My toes curled over ice glazed grass, gripping myself to the floor as if not to fall. Cold air breezed passed me, cooling the tears on my cheeks and sending my hair flying in the wind. I shook the hair out of my eyes, disregarding the pounding headache growing in my brain. Where was I? The last thing I remembered...
The necklace. Oh Gods, the necklace.
My hand ran over my neck, expecting to feel the cool chain of the necklace. It was met with just freezing skin.
I furrowed my brows, and looked at my surroundings. I was standing in the middle of a field, snow falling everywhere except where I stood. The grass was ice cold, and I was barefoot despite it. I took a step, and noticed the falling fabric of a dress on my legs. The same dress from the night I got claimed. I had left this back in the Demeter cabin, didn't I?
I tilted my head up and observed the sky. Snow fell everywhere but above me. Where it wasn't snowing, the sky was was pitch black-like twilight. Where snow fell, it was as bright as the sun. My confusion grew, and I continued to walk through the field. The snow averted itself as my feet walked through it, and at that moment I felt like Moses parting the red sea.
My hands shook as I walked aimlessly through the field. Something about this seemed familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.
"Cash? Gwen?" I asked the emptiness. Silence answered my question, and I pursed my lips.
Suddenly up ahead, I noticed something walking toward me. It was walking steadily, not like a monster who wanted to rip me apart. As it got closer, I noticed it was most definitely had a feminine body shape. The snow around me was falling more forcefully as the person walked. I stopped in my tracks, reaching for the bracelet on my wrist. That, too, was gone. Goosebumps rose on my skin, but it wasn't from the cold. It was from the fear.
The figure got closer, and I recognized who is was instantly.
"Mom?" I croaked out.
This wasn't Katrina, but my birth mother, Demeter. Her blonde hair was twisted in a braided bun, with lilies of the valley weaved in and out. Her blue eyes were wide like her smile. She wore an identical dress to mine; thin, white fabric with imprints of flowers. Her's had a single strap going over one shoulder, while mine was long sleeved. She was beautiful.
"My girl," Demeter said.
Her smile was contagious; I couldn't help but mirror it back. As Demeter pulled me into a hug, I couldn't help but melt into it. I fit into her embrace like it was meant to be. Katrina never hugged me like this before. I buried my nose in her shoulder; she smelled like fresh soil, ripe fruit, and pungent flowers all rolled into one. How she smelled so nice, I didn't know.
Demeter pulled away, disappointing me a little bit. We were very close, and I could see she was wearing no makeup at all.
"You are so beautiful," she said as she pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear. I could say the same thing about her.
I blushed, and looked down at my bare feet. "Do you always treat your kids so nice?"
Demeter smiled. "Only the ones destined for greatness."
My smile widened. "I'm destined for greatness," I repeated. Saying it didn't make it seem any more real.
"That you are."
I broke eye contact for a second to look at my surroundings. "Where are we?" I asked.
"In a dream. I couldn't see you in person, it wouldn't be wise."
A dream, I should've guessed. This was the same field from the first dream I had. I'm not sure why I didn't figure it out sooner. The multi-colored sky, for one, would be the number one clue. Suddenly, I felt odd and I didn't know why. Why was I asleep? I don't remember falling asleep. What were Cash and Gwen doing?
"I'm sorry, ma'am... can you wake me up?" I asked her. Was it polite to call a goddess mom? I didn't want to take any chances. My subconscious brought up the fact I was a total brat to Hades. I was lucky I wasn't turned into one of his undead guards.
Demeter shook her head violently, yet her hair stayed perfectly in place. "I need to tell you something. It's very important for your quest."
I licked my lips and nodded. "Anything."
"Okay, great." Her smile disappeared, and she exhaled. "I know about your deal with Hades."
My blood ran cold. Oh Gods, no. How did she know? WIth wide eyes, I spat out: "I'm- I'm sor- please. I didn't-"
"Yvette, it's nothing. In fact, I want you to go through with it."
My head snapped up in surprise. "What?!"
My mother's face turned sinister at that, and she let her head fall to her shoulder. Blonde bangs fell over her eyes, and she didn't a thing to move them out of the way. Her smile widened as she looked down at me. Through the slits of her bangs, I witnessed her eyes turn sky blue in their entirety.
My mouth turned dry, and I tried to swallow the ball that was in my throat. "What-"
"Don't you see, Yvette?" Her voice echoed throughout the empty field. But it wasn't just her voice. On top of it, was a man's; deep and husky. The grip on my shoulders tightened, and Demeter licked her lips. "Let me complete my mission. Let me make the Earth anew. You and I-we can make this world better...under my control."
