invisible string | f. zhang

xix. topeka

Frank just grins, "Are you done?"

Maribelle looks at her half-eaten salad and nods, "I'm ready for bed, honestly."

"Me too," Frank agrees and together they head below deck.

Coach Hedge was busy yelling about a curfew and how he was watching them so they couldn't sneak out. Maribelle only rolls her eyes, but stays firmly outside of Frank's door. She wasn't going to lie and say that Coach Hedge didn't scare her a tiny bit.

She quickly kisses Frank goodnight and speeds off to her own room before Coach Hedge can yell again.

     The next morning, after Maribelle had showered and dressed for the day, she waited for Frank outside of his cabin. She was inspecting her nail beds when his door swings open and she grins, "Morning."

"Morning," Frank looks her up and down and she feels herself flush. "Tennis shoes?"

"Sneakers," Maribelle says.

"That's new," He comments.

"Well, I've ruined all my good shoes and I can't risk another pair," Maribelle smiles, "So . . ."

"I like them," Frank comments.

Maribelle looks at his own outfit and tries not to laugh. He was wearing a track suit, which was only cute because he was wearing it.

She takes his hand in hers and leads him above deck for breakfast. Maribelle eats a granola bar as Frank douses his waffles in syrup, occasionally offering her a piece of waffle that she declines.

"Here we are. What's the plan?" Annabeth speaks up when it seems everyone was awake and ready to start the day.

"I want to check out the highway," Piper says, "Find the sign that says Topeka 32."

Leo spins his Wii controller in a circle, and the sails lowered themselves, "We shouldn't be far. Festus and I calculated the landing as best we could. What do you expect to find at the mile marker?"

Piper explains to them what she'd seen in the knife — the man in purple with a goblet.

"Purple shirt?" Jason asks, "Vines on his hat? Sounds like Bacchus."

"Dionysus," Percy mutters, "If we came all the way to Kansas to see Mr. D—"

"Bacchus isn't so bad," Jason says, "I don't like his followers much. But the god himself is okay, I did him a favor once up in the wine country."

"Whatever, man. Maybe he's better on the Roman side. But why would he be hanging around in Kansas? Didn't Zeus order the gods to cease all contact with mortals?"

Frank grunts, "The gods haven't been very good at following that order. Besides, if the gods have gotten confused like Hazel said— "

"And Leo said," adds Leo.

"Then who knows what's going on with the Olympians? Could be some pretty bad stuff out there."

"Sounds dangerous!" Leo agrees, "Well . . . you guys have fun. I've got to finish repairs on the hull. Coach Hedge is gonna work on the broken crossbows. And, uh, Annabeth—I could really use your help. You're the only other person who even sort of understands engineering."

"He's right. I should stay and help."

"I'll come back to you." Percy kisses her on the cheek, "Promise."

Maribelle smiles at the pair. They were so easy together, like they hadn't been apart for months.

Frank slides his bow off his shoulder and props it against the rail, "I think I should turn into a crow or something and fly around, keep an eye out for Roman eagles."