Chapter 2 - I Got Kidnapped By Hyperactive and Scary Weirdos
Friday. A day closest to temporary freedom yet the most torturing of all. Classes went through the usual routine but I couldn't take my mind off last night. The message of the figure was short yet clear. You're in danger. A lot of questions crowded my mind. Why am I in danger? Who or what is after me? What do they want from me? What did I do for them to hurt me? Add to that, I haven't seen the figure since last night. I felt relieved and scared at the same time, like I was expecting someone to come after me but didn't. Because of that, I decided to head home immediately. I will just call Mom and tell her I'm not feeling good. Luckily, Airah and her band of goons wasn't around the same section yesterday, that's why I managed to went out without any problem.
As soon as I got home, I made sure the front gate and all doors in the house were locked. I don't know if I'm getting paranoid but I kept looking through the window, expecting someone or something. Maybe them or the figure. I don't know.
Night came but Mom hasn't returned yet. She called and said that she might not be able to go home for the night. I didn't insisted for her to go home or else, she will ask if something's up. I don't want to bother her too much. I hung up and picked up a magazine. I needed to do something to get my mind off my crazy predicament.
But as I flipped through the first pages, the lights flickered out. A blackout? I peered out and saw the lights outside were still on. Mom just paid for the electrical bill three days ago. Maybe something happened with the main fuse. I took a flashlight from the emergency cabinet at the corner of the living room.I went down the basement and looked through the fuse boxes. All were switched on. There's no sign of any problems. Then, what is it?
Up above, I heard a loud bang. I stared at the ceiling above. My heart began to hammer in my chest. A thief?! I looked around for anything I could use to defend myself. I saw a thin metal pipe and grabbed it. I flicked the flashlight off. Quietly, I slipped upstairs. The lights are still out but the light from the full moon made it possible to see. I peered but saw nothing. I looked around, the kitchen, the living room, the restrooms to no avail. I heard another crash like glass shattering and rushed toward the living room where I found a window shattered. Shards of glass glinted in the dark. That's when I felt the malevolent chill. I sharply around and saw them. In the dark, they glowed in ghastly light. Their eyes were hollow sockets of void black and their jaws unhinged. They approached me with outstretched skeletal hands. I backed away, terrified.
"G-Go away! Leave me alone!"
I swung the pipe but it only passed through them. As their cracked fingernails reached out for my neck, they suddenly vanished into thin air. A chorus of voices whispered in my ear.
You cannot escape forever. We will come for you. Your destiny, your death, awaits you.
Footsteps approached me. A voice spoke up. "Are you alright?" I looked up and through the moonlight, I finally got a better view of the figure last night. It was a boy, a year older than me, with slightly spiked light brown hair and viridian green eyes. He wore a purple t-shirt with a golden laurel and the letters SPQR on the center and ripped jeans. A tattoo was imprinted on his forearm. He held a golden sword on one hand. He offered me his other hand. I hesitantly took it.
He looked at me up and down. "Oh. So you're a Roman too, just like me. I see."
I looked at him with confusion. "Roman? What are you talking about?"
He waved his hand. "Later." He smiled and held out his free hand. "But first, I'mDarren Hayes, son of Victoria."
He looked up the night sky. He frowned. "Looks like we need to leave now." He grabbed my hand and jumped through the broken window. He dragged me in the middle of the yard before letting go. He placed two fingers on his lips and whistled.
"W-Wait! What are you-"
He waved his hand without looking at me. "Ask questions later." He tilted his head like he was looking for something above.
"I'm not coming with you." I said.
He turned and smirked. "Sorry. Not going to happen. Besides, I'm not bringing you anywhere. I have other demigods to rescue." His eyes gleamed mischievously. "I hope you're not afraid of heights."
"Huh?" That's when I saw a huge flying figure approaching behind him. My eyes widened. It swooped in and grabbed me by its talons. He waved goodbye at me as he grew smaller and distant.
I screamed and kicked. Below, the buildings grew smaller and clouds began to surround me. My ears was filled with the loud flapping of wings and the whistling of the wind. From above me, a female voice spoke up, strong and commanding.
"Calm down there or we'll drop you."
I looked up but barely made out anything from my captor's identity who was clad in black from head to toe. The hood of her parka covered her head and a mask concealed the lower part of her face. She wore skinny jeans and combat boots. Her hands was covered with a pair of fingerless gloves. A bow and a quiver of arrows were slung on her shoulder. A silver necklace hung on her neck. From the bright moonlight, I saw a violet armband trimmed with gold at the edges on her right arm. At the center was a golden omega symbol encircled with gold laurel leaves. A SPQR was inside the omega symbol. The golden words CAMP JUPITER were under the omega and the laurel.
"W-Who are you?" I stammered.
I didn't saw her smile but her amber eyes twinkled in amusement. "You will find out soon enough...if you managed to survive in the Wolf House."
With that, we silently soared into the night.