Finding Leo

Chapter 8: The Prophecy

Ally's POV

Leo's story was not hard to believe.

At all.

Once Leo explained the whole I-am-the-son-of-an-ancient-Greek-god thing, he looked at me as if he was daring me to counter it. I just shrugged. "Okay," I said nonchalantly, as if we were discussing a particularly interesting article in the paper. "It's not that hard to believe."

Leo looked really surprised. "So, my guess is," he explained, "you're dad is a Greek or Roman god. Unless teleportation just runs in the family." He raised his eyebrow and pulled a bag of Skittles out of his backpack. He opened the bag and popped a red one into his mouth.

"It's possible," I said. Leo held out the Skittles bag, offering me one. I nodded pulling out a green one. "But how did you find out your dad is - what's his name - Eggfestus?"

Leo facepalmed. "First of all, it's Hefestus. And second, your godly parent claims you at Camp. It takes longer for some than for others. I first came to camp crashing into the lake on a chariot. Long story. Man, Jason and Piper freaked when I was claimed." He said those two names like he'd known them all his life, like he'd been through everything with this Jason and Piper. He said it almost like he was saying goodbye. I wondered why he sounded so sad at the thought of those names, Jason and Piper. I didn't ask, though. But I would soon enough.

"Why?" I asked. "What happens when you're claimed?"

"Well, most demigods are claimed by the symbol of their godly parent glowing and over your head. Unfortunately, I learned that the hard way." Leo shrugged comically and ate another red one. It was kind of funny, that was the only color he seemed to eat. He would rummage around the bag for a moment, searching, then come up with a red Skittle. "Right when we climbed out of the lake after half drowning, I get a flaming hammer floating over my head!" Leo stated with mock enthusiasm. "Then, bam, I'm plopped into a cabin filled with buff dudes, a girl, and a third grader who all have the same dad."

I contemplated this while pulling out a few more Skittles. "So why aren't you at this camp right now?"

Leo's smile faltered, like he knew I was going to ask that but wasn't looking forward to answering. "Let's just say I have my reasons for running away." He sighed, a long, heaving sigh that made it seem like he carried the weight of the world. Then he mumbled something about those people, Jason and Piper, and a branch.

Man, this Leo guy had a lot of secrets. But I respected that and didn't say anything. After all, there are tons of things I wasn't telling him.

"Well then. Where you off to?" I took the last few Skittles and popped them into my mouth. I crumpled the bag in my fist.

Leo looked, up that sad expression fading as quickly as it had come. "I'm heading to New Orleans. Why, you may ask?"

I rolled my eyes. "Why, may I ask?" I mimicked.

"Well, according to the legends, there used to be this gigantic clan/group of Cyclopes in the city during the mid 1800s. Their technology eventually rubbed off on mortals, which is why we have most things like electricity today. They had this huge chain of warehouses down there. All of the Cyclopes that ran the workshops were killed around the 40s." Leo smiled, a grin that immediately said I'm crazy, and I know it. "And, my good Ally, that leaves about a dozen gigantic abandoned factory's in the New Orleans area, packed with steampunk machine parts for good old Valdez to mess with." He rubbed his hands together, as if he was already planning some massive Doomsday device.

The two of us were going to get along famously, I just knew it.

Leo's POV

I didn't tell Ally the other reason for heading to New Orleans.

Because Hazel lived there, a little voice in my head said. But I tried to block that out. That was true, but I guess I didn't want to think about that right now. In fact, thinking about any of them made my heart ache. It was for the best, that's what matters.

But what if the Jason/Piper Branch incident wasn't my only reason for leaving? What if I also wanted to leave because of my own reasons?

Come on, Valdez, I told myself. Nemesis was wrong. You aren't-

The seventh wheel.

It took all of my effort not to scream. Who is that? I didn't think that on my own...

You were worthless there, The voice said. You may not know it, but that was your reason. They never appreciated you at that Camp. Join me, and your name will be carved into stone.

Suddenly, boiling anger welled up inside me. I knew exactly who it was, and I didn't like it one bit.

"Show yourself, Dirt Woman!" I yelled aloud, standing up. Ally, who was in the middle of explaining how we should be able to sneak on a plane, backed up.

"Leo? You okay? And who's Dirt Woman?" Ally almost laughed.

I looked down at her. "This is bad. Oh Styx, this is bad!" I could barely think. All that was running thought my head was, She's not gone. She's alive. How? We destroyed her! Literally!

Ha! you think you're little light show was enough to destroy the earth itself? It is inescapable. Leo Valdez, whether it be in days, years, or eons, I will rise. And when the time comes, I will succeed.

Before I could scream or pound on the tile with a hammer, cursing Gaea's name, Ally's eyes glowed blue. Bluer than her eyes were before, which was saying something. Everything was quiet, except for my gasping breaths.

I was hyperventilating. It was a miracle this shop hadn't burned down yet. But when Ally began to speak, that's when I really thought I was going insane. It wasn't her voice. It sounded raspy and had an Italian accent, like some old hag from Sicily had learned English and decided to not drink anything for three days.

The seventh wheel leaves the safest place,

Only to realize he must pick up the pace.

For enemies await the shadow, wheel and prophet,

If they are trapped by the beast, only one can stop it

The three will be saved by Olive, Ruby, and brother

And the prophet and the shadow will complete the wheel's puzzle.

I couldn't move. I could think. I'm not entirely sure that I could breathe. What snapped me out of my trance was the thunk of Ally's head as she hit the floor. She was unconscious.

A prophet. A wheel. A shadow. Two girls named Ruby and Olive. A brother. Well, now two of them made sense. Ally was the prophet. I was the wheel. The Seventh Wheel...

And Gaea wasn't dead.