Persephone's Cage [Connor Stoll]

chapter fifteen

Once Lilly and Connor were awake, they knew today would be the day. They were to find Persephone, and kill Landon. Neither of them were really excited, but they couldn't just stop now.

Lilly tugged on a pair of blue jean shorts, and a black tank top. Despite it technically still being winter, Arizona was a very hot state. Their motel room was even boiling hot already. "Would it kill someone to-"

She paused, as she walked out of the bathroom. In front of her, stood a half shirtless Connor, with the shirt still over his head. He seemed to pause at her voice, his arms hovering over his head. Her face instantly flushed, as she couldn't help but stare.

He wasn't the biggest, and most muscular guy she had ever seen, but he wasn't out of shape. Despite his lanky appearance, Connor Stoll had been hiding a lean, muscular body. "Are you staring at me, Dixon?"

Connor had unfroze, and now, his shirt was off. His lips were turned into a lopsided smirk, as his blue eyes filled with mischief. Lilly shook her head, her blush still prominent. "I was just looking at your ribs that are sticking through." She turned away, but when she looked back, he was still giving her the same look, still without a shirt. "Put a shirt on, you creep!" She yelled.

Soon enough, they were back on the road. It was silent, both anxious and worried about what was going to happen. "This is it." Lilly broke the silence. "We get justice for Aiden. We..We have to kill Landon."

"Are you gonna be okay with that?" Connor asked, concern lacing his voice.

Lilly paused. "I don't want to stoop to his level, but Persephone herself said we had to do it. But what if I can't go through with it? What if I'm not strong enough?"

"That's your fatal flaw talking." Connor spoke. "You can't let it get to you. Besides, even if it doesn't mean anything, I believe in you. I've seen you're more than capable of taking someone down. That's one of the things I love about you."

Lilly's head snapped towards the boy, her blue eyes growing wide. "You...love about me?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Connor shrugged, a smile resting on his lips. "I thought I've made my feelings pretty obvious."

Lilly flushed, not able to look at him anymore. "How can you just say it so openly and freely?"

"Because I like you. And I have for four years. Again, I made it very obvious." Connor chuckled a bit. "You don't have to-"

"I like you, too." Lilly spat out before she could back out. "I, uh. Yeah." She looked out her window.

It was Connor's turn to flush. "How about, after this, we go get some Olive Garden and watch a movie?"

"I'd like that." Lilly smiled. "I'd like that a lot."

***

The parking lot of the Grand Canyon was nearly full, which made sense. It was a major tourist attraction, no doubt it would've been packed.

"This place is huge. How're we supposed to find her?" Lilly spoke.

"Woah, this place is huge? I thought it was small." Connor said sarcastically. Lilly hit him in the shoulder, and he laughed. "Do you still have the pomegranate? Maybe it'll lead us?"

Lilly looked up at him. "Wow, Connor using his brain? Today is full of surprises." She grabbed the fruit, and tapped the top part of it again. It opened up, the seeds going into a straight line, then it plummeted into the canyon.

"How're we supposed to get down there?" Connor stared at it.

Lilly grabbed his arm, making him turn his gaze onto her. "How much do you trust me?"
"With everything in me." Connor answered immediately. "Why?"

Lilly looked at the cliff. "Because, I have an idea, but you might not like it." She tugged on his arm, leading him towards the edge. Luckily, they were blocked by a rock in front of them, so the mortals wouldn't see them.

The daughter of Apollo closed her eyes, and held her hands out in front of her. She hadn't practiced her powers that much, but a piece of light was formed, a platform. "You're joking."
"You got a better idea?" Lilly snapped. "Get on the light."

"This is not what I had in mind!" Connor yelled. He saw the ground below him, as he had a slight freakout session. One slip up, and he could die.

Lilly grunted. "Shut up. I need to focus." Her eyes were closed in concentration, as her hands were spread out in front of her. Just below her and Connor, held a light barrier. Apollo had taught her how to control the light within her, but it was still shaky. Sweat dripped down her forehead, as she started to slightly lower them.

Her hands began to shake, as she was beginning to lose control. "Dammit!" She screamed, as the light disappeared. The two began to freefall, both of them yelling loudly.

"We're gonna die!" Connor yelled, but Lilly grunted.

"No, we're not! Grab onto me!" Lilly called, and reached her hand out. Connor's blue eyes looked at her in fear, before he grabbed her hand. Lilly pulled the boy into her, wrapping one of her arms around his waist. He gripped onto her tightly, looking at the ground that was getting closer and closer.

With extreme focus, Lilly spread her hand out, creating yet another light barrier. It was made at the last moment, the ground just a foot away from them. She sighed, letting it go, and they tumbled to the ground.

Lilly's arm was under Connor's body, and his arm was still around her shoulders. They panted heavily, their bodies still shaking from the near death experience. They faced each other, and suddenly started laughing. "Remind me to never trust you again."

"Shut up, Stoll!"