For the Better

Chapter 8 ~ The Coffee Shop

Leo's Pov
I can't believe Chiron is making me go on this quest! Not just one, but two people who hate me are going, and I'm stuck with them for at least a week and a half! Ugh I give up. I give up. Yeah, okay, maybe the prophecy talked about fire. So what? All the other Hephaestus campers aren't good enough? Or what if it's metaphorically speaking?

I went to my cabin to get ready for this wonderful fantastic quest. Yippee! (I hope you feel my sarcasm) I packed a lot of clothes because if this is really about actual fire, my clothes are going to burn for sure. I packed a lot of things to fiddle with and other mechanical parts that I might need. I stored some little weapons - like small knives, Chinese stars, yadayadayada - in my tool belt. I only packed a little ambrosia and nectar because I know Miss Medic will bring some.

I didn't want to go to the campfire. I didn't want to take a risk of seeing Brooke, or Nico. I got dressed for bed and sat at my desk to think. I looked over some blueprints of old projects I had. I grabbed a notepad and began writing. Writing about the prophecy. Over and over the words repeated in my head: Three tasks for three demigods
Each more challenging against all odds

Answer the riddles of the guards
Find the three hidden shards

Fire will be the first call
But beware the winding hall

Rough battles ahead, you must stand tall For light to triumph and darkness fall

I kept trying to interpret it but I had no information and we didn't start the quest yet. I gave up and went to bed. I had my same nightmares as always. The repetition of how Calypso died and the voices inside my head telling me it was all my fault. Other bad things have just entered my mind in the past month after seeing and hearing things and they just all repeat. And repeat. And repeat. The blood pounds in my head every night. I always wake up sweating and hyperventilating. I hate it.

**Next Morning**

I woke up at about 5:45 to shower. I didn't know what time Chiron wanted us there so I just made sure I was awake. I took a nice, long, hot shower to try and ease my pain away. It was nice and relaxing until Jake pounded on the bathroom door to hurry up.

I went to breakfast only because I knew I wouldn't be eating much on the quest. I looked over towards the Big House to see Brooke already there. At that moment, Nico came out of this cabin. I finished eating and joined the other two at the Big House. Chiron told us that Argus would drive us until we reached Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Chiron wished us luck then we left.

Nico sat in the passenger side next to Argus, which means, I had to sit next to Brooke in the back. I stared out the window. My eyes are stinging. I blink back tears. I don't even know what's causing them. Brooke and Nico broke the silence and began talking. I was bored and tired. So yeah I kinda took a nap. Nothing really bad happened in my nappy time nightmares.

When we got to Pittsburg, Argus let us out of the car and drove away. "Okay let's find somewhere to get some lunch and figure out where we are going first," Brooke told us. No one replied we just walked. We found a coffee shop nearby so we walked in. We better not get attacked or I'm going to freak. All I want is a fricken muffin and iced coffee. Jeez I don't need monsters ruining it, I though to myself.

When we got our food and coffee, we all sat in silence. Very awkward I will tell you that now. I finally decided to speak up. "So...uh...does anyone have an idea on where to start? Or what's coming?" Still no one talked. Maybe they were thinking? I looked straight down at the table. Nico cleared his throat. "Well, the goddess Tyche has lost crystal shards? But they have been missing for centuries on end and no one really knows about it but my dad told me..."

I sighed. Great. Isn't this just great. "But the prophecy tells us to find the three hidden shards. Maybe it is Tyche's crystals," Brooke said. "But what if it's something else?" I asked. "But what if it isn't?" Brooke added. "Then I guess we have to go on with this quest and find out," Nico said fairly calm. "Then let's get started!" Brooke stood up. "We don't know where to start, Brooke," I told her. She glared at me and sat down. I avoided her eyes.

"Fire will be the first call," Nico repeated. "What does that mean?" Brooke shook her head. "I don't know." I covered my face in my arms. Then, I felt like a lightbulb clicked inside my head. "Wait," I shot my head up. "Do you know something?" Nico asked. "I-I might," I stuttered. "I think I know where to start. After each task, or even during each challenge, we are to find Tyche's crystal shards. Fire. Fire. I can feel it, and it's blazing bright!" I smiled.

"What's blazing bright?" a stranger asked. he looked like an adventurer. "Well-" Brooke stopped me. "Who are you, if we may ask?" He smiled a kindly smile. "Oh, right, sorry. I almost forgot. I'm the one who is going to kill you." All of our eyes widened as we drew our weapons. His voice had changed by the last two words, 'kill you'. he had changed into something like a bat but bigger and with more vivid scratches on his face and his eyes were bloodshot. "Welcome to your death," he said to us. He smiled the world's scariest smile.