A Collection of Seemingly Unconnected Tales

We Need to Leave

20170603
11:27am

It was Hazel's second week with a bodyguard and she hadn't been able to convince her father she didn't need one. To be honest, she had stopped trying three days after Frank got there. He was sweet and he never bothered her like other bodyguards had. Other guards had never allowed her to go anywhere, they barely let her outside and she was never (and I mean never) allowed to be alone. Frank let her go places as long as he was with her but he didn't act like he was a bodyguard, he acted like her friend.

Today, Hazel didn't have any plans. She was just going to sit in her room and read one of her many books. Maybe she would do some painting.

She settled on her bed with 'City of Bones' in her hands. She had turned her stereo volume to low and was playing some slow songs. Frank was currently in the form of a yellow snake. He was wrapped around one of her arms and around her shoulders. He was reading the book along with her.

They were halfway through the the book when Hazel fell asleep. Frank shifted into a grizzly cub and curled up next to her. He fell into a sort of half sleep so that he was still aware of their surroundings but he was also getting rest.

They woke up two hours later when there was a knock on the front door of the house. Frank shifted to his human form before Hazel got up.

"My dad's not home." She said. Frank frowned.

"Are you expecting anyone?"

"No." She answers.

"Okay, I'll answer the door and I want you to stay behind me the whole time." Frank's instructs. She nods in agreement.

They head down the stairs and into the foyer. Frank looks at Hazel one last time before he opens the door. On the front steps are two shorter boys. One had black hair in a short ponytail, pale skin and dark eyes. He was wearing a black tank top with a skull on it and black jeans. He also had a sword strapped to his hip. The other boy was slightly shorter than the first boy and he had bright red hair, tan skin, pointed ears and orange eyes. Obviously some sort of magical creature. The boy was wearing jeans, a red button down with the sleeves rolled up and he was holding a jacket in his hand. No weapons on this one, Frank noticed. Frank's raised an eyebrow.

"Who are you?" Frank asked cautiously.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Nico had come back home after three weeks of being away and the first thing he was greeted with was a tall, buff teenager who wouldn't let him in his own house. He scoffed.

"This happens to be my house." Nico said.

"It is? Then you wouldn't mind telling me your name." Frank replied. Nico narrowed his eyes.

"Nico di Angelo."

Frank looked over his shoulder.

"Hazel, do you know a Nico di Angelo?"

Nico couldn't hear the reply, but he assumed the answer was yes when his sister came barreling out the door and flew into his arms.

"Haze, you're crushing me." He said, his voice strained. Hazel let go immediately.

"I'm sorry, but I'm so happy you're back! You've been gone for so long!" Hazel exclaimed, bouncing in her excitement. Frank chuckled behind her. Nico narrowed his eyes at Frank again.

"Who did you say you were again?" He asked.

"Frank Zhang. I'm your sisters bodyguard." Frank replied.

"What are you?" Leo asked. "Because you're certainly not human."

"Leo!" Nico hissed. "You can't just ask someone what they are."

"No, it's alright." Frank chuckled. "I get that a lot. Especially from the fae." He gave Leo a pointed look. Leo grinned sheepishly. "I'm a shapeshifter." Frank said.

"Cool." Leo said.

Boom. Whssh.

Suddenly everything slowed down for Hazel. There was the explosion and then she couldn't hear. There was this ringing in her ears. She was pushed into a wall by Frank who covered her from the blast and debris. She couldn't see anything because Frank's chest was blocking her view. She heard someone speaking but it was too muffled for her to understand. It took her a minute to realize it was Frank speaking to her. She read his lips and she thought he was saying 'are you okay? We need to go, now'.

Frank grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the house into the yard. Her brother and Leo followed them. Nico had a cut above his eye and Leo looked slightly off balance. Her hearing had started to come back by then.

"Hazel! Hazel, I need you take this radio and keep talking until someone answers." Frank said loudly so she could hear. "You need to ask for Artemis or Percy and tell them what happened. Tell them that we are on our way back to the pack house, okay? But don't say anything until we leave."

"Okay." She replied, still a little shaken up. He nodded and then turned around. He let out a loud shrill whistle and within seconds a Pegasus was visible over the tree line.

"Whoa..." Leo breathed.

"Yeah." Frank grinned. "My pack has a few friends."

The pure black Pegasus landed next to Frank. Frank patted him on the neck.

"Hey, Blackjack. My friends over there need a ride back to the house. I'll follow with Hazel." Frank said. "Thanks Blackjack. I'll give you some donuts when we get there."

"Were you just talking to a Pegasus?" Leo asked incredulously.

"Yeah, this is Blackjack. He's yours and Nico's ride to my house." Frank replied, ever patient with Leo's constant questions.

"What about you and Hazel?" Nico asked. Frank smiled.

"I've got that covered." Frank smirked before he shifted into a dark red Pegasus.

"Oh. I see how he's got that covered-"

"Yeah, Leo, we see too." Nico sighed.

Nico and Leo got on Blackjack while Hazel got on Pegasus Frank.

Okay, let's go. Frank said telepathically as they took off. Hazel, radio Artemis and Percy please.

"On it." Hazel said. She pressed the button on the side of the walkie. "Hello? Hello? Anyone there?" She pressed the button again. "This is Hazel. I'm calling for Frank Zhang. I'm looking for Percy or Artemis."

No answer. She tried again.

"Calling for Frank Zhang. I'm looking for Percy or Artemis." The radio crackled before someone responded.

"I copy you. This is Percy. What's the problem? Over."

"This is Hazel. I'm speaking for Frank. He wants me to tell you that my home was attacked and we are heading to your pack house along with my brother and his friend." Hazel replied.

"Copy. I assume Frank is flying and that's why he's not able to talk now. We're out on a supply run right now but we should be back by tomorrow morning. Over."

"Copy. Thank you. We will radio you when we reach our destination. Over." Hazel said into the walkie talkie.

"Copy. Have safe trip. Over."