I struggled underneath the grip I was under, but it was no use. This monster was not letting go. "You are not my mother. My mother wouldn't let you-whoever you are-destroy the world."
Demeter's eyes narrowed. A deep growl formed out of the pit of their throat, making me grit my teeth. I shook my head and thrashed under their grip. The thought of being in this place made my stomach churn, my throat close up, my body shake. This couldn't be happening. My limbs had minds of their own; kicking, punching, slapping. I pinched my eyes shut to avoid looking at the blue eyes in front of me.
"Wake up, Vet. Wake up, Yvette. Wake up! WAKE UP!"
I was shaking. Literally. bouncing up and down wherever I was. Snapping my eyes open, I was met with the lovely view of an upside down landscape. It was dark, but the moon illuminated the surroundings with it's bright light. Confusion washed over me, until I realized I was being carried-bridal style. I lifted my head, wincing as an ache in my neck spread across my body.
Gwen had determination on her face as she ran; her brow was furrowed, her front teeth gnawing on her bottom lip, dark brown hair down and framing her oval face. A deep slash was under her right eye, blood threatening to fall onto my jean jacket. It was a wonder how she was carrying me, judging by the fact I was around five inches taller than her and how she had bruises and cuts painted on her skin. Gwen's eyes flickered to mine, and her eyes narrowed.
"Now you decide to wake up?" She asked, hopping over a larger pile of snow.
"What happened?" I asked, gripping onto the older girl's arm for support.
Gwen simply huffed, and slowed down. Finally, she stopped at a bus-stop bench, setting me on the floor. I slumped down on the bench, cradling my head in my hands.
"What happened?" I repeated, this time more stern. My head was pounding, although I wasn't sure if it was because of my head slamming against Gwen's muscular arm or the dream I had. How often were demigods supposed to have dreams? Vivid, scary dreams. My eyes burned at the thought and sobs were threatening to escape my body.
Gwen readjusted her backpack, glancing left and right. "To make it short: I found... Cash, crying, slumped on a tree. I was going to grab him and go when we heard your screams." Gwen's lips went into a tight line. Regret and... sadness? Yea, sadness. Her eyes were filled with both emotions. "We thought you were being killed. Your screams were-were blood curdling. It was dreadful."
Gwen and I made eye contact, and for the first time since we started this quest, I felt that she really cared for me, in a way.
Gwen shook her head, sending her thick hair flying in the wind. "We rushed to find out what happen, and we found you passed out in the snow. Not bloodied, or hurt, or even dead. Just unconscious. So Cash scooped you up, and we walked until we found a Motel 6. That's where we were until tonight. You slept for a day, by the way."
A groan slipped out of my mouth. "You are telling me we have two weeks to find Persephone?"
"Seems like it," Gwen said, brushing the snow off her Hunter's jacket. She was hiding something from me, and she didn't even go into detail about her cuts and bruises.
Something seemed odd. Wait, something was definitely odd. I snapped my head up, and looked around. Oh Gods. Where was Cash and why was Gwen so beat up? My mouth went dry as I looked up at the older girl. "Where is Cash? Why were you carrying me and-and running. What really happened?"
Gwen's face went pale. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. It was very likely she was trying to figure out what to say next.
We waited in silence for a few seconds. The sound of snow falling whistled in our ears, and even my jacket didn't keep the cold from seeping into my bones. I tugged the fabric closer to my body, hoping for the best as to what was going to come out of Gwen's mouth.
"An hour ago-I guess-someone knocked on our room door," Gwen pinched her eyes shut, shaking her head. "I could tell it was a monster before I opened the door, and I don't know why I let it happen. We hurried to get our weapons, but by the time I opened the door... "
Gwen didn't continue, instead, she sat on the bench with me, digging her nails into the fabric of her jeans. Her facial features were still, almost in shock. Gwen shook her bag off her shoulders. The black survival bag fell into the snow, coating the surface with wetness.
"What next?" I asked. I found myself hoping for the best, but in a world of Greek Gods and monsters, anything could happen.
"It was an Anemoi Thuellai-a storm spirit. The same kind that attacked you the day you arrived at camp. It took us off guard; we were asleep when it began knocking. In all my years of fighting monsters, I'd never dealt with one of those before. None of us have. They haven't been seen since the war with Gaea, and even then the numbers of them were scarce. I had never seen something with that much... power. And it's e-eyes were so menacing." Gwen fiddling with her thumbs. Her eyes were vacant as she recalled what had happened only an hour before.
