Hunter

Chapter Twelve - Standing On Water Like Jesus

I slugged into the room where we were staying and threw myself onto the bed. I rolled over and stared at the ceiling. It was decorated with golden stickers of winged shoes. Over in the far corner of the room was a small staircase that led somewhere unknown. Explore or not? Ignoring my sheer exhaustion, I trod up the staircase and found myself on a balcony. I walked to the very edge of the railing and took in a deep breath. I exhaled slowly.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" My eyes snapped open quickly, only relaxing when I saw a familiar face.

"I could've turned you into mush, you know?" I teased.

"I don't think you're that skilled yet," he shot back. I acted affronted as Jasper got up from his seat on the balcony and came to stand next to me. He closed his eyes and mimicked my actions of a few moments prior. "I used to sleep up here on hot summer nights." His eyes looked as if he was recalling a pleasant memory from a long time ago.

"Who are these people?"

"They're descended from Hermes." He stated it as if it answered all my questions. I urged him to continue and he laughed. "My mom, dad and I lived here for a while, but we needed to get out. When we left, they promised to help us if we ever needed anything."

"I'm still not completely sure why we're here." He looked at me as if I'd missed the point.

"Hayley, I just told you they're descended from Hermes." He said it with a 'duh' look on his face.

"Yeah," I dragged that one syllable. "So?" He let out a sigh, looked me in the eye, and spoke with laughter in his voice.

"Hayley, do you know who Hermes is?" I nodded.

"The god of travelers and thieves."

"Good girl!" he teased. "Now, who are we looking for?"

"Apollo?"

"Great job!" he feigned enthusiasm. "If we want to find Apollo quickly, we're going to have to find his Celestial, Sarina." He spoke as if he was explaining something to a two-year-old. I smacked him on the arm. "Get to the point, Sherlock." He suppressed a laugh and explained.

"Children of Hermes can communicate with his Celestial and get us places fast. We don't have time for a ten-hour drive." I turned around and placed my elbows on the railing. I looked at him casually and crossed my feet at my ankles.

"Alright, son," I teased. "How does this work?" He mimicked my stance before speaking.

"We summon his Celestial, wait about two seconds and then board his train. Tell the Celestial where we're going and we'll be there in no time." He moved his hands from the railing and folded them across his chest. He gave me a smug look.

"How do we summon a Celestial?" He pursed his lips and I knew I wasn't going to like his answer. His hand rubbed the back of his neck.

"We send a sacrifice of their animal totem." Holy. Crap. He cleared his throat as he waited for my response. I changed the subject, probably not to a better topic.

"So why do they live underground?" His face turned grim.

"They're hiding. They were accused of stealing something of great value: a Key. They're being hunted by Demigods all over the world for a prize."

I watched as his face grow somber, a twinge of guilt pricking me right in the chest. Well done Hayley. Taking his hand in mine, I gave it a comforting squeeze. Our joined hands molded his lips into a comforting smile. Releasing him, I pushed myself off the railing and headed towards the stairs.

"Goodnight ol' chap."

* Ω *

I didn't know I could stand on water. I mean, I was standing on water, right? I looked down at the clear, blue ocean below me. Yeah, I was standing on water, but the sensation felt surreal. Before me floated an ethereal island. The crystal waters rolled onto the white sands of the beach, lush grasses and looming trees spreading across the earth like a green rug. A colossal hill protruded from the ground right in the center of the island, small structures bulging from its surface.