Dea

CHAPTER TWO

" Skatá, skatá, Gamó! skatá, skatá!" 

Shit, s**t, f**k! s**t, shit

Cursing under my breath I dump the contents of my bag onto the bed looking frantically for anything that would give a hint to who that number belongs to or what promise I made. 

I never make promises I don't intend on keeping. Was this person in danger? Seeing nothing but my clothes, the dried food, toiletries, a pair of flat Sandals and a bill fold with money and a thin plastic square with Sarah's name on it and a wrapped wire with a box with two short metal prongs on one end and a thin metal square on the other end. But no note or big neon flashing sign saying "this will solve all your problems!" I sighed and sat down looking at the screen again and begin typing random numbers in the code box, but nothing seems to work. Giving up I begin folding my clothes and putting them on the small desk in neat little piles. I throw away the dried food bits one by one, then I throw my bag into the desk chair and start braiding my hair. My long  hair is full of tangles and snarls making brushing my hair with my fingers difficult, but I finally having it smooth enough to braid messily. I glance at my journal, maybe I hid something in there and I just need to finish reading it?

I shake my head, I don't want to read right now, there are still at least six months to go, I'll finish my journal later. 

I sigh when I lay down in the comfortable bed. With the lights off and no noises coming anywhere I began to drift to sleep, wondering who that number belonged to kept circling my mind.

   For the second time in less then the twenty four hours I've been alive I was woken up by the sound of Cassidy trying to break the door down. 

"You may enter if you can." I shout before stretching and putting my feet on the floor burying my toes in the carpet and wiggling them. This carpet is more enjoyable then packed dirt.

 Cassidy came bouncing into the room, "of course I can enter whenever I want. Since I run this place I got the master key." She flashed a key with more pieces protruding out of it then I've ever seen. I grunted while tossing my phone at her, "can you figure this out? I need to get into it someone sent me a letter somehow and it ended up on that screen, I need to know who it is." 

"I would but your phone is dead. Where's your charger?" I looked at her confused, "how can it die? It does not posses a soul, it is a thing not living." I state. When I have finished  getting dressed In the bathroom I come out to Cassidy holding the wire with metal prongs and a box, "this is a charger. And you are right, phones do not posses souls. They are ran by a battery. I'll plug it in at the lobby  so while we are at breakfast it can charge. When we come back we'll try to figure out how to unlock it, okay?" She said it quickly as she pushed me out the door. 

Reaching the cafeteria I see that Mandy has been replaced by a blonde, middle aged man who seemed to have Cassidys happy energy. He dishes out food while talking to the still drowsy people. 

"Cameron. You know you don't have to dish them the food, right? You just have to make sure We don't get low or run out." Hearing Cassidy scolding him, Cameron waved his hand in a dismissive manner, "it's fine! I enjoy helping when I can,"  he smiled brightly and turned to me  "And what would this fine thing like for breakfast, hm? We have sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs though if you take them any other way I'll be happy to cook them for you," he added with a wink "then we have pancakes or waffles,  bread and a toaster in you want toast. Then over there on the end of the table is coffee, green tea sugar, creamer, chocolate milk, milk and orange juice!" He heaved a breath in after finishing and exhaled loudly "whew! That's a lot to say in breath! So, what would you like?" I stared at him until he started to fidget. I smirked, I did not enjoy being called a 'fine thing',  "a little of everything, lots of cream and sugar in the coffee, please, since you enjoy helping when you can, right?" I turned on my heels and found a seat at the same table as yesterday, watching Cameron look at Cassidy with a questioning look before getting three plates and stacking heaps amount of food on them. Cassidy made herself a plate and brought me my coffee while she had the green tea, "I brought a handful of cream and sugar since I didn't want to mess it up. Are you really going to eat that much?" She put my cup in front of me with a wooden stick to stir. I used enough creamers to make it a stained white color from the dark murky, then I used three sugars.

