Chapter 22. Vanessa: I Ain't No Lab Rat
Keep your eyes open. Every sense vigilant. Track every motion, every rustle of the trees, and every snap of a tree branch. Feel danger on your skin. Taste fear on your tongue. Keep your feet ready. Fix your attention on one thing and one thing only: surviving.
That was basically summarizing what everyone kept telling me; Alva, Nico, Conner, Annabeth, Chiron, Travis, Clara, Rachel. Everyone. It's like they were all afraid I'd bolt at the slightest hint of danger. Honestly, I can take care of myself! It didn't help that every time I try to take their advice something distracts me. Oh it comes in all forms: big black dogs with droopy ears and lolling tongues that looks so freaking cute it's all I can do to keep myself from kissing their noses. Oh, their huge wet noses! Then, there's Alva who has been acting weird since she returned from wherever she disappeared to this morning. She came back flushing, her hair a dark auburn and eyes flashing. She absolutely refused to tell me what happened no matter how much I begged and begged her to fill me in. Then there were shiny pamphlets, old run down houses and the forest which still freaks me out. And finally, of course, there's Nico.
It's so damn unfair. I mean, he can't be that cute. He just can't. My brain must be addled or something. By the gods, there are lives at stake and all I can think about is how his hair falls into his eyes and how he looks like a dashing knight or something sometimes. I don't think about it all the time of course, by the gods, I'm not that shallow. It just… jumps out at me sometimes. Like now, as we stood a good distance away from the huge ugly eagle that had just try to shish kebab us with its horrific claws. And by horrific I do mean horrific. Those claws were at least three times my size! But noooo, all I can think about is Nico and his thrice accursed eyes as he laid a hand on my shoulder. Is this normal, I thought helplessly as I fell into the warm, chocolaty darkness of his eyes. I didn't even like chocolate. Honestly, it wasn't like I could ask anyone, out here in this forest. The idea of asking Alva was laughable. I mean, don't get me wrong, she's the best friend but she's not exactly an expert on boys, you know? I mean, Connor's obviously smitten by her and she still doesn't notice.
Of course, Alva just had to ruin my moment as she cleared her throat nervously. Nico shot her a go-curl-up-somewhere-and-die look. But that's normal for the both of them. I have no idea why they despised each other so much. Neither of them could say two words without insulting each other. It was like they were a pair of siblings who absolutely loathed each other or something; it gave me a headache. But I knew trying to make them get along was absolutely hopeless. I had mentally pleaded with Alva to stop insulting, sniping and in general, hating the sight of his very cute face but it didn't have any effect. I made a mental note to talk to Nico about it later. When we weren't facing huge, scary drawings of ladies with weird eyes.
When I say weird, I do mean weird. We just walked through a whole swath of burnt forest and I noticed that there wasn't a single animal around. Not a bug chirping, no birds singing, no squirrels, nothing, zilch. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Now, this rock drawing wasn't helping either. It was at least five feet wide and three long. The eyes took up half of the drawing. The lady who watches, the prophecy had said. The pamphlet now stuck on the edge of that eagle's beak had named the drawing as 'She Who Watches'. Was there a connection? I certainly hope so.
I was just about to suggest that we climb the mountain to get a better view of the drawing – you know, in case there are hidden clues there or something - when a voice called out from behind us. I jumped three feet into the air and whirled around. The voice was analytical, a lot like Annabeth's but deeper … darker. And just plain freaky. Acting on instinct, I pulled my pin out from my hair and like magic; it was my celestial bronze polished dagger. No, not like magic, I reminded myself. It is magic. The shivers running down my back told me the voice and whoever it belonged to was dangerous. On my left, Alva pivoted on her right foot and pulled out her sword in one smooth move. Her sword flashed, illuminating the woods. I had barely been able to see more than three feet on front of me before, but now the owner of the voice was clearly revealed, the light of Alva's sword leaving no shadow for him to hide – lurk, conceal, shroud, whatever - in. Nico pulled out his sword too and held it up at ready. His russet brown eyes widened as he took in the man in front of us. I stared at him, absorbing random information. He wore shiny shoes with tassels and a black suit, like the type a New Yorker would wear to an extremely important meeting. His dark hair was pulled into a pony tail, like a wannabe bureaucratic rock star. His face was riddled with scars, like a maze or something.
"Do you know the story?" The man asked again. I had been so preoccupied with his voice that I hadn't even registered what he said. I cursed and focused again. Even as I did, part of me was turning green with envy over Alva and Nico's unwavering attention at the task at hand. I was doing it again!
