The Valdez side-effects

Chapter 13

Leo is released the nest day.  He still has trouble walking but I let him lean on me for support.  I can't keep the snippets of his thoughts leaking into mine at bay. 

I hear words such as, Oh gods this is embarrassing and I wish this wasn't happening.  

I am tempted to ask what was embarrassing but if Leo knew I was spying on his brain, it might get him creeped out or angry at me.

"Are you ok?" I asks. 

He gives me a weak smile.  It isn't the sane smile he had given ne beofre he left.  Maybe Hecate is right, it was all me.  I had been keeping my emotions surpresed and Leo seemed to be losing the warmth he had towards me. 

I brought Leo back to cabin nine.  I help him to his work table and he sits down on his stool.  He smiles partially at me.  "See you later, I guess."  He says uncomfortably.

"Yeah."  I turn away and he grabs my hand. 

"I love you."  He says. 

I gently pull my hand out of his and force a smile before walking out if the cabin.  I almost burst into tears, and I would have if Connor wasn't waiting for me outside.  "You ok?" He asks as we walk.

"Yeah I'm fine." I blink tears back. "I just need to punch something right now." 

"Ok, we can arrange that."  Connor stops and pulls me the other way.  "I just saw Octavian a few minutes ago..."

I laugh curtly.  "Thanks, but no thanks." I stop and Connor turns back to face me.  "I think I have to leave." 

"Where? I mean you don't have anything in your schedule." Connor looks confused. 

"No Connor, I mean leave the camp."  I look away.  "It's for the best." 

"You can't do that!  People need you here!"  Connor seems distressed.  My stupid emotions must have rubbed off on him too. 

"You see what I mean?" I almost scream. "You've never talked to me in my life and now we are all buddy-buddy." 

I turn and run.  I run as fast as I can towards Long Island Sound, knocking down a kid carrying an armfull of apples.  Once I get to the beach, I don't stop running and I dive into the sea.  I manipulate the currents and make them bring me out far into the sea, then let myself sink into the dark bottom.  For a normal person, crying underwater would be bear impossible, but for me, it is as easy as crying on land.  My tears mix with the salty water as I lay on the cold sea bottom, crying. 

I am actually going to leave camp, I'm going to do it and I am going to do it tonight when everyone is asleep. 

And I will never come back.  Not for anyone or anything.