𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩

Chapter κ

Kappa - 10
§

Yet Another Property Damage

  (y/n) and Nico tore across the Mall, not daring to look behind them, hands locked. They burst into the Air and Space Museum and took a few seconds to breathe and find themselves.

  The main part of the museum was one huge room with rockets and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Three levels of balconies curled around, so you could look at the exhibits from all different heights. The place wasn't crowded, just a few families and a couple of tour groups of kids, probably doing one of those holiday school trips. (y/n) wanted to yell at them all to leave, but he figured that would only get him arrested. He had to find Thalia and Grover and Brooklyn and the Hunters. Any minute, the skeleton dudes were going to invade the museum, and (y/n) didn't think
they would settle for an audio tour.

  They ran into Thalia—literally. They were barreling up the ramp to the top-floor balcony and slammed into her, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule.

  Grover yelped in surprise.

  Before (y/n) could regain his balance, Zoë and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at his chest. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere.

  When Zoë realized who he was, she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow. "You! How dare you show thy face here?"

  "(y/n)!" Grover said. "Thank goodness."

  Zoë glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You're not supposed to be here!"

  "Luke," (y/n) said, trying to catch his breath. "He's here."

  The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet. "Where?"

  (y/n) told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General.

  "The General is here?" Zoë looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

  "Why would I lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors—"

  "What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?"

  "Twelve," (y/n) said. "And that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a “playmate,” to distract you over here. A monster."

  Thalia and Grover exchanged looks.

  "We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent… She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet."

  "Zoë," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General—"

  "It cannot be!" Zoë snapped. "(y/n) must have seen an Iris-message or some other illusion."

  "Illusions don't crack marble floors," he told her.

  Zoë took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. (y/n) didn't know why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but he figured now wasn't the time to ask. "If (y/n) is telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible… We must leave now."

  "Good idea," (y/n) said.

  "I was not including thee, boy," Zoe said. "You are not part of this quest."

  "Hey, I'm trying to save your lives!"

  "You shouldn't have come, (y/n)," Thalia said grimly. "But you're here now. Come on. Let's get back to the van."