"No," I answered the man. I assumed the man was talking about the story about the lady, 'She Who Watches'. Maybe he was a tour guide. A horribly overdressed, wannabe rock star tour guide with a scary voice. That can't be good for business.
"Good," the man grinned. I heard a sharp intake on breath on my right and glanced at Nico worriedly. Was he all right? He looked rather surprised and … afraid? What's going on here? The man went on, seemingly oblivious to the various weapons we held in our hands. "I'm Prometheus," the man continued and Alva jerked, like she had been physically pushed. "And if you would kindly sit down, I'll tell you the story." Neither Alva nor Nico moved. They were staring at the man, Prometheus, with wild eyes, like he just told them he could pull deluxe blueberry and cheese waffles out of the thin air.
"What's the matter?" Prometheus asked, looking at each of us, seeming genuinely puzzled. "Surprised to see and old friend?" he asked Nico. "Oh I know your mother, very well," he told Alva, with a secret smile, like they both shared a private joke. Alva looked faintly sick. I blinked, processing all this. If he knew Alva's mom, he must be a god of some sort, and he can't be good judging from the reaction of my friends. "And an introduction for you, my dear," he said to me, his tone kind, friendly and generally, harmless. "I'm the Titan of Forethought and the Bringer of Fire, Prometheus." He smiled again, like he was a grandpa and we were his favorite grandchildren. I began to relax, despite myself. Pulling Alva and Nico down with me, I sat on an outcropping of rock and smiled politely at Prometheus. "There, you see that wasn't hard!" he beamed back at me, like I had just made him proud.
"What do you want?" Nico growled. Alva still had her sword raised and her knuckles were beginning to turn white. I looked at the both of them, wondering why can't they just chill out for a second. All the guy wants to do was tell us a story, for gods' sake!
"Nothing big, just to share some family lore and a friendly chat, isn't that right, Vanessa?" Prometheus smiled at me again, one of those gentle smiles that made you feel precious and loved, like a treasured family member. Alva shot me a warning look, her eyes flashing, hair the color of midnight with streaks of scarlet running through it like fire. I smiled at her encouragingly.
No worries, Alva. I directed the thought at her. I don't think he means us harm. Alva shook her head, the slightest of movements, just a fraction of an inch to the right and then back again. Nico glanced over at me, his eyes concerned. I heard some campers describe him as emotionless, like a rock, but to me he had never seemed that way. At least, with me he wasn't. For me, he was vulnerable, dark, mysterious, a little infuriating but not emotionless. Never that. We turned back to Prometheus again, who had settled down on the gray stump of one of the countless trees around us. It was unnerving, seeing the forest around us burnt and ash grey. But in the light of Alva's sword I noticed a ripple of motion among the trees. A branch shifting here, a trunk moving there. The grey color was rapidly fading, replaced by the usual leaf green. By the gods, it was like the forest was regenerating, healing itself or something.
I should have realized it then. I should have paid attention to the familiar shivers running down my back and the faintest of whispering in the air. I should have recognized it. But I was a fool. My attention was captured by Prometheus again, who had begun his story.
"Long, long ago," Prometheus said, his voice hushed and animated. "There lived a beautiful, wise, powerful woman. Now, this was no ordinary lady. Not at all. She commanded the Earth; she was one with the Earth. In fact," he leaned forward ever-smiling, and I mirrored him; enchanted like he was a snake charmer and I was some critter under his spell. "She was the Earth. She ruled over us, keeping all beings under her peaceful and happy." Nico made a small noise in his throat, like he wanted to disagree. Alva was fidgeting beside me, like she wanted to run towards Prometheus and skewer him with her sword. As for me, I was completely entranced. I could almost see it, the land he was talking about. It appeared out of the thin air in front of us like a mirage, rippling and on the edge of disappearing.
I saw the woman, her long earth-brown hair held back with a simple jade-green clasp. Her eyes were moss-green and kind. Her mouth curved in a permanent smile. She wore a long dark green dress, beautiful in its simplicity. All around her, people danced, forever happy and content. The world was wild and free, without restrictions, without trouble – like something out of a fairytale. I couldn't help myself; I leaned forward further, sliding off the rock onto my knees on the ground. I wanted to be there, in that world. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed that the trees seem to be shooting upwards now, hardly any trace of gray left. But I didn't care. All I saw was the woman and her glimmering emerald eyes.
