Chapter 10. Vanessa: Enigmas
A heartbeat. So faint that I almost missed it. I sighed in relief and let go of Alva's golden brown arm. It hung limply at her side. A lump formed in my throat and I turned away. I met Nico's dark eyes.
"She's fine," I said. Nico rolled his eyes as though he couldn't care less.
"She was fine fifteen minutes ago and fifteen minutes before that. You aren't though." He smirked suddenly and my heart skipped a few beats. Cursing, I turned towards the door, ignoring Nico's words. What could I say? That he didn't understand? Heck, even I didn't understand what Alva meant to me. She was important to me, that is all. But from what I've seen so far, Nico wouldn't understand that.
The other campers treated him differently. They respecting to a point that bordered on fear. When I pointed it out to Nico, he mentioned something about a skeleton army and waved the matter away. But of course I couldn't let it go. I just had to know. I sighed again.
"Hey." Nico had caught up with me. I blinked and looked around. I hadn't realized that we left the infirmary. I looked around. Camp was beautiful. Ever green trees all around and the forever blue skies, the orange clad campers, and the best part, the beach and the deep blue sea after it. Already, I thought of it as home. Nico had given me the grand tour and I loved everything, even the forest.
"Earth to Vanessa." Nico sounded annoyed. I met his eyes and smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry. I just zoned out for a while. I've got a lot on my mind." My thoughts wandered again. Was Alva okay? From what I could gather, Chiron had managed to get a certain Mr. D to heal her. But she was still unconscious. I didn't want her to wake up alone. Gods know what she might do.
"Yeah, I could tell." Nico sounded bitter. I sent him a curious look. He met my gaze with dark, angry eyes. Before I could ask, why in the world was he so angry, something behind him caught my eye.
"What's that?" I pointed to a large cave with a heavy curtain in front of it. Emerald flames, Greek fire according to Nico, burned at the entrance. I thought I saw a shadow move inside of the curtain. Nico turned around, following my gaze.
"Oh. That. That is the cave of the Oracle." Nico made a menacing gesture, curling his fingers into claws. I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes, laughing. How old did he think I was?
"Yeah, it is right. Do you want to have a look, milady?" He swept his arms out dramatically. I caught the surprised looks of several campers. Apparently, Nico didn't always behave like this. My eyes found the cave again and my curiosity was aroused. I felt myself caving in, if you would pardon the pun. The cave of the Oracle or not, I had to go see it. I saw Nico smirk and cursed. He knew I wouldn't be able to resist!
He began walking towards the cave and I automatically followed. As we got closer, Nico smugly pointed out a sign to me. Sure enough, "Cave of the Oracle" was written in bold, clear letters. Nico looked at me strangely.
"What?" I asked. He frowned and ran his fingers through his hair.
"You're not dyslexic?" Alva had asked me the exact same question. I wanted to go back and check on her but the cave pulled me like a magnet.
"A little but I'm not as bad as Alva." I moved towards the cave cautiously, thinking about the shadow I saw. Was that the Oracle? "Words like that-"I waved an arm at the sign "– I can read. Cursive letters? Don't even think about it." I shuddered, remembering the sign in that restaurant Alva and I went to. Alva again. I have to check on her. It's too late now though. Nico was pulling back the curtain in front of the cave and I leaned forward in anticipation. The curtain inched open slowly, too slowly. Finally, I could see the interior of the cave.
For a cave dwelling, it was certainly very modern. I drank in all the details. Plush furniture, lots of Greek fire, and strange sketches. I stepped forward to get a closer look at the sketches covered with Greek lettering. I saw a bridge that seemed to be completely made out of stone. I saw seven tiny figures standing on a high, high mountain.
"Who drew those?" I asked Nico. "They are very good." I knew absolutely nothing about art but these were obviously beautiful. Nico remained silent. I turned around to repeat the question and was met by the sight of two bright blue eyes. I stopped shocked. A blonde girl dressed completely in pink was glaring at me accusingly. I opened my mouth to say something but Nico beat me to it.
