The New Demigod Adventures

Chapter 8 Abby

Have I mentioned that I hate people? I’m sure I have but here it goes again. I hate people and by that I don’t mean that people annoy me or they’re just slight inconveniences or there’s only certain people I hate, no. I mean that I hate people in general. There’s only maybe five people I would hesitate to kill if given the chance, if we’re lucky, and one of them is already dead and the other isn’t speaking to me. Also, neither of these two boys are one of the five, so don’t get all wishful on me.

Sparty has this bad habit of taking charge and assuming his way is best, when in all actuality he’s just the first to speak and when he does it drives me up a wall. “I know this. I know that. One good punch in the ribs and I’m dead but I’m still more bad than you.” He was beyond arrogant. A son of Ares to the core, whether that agrees with his Spartan-ness or not. And don’t even get me started on the stupid Spartan wannabe stuff. Ugh, it gets on my nerves.

I haven’t heard the depressing son of death say more than ten words. Oh, and he’s made a habit of waking me up at the buttcrack of dawn.That’s all I can really complain about from him, but I’m sure I’ll find something new soon. I’ve decided not to make a habit of feeling bad when I call him a pest, especially with his early waking habits. I mean, the kid could’ve at least brought me a coffee.

It’s not like I’m any better, of course. In fact, I’m probably the worst of the three of us. I have a big mouth and temper to match and I seem to only complain about everything. I’m never satisfied and I just mess everything up, also hating everyone isn’t necessarily a plus and I have little to no natural will to live.  

I sighed and held my head between my knees. I’d thought myself back into sadness.

“I’m sorry. Leo had told me to.” The young Shade apologized rapidly and when I didn’t respond he just watched me as I stood up and changed. It was slightly creepy to have him in the room, but it was too early for me to hear my own voice, let alone tell him to leave in the process.

When I saw Leo’s face from the Big House, however, I was prepared, but all I got out was a yell, before my attention was caught by the map. It was tan and marked basically all over. He’d hand drawn in a trail that squiggled all over the United States. I followed it with my finger, searching for places I’d find familiar, but when my finger trailed through Michigan and more specifically, my hometown, I suddenly had a million requests to make. Could we stop by my old home? Could we stop by my old school? Could we stop by my mom’s old work? Could we stop by the graveyard? I kept my requests to myself, though.  

Suddenly, Leo was back to his commanding self, automatically assuming we were lower rank or whatever, than him.

“If you have people to say goodbye to, now would be the preferred time.” I rolled my eyes and walked off, not exactly sure what I was doing, but feeling happy just being away from the two of them. I did notice that Shade didn’t move and it made me slightly wish I’d stayed in place. That way he wouldn’t feel alone. It’s not like I planned to say goodbye to my siblings or anything. I could’ve just pretended I had no life too so the kid didn’t feel left out.

I headed off to my bedroom, figuring I must’ve left something of importance in there. I hadn’t. Skylar had. On my bedside table sat the box I’d wrapped Skylar’s mirror in. My hands began shaking as I moved to grab it. I didn’t open it though. I went to shove it in my bag, with my things, but it was full. Thinking of things I could possibly risk losing, I remembered Mini Festus. Now was his time to shine.

Within five minutes I had a fully activated robot dragon perched on my shoulder, ready to party and figured that if Sparty got on my nerves I’d just have Mini Festus eat him.

    I found the young Shade sitting under a tree near the dinner pavilion. Having nothing better to do, I slang my bag down and joined him. “Ready for an adventure?” I said as sarcastically as possible and sat down.