A Game of Promises

Chapter 15: Flood

Leo's POV

This sucks.

So first off, my memories are all foggy. So that's bad. And then I get to participate in the MOTHER FREAKING DEMIGOD GAMES. That's bad too. And then, why not make Leo's life even more miserable by sending a lunatic chasing him through the forest when Leo doesn't run!!!!!!!!

So, in all, this sucks.

I'm gasping for breath as I run into yet another tree. It seems like the Earth hates me for some reason. The girl behind me has almost caught up, but I keep running.

Wait a minute, Leo. Don't you have what we call "special powers"? Couldn't you have stopped twenty minutes ago and burned this lunatic? Idiot.

Dang, I'm an idiot. Good thing every once in a while my brain decides to provide me with some helpful information that I could have used ages ago.

I stop and turn around. The girl has dark hair that looks like the ends are dipped in blood. She fingers a knife as she looks at me with menacing blue/gray eyes.

"Finally grew tired of running, eh? I'll make it a short death."

She throws a knife directly at my face. I burn it and by the time it reaches me, it's just a pile of ashes.

"Now, now, none of that," I wag my finger at her. "Playing dirty won't get you any friends with the other kids."

She scowls at me and throws another knife. I burn it again.

"Sorry to rain on your knife throwing parade, but I have places to go, people to see. So, bye," I try to walk off, but Miss. Scary Pants isn't through.

"The only way I'll get out of this place is by winning. The way to win is to kill. You'll be my first, but definitely not my last."

I hold my hands out. "Timeout, lady. Could I at least get your name before you kill me, maybe your number?"

She scowls again, but a little softer this time.

"Bella. And 1-800-DEATH."

"Huh. Catchy. One minute."

I pretend to write her number one my arm, but I'm actually doing (gasp) math. There's a tree branch directly above her head that looks weak. I'm hoping to knock it on her head.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a glint of metal flying towards me. I hit the ground and the knife goes soaring above my head.

"Too slow," I say.

She gives a defiant shout and throws another knife. I deflect it and shoot a burst of flames above her.

She gives a laugh.

"Ha! You missed, son of Hephaestus. You missed-"

The branch comes tumbling down and lands on top of her. She falls and I don't stick around to see if she's dead. I run out of there.

When I realize that I've done more exercise now then the rest of my life, I stop. No one is around me, so I figure that I'm safe for a little bit longer.

I sit down under a tree to rest. I close my eyes just for one second. Or two.

When I open my eyes, the sky is orange. Sunset. I hear a rush of water. I didn't know there was a waterfall here. I turn around and almost scream.

There is a giant tidal wave and it's coming towards me fast.

"Oh Sweet honey iced tea," I say.

And then I run out of there.

Yay! Even more running. My brain complains.

Shut up, trying to survive here.

I dodge logs and branches and trees. My fire power isn't any help against a wave of water.

I keep running and see two other tributes doing the same. One has curly blonde hair and the other has choppy brown hair. Both are girls.

Stop checking them out, Leo. You have a job to do and that job is to SURVIVE.

I turn to look at the wave and I see that it's gotten narrower. The brunette is running closer towards me and the blonde is on the other side of her.

"I found some water, Annabeth!" The Beauty Queen shouts. Not that I know why I chose Beauty Queen to represent her. It just suits her.

"No freaking way!" says the other girl.

Then the wave comes closer. Another boy comes near us. He has black hair and greenish eyes.

The wave falls on all of us. I take a deep breath before I get pulled under. I grab Beauty Queen's hand before we submerge. We swirl through the water, leaves floating as well. Right when my lungs are about to collapse, the water becomes shallow and I stand up, one hand still in my own.

I stand up with Beauty Queen and gasp for air.

"Well that was fun," I say with a falsely bright attitude.

There's no sight of the other two who were with us. The girl seems to notice it as well.

"Where's Annabeth? I had her hand in mine, but then she was pulled away from me..."

"It's all cool, I bet she's fine. You're alright too."

She snorts at that comment.

"Well than, Beauty Queen, maybe I'll leave you for the next wave to kill you."

"Beauty Queen?" Her eyes narrow as if she's concentrating hard.

"Yeah, I don't know your real name, so it's Beauty Queen."

"It's actually Piper. Piper McLean, daughter of Aphrodite."

"Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus. Let's fill up with some water, go to sleep, then in the morning, find this friend of yours, okay?"

"Alright."

We fill up our bottles and search for a safe place to spend the night. We situate ourselves in a tree, tied to it with Piper's rope. Before I fall asleep, voices float through my mind.

That didn't happen.

I swear I'll come back for you, Calypso. I swear it on the River Styx.

And lastly, Piper's voice came.

Being a hero doesn't mean you're invincible. It just means that you're brave enough to stand up and do what's needed.