I placed a hand on her shoulder, urging the daughter of Aglaea on. Gwen glanced at the hand, but didn't do a thing to shake it off.
"What happened to Cash?" My voice cracked with sadness. The verge of tears that were caused by my dream now were replaced by the fate of Cash.
"The monster had already destroyed the room, and we hadn't even damaged it. We were trying our best to keep you safe, and not get ourselves killed. Finally, Cash told me to take you and run. So I did. And... I don't know what happened after that."
My eyes widened. In shock, my hand fell limp off of Gwen's shoulder. "What?"
"I told you what happened."
"You left him?" My voice came out in a whisper. Cash Washington, the son of Hermes with super speed, would be here by now, wouldn't he? If he did in fact defeat the storm spirit. But what did Cash have beside two swords? Yes, he could dodge the blow, but what else could he do? Gwen had the upper hand; she had countless weapons, poisons, years of experience. And yet she left Cash. Left him there to... to die.
Anger washed over my features, warming my body from the harsh cold. This girl left my only friend to die. He was dead and I had no one left. My family was gone, the last bit of support was left at camp, my mother had gone insane. Cash was the only good thing that happened to me in a long time; my near death experience getting to Camp Half-Blood, the endless training, getting sent on this quest. The quest that might be doomed. This quest that required old friends and new. But at this point, I don't think I had any left.
I shot up from the bench, turning my shaking hands into fists. I glanced around, looking for my bag or my sword. But the only thing Gwen had was her bag. Typical.
"What are you looking for?" Gwen asked, eyeing me strangely. Her face softened. "You're angry."
A hiss escaped my clenched teeth, and I narrowed my eyes at Gwen. "I am angry. How did you figure that out?" I knelt down into the snow, yanking Gwen's bag up and unzipping it.
"What are you doing?" Gwen asked, curiosity marking her voice. I grimaced, and began digging through her bag. Gods, this thing was like a blackhole. I'm not sure it had an ending.
"What are you looking for?" Gwen said. She stood up, and knelt toward the bag.
"My dad's sword. I bet you left that there too." I muttered, continuing to rummage through Gwen's bag. Nothing, it wasn't there. I didn't trust using Gwen's weapons, I needed something that I already had handled before. I glanced up at Gwen, who was playing with the bow strapped around her back.
At least I had Álikos to defend myself. I was going to get Cash, no matter what weapon I had. I stood up, wincing at that snow that had seeped through my jeans. I began walking in direction of where we came, but Gwen grabbed my arm.
"Where are you going?" She asked. She wasn't her usual sarcastic self this time. In fact, she seemed cautious and worrisome.
"I'm going to go get Cash, you're welcome to come; but since you left him, I don't think you'd enjoy it," I snapped. This took Gwen off guard, and her hand fell from my arm.
I gave her a final glare, before turning around.
"You're leaving me?" Gwen croaked from behind. I pursed my lips, and glanced over my shoulder.
Gwen looked heartbroken, different that she normally looked. I didn't understand; she had no problem leaving Cash but when I leave her, she suddenly regressed back to a toddler? No. I wasn't letting her get the best of me. Not today, not tomorrow, not in a month when (hopefully) this quest is over.
"You can't leave," Gwen stated. "Not like your grandmother did to me. I won't let that happen again." Her words oozed poison, like the kind she used to coat her arrowheads.
I spun around. "What are you talking about? What did my grandmother ever do to you?!"
Gwen scrunched up her nose, anger riddling her face. "You won't leave." Her words were transfixing, beckoning me to stay. "You won't leave," she repeated. Her voice was louder, more in control. Like a teacher trying to calm down rowdy students. My face relaxed. She was right, I couldn't leave her. I wouldn't I had to stay.
Gwen smiled at my reaction; a smirk that seemed sinister but almost looked relieved. As she inched closer to me, something in my head snapped. No, I wasn't going to stay. I-I... wait.
"No," I said, closing my eyes. "No!"
Gwen's face fell.
"You're using charmspeak on me," I croaked. "Why?"
Gwen said nothing, and I shook my head. "Get away from me," I said. "I'm going to find Cash, and I bet we can do this quest without you."
Before I let her say another word, I turned around and marched toward the motel. I couldn't let emotion get to me, not like this. Cash was the top priority. I just hoped this snow wouldn't kill me by the time I found it
~
Snow will be the death of me.
