Ventures Chapter 12

Instructions

Chapter 12 Cave ---------------------- Me, Havi, and Aternus all go to the Athena table and sit together. I’m just staring around, munching on a corn dog when I notice something. “Hey, where’s Annabeth?” I ask Havi and Aternus. My half-siblings shrug and Aternus does something in sign language. Havi says, “Aternus says that he saw her and Rachel go off somewhere.” “Where?” I ask. Aternus looks at me and points to a cave in the distance. “There?” Aternus nods. Havi groans. “That’s Rachel’s oracle cave… Last time they went there…” “ ‘Last time they went there…’ what?” I ask. “Last time… It’s nothing.” “You sure?” “Positive.” I drop the issue. We eat in silence for a bit and then I speak up, “Hey, why don’t we go check it out?” And before anyone can stop me, I get up and start walking in the general direction of the cave. I always used to go to the forests of weeds and yuccas and trees in N3w M3x1c0. It’s hard to believe, but where I l1v3d, there was a giant forest near the R10 Gr@nd3 that I would go to almost every day. I stand on the edge of the tree line, and stare into the forest, pinpointing where the cave was. I have a great sense of direction in trees. I run in, and keep going, knowing exactly where I am in relation to the cave. “Abby!” I hear Havi yell and slow down. Havi and Aternus catch up and I turn to them. “Well, if you're coming, hurry up!” I say and start going to the cave again. Havi sighs and my half-siblings follow me. After a while, Havi speaks up and says, “A-Are you sure you know where we’re going, Abby?” “Yup.” A few minutes later, we're at the cave and peeking through. /Wow./ Rachel’s cave is beautiful. It looks like a cross between a 15 year-old’s room and a geode cave. Messy, but cozy and comfortable. I hear Rachel and Annabeth’s voices inside. “I got this weird feeling that day,” Rachel’s voice says. “What do you mean,” Annabeth asked. Huhhh? “You know, when Abigail came.” “Well, yes. But. It might have just been your nerves.” “Fat chance.” Annabeth sighs. “So you’re saying… That we have something else going on here?” “Yes.” “And there’s already a prophecy that explains it?” “Sadly. And you know that when there’s a prophecy, something is going to happen.” “But. But how could it be Abby? I know her, she’s sweet.” “She also has a dead sister.” A lump forms in my throat at the mention of Maria. “Well, okay. But let’s not tell her until we know for sure.” An owl appears behind us and hoots. I turn around and shush it and then go back to listening. It hoots again, louder and Havi trips, causing a bunch of noise. Aternus covers his mouth and the owl flies away. “Havi, are you okay?” I ask, a bit too loudly and glance up to see an angry Annabeth. /Oh no./