A Dangerous Past *On Hold*

Chapter 3

A few hours have passed since my bumpy start, and I am now cruising along the sky. I couldn't ask for a better view. Golden light surrounds us, enveloping us in warmth. Birds are tweeting a long way below. Alex would love it. We must be over halfway, as we have started our decline. I dont know what I was so worried about.

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I had to go and jinx it, didn't I? That peaceful feeling lasted all of about two minutes. Now, I'm fighting my way through a storm. I didn't realise that there was weather up here: Apollo never mentioned any. All of the horses are soaked, along with pretty much everything on the chariot – including me.

Something about this storm doesn't feel natural; It's as if it has a conscience. It feels alive. I urge the horses on, fighting against the bitter rain which pounds against us. Not much further, I think, it can't be much further. I wrap myself tighter into my jacket, longing for the rain to ease.

To my surprise, the rain ceases just as abruptly as it started. The sky returns to its normal blue, without a cloud in sight. I turn around, thinking that we had just passed it, but there is no evidence of it anywhere. A disappearing storm? Weird. Too weird, even for me.

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After another few minutes, I start to see a light ahead of me. I bring the horses down onto the landing platform. I dismount from the chariot, soaking, my legs shaking. I feel like I could collapse at any moment. I let the horses loose into their stalls and Arlo helps me into the main hall.

Alex is the first to notice me: he must have come whilst I was out like Apollo said he would.

'Avery, you look terrible, what happened?' He exclaims worriedly.

'Thanks,' I laugh weakly, water dripping off me onto the floor, 'where were you this morning?'

'Just – getting on with some business.' He replies a little too vaguely for my liking. 'Anyway,' he continues, 'I'm not the one sopping wet and looking like she's just seen a ghost.' So, I tell him and Apollo what happened. Apollo looks worried.

'You said you felt it had a conscience?' Apollo questions.

'Yeah,' I reply, 'it felt like it was watching me. Before you ask, no, it wasn't venti.'

'Are you sure? Everything you have described sounds exactly like the behavior of a ventus.' Apollo sounds concerned. He passes me a towel.

'I'm fairly sure. It was following me, but then just disappeared. That isn't a classic ventus move.' I shudder. 'Whatever it was I dont want to meet it again.'

I considered telling them about the stranger-who-is-not-a-stranger, but something made me decide against it. He couldnt be involved after all, could he? He did warn me to be careful, but on the other hand so did Alex.

I dry off – luckily, an easy thing to do in the sun palace. The horses are fine, just a bit shaken. As for me, I'm not sure. I have too many questions, too many theories. I just need to think things through.

'I'm going to head back to the house. All the horses are down for the night.' I say weakly.

'You are in no shape to go alone, I'll come with you.' Alex insists.

'I'll be fine,' I smile, 'plus, I'll have Arlo with me.'

'Only if you are sure.' He relinquishes.

To be perfectly honest, I could do with some help, but I'm not entirely sure who I can trust at the moment. I know what you are thinking, Oh Avery, he was just busy, nothing more than that. You are probably right, but Alex prides himself of never being late to or missing anything. Trust me, he reminds me every day. So why would he miss this? I hop up onto Arlo, and canter away. A good ride always clears my head.

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It's been a few minutes since I left. I'm taking a slightly longer route back. I can't face everyone, not yet. I can't bring myself to explain what happened again. It's shaken me more than I care to admit.

The clear, blue lake glitters to my left. Arlo is cantering so smoothly, putting distance between me and my fears with every stride. I wish I could just stay like this, free, without a care in the world.

Arlo suddenly stops dead. I nearly fall off; it just came out of the blue. 'Woah boy, its ok.' I sooth. He starts spinning, getting faster and faster. I come flying off into a bush. I turn around just in time to see Arlo cantering into the distance.

I try to follow him but find I can only manage a hobble. The pain hits me-I pass out. Just before the darkness completely envelops me, I'm sure I see a figure running towards me. Before I can be certain, I'm gone.