note of the lesbian flag on her keychain. Thank goodness.

“You need a lift?” She asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I just need to get away from here. And fast. My father kicked me out,” I lied.

“Hop in, I'm heading up to Washington DC.” The woman said.

“Thank you so much.” I said as I climbed into the backseat.

“So what's your name, hun?” She asked me.

“Jamie Bolt. Ze, zir pronouns please.” I half lied.

“I'm Meddie Grey. She pronouns.” She said. She smiled and touched her sunglasses before driving away from where we were. Driving farther from Mindy, Kore, and Bec.

I looked out of the window. I had ran. Was it wrong of me to run?

Meddie stopped in the middle of the road and I heard the locks click.

“What the hell!?” I said.

“Sorry, I lied but so did you. I'm Medusa.” She said with a smirk before doing a U turn over grass. She drove recklessly down the road at a horrible speed. I closed my eyes and hoped for death.

Soon the car stopped. I found myself back in the Walmart parking lot. Right next to the van. Mindy, Kore, and Bec were standing outside of it. Mindy was crying and Kore and Bec were talking in sign at a very fast pace.

They looked at the car I was in.

Medusa got out before she let me out.

“You four are looking for Athena aren't you?” Medusa said as she pushed me towards the trio.

“Yes. Yes we are.” Mindy sniffed. Fuck, I felt a bit bad about leaving. I barely knew her but I pitied her. Her dad was an ass and she lost a lot throughout her whole entire life.

“Well then, follow my car. Athena is at our house about five minutes from here.” Medusa smiled widely.

“So the rumors are true?” Bec asked.

“Are the rumors tire? Very much so, child of Hades. Now then, we must be off.” Medusa said before climbing into her own car.

“Hi, guys. Sorry.” I looked down at my feet.

“Just get in the van. Mindy, you go with Medusa.” Bec ordered. I looked at them. Why do they think they can boss me around? I mean I was getting into the van anyway but still. Bec was a few years younger than me. They shouldn’t talk to me in such a rude way, sure I ran off but I just had the most insane week.