Fate and Desired (A Percy Jackson Fan Fiction)

Frosted Glass Slowly Clears To A Beautiful View | Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXIV

Irena

Okay. Rome always fascinated me from the outside. The traditional architecture, dress codes, and like any other person, the food. New Rome isn't that different, in fact, it is about as close as I'll ever get to the real thing.

And observing it from the underground made the experience all a bit easier for me. I had a knack for the underground. It just seemed to do whatever it needed to if I was there. It carved new tunnels, cleared itself of blockage, anything. I guess that's why Cat pushed me to go before her.

We made it to this entrance that looked like a storm celler's. There were two rickety wooden doors that looked to not have been opened for at least one or two years. Marvin went to one to open it. It didn't budge. He pulled harder and strained his hand. When the door swung open, the handle, along with Marvin, flew off. I couldn't help but stiffle a laugh, and neither could Cat or Mason. Marvin propped himself up on his elbow and moaned.

"Ow. That thing's a lot tighter than I last remember, gosh." He rubbed his back as he hobbled up. He must've hit himself hard, for he fell onto his knees again. I went to him and extended my hand.

"Need help, Tough Guy?" I smiled. He looked up at me and smirked.

"That would be greatly appreciated, Jewelry Store." He grasped my wrist, and I his, and pulled him up. Once he was up, he went back to the doors. He opened the other one and looked back at Mason.

"You first, Sir." He said with a drag French accent.

"Oh, why thank you, sir." Mason replied, in an even more faked tone. Catalina snorted which caused all of us to fall into a fit of laughter. After we had broken our funny bones, Marvin cleared his throat.

"Ok, but really. You know these tunnels better than me, so.."

"Fine, I'll go." And with that, he leapt into the corridor.

"Ok, Cat your-"

"There is no way in this whole wide world that you'll get me in there." She said wide eyed. Suddenly, she grabbed my shoulders and thrusted me infront of her.

"You go, Irey."

"Ok, ok. Fraidy Cat." Marvin laughed lightly at my corny joke. I smiled and jumped in after Mason. When I got down there, it was all so different that I imaged it as.

There was a stone hallway, chiseled so well, the surfaces of the walls were perfectly smooth. Only, there was only one stone wall, ceiling, and floor. The wall on my right was made of glass that showed a perfect view of the Tiber River, only underneath the waves.

I heard a crash behind me and saw Cat lying on her back.

"Cat, did you-"

"Don't say it. Just. Don't." I gave her a questioned look as she got up and dusted of her jean jacket.

"I fell becuase of the loose foot hold, ok?" She said, a bit irritated.

"Ok. Whatever you say." I smirked. She slapped my arm lightly and smiled herself. We both laughed and walked forward.

The room was dim lighted and it was hard to see where we are going. The only light there was Cat's dragon medallion. Her dad gave it to her when she was ten to remind her that he was always behind her. He wore the same one, so it was a really close father/daughter thing. I wonder what that feels like.

"Hey. You might want to," Mason began. But before I knew it, I tripped on a loose rock. Right when I was about fall flat faced onto solid concrete, I was pulled back up by a familiarly strong hand.

"I'm not the only one falling am I?" Marvin joked. I ragained my balance and laughed.

"Guess not." My eyes went to floor in slight embarrassment.

"You ok?" I nodded, still admiring my shoes.

"Are you sure?" I looked up slightly. Of course I wasn't ok. It was just so hard to not be around Marvin. I promised myself I would let go of the past, but that, even for a child of Pluto, is hard.

"I'm sorry Marvin. I just can't stand infront of you without thinking about what happened. I just. I..." and I felt a tear slip out of my iris.

I had to look down before I totally embarrass myself. Then, a hand slipped under my chin and tilted my face upward. I was looking back at the dark brown eyes that hurt me long ago, but now they seemed benevolent and sincere.

"I should be sorry, Irena. I really am amazed that you could forgive a buzzard like me. But ever since that day, it hurt me really badly to see you hurt. I just need you understand me. I'm ok if you want to beat the living soul out of me. I deserve it." My head shot up when he mentioned harm to himself for me.

"No, Marvin. I can't. And won't. I could never hurt someone because of something they did. It's inhuman. So please. Just don't mention that ever."

"I'm sorry, I just-" and I cut him off. My lips met his cheek and he immediately stopped talking.