Hello! Here is the next chapter. A new OC will be introduced. I understand that satyrs are not supposed to be female, but all will be explained in future chapters. I hope everyone enjoys it! I have some reviews to respond to first:
Rosabella (Guest): Thank you for your kind words. I do have some ideas that are similar to what you suggested, so you'll just have to keep following the story! ;)
TheKeyboardIsMightierThanThePen: An answer was given in a review, but you may not have seen it. Mobile is what they call a cell phone in England, and she is from France, and they are both in Europe. Also it just sounded more proper, and the type of thing Vivienne might say.
Now, on with the story!
The Lady of the Lake Chapter 2
I walked back to my hotel, pondering the scene that had taken place at the coffee shop. I had no doubt that I had feelings for Connor, but I wasn't really certain how to move forward. The way he had only said that he would try to call me was not exactly reassuring.
I came upon my hotel. I took one look at the scene before me and dropped my drink.
The hotel was in flames. People were standing around outside looking frightened and in a panic. Among them, I noticed my mother. Her long, dark, wavy brown hair was looking frazzled. Her usually warm brown eyes had a worried look in them now. They were focused on the surrounding streets rather than the fiery building behind her. When she saw me, she shouted with joy and ran towards me.
"Vivienne, my darling," she said in her thick French accent, embracing me tightly, "where have you been?" I opened my mouth to answer. She cut me off.
"Never mind that now. You must leave! The Hydra can smell you!" I raised one eyebrow, a trait that I inherited from her. Then I looked behind her.
There was a huge, shall we say, creature, terrorizing the building. It had nine long necks, and nine dragon-like heads to match. I say dragon-like because of its scales, and the fact that it was spewing fire and acid out of all of its mouths.
"Or, rather, it smells those three." She continued. I realized three kids about my age in orange shirts, attempting to battle the creature, or Hydra I guess. There was a scrawny Latino boy with a hammer, a beautiful Native American girl with a glimmering knife, and a handsome blonde boy with a gold sword.
"I should go help them!" I said earnestly, instinct kicking in. My mother shook her head.
"You are inexperienced. Go with Claudia here, she will take you to be safe." It was then that I noticed the girl behind my mother.
She was beautiful, with strawberry blonde hair and pale blue eyes. I was not looking at her features, however. You see, she had tiny horns sticking out on top of her head, and looking down, I noticed that she had furry hindquarters and hooves where her legs and feet should have been.
"Mother," I said nervously, "What is going on here?" She looked sad.
"Oh, my love, I cannot keep you with me anymore. Claudia will explain." She hugged me. "Je t'aime beaucoup!" (I love you very much!) She let go and Claudia grabbed my arm and began to run. I took one final look at my mother, then turned away. I knew she would never do this unless it was absolutely necessary.
Claudia dragged me toward a white van. I barely noticed the lettering on the side that read Delphi Strawberry Service.
She put me inside and said, "I'll be right back!" Then she closed the door.
She freaking closed the door.
Is that how American kids say it?
I sat there thinking about what had just happened. I wanted desperately to go get my mother and take her away. We could forget about this.
But she had told me to stay with Claudia. So, there was not much I could do to help the situation.
What was Claudia anyway? A half human, half… sheep?
I looked out the van window. Claudia had brought out a set of reed pipes that were on a string around her neck. She began to play.
I couldn't hear what was happening, but soon, a bunch of vines appeared from every which way. They came through windows and cracks in the sidewalk. They slowly began to entangle the Hydra until it couldn't move. Then the blonde boy stabbed it where its heart would be. It stopped struggling abruptly, and ripped through the vines as it fell to the ground.
The teenagers wasted no time in fleeing the scene. They hopped into the white van, much to my surprise, with Claudia in the driver seat, and sped away. The Latino boy spoke first.
"Jason, that was Awesome!" He said enthusiastically. He high-fived the blonde boy, who I guessed was Jason. They were in the middle two seats, and I was in the back. The pretty girl had taken the passenger seat. Of course, in France, it would have been the driver seat. It was rather confusing, but I wasn't most concerned with seating at the moment.
"Wait," I said. They all looked back at me. "Who are you, and what is going on?"
The girl gave Claudia a knowing look.
"That's why you were there. To get the new half-blood!" Claudia nodded. Jason held out his hand to me. I shook it.
"I'm Jason Grace. Nice to meet you!" I nodded and said suspiciously, "You as well. I am Vivienne Rousseau."
"Mon nom est Piper McLean. Pouvez-vous comprende le français?" (My name is Piper McLean. Can you understand French?) Bewildered, I nodded.
"La France est mon pays natal. L'anglais est une langue seconde." (France is my native country. English is a second language.) I told her.
"Wait," the Latino boy said. "Wait, wait, wait, wait! What is going on here?" He said, looking confused. Piper laughed.
"Vivienne is from France! How cool is that?" She said. He shrugged.
"Loving the accent! Leo Valdez, by the way. Bad Boy Supreme!" I laughed slightly before I remembered.
"That's exactly what Con thought…" I said softly.
"Who?" Leo asked, once again looking perplexed. I just shook my head.
"Hey, it's been a long day for you, I suppose?" Claudia said. I nodded.
"My name's Claudia Claydon, if you were wondering." I smiled. "All will be explained soon, but right now, we have a long drive, and you should get some rest!"
I willingly obliged. I leaned my head against the window and drifted off to sleep…
So, how do you like it so far? Leave a review! I am open to any criticism, given kindly of course!
-Madz
