Hey, sorry this chapter's a little late and a little shorter I think. I didn't have school today and I've been...I wouldn't say WRITERS BLOCK, but something more like EXTREME BOREDOM this weekend to the point where I just couldn't do ANYTHING productive. Ya know? And I know what I want to do with this story (which is more than I could say when I started the last one), but I'm almost having troubles not RUSHING into the central plot, ya know? Haha. :)
Okay, I'm gonna do a mini ad now. Sorry.
So, one thing that's been eating my time has been my original story on FictionPress. (I'm still AnotherFacelessAuthor). I've been happy that I've been getting some good readers, but I thought I'd take advantage of you guys here (sorry) and try to see if I could get some more.
My main story is called The Theory Behind The Phoenix. It follows a girl who goes by the nickname of Red. She wakes up in this 'Asylum' for people with extraordinary powers. Powers over the elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water. But everyone's powers...they have limits. They can only do certain things. Red...she doesn't seem to have any limits. She has eyes on her, and that's dangerous.
Oh yeah, one more thing. She has absolutely no memory of her life before the Asylum. Neither does anyone else at the Asylum. Partnered with her new friend Aaron, among others, she tries to make sense of her past, her present, and her powers.
Okay, lame-ass summary over. :) Also, I'm kinda writing a 'prequel' to that book but I'm not publishing it yet, really. I'm starting to rethink my series for that book, where the 'prequel' is the first book and The Theory Behind the Phoenix is the third.
So, I would love if you guys read the story and reviewed so I knew you did (I reply to reviewers!). Also, I want your opinion on whether I should post the 'prequel' (Titled: The Beginning of The End) even though it would kinda really spoil the other story.
Help me out guys? Pwease?! *pouty face*
CHAPTER FOUR
I spent the rest of my day, and most of the night, on my laptop doing research in the basement. Something, I don't do often, to say the least.
My mom was always into being well informed about myths. I was more like my dad.
Monster. Sword. Kill. Done. End of story. I didn't need to know their name to know that they wanted to kill me.
But I was beyond freaked. Passing out? Memory losses? Voices?
'Hello, mental hospital? Please prepare a room.'
I bit the top of my thumb, scanning everything on the internet. Not an easy feat for an ADHD dyslexic, let me tell you.
Hours later, I'd lost track somewhere when the sun fell, my head was spinning and my shoulders were aching. If I could just find out what was wrong with me I could figure out how to end it.
For once I felt the Athena in me flare up. I stood and reared my foot up, kicking the punching bag with everything I had.
Why did everything have to be so hard? Why couldn't I catch a freaking break? If my mom were here she could figure this-
I stopped that thought in it's track. I felt my eyes begin to burn. "Stop it." I told myself. My fists clenched.
"I am a descendent of Athena," I muttered, my voice tight with frustration. "I'll be damned if I can't figure this out." I turned back to the computer, sizing it up like I would a monster. I sighed, deciding I'd almost prefer a monster.
I returned to the laptop, settling back onto the floor. I don't know how long I spent scouring the internet, looking up lore and myth.
At one point I flopped on my back, frustrated at the obvious inaccuracies of the Greek Myths. "Why can't mortals get anything right?"
I took a deep breath and sprang upright. Determination driving me. Hours glazed over like my eyes. By the time Zack found me, my head was swimming, my eyes were unfocused, and my entire body hurt from sitting on the hard floor.
He flicked the lights on, which I had left off without realizing. I hissed and closed my eyes, eager for the burning to stop. "Shut it off," I growled.
"What? You get turned into a vampire in the middle of the night?" Zack asked sardonically. "No sleep. Hate lights. It would fit."
"If you call me Bella, I'll stab you in your sleep. Besides, wrong mythology."
"Greeks and Romans are real, who knows what else?"
I slowly opened my eyes, trying to adjust to the light. "Don't know, don't care, not my problem."
He looked around and studied my physique. "You've been down here all night." It wasn't a question, so I didn't respond. "If I ask why, is there any chance you'll tell me?"
