by Maz Evans
‘No, I’m not. Sir,’ seethed Elliot.
‘Oh, yes you are,’ said Boil, bringing his bloated face even closer. ‘Rotten. Just like your criminal father.’
‘He isn’t a criminal,’ hissed Elliot, ‘he was—’
‘Just like your failure grandparents.’
‘You leave them out of this—’
‘Just – ’ Boil paused to lower his face still closer to Elliot’s – ‘just like your dotty mother—’
SMACK!
It happened before Elliot had the slightest awareness he was going to do it. One minute his right fist was clenched by his side. The next, it had flown through the air – and hit Mr Boil square in the face.
‘Elliot!’ cried Virgo, as Mr Boil crumpled to the floor.
But Elliot was ablaze with white-hot anger. His hand instinctively went to the hole-free pocket where he always kept his father’s watch containing the Earth and Air Stones. He yanked the watch out and felt the stones’ power start to surge through his body as the elements awaited his command.
‘Rotten?’ he roared at Boil’s hunched figure on the floor. ‘See how rotten you find this . . .’
He raised the watch above his head. The school hallway filled with the mingled glow of the diamond and emerald within the watch, bursting to unleash their power.
Suddenly, he felt his arm wrenched back down.
‘Elliot!’ Virgo cried. ‘What on Earth are you thinking? Put them away before someone gets killed . . .’
The shock snapped Elliot back to the present. He looked at the unopened watch in his hand. What had just happened? He nearly . . . he could have . . . he’d wanted to . . .
‘Elliot!’ gasped Call Me Graham, tripping over Mr Boil’s body, writhing on the floor outside his office. ‘Whatever have you done?!’
Elliot looked at the horrified faces all around him. He dropped his fist slowly to his side, scooped his bag off the floor – and ran as fast as his faltering feet could carry him towards the open door.
6. Fight or Flight
Elliot’s heart pounded as he raced across the fields away from Brysmore. He heard Virgo calling his name, but all he knew was that he needed to get away. He didn’t know where he was going and he didn’t care. He ran for ages, miles, hours – he had no idea. He ran until his legs burned and his heart buzzed. He ran as the rain lashed down around him, until his clothes clung to his body and water streamed down his face, mingling with his angry tears. He ran until he collapsed breathlessly next to a stone wall. He slumped to the grass and beat the jagged stones with his fists until they bled. He couldn’t feel a thing.
It was happening. It was really happening. They were going to take Mum away. Elliot buried his head in his knees and wept.
He had no idea how long he sat sobbing in that field. All the pain, frustration and fear he had corked up for so long came pouring out. He was going to lose her. His mum. His world. Where would they take her? Where would they take him?
Wave after wave of tears ebbed and flowed as Elliot felt his world collapse.
But by the time his tears had run dry, the sky had grown darker. And so had his thoughts.
He didn’t care what it took. He didn’t care what he had to do. He wasn’t going to let this happen. He had to save his mum.
Elliot yanked open his school bag and pulled out the What’s What Virgo had given him for Christmas. It was one of the few magical possessions he still had since Nyx stole his bottomless satchel at Stonehenge. He kept this one in his school bag – it came in pretty handy for cheating on tests.
‘Panacea’s potion,’ he yelled into it, as he had done so many times since Hercules had blurted it out weeks ago. The medicine that could cure everything – it had to exist. It just had to.
The scrawl started magically to appear across the page. Maybe this time . . .
No matches, it said. Do you mean Pants of the Ocean?
‘Aaaaaaargh!’ Elliot threw the scroll across the grass and slammed his head back against the wall. Again. And again. And ag . . .
Elliot felt a hand cushion his blurry head from another blow.
‘So, it’s none of my business, but whatever’s troubling you will be easier to solve with your brains inside your head? Yesssss?’
Elliot looked up groggily. The figures swimming before his eyes started to form a single image with a winged head and a wild grin . . .
‘Hypnos?’ he mumbled. ‘Get lost.’
‘Missed you too, buddy!’ squealed the Daemon of Sleep, dropping down on the grass next to him. ‘So what’s new?’
‘I mean it,’ said Elliot through clenched teeth. ‘Leave me alone.’
‘One of those, huh?’ said Hypnos, extending one of his feathered wings from the side of his head to form an umbrella over Elliot. ‘Not that you asked, but I’m having a terrible day too.’
