The Lost Crown

~Richard~ 2

Why was it always stormy when I was sad?  Not that I was complaining because I loved it when it was all grey out, but sometimes I just wanted it to go away.  I sighed and stood up from the sofa I was laying on.  The TV was boring me.  I made my way to the kitchen where I swiped a piece of chocolate out of the 'secured' jar on the counter.  It really wasn't that hard to open.

I popped it in my mouth and flattened it onto the roof of my mouth just as my mom walked into the room.  I knew she couldn't see it in my mouth, but I needed to chew, so I opened the fridge and stuck my head into it, ripping the chocolate off the roof on my mouth with my tongue and chewing it.  I swallowed just as I pulled the jug of orange juice off the shelf; I couldn't just open the fridge for no reason, that would be suspicious.  I whipped a cup out of the cupboard and poured a little bit of juice.  I gulped it down and threw the cup in the sink, leaving the OJ out for my mom who had grabbed a cup.

I knew we were both trying to act like everything was fine, that I was here all the time.  I could feel it in the air that she was worried for me.  Well, I was worried for me, too.  I was the only one of my party of three that had survived the quest, and now I was guarding the necklace I had stolen with my life.  We were sent to get it, but I didn't know what it was for.  It still seemed powerful in my pocket, even after days of staying with me as I wondered alone on the streets, trying to find my way back to the first home I'd ever known.  I had had good luck, of course, as my dad was the god of travelers along with thieves.

I had been going to Camp Half-Blood year round for two years, and I had heard of quests happening and ones that had happened.  I knew not all of them had a happy ending, but this was my first.  I hadn't expected my two closest friends to be sacrificed.  There was probably something in the prophecy about it, but no one remembers prophesies in a group of three ADHD, dyslexic, scared, fifteen year old sons of Hermes.  No offence dad.

I had to leave today to be able to make I back to Camp Half-Blood by the deadline of this Thursday.  It was Wednesday, but my mom lived close enough.  She knew where the camp was and had a car and had offered to drive me.  She didn't like the idea of me hitchhiking or walking any more than  had to.  

The day went by quickly, and soon I was in my mom's shiny white car.  The drive seemed shorter than it actually was, but that was probably because I was too busy thinking.  I hopped out of the car early to avoid goodbyes and ran for the entrance by Thalia's tree.  (We still call it that even though Thalia was revived out of the tree a while ago.) As I made my way down the hill, all the memories of this place came flooding back to me. Dylan, Kevin and I had left here just over a week ago.  I sighed and closed my eyes for a second.  It wouldn't be very heroic if I showed up crying.  

I stalked into the main courtyard, then into the Big House, ignoring the amazed stares I was getting that said 'wow!  you're alive!'.  I barged in on Chiron and slammed the necklace on the desk in front of him.

"The others didn't survive.  I hope you're happy."  I grumbled and walked toward the door.  Chiron stopped me.

"Do you know what this does?"  Chiron questioned.  I shook my head and pushed past him to get to the door.  He held me back again.

"It is an important weapon."  Chiron talked again.  I resisted the urge to swipe his pocket watch.  Stealing was bad.  It had gotten my friends killed, so it was bad, "Put it on."  That sure got my attention.  No way was I putting this on.  It's not like it was girly or anything, but it was still jewelry.  I didn't roll that way.  

"Um, no."  I tried to escape again, but his stupid horse body was like a barricade.  I leaned my head back and groaned.  He shoved it into my hand.  I looked at it in disgust.  Chiron sighed.

"You will use it eventually.  It is yours."  That made me snap.

"What!  You sent us out to get some 'special item' that you said could save the world!  You dare give it to me!  What am I supposed to do with it, strangle somebody?"  I threw it on the floor in outrage and stormed out of the Big House.  Chiron let me pass this time.  If he hadn't, I would have found a way over.

I sprinted up the hill and back out beyond the border of Half-Blood Hill.  I walked down the road towards the sunset.  I didn't feel like stopping.