11. Some Truths Come Out
October 2009
Olympus
We walked around aimlessly through the garden, talking about much lighter topics. Such as our likes and dislikes, we joke endlessly about the dance and our outfits. It was easy talking to him, not what I had imagined. The air around us was light, filled with laughter and content chatter.
"It must feel amazing to fly, I mean, I fly with Stella, my pegasus. But to fly, like Superman, that just has to be something else," I said.
"It does feel incredible. The freedom I feel when I'm flying, as I leave all my troubles on the ground," he told me wistfully, looking up at the sky. "Hey, why don't I show you?"
I laughed at his words; he sounded as he just came up with the greatest idea ever.
"I love to, I don't think I should fly around in this dress," I said, ruffling the skirt in to emphasize. "And what about the party. Your father will be furious if we're gone for too long."
"Okay, if that's how you feel, let's go back in. Where we will dance and dance…they will staring at us…talking about us. We don't want to keep them waiting," he said with a shrug and a glint in his eyes.
I could picture it already; the loud whispers as we walked in together after sneaking out. Their eyes full of twinkle, winking, and snickering. I grabbed Jason's arm to hold him back from taking another step.
"Follow me," I told him and dragged him behind me, away from the party.
We hurriedly and quietly ran through empty corridors, hiding from soldiers along the way, giggling like children. Swiftly ducking into my room for the night.
"Why are we here?" Jason questioned once I closed and lock the door.
"This is my room for tonight, I need to change if we're going to be flying," I answered and began to take off the tiara gently. I reached behind to undo the buttons but only manage to undo a few. Jason must have seen me struggling because I felt
his fingers begin to unbutton the rest of my dress.
"Let me help you," he whispered, I could feel his breath on my neck causing a shudder to ripple. Once all the buttons were undone, I stepped away from him, holding up the dress to my chest.
"Thank you." My cheeks were burning. "Turn around so I can finish changing."
"Right, of course. Sorry," he said blushing a bright red and hastily turned his back to me.
I change as fast as I could, which took more than ten minutes with all those layers on. Finally, I threw on my skinny jeans and grey hoodie from earlier.
"Okay, I'm done," I told him quietly as I shoved my feet into sneakers.
"Great, let's go." He walked to the balcony and I quietly walked over to him. He pulled me close, our chest touching, and I hesitantly put hands on his shoulder. "Ready?"
I nodded nervously, in which he laughed loudly before he shot up into the night sky. Then my screams exploded into the night sky.
I ran into class with a minute to spare on Monday morning and sat in my usual seat in the back. With my weekend in New York well behind me, I grungily began a new week. Huffing in displeasure as I got ready for the class to start.
"Hi," Alice greeted me with a smile from on the chair next to mine.
So surprised by her sudden appearance that I muttered, "Hey?"
"Since we're all trying to be friends. I've decided to sit next to you from now on," she told me, still smiling. "If that's okay with you. I've been told I can come off pretty strong."
"Oh, fine with me," I told her, returning a small smile.
When the bell rang loudly, Mrs. Williamson began her lecture. Her voice commanded the room as she paced back and forth, hands shot up when she would ask a question. But never mine, the pen permanently glued to my hand.
"So, how was your weekend?" Alice whispered low enough for me to hear.
I glanced at Mrs. Williamson to make sure she was not paying attention to us. Luckily, her back was turned to us, writing something on the board.
"It was great actually," I whispered back, writing down some notes from the board.
Mrs. Williamson talked again, preventing Alice from talking for a while. When Mrs. Williamson finally gave us our assignment and sat down for the rest of the class. Chatter began to fill the classroom so, Alice seized her opportunity.
"Olympus…how was it?" She whispered.
"It's beautiful," I answered, cringing when I realize that I forgot about the pictures. Damn. "I forgot about the pictures…I'm sorry. I can be forgetful sometimes."
"It's okay, don't worry about it. I'll take your word for it." Alice commented excitedly.
"It's incredible. A whole city floating over Manhattan," I murmured, recollecting my shock when I first saw Olympus. "I'll try to take some photos next time."
"Wow, I wish I could see it," she said, her tone was filled with amazement, eye full of curiosity. "When do you think you'll go again?"
"I don't know, but Zeus likes to party," I shrugged. "I'm sure soon."
I wouldn't be surprised if he throws another party this Saturday. Any excuse to drink. Or just to show off.
