Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Emily’s Identity Revealed

                Lauren and Alex walked behind the two, quietly discussing the new change of events.

                “Bet she’s a child of Aphrodite like you, Lauren,” Alex hypothesized, “She’s survived this long, which might be because she doesn’t have quite as strong a scent as a more, um, powerful god, you know..” Alex glanced over at Lauren, preparing for some sort of come back, and then quickly continued, “And she’s good with the Pegasus. You must have seen her- a natural. Plus, no one can say she isn’t beautiful. It’d make a lot of sense if she were an Aphrodite kid.”

                In front of them, Alex watched as Emily showed Andrew the journal she was holding in her hands. Andrew examined it and stopped dead in his tracks. If Alex hadn’t been as far away as he was (so as to give Andrew space to ask Emily what he wanted) he would have run straight into his best friend.

                It was like Emily had just given him a bomb. He stared at it, his eyes wide with realization, flitting back and forth between the cover and the girl. They finally rested back on Emily, who looked a little sheepish, anxiously watching his reaction.

                Alex was thoroughly confused. His first instinct was to be angry at Emily for making his friend like this, but she looked so nervous and innocent, his anger melted away into concern and utter confusion & curiosity. He looked over at Lauren, whose expression mirrored his bewilderment and concern. She looked like she wanted to say something, but pursed her lips and stayed silent, watching Andrew and Emily intently. Alex didn’t have quite as much self control.

“Andrew-” he started, but was cut off when his best friend looked at him. His expression was unlike Alex had ever seen it. He looked like he’d just solved something huge out of the blue, but his eyes were glossy like he was trying not to cry. It was so not Andrew, Alex wondered what could have possibly happened.

“Alex, please. Could you guys give me a minute?” His voice was carefully controlled, calm even. Not at all in line with his odd expression.

Alex was completely caught off guard. Lauren grabbed his arm and began to drag him away, back to the stables, yanking him forward whenever he tried to sneak a peek behind him to where Emily and Andrew were.

“Lauren, what in the world?” he snapped once they had gotten back into the stables.

“Do you know what went on there? Why-”

Lauren spun on him, looking exasperated.

“Are you kidding? Did you at least read what the journal said? Do you have any idea about how delicate the situation is right now?”

Alex took a step back, stunned by Laurens retort.

“No. I was a little more concerned with my friend who, if you noticed looked-”

“I know Alex, but you still haven’t answered my questions.”

She looked at him expectantly, like a teacher waiting for the dumb pupil to answer the problem. Alex immediately felt defensive.

“No, I didn’t read what the journal said. I-”

Lauren held up a hand before he could continue.

“The journal had an owl on it, the symbol of Athena. Athena claims her children by giving them one simple, useful item. The coolest I’ve heard of was a New York Yankee’s cap that made the wearer invisible. That was Andrew’s mom, by the way. Andrew got that jacket, remember? He’s never told me what it does though, if it does do anything. Obviously, Emily got that journal. Her name was on there, spelled like the Emelye of Greek mythology,” her voice trailed off for a second, but Lauren snapped herself back to the conversation immediately, “Anyway, her full name was on there. Emelye Jackson. She must be Andrew’s sister. I don’t quite get it myself, but come to think of it,” she paused, collecting her thoughts, but Alex interrupted her, his own thoughts racing to put the pieces together.

“That photo of Andrew’s family when he was really young. The one on his desk. He was really little then, and it was him with both his parents, and his mom held a little girl with golden curls. I remember that part because I thought it was cool how one kid got dark black hair and the other light blonde. Complete opposites. What I don’t get is why Andrew hasn’t told us sooner. We’re his best friends. Why wouldn’t he tell us he wasn’t an only child, what we thought was the truth.”

Lauren nodded. “I wonder the same things.” She agreed. Then she gasped like something big had just occurred to her.

“Hey, Alex, you know how everyone always thought the great prophesy has something to do with Andrew? It’s starting to make sense. When wisdom and water become intertwined, that means a child of both Athena and Poseidon, like Andrew,”

“The two halves shall the other find,” Alex continued for her, “You don’t think- It couldn’t mean- Like if, you know, the two siblings found each other. You know how Andrew doesn’t have all the powers of Poseidon and Athena? How he only has like half of each? Like he can’t speak to Pegasi like his dad can because he’s son of Poseidon. Wait a second. You don’t think-”

“That Emily can speak to Pegasi?” Lauren finished for him, “And that’s kind of why she was so good at it this morning? That’s exactly what I think. The two halves are the siblings, and now they’ve found each other.” She smiled, like the fairy tale had just ended happily ever after.

“But-” Alex interjected, “She who is three shall take they who gave birth. Andrew’s parents are gone, longer than usual. They must have been kidnapped, if we’re assuming that this prophesy is coming true. But who’s she who is three? And, what about the rest of it? A second darkness shall engulf the earth, Only through wisdom may all be saved, or all shall be lost as the minds are enslaved. That doesn’t sound good at all.”

“Oh, just a little ray of sunshine, aren’t you Alex? Pardon the pun.”

Alex just rolled his eyes. “Just looking at it rationally.”

Lauren tried for a smile, but it soon faded.

“How do you think Emily and Andrew are doing? It’s probably a lot to take in, reuniting with a long-lost sibling and all. No wonder Emily looked so nervous earlier.”

“Well, I know where they probably are. Reunion or no, everyone has to eat breakfast.”

He smiled at her and the two of them headed out of the stables back towards the mess hall.

For the, what, 10th time now? Feedback appreciated, yes this is a rough draft, and I still hope you enjoy the story so far. :)