‘I don’t care.’
‘No one does,’ pouted Hypnos. ‘My brother hates me. I had to run for my life, without my beautiful trumpet. Even my own mumsie wants to kill me.’
‘Good for her,’ said Elliot, putting a hand to his bruised head. ‘Listen – you’ve sworn on the Styx not to hurt me, but I’m seriously tempted to hurt you. So do me a favour and go away.’
Hypnos frowned, but didn’t leave. ‘So what do you want with Panacea’s potion?’ he asked.
Elliot’s head drooped. ‘Mind your own business.’ ‘OK,’ said the Daemon. ‘I just thought you might be looking for it, s’all.’
‘It doesn’t exist,’ growled Elliot.
‘Like fun it doesn’t.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The potion – it’s as real as taxes. Seen it with my own eyes.’
‘Where is it?’ cried Elliot. ‘Tell me! Now!’
‘Well, now,’ said Hypnos slowly. ‘There’s the rub. I don’t know . . .’
‘I knew it,’ Elliot huffed, standing to leave. ‘You’re just full of—’
‘But I know a man who can tell you,’ said Hypnos, leaping up to hover right in Elliot’s way.
‘You’re lying,’ said Elliot uncertainly.
‘Where’s the trust?!’ squealed Hypnos. ‘What have I ever done to you?’
‘Tried to kill me on a speeding train. And at Buckingham Palace . . .’
‘OK, so maybe I tried to kill you a teensy bit,’ Hypnos conceded. ‘But name a time I’ve lied to you?’
Elliot’s mind struggled against itself. He hated to admit it – but Hypnos had a point.
‘I’m telling you,’ Hypnos said slowly, ‘the potion exists. And there’s only one person who can tell us how to find it.’
‘Right,’ said Elliot forcefully. ‘You need to take me to them. Now!’
‘Whoa there, stable the horses! If I’m going to help you, I need two things. Firstly, old man Zeus. You need him to agree to look for it – and then you need to get him into the sea. There’s no way he’ll do it voluntarily, so you’ll have to trick him. And, believe me, it won’t be easy . . .’
‘What?!’ said Elliot. ‘Trick him how? Why wouldn’t he go in the sea? What are you talking about?’
‘Uh, uh, uh,’ said Hypnos, waggling a finger. ‘No more spoilers. If I tell you everything, you’ll have no reason to give me the second thing I need.’
‘What’s that?’ said Elliot impatiently.
‘Your protection,’ whispered Hypnos. ‘Thanatos wants me dead. You’re the only person he can’t touch, so you’re the only one who can keep me safe. I need to stay with you.’
‘I don’t trust you,’ said Elliot. ‘And neither do the Gods. They’d never allow it.’
‘You leave the Gods to me,’ said Hypnos. ‘I know precisely how to get them onside. I will help you find Panacea’s potion. In exchange for your protection.’
Elliot turned his options over in his mind. It didn’t take long.
‘Done,’ he said, striding off over the field. ‘Let’s go.’
‘Yippeeee!’ said Hypnos, flying into the air and grabbi
ng Elliot. ‘Where to, boss?’
‘Home,’ said Elliot. ‘Then we’re going to the sea. Whether Zeus likes it or not.’
7. Home Truths
Not for the first time since she became mortal, Virgo couldn’t understand what was happening to her. Ever since the vote at the Zodiac Council that morning, she had been troubled by an unpleasant sensation within her body. It reminded her slightly of the time she’d tried ice cream with gravy, but that wasn’t it.
This feeling wasn’t just in her stomach. It sort of . . . swirled around her insides, churning around her heart and into her throat every time she thought back to the vote. She was under strict instructions not to discuss the Council’s plans if she wished to see her kardia returned. But whatever this new sensation was, it made ice cream and gravy seem like a good idea.
‘Any sign?’ called Zeus, as Athene and Aphrodite bustled back into the kitchen.
The Goddesses shook their heads. They had been searching for Elliot ever since he’d bolted from Brysmore. Virgo felt conflicted about Elliot’s actions. Punching anyone, particularly someone in authority, was wrong. But she couldn’t help but feel that Mr Boil sort of . . . deserved it. Mr Sopweed had prevented her – rather feebly, she thought – from chasing after Elliot, but the moment she could, she’d raced home to alert his father and the Gods.