"Now, they were of course, people jealous of her amazing power. But they didn't dare to confront her head-on, oh no. They sneaked around her and attacked her children. In the image, I saw a dozen people attacking another bunch of people, one of whom had a scythe. The attacking team seemed ugly and deformed, their faces twisted. I saw a woman that looked vaguely like Annabeth and a man with Nico's dark eyes but they seemed evil, a malevolent aura surrounding them. The beautiful woman's face became twisted with grief and something like vengeful anger. I felt my heart ache for her. It wasn't fair! How could they do that to her? I heard nothing from Nico and Alva. They must be as absorbed in the story as I was. Prometheus continued, his voice getting louder and louder until it was all that I could hear, the sound of his voice echoing in my ears and ricocheting over and over in my mind.
"Then, our wise Mother Earth decided to retaliate. She gathered her sons, the ones made from the Earth, each fashioned to face a specific opponent. A great battle was waged. Alas, those cruel, cruel people resorted to trickery and they murdered her sons. That didn't quench their hunger, oh no! They banished the Mother, scattering her essence all over the whole. She became, weak, very weak, her form stretched and polluted. A part of her, her small but nevertheless strong part, resides here." Prometheus stopped, I stared at the images as they flickered and moved to mirror his words. In the end, the lady was sucked onto the earth until the barest hint of her form was left.
"And hence, the drawing," I whispered. I looked at Prometheus, seeing if he would agree with me. He only smiled like he found me amusing. A loud yell sounded in my ear, shocking me and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Vanessa!" Alva was shouting. "Vanessa, wake the hell up!" I stared at her, my heart racing from the violent surprise. What did she mean wake up? I was awake. I had been awake. Suddenly, I realized, I was lying in the ground with mud caking my clothes and hair. I pushed myself up, looking around warily. What in the name of the gods had happened? There was no mirage with a mini movie in it, Prometheus wasn't telling any stories. He was just standing there, watching me with unreadable silver eyes, mocking me with his sardonic smile. But the trees had really grown back. They weren't gray and burnt anymore. So, I couldn't have been unconscious. I saw that happening. Didn't I? Alva straightened up, her gaze never leaving mine. She looked worried, her skin stretched tightly over her bones. Her eyes blazed with a kind of unchecked fury and her hair was pure silver. Alva was biting her lips so hard a thin circle of scarlet droplets had appeared around her lips.
"Vanessa," she breathed. "What happened? What did you see? How – " Alva broke off, shaking her head wildly. I knew what she meant. Alva was telepathic, she must have seen what I saw, she must have heard Prometheus's story, she must have. I looked up at her, my eyes wild. I must have look like some crazy raving lunatic, covered in mud and leaves stuck in my hair.
"You saw it," I said. It wasn't a question. Alva nodded tersely. We looked at each other, lost for words. The images I saw were so vivid; they seemed to be burned into my mind. The story still echoed on my head, I remembered the wicked faces I had seen, the faces that so resembled the people I know from Camp. It was chilling, thinking of them. I felt doubt growing in my heart like a little black seedling. I shook myself mentally, trying not to put my thought into words. Alva met my eyes again. She opened her mouth to say something but a yell stopped her in her tracks.
"You wake her up, damn it! I don't know what you did to her but wake her up again, you – " The both of us turned to see Nico running towards Prometheus his sword in hand. He didn't seem to realize that I was awake. All of his attention was focused on the Titan before him and there was a light in his eyes - a rage so deep, a wanting, no, a need to tear the mocking Titan to bits. Prometheus just watched him, amused. Nico had barely taken two steps when a pillar of flame erupted in front of him, stopping Nico in his tracks. He yelled in surprise and I shot to my feet, a scream tearing from my lips.
"Nico!" I yelled, running to him. My heart was in my throat, my skin crawling with fear. I couldn't see anything, but the tower of fire surrounding the son of Hades, blocking every exit, surrounding him, stretching out hungry arms of flame that seemed to long to devour him. "Nico!" I screamed again. In a flash, Alva was beside me, her eyes scanning the fire, reflecting the scarlet flames, her hair growing cerulean highlights. I turned to her, beseechingly. "Do something!" My voice was hysterical. The fire was really raging now, the flames jumping and playing, almost as tall as Alva. Heat rolled of it in waves, burning up the oxygen in the air. Every breath was a chore now and I began feeling lightheaded. Alva pulled me down to the ground.
"Lie flat," she hissed. I obeyed out of sheer instinct. Nico, my mind said. Where was he? Was he alive? Did he survive that? Can he survive that? Then, faintly, so faint I almost missed it, I heard a yell from the other side of the fire, travelling through the crackling and hissing of the flames.
"Nico!" I yelled. Then, closer, I heard an answer. Beside me, Alva lay completely still.
"Vanessa? You're okay!" I almost cried at the sound of his voice. He was okay. He was all right. Thank the gods. Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the fire died. Nico was on the ground too, barely three feet away from me. We blinked at each other in surprise.