We talk softly for the rest of the class as we worked on the assignment. She giggled a little too loudly when I told her about Apollo's red Maserati and singing to Lady Gaga. Mrs. Williamson had to tell us to quiet down, I chuckled at Alice's embarrassment when she murmured an apology. She must not get into trouble often, I wonder what's that like. To not always receive a scowled, yelled, or threatened; must be nice.
The rest of the day went by unexcitingly as I went from class to class. I greeted the Cullens silently in the hall in between classes, either a wave or give them a small nod in passing. It didn't go beyond that until Emmett came up to me. People didn't bother to hide their stares as he walked with me to my last class, talking the entire time. That may be something I'll have to get used to.
"So how's the family?" Mike asked me in the school parking lot after school.
"They're fine, living their best life," I stated, throwing my backpack into the passage seat.
"Was he there?" Mike asked in Ancient Greek.
I crinkled my eyebrows at him, but instead of questioning him as to why he did that, I just answered, "Yes, he was there."
"Was it a pleasant reunion?" Jessica hinted with a wink and a smirk.
"That is none of your business," I said sternly, but couldn't stop myself from biting my lip and grinning. "You guys suck."
Jessica and Mike both laughed, loudly and I look away from them, pretending to be annoyed. That when I noticed Edward waiting for the rest by his car on the other side of the parking lot. So that's why Mike started to talk in Ancient Greek. Edward stared directly into my eyes that send shivers throughout my body.
"Is Nico still as your place?"
"Yeah, said he wanted to stay low for a bit," I replied to Jessica and pull away from Edward's gaze. "He may stay for a while. It'll be nice to have some company."
"Want to come with us to Sully's?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, I could eat," I commented.
"Okay, cool. See you there." Jessica said and they walk back to their cars.
As I got into mine and turned it on, Edward stayed in the same position. And he was still looking at my direction, the intensity in his eyes made me lightheaded. I forced myself to look away as I reversed out of my spot and exit the parking lot behind Jessica. But even while exciting, I still looked in the review mirror to check if he was staring at me.
Sully's Burger was a burger joint on N Forks Ave, they had great burgers, decent shakes, and okay fries. So overall, it was a great place to eat when I had a hankering for a burger and it also served as a little hangout place after school. The only thing that I did not like was this creepy figure holding up a burger by the entrance.
I shuddered the moment I saw it and quickly walking away to follow Jessica to a booth that looks out to the street.
"Did you notice the way Edward was looking at you at the parking lot?" She asked me once we sat down.
"Yeah, it was weird. Where's Mike?"
"Oh yeah, he said it was going to put gas. He'll be here in a bit. What are you thinking about getting? Kind of want a hot dog, but chicken strips also sound good," She said looking at the menu above the register.
"I don't know, maybe just get a burger and fries. Want to share onion rings?" I asked her, slightly relieved that she didn't push on the Edward topic.
"Ooh yes! I'll be back, I have to go to the restroom. Hopefully, Mike will be here by the time I get back, so we can order." She slid out of0 the booth and headed toward the restroom.
I looked at her retrieving figure as it disappeared behind the restroom door. I look out the window as the sound of people eating and talking fills the restaurant. I tapped my finger on the table, bouncing my leg on the floor as I sat alone, staring at passing cars. That was until someone came up and said something that I never could have imagined.
"Renée?"
Whipping my head, an officer around his forties looks at me in amazement and disbelief. What in Hades? Did I hear him right?
"What?" I asked in shock.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. You just look a lot like someone I used to know. For a moment I just thought…" He shook his head. "Never mind, it's crazy. Sorry for wasting your time."
He began to walk away when I said something that stopped him.
"Renée Jackson?"
He turned around and nodded once. Face overflowing with a mixture of emotions; confusion, wonder, and hope.
"That's my mother," I told him, and he took a small step back to me. "You knew my mom?"
"Um yeah, we dated briefly when we were young." He said a bit awkwardly. Woah.
"Really? I never knew my mom came to the Pacific Northwest," I told him awkwardly. "Would you like to sit down?"
"Um sure, thank you." He slowly got into Jessica's spot. "How is your mother? Is she here?"
His face looked so hopeful at the prospect of seeing my mom.
"She's fine. But she's not here, she's in New York with my stepfather and my brother," I informed him gently, crossing my arms on the table.
His face fell so quickly and was quiet for a while. I felt bad for the man who still has some feelings for my mom. I'm not exactly sure how I was supposed to handle this. I would have never thought that I would run into one of my mom's ex-boyfriend here. Forks of all places. I'm not ready to handle this.
