Return of the Goddess

Chapter 11

Lucy opened her eyes to a sight that was easily just as bad as the Underworld. The roof of the safe house was no longer there and wood and tiles were everywhere. Some of the rooms were burnt and some were utterly turned to ash. Sage saw them and ran up.

     “What happened?” Lucy whispered looking around.

     “Hera. Chelsea and Mesi tried to reason with her but she insisted that Genna was here and she blew thing ups. What did you guys find out in the Underworld?” Sage said.

    “My dad’s hiding something, and so is Persephone. He knew who Genna was, and it sounded like she knew him. He also said that Genna’s memory was erased because of Hera. We might be dealing with a criminal.” Lucy remarked giving Genna the stink eye.

    “If I was a criminal why would the other gods be protecting me.” Genna stated. She slowly and blankly walked over the rubble looking for her backpack.

    “O.k.…that’s not too bad. Not as bad as what she told us.” Sage breathed.

    “What did she…”

    Sage started crying, “She…took Chelsea and Calvin…She said that if…we…we don’t bring Genna to her by midnight next Friday…she’ll….she’ll …” Sage could no longer speak. She buried her head in Lucy’s shoulder, which gave the sinister girl no choice but to comfort her. She gasped at the thought of Hera harming people as innocent and naïve as Cal and Chelsea.

    Genna stood in a room she didn’t even know who it belonged to.

    “Sad, huh,” an unfamiliar face stood beside her. The girl had blonde shoulder length hair and grey eyes. She spoke in a British accent, “My name is Alvina, Alvina Strand. Please to meet you.”

    “Hi, I’m Genna. Was this your room?”

    “Oh well. This was the Hermes room. By the way here’s your bracelet back.” Alvina put it in Genna’s hand.

    “How did you?”

    “I can steal pretty much anything. I can also hack things too.   So come to me if you want to steal something, kay.” she smiled.

    “Sure, o.k.” Genna smiled weakly.

    “Cool, cool,” she bent down to get her pencil that dropped. She wore a blue flannel shirt and jeans. Another unknown person ambled up to them. She was a beautiful Latino American girl with long brownish gold hair and caramel eyes.

    “I see you met Alvina. My name is Flame. You want to why?” she winked. “because I’m burning with beauty!” she laughed. Flame swayed back and forth. “Tu y Alvina is needed in the cocina. Rapidamente por favor. Es un emergencia.”

    Genna looked at her puzzled. Alvina grabbed her hand and started to lead her downstairs, “She means were wanted in the dining room right away.”

    They walked in seeing Lauren and Sage sitting on the end of the table looking at each other quizzically. Seth, Cal, Poppy, Mesi, and Megan sat on one side while Ryder, Cole, Lucy stat on the other. Genna took the seat beside Lucy and Alvina casually sat beside her. Everyone was silent then hell broke loose. Words were everywhere, and everyone was yelling at one another. It took several minutes for Lauren and Sage to settle everyone down.

    “What are we going to do?” Lauren asked. “She is my sister!”

    “Your sister? By blood maybe, but I’ve been taking care of her ever since we left. Who did she want to be with anywhere. Me out in the real world or you in this house of oblivion.” Sage yelled at Lauren. Lauren opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Mesi.

    “Stop it!” Sage and Lauren were immediately stunned to silence,      “I’m sorry, but I’ve had enough of this. Bickering over silly things like that is not going to resolve anything. And what about Calvin, did either of you bother to think of him?: Mesi finished and sat back down crossing her arms.

     “Yah, about at. Maybe we should just leave Cal and rescue Chelsea?” Charlie asked seriously. Without Cal he wouldn’t have to compete for Genna, he thought already liked him more, but he would rather be safe then sorry.

    “I’m all for that, but I have some unresolved issues with him myself.” Lucy clasped her hands together.

    “Well, we would have to know where they’re being kept before we do anything.” Poppy said. “In fact what is the plan exactly?”

    “I’m leaving,” Sage said.

    “No!” Lauren stood up, “You left us last time and monsters broke in. You’re the only one with knowledge for fighting and knowing you I know you’re going to bring Charlie, Seth and Lucy. No!” Lauren said with authority.

    “Why does it matter if she brings them?” Genna asked.

    “Because…only children of the big three can affect the earth and Charlie is an expert swordsman. If we get attacked then they won’t be here to help.” she strained.

    “Calm down, Lauren. I’m not bringing Seth.” Sage raised her voice just a little in frustration.

 “What! Why not?” Seth sounded offended.

   “I’m sorry, Seth, but Lauren’s right. You need to stay put and protect the safe house for me. I’ll be back before you know it…with Chelsea and Cal.” Sage spoke like she was talking to her little brother.

    “So you have a plan?” Lucy asked hopefully.

    “Maybe. Lucy I want you to go back to the Underworld again. See if you can talk to the souls and get some info on Hera. Where would she keep hostages. And if you can talk your dad into telling you the truth that would be very helpful.” Sage spoke to her.

    “K, I’ll go now,” Lucy took out her flute and started to play a tune different to the one she played when she summoned the skeletons. A portal opened to the Underworld on the wall. She waved goodbye then stepped through.

    “So, who is going on this rescue mission?” Megan asked. She sat and dug her knife deeper into the book she was destroying.

    “Charlie will you accompany me?” Sage begged.

    “Of course.”

    “Then I think Alvina, would you like to come with us?” Sage asked.     “It will give you more time to spend with your brother.”

    “No,” she said sarcastically. “I’m just going to let two innocent people die while sit here and do nothing.”

    “Great!” Sage said. “Us three will go on a search looking for them.    We’ll probably be back before the week is up.” Sage got up and started to turn around.

    “Wait! What about me?” Genna stood.

    “Genna, I don’t want you anywhere near Hera…stay here.” Safe started to walk out again.

    “But this quest might help me find out who I am. What if I find out information about my past that will help rescue them and besides how are you supposed to leave without you’re bait?” Genna confessed.

    Sage thought this revelation over for a minute, “Fine, you can come with. But your not getting anywhere near Hera, o.k.” And you have to follow my instructions.”

    “Thank you!” Genna ran and hugged Sage, “I’ll go get my things.”