And yet Dave seemed curiously calm.
‘Stop fretting,’ he’d said, as the Gods sprang into action to scour the Wiltshire countryside for Elliot. ‘The boy’s just blowing off a bit of steam. He’ll come home when he’s hungry. Relax . . .’
But several hours later, there was still no sign of Elliot.
‘Father, I really think we should alert the mortal authorities,’ said Athene anxiously. ‘It’s been too long.’
‘Great idea, genius,’ snapped Aphrodite. ‘The school welfare officer is already suspicious – telling the police that Elly is missing will really help.’
Athene glowered at her sister, but said nothing. This was highly irregular. She must be very worried indeed.
‘Elly!’ Josie-Mum cried suddenly, racing into the kitchen. ‘Elly, where are you?’
‘It’s all right, Jo,’ said Dave calmly, reaching for Josie-Mum’s hand and receiving a slap in return. ‘Everyone just chill . . .’
‘Don’t worry, Josie,’ said Athene, giving Dave a sub-optimal look. ‘Let me make you some tea.’
‘Elly!’ murmured Josie-Mum more feebly. Aphrodite helped her into a chair. Virgo felt the same heavy sensation she experienced every time she looked at this fading mortal. Josie-Mum was becoming more sub-optimal by the day.
‘Been all over,’ huffed Hephaestus, limping into the kitchen. ‘Can’t see the boy nowhere.’
‘I’m telling you,’ said Dave casually, making himself a cup of tea. ‘He’ll be back when it gets cold and dark. He’s just a kid . . .’
Virgo felt the air in the kitchen grow uncomfortable. She had yet to conclusively analyse Elliot’s father. When Elliot was present, he seemed very amiable. But away from his son, somehow he was – different. She had tried to engage him in conversation several times, but he never seemed especially interested in what she had to say. She had raised this with Elliot, but he believed it was because her conversation was ‘a load of bum’. Elliot had certainly been more optimal since his father returned, which was a positive. And yet . . .
She looked at the King of the Gods’ dark face. Zeus clearly had concluded his analysis of David Hooper. It wasn’t good.
‘Oh, Elliot,’ cried Zeus in frustration. ‘Where are you?’
‘Here,’ said a familiar voice behind them.
Virgo immediately found that her breathing was more optimal. There in the doorway was Elliot, safe and well.
‘Elly!’ screamed Aphrodite, running over to gather Elliot in her arms. ‘You’re – you’re bleeding . . .’
‘I’m fine,’ said Elliot, holding his hand to his head. ‘Listen, there’s something I need to—’
‘You must be starving,’ panted Athene, running over to the stove as Aphrodite tended to Elliot’s head with some ice. ‘Let’s get you some supper . . .’
‘Here – I’ll do it,’ said Dave, barging Aphrodite out of the way. ‘It’s just a scratch – stop fussing around the boy, he said he’s fine . . .’
‘We’re not fussing,’ Athene said tersely. ‘He needs to eat.’
‘Sounds suuuuuper!’ screeched an owl above them. ‘What’s on the menu?’
That didn’t sound like an owl . . .
Within a second, Zeus had thunderbolts in both hands, Aphrodite had her crossbow aimed straight at the owl, and Athene had drawn her sword.
‘Hypnos!’ boomed Zeus. ‘Show yourself!’
‘Well, this is the worst game of hide-and-seek ever!’ grinned the Daemon of Sleep as he dissembled back into his customary feathered form. ‘Oh, this house is daaarling – so shabby chic . . .’
‘Stay back, Elliot!’ Athene commanded, bustling Elliot behind her. ‘We’ve got you.’
‘How did you get past me fence?’ Hephaestus demanded, with his axe above his head.
‘Because he’s invited,’ said Elliot quietly, raising his hand to their weapons. ‘He’s with me.’
‘He’s what?’ said Zeus. ‘Elliot, what on Earth . . . ?’
‘You’d better all sit down,’ said Elliot ‘There’s something we need to discuss.’
‘I’m telling you, Elliot, it’s a fool’s errand!’ roared Zeus five minutes later. ‘Hypnos – he can’t be trusted as far as we can spit him!’
‘I agree,’ said Dave, who, Elliot noticed, seemed weirdly on edge since he got home. ‘I don’t trust him.’
