Octavius POV

Chapter 35: A sharp bend

I looked at the red van who stood before us, exactly at the spot Theodore Roosevelt told us. He also told us how we could kill this thing and so I held my spear tight. We had to jump of the wall into the snow and we were there ready to attack. I tried to hide how nervous I was because of the snow. I can't say I remember much from last time in the snow, but I remember the freezing cold clearly.

"Come on. Follow me, boys," Jedediah said, who fortunately took the lead for now. "Geronimo!" Jedediah jumped before I even knew it, so I followed him quickly. After me also Jacob, Quintus and Agrippa at last followed us. We crawled out the snow slowly and cautious, because maybe the giants were already there. After we were sure it was safe, we sneaked to the black, round subjects just underneath the red van, the tires.

"Right men, we're almost there," I whispered, while I lead them all to one tire.

Theodore warned us for the strong wind we would feel, so we all braced ourselves when I pushed my spear with all my strength in the jut or tire valve. And indeed, a strong wind immediately hit against our faces. Quintus was the first one who blew away, but also Agrippa and Jacob flew away soon. And Jedediah and I were left alone, like we always were.

"Save yourself," I shouted to Jedediah, who still stood behind me. But I should've known what his replied would be.

"I won't quit on you!"

Of course he won't left me like that. He had never left me before and I don't expect him to ever do so. His weight in my back gave me the strength and the hope to keep on fighting against the strong wind. And finally the wind went down. I let my spear fell to the ground and felt really relieved.

"Jacob," Jedediah said and he ran away already. I followed him, also worried about Quintus and Agrippa.

"My leg hurts," I could hear Agrippa say.

"Jacob, what are you doing?" Jedediah asked and then I saw what was going on. Jacob and Quintus both helped Agrippa, while Agrippa tried to stand. "We have to find another way to help Gigantor." Jacob looked almost frightened at Jedediah and was definitely insecure about how to act or what to say.

"I...," Jacob started softly. "I thought I had to help the Romans. Marcus is injured and Quintus won't be able to carry him inside all alone, so I thought I should help them. But if you need me, I will follow you."

"No need," was Jedediah's only replied. "Octavius and I will handle this alone." Jedediah turned around and walked away again, clearly disappointed. And I could see the pain on Jacob's face.

"You will get inside safely?" I asked to my men, but also to Jacob.

"We will be okay, Octavius. I have my guardian by my side now," Agrippa replied, standing on just one leg. Quintus looked surprised at Agrippa, but Jacob smiled a little again. I nodded one time and ran after Jedediah quickly.

"You shouldn't be so mad at Jacob," I said when I catched up with Jedediah.

"Mad?" Jedediah asked surprised. "I'm not mad, I'm actually kinda proud."

Now it was mine turn to look surprised.

"I expected he would follow me like a puppy, but he thought it would be better to help the Romans. He's still able to think for himself it seems. Makes me feel kinda relieved and proud to know."

"Aha," was the only thing I said. I didn't know what else to say. I just hoped Jedediah would replied the same words to Jacob.

~Jedie & Ockie~

It didn't take long before we found our way back to the big room. Well, actually Jedediah found the way back.

"Okay, we have to find something to help Gigantor," Jedediah said suddenly. "You have any ideas?"

"Actually no, but we could...," And on that moment I saw a big, yellow subject flying towards Jedediah and me. "Jedediah, watch out!" I pushed Jedediah in his back and I had just enough time to jump away to save myself.

"What are you doing?" Jedediah shouted, while he turned around to face me.

"Well...," I tried to explain, but Jedediah yelled through my words.

"Octavius, duck!" This time it was Jedediah who jumped at me and together we fell on the ground. I lay on my back, so I could see the giant creature which was entirely made of bones. It jumped over us and it seemed he wasn't even aware of us being there.

"What is that?" I asked, while I stood up again. The monster of bones took another bone, which was tight against the yellow subject with a rope, in his giant mouth.

"I have seen him before, but I've no idea," Jedediah said and stared at the creature. "But I got a brilliant idea just now."

I didn't like the idea immediately.

"Come on, Ockie," Jedediah said, suddenly excited. He walked towards the creature and I walked behind him.

"Ockie?" I said truly amazed.

"It's kinda weird to call your name, so I figured out we should've get nicknames," Jedediah said without turning around.

"Nicknames?" I replied, still very amazed.

"Yes, nicknames," he replied annoyed now. "It was you who said I wasn't allowed to call your name ever again."

I didn't reply anymore, that would've been better for both of us. And in the meanwhile we had reached the monster of bones.

"Look Ockie, it's a little van specially made for us," Jedediah said and without hesitating he got in the little, yellow van. It seemed the monster was waiting for us, curious and patiently, to see what we did. "Come on, Ockie! Get in!" I walked around the van and got in, while I saw how Jedediah tried every single bottom.

"Jedie?" I said, while it sounded more like a question. I just wasn't so sure what would happen next.

"Excuse me?" Jedediah said and for a moment he left the van alone to look at me.

"Jedie is your nickname from me," I said a little bit more confident. "Then you'll get Jedie and Ockie, you see?"

For a moment Jedediah looked surprised at me, but then he nodded. "I see."

~Jedie & Ockie~

It took a little while, but finally Jedediah knew how to ride the van and he enjoyed it like a child.

"Hihaa! Come on, Ockie," he shouted, while we rode of the wall and rode towards Larry. "At you service, Gigantor," Jedediah said, still really happy.

"How can we be of assistance, my liege?" I asked and I was secretly a little excited too.

"Give me a second, guys," Larry said, but then he saw the big monster of bones coming behind us. "Rexy! Come here, boy. Teddy, I need a horse."

Without many words we all understood what we had to do: Jedediah and I had to lead Rexy with the van and the bone on another road, so we would end up before Cecil's coach. The coach and Rexy will slam, so we would slow down Cecil and Larry would be able to catch up with him.

"Whoa! Come on, boy! Let me hear you yell!" Jedediah shouted excited.

"Yeah," I shouted back, maybe a little excited too.

"Just living the dream, baby. I'm loving this!" Jedediah shouted and went even faster. "Can I make this turn up here?" Jedediah asked when I saw a sharp bend coming closer.

"Uh...," was my only respond.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'. Hang on!" Jedediah continued without having any fear? Without a problem we went through the turn and we rode straight towards Cecil. The coach came closer and closer and I could feel the adrenaline through my body.

I don't really know what happened next. Everything happened so fast. Our van rode underneath the horses and the coach. Suddenly we felt a shock and it seemed the van got a will on his own. "I can't hold it!" I could hear Jedediah yell beside me. I saw the white mountain which laid straight ahead of us.

In the second when we flew through the air I thanked all Roman gods that Jedediah and I were friends in our last moment together.

Chapter 35 is done.

I'm really sorry I'm late tonight, but I'm in the middle of my tests, so I have to study really hard right now. Oh, and there will probably no chapter next Friday. I'm sorry, I'm really busy.

But I still hope you enjoyed this chapter. I mean, it became a pretty long one. Oh well, hoped you enjoyed! ^^