Would that I ──── Leo Valdez [2]

𝟐𝟕: 𝐍𝐚 𝐍𝐚 𝐍𝐚

─────𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝: the hatch above them closed automatically, cutting off their pursuers. It also cut off all light, but Leo, Vincent and Frank could deal with that. Leo just hoped they didn't need to get out the same way they came in. He wasn't sure he could open the tile from underneath.

At least the possessed manatee dudes were on the other side. Over Leo's head, the marble floor shuddered, like fat touristy feet were kicking it.

Frank must have turned back to human form. Leo could hear him wheezing in the dark.

"What now?" Frank asked.

"Okay, don't freak," Leo said. "I'm going to summon a little fire, just so we can see."

"Thanks for the warning."

If Vincent was confused about the exchange, he didn't say anything. It was freaking Leo out to not be able to see him, but soon he felt someone's hand smacking his face.

"OW."

"Sorry, I forgot you're short, I was aiming for your hand."

"No you weren't, liar—"

Vincent slid his hand down Leo's shoulder and his arm before intertwining their hands. Just the touch was enough to send a shiver down Leo's spine even if it was anything but cold inside the tunnel.

Leo's index finger on his other hand blazed like a birthday candle. In front of them stretched a stone tunnel with a low ceiling. Just as Hazel had predicted, it slanted down, then leveled out and went south.

"Well," Leo said. "It only goes in one direction."

As soon as he said it, he regretted the way he framed it.

"We've got a bit of love-hate," Vincent sang, "You take me to the edge, then you hit the brakes—"

"Vince—" Frank tried.

"I-I-I say, "It's over" one day."

"He won't stop until he sings the whole song, I'm sorry." Leo hung his head.

"Let's find Hazel," Frank said.

Leo had no argument with that suggestion. They made their way down the corridor, Leo going first with the fire.

He was glad to have Vincent and Frank at his back, even if Vincent was singing Na Na Na. At least they were both bigger and stronger and Frank had the ability to turn into scary animals in case those possessed tourists somehow broke through the hatch, squeezed inside, and followed them. He wondered if the eidolons might just leave those bodies behind, seep underground, and possess one of them instead.

Oh, there's my happy thought for the day! Leo scolded himself.

In any case, he was glad for Vincent who kept the atmosphere upbeat.

"Some people say it's so wrong," Vincent bobbed his head, "But even when we fight, girl, you turn me on—"

"W-what?" Frank choked on air.

"Aw, don't be a prude," Vincent teased, "All of one direction's songs are basically about sex."

Which only made Vincent start singing a completely different song.

"Stained coffee cup, Just a fingerprint of lipstick's not enough—"

After a hundred feet or so, they turned a corner and found Hazel. In the light of her golden cavalry sword, she was examining a door. She was so engrossed, she didn't notice them until Leo said, "Hi."