The Voice of Valdez

Chapter 7

Leo

>So. They are going to kill me. Us.<

'Absolutely.'

>I need help. WE NEED HELP.<

***

We walk into the Apollo cabin.

"Umm, Will?"

He looks up at me, and suddenly jumps.

"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST! WE HAVE ALL BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU!" He yells.

"Sorry." I whisper.

"It's fine. But they're going to kill you." He calmly tells me.

"I know but I need to talk to you." I am hesitant.

"What? What's wrong? Besides being a drug addict." He tuts.

"I can HEAR Leo. He tells me what to say and do." I say.

He stares at me.

"Leo? Are you there. Leo, please tell me what real Leo says."

'Fuck.'

"Fuck." I repeat.

He looks confused.

"What?"

"He said fuck." I say.

He laughs.

'Well thanks for that, Mr. Leo.'

>Sorry Val.<

'S'okay.'

"SO what is he saying now?" Will asks.

'Tell him Leo is going to kick his ass if he tells anyone else.'

>What? No.<

'Fine. Ask him if Nico owns anything other than black.'

"Um, he wants to know if Nico owns anything that's not black." I say.

Will turns red.

"Well, how would I know?" He mumbles.

'Oh please. Spare us the horrible acting. We all know that you stay in his cabin.'

I crack up.

Will looks embarrassed.

"Sorry. Val cracks me up." I apologize.

"Val?" He looks puzzled.

"He told me to call him Val. Short for Valdez. It's less confusing, when we talk to each other that way." I say.

He nods. "Sounds better. So, you need me to help you figure out how to get Leo, sorry Val, back."

I realize something and start to panic.

"What? What's wrong?" He puts his hand to my forehead.

"When he comes back, will I disappear?"

Will bites his lip.

"Um.. I don't know." He says.

>Val?! Hello?<

'...'

>Please. I'm scared.<

'It's okay. You're okay.'

I breathe deeply.

"Let's get to the bottom of this." Will quietly speaks.