Chapter 18!
The next morning I stood at the top of half-blood hill with Leo and Grover, Peleus watching me with shifty eyes. I suspected he didn't really like me, but after the last incident, he dared not get near me. The sun was just peaking its way over the strawberry fields, and the breeze brought their fresh scent to my nose. I hefted my backpack, which consisted of three changes of clothes, enough food for an army, plenty of pranking supplies, nectar and ambrosia—as well as other first aid—and of course my book of Ate. How was I able to fit that in a smallish backpack? I received it the night before…
It started with a dream. I was in the desert, a storm brewing overhead. I thought it was strange to see such a storm in the middle of the desert, but I didn't have time to think on it much. The ominous clouds boiled and churned, not raining, but just seemed to be there for the sole purpose to make the situation more terrifying.
I couldn't see much because of the dark clouds, but what I did I wished I couldn't. before me I saw an army of monsters—every kind. There were hellhounds and telekinies, dragons with every number of heads, gorgons, dracaena, empusa, and so many I couldn't even name. They advanced without much speed, but I knew I couldn't fight them all.
I turned and saw someone else there with me. I couldn't see his face, just his fearful eyes.
"It's a trap," I said. "They only want me".
"No Jo," he protested. "Don't go alone. I'm here to help".
I shook my head. "I'm the only one who can fix it. Besides, I need to make my mark". I was about to head toward the monster army when the boy grabbed my arm.
"Please," he pleaded. "You can't do this alone. You'll die".
"Then they'll have what they want, and leave the rest of the world alone," I said, tears welling in my eyes. I didn't want to die, but if that's what it took to save the world, that's what I would have to do. I removed the boy's hand, and walked toward the army in surrender.
Suddenly the dream changed, and I was in a dark room. I couldn't see anything, not even my hand in front of my face.
"So, you're going to Arima," said a voice. I couldn't see where it came from.
"Yeah," I said. "Where are you?"
"That's not important," the voice said. "You must be very brave to go to that forbidden land. Or just very stupid".
"I'll go with brave," I said.
The voice chuckled. "Well, well. There may be hope for you yet".
"What are you talking about?"
"You seem you're going to need help, so I'll give you a gift".
"A gift?" I said.
"Yes. You'll find it when you wake up. And look in that book of yours".
When I woke up, I looked at the end of my bed to find a backpack. It gleamed with gold thread in the morning sun. Thinking of the dream, I grabbed my book from under my bed and opened it to the first page after the warning. But instead of facts on Ate, it had a letter written on it. It read,
Dear reader,
I'm sure by now you've noticed many things about yourself and the trouble this book and your own aura have put you through. And as a token of my apologies, and a congratulation on your quest, I have given you a gift. The backpack in front of you is enchanted to hold anything you put in it, no matter what size or quantity.
-The Sneaker
"The Sneaker". There was that name again. Who was it?
"Hey, Chica!" called Leo, waving a hand in front of my face, jolting me back to the present.
"Huh, what?" I said.
"You ready?" he asked. "The van's ready to go".
"Huh? Oh, yeah," I said. I looked back at camp, the rolling green hills, the campers having fun, the lake sparkling. I wondered if I'd ever see it again.
Chiron put a hand on my shoulder. "Jo".
I turned and saw him in his wheelchair, so he came closer to eye-level.
"There is something else you need to do on your quest," he said. "I need you to check on some of the casinos in Las Angeles. There has been some abnormality with the Luck there, and I have a feeling it has something to do with…the situation".
"Ok," I said. "The Mojave desert isn't far from LA".
"Also, when you've figured out what it is that's upsetting Luck, you need to report it to the Olympians".
"You mean…I can go to Mount Olympus?"
"Jo, come on!" Grover called from the van.
"Go now," Chiron said. "I wish you good Luck".
I chuckled. "Good Luck? That's something I don't have".
In the van, no one spoke a word. Grover would bleat nervously every so often, and Leo fiddled with some pipe cleaners and rubber bands, but there was no conversation. Argus, the camp's hundred-eyed body guard, drove us as far as Manhattan, but after that we were on our own, at the mercy of what terrors await us.
So there it is! Happy Easter everyone!