Hey my peoples!
52 total reviews! Can we make 60? (But I'll still update either way, I'm just more motivated when theres more reviews. ;) )
Okay, this chapter is kinda redundant but I really thinks it's sweet! I was really excited to write it. It's pretty much Chapter Eighteen in Zack's PoV. But Zack is so sweet. And I promise this si better than his last PoV chapter. I'm gonna admit. That was a filler chapter. Didn't know what to do, but I planned this one out! YAY!
VIRTUAL HUG TIME!
TO: The Avian-Olympian, Blackrosesroit, melissa. , m1h1r, Hichiitsuki-hime, Meepmeep123, and Pandastyle
So many! YAY!
Replies:
The Avian-Oympian: Haha! yeah, I thought about that! But yeah, Angel being the voice, that was another thing where I'm like 'Really?' That just seemed WAY too obvious. But yeah, it's not Angel. :) Um, yeah, I'm ADHD, I'm surprised you guys can follow along on these authors notes. talk about the randomest shit. ;) Ha, yeah, no this is perfectly safe. Besides, if those pervs out there wanna troll, they're gonna do it on Facebook, not friggen . And good for grammar! I know I make mistakes cuz I go back and read them and I'm like "SHIT! UGGGGGGG!" Haha! And I'm sure there not. Maybe I'll creep on your stories. Haha! ;) But I'm a nice reader, I never flame. Actually I rarely review so...yeah. But I will on yours once I find time to read when I'm not WRITING! ;D
Blackrosesroit: You're becoming a new regular reviewer! Yay! And, haha, none of the above! ;)
m1h1r: Yay! New person, unless you reviewed before under a different 'Guest' name. And yeah, I have minimal social life and I LOVE writing and legit, every minute I'm just sitting somewhere I'm like 'I have people waiting to see what happens next! I MUST UPDATE!' So, ha, good for you guys! And I'm glad I go good story flow. Thank you!
Hichitsuki-hime: That's probs wise, but I'm glad you read it all. Sometimes find myself getting bored with a story purely because of its length. Clearly that was not the case for you! YAY! :D Thank you for complimenting Lena, because, since I created her, it almost feels like your complimenting me! YAY! And, I think Zack always kinda knew she wasn't saying everything, but didn't want to push her. Later this chapter he says something like that. And this is awkward, I'm really not planning on having them go to camp but if you guys REALLY want me to I can try to work it in.
Honestly? I thinking of MAYBE saving that for a sequel? I know how the VERY end is gonna work out for this one and I've been tossing ideas around for a sequel.
Haha! Thanks for reviewing! :)
Meepmeep123: You a swimmer too? Read below, I'm gonna babble about my meet. And thank you very kindly! I HOPE IT PINGED!
Pandastyle: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That made me laugh. :) Yeah, Percy fics are so... *insert fangirl sighing* ;) Yeah, you kinda heard about what happened in the first chapter, but here you get more deapth into it. And we're probably in different timezones cuz I posted that chapter at like 8:30/9ish for me. And no, reviewing is enough for me to want ot update. :)
Well, good news. I'll be alone a lot of tomorrow so that means LOTS OF WRITING TIME! YAY! I'll update this one, hopefully my 'Here We Are, I Guess' story, and start my series of one-shots 'Living Through Painful Things'. It's gonna be a busy weekend. Luckily, the teachers were kind and I have little homework. I also have a tendency to do homework during class so YAY! :DDD
Okay, swim meet babbling.
We went up against a team we tied two years in a row (and in swimming, a tie is REALLY hard) and lost to them by THIS MUCH *holds fingers half an inch apart* last year. Yet...we CRUSHED THEM! Wootwoot! I swam odd events. 50 (two laps) back in medley relay. 200 (8 laps) free. 500 (TWENTY LAPS!) free. And 400 free relay (everyone swims four laps). I'm good at 100's/200's. I actually swam for points in my 200 (got second) and I rarely swim for points. Got a 2:24:89! Now, maybs theres some crazy swimmer going 'PSH! That ain't much' but whatever. I dropped like 3 seconds. My relay (I was in the A relay, which I never am!) got first! My 500...I survived. I was like crying from exhaustion at the end though. Think I got like a 6:54? Idk. Survived it I guess. Was dizzy as hell afterwards though. Back was...backstroke. I'm definitly a free-styler. Plus, that was the E relay. Yeah, that was not a typo. The E relay. Good meet!
Okay, new ADHD topic. I realized the other day that people from OTHER COUNTRIES are viewing this. Not as much, sure, but STILL! That BLOWS MY MIND! If your from another country, reading this, please review and let me know! I find it just amazing!
I may start chapter twenty tonight, but probs won't post til tomorrow morning. Sorry.
Do other authors babble this much? Does anyone even READ my entire Authors Note? Cuz, honestly, I probs wouldn't.