"Um…so… you have a brother," He finally settled on asking, scratching his jaw.
I could tell that he was still shocked, first getting me to confuse for my mom and now learning all this information about her years later.
"I do, an older twin brother, Percy," I said quietly.
"And your dad, is here with you? I mean, you look like you're a minor in high school, you shouldn't be here alone." He asked. "In Forks, I mean."
"Yeah, I move here with my dad, but he's not here. I'm sure he's at home working. I didn't want him to move here all alone, so I came with him," I told him.
He looked down at his hands that were fisted together on the table as if struggling what to say next. We were quiet as the rest of the restaurant bustled around us.
"So when and how did you meet my mom?" I asked him after a moment.
"Oh… it has been such as long time since we met, a lifetime ago really. She told me she was in high school, just finished her junior year. It was the summer of 1991, we met at First Beach, and we dated all summer long before she went back home. And I never heard from her again." He replied, his mind lost in the memories. "She said she was going to come back, but she never did. I often wonder what happened to her."
"Well… she dropped out of high school during her senior year to take care of her Uncle Rich who got sick with cancer. But he didn't make it. One day she met my dad in Montauk. They fell in love and later had Percy and me." I told him.
He was quiet once again, clearly deep in thought.
"Chief Swan?"
We look up to Jessica, standing at the end of the table. That's when I realize I never even asked him for his name. He didn't even ask for mine.
"Hi Jessica, how are you? How's school?" He stood up from her seat so she can sit down again.
"I'm good, school…not so good. But that's nothing new." She answered him, sliding back into her seat. "You know Bella?"
"He knew my mom; he just came by to say hi," I answered for him.
"Yes, I was. I should go, enjoy your meal." And with that he walked away, we both look as he exited the restaurants and got inside his cruiser.
"Dude, was that about?" Jessica asked me once we see him drive off.
I inhale deeply before I answer her. "He dated my mom the summer before she met my dad."
"Whoa, that's insane! What are the odds that you move to the town where your mom used to date the chief of police? Did your mom mention anything?"
" No, she didn't. It's crazy but can we not talk about this. It was too much, I'm still kind of in shock," I said rubbing my forehead.
"Of course," She whispered to me softly. "Oh, there's Mike. Let's go order."
It was dark, so dark that I couldn't even see my own hands. Encompassed in a cocoon of ice, my skin shivered furiously. Lips began to dry, eyes started to water, and so fear crept in.
So nice of you to visit me. A weak, small voice said. A male, older.
I whipped around looking for the source. It's too dark for me to see.
"Where are you? Show yourself," I demanded.
I would if I had a body. The voice snapped angrily, and that's when I knew who the voice was.
"Kronos," I whispered shakily, my blood ran ice cold. My throat closed up as the rest of my body froze. This wasn't possible, I knew that he could never be truly dead. But he was supposed to be gone for good, too weak to ever form a conscience again.
He attempted to laugh but it turned into a series of coughs, and he said How I have fallen. I was so close to regaining my rightful place.
He growled so maniacally that it sent another wave of shivers through my body. But it wasn't due to the cold. I didn't feel the cold another.
"And you have no idea how glad I'm that you fail," I told him in an attempt to look strong.
Even at the cost of your beloved Luke's death. I knew he had a crush on you Kronos replied. How pathetic.
How dare he bring up Luke. He died a hero to save Olympus and the world from Kronos. He wasn't perfect, far from a hit. I wanted to punch him in the face every time I saw him. Hurt him as he hurt me, Annabeth, Percy, and everyone else I love. He was arrogant, cruel, and ruthless, but he was not pathetic.
"He did what he had to put an end to you. He's hero," I snarled. I need to wake up. I need to get away from him. `
He died, yet I still live. He responded coldly.
"Well, I wouldn't call what you're doing living. Barely surviving sounds right," I snarked, and his anger pulsed angrily` But I don't let it get to me. "Face it, Kronos, you lost. You may never form a body, so I need you to stay the fuck away from my dreams!"
I woke up with a start, my heart pounding my chest. Fear engulfed me as bright light hit me. I squinted my eyes shut, my fingers trembled as I ran them through my hair.
"You okay?" Nico's hushed voice echoed in the living room as he muted the tv.
I sat up from where I was lying down on the couch. I push the blanket off me so I could stand up.
"I need some air," I responded coolly, emotionless. "Don't wait up."
