Ventures Chapter 19

Instructions

Chapter 19 Passed Out ----------------- When I wake up again, I can’t figure out what the Had3s happened. Things still look blurry and my head hurts for some reason. I try to sit up but then feel a hand on my chest. “Shh, lay down.” It’s Jacob. My b0dy screams at me to lay back down, so I comply. Everything starts to come back into focus. We’re behind the store, in where the tree line starts. “Wh-what happened?” I ask, my chest hurting with each breath. “You passed out.” Havi says, coming over. I resist rolling my eyes. “Know that, what else?” I ask, trying to sit up, but Jacob keeps having me go back down. “Jacob caught you.” Havi says, and Jacob’s cheeks turn a bit pink. “Oh,” I reply, trying not to blush. I manage to push myself up onto my elbows without Jacob holding me back. Havi nods and then walks back to Aternus, leaving just me and Jacob sitting together. I sit up, leaning against a tree. I glance around and see an owl sitting in a tree across from me. Why’s that there? “So..” Jacob says and I look back at him. “Yeah?” “You scared me.” “How?” He shrugs. I sigh. Sometimes, this kid can be so vague. Then, after a few seconds of silence he says, “I guess when you ran in, with the minotaur following us, it seemed it was target!ng you. That scared me.” My face feels hot. /He was worried?/ “Oh…” I say, unsure of what else to say. /Do I mention Maria? The history? How I got half a heart attack? That I was worried about him too? That I kinda l!ke him?/ I get confused at that last thought. /Okay, definitely not that last thing./ I stay silent. So does Jacob. We’re both staring at each other as if waiting for the other to do something. “Well… This is awkward…” I say, breaking the silence. “Duh.” Jacob replies and we both laugh. I glance back up and see the owl still sitting up in the tree. I point it out to Jacob. “Hey, look back there.” I say. Jacob looks over his shoulder and sees the bird. “Oh, cool,” he turns back around, “Maybe that’s your m0m!” I laugh. “An owl… My mom?! Nahhh.” Jacob shrugs. “I heard that Athena’s patron animal is an owl and gods and goddesses can change form. It could be possible.” I consider this. “Maybe,” I admit, “But why would she be following me? I’m pretty sure her favorite ch!ld is Annabeth.” “How do you know?” I shrug. Jacob seems to be over-excited with this and keeps glancing at the owl. Then, Havi calls both of us over and I struggle to get back up. I notice how unstable I actually am because as I’m trying to get to my feet, my left side hurts so bad. It’s probably from the fall. Jacob, who was walking over to Havi, turned back around, saw me and went back. “Here, let me help.” “How the Had3s would you be able to help?” I ask, wincing as I get another shot of pa!n on the left side of my chest. Jacob’s eyes twinkle and he says, “By this.” And he holds me up around my waist, helping me walk and stand. I smile, and move my hand to his by accident. And we walk t0g3th3r, leaving the owl in the tree.