"What are you?" His tone was harsh and he stepped in front of me protectively. I stepped out from behind him, partially out of curiosity and partially because I didn't need protection. The girl didn't answer. She just glared at me some more. It was rather creepy. She seemed harmless though. I had seen plenty of girls dressed like her in Camp and they seemed okay.
"Answer me!" I gave him a look. Why was he acting so rude? It was just a girl. Jeez! Just as I opened my mouth to say something, the girl spoke.
"Two of the seven. They have arrived. It has begun." I barely caught her words. Nico apparently heard them as well for he growled and stepped forward. Immediately, the girl turned and ran away. Nico ran after. I stared at their retreating backs, bewildered. What in the world was going on? What two? What seven? What has begun? My eyes found the sketch again. There were seven figures standing on the mountain. Coincidence?
"Hello." I whirled around, fully expecting to see that strange girl again. Instead, another girl but a no less strange one, stood before me. Her frizzy hair was a brilliant red and she had bright green eyes. She didn't look so scary though, with her cheerful smile, freckly face. She wore a large T-shirt saying "Life is shirt- Talk fast!" and paint-splattered holey jeans.
"Hey." I grinned. Maybe she could tell me who the Oracle was. I mean, it seemed such a waste coming all the way here and leaving without even seeing the Oracle. "I'm Vanessa."
"Rachel," replied the red head. "Resident artist. Utterly normal human being. Okay maybe not, I do live in a cave. Oh and of course, the Oracle of Delphi. What can I do for you?"
My jaw dropped. "You're the Oracle?" Disbelief clouded my voice. Rachel, the Oracle, laughed.
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" My reaction didn't seem to bother her. Maybe she got that a lot.
"Very." I replied. It was just that she was so normal! She didn't even carry a weapon like the other campers. Rachel pulled her hair up into a pony tail and began pottering around the cave.
"So how can I help you?" Rachel asked. I started, surprised.
"Sorry?" Rachel smiled. She straightened a few plush pillows and collapsed on the couch and motioned for me to her. I sat gingerly, a strange smell, drawing my attention. I wondered if it was polite to ask an Oracle what type of air freshener was she using.
"Well, when Campers come to see me it's usually to ask for a prophecy. I host the soul of the Oracle so if you ask me in question, boom! I give you a prophecy! Thank the gods it doesn't happen in school though." Rachel apparently lived life exactly like her T-shirt said. She talked a mile a minute. I noticed a hint of worry underneath all the cheery smiles though. I wondered what could be wrong. The strange smell tickled my nose and I suppressed a sneeze.
"Oh." Prophecies? Could she help me find out about my past?
"Oh, indeed!" Rachel slumped back against the crouch and smiled at me. "So? What's the million dollar question?" I hesitated for a moment and blurted it out.
"What can you tell me about my past?" Rachel closed her eyes. Her brow furrowed. I waited at the edge of my seat, waiting for something, anything, to happen. Could this be it? Will I finally find out my history? Rachel opened her eyes.
"I'm sorry. There's nothing. I-"Rachel looked at me strangely. "You can't remember your past?" I shook my head. "You're that new girl, right? The one that arrived with the injured girl…" She trailed off, unsure what to say. I nodded mutely. "Chiron might be able to help. C'mon" She pulled me up and we hurried out.
As we ran, Rachel explained that we were heading towards Chiron's office in the Big House. Chiron was the head counselor. Nico had already explained this so I asked about Mr. D instead. Who was he?
"You'll just have to see for yourself." Rachel had panted out.
We were halfway there when a loud bang rang throughout Camp. Rachel looked grim.
"This could be bad." Then she grabbed my arm and we began running again. I wondered if it was Alva. Where was Nico now? What happened to the blonde girl? What two? I wondered again. What seven? What has begun?
Question after question swirled around in my head. I felt my temples throbbing. I needed answers. I looked at Rachel, grimly running towards the Big House.
Maybe this was the place to get some.