I don't know for how long I walked; I just took step after step. Owls go off in various directions, they are joined by other small insects. Light droplets of water hit the pavement and around me. But I didn't get wet.
A hurricane of thoughts swirl inside my head, I could feel my brain pounding against my skull. He was supposed to be gone. Practically dead. How is this possible? Was he not as weak as we thought? It seemed that he has enough strength to come to me in my sleep. I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn't notice a voice calling out my name.
"Bella!" A voice spoke out over the rain. I didn't even notice how heavy it has gotten.
A shiny black car pulled up next to me, Carlisle's head appeared behind the steering wheel.
"Do you need a lift? It's pouring," he spoke louder to be heard over the rain.
I nodded numbly and got inside, but I wasn't sure why. I didn't know what to do.
"Oh…you're not wet," he commented, noticing my dry appearance.
"I'm able to control whether I want to be wet or not," I responded vaguely.
"Very well," he simply said and without another word, he procced to drive forward. "
The rest of the drive was in silence, only soft classical music played in the background. It wasn't long before we pulled up to his family home. A house of glass, wood, and metal, encased by trees.
"You have a beautiful home," I told him quietly.
"Thank you, we're very proud of it," Carlisle's face shown of pride. He parked the car in the driveway, the rain fell loudly outside. "Shall we?"
I nodded and quickly followed him inside, his hair quickly became drench. We quickly duck inside, where Esme stood with two towels.
"Hello, and thank you," Carlisle greeted her with a peck on the cheek and took the towel from her.
But before he could even pat himself dry, I just evaporate all the water from him. Tiny droplets of water rose from his hair and clothes. Each droplet floated to my palm where it was simply absorbed into my skin.
Esme and, a now dried, Carlisle looked at me in disbelief.
"Felt like a waste of a good towel," I mumbled weakly.
"Hey, Bella," Alice asked cheerfully as I entered their living room.
The rest of the family was gathered in the living room on their second floor. Emmett and Alice were playing a video game, pausing it when Alice greeted me. Rosalie read a book while Jasper was on his iPad. Edward looked up from the sheets of his leather journal.
"Hi." I gave them a weak wave.
"What are you doing here?" Rosalie snarled.
"I was just walking, and Carlisle found me. Offered me a lift."
"But it's raining," Rosalie remarked in a condescending tone from the couch, not lifting her eyes from her book.
"What's your point?" I replied in the same tone. "A little rain isn't going to hurt me. It's usually lighting I have to worry about."
"Has Zeus…," Alice began to say.
"Oh no, Zeus hasn't, even though he has threatened to, but his daughter, Thalia, has. Well, she zapped Percy once, while they were fighting. And I felt everything, it was not great," My voice faded out when I saw their faces. I cleared my throat. "But she's great. We worked out our issues. Mostly."
They were all looking at me as if I grew a second head. Was I talking too fast? Percy always told me I needed to work on slowing down when I talk. But I can't help it. I start speaking fast when I get nervous. Or in front of a group.
"So, do you want to arm wrestle?" Emmett asked bluntly, and everyone scoffed him.
My eyes zoned to his huge biceps, this could be interesting.
"Sure."
I could use the distraction. His mouth spread into a large grin, eyes glinted with excitement as he stood up. The rest followed us in silence.
"Awesome. Follow me," Emmett told me.
He led me over their dining room, a dark wood table with unusual edges. Emmett pulled out a chair for me, and I was shocked by his gesture. As he moved to the other side, I briefly made eye contact with Edward. Concern and curiosity filled his eyes, but he didn't move an inch.
With Emmett settled on the other side, we got into position. His cold hand encased mine and gave me a sharp nod.
"On three," he said. "One."
I flexed and tighten my fingers around his.
"Two."
Everyone held in their breaths, their eyes completely on us.
"Three."
Our hands push against each other, trembling as our strengths collided on a single point. Emmett frowned in shock when noticed how my hand didn't budge down. Murmurs flowed in from each member of the Cullen family.
"What the hell?" Emmett hissed through his clench jaw. Eyebrows furrowed deeply in concentration, grunting as he put more force. Lifting himself slightly off his chair.
"This isn't possible." Someone whispered.
They had no idea what was possible. Emmett pushed furiously against my hand, with spurts of thrusts to bring down my hand. He was putting so much force, yet it almost took no effort for me. Deciding to mess with him, I let my hand fall slightly. Only a fraction of an inch, but it's enough to cause Emmett to smirk. I look at straight into his eye, and his face fell when he saw my eyes. And in that split moment, I quickly slam his hand on the table.