 It was delicious. Instantly perking my mood.

 Finally Cameron arrived with three plates heaping with everything they had to offer. "That sure is a lot of food, miss. Are you actually going to finish it?" Again I stared at him until he got nervous before grabbing a plain pancake rolling it, and stuffing the whole thing in my mouth without breaking eye contact. Cameron's eyes went huge with one last glance at Cassidy he briskly walked back behind the table. 

Cassidy laughed at the exchange while I quickly smothered my waffles and pancakes in butter and maple syrup then went to town devouring them.  Before I was  halfway done I got up to refill my coffee. Taking advantage of this moment I stared Cameron down again enjoying how he clearly felt uncomfortable under my gaze.

Sitting back down I catch Cassidys eye as she stares at me. 

"what?"  I finally ask, shrugging her shoulders she starts braiding her crazy blond hair "it's just your obviously making Cameron uncomfortable and I don't understand why. You're treating everyone else just fine." Finishing her braid I realize her hair is curly and her face is more heart shaped, not long and narrow like I had originally thought. "I don't like some men, I suppose. I enjoy being able to intimidate people. I don't enjoying being weak. Plus, there's just something about him that irks me."    

 "I don't blame you. Since my aunt hired him he's given off these weird vibes." I nod in agreement and stifle a burp while pushing my empty plates away. I could feel my metabolism greedily picking up. "I feel loads better. Let's go." Skipping out of the cafeteria, Cassidy stole a glance back at Cameron. 

He was staring right at her with cold eyes. 

Cassidy and I spent hours trying to figure out what my pin was. She even accidentally locked me out of it for two hours. During that time we talked about what this century had to offer, there were things called 'movies' with men and women that even I found startling attractive (and that's saying something since I grew up secretly watching literal Greek gods.) 

Lunch came and went, Mandy came back for her shift I asked if she'd be willing to just bring me a plate so I could eat in the lobby. I enjoyed the view the lobby gave me. I was starting to doze off when my phone started to ring but this time the number was replaced by a name 'Sarah'. Getting excited I answered it quickly,

"...Sarah?"

"DEA! Why have you not been texting or calling me? It's been weeks since we last talked. It's past your deathiverssary. Where are you?"

"Im in a place called  Montana. About 15 miles from Canadian boarders apparently. And... I don't know the four digit pin to get into my phone..."

Sarah's laugh on the other end of the call made me smile. It warm and familiar.

"Didn't you write it in your journal? You wrote everything in there."

"Maybe? I haven't read it all yet. I think I'm only six months in."

"Are you okay? When I found you last year, you were a mess but you sound fine. What happened?" 

I gave her the spill about being found by Karen, her paying for two nights at the inn and the text. She listened so quietly I wasn't sure she was on the other end. After I finally finished I heard her take a deep sigh. " It's sounds like things are working out without me. shocker. How do your powers feel? I know I didn't spend months trying to blitz attack you just for  you to forget. Do you realize how hard it is to surprise a Greek goddess titan mix? HARD."

This time it was my turn to laugh, but her question made me wonder. Could I have done any kind of training to master my trades? Have I mastered any at all? If only I could unblock my memories. " how well did I get? I can't remember anything before waking up on the side of the road." 

Sarah sighed, " I'm a certified badass now because of you. You were already a master of pretty much everything to me, but you insisted. By the time you left New York nine months after waking up, every movement you made was precise. I don't think Zeus stands a chance. But I don't think it was because of me, who ever you kept sneaking out to see every night since month six, did. You even found a new trade. I don't know what it was but it convinced you you were indestructible. You seemed to literally glow after that. Whoever he was did a better job with you then I ever could."

Whoever he was? But I don't... right, how could I remember. But finding a new trade? Whoever he was must have been an Olympian Titan or God. I can't "unlock" any powers, I was born with few. As long as I've seen and trained with someone I can learn their power, why I've come call them trades, like Jack of all Trades. There are few things I can naturally pick up or manage to accidentally find out. But I can't just hone in on anything, it has to be an Olympian power.     

