invisible string | f. zhang

xix. topeka

"Why a crow?" Leo asks, "Man, if you can turn into a dragon, why don't you just turn into a dragon every time? That's the coolest."

"That's like asking why you don't bench-press your maximum weight every time you lift. Because it's hard, and you'd hurt yourself. Turning into a dragon isn't easy."

"Oh." Leo nods, "I wouldn't know. I don't lift weights."

"Yeah. Well, maybe you should consider it, Mr. — "

"Hey," Maribelle quickly interrupts, confused by whatever was going on between the pair.

"I'll help you, Frank," Hazel speaks up and Maribelle can't help but frown, "I can summon Arion and scout around below."

"Sure," Frank says, "Yeah, thanks."

Maribelle now glances between Frank and Hazel, the string reminding her of the reasons she was jealous of the pair beforehand.

"Just be careful when you go out there. Lots of fields, lots of crops. Could be karpoi on the loose," Hazel says to Percy.

"Karpoi?" Piper asks.

"Grain spirits," Hazel replies, "You don't want to meet them."

"That leaves four of us to check on the mile marker," Percy says, "Me, Belle, Jason, Piper. I'm not psyched about seeing Mr. D again. That guy is a pain. But, Jason, if you're on better terms with him—"

"Yeah," Jason says, "If we find him, I'll talk to him. Piper, it's your vision. You should take the lead.

"Of course. Let's find the highway," Piper says.

Maribelle double checks the security of her knives on her thighs. Frank places a hand on her shoulder, "Will you be okay?"

Maribelle glances up, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well — well, with Jason and everything," Frank stutters.

"It'll be fine, I'll just stay close to Percy," Maribelle smiles at him.

"Right," Frank frowns. Maribelle stands on her tippy-toes and pulls him down closer to press a kiss to his cheek. He smirks at her and she can't help but giggle as he kisses her lips, "Be safe."

"I'll try," Maribelle tells him, falling back down onto her heels.

"Come on, Belle!" Percy calls and Maribelle quickly chases after him.

After trudging half a mile through hot fields, getting bitten by mosquitoes and whacked in the face with scratchy sunflowers, they finally reach the road. Maribelle was not made for this, she decides as she continues on. She couldn't wait to get back and complain to Frank.

"Correct my math," Percy speaks up, "But doesn't that mean we have eight miles to walk?"

Maribelle groans and wipes her forehead, she doesn't sweat but the act was slightly comforting to her. Like she had accomplished a very difficult task.

Jason peers both ways down the deserted road, "No cars . . . but I guess we wouldn't want to hitchhike."

"No," Piper agrees, "We've already spent too much time going overland. The earth is Gaea's territory."

"Hmm . . ." Jason snaps his fingers, "I can call a friend for a ride."

Percy raises his eyebrows, "Oh, yeah? Me too. Let's see whose friend gets here first."

Jason whistles. Percy simply closes his eyes and concentrates.

Maribelle observes both boys. She'd stayed close to Percy the whole time, not even sparing a glance to Jason. But the boy didn't seem too keen on talking to her either, so Maribelle would consider it a win.