Chapter 11
We meet a guy whose name is a peanut-butter cup
We all walked in silence as we continued to the subway. I could tell the tension between Matt and Brett was pretty tense, I could literally see waves of an emotion coming off from both of them. But me, being the worst for solving conflicts, I kept my mouth shut.
When we got down into the subway successfully, without someone trying to elbow us, or almost spilling their coffee on us, we were greeted by a tall African-American dude. He had short, curly brown hair, strange orange eyes and skin as dark as chocolate. He wore a black leather jacket, with a white t-shirt underneath, jeans and some Reeboks.
"Hey man, I was wondering if one of ya'll could help me and my friends with a little competition. We're having a rap battle, and we need someone to judge us fairly, ya know?" he said. His voice had a slight southern drawl, mixed in with that New York accent. People looked at me strangely because I spoke like a Rhode Islander sometimes. One time, I asked Percy what color car he wanted to get. Most embarrassing moments of my life.
"Well, Blaze here is a singer sometimes. Maybe she could judge." Matt said, smiling.
I protested, saying I knew only a few attributes to rapping and I wasn't suitable for the job. Naturally, Brett and Matt tag-teamed and said I knew the most musical talents, having joined chorus in seventh grade for at least two months, before my mother caretaker got tired of it. Then they countered my feeble attempts at shrugging off all the times we'd held competitions at Gatherings, judging talents, and I'd sung ultimately winning it.
"Fine." I finally snapped, getting tired of standing their and arguing. "But if this all goes horribly, you two are to take the blame."
The boy smiled, like he'd been expecting me to agree all along.
I'm just going to glaze over details, since I don't really remember what happened, all I know is I considered both sides. Ultimately, I deemed the boy's group the winner. The other group began swearing like drunk pirates and even a few rude hand gestures came my way, but then the boy and my friends stepped forward and told them to stop being sore losers, or they'd give them something to feel sore about.
The boy smiled. "Name's Reese. Figured I'd tell you, since ya, since ya choose my fabulous crew as winners." Reese held out his hand to me.
"Blaze. And I judged you fairly. At least I hope I did." I shook it.
"Your friends gonna say their names or do I have to start guessing?"
"Matt." Matt held out his left hand and shook, and waited for Reese to change the hand he was using to shake.
"Brett." Brett adjusted his glasses and also shook Reese's hand.
"Cool man, cool. Say, do you mind if I travel with your crew for awhile. I gotta good feeling about you, and I'm usually not off."
I had a private conversation in my head with Brett. Using the mind magic I'd learned and the natural ability that demidragons have to be able to telepathically speak in each others minds, I was possibly the most capable for spying in on people's thoughts. I didn't want to invade my friends head, so I choose the natural course.
/Do you want to trust this guy?\ I asked in my head, aiming it at Brett.
/Smells special. Demigod maybe? Only one magical scent, and I refuse to step up to this guy and start smelling him.\
/Never was going to ask, you dimwit. Now what's your opinion?\
/Why is almost every word you utter an insult? And to answer your question, it's three against one. We'll be fine. Maybe the Fates wanted it to happen.\
"Sure." I said out loud.
Reese grinned again. "Thanks man. I appreciate it."
When we mentioned wanting head to the closet state we could get to that would allow us to travel to the Pacific coast, Reese told us we had to head down before we could travel across. So we bought tickets to another subway, so we could catch a train to Pennsylvania.
When we got on the subway, I sat next to Matt, protesting loudly to Brett who wouldn't hear it any other way. He'd first gotten to the seat, but gave it up to me. He then proceeded to point out that when I wasn't moving, I was wobbling, and I wasn't the most stable on my feet, so I reluctantly allowed him to stand with Reese.
It was all going great until we got to the train station. It was already getting dark when we got to Bethlehem. Apparently, that was the name of the town or city we were in. It wasn't a bad town, and Brett (who had apparently ate a book on the place) recited facts from memory on the state of Pennsylvania and on Bethlehem.
We decided to stop by one of the demi-ish of coffee shops that happen to be in America. There were some confused mortals in there, just to make it look normal, but in fact, the place had magical coffee, and stuff like that. They kept normal brew around for the mortals, but if you were a demigod or demidragon, all you had to say was "Could I please speak to the man of great godly proportions?". That guy would be Zeus, so they'd know you were a child of the gods.
We walked it, me noting that the name was "Scrolling Coffee". This would be the real test to see if Rease would become a little dazed while in here. So far, he was fine. I held my breath.
Brett went over to the counter and said something to the dude at the cash register. Imidently, the Mist's spell feel off of us, except for Reese, who noticed nothing. Brett must've explained to the guy, who was now a six armed Earthborn, that Reese was a new demigod and we were testing him. About fifteen minutes later, Brett came back to us, armed with cups of coffee. He handed me one that read "Cation: May Randomly Exhale Fire".
I grinned and said "You got my special blend, didn't you?"