"Vanessa," Alva's voice was low and tense. Both Nico and I looked at her. She was looking at something behind me, her eyes bright and hair some dark color. She looked scared, I realized. "Turn around." I flipped over and scrambled to my feet, the second time in so many minutes. Around us, darkness gathered like a cloth, sealing out the rest of the world. If it wasn't for Alva's sword we would be as blind as bats. Light from her weapon bounced off the walls of the mountain and illuminated the little clearing we were in. A thick, dense forest surrounded us, no traces of the stubby gray trees was left. I could smell the smoky smell of fire that still lingered in the air, singeing my nostrils. Above me, the Mega Eagle that we encountered before let out a shriek but it sounded far, far away. I took in all this in a spilt second before my gaze rested on the two figures before me.
Prometheus seemed to have an aura of flames surrounding him. He grinned at me, his sarcastic smile mocking us, our foolishness, or rather my own stupidity. I had thought of him as a wannabe rock star but now he seemed cold, distant, mocking and utterly, completely dangerous. Beside him stood a woman, a horribly, terribly familiar woman. I felt fear crawling over my skin, like shivery cool spiders, at the memory of her throaty voice, of the pure joy that infused it as I lay at her feet, dying. I reeled back, like I had been electrocuted. Beside me, Alva tensed. I knew she recognized the figure from my memories. Nico raised his sword while I fought hysteria.
The Earth Lady. She was here. She had come to kill me again. To suck the very life out of me. No. No. No . No. I was so stupid. I had seen the signs, the faint whispering in the air, the forest healing itself, heck, the lady in the images I and Alva had seen. I was so stupid. So so stupid.
"Hello again, my dear Vanessa," her voice was no more than a mere whisper and yet it carried over to us. I felt it settle over my skin like cobwebs and resisted the urge to scream. Prometheus went on smiling. "My, my, this sure is some reunion." Alva stepped forward, her sword raised, light shooting out of it like it was a miniature sun. Nico mirrored her movement, and they both formed a human wall in front of me, protecting me, shielding me, blocking me. I made a sound of protest in my throat but Alva silenced me with a sharp movement of her hand. The Earth Lady laughed mockingly.
"Well, well," she chuckled. "Is this what it comes to, Vanessa? Your so-called friends forming a human wall to protect you? Even they think you're weak!" Her words hurt, like knives spiraling their way to my heart. Weak. I was weak. That was what everyone kept saying. What they all keep thinking. The Earth Lady turned to Prometheus, disgusted. "Is this puny mortal really the great weapon you speak of?" Her tone was contemptuous. I saw Alva and Nico freeze in shock. I raised my head. Weapon? I was no weapon.
Prometheus nodded and smile as it was his way. "Yes, Milady. I am sure. She just doesn't know it yet," he replied, bowing his head slightly. He sounded slick, smooth and sure, like a convincing salesman. I would have been revolted if I wasn't so surprised.
She turned back to me, "Very well." Her eyes flashed with something like triumph. She hissed, her voice menacing. "Get out of my way damn fools; you're not the ones that I want." From the space between Alva and Nico I saw her make a claw-like gesture with her hand, moving it sharply to her right. Immediately, the ground rippled, throwing Alva and Nico towards the mountain wall. They slammed against the wall hard, their heads cracking against the solid rock. They didn't stand a chance; both Alva and Nico went out like lights, sliding to the ground, unconscious. I pressed my hand to my trembling lips. I hated this; I hated feeling this weak, this helpless. But I couldn't help it. I was scared. No, I was more than scared. I was plain terrified, on the verge of a total breakdown. The Earth Lady grinned maliciously.
"My name," she said seductively, her green eyes glowing in the dark. "Is Gaia. And I am here to offer you two choices." Prometheus shifted uneasily beside her. The movement was almost like he was asking for permission - like in a soldier requesting permission to speak, like the Earth Lady, Gaia or whatever she is, controlled him. Gaia made a small motion with her hand, the barest flicking of fingers that seemed contemptuous and regal at the same time.
"You see," Prometheus still sounded like a proud uncle but now I detected an undercurrent of malice, of darkness, of evil underneath. "A small part of Gaia's essence was stored here. The Native Americans knew it; they felt it so they drew that painting up there, to honor our Great Mother. When I heard about the prophecy," I felt my heart beat sped up again. How did he know about the prophecy? "I knew your quest would eventually lead you here, so I told," Prometheus broke off as Gaia shot him a glare. "I mean, I requested Gaia, for an audience with you." I stepped back, shaking my head wildly. In the corner, I noticed Alva stirring lightly.