I must have done it too hard because a large chunk of the table broke off.
"Oh, my gods! I'm so sorry!" I apologize profusely. "I'm really, really sorry."
But none of them said a word, they haven't even moved. Only their eyes only shifted between me and the piece of table on the floor. I think it's time for me to go.
"Amazing," Carlisle muttered softly.
"Holy shit," Jasper mumbled.
"Well…I should go now, before I break anything else," I told them awkwardly and began to walk away.
"Wait!" Emmett exclaimed just as I got to the stairs. "How did you that?"
"Um… will-power," I answered weakly, but clearly, they didn't buy it. "Okay, so you guys know about the River Styx?"
"The river that Achilles was dipped in by his mother when he was a baby. His entire body except for his ankle from where he held, the only spot of weakness in his body," Jasper answered.
"Yup, that's the one." I nodded as gingerly walk back to them. "Well, I also bathe in that river. But not as baby, I was 15."
"How was it?" Carlisle asked in a tone full curiosity.
"Excruciating… nothing I have ever felt before, like swimming in boiling acid. It felt as if every single cell in my body was burning. I was drowning in a sea of pain and suffering. We almost didn't make it," I replied grimly as remember the sensation of my skin burning. How easy it could have been to just let go.
I head over the glass wall that overlooks the forest. My hands naturally wrapped my body: one around my torso, the other comes up to my chest. My heart furiously hammering underneath my rib cage.
"We?"
"My brother and I," I told him without turning my head.
"If it was awful as you describe it, why do it in the first place?" Esme asked me.
"We didn't have much of a choice. We needed defeating him. It was our only hope," I said bitterly.
"Who?" Edward said solemnly, steps echoed on the floor in my direction. Fear increased in my heart, racing furiously as my hands began to shake. I had to compose myself before speaking.
"Kronos, my grandfather."
My mouth went dry as I began to hyperventilate. This can't be happening again. I shut my eyes tight as I will myself to wake up from this horrible place.
Hello, again. Kronos greeted which caused me to jump.
I need to wake up, just ignore him. If I ignore him, maybe he'll go away and I can wake up.
That won't work. He said with a chuckle that made my blood run cold.
My eyes popped open in dread, not possible. How did he hear that hear my thoughts? This can't be true; he never knew what I was thinking before. Not even Edward could read my thoughts.
Ah yes, the young vampire. He commented.
"How are you doing that?" I growled at him.
She speaks, at last. How are you, granddaughter? Kronos asked although I'm positive he doesn't care.
"Enough games Kronos. Now tell me how you are doing this."
My body trembled in anger and fear. I tried to calm myself, I will not let him have the satisfaction of seeing me shake in panic.
I'll do you one better, Isabella He hissed, and it felt as his lips were right at my ear. I flinch away I disgust. I'll show you.
A flash of light glared so brightly that I shut my eyes, and open them to see the throne room of Olympus. Luke struggled to suppress Kronos, Percy stood across from him. I saw myself crawling across the floor to get to Annabeth and Grover.
"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."
I watch as Percy cautiously handed over Annabeth's knife to Luke. I watch in dread as Luke unlatched his armor to expose his skin. He placed the tip of the knife underneath his arm, and with the last ounce of strength, plunged it into his body.
"Why are you showing this to me?" I asked my voice sounded so detached, numb. Tears trail down my face but I didn't bother to wipe them away.
Time stopped and I am forced to see a frozen Luke, his mouth wide opened to let out a painful scream.
I'm showing you. Watch. His voice echoed around me.
Time resumed but everything moved slowly. A bright light emitted from Luke's body, eyes glowed like lava. As it got brighter, Percy and I closed our eyes, Grover shielded Annabeth with his body. Kronos erupted from Luke's body in a blast of gold dust, shooting rays in various directions. That's when one small, tiny ray hit me directly in the chest, the impact was so strong that my body fell back. My skin glowed for a brief second before dimming. Everything settled with a dying Luke on the floor with a ring of black ash around him.
Then darkness descended once more, and the image faded into dust. A boulder rested on my stomach, my mind frozen, blank. I wanted to scream, cry, but I couldn't. I remembered a pressure on my chest and falling backward, but I had thought it was just from Luke. I never bother to consider anything else.
Now, do you understand? I am now forsaken to live this body. Weak and pathetic, a mere speck of the powerful Titian I once was. The only speck of hope is that one day you will die.