‘What choice do we have?’ insisted Elliot. ‘They’re going to take her – I have to cure her, I just have to!’
‘Who’s going to be taken?’ said Josie anxiously. ‘We must keep you safe . . .’
‘Dad?’ said Elliot, nodding at Josie in frustration. ‘Can you just—’
‘I think I need to stay here,’ said Dave, eyeing Hypnos suspiciously.
‘Please,’ said Elliot.
With a heavy sigh, Dave took Josie’s arm.
‘Get off me!’ she hissed.
‘It’s OK, Jo,’ said Aphrodite soothingly. ‘You go, I’ll be up in a minute.’
‘Come on,’ Dave said impatiently, as Josie resisted his attempts to lead her upstairs.
‘Elliot . . .’ The King of the Gods sighed, momentarily lost for words.
Elliot tried to calm his racing heart. He had to persuade Zeus. This was going to be a tough sell.
‘It’s not just about Mum,’ he said slowly. ‘If – when – we find the potion, she’s not the only person we can help. We could cure Hermes . . .’
The Goddess of Love gave a small gasp.
‘Daddy – he’s right,’ she whispered. ‘Our powers never could help Josie – but they’re not helping Hermes either. We’ve tried everything – my potions, Athene’s medicines, Now That’s What I Call a Tuuuuuune 867 . . . Nothing is working. He’s fading. This could be our only chance.’
‘Panacea’s potion doesn’t exist!’ cried an exasperated Athene. ‘There’s no record of it anywhere – I’ve searched. How do you know about something I do not?’
‘Simple,’ gloated Hypnos. ‘Because Panacea wanted me to know about it. And she didn’t want you to know about it.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ snorted Zeus. ‘Why on Earth would she tell you and not us?’
‘Oooooh – let’s review your track record with immortals who tried to help the mortals,’ said Hypnos. ‘Prometheus – ring a bell? He gave the mortals fire. You gave him an eagle to eat his internal organs every day . . .’
‘Yes, well, we all have our off days,’ mumbled Zeus. ‘Besides, he made a fortune when he claimed through EternalPunishments4U . . .’
‘And then there’s Panacea’s own father, Asclepius,’ Hypnos went on. ‘He was such an incredible doctor, he could bring mortal
s back from the dead! You killed him with a thunderbolt!’
‘He wasn’t that good a doctor, then,’ burbled Zeus uncomfortably.
‘So you can hardly blame Panacea for keeping her potion on the down-low, can you? But I’ve seen it with my own eyes. She was so terrified of what you might do to her for creating it, she took refuge with the Daemons for a while. She feared she’d be hounded until the Gods made her hand it over.’
‘So the Daemons have it?’ asked Elliot keenly.
‘No. We hounded her to try to make her hand it over,’ said Hypnos. ‘So she ran away. But I was there. I saw it. It’s real. So we can find it.’
‘All we have to do,’ Elliot gabbled to Zeus, ‘is look for it. And you can start by getting in the s—’
‘Same mindset!’ Hypnos interrupted, pulling Elliot into a hug that covered his mouth with his arm. ‘Positive thinking, that’s what we need!’
Elliot looked up at the Daemon. Hypnos imperceptibly shook his head. Elliot took the hint.
‘Look at it this way, chief,’ whispered Hypnos. ‘What if the potion is real? What if you could cure your son? What if the answer to all of Elliot’s problems really does exist? And what if you’re stopping him from finding it? Are you prepared to take that risk?’
‘It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack!’ roared Zeus. ‘No. Not a chance. It’s out of the question . . .’
‘What did you just say?’ Elliot whispered.
‘I’m just . . .’ Zeus burbled.
‘Out of the question?’ Elliot repeated quietly. ‘You said that it’s “out of the question”?’
‘Elliot, I didn’t mean—’ Zeus began.
‘OUT OF THE QUESTION?!’ Elliot shouted. ‘Getting the Earth Stone from the Queen was “out of the question”. Stealing the Air Stone from the Natural History Museum was “out of the question”. Facing down a Death Daemon trying to kill me was “out of the question”. But I still did them. In fact, whenever you’ve needed my help, I’ve risked my life to do whatever stupid thing was “out of the question”! You live in my home, you mess up the one chance I had to get the welfare officer off my back, and now I need your help it’s “out of the question”?!’
