CHAPTER 9: THE RESTING
“Who would send that thing?” Tom breathed
“I have a theory” said Athena “but it’s crazy”
“Oh no”
“And you’re not gonna like it” Athena who had been rummaging in her bag and finally pulled out the book.
“Do you remember what I said on the phone? ‘What if the myth’s not a myth?’ Well, this might just prove it”
“You’re crazy”
“Just... hear me out”
“Fine”
“Well first, what would this” she held up the book “be doing in my basement if...”
“According to the dude who sent the bird, he’s your great, great grandfather so it’s an heirloom or something” Tom interrupted
“Mum didn’t know about the hollow under the stairs though, did she? And I’ll bet dad did”
“So...”
“Shhh!”
“Sorry”
“As soon as I read about Thárros I just had a feeling I belonged, like I knew of it, like I’d heard it before, then there’s all this stuff about mythical creatures and Gods and the big three, then of course there’s The Mainland. Gregworth sent me away, he’s never done that, then there’s this Diávolos and of course mum and your mum and Timmy’s mum too! Your mum is getting Leon and Chloe to go as well! But Hilary doesn’t want me to go. Do you see where I’m going?”
“No” replied Tom. Athena sighed heavily, with exasperation.
“Well, just think, Greg practically admitted that The Mainland exists, and then the next day a great big bird that was apparently meant to be a gift for me from Charles just happens to show up in your room”
“So?”
“Birds don’t live for four generations, and maybe he’s been alive longer than that!”
“This doesn’t make any sense” Athena raised an eyebrow, as if to say ‘the myth’ “But it can’t be true, it just... can’t”
“Says who?”
“Says science, says logic, and says sanity!”
“Why would he lie?”
“Thee, I don’t know”
“It’s the only explanation that makes some kind of sense”
“You can’t actually be telling me that you believe in this rubbish?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore”
“Besides, if it was destiny then you would’ve been called to Thárros sooner”
Athena thought for a while then said “unless...” ‘That’s it!’ she thought “unless mum knew about the hollow after all, unless she planted it there to be kept hidden because she didn’t want me to go!”
“You can tell when your mum lies, she’s terrible”
“You’d be surprised”
“No, even Hilary wouldn’t have lied to you your entire life, that’s not who she is. What ever it is that you see in her at this moment, is because she’s preventing you from going to Thárros” Athena knew that Tom was right.
