As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.

~Carl Jung


Nico

"...so then I tell them to go talk to him because I think Zack needs to talk to his mom and dad." Laurel finished. I was trying to pay attention, but the pancakes were really good and I hadn't had any in a long time. I did manage to understand what Laurel was talking about, though.

"That's rough," was the only thing I could say since I was never really good at these kinds of situations.

"I'm worried about him," she continued, "What do you think I should do?"

"How am I suppose to know?"

"I don't know. I just thought it was worth a try to ask." Laurel shrugged.

"Well...I'm sure that Zane-"

"Zack," she corrected.

"Yeah, whatever. He and his parents will figure things out."

"Okay," Laurel got up and dusted herself off, "I better get inside before they come looking for me."

"Oh, yeah. Sure, go ahead. I'll just sit here, counting and rearranging these gardening tools." I pointed at the rusty and ancient devices.

"I'm sorry you don't have much to do Nico. Oh I know!" she exclaimed, "I'll convince Kevin and Carol that we should go to the park. Zack loves the park so they'll have to say yes!"

"Uh, and what am I going-"

"You can shadow teleport or whatever you do to the place we met and we'll see from there," Laurel finished.

"I don't know ab-" she didn't let me finish.

"Don't worry, Nico. When the car pulls out of the driveway, you'll know to go," she called at me as she ran back to the back door.

"But, Laurel! Wait!" I tried to call her back but she just ran back inside. I sighed. That girl never listened. I should just leave. If I stay here, monsters are sure to find me and then I'll be putting more people in danger. I'm actually surprised that there hasn't been a monster attack on this house yet. I had no choice but to go to the stupid park, but I'll go around town again just to make sure it's free of any dangerous monsters and demigods.

Laurel

I wasn't going to hear Nico's argument. He was going and that's final. Besides, it might be a good idea for Kevin and Carol and Zack to cool off. When I went back inside, I didn't see anyone in the living room. The house was strangely quiet. I wondered what happened? I slowly stepped on the stairs, trying not to make noise as I was going up. I saw that Kevin's and Carol's bedroom door was closed and I could hear voices inside. I usually minded my own business, but I couldn't help but listen as I edged closer to the door.

"...am I going to do with him?" It was Kevin's voice.

"I don't understand why he's acting like this," Carol said.

"He'll just have to adjust, one way or another." They were talking about Zack. How was I going to convince them to go to the park if they were all tensed up like this? I tip-toed to Zack's door. I wasn't sure if I should knock or just walk in. I decided to just open the door. Zack was in there, alright. He was under his covers, but when I opened the door, he popped his head out from under them and was about to shout when I put my finger on my mouth, signaling him that it was me and to be quiet.

He simply scowled at me and covered himself up again. I knelt beside his bed.

"Zack," I started, whispering so that Kevin and Carol couldn't here me.

"Get out."

"I just want to make sure you're okay."

"Well, I'm not, so leave."

"You don't have to be so rude. You're like 10!"

"I'm 9."

"I said 'like'. That's not the point. Look, you like the park, right?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't we go. I'm sure it'll make you feel better." Zack looked hesitant. "It'll be fun, come on?" I held out my hand towards him. After what felt like forever, he finally sighed and took it. I dragged him out with me to Kevin and Carol's room. I was going to open the door when Zack stopped me.

"Wait," he whispered, "What if they're mad at me?"

"It'll be okay. Just let me do the talking." I reassured him as I slightly opened the door and popped my head inside.

"Oh, Laurel. There you are," Carol wiped a tear from her eyes. Her face was flushed which meant that she had been crying, obviously.

"Um, I just wanted to ask...can we go to the park?"

"Oh, I don't think it's a good idea. Not today sweetie."

"But I think that the park will make everyone feel better. Zack wants to go." With that statement, I pulled Zack into the room with me. He didn't make eye contact with Kevin or Carol. I nudged with to get him to say something, but he stayed stilled, concentrating on the floor.

"Zack, do you want to go to the park?" Kevin asked him. Zack nodded slowly. After a few moments of silence, Kevin managed a smile, "Well, then. Kids, go put your shoes on. We're going to the park."

"Yes," I cheered and got out of there with Zack behind me.

"This isn't going to make everything better, you know?" He mumbled as we put on our shoes that were by the door.

"It might not make things better, but it's a start." He thought about it for a second and I could of sworn I saw him almost smile. "Don't worry, I'll beat you in the monkey bars."

"You wish!" I laughed at him. He loved to win and I didn't mind anymore if it made him feel better.

"Everyone, get in the car!" Kevin called as he made his way down the stairs with the keys in his hands.


Being at the park was so refreshing. The sun was high above the clear sky and I couldn't wait to see Nico. I'd have to slip unnoticed somehow, but I was small and fast. It wouldn't be too hard for me. Zack was still looking a little glum but as soon as he got on the playground equipment, he'd be running around like a monkey high on caffeine.

"Here we are," Kevin announced and Zack and I jumped out the car and raced towards the playground area.

"Kids, wait for us!" Carol called out but we ignored it and kept running. I started up the ladder to the slide, but took a quick glance at Kevin and Carol. They had found a bench to sit on to watch us play. Dang it! How am I supposed to escape now? I thought. I pretended to be a carefree little girl while still looking out for Nico. I noticed that Kevin and Carol were talking to one of the neighborhood families. The were the Yu family. I knew they had two sons but I never talked to them. Zack was the one who usually played with them. I saw Nico next to the tree where I'd first seen him and ran towards him.

Halfway there, he looked alarmed and hid into the woods. I stopped running. What's his problem, I wondered. I looked around but all I saw were normal people at the park. There were two boys that looked like they were going around asking people something. One of them had curly black hair. He was about Nico's height and for some reason, he had a tool belt that I've seen construction workers wear, around his waist. The other one was taller by a few inches. He had straight black hair and they both seemed to be wearing matching orange t-shirts. The Latino boy noticed me starting and gave me a toothy grin, which made me giggle and I waved at him, a bit shyly.

I suddenly remembered Nico and went on my way into the woods. I looked around but there were only trees. I wandered where Nico could be when a pair o fhands grabbed me from behind and one of them went up to my mouth to muffle the scream that I let out as I tried to get away.

"Sh, relax, Laurel. It's me," I suddenly stopped fighting and pushed Nico's hands away.

"Why did you do that? Don't scare me like that!" I told him.

"Sorry," he muttered. He kept glancing behind the tree trunk.

"What are you looking for?' I asked as I took a look at the direction he was looking at. Nico pulled me back.

"Don't look! They might see you."

"Who?"

"The people that are looking for me." I didn't understand. Was Nico actually hiding from someone? He didn't look like that kind of person. I had been thinking of why he was running from in the first place. Did he do something bad? Was he really some kind of psychopath or something? I didn't really want to think of Nico as bad even if he did look like a troublemaker. I refused to believe it and I questioned myself. I didn't know who he was or from where he came from and here I was with the guy.

"Nico, why are you running?

"I have to."

"But why?"