It was storming. Hard. Shielding my eyes from the snowfall only obstructed my vision further, and when I wasn't doing that I was trying to get my boot out from the ice's grip. If the world was going to be like this forever... then the world wasn't going to last very long.
I hugged my body, but it wasn't warming me up in the slightest. My teeth chattering distracted me some from the cold, but not enough. On the bright side, my mind was preoccupied by the freezing temperatures, and not the burning sensation of my bladder. The last time I peed was at Nico and Will's house, and that was oh so long ago. Oh Gods, now I'm thinking about it. Maybe-
No.
I'm not peeing in the snow.
I trekked forward, ignoring all the things wrong with this current situation. Passersby would probably be confused: why was a teenage girl alone at midnight in the middle of a snowstorm? Yep. By the grace of the Gods, it would be wonderful to have someone pick me up right now.
I signed to myself. What had Percy said to me, talk to the Gods? Well, I was alone now. Nobody would give me sympathetic looks for talking to myself. Who knows how many minutes it'll take me to get to this motel, might as well talk to my great-grandparents.
I licked my lips, embarrassed already. "So... Poseidon. Or do I call you Great-grandpa? No, sorry. That's a mouthful." I laughed awkwardly, and continued. "I'm not really sure what to say here. Is it alright if I vent to you? You probably have better things to do with your time, dealing with this snow and all, but I really need to let out this pent up anger." I placed a hand in my pocket, feeling the fabric of the beanie I put in there when we visited Hades. What a god sent. Pulling the beanie on, I continued: "I think I might die on this quest, and I don't know why. Either... either we don't stop my mom and she freezes everything to death, or a monster rips me limb from limb.
"It's not just that either, my family will die too. My friends... my dog, Buster. Everyone will die because of me," I stopped as tears fell down my face. "And I want to do good on this quest, not just for the world, but for you-my family. I want you and Ares to be proud that I was created with your help. I want my mother, Demeter, to know that the world is saved because I what I did... If Zeus lets her off easy. I want my brother, Arthur, to not see me as some sort of pest and I want Gabe to not be scared of what I am. Most of all, I want my little sister to grow strong and proud and not some sort of adopted daughter of Hades."
I stopped to regain myself. I was standing in the middle of snowstorm, talking to a god who may not be listening to me. Was that pathetic? I rubbed my face with my mittened hands, cleaning up the tears that dirtied it.
"Give me strength, Poseidon. Please, give me strength."
I exhaled, and marched forward.
After around ten more minutes of walking, I spotted it. The great big building that probably had seen its fair share of criminal activity; most likely felonies, and not misdemeanors. The Motel 6 greeted me with it's flickering lights, it's lack of cars in the parking lot, and most importantly...
The obvious signs of a recent fire that littered one half of the building; wall debris, furniture thrown out a broken window, glass. I swallowed, and etched closer to the building. The front door of the place was wide open, yet no one was inside. The front desk, with it's ancient looking wood, was vacant. This room was not touched by the fire, at least not that I could tell. The carpet was still an ugly army green, probably with years and years of stains that made it that color. The walls had an equal amount of dirt spots, probably enough that I could make sort sort of plant grow from them.
I cracked my neck and turned toward toward the hall. This building was one story, and what I could do in this situation was follow where I smelt smoke. That wouldn't be that hard. Slipping Álikos off my wrist, I turned it into it's dagger form. The halls were wide, and empty. I was the only person here, and yet, I could feel there was something else in these halls. The smell of smoke grew closer, and I stopped short at the door it was coming from.
The door was charred, almost to the point was the room number was illegible. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
The first thing I saw was Cash. His back was toward me, but I knew it was him. But I had no idea of knowing if he was dead or not. My heart seemed to leap into my throat. And I shook my head frantically. If he was dead, I wouldn't be able to finish this quest by myself. If he was dead, then the world would end. No... no!
"Ah, I was wondering when the pretty Greek would make an appearance."
Slowly, my head turned to meet the voice. In the midst of broken lamps, a busted TV, fire singed carpet and walls covered in soot, sitting with legs crossed in what was left of an arm chair was...
"Finn?"
~
Lol oop. Talk about an angsty chapter, am I right?
Pic of Gwen is up top. In the next chapters we'll hear more about her backstory, and why she kind of flipped out in this chapter.
I also need to learn not to make my chapters so long. This chapter has exceeded 3.5k words. Ugh.
Hannah x