Brett handed Reese a normal cup of coffee. He took a sip of his own blend and smiled back. "Ever since you told me, I get it for you. Don't act so surprised."
"You forgot the last time, and gave me Lizzie's."
Brett pretended to act outraged. "How was I supposed to know you don't enjoy a herbal blend?"
"Thanks for mine, Brett." Matt said quietly.
I glanced at Matt. He was looking at me sadly.
I reached over with my left hand and took his right one. If I haven't mentioned it already, it curves inward as another sign of his disability. I normally reached for his left hand, but his left hand held his coffee.
I gave it a gentle squeeze, one I meant to mean I loved him and such. He returned it.
We sipped more of our coffee in silence, not speaking to one another. It was only when the Earthborn came over with some muffins to go, that we murmured a quiet "Thank you".
As we walked out of the coffee shop, I didn't let go of Matt. I understood how he must have been feeling, at least a little. No way in Hades was I not going to comfort him; in my own way. I'm not one to go around, hugging people and such. My hugs are hard to come by, and I've always sucked at apologizing. But in my own way, I make people feel better. I didn't need to use words to comfort Matt. He's known me long enough to read my mind.
"So where are we gonna sleep?" Reese asked, obviously feeling uncomfortable by the silence. I was surprised that I hadn't been affected. Then again, I had Matt's reassuring hand in my own.
"Brunner said to spend the money for food and travel, right?" I asked.
Brett nodded. Since he was the most organized of the group, he was in charge of the money and such. "Alleyway?" He suggested.
I shrugged. "If it has a good rat population, maybe I could catch us some." I was only half joking.
Reese looked at us, as if bewildered that we would consider catching rats. Which is when I knew that we'd have to test if he was mortal or not. As demidragons, we give off a whole lot of Mist. If we could somehow test him...then we'd see if he was immune to that Mist. And so I began to formulate a plan.
…
My plan was simple. Compared to all the other stuff I've invented and done, this would be a piece of cake.
Our alley didn't have rats. Or at least, none that I could see or scent. Since I couldn't use my powers to light a fire, we sat in darkness. I'd told my plan, telepathically, to Brett and Matt. They'd agreed.
I waited patiently for the rock I'd thrown, to make a loud noise, by clanging on some dumpsters. And sure enough, due to some amazing concentration noise, it clanged.
"I'm going to go and check that out." I said, getting to my feet. I waited until I was at least two yards away from them, and surrounded by complete darkness, to transform. Once I was a demidragon, I flew a little to get to the roof of one of the surrounding building. It was then, that I let out a high pitched shree, to alert Brett into action. Moments later, I saw him hoist himself up onto the roof across from me. He gave a low hoot, signaling Matt.
I waited 'till I saw Reese. Brett and I begin to follow him, on the roofs, leaping gaps easily. We were just getting ready to spring down to confront him, when one of my talons on my foot caught on a piece of shale from the roof of a building I was walking on. I had to tug to get my foot unstuck, and naturally, that made the piece of shale go clattering to the ground.
I silently cursed. Why would someone deem it important to make a roof out of shale? And why did they do a horrible job with it? Idiots. Sometimes, I really hate mortals.
Reese's eyes looked at the spot where I stood. Or rather, where I used to stand. I flew with such silence, I think Brett was surprised. We have leather-like skin between our wings. To fly like a barn owl does, now that's an accomplishment.
I was still silently cursing, when I felt the wind suddenly shift drastically. Another few curses. I was forced to land on the ground, to insure I didn't crash into that dang shale-roofed house, which would've sucked.
I momentarily considered doing a rather rude hand gesture (or would it be talon gesture?) to that house, which probably wouldn't have made any sense to you, since everyone knows that it's always your fault when you do something stupid and blaming an animate object is stupid, but I do it anyway. I HAVE DREAMS, YOU KNOW! Yeah, sorry. Random bursts of my insanity. Please ignore and carry on reading.
Unfortunately, while I was considering the rude hand gesture, Reese came out of nowhere with a bronze knife. He dug it into my left hind leg, and it stayed there. Fortunately, years of training haven't completely left me undefendable. I sprang, adrenaline kicking in, and managed to knock him over with the flat side of my tail blade.
As if on cue, Brett leaped down from the neighboring roof and promptly sat on Reese's back. He was lighter than me, so chances of Reese suffocating was slim.
I leaned over to my leg and pulled the knife out, wincing as it left the wound. Apon closer examination, I deemed it Celestial bronze, which confirmed my suspicions.
"WILL YOU GET OFF OF ME, YOU-" Reese begin to yell, only to have Brett put his tail blade on Reese's neck.
I licked my leg gently, then walked to where he was, discovering that it was not wise to lean too much on that leg.
"He'll get off of you promise not to attack us." I said calmly.
"Never met a monster who has the brains to speak."
"I'm not a monster. You know me, Reese."
