The rest of the school day went surprisingly well. I mean, I still got a few odd looks from the horrible girls (no change there) and Henry still wasn't talking to me, but then again that was nothing new. She never had done, no really.
When the day ended, the four of us went to Bakers Street tube station, where we all got a train to St Pancras. Then we split to go out separate ways. Laura and I headed for the Hammersmith and City line east. A few stops later we were walking away from Green Park station to my apartment. My father didn't mind me having friends over when he was away – as long as no wild parties happened, he didn't really care.
We turned the final corner, Laura stopped me.
"Who's that by the front door of your apartment building?" she whispered.
I looked. There were three men dressed in black with hoods covering their faces by the door, staring right at us. Nothing screamed 'monster', so I was a little confused. At a signal from the tallest one in the middle, they walked forward.
"Eden," Laura said, obviously getting worried.
"I got this," I said sternly, motioning her behind me.
They stopped right in front of us and carried on staring.
"Can I help you, gentlemen?" I asked, mock sweetness sugaring my tone.
The middle one – I assumed the leader – lowered his hood. I recognised him straight away. Sebastian Oznerol, Sandra's boyfriend. At six foot four he was (supposedly) very intimidating. He worked out every day after school and was training to become a pro cage fighter. Yes, I said cage fighter. You can imagine how many brain cells he has on upstairs.
Think amoeba, or potato. (No offence to amoebas or potatoes).
"Eden Lee, right?" he ground out, his voice deep.
Sandra thought it was rough, sexy. I think it's about as sexy as a damn clog.
"That's me. Eden Lee Llewellyn," I said happily. "What can I do you for?"
This ought to be interesting.
He took a step into my personal space. Bad move.
"Sandra said 'teach the freak a lesson in who's boss'. I'm here to learn you something."
See what I mean? Amoeba.
"And my brothers 'ere are gonna help," he said, pointing at Pinkie and Perky over his shoulder.
Ah, the two potatoes.
"I would love to see you try," I spat, my good humour gone. Intimidating me is one thing, but threatening me near my own home? Pathetic
They advanced.
"Get back," I whispered to Laura. She ran.
They pounced...
…And promptly landed on their fat faces, with me standing next to them.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked, feigning innocence. "You're going to have to do a lot better than that. A lot, lot better."
Pinkie snarled and tried to swipe at me feet. He was so far away I didn't even flinch. Did these people not get that I had fought bigger that their tiny little amoeba/potato minds could fathom?
Rolling my eyes, I picked up Pinkie and Perky – one in each hand – and threw them to one side, so I could get to Sebastian underneath. They went thud into various objects and slid to the floor, a little dizzy. Wusses. They want to try being thrown through a wall by an angry Cyclops. Now that hurt. I grabbed Sebastian by the scruff of the neck and hauled him up against a nearby wall, several inches off the ground. This is why I train most evenings, for when things like this happen.
The colour had quite rightly drained from his face.
"Now listen here," I hissed menacingly, my face so close to his our foreheads were almost touching. (I was on my tip toes so I could reach, but that was beside the point). "You run back to Sandra and tell her and her little friends that I, my friends, or any other demigods she happens to find are under my protection. If I find you anywhere near me again – whether you're trying to get yourself into prison or not – you'll get out of it with a lot more than a broken nose and possibly damaged ankles."
"B-b-but I d-don't have a-a broke- Argh!"
I dropped him to his meaty feet promptly and smashed my fist into his face. It was so satisfying to feel the bone snap beneath my fingers. He bent over in agony, clasping his bleeding nose between his fingers, tears streaming down his face. Pathetic amoeba.
I bent down to his ear.
"Do we understand each other?" I asked.
He nodded, whimpering like a hurt puppy.
"I said; do we understand each other?" I said again, more stern.
"Y-yes," he whispered.
"Good," I said, standing up. "Now take your brothers and get out of here." He limped over towards Perky and pulled him to his feet, then got Pinkie. They all limped of together at a snails pace.
I moved right behind them at the speed of light.
"Now!" I shouted in their ears.
They all yelped in surprise and took off limping at a much quicker pace.
I smiled gleefully.
Laura threw her arms around me.
"Ohmigod Eden!" she said joyfully. "That was amazing!"
I hugged her back, smiling broadly.
"That's oh my gods, plural. And thank you."
She pulled away gingerly. "Am I going to be struck by lightning any time soon?"
I laughed, pulling her towards my apartment complex.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "C'mon. I want to get amoeba's blood of my hand, and then I'll answer almost all your questions."