I looked up at him, hating the sad look on his face. "Not right now."
He took a deep breath, trying so hard to stay calm. He was better at that than I was. "Then when?"
I paused, wondering. "I guess...when I know what I need to do to fix it."
"I could help, you know. With whatever it is."
"I know." I said monotonously, looking away from him. "Just...let me try to figure out whatever this is, okay? I know you don't like this, but this is what I'm used to." He didn't respond, but I heard him sigh.
"Lena, you're killing me." I tried to ignore the pained sound in his voice.
"One week." I said abruptly. "Give me one week, and if I haven't figured it out, I'll tell you everything and we'll deal with it together. Okay?"
"And if you need help before then? If you come across something dangerous?"
I gave him a tight smile. "I'll let you know. I promise," I said, hoping I wasn't lying. "Deal?"
I saw him swallow, but he nodded, seemingly very reluctantly. "Fine. One week. Seven days. Then this strong and silent act ends."
"Of course."
He looked me up and down, opened his mouth and then closed it, shaking his head. "I never know what to think about you, Len's."
"Maybe that's best." I muttered under my breath.
"What?"
"Nothing." I said, standing. "I really am sorry about you worrying. I'll figure it out real soon. And...and if I haven't in one week, we'll do it together."
"Like it always should be," he said pointedly.
I just gave him a weak smile in return, not sure what to say. That's when he pulled me close and held me in his arms, gently stroking my hair. I felt myself fit my body to his, feeling as perfect as it always does. I wished I could stay in that moment forever. Wished I wasn't keeping secrets. Wished everything could be like the movies.
"Hey, Zack?"
"Yeah?"
I opened my mouth, but closed it again, not really sure what I was gonna say. "Thanks..." is what came out. "I guess. For being cool with this."
He chuckled. "Oh, I am so not cool with this. I've just learned not to push you on things like this. Whenever I do...you pull away."
"I know. I'm not used to anyone caring when I do."
Zack pulled away then, putting a hand on either side of my face, looking me straight in the eye. "Well, I care, and I always will. Get over it."
I laughed, gently pulling his hands away from my face. "I'm trying to." I arched my back then and rolled my neck, trying to work out the kinks.
"Did you sleep at all?"
"Ummm...no. Not really."
"And it's..." he picked up my wrist and looked at my watch, that I had kind of forgotten about. "just after seven in the morning." He rolled his eyes. "You work today? Good," he said when I shook my head. "Bed." I opened my mouth to protest, but he beat me. "Now."
I was about to protest, but my mouth opened into a yawn. "Fine. Fine," I said, my voice distorted from the yawn. "Whatever." I went and shut down my laptop (after very swiftly erasing the memory). I then picked it up, practically shoving it into Zack's arms. "I'm going to bed. Don't bother me until, like, March, okay?"
He laughed. "Alright. Sleep well, okay?"
I nodded walking up stairs to go to our bedroom. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the table.
My dreams were filled with gold eyes and ominous voices. I couldn't control what I did, my voice sounded crueler than I remembered.
At one point I stood at Half-Blood hill, but it was like I was watching it from behind me. I couldn't see my face.
But when I turned around, I stumbled backwards. MY eyes were now gold and almost...lifeless. It opened my mouth to speak, and my voice sounded...cold...distant.
"It shall all crumble, and you shall be its undoing."
Needless to say, I woke up suddenly, covered in sweat. I ran to the mirror and checked my eyes. They were the same color they always were, as should be expected.
But for some reason...I was afraid they'd be gold, like in the dream.
Biting the tip of my thumb I went through the dream. Gold eyes. Strange voices. Camp Half-blood crumbling.
I combed my hand through my hair. Trying to stop from shivering, even though I was sweating.
Review this story and remember to check out The Theory Behind The Phoenix on FictionPress (still by AnotherFacelessAuthor) and review there too! XD XD XD XD
Again, sorry about short and late chapter.
