Elves and Demigods

Chapter 26 - Will

Nico,​​​​​​ Nico, Nico. That's all that rang in Will's head.

Who was that boy? According to the Neverseen, he was Will's top enemy. But... That felt wrong. And they said that he was a Talentless elf. That felt wrong too. They also said that they were his guardians. That sounded wrong... But he had no choice but to take their word for it.

The Neverseen had only two rules for Team Prodigious: Always be on time for training, where they are taught how to fight; and never, ever go out without permission. Breaking either of these rules would result in severe punishment, which Will didn't even want to know about. 

Now, he sat on his bed in Team Prodigious' dormitory. It was a shabby place: the wallpaper on the walls was torn, they wooden floor had holes in it, the five beds having creaky cots with broken legs, the blankets were thin and the pillows didn't have half the stuffing they were supposed to. The place even smelled like sour milk and spoilt fish. Not the best place to spend your life in. Were the Neverseen poor? Or just unhygienic? 

The only other place members of Team Prodigious were allowed to go to was the balcony on one side of the room. Will decided to go there. It was small, fit for less than three people, and the railings were broken. There was no scenery. Nothing was visible. Up, down and around, there was only foggy darkness, as if the place wasn't allowed too see sunlight. Will suddenly felt nyctophobic. 

"Hello, Will", a voice said next to him.

Will nearly jumped in surprise and saw Apollo. His brother. "Oh- er, hi Apollo". 

Apollo stared at the darkness in front of him. "Nice place, Huh?"

"Oh yeah", Will quipped. "It's lovely. Very sunshine-y". He felt something at the last word and shivered a little. So did Apollo. "Did you fell that?"

"A little jolt when you said sunshine, yeah"

A while later, Apollo said. "So, we're supposed to be brothers".

Will didn't respond. He did look a lot like Apollo- they had the same blond hair, blue eyes and tanned skin. But 'brothers' didn't feel right.

Apollo sighed in frustration. "I'm tired of this. You know something isn't right do you? Do you trust the Neverseen, Will?" 

"I- um".

"Tell me the truth. Do you think something's not right?"

Will sighed. "Yes. I don't think we are supposed to be here". 

Apollo looked away. "Then let's run away".

"Excuse me? You do realize there's no way out, right?"

"There is", he pointed down.

Will have him a look. "You kidding?" 

"I may not have my memories, but I know I've never been more serious in my life. Speaking of which my life feels a little long... Anyways, we can jump down. See what happens. It's better than being here, anyways".

"Even if that works, we could be caught. Who knows what the Neverseen will do to us then?"

"We have to try!"

"What about the others?"

Apollo looked sad. "All of them seem convinced of the Neverseen's innocence. You are the only one who believes me, we have to do this on our own".

Perhaps it was the exhaustion. Or maybe he was just a crazy person. But Will looked at his brother with a determined looked and said. "Let's do it". 

They clasped hands

Climbed onto the short, cracked wall. 

Took a deep breath. 

And jumped.