Josey Di Angelo (A Nico Di Angelo Story)

14

When we finally, finally got to Battery Park so we could get across to the island, it was raining. Not the light drizzle, no, the so heavy it soaks your clothes in minutes. Argus had left on the bus, leaving us stuck outside and vulnerable to the rain. There was no sun anywhere, completely different from the conditions at camp. Despite this there were still people bustling about, getting on with life and waiting to explore liberty island.

"Hey, guys come over here!"Will yelled over the loud thundering of the rain on the ground. Pointing to a sign about boat times, he signalled us over from our not-so-sheltered spot under a nearby tree. "It says that the next ferry is at 2.15, we literally just missed the 1 o'clock ferry. We have limited money to last the whole of our quest and over one hour to kill in the rain," as Will explained this, the collective mood of the group lowered by 150%. "Well, are there any places we can go to get out of this torrential storm like I don't know, a cheap cafe or hostel or something at least," Nico suggested. That was probably a good idea, I was pretty much soaked through already.

"How about we try that cafe over there? There's not that many people in it," I offered in a very pissed tone. "Good idea Jo, we'll go there then," Nico tried to say through severely chattering teeth.

Turns out it wasn't such a good idea. Bad idea, it was a bad idea.

We went into the cafe and sat down in front of the fireplace to try and warm up a bit before catching the boat. The cafe had an adorable aesthetic with book shelves lining the walls, and a few small fireplaces and hanging plants in every corner. A very earthy and natural vibe surrounded the whole place.

While sitting on the seats, Nate went and 'bought' some hot chocolates for us. Sitting by the fire I started regaining feeling in my toes and fingers when suddenly the front window exploded into a million shards of glass.

"Get down!" I yelled to the mortals behind the counter and at the tables.
Right as the glass shattered at least 5 emposi and many hellhounds leapt through the window. Someone screamed. Some one else broke into tears. Immediately launching into action, auto pilot tool over. "Josey, get up on the rafters and cover us from above! Will, check the mortals for injury then help as best you can. Take this dagger and go! Nate, let's go kill some monsters!" Nico commanded, no longer the soft, adorable boy he was a minute ago.

I ran at the corner of the wall, leapt up off it and landed in the rafters. I found a good vantage point and started aiming. Nate took down an emposa. I shot a hellhound in the head. Golden dust exploding everywhere. I couldn't see Will, but he was probably helping the mortals.

I heard a scream from somewhere close. Only then I realized it was me. A hellhound had managed to reach me an left a large gash in the side of my leg. The next thing I knew, I was falling. If it hadn't been for my advanced reflexes I never would have caught myself. I hung by one arm, swung myself, landed on an emposa, stabbed her causing dust to fly all over me. I whipped around and stabbed the hound that attacked me before continuing to help the others.

After about 5 more minutes of close-range fighting, all the monsters were gone and the adrenaline started to wear off. For the first time, I acknowledged the pain in my left leg. It was a blinding pain. A bit woozy from the blood loss I stumbled over to Nico and Nate to check they were okay. "Are- are you guys..- guys okay?"I slurred before falling against Nate. "Yes, we're fine but you're clearly not. Come on let's get you sorted," some one said. I don't know who. I was fading in and out of consciousness from blood loss and pain.

<Wills pov>

I ran over to the others after finishing off the last emposa, to see Josey lose consciousness. "Nico, please go grab my bag, Nate help me lower her onto the floor," I said urgently, if I didn't manage to patch her up quickly then it would not end well.

After I was handed my bag, I rummaged around in it for my first aid kit. Come on Will, come on. "Nate please hold her leg up above her heart to reduce blood flow, and put pressure on the gash with this," I handed him a cloth and finally pulled my kit out of my bag.

With help from Nico, we sat her up a bit just as she regained consciousness again. "Here Josey, eat this," I broke up some small pieces of ambrosia and put them in her mouth to chew. She was starting to look very pale, not good, very not good.

I poured some nectar on the gash, to try and close it. Once I had wrapped the bandages around her calf really tight, I feed her another piece of ambrosia. "Guys, I don't think there's anything more we can do for her, my healing magic is low right now because of the lack of sunlight. And we can't give her any more nectar or ambrosia without causing further damage," at this Nate looked at me, obviously worried for her.

Still uncomfortably damp from the rain, we went back and sat by the only alive fire to try to dry off as best we could.

"Aww, these were my favourite trousers too," whined a voice from below, "Also why am I on the floor when you all get seats, no fair."
"Josey you're awake!" Nate happily said while tackling her in a tight hug. They are an adorable couple. They're very good for each other.

"Yes I'm awake, now what time is it. The rain's stopped and we have a boat to catch," she directed at me. "It is..1.55 exactly. So we need to go get tickets for the ferry and wait in the harbour for it," I said.

"Right everyone, grab your stuff and let's go," Neeks told us. We walked out of the cafe to see police questioning some of the people that were in the cafe before the monsters came in. Skirting around them so as not to be seen, we made our way to the docks so we could catch the ferry. I'm very happy that the rain had stopped. Sunlight was beginning to break through the thick cloud cover, hanging beautiful sun beams from the clouds. I'm a bit concerned about Josey's state right now because she lost a lot of blood and is currently limping and being supported by Nate so as not to fall over. I know that she'll claim she's fine, but she and Nico are the same. They downplay their own injuries so that others can get attention. Both are self-destructive, selfless little shits. I love them anyway.

Just then I spotted the ferry we needed to get pulling into the dock. We had 15 minutes to get tickets and get through the crowd to the actual boat. I just hope Nate has enough energy to manipulate the mist to get us on.

...

1218 words

Honestly, in my opinion, I think this is one of my best chapters. it's actually starting to kick off now, it took forever to get ideas for a plot. I'm still just going with the flow, so I am warning you now, that some chapters may have contradicting information, but I will go back and fix that. anyway, how was the fight scene? too short? just right?

-jo