literature

Odessa Moore and the Golden Apple CH18

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Returning Home


    We’re finally home, Odessa though as she stood on Half-Blood Hill. Blaze and Nathan climbed up next to her. The taxi ride home had consumed the rest of their money.
   Odessa took a deep breath. Camp Half-Blood looked the same as they had left it, with the sunbaked strawberry fields spreading near the Big House, campers climbing the lava wall, canoes in the lake, and Chiron teaching new campers archery.
James, a son of Hermes, noticed them from the lake. He shouted at his friends that the trio had returned. The news spread throughout camp. Campers dropped what they were doing and made their way toward Thalia’s Pine on Half-Blood Hill. Odessa, Blaze, and Nathan trudged down the hill to meet the other campers.
The demigods started asking them questions, yet Odessa wasn't ready to answer them. Chiron trotted forward and pounded his hoof for attention.
“These young demigods have completed their quest and survived what could’ve been a highly painful death.  We shall honor them with laurels and a feast.” He turned his head to the three questers. “Congratulations, Odessa, Nathan, and Blaze. It’s been a while since someone completed this kind of quest.”
The demigods lifted the trio onto their shoulders and headed toward the central campfire for them to burn their caskets.
Later that evening, demigods, satyrs, and nymphs of land and water celebrated the succession of another quest. For several minutes they mourned for the loss of Odessa’s brother, Devin.
Odessa enjoyed being the center of attention, and with the whole camp watching her tell her story of the quest, excitement raced through her veins. Blaze and Nathan pointed out some things she forgot to say and recounted from their point of view.
“… so my dad, Hermes, gave me this little box of floss,” Odessa was saying as she showed them the floss. “I kinda felt insulted, but didn't want to hurt my dad’s feelings, so I accepted them. We took a taxi from there and now we’re here.”
   “Dad gave you floss? And you can do awesome things with it? I want one!” Exclaimed James, who was sitting beside Odessa. 
    Odessa laughed. A movement caught her eye. A girl, about 16, stood near her. She wore all black clothes, a black cloak around her shoulders, and black combat boots. The girl brushed her short, dark hair out of her eyes that seemed to be russet color. Odessa assumed she was a daughter of Hades; she was painfully pale and skinny. 
    Odessa waved at her. "Hey." The girl gave her a meaningful look and strutted away.
    She shrugged, Odessa chatted with her friends and enjoyed the glory of being a heroine. Her quest was finished, and the rest of the summer was on it's way through.

    That night Odessa dreamed of Devin. She was following her dad and her brother across the night sky. They approached a dark cave, where spirits stirred as they waited for Charon to allow access to the ferry. Luckily Devin had a few extra drachmas in his pockets, and he boarded the ferry. 
    Odessa has never been to the Underworld. It was enough for her to go crazy. The darkness seemed to suffocate her, and spirits' moans echoed through the cold, dark cavern.
    No one seemed to notice her. It was almost like she was actually there. Devin appeared as he had been before the quest: youthful, excited, and rebellious. 
    Charon steered the boat to a black, rocky bank. The ghosts stepped off the boat and followed more ghosts toward a huge black wall with three separate entryways. Devin went toward the line where the Judgement Pavilion stood. 
    Three ghostly judges with white masks and dark, shadowy robes loomed over her little brother.
    "Yes, yes, a young hero indeed," Said the first judge. 
    "Where shall we put him? He has had a life of equal good and bad. Asphodel maybe?"
Asked the second judge.
    The third judge shook his head. "He did a brave thing in Ohio, saving that family from the Minotaur. I say Elysium."
    "He's too young and good to go to the Fields of Punishment, so that's a no." The first judge told them. 
    The ghostly form of Devin watched as the judges argued where to put him. He looked scared, as if finally realizing he was dead.
    The judges were about to put him in Asphodel. Odessa knew he didn't deserved that. 
    She stepped closer and crouched next to his ear. "You will go to Elysium, brother." She whispered.
    As if Devin heard her, he mustered his courage and told the judges, "I want to go to Elysium. My sister and father would want me too, and I deserve it."
    All three judges turned to him and cocked their heads. 
    "Indeed, he is a hero," The first one said. 
    "It is decided," The third one declared. "Devin Lee Moore will go to Elysium."
    Odessa felt a flush of pride. The dream faded as Devin headed for the blissful section of glory.
   
    The end of summer approached. Odessa knew she would be staying over the winter, as she had no where else to go. She had made some new friends over the past few months, and the stress of loosing Devin had vanished.
    Odessa dipped her feet into the cold water of the canoe lake. She fingered the new bead she had gotten—a light green bead with a golden apple painted on the clay bead. 
    Groaning wood of the docks creaked behind her as someone sat beside her.
    "Hi Nathan," Odessa greeted. She was glad to see her best friend. He was wearing a fresh orange Camp Half-Blood T-shirt and khaki shorts. His fiery red hair glowed in the August sun, and his green eyes glittered. 
    "Hey, Dess," Nathan rubbed his arm, as if wanting to say more. "I...I want to say something. Would...would you like to go o—"
    Odessa knew where this was going, and she felt thrilled. "Yes!" She interrupted. Blushing, she told him, "I mean, I would love to, Nate."
    Nathan grinned and leaned forward. Odessa felt like she was melting as her lips touched his. 
    A sudden push sent her and Nathan into the water. Breathing in some water, she grabbed Nathan and swam strongly toward the surface. Coughing turned into laughter as she realized it was Blaze who pushed her into the water. She was not alone, though. A tall guy with white-blonde hair, violet eyes, a black leather jacket and black jeans stood next to her, his arm around her waist.
    "I knew you guys would finally get together!" Blaze exclaimed. "Oh, and this is Allen Booth, son of Nemesis. We're together."
    Blaze seemed happier than her usual self. Odessa felt the same. 
    "I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving!" Nathan said, rubbing is stomach. 
     Everyone laughed, and for the first time, Odessa felt like she would do anything to be with the friends she loves. 
    The four demigods headed toward the Mess Hall as the other campers who were leaving left Camp Half-Blood. 
    Odessa was finally home. 

The final chapter is here! I hope you guys enjoyed this story as much as I did!!!
© 2014 - 2024 PJOfan22
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VolKAINo's avatar
This was pretty good :) But I would've thought Odessa would be more distraught over her brother. Never mind that though.