Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Heroes of Olympus. They belong to their respective owners: Suzanne Collins and Rick Riordan.
Chapter Four
Finding the stealthiest child of Hermes proves to be difficult. Dahlia supposes she should've expected that. There's a reason he's the stealthiest Hermes kid, after all, but how is it he manages to elude Diamond and her when he doesn't even know they're looking for him? Is it possible that he does? Dahlia doesn't think so. After all, only Diamond knows who her choices for the quest are, and Diamond's been with her since she found out. Besides, Diamond's not the type to go out blabbing secrets like that to the whole world. Catia would, though... Wait. Catia. She doesn't know Dahlia's choices, either, but she's probably alerted the whole camp to Dahlia's quest by now. Maybe that's why they can't find Mica?
Dahlia doesn't really believe that, either. After all, Catia doesn't have anything much juicier to spill than how dangerous the quest will be. Of course, that alone is probably enough for a lot of people to avoid Dahlia, in hopes they won't get recruited. The daughter of Demeter isn't completely sure whether or not Mica would care about that, but she suspects not. Hermes kids tend to enjoy trouble. And this definitely qualifies.
Finally, Diamond stops and throws down her knife. "It's useless. We can find him later. Or you can pick someone else!" She gestures around to the few people milling around the courtyard.
Dahlia stops too, and turns to look at her. "I don't want anyone else. This just feels right, ok? We need him."
She discovers with a shock that that's true. Her choices just feel right, like it's meant to be. She has to assume that means it is. She needs Mica and Diamond with her. No one else can do this. She doesn't understand why, but she knows it's true.
Diamond studies her for a second, then slowly nods. "Ok...but we can't just search blindly. It's getting us nowhere." She bends down and picks her knife up again, then sticks it in its sheath.
Dahlia shrugs. "Unless you have any better ideas..." She trails off, seeing the look in Diamond's eyes. Ok, maybe saying something like that to the daughter of Athena isn't a good idea. Of course Diamond has better ideas. She wouldn't have suggested something else if she didn't. So instead Dahlia says, "What's your plan, then?"
Diamond grins like, Atta girl. Dahlia rolls her eyes.
"The woods," Diamond says. "We won't find him anywhere else."
"How do you know?"
"Because I do. C'mon." Diamond grabs her arm and leads her away.
This is the annoying part. Diamond always acts so sure of herself. Of course, most of the time, she's right, but still. It'd be nice if she'd explain her certainty every once in a while. Then Dahlia could feel certain too, rather than just following blindly, like always. But there's no use asking. Diamond won't explain.
She leads Dahlia into the woods, finding paths like she's walked them all her life. Dahlia wonders how much time Diamond spends in here. Dahlia only ever comes here for capture-the-flag, and even then she's wary. Monsters run rampant in these woods, and sometimes demigods will go into them and not come back out. Dahlia's heard so many stories about the horrors waiting in these woods. So, needless to say, she's not ecstatic to be here.
But she trusts Diamond, and the daughter of Athena isn't letting her go, so she follows. She and Diamond make their way into a clearing that Dahlia's never been to before, but she recognizes it. This is from one of the stories Chiron's told her. It's been rebuilt, so Zeus's Fist again stands tall and proud in the middle of the clearing (or Dahlia assumes that's supposed to be Zeus's Fist; it doesn't look anything like a fist to her). And the scars of battle have been covered by grass and bushes. This is the site of the Battle of the Labyrinth, so many years ago... Dahlia's jaw drops. She feels the need to whisper.
"What are we doing here?"
Diamond glances over at her, sees the awestruck look on her face, and smiles slightly. "Amazing, isn't it? This is where we'll find Mica."
"How do you know?" Dahlia is still whispering.
Diamond points up at the top of the rock structure. Dahlia looks where she's pointing and...oh. There's someone sitting up there, facing away from them. He's dressed in jeans and an orange camp t-shirt, just like Dahlia and Diamond. "Oh," Dahlia murmurs.
