Chapter 7 Good for the soul

Will loved going on the nature hikes his aunt and some of her friends organized, he had been so stressed out with school and work that he felt that if she hadn't dragged him away from his dad he'd have lost his mind.

…

Artemis had insisted that he take some time away from his hectic life to just relax and what better way than to get in touch with nature?

His dad had not been very willing to let him go though; something about the possibility of getting hurt? His aunt had just rolled her eyes. She had offered to drive him out to the park where the lodge was but Will had insisted on taking his bike so he would just follow her car. To be honest he loved the freedom riding his bike brought him and the fact that he could actually go somewhere and just get away from everything was simply amazing.

He couldn't wait to learn about the different wildlife that inhabited the area or the types of plants that grew there. He'd listened intently as his aunt had described the walks and hikes they led at the lodge and it all sounded incredible.

"Come on Apollo, he's eighteen already, just let him enjoy his youth before you have him stuck working at the hospital like you. Besides Hestia has her nephew working with us, he's about the same age as Will, and maybe if people see more young people actually enjoying these hikes it would encourage more to join in."

"But are you sure it's safe?" Apollo asked and Will wanted to roll his eyes, his aunt on the other hand didn't hold back her exasperation.

"Honestly Apollo, he's not a child anymore. You and I both know that Will is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, there's nothing to worry about and the lodge is perfectly safe."

Will watched his dad intently, dreading that he might still say no but eventually he let out a heavy sigh and nodded as if defeated. "Alright, but only because I trust you."

Will had been so happy that he could have jumped up and leaped for joy while whooping loudly, but instead he settled for sharing a smile with his aunt. He mouthed a grateful "Thank you!" to her while his dad sat back with a hand to his forehead as if trying to rid himself of a headache that had suddenly sprung up.

Will did actually jump up from his chair and ran as fast as he could to his room to get ready, his aunt had said that the hike that day started in the next 3 hours and it would take roughly an hour and a half to drive out there and he didn't want to waste any time.

This was his first bit of real freedom since he was a kid, sure he could go hangout with friends or go to work or school without his dad but ever since the accident ten years ago his dad had insisted that he keep a phone on him at all times and call him every hour on the hour (unless he had a test or work was busy) but if he didn't contact him within the next half hour his phone would be flooded with texts and voice mails until he reassured his dad that he was safe.

Will knew his dad loved him and though it was kind of suffocating at times he appreciated how much his dad cared, he just wanted some time to get away from it all for a little bit so that he didn't have to check his watch regularly to make sure he didn't miss calling or texting on time. Just for a few hours he could be worry free that his dad was going to have a panic attack because he didn't know exactly where he was.

For a while Will had joked around and would call his dad or leave a text or voice mail if he didn't pick up saying things like "5 o'clock and all's well!"

But one time he had actually forgotten to charge his phone and it had died while he was at the library studying and lost track of all time. By the time he had gotten home and charged his phone he saw the texts and voice mails from his dad getting more and more frantic as he called again and again from the hospital where he was on call that evening and Will's heart clenched each time as he remembered the absolute terror in his dad's voice as he sounded on the verge of tears and full out panic.

Since then Will had never missed a check in or forgot to charge his phone, he didn't know why his dad was so frantic but he knew that he would never let him worry like that ever again so long as he could help it.

Will was pulled from his thoughts as he felt his aunt place a gentle hand on his shoulder; he turned to see her watching him with concern clear in her eyes. He tried to give her a reassuring smile but it felt too forced to even appear real.

"I know this is a big step for the both of you but don't worry I'll be there with you and even if I'm not right there next to you the others will take care of you and I'll be texting your dad so you don't need to, though you still can if it helps." She stepped passed him and started shifting clothes around his closet to find something for him to change into. "Here this will do. I'll be downstairs so meet me down there when you're ready."

…

Will dismounted his bike and put his helmet away as his aunt walked over to stand next to him. The drive out here had felt so exhilarating that he still had a smile on his face that he doubted would be going away anytime soon. This was it, he was here and he was buzzing with excitement!

His aunt smiled at him and led the way to the main building where they could wait for everyone else to arrive.

