Chapter 5: Departure

As his father bid him farewell, Adan rode the elevator back down, hoping all the while that his mother would manage without him. It was difficult for him to leave her behind, but he couldn't risk putting her in danger.

Pulling out his phone, Adan opened Google Maps to plot the fastest route to Virginia Beach. The magnitude of his impending journey hit him like a tidal wave, his eyes widening as he realized just how far he had to go. The distance alone was daunting; a solo drive to Virginia Beach would take him a staggering 20.5 hours.

Before setting off, Adan made his way to the nearest ATM, grimacing as he checked his meager account balance of 212 dollars. It was all his family had managed to save for him, and it wouldn't stretch far on such a journey. With a heavy sigh, he withdrew the remaining funds and headed to a grocery store around the corner, stocking up on food and drink. Stepping back outside, the harsh reality of his situation came crashing down upon him.

"If that monster caught my scent, I need something to keep it at bay," he thought to himself. Determined, he made the difficult decision to resort to theft if needed. He needed the money for his journey, and he needed something to throw the monsters off his trail. Walking along the street, he stumbled upon a peculiar shop: Aphrodite's Beauty Emporium. Drawing upon his general knowledge, he recognized Aphrodite as the goddess of love. Casting a wary glance around to ensure he wasn't being followed, he cautiously entered the store.

Inside, the shop appeared much larger than it did from the outside, with white marble columns and ornate flooring giving the interior an ancient Greek aesthetic. Rows of shelves stacked with products lined the space, and Adan spotted three young-looking employees tending to the organization and cleanliness of the store. He greeted one of them as she approached, maintaining a calm exterior while inwardly bracing himself and formulating an escape plan should the need arise.

Making his way to a shelf displaying various perfumes, he surveyed the array of peculiar-looking bottles before settling on a spray can labeled "Poof, I'm Gone." Reading the description on the back, he learned that a single application would render him undetectable to monsters for six hours. Grabbing the can, he proceeded to the checkout counter.

Another employee greeted him and jokingly suggested he pay by cutting off a finger. Startled, Adan's heart skipped a beat before the employee reassured him it was just a jest, acknowledging that they didn't get many visitors and were aware of his demigod status. She then informed him that the spray costs one drachma. Adan looked up, internally pondering what a drachma was, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out 15 drachmas along with a note that read: "You might find these useful, dear Apollo." Smiling, knowing his father hadn't entirely left him helpless, he handed one drachma to the woman at the counter. She accepted it with a nod, wishing him a pleasant day.

With the spray can in hand, Adan stepped out of the store, applying it before making his way towards the subway. Though he had reservations about using the subway, he knew it was safer than being on the streets, where monsters lurked. As he descended into the depths of the underground with a deep breath, he steeled himself for the journey ahead, determined to reach Camp Half-Blood no matter the obstacles in his path. He joked to himself, hoping it would all turn out fine, right?