While I've been thinking Sarah had been telling me what has happened since I left. 

Apparently my old boss freaked out when I was a "no call, no show" and fired me. The card with Sarah's name on it in my bill fold is actually mine. It has all the money I've made from my job on it. Apparently I don't like spending money and Sarah never forced me to pay for anything. What a relief. She was going on about something I didn't care about when my phone started to make a beeping noise. "What's that  noise? Sarah, are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah that's not me, that's you receiving another call. I'll hang up and you can answer." 

I glanced at the screen and read the name "'telemarketing.' Do I know him?"

Sarah laughed again, "no you don't, their scammers or people just asking a lot of questions you won't have the answer too, just ignore them."

For the next several hours we talked about anything we could think of. How easy it was talking to someone I can't picture but felt I knew. I'd imagine this is what it's like being close to a sibling would be. 

  Soon it got dark and Cassidy came to ask me if I would be having dinner. 

 Sarah and I said our goodbyes.

 Mandy sat with Cassidy and I during dinner, pretty much everyone who was there this morning had checked out, leaving me and the older couple the only residents.

"It gets slow during this season, fall isn't our most popular time. Normally we don't even serve lunch or dinner but since there were so few Mandy and Cameron both agreed to help out and share shifts in the kitchen. Though now that we've had check outs Mandy will go back to house keeping," Cassidy was explaining the details that go into running the inn and the decisions she had to make. Sometime during the day she has taken her hair out of the braid and let it fly high again, her curls jumping on their ends, I think I like her hair this way, though maybe smoothing out the curls would make them look pretty. 

I listened intently. Running an inn sounds excitingly exhausting. Mandy eats slowly while listening, never taking her eyes off the bright girl, never adding any details to Cassidys rambling not even a nod to a shake of the head.    clearly Cassidy  has done a wonderful job in running her aunt's business as all the workers seem to enjoy the energetic women. When she was done with her spill Cassidy took a deep inhale, held it, and sighed loudly enough for the elderly  couple to glance  at our table in annoyance. Mandy used this time to discuss their up coming schedule for when winter comes and they start getting busy with tourists. 

I started to absentmindedly think about my conversation with Sarah, one thing for sure is before I make my next move, I need to finish my journal and figure out where I left off at. If I had gotten close to returning home my journal, Sarah and the mysterious Olympian was my only hope in picking up where I left off. 

"Dae? Dea? You okay? Helllooooooo," Cassidys voice broke through my thoughts, 

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I put my fork down and folded my arms over the table while leaning forward to engage myself into the conversation,  "I asked what's re your plans for tomorrow? Your friend Karen only paid for two nights. Where are you going to go?" 

Mandy looked ar me without blinking, "didn't you say you have memory issues? I saw you reading that diary of yours, does that have any answers or are you just wasting time reading with nothing planned?"  Okay, harsh, but true. Cassidy gave Mandy a mean side eye, I answered as if Mandys question didn't bother me, "yes the journal has good information in-fact, I intend on finishing it tonight before I sleep to know what I was doing to land me In Montana. No, I don't have any plans tomorrow but I will let you know before... what time am I supposed to be gone?" "Twelve thirty is our latest checkout time. It gives you time to have breakfast and possibly lunch if your all packed up," replies Mandy sternly, nodding slowly I continue "before twelve thirty tomorrow I will have decided my plan in continuing on my adventure. Though I do deeply appreciate the hospitality you have shown me, I will leave as promptly as you need." 

Cassidy laughter surprised me, what could I have said to make her laugh? I was being serious, I did not want to over stay my welcome as that would be rude. " there's no need to be so formal, Dea. I'll come get you for breakfast and we'll talk over what you  have planned. I won't let you wonder on the streets without anywhere to go without your memory." 

