Flame (Percy Jackson Fanfic)

Chapter 19

Leo's POV

I wake up before everyone else.

I look down, and see Dani curled up next to me.

She wakes up," Good morning"

"Good morning, Danielle" I smile," You know you talk in your sleep?"

Her face gets pale," I-I do? What did I say?"

"Something like 'leave me alone' 'stop it' 'it's not my fault' " I say remembering what she mumbled last night

"Oh" she blushes

"Can you tell me what it's about?" I ask

"My dad was really hurt about Mom leaving, and when I was little I guess I looked just like Mom. That made Dad mad, and he hit me." She answers softly," but after a while he stopped. And I forgave him"

I just look at her.

I would've never known she'd been abused.

Dani dozes off again.

A few hours later....

"Wake up!!" Selena yells," Let's go!! Let's go!! Let's go, cupcakes!!"

I roll over," Have you been talking to Coach?"

"No" she blushes.

I get out of bed.

I walk into the bathroom, and quickly fix the shower.

I shower and change into some fresh clothes.

I walk out the bathroom, and see Dani talking to Selena

"I can't believe we did all that,and we didn't even get close to the manticore or the Pithos" Dani sighs

"No, the manticore was there, he left when he sensed us coming. And then he left the hydra to kill us" Selena says

"But I didn't work" Dani smiles

"Almost."

I run behind Dani, trying to surprise her

"Valdez, I know you're behind me"

"And I'm caught" I mumble

"Everyone get dressed, we need to go soon." Selena starts," we have to find Hestia she's somewhere in Houston, and she can tell us what happened"

"But the manticore will get away!" Dani shouts

"Calm down, Valentine" I say putting my hand on her shoulder

"Before we came, I-I knew Hestia was going to be here, we have to find her" Selena says

Dani gives up," Fine. Where do we look?"

"City garden, there's a hearth in the center, and she should be there" Selena explains

"What are we waiting for?" I shrug

"Okay, let's go, we have to check out first" Selena says walking out the door.

After we check out, we walk about a mile to the city garden.

"This is nice" Dani smiles

There's patches of roses, tulips, and other flowers. Bees buzz from flower to flower.

We walk around, and Dani picks out a nice bouquet of flowers.

"Seriously, princess?" Selena glares

"It's for Hestia, she is a goddess" Dani rolls her eyes

We reach the hearth in the center.

I see a teenage looking girl sitting beside the hearth.

"That must be Hestia" I whisper

We walk towards the goddess.

"Hello, Hestia" Dani says quietly

The girl turns her head, and where her eyes are supposed to be, there's flames.

"Hello, children" she smiles peacefully

Dani hands Hestia the bouquet of flowers," Thank you" she smiles.

"So ,Hestia, we are on a quest to find your Pithos that the manticore has stolen from you" Dani explains

"Oh, yes, the manticore did take the Pithos, he plans to release the spirit of Elpis. " Hestia says calmly

"We know that." I say," How did he steal it"

"I was resting, from watching the hearth, and the manticore just stole it"

"Where do you think he's going?" I ask

"To San Francisco, there's a lot of Mist there, and there are strong monsters there" Hestia says," The spirit will be stronger there and cause much much more destruction."

"Because of Mount Tam?" Dani asks

"Yes, child, if you do not succeed, all hope will be lost, Olympus will fall. If you do not return the Pithos, there will be endless chaos" Hestia says the fire in her eyes burning bright.

"Oh" Dani says her voice faltering