Will kept glancing around trying to take everything in at once; he'd been on field trips as a kid but his dad had always insisted on going as a parent chaperone so he always got put in the same group as his dad and anything he did that could be qualified as 'unsafe' would worry his dad. Back then he couldn't take his time and fall to the back of the group or explore when they were given time to just look around so this was a new experience for him and he was going to enjoy every second of it!

Will watched as more and more people began to arrive and noticed when one car in particular let out three people, two women around his aunt's age and a boy maybe about the same age as himself. He watched as they headed over to the staff room and realized that these must be the friends that his aunt had mentioned, meaning that the boy was her friend's nephew. Will wondered if maybe he'd have the chance to talk to him, as happy as he was to spend time with his aunt he'd also like to talk to someone his age.

As people began to gather in the main lobby Will remained towards the outside of the group and waited as the guides began explaining how things would be, as it turned out he was put in the group with the boy, who upon closer observation was actually quite attractive… Will didn't mind being in a different group from his aunt. He also had a sneaking suspicion that she was fully aware of this.

Will couldn't help watching the boy, whose name he learned was Nico, he just had this feeling of familiarity about him and Will though really enjoying the hike kept focusing on Nico

By the time they stopped for lunch Will was sure this was the best thing to happen to him since before he could remember. Everything was just so interesting and he couldn't help being drawn in by the level of enthusiasm Nico put into explaining things. The way he knew a bird just by the sound of its call or how he could easily point out a deer trail that would have otherwise been missed showed how much he enjoyed his job and Will found himself feeling grateful that he had been placed in this group.

While he sat and ate lost in thought his aunt came over and sat next to him.

"So you seem to be having a good time, Hestia said that you seemed really focused on the information. I've already text your dad to let him know that everything is fine."

Will stopped mid bite when he realized that more than four hours had passed and he hadn't spoken to his dad, he had been so engrossed in his little bit of freedom that he had actually forgotten all about even checking to make sure that he had a signal out here. He tried to push down the feeling of guilt welling up in the pit of his stomach for completely forgetting.

His aunt seemed to know what was going through his mind because she placed her hand over his and gave a light squeeze to reassure him that everything was just fine. "Don't worry, just like I promised I've been keeping him updated, and Hestia has been keeping me informed too. By the way, when are you going to actually speak to him?"

Will glanced at her a little confused for a moment. "Well I guess since we're having lunch now I can call dad and let him know I'm having fun."

She actually laughed and patted his cheek at that. "Oh sweety, I wasn't referring to your dad, I can handle him. I meant Nico, from what Hestia has been telling me you two can't seem to keep your eyes off of each other."

Will felt his face flame up like it had just combusted and turned into the sun. "What?!"

She chuckled and glanced over to where Hestia sat with Nico. "I was hoping you two would be able to get along since he doesn't usually have anyone his own age around but I don't think we need to be concerned with that. I would suggest asking him questions about things you've learned on the hike, he likes sharing his knowledge with people." With that she patted his hand and got up leaving him there in a mini state of shock.

He couldn't help the way his eyes wondered over towards Nico and saw the way Hestia noticed and smiled his way before turning back towards Nico. Maybe if his face remained as red as it felt right now he could claim it was sunburn.

…

By the time the actual walking part was over they made their way back to the information center and people were able to walk around and look at the different displays and information charts posted everywhere. Will thought about what his aunt had told him and decided to give a shot; he made his way over to Nico and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.

"Hi I was wondering what you could tell me about the different types of plants that grow around here and what kind of properties they might have." That seemed like a safe topic, at the very least he play it off as being interested in if they had any medical applications.

He would have to give his aunt a huge hug later after seeing the way Nico's face lit up and how happy he seemed while explaining things that Will couldn't help getting excited about it too.

…

Ever since that day Will had managed to work out a deal with his dad to allow him to come out here for the hikes at least once a week during summer break. He hadn't told his dad that part of the fixation he had with these excursions was the young field guide, as long as Will or Artemis called or text him regularly he had no complaints and didn't ask any questions except if Will had a good day.

With each trip that passed Will could honestly say that yes he had had a great day.

Sorry for the wait! This came out longer than planned but that's okay!

Please let me know what you think!