Mandy grunted while getting you from the table with her empty plate, she grabbed our empty plates also before leaving, "I'll go clean up and get my shift over. I'm tired, have a good night you two." With that she started away towards  the kitchen. Taking this as an opportunity to escape to my room to read and finally go through my phone, I bid Cassidy a goodnight also slightly feeling guilty I did not offer to help clean, though she did not ask. 

Returning to my room I debated to listen to the mysterious voicemail or bathe. The promise of a warm soak called to me the loudest. While soaking I read more of my journal and it was true, I mentioned my encounter with an Olympian though I have not mentioned  who or what I had been sneaking out to see or do, only that I had promised to tell no one. I went to vigorous detail of training but never of what he said or what power I was trying to learn, just that it only took me a few weeks to hinder it. My water has begun to get cold, deciding that meant it was time to get out I dried off before wrapping the fluffy robe around my body while finding my underwear. On the comfortable bed I skipped over the voice message and instead looked through the photos of me and Sarah. She was very beautiful in a new style. Her black hair was shorter then most, a boy cut nearly to her eyebrows in a perfectly messy way, her green eyes shone brightly when she laughed in contrast to the deep charcoal around her eye lids, her nose held a piercing with a  golden ring with a tiny  red teardrop stone in the center, bringing it to a small point. I smiled at the looks on our face, I came across a moving photo that held me in the center, I was wrapped in a red coat my pants were tight and my shoes were now in white boots with thin blades, my brown hair in two braids falling down my back covered my a white knitted cap topped with a red fuzzy ball that matched my coat and gloves, I was holding onto a rope that wrapped around the whole arena where the ground was smooth ice, I clicked on it and noise ruptured and I stared to move - I'm laughing as I stubble forward trying to slide the blades under my feet across the ice, the screen jumps around and comes closer "Sarah!" I yelled while laughing "I don't think I got it yet!" Suddenly Sarah joins me in the screen, also laughing, she had no knitted cap, but instead had on a scarf that looked soft and covered in roses who's petals were falling away, "attempt at ice skating part one! Is clearly a fail. For a Greek goddess you sure have horrible balance." I slapped her arm then let go of the rope, standing straight and still I look right into the phone screen "I'll show you a goddess!" Sarah laughed while watching me slowly steady my footwork. "There ya go girl! Woo!" Sarah yelled as I disappeared. Sarah appeared in the screen once more, looking more serious, "please remember these moments, Dea. Days where your carefree and happy are so rare. I –" she was cut off by me ramming into her causing us both to fall, the screen was filled with the blue, cloudless sky. Both of us are laughing off screen when suddenly it moved and the both of us were smiling and breathing deeply making our breath visible in the cold air. The video ends with our frozen faces smiling on the screen. 

I smiled back. My heart aches seeing Sarah laughing with a carefree me. 

Deciding I've waisted enough  time delaying the inevitable, I find the voicemail after a few minutes of going through the screens many buttons, finally I clicked play. I took a deep breath and held it in surprise in what was said, a deep voice that made my spine straighten a man speaking in Latin and Greek spoke from the phone,    " Dea. Esne bene? Suus 'been hebdades! Tha mou tilefònise prin treis mères! Tu, qoud promisti ut bene youd. Call me, we have work to do."

Dea. Are you okay? You were supposed to call me! It's been three days. You promised you'd be okay. Call me, we have work to do."

My mind drew a blank when hearing the faceless voice, but my body reacted instantly. What man could possibly have that effect on me? What does he mean we have work to do? If this the man I've been training with? I don't recognize his voice...

 "Damn you, Zeus!" I shout, burrowing my face into my pillow, I hate not knowing anything! I need my memories! I rolled over and grabbed my phone though I don't know what I planed to do... The phone began to chime causing my breath to hitch. It was his unknown number, quickly I took a deep breath before answering,

"...hello?"

His voice sounded strained but powerful, just hearing that one word gave me chills,

"Dea. "