Right! Sorry. As I said, ADHD. Music Lyrics! (This is just gonna become a thing)
Check yes Juliet
Are you with me
Rain is falling down on the sidewalk
I won't go until you come outside
Check yes Juliet kill the limbo
I'll keep tossing rocks at your window
There's no turning back for us tonight
[Chorus:]
Lace off your shoes
Here's how we do
Run baby run
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart if you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart, don't say we're not meant to be
Run baby run, forever will be
You and me
Check yes Juliet
I'll be waiting
Wishing wanting yours for the taking
Just sneak out and don't tell a soul goodbye
Check yes Juliet
Here's the countdown:
3,2,1 now fall in my arms now
They can change the locks, don't let them change your mind
[Chorus]
We're flying through the night
We're flying through the night
Way up high
The view from here is getting better with you
By my side
Run baby run
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart if you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart, don't say we're not meant to be
Run baby run, forever will be
Run baby run, don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart if you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart, don't say we're not meant to be
Run baby run, forever will be
You and me
You and me
You and me
Perfect for Zena, but more I think for how Zack feels about Lena!
Song: None by No one
Disclaimer: ...
READ ON!
The Chimera attacking was like something out of a bad movie, because there was no heads up, no dramatic pause. I was sitting, watching TV, thinking about Lena, when suddenly one of my walls caved in and there it was.
After swearing profusely under my breath, I grabbed the lighter out of my pocket and flicked it open. It then grew into a long bronze sword. Luckily, even in lighter form, people didn't seem to notice it.
I think it took about four seconds for my apartment to catch on fire.
Well, my mom would be pissed.
I had heard about the Chimera. About it's fire breathing tendencies and its poisonous snake tail. Also, of course, I knew it's connection to Percy Jackson. It was one of the first monsters he had faced on his first quest, and he had almost be killed. It was quite debatable about whether this was because the monster was so challenging, or Jackson had known little about fighting then.
For my sake, I really hoped it was the latter.
I tried to advance it but was forced to duck and roll when it fire-breathed at me. After I stood I noticed a collar around its neck. That scratched that area to kill it.
Although I had never fought one, fighting a Chimera seemed a lot like fighting a two-headed-hydra (at least, it'd be two heads until you chopped one off). You not only had to watch the one head, but you gotta watch the second. In this case, the tail. While dodging the heat of the head's breath, I had to dodge the ferocity of the tail's teeth.
While in battle, time was meaningless. All that mattered was staying alive at that time, at that moment.
I have to get back to Lena. Lena needs me. I MUST return to Lena.
Exempting the obvious 'Watch out for the breath' 'DUCK!' 'ROLL!', thoughts of Lena were basically what my head contained.
Somewhere I thought I heard an additional bang, but I didn't think much of it.
Suddenly I heard a familiar voice shout, "Where are you?"
In the briefest of glances I saw Lena with her sword raised, looking around. "Lena!" I tried to catch her attention, although I have no idea how'd she'd miss the giant Chimera fight going on here.
The tail tried to bite, I rolled away.
I noticed how Lena was still standing there, looking around. But my concern was not all that great until I heard, "What do you mean?"
What do I mean? What does WHO mean?
Lena started spinning in circles, slashing her sword all over the place.
"Lena, what are you doing?"
Head breathed fire, I jumped away.
Suddenly, though, Lena's random slashes halted. Her eyes were wide and she seemed to be shivering, as if she was cold, though we were in a fire that could burn us alive.
I slashed, the Chimera dodged.
Lena then started teetering,m losing her balance as if intoxicated. Her eyes fluttered all over, as if she was trying desperately to register her surroundings.
What was wrong with Lena?
Suddenly, Lena seemed like my main concern and the Chimera was merely an obstacle in my way.
The Chimera would have to die then, even though that had been my original plan, I just had more motive now. I slashed again, but the Chimera swung its tail at me, causing me to backwards summersault.
I was seriously concerned about Lena. She had dropped to her knees, but I don't think she even realized she had. "Lena!" I shouted her name, but there was no reaction.
What was wrong with my Lena?
The Chimera breathed at me and I had to dodge it swiftly, but it had scorched my sleeve.
I stole a glance at Lena. She looked even worse. Pale and frightened, like a deer in headlights. "Lena!" I tried desperately to get through to her, but from this distance it wasn't possible.
That was it.
I charged the Chimera, dodging both a snake bite and a breath of fire. The tail swung at me again and I chopped it's head off. Seconds later the entire monster shriveled to gold dust.
I didn't waste time.
I returned my sword to lighter form as I sprinted to my Lena.
I sat directly in front of her, yet there was no reaction, no recognition. Her eyes were glazed over, yet flittering all over the place, as if she was seeing something else and, whatever it was, it terrified her.
