“The Rise of Zeus – Chapter II (Pt 7)”
Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!
BASIL (cont.)
“I understand,” he says with a curt nod. “Biscuit and you may accompany me back to my house.”
“Woah, wait, what?! What makes you think I’d ever go with you to your house?”
He frowns. “Where else would you complete your training?”
“My training? Dude, you’re literally making no sense.”
The man sighs, a glint of frustration in his eyes. “Basil Andino, I have been patient with you, but this is becoming ridiculous. I have already told you that you will save the world.” Slowly, his voice rises. “Why will you not accept your destiny? Is it me? Have I not made my role as your guide to heroism clear?” He’s now full-on screaming.
Before I can snap back something I’d probably regret later, the man shakes his head. “I apologize for my outburst,” he says, his voice back to a normal indoor-volume. “You have made your position on the matter clear, and I do not wish to force you into beginning your training earlier than you are prepared for. I will leave you now.”
He shoves his hand into his pocket and withdraws two hundred dollar bills. “This is for the dog,” he says, giving them to me. “And this…” Without warning, his hand snaps up to grasp my still-sore chin. I only now realize that he’s wearing gloves; the stiff material is cold against my skin as his fingers curl around my jaw, preventing me from shouting out. “This is for you,” he finishes, giving my bruised jaw a tight squeeze.
A gasp forces itself from my throat as a strange tingling sensation creeps through my chin. Then, a blinding heat flashes through my jaw, travelling briefly to the rest of my skull before disappearing.
The man releases my chin and a slightly different tingling begins as the blood rushes in to fill the veins that his fingers had been constricting. Once all my veins are properly satisfied once again, something ticks in my brain that makes me pause.
The pain in my chin is completely gone. My teeth feel as though they had never been rattled against one another and my headache has disappeared. I quickly test my jaw; it’s not at all sore.
My feet drag me to the mirror a short way down the hall. The bruises that I’m certain were there before no longer exist.
“What did you do to me?” I gasp, turning back to the man.
But all I catch of him is the heel of his black boot through the doorway and the jingle of the bell.
Final Comments: This one took a bit longer, but I really wanted to get to the end of this chapter!!
Overall Rating: 😄