"How do you know my name?"
"Well you know my name, so does it really matter?"
As if finally recognizing my voice, he tilted his head as sideways as he could put it while on the ground. "Blaze?"
"The boy develops a brain." says Brett from atop Reese
"Brett, don't be rude. He's new to this. You can say that to Nighthawk, but not to Reese."
"Just imitating what you usually say. Glad to see we can change places sometimes."
"Whatever. Let him up, he won't attack us now."
"Hopefully not. How's your leg?"
I glanced back at it. "I may need some ambrosia. It's deep, but for now, I'll survive."
"I'll grab you a bandage from my pack when we get back. Liz gave me a bit of Healer training, since I am way more patient than you." Brett finally got off of Reese's back. Reese rose; unsteady, and rubbed his back.
"Thanks for deciding to not further damage my spine. I kinda need that, man." Reese said.
"No problem."
We all walked back to where Matt was. Well...they walked, I limped. When Matt heard our footsteps, he turned and flashed a grin. That quickly evaporated when he saw me limping.
"What in Tartarus happened?" he asked, quickly digging around in Brett's pack. He pulled out some bandages, some leaves that smelled weird and some more leaves. I heard a slight crunching noise.
Brett stood as a human, and walked to Matt. "She just needs these leaves and the bandages. Thanks for the help, though."
"No problem." Matt's voice was strained.
I have no idea why, but this made me snap. "I wish you two would stop acting like this. We need to work as a team and I will not tolerate the tension between you two any longer!"
Everyone stared at me. I huffed and flopped down on the ground, causing the wound to gush blood.
Brett walked over and popped a couple of the leaves in his mouth. He began to chew them, mashing them into a paste. I laid silently, waiting for someone to speak.
"Um...I'ma just make sure no ones here...yeah." Reese akwardly headed out of the alleyway.
Brett said nothing, and continued to chew.
It was a few more minutes before Matt decided to speak. "Man...I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a little bit worried that you're...I don't know...steal Blaze away from me or something."
Brett spit out the leaves onto his hand. He began smoothing it out on the wound, making circular motions with his fingers, as if he was painting. He wrapped my leg in the bandage, securing it tightly.
"You should stay in demidragon form all night for it to heal. Luckily, you got it when you were in this form." He said to me.
I nodded in agreement, and stayed where I was.
It was another awkward minutes of silence, before Brett (who was packing up the medical supplies and cleaning Reese's knife) finally spoke to Matt.
"I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to make you feel that way about me, and I don't mean to steal Blaze. I would never compete with you over her, and I never could anyway."
"So...are we cool?"
Brett managed a smile. He held out his hand to Matt."Yeah, we're cool."
Matt shook it. "Good. Blaze, can I gather some cardboard to let us get a fire?"
"Why bother with the light? I'm tired anyway."
Matt shrugged. "As soon as Reese comes back, we'll sleep. Okay?"
Brett waved his hand in dismissal of the idea. "Why don't you two just go to sleep? I'll wait for him. Won't be able to sleep anyway, I've got too much on my mind."
Matt nodded. "Okay. Mind if I sleep on your stomach, Blaze?"
I rolled my eyes. It was notoriously well known that I became a pillow whenever someone was in human form or was a demigod and I was in demidragon form. The only one's allowed to use me as a pillow, was Matt, Annabeth and Percy. Maybe Hiccup when he's older and I get him back.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'"
We both settled down, him leaning on me, trying not to disturb my leg, and me curling up in a ball, so I could put my head on a non-hard surface. I heard a bit of murmuring, most likely Brett greeting Reese, but by then I was too asleep to make out their words.
A/N
PHEW! Took about a couple of weeks, but I got it done. Still not doing extremely long chapters. Don't feel like it, they take me all month anyway. So yeah. I wanted to make Brett and Matt sort of make up and such. Oh, and for the people who keep messaging me, asking if there's any meaning in the "love triangle" between Blaze, Brett and Matt, you people are idiots. There is no love triangle. You have been reading too much Twilight. That aside, I don't put meanings in that situation. In fact, it's quite awkward for me to be writing this like I am, because this is based on the old rough draft that I made back in fifth grade. Back when I liked someone else.
Another thing, there are people who have been messaging me with things like "Oh, so Blaze is going to give up Matt to be with Brett", or "Matt's gay isn't he?" You people are idiots. One, I have nothing against gay people, but the people that these characters are based off of, like girls, as far as I know. Therefore, their characters are staying that way. And no offense to my friends, but I'd never pair up Matt with Brett. It's just...ek. Again, I know people who have characters in this book. Stop telling me things that happen. I am the author, and I'll put in anything I want to put in, and if I want a certain character to act, or do something, then I'll damn well do so. Sorry, but it's just been annoying me for so long.
Thank you, to all of the people who just enjoy reading the book and can't wait to see what else I have in store. Word count in this chapter: 3,147.