My gods Lena. Be okay, you gotta be okay, Lena.
"Lena!" I cupped her small, beautiful face in my hands, "Lena you gotta come back!" I begged her. No reaction still.
Then she started shouting.
"Mom!" She screamed. My frown deepened. "Mom! Dad!" Her shout was horrible, the sound of utter loss and despair. It was so sad coming from her beautiful lips, even though they were coated in soot.
The fire around us grew, and I knew soon it would devour the both of us. I made a snap decision and picked Lena up, abandoning her sword.
"Come on, Lena," I said as I looked around frantically for an exit. "We gotta get out of here FAST!" Parts of the ceiling were beginning to fall. There was too much fire by the door. That only left...
Shit. Lena was gonna hate this.
I began running to the terrace. Lena was shaking like a fragile leaf in a windstorm. "Lena, PLEASE!" I begged, feeling my entire being suffer as she did.
And then...
She blinked. Recognition slowly came across her face. Although, right then might not have been the best time. Because that's when I jumped off the balcony.
Lena screamed. It was shrill and high-pitched and so like a normal girl who had just spotted a spider that I smiled, but Lena didn't notice. She had flung her arms around me and buried her head into my neck. This created a pleasant happiness to spread within me.
"Hold on Len's!" I unnecessarily shouted. Lena needed no prompting as she clutched me so hard it was hard to breathe, but I didn't mind.
After falling a few stories I felt the power of the air and created a platform below us. We stopped falling. Lena though, didn't move except for her involuntary shaking.
I loved the way Lena's head fit into my neck while her hair spilled over my shoulder and onto my arms. Her hair was so soft, even covered in grime and smoke. Also, behind the smell of smoke, I made out the distinct, odd, yet very pleasant mixture of raspberries and sea water.
"You okay, Lena?" I asked her.
She didn't reply and didn't lift her head. All she did was shake it.
I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand and not about how perfectly Lena's small body fit with mine.
"Okay," I said, "this descent is gonna be a little bumpy, but I won't let you fall. Okay, Lena?"
A pause. Then she slowly nodded her head. "Alright," I told her, "here comes the first drop."
We fell again several stories before I halted us. "See, that wasn't so bad."
Lena mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'Stupid son of Zeus.'
I laughed, marveling at how Lena seemed to be back to her old smart-ass sarcastic self. "Alright, we're gonna take it one drop at a time."
We continued to fall and Lena clutched harder. I was relieved no one seemed shocked that there was a flying kid.
I finally told her we were at the last one, and when we touched down I felt her relax. "Okay, Len's. We're down." I was actually saddened, because I knew Lena would untangle herself, and I would miss her heat.
Lena picked her head up, but looked away, her face flushing from what seemed like embarrassment. She then slowly picked herself up from my arms. I tried to conceal my disappointment.
"Thanks," she mumbled in that cute way of hers when she's uncomfortable with the situation. "Guess I suck at rescue missions, huh?" Though it seemed to be phrased as a joke, she sounded serious.
"It's okay, Lena." I said, trying to sound supportive. "What..." I tried to get the courage to ask. "I mean, what exactly happened back there?"
Her eyes visibly darkened as she recalled. She then tucked her hair behind her ears. I had noticed that was a nervous habit of hers. "I'm not good with fires. ...or heights."
"You killed your first monster at the age of seven, and yet your biggest fears are fires and heights?"
The way she said it made it sound so simple, so normal. I couldn't contain the smile. My Lena was anything but normal. She was brave and strong, one of, if not the, strongest person I knew. Yet, in contrast, she was so fragile, so frail, that at times I was afraid she'd shatter if I pushed her.
Upon seeing my smile, Lena was immediately on the defense. "There's perfectly good reasons why I'm not good with fires or heights," she snapped.
Of course there was. Everything about Lena was rationalism. It was one of those odd quarks that, for some reason, I loved about her.
"We'll talk about it later," she continued. "Right now, we need to go. There's no way that scene went unnoticed by your father."
"Yeah," I agreed, "that's something I found. The Chimera works for Echidna who works for my father, yet attacked me, a son of Zeus."
Lena's eyes darkened again. She knew something.
"We'll talk later," she concluded. "We REALLY need to go. Can you leave right now?"
I shrugged, knowing I'd leave even if I had no supplies. "I got my weapon, but I don't have clothes or anything."
"I have money," she replied quickly. "We can get you clothes."
I nodded. "Okay. Where to?"
"Right now?" She asked. "My goal is far away."
Fair enough.
We then sprinted to the car feeling mixed emotions about some things, while others were completely clear.
Mixed emotions:
What was up with the Chimera?
Lena seemed okay, but she's such a person who buries her troubles that it's hard to tell.
I missed Lena in my arms, but knew we had to go.
Clear:
I was completely, uncontrollably, undeniably, and irrationally in love with Lena.