Diamond grins and goes over to the structure. She starts to climb. Reluctantly, Dahlia follows. Nervousness is turning her stomach into a mosh pit, and it doesn't help that she's not a huge fan of heights. The rock-climbing wall is terrifying for her. But at least this doesn't clash together and spew lava and otherwise try to kill you. At least, Dahlia hopes it doesn't.
They get to the top with no incident, but still Dahlia feels nauseous. She makes a point to not look down as she sits cross-legged next to Diamond on top of the rock.
Mica noticed their approach. No surprise there, seeing as it wasn't exactly quiet. He looks at them, his expression a mixture of annoyance and, once he recognizes them, confusion. He doesn't anything, just turns his body to face them and studies them with wide dark blue eyes. He flicks his blond-ish brown hair out of them absently.
Diamond gives a winning smile. "Hi, Mica. What's up?" Is it Dahlia's imagination, or is there a hint of nervousness in her voice? Is there a chance Diamond feels anywhere near as uneasy as Dahlia in this moment? Dahlia doubts it. Diamond is rarely nervous.
"What are you doing here?" Mica asks softly, his voice sounding rusty, like he's not used to using it. It also sounds annoyed, like he can't believe they came and interrupted his peace.
That makes Dahlia a little mad. And even more nervous. If he's already angry, then how is he ever going to say yes to Dahlia's impossible request? Plan B is becoming more and more likely, and she hates it. She shouldn't have come. She should've thought about it more...
Suddenly she realizes Mica and Diamond are both looking at her expectantly, and she tries not to blush. What did she miss? Oh...they must be waiting for her to explain. She forces a smile and inhales deeply, then takes the plunge.
"I have to lead a quest and I was wondering if you'd come with us." The words flow out of her so quickly she's not sure he can understand her.
Apparently, he does. He stares at her for a few seconds, in shock. "Why?"
That's a very good question. And her answer is going to make it sound like she's using him, but it's all she's got. "Well, you're really good at breaking into places. I have a feeling we'll need that, where we're going." She hopes he doesn't ask the obvious question, seeing as she doesn't know the answer.
"And where are we going?" His voice is still soft, but full of surprise now. The words make her wince. That's the obvious question.
Diamond looks interested at this, too. She doesn't know either. None of them do.
Dahlia shifts uncomfortably. "Um... I don't know." She runs over the prophecy in her head a few times. There's no clue in there about where the "three shall go". She's hoping maybe Chiron will be able to find that out somehow.
Mica and Diamond both stare at her.
"You're kidding me," Diamond says. "You have to lead a quest, but you don't even know where you're leading us to?"
Dahlia forces another smile. "Yeah... I was hoping Chiron could figure it out."
Diamond shakes her head.
There's a long silence. Dahlia fiddles with her camp necklace. Finally, though, she can't stand it. She looks at Mica. "So will you come?"
She seems to rip him out of some sort of reverie. He shakes his head and looks at her. "Sorry?"
"Are you coming on the quest?" A bit of her nervousness leaks into her voice.
Mica stares at her for a few seconds, considering. Then he whispers, "What was the prophecy?"
Oh right... Dahlia probably should've mentioned that before. Exchanging a nervous look with Diamond, she tells him her prophecy.
Once she's done, Mica winces. "Ouch," he murmurs. There's a few moments of silence as he bites his lip, probably weighing his options. Then he mutters, "I'm in."
Dahlia can't help being shocked, though the huge smile that breaks across her face sort of sends a mixed message. "You are?"
Mica nods. "Sure. Gives me an excuse to get out of here." He sounds casual, but there seems to be some kind of underlying meaning. Proabably his siblings are just as annoying to him as they are to everyone else.
In unison, Dahlia and Diamond murmur, "I know what you mean." Then they look at each other, surprised.
Mica gives a little smile that disappears quickly.
And so the trio is formed. Dahlia doesn't know if that's good or bad.
A/N: As always, feel free to tell me how badly you think I messed up. Or, if you didn't think I messed up, you can tell me how much you love it. That'd make me feel good. Tell me any predictions you might have, or...well, just review. Please?