Josey Di Angelo (A Nico Di Angelo Story)

13

(For later in the chapter, imagine the camp van kind of like a regular van on the outside but with six passenger seats in the back, facing each other. So two facing backward on one side of the aisle and a single one on the other side also backward. And 3 more facing those going forwards. That's what I'm imagining. With two double doors at the back and a compartment on the floor for spare weapons. Hopefully, that makes sense.)

I can't sleep. I don't know if I'm anxious about the quest, though that shouldn't be the case. It's just a standard quest, well as standard as it could be. I've fought in two wars and have done a lot of crazy things. Though, never with Nathaniel. Maybe it's him I'm worried about. It'll be his first quest. I guess I just don't want to see him hurt.

I've been laying here for almost an hour unsuccessfully attempting to sleep. Nate fell asleep extremely quickly, like he always does, absentmindedly holding my hand close to his body. I slowly prised my hand from his and peeled the blankets back letting a cool breeze wash over my body. I sat on the edge of my bed, looking out the open window watching the waves dance in the distance underneath and clear, starry sky. I know that the sea isn't my domain but the constant rush and lull of waves drowning out the other sounds always put my mind at ease.

The cold wooden floor sent a wave of shivers down my back, thoroughly waking me up if I wasn't already. My glowing sticky stars on the ceiling and the moon my only sources of light, I fumbled around the desk in the corner looking for some paper and charcoal. I wanted to see if drawing for a while would switch off my brain to let me get a half-decent rest before the quest. Heh. That rhymed. Finally retrieving my sought items, I went and sat in the window nook to see what was around. A screech owl. He sat on the branch of a nearby tree, watching me intently. Coming closer, he landed on the window sill and sat perfectly still, as if he knew what I wanted of him.

Pulling a blanket around my shoulders, I sat for the next half an hour doing some sketches of him letting my hand guide my brain for once. I have a small suspicion that the owl is my fathers doing. Screech owls are one of his sacred animals. I named him Boo. Boo the screech owl.

<Time skip>

I woke still on the window nook curled up under the throw, in amongst a bunch of fluffy cushions. I guess I fell asleep while drawing Boo. But, the thing that woke me was a very loud "FUCK," coming from my very 'quiet' boyfriend. Rolling my eyes I got up so I could gather the last of my things that I needed for our quest today. "Hey b'u'iful, cou'n' sleep la' nigh'?" Nate asked with his toothbrush in his mouth, "Sorry for wa'in' you, I s'ubbed my 'oe," he said sheepishly. "That's okay," I chuckled, "I sat and sketched for a while till I fell asleep, sometime around 2 I think."

I threw on my black cargo pants, a black and gold sports bra, and a purple tank top, tying Nate's hoodie around my waist. After tightening my trusty combat boots I loaded myself up with weapons. My twin stygian iron daggers with bone handle encrusted with rubies from Hades went in my thigh and calf scabbards, a couple, cough 5 cough, of throwing knives from Nico placed in various places on my body, mostly hidden and my trusty slingshot in bracelet form on my wrist. Oh, and I can't forget my retractable metal stick with spikes on the ends. 

Nate looked over at me attaching my last knife to my person and chuckled. "Got enough sharp objects there Jo?" The audacity, honestly I was going to take more but I can carry anymore without accidentally stabbing myself or something. "Why yes I do, never know when the time will come when you need to stab a bitch," I shrugged. Laughing at me, he picked up his sword and attached it to his belt, "Let's go get something to eat," with that he threw my backpack to me and slung his over his shoulder.

<Time skip>

Lunch was a rushed affair of just grabbing some sandwiches to eat on the ride to New York City. Having four ADHD teenagers in a van, anxiously waiting to begin a quest is not the most enjoyable thing ever. Through the window I watched buildings flash by, the view no longer the green of camp, but the greys, and blacks of the city. Argus was driving with Taylor Swift playing in the background. Honestly, I have no idea if he can hear it because, I mean, he doesn't have any ears. Do his eyes hear things too? And how would that even work? Like tear ducts but for hearing? Dam I got distracted.

"Hey Will, what time is it and how long do we have to go?" I asked since he always has an intact watch somehow. "It's 12.15 so, we've got about 45 minutes left to go," He said exasperatedly. "For gods sakes. Well, might as well figure out a plan since we've got time. Do we even know what we're looking for? And what about a deadline, there's always a fucking deadline," Am I wrong?

"Well, what did the prophecy say?" Nico asked. "Here," Nate summoned a screen of mist that started relaying his memory of watching Rachel recite the prophecy.

'On the day of twice lightning strikes,

In the place of liberty,

Bright shadows cast.

sed cave luna auxiliatus sum

It comes the time of fire burning blue,

When two brothers turn and challenge an eternal night'

The scene shifted a bit to point towards me in the vision, and a hand reach out to take mine but fall away again. Real Nate's ears turned red as he scrambled to wave away the vision. "Hey Tesoro, you know can hold my hand whenever you want, we have been going out for almost two years," I smiled, switching seats to sit beside him and grip his hand. Will and Nico just looked on with sympathetic glances, as Will placed a gentle kiss on Nico's head.

He coughed and said, "Anyways, there doesn't seem to be a specified time frame but I don't like the idea of an 'eternal night' so I suggest we try and do this as quickly as we can."

"Does anyone have any idea who the 'two brothers' are? I have no idea," I said. I have no idea.

"I agree but I think after either literal or metaphorical lighting, it'll all kick off pretty quickly. And it sounds like that'll happen at the Statue of Liberty so we'll have to work quickly. Hopefully, we'll have a few days. I say we go out to the island and see what happens," Nico continued. "There's not much we can do without checking this out anyway. There were very few clear instructions for us," Will added.

...

1196 words
If any one has any ideas for the plot please message me. I'm a bit short on ideas
Thanks:)