Signs of a Storm

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter 35: Back To Tara

Whatever you think a quest is like, scratch that out.

If you've ever been on one, you know just how much fun it is to get ready to go by breakfast time. I scrambled to get myself looking decent. It somewhat worked. I just went down and ate as quick as I could. Yes, I almost choked, but it was worth it. The excitement was getting to my head. Percy had stolen a bagel off my plate and left early on Blackjack, in order to reach the destination in time. We would leave when he called us in, via Iris-message. All four of us were huddled in our coats, there were flurries everywhere.

We also just sat on the steps of the Big House, waiting for his cue. I talked mostly with Hazel, as every once in a while, Leo would butt-in, but otherwise, just stayed out of it and fiddled with something in his hands. Like always.

Nico was quiet, and kept to himself. His aviator's jacket blew around him slightly, giving him a dramatic-looking effect. We didn't have to wait long before a shimmery message came in. Percy's smiling face shone through it.

"Okay, I'm almost to the borderline, so you're all clear for go. See you guys in a few." He waved goodbye as the message ended.

I went over by my mode of transportation, Nico. I hated to do that to Leo, after what he had told me, but he was supposed to go with Hazel. Why, you ask? Because Nico would transport him to Asia or somewhere like that.

"Ready?" I asked him.

He nodded, and held out a hand. "Just for this. You don't need to end up in the middle of nowhere." I reluctantly took his hand. Like before, I was surprised at how warm it was. I thought he would be frigid, much like his personality.

"Let's do this thing!" Leo announced excitedly.

"Okay, on the count of three." Hazel decided.

"One," I said.

"Two," Leo answered.

"Three." Nico finished.

A dark shadow closed around me as we stepped into it. I closed my eyes, I absolutely hated it. Then a memory hit me like a brick. (And I know Jason has had a time with those things.) I remembered when I was dying, I felt the same shudder as I did now. And the person mentioned something about me not enjoying it one bit.

Now I realized we had shadow-traveled. And my best guess was that the very same person with me at this moment was the same one to save me from death. It was Nico di Angelo. How could I have not known? The feeling ended as we hit hard earth, hard. It actually stung my knees a little, from where I had landed.

"Are we here?" I asked and opened my eyes.

We were, but it sure didn't look like it when you first caught a glimpse of the camp. I was currently staring at a maintenance closet, next to Nico. He pushed past me, and opened the door. "Hurry up, go inside." He ushered me in.

I rushed inside and gasped. It was like a whole other world, really. The sky expanded into nothingness, and was clear blue. The grass was beautiful. I saw a faint town in the distance, and even that was gorgeous. No wonder Jason had a hard time leaving. I saw Hazel wave at us, a little bit ahead. Next to her was Percy and Leo.

We walked over, and I was glad we had all just made it this far without getting separated. Hazel tried to take the lead, but Percy joined right alongside her. They began to horseplay with each other; pushing playfully, shoving, and hitting, until we reached a river. Down a ways, I saw a small bridge I hadn't seen before. We took that across and right as I began to think that this wasn't going to be so bad, a giant statue stopped us.