Chapter 26: Nymph Drugs

I had to admit. Coop knew his way around the forest. He was agile, and able to skim under branches with ease despite his height. His muscles flexed with each one he pushed out of his way.

Still a few feet ahead of him, I leapt onto one of the higher branches, looking for any mishaps in the leaves. My escape from the lion did a number on some of them, and I needed to keep an eye out up here too.

"Oakley, don't go too far!" I hear him shout from below.

I gave a simple wave, and darted through another layer of branches. With both of us going our full speed, I knew we would reach the cave a lot sooner. I wanted to search every inch of the area. Someone had to have left something behind to indicate their role in this.

I froze when I saw it, crouching onto the thick birch. Some of my blood was still on the branches. I grimaced. Though it gave me a good enough path the rest of the way, it still brought some fear-filled memories. A nymph should never fear an animal, and vice versa.

I hopped out of the trees when I found the entrance, Coop not far behind. It was taunting me. The boulder was still in the same place, blood leaked from the cave. I took a cautious step further into the cave, my eyes not leaving the pool of dried blood in the center.

The lion wasn't there, just its outline. Someone had already been here, and knew that the lion was killed by an arrow. My heart thundered in my chest, and sweat formed on my palms.

"The lion's gone." Whispered from my lips, and I turned to face Coop.

I'm not sure exactly what emotion was conveyed on my face, but by Coop's, I could tell he knew I wasn't okay.

"Oakley, I can see that the lion is gone." He spoke slowly, as if I were insane.

"The lion is gone, Coop. We were in your realm. I didn't move the lion. The lion was dead. Dead. Lions. Don't. Move." I know I was repeating myself, but I blamed it on the shock.

"So, who moved the lion?"

"Yeah, that's why I'm freaking the fuck out, Coop. Whoever moved the lion is probably out looking for who killed it!" I shrieked, shoving my elbow into his side.

He backed away holding his side, and looked at me with a crazed expression.

"Jesus, Oakley! Shit! I get that. let's just figure out who that is, yeah? Maybe they left something behind. And no more hitting me! Please?"

As frantic as I was, I knew he was right. I fluttered around the cave, inspecting every crevice. Aside from the blood, everything else was the same. Nothing but stone ground, and one exit. I sighed, and met Coop back at the front of the cave.

"Maybe there's something out here? I'll check the north and the east. You take west and south." I pointed him to the north of the cave.

I looked around my appointed area, and was getting more and more frustrated. I couldn't see much, and the moonlight was dulled by the looming clouds.

"Oakley!"

I gasped and whipped my head around to see Coop standing right behind me. He was holding something in his hand, and I leaned my head to get a closer look.

"What is it?" I asked, inching closer, reaching my hand out.

"I don't know exactly. I think it's some kind of leash?" He replied, holding it out to me.

I grabbed it from him and inspected it further. It was black, and leather, like the collar. On one end it held a silver claps, and the other was a handle. There was a red switch, and I flicked it.

The leash sparked, and electricity shot through my veins. I flicked the switch off, and shook out my arm.

"Oakley, are you fucking crazy? That could have killed you!" He whisper-shouted.

Coop's exasperated sigh as I inspected it further made me chuckle a bit. Maybe I was insane. When I passed the leash back to him, he stuffed the end in his back pocket and hooked the clasp onto his belt loop.

"Let's go. You said something about bribing Agnetha. Are we going to sacrifice another student to her?" Even though I knew he was joking, his nervous chuckle reminded me that that wasn't too far off from what we were going to do.

"Well, no, but, we're gonna have to find some death cap mushrooms, Amanita Phalloides. Deadly to humans, delicious for nymphs." My own laugh riddled with nerves.

"More like a hallucinogen for nymphs," he scoffed. I nudged him with my elbow.

"How often do you...bribe Agnetha? Is she bribable? I feel like you've done this before. I'm liking this rebellious side, Oakley." I shuddered when he finished with a wink.

"Not often, but she's a great ally to have in this. Don't screw it up. Most death caps are destroyed or turned in by the security guards. One of my caves, however, grows them. It's the smallest one, and I'm gonna need some help getting in." I urged, taking his wrist. He reluctantly pulled back, and furrowed his brows.

"Why are you gonna need help getting in?" His voice curious, and accusing.

"The last time I was in that cave, I had a bit if a freak out...Don't look at me like that. Yes, I ate one. It was a bad trip...Coop. Stop laughing at me!" I shouted as he burst into a fit of laughter.

"I'm sorry! B-but how do you fuck up a cave entrance on a bad trip?" He squeezed out through his fit.

I glared at him as he held his side an doubled over. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stomped my foot.

"I thought I saw something and hurled a boulder at it. It cracked the walls and some of the entrance caved in." I muttered, kicking a rock with my foot.

"I cannot believe you did that. You, little nymph, are a wild child." he said wiping the tears from his eyes.

I scoffed and turned myself away from him.

"Well, I did. Now I need help if I wanna brag the sea witch. Will you help me?" I asked, peeking up at him through my lashes.

"Of course. You got a demigod with unnatural strength. I can get that entrance cleared for you, little nymph." He smirked, gesturing in my direction.

Coop's eyes twinkled when I shook my head and smiled back.

"Let's go find some nymph drugs," he added throwing his arms around my shoulder.

I melted into him as the bitter wind nipped my skin. This was going to be a long night.