The Voice of Valdez

Chapter 5

Leo

I find myself outside the Hermes cabin.

>Why are we here?<

'Let's play Truth or Dare. Tell them it's so you can learn more about YOU. Me. Us. Whatever.'

>Okay.<

I knock.

"Hello?" Travis Stoll answers the door.

"Hi. Wanna gather up some people to play Truth or Dare?"

He grins.

"Absolutely."

***

We decided to hold the meeting in Zeus's cabin. I have the rest of the seven, Nico, and the Stolls.

"I'll start." I say.

>Who should our first victim be?<

'Good. You're thinking like a true Valdez. How about..... Hazel.'

"Hazel, truth or dare?"

"Um," she looks nervous, "truth."

"Is it true that you had a crush on Frank the moment you laid eyes on him?"

She blushes, and bites her lip.

"No. It developed over a period of time." She then kisses Frank. "That's how I knew it wasn't a crush. It was, and is, love."

Travis whistles.

"Percy, truth or dare?" Hazel asks.

"Truth." He replies, quickly. Hazel may look sweet, but she is actually a demon underneath her innocent façade.

"Is it true.. You had a small crush on Rachel?"

Told you so.

'Man. That one is dirty.'

>Not as dirty as the look Annabeth is giving me. I think she is planning something.<

'Yikes.'

I smile.

"Uhh.... Uhh... Isn't there a rule that you can take off an item of clothing instead?" He asks.

Travis sadly nods.

Annabeth glares.

"I'm sorry, babe. That is something I can't talk about in public." Percy tells her, as he takes off his shirt to reveal a well-defined chest and stomach.

I notice Annabeth's glare waver.

"Hmm.. Jason. Truth or dare?"

"Dare. This is getting too boring." This makes Percy grin.

"I dare you to kiss Travis."

>Wait.. What?<

'It's truth or dare revenge from last time. Last time Jason made Percy kiss Connor on the lips. For a minute.'

I stifle a laugh. Nico looks at me funny.

Jason then leans over and kisses Travis. It's just a peck on the cheek though.

Everyone grumbles. Besides Travis.

"So... Truth or dare Annabeth?" Jason asks, clearing his throat.

"Dare." She answers.

"I dare you to... I don't know... kiss Percy. Now remember this for later."

Annabeth kisses Percy.

"No PDA!" Conner yells.

It feels really nice to be included. I don't really know what Val means by them ignoring us. And I haven't really felt attracted to anyone since I've been here. I don't know what Val is talking about.

'Just wait. They are not your friends. It's Annabeth's turn. Just wait.'

"Leo, truth or dare?"

I hesitate.

"Truth." I finally decide.

"Is it true you're a drug addict?" She smirks.

"Pfft. What are you talking about Annabeth? This is LEO for crying out loud." Hazel laughs.

I pale.

I slowly take off my sock.

This stops her laughing.

>Val, what do I do now?<

'...'

>Val?<

'Can I have a second Leo?'

>Yeah. Of course.<

Everyone stares at me.

Especially Hazel.

"Leo.. You're not.. You don't.. You aren't.. Leo?" Hazel's throat catches.

"I'm pretty tired. I think I'm gonna go to bed. See you in the morning." I whisper, and she has to lean in to hear me. I put on my socks and try not to watch them stare at me.

I walk out, and once I do, I start running to the forest.

>Val? Hello?<

'I'm right here. Take a left. Right. Left. Now keep running  until  you reach the river. Now cross it. Good. Right. Left.'

I find myself lost in the woods.

'You're not lost.'

I fall to my knees and cry. So far I hadn't felt any of the urges Val talked about. But I do now. The moment after Annabeth asked that question, I've felt a horrible urge to smoke something. Especially a cigarette.

>What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?<

'It's happening. This is how I feel every moment of every day. Lonely. Desperate. Depressed. I feel longing. I just wish you didn't have to feel it either. It's not fair. But, I do have a cigarette in my back pocket.'

My hands are searching through my pockets before I fully register what Val said.

I find it, and then I find that I can use my pinky to light it.

I inhale deeply.

Me and Val both sigh.

>Why does everything that feels GOOD have to be so wrong?<

'I don't know, buddy. I don't know.'

>Where are our pills?<

'Jacket pocket.'

And so this is how I spend the rest  of my night.

Out in the dark, doing drugs, in the woods. Which isn't very smart considering the fact that there's a bunch of monsters out here. Or so Val says.