Thieves Of Olympus

27

BRIANNA

"Anna?"

Naalimpungatan ako sa katok sa pinto. It was loud but gentle parang ayaw makaistorbo sa tulog ko. Anong oras na ba? Napikit pa ang isa kong mata bago nag-unat ng mga braso.

It is 8 am. 4 freaking hours of sleep is all I got. Wala pa sa tamang oras ang gising ko. That's why I feel a bit grumpy today.

Another couple of knocks. Then, I hear a sing song voice.

"Do you want to build a snowman?"

Really? Nangiinis ba siya?

I did not bother changing my pajamas. Instead I wear a oversized hoodie and went to the door. Tuloy pa din ang kanta ng kung sino man ang nasa labas ng pinto.

I knitted my eyebrows as I open the door.

"C'mon let's go and play!"

I suddenly want to slam the door to Cyrus' face. Kung hindi niya lang kasama si Rosaleen ay ginawa ko na. Ang aga-aga ang ingay! They look fresh though. Mukhang bagong ligo ang dalawa.

"What is it?" walang gana kong tanong.

Biglang sumulpot si Lionel sa likod nila, "Meeting."

"Go ahead Babe... and Lionel," she pushes them and enters my room. Naupo siya sa kama ko bago ako tignan, "Hindi ako si Erina but are you okay? Look at your eyes." she sighs.

"Yeah," I guess, "... I am." I shrug the large hoodie off and went to the bathroom leaving the door open, "Give me 5 minutes. I'll just change my clothes and brush my teeth," I said.

Pagkatapos kong magpalit at magtoothbrush ay hinila ako ni Rosaleen papunta sa vanity table. She grabs my brush and untie my hair. "Ang haba na ng buhok mo. How do you maintain it's shine?" she ask me smiling while brushing it.

"Brushing it before I sleep?" I lightly chuckle. Sana ay hindi tunog pilit.

"Hey, cheer up!" she pinches my cheek.

Tama. Hindi dapat ako pangunahan ng emosyon ko. How unwise of that. I am Athena's child so I should use my head and emotions wisely... keep it to myself first and understand the situation. Maybe this is not the time to talk about things. I can't force anyone to open up so easy. No words of wisdom can easily change anyone's mind.

Rosaleen braids my hair into a twin after brushing it. Saka ko lang napansin na inayos niya lang kama ko.

"Thanks..." binigyan ko siya ng tipid na ngiti at hinila papunta sa conference room.

Their voices can be heard outside. Parang ang dami nila sa loob ng kwarto. Nagkatinginan kami ni Rosaleen bago kumatok at pumasok.

Ree waves at me noong makita ako. Desmond smiles and the other just nods at us. Pinaupo kami ni Cyrus sa dalawang upuan na nasa tabi niya. He reserved us a seat. The conference room seems to small because the others are already standing like Alistair who's behind Lilith.

"Sorry we're late." hingi ko ng paumanhin.

"It's okay. Kakasimula lang namin," nahihimigan kong seryoso ang paguusapan namin ngayon sa tono ni Sir Atheo. He exhales and stares at us bago magsalita. He himself looks stressed. Bumalik sa dating ayos ang camp but the shock made everyone lose themselves. I can't blame everyone if they are this tense kahit sa meeting pa lang. Mukha siyang walang tulog nitong mga nakaraang araw.

He clears his throat, "As I was saying napagkasunduan namin ni Orphne na  magtulungan ang dalawang kampo. I have recieved reports of missing demigods, both known and unknown. Ang iba ay," he purses his lips, "... nakikitang wala ng buhay. In addition to that may nawawalang mga gamit sa mga Diyos at Diyosa ng Olympus."

Again?! The castle's above the clouds and still... they have been broken in.

"This time this is a large scale thievery. The identities of the thieves are still unknown. Lalong nagkakagulo sa Olympus."

Ano pa bang aasahan namin? Chaos among them is normal. They always fight each other at kulang na lang ay magpatayan but look at them. High and mighty above all beings.

"This is more like a heist..." Lilith confirms.

"Tama siya. I can't agree more dahil iyon din ang nakikita ko," pagsangayon ko.

"Ang about the demigods?" tanong ni Clea.

"We already assigned some watchers after the news broke out," Milo says, "They will be roaming around the metro and tip some of your campers to rescue them."

"Were the Auraes not enough?" Lunox clips.

"They are pero sa dami ng mga nawawala araw-araw ay hindi na din mabilang ang mga kaluluwang dumadagdag sa Underworld," Ree confirms.

Soleil speaks for the first time, "Tama naman siya Lunox... I mean Kuya." Nagpeace sign siya noong sumama ang tingin nito sa kanya.

Para kaming nasa buffet. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang uunahing pagkain. It is deliciously organized and tempting but the plate's small to place them all. Everything cannot fit. Tulad ngayon hindi pwedeng sabay-sabay gawin. Retrieving the stolen items and rescuing others are in different trays. Kailangan mamili ng isa.

If I am to choose. I choose none but we have no choice but pick one out.

"So here's the thing..." Lionel started. Habang si Colette ang tumapos ng explanation.

We—the higher Gods and Goddesses children—will retrieve the stolen items. There will be a group that stays in both sides for security habang ang iba ay magkakapares o tatluhang magrerescue sa mga demigods. To guarantee the child's safety. Pwede din kaming maging support kapag tapos na ang missions.

Tiring is not the word for this. It is deadly exhausting. Dahil kami mismo ang naghuhukay ng sarili naming libingan sa ginagawa namin. Because sometimes we sacrifice ourselves to protect another.

Erina drinks the water on the table, "So how many items got stolen this time?" she asks.

"Kapag nanakaw na naman ang Lyre ni Dad... I don't know what to do anymore," Cyrus sighs.

Gareth simply shrugs, "Imposibleng manakawan si Hermes—Dad. He is a king of thieves... He knows their way already."

"Malay mo!" Kaito restorts.

"Anong malay ko?" tanong niya dito.

Rosaleen shakes her head, "Nananakawan din ang magnanakaw. Remember that."

Mason is silently observing. Hindi ba napapanis ang laway niya? Siguro nilagyan niya din ng padlock ang bibig niya. He caught me staring kaya umiwas ako ng tingin.

"Five important items... including the God of thieves' personal item," Sir. Atheo grimly faces us. He then produces a small warm smile.

"Welcome to the Camp, Keepers."