"I don't get it," I said breathlessly. "What do you want to see me for?" My throat hurt, my eyes hurt and I was fighting the feeling of having my very essence sucked out. I knew Gaia was doing something to me and I was trying, trying to fight it. But a little voice in me, the little pessimistic voice that haunted me at the very thought of Gaia, said that it would be pointless. I was weak. I couldn't fight her. How could I? She was the Earth itself. I was just some girl who didn't even know where she came from. Prometheus smiled, like he knew what I was thinking.
"Oh, you teenage girls are so adorable. So full of angst! So unsure of themselves! You have power, my dear Vanessa. You can feel it if only you'd reach out, out of that little cocoon of self-doubt you have surrounded yourself with. You have control over things even Milady has no power over." Gaia glared at him and Prometheus winced, like he regretted those words. "That's why, you can form an alliance with us." He ended, and Gaia steeped forward.
"That's why you should form an alliance with us," Gaia smiled, her voice soft and sweet. I looked into her moss-green eyes. They seemed to pull me in, showing me things I had only dreamed of in my hearts of hearts. Me, finding about my past. Me, tall and beautiful. Me, with power beyond imagining. Me, with all the ones I loved, safe and happy in a world with no monsters, no pain, no sadness. It was all so beautiful, so unbearably tempting, that I took a step forward, enchanted despite myself. "You know you want it," Gaia smiled, showing off pearly white teeth that shone in the dark. An emerald aura surrounded her, and for a moment she looked like the kind, stunning woman Prometheus had shown me. In the corner, Alva sat up weakly, turning towards me.
"Vanessa," her voice was weak. I saw blood dripping down the side of her head. Nico still hadn't moved. It squeezed my heart seeing two of the strongest people I know like that. "Don't listen to her, she's lying." Gaia barely turned her head to look at Alva; just flicking a wrist like a fly was annoying her. The Earth rumbled again and Alva was smacked against the mountain wall. I heard something snap.
"No!" I took a few steps toward the both of them when flames erupted around me, blocking my way. I turned toward Gaia again.
"Listen to me you pathetic wimp," she hissed, her face twisting with rage. Anger sucked all the beauty from her face. "You are weak now. You're underestimated, ignored. You don't even know who you are! Who do you think took that away from you, little girl? Your own mother doesn't want you to know your heritage! Even she is afraid of you! You think you're loved, puny mortal? Think again! Join forces with me," she leaned forward, her glossy hair swinging over her shoulders. "And you will be everything you want to be and more." She smiled like she was sure she had already won.
No. I faced her dead on. I was sick of this. Of people telling me what to do. Of them telling me I was weak and needed to be protected. Of them treating me like I'm some fragile flower that needs to be protected. I closed my eyes, trying to come up with a pan. Prometheus's words sounded in my head. You can feel it if only you'd reach out, out of that little cocoon of self-doubt you have surrounded yourself with. You have control over things even Milady has no power over. Reach out, I thought. I tried it, pushing away all of my fears, all my doubts, even all my questions. It wasn't reaching out; it was more like I was being released. I was free, and I felt it. Something strong and powerful, above us, on the mountain I think. It was drawing me to it, like a magnet. I locked my knees and furrowed my brow. Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I pulled. And then … chaos.
I opened my eyes to see water, tons and tons of it, barreling down the mountain faster than Connor could hotwire a car. It was a tsunami was headed our way. Gaia and Prometheus turned their heads up, their mouths still opened, pouring out their filthy lies.
"You can take your alliance," I yelled at them, my voice carrying over the sound of the trillion gallons of rushing water. "And stick it up your filthy – " The water struck us. Immediately, I felt my body dissolve, becoming one with the water again. I threw my head back and laughed, I had forgotten how good this felt. Then, I focused again. Concentration came easily to me here, surrounded with water. Then, I pushed the water, commanding it to find another river, another path. And for it to take these liars with it. I felt the water whooshing past me, through me as it obeyed my command. It was an incredible feeling. I wasn't controlling the water; I wasn't in charge of the river I had pulled of the mountain. It was more like I was part of it.
I opened my eyes.
They were gone. All traces of Gaia and Prometheus had been obliterated. There wasn't even a scorch mark on the ground to show that they had been there. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I smiled. I had done it. I had shown them I wasn't weak and I wasn't going to run around under them taking their orders. I was no pet and I was no weapon. On the down side, I still didn't know what exactly I was. But it didn't matter now. We had won. For now. I grinned, swaying on my feet. Then, I collapsed, darkness swallowing me. And then, there was nothing.
AN: This chapter was inspired by Taylor Swift's Eyes Open. I'd like to thank her for that amazing song. To all my readers, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Reviews and CC's are welcome and appreciated!