Signs of a Storm

Chapter Seven

Chapter 7: Nico Sends Me To Walmart

When I woke up, my nose did feel better. Thanks Apollo, your magic wasn't a total sham after all. I was currently the only person in the Infirmary, again. My head felt like crap, again. And overall I felt crappy, again. When I looked out the doors, it was bright outside. My guess was that it was around lunch. But since nobody was here, I wasn't sure if I should leave or stay. So, being the responsible person I am, I got up and left.

Campers were rushing around, minding their own business. I just walked around, unsure of where to go. My mind decided it'd take me to the forest. When I got down there, the woods seemed to growl and give off a rumble. "Not to self, better not go in there." I mumbled and kept walking along the line of trees. Off in the distance, all alone, I made out the silhouette of none other than Nico. I walked a little faster, hoping he wouldn't vanish again.

I reached him without him magically vanishing. "Hi again, Nico. It's me, Tara." I slightly waved, even though his back was to me. He jumped a little.

"Don't ever sneak up on me, again." He turned to look at me.

"Ok, geez. So, what's up?" I said, being kind. "The sky, what else?" He rolled his eyes a little.

"I mean, whatcha doing? How's it going?" I smiled again.

"Already told you, my life is terrible, like always." He was fiddling with something in his hands.

"What's that?" I pointed to whatever he was holding. He let a small smile escape his lips. "It's Leo's. I'm not sure what it is, all I know is that he uses it a lot. So, I stole it." He showed the object to me. It was the same sphere I saw Leo fiddling with during the Hydra battle.

"Won't he be really pissed?" I still laughed, Nico was surprisingly mischievous.

"Yeah, so? You can't always be a goody two-shoes." He tossed it between his hands.

"What if he catches you?" I raised a brow at him.

Nico just shrugged, "Then he'll hate me even more."

"Leo doesn't hate you, nobody hates you Nico." I stepped one inch closer. The sense of death became stronger. "Oh, sure, keep telling me whatever you think I'll believe." He rolled his eyes again, but I could tell that what I had just told him was what he hoped to be true.

"Crap, Leo's coming. He's burning." Nico pointed behind me. I saw an angry Leo storming over to us. Every step he took, he left smoldering.

"Is that a new ability?" I asked Nico, he shook his head.

"He can wield fire, you already know he's fireproof though. Take it. If you have it, he won't be as mad." Nico tossed me the sphere. I gave it right back. "No! You keep it! I don't want to be caught with it!"

We played Hot Potato with it, and then Nico thought up an idea. "I'll shadow travel you to his cabin, then you can put it back." I stared at him.

"I've never done that before!" I yelled, Leo was gaining. "There's always a first time for everything! Bye!" He focused and I felt woozy. I just closed my eyes and hoped that the nauseous feeling would go away.

All at once, it did and I felt a whole lot better. My eyes adjusted and I noticed I was in a parking lot. A car beeped at me, so I ran out of the road. I was severely confused. I turned around, just great. I was at Walmart. How in the world did Nico send me to a Walmart?

"Hey kid, you lost?" Some hobo yelled at me. "You just poofed here, what was that all about?" He gave me a toothless grin.

"I uh, I don't know." I ran out of ideas. "You some wizard or witch or something?" He seemed to be a little drunk. "No, but can you tell me how to get to Long Island?" I hoped he would have an answer. He laughed. "That's a joke, right? Missy, you're in Orlando, Florida." He kept laughing at me. It was bad that Nico sent me to outside the border, but to Florida? Seriously?!?