Thieves Of Olympus

21

3RD PERSON

The helicopter from Japan landed earlier than the schedule. Wala si Rica at Hephaestus para salubungin sila. Gareth and Clea assists Brianna—who's wound is already healed. Naagapan ng ambrosia at nectar ang pagdudugo sa sugat niya pero hindi agad siya pinakilos. Nagpahuli si Mason na kinuha ang gamit niya.

Simula ng magkita-kita ulit sila ay wala siya sa sarili. He distanced himself when he saw her unconscious state. Sa isang emergency clinic lang nila dinala ang kaibigan dahil hindi din masyado nakakaintindi ng ingles ang doctor at assistant nito. Mason did not care about himself even if he was weak and dirty noong sinundo ni Gareth—the car seat wet with blood, and him... wounded. Emotionally and physically—before he passed out minutes after seeing Brianna.

"Mason..." Brianna unconsciously mutters as he was tended to by the doctors. Hindi na siya napainom ng ambrosia at nectar sa itsura niya. He badly needs medical attention.

"What happened to them?" Masahiro stares at the two unconcious demigods. They were just mortals. That's what he knows.

"U-uh... Napaaway lang siya." lunok laway na sagot ni Gareth. Nalunok niya ang niya dahil hindi makasagot.

Clea intervenes and tells him what happened, "A group of lawless gangsters attacked us. Brianna was used as the bait that's why Mason is badly wounded," she lied.

"Detarame! Watashi wa anata to issho ni kurubekidatta." he said.

Hindi ito naintindihan mg buo ni Clea but her guts told her that he cursed. Nakita niya kasi ang gulat sa mata ng nurse na tumitingin sa mga kaibigan.

"Don't worry," she pats his shoulder, "They were stronger than those."

Masahiro stayed and talked with them until he offers to buy foods. Pare-pareho silang walang alam sa nangyari matapos umalis sa dojo. Mason did not speak with them hanggang sa makabalik ng Pilipinas.

Hanggang tingin lang si Brianna sa lalaking kasama. Gareth drives the car sa takot nilang hindi makatingin ng maayos sa daan si Mason. The ladies notice his furrowed eyebrows, clenching of fists and faraway look in his eyes as well as the cold treament they recieved. Something is not right about this Mason. Hindi ito ang kasama nila papunta sa Japan.

"Mas—" Brianna said but stopped herself.

Clea let her lean on her shoulders, she stroke her hair and told her rest. Her fear stricken friend looks sad and awfully unwise this time.

"Gareth, go to a drive thru. Let's have breakfast." utos niya dito.

Pilosopo naman ang pagsaludo at sagot nito na parang totoong driver, "Yes, Madam Fournier." he teased her with Lunox's family name.

She gave him a sharp look. Her eyes are like daggers before she rolls it at him. Mas mabuti na din ito. A little joke will ease the enveloping silence over them. Dumapo ang mga mata niya kay Mason whom she caught staring at the sleeping girl beside her. He peels them away noong makita niya si Clea na nakatingin.

She taps Brianna's shoulder to wake her up, "Wake up... Anna. Eat," inabot niya ang pagkain dito, "We're almost there."

"Thanks," kinuha niya ito at ngumiti ng tipid.

"'Tol! Kumain ka na. May iba ka bang gustong kainin?" Gareth ask.

Nasipa ni Clea ang likod ng upuan, "I'm sorry... I need leg space," she clears her throat.

"'Wag kang green minded," maloko itong ngumiti, "Are you..." he gasps "Madam Fournier! Hayaan mo babalik na si Boss."

"Drive!" she sounded defensive. Her face feels hot because of embarrassment. Kinagat niya ang pagkain para itago ang ngiti.