Thieves Of Olympus

36

MILO

"Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Dallas Love Field Airport. Local time is 8:43 pm and the temperature is 25°C.

For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about.

Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight.

On behalf of Golden Sunrise Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice evening!" the steward announced. He even greeted us when we pass by their crew.

Sumalubong sa amin ang madilim na langit. The chilly winds kiss our faces while leaving the plane. I helped them carry their bags and let them walk in front of me first.

We got our bags after passing the x-rays and help them carry it again. Humihikab pa si Erina at pinalalayo naman ni Soleil ang malamig na hangin sa amin.

"Do you want to eat first o diretso na tayo sa hotel?" I ask them as a courtesy.

"Hmm..." nagiisip si Soleil.

"Let's eat. Wala na naman akong itutulog," sabi ni Erina.

Soleil nods at her, "Lakad na lang muna tayo. I need to stretch my legs. Baka tumangkad pa ako."

"You have a year to grow taller, don't worry," biro ko.

I hail a cab noong nakapaglakad-lakad na kami ng kaunti. Sa passenger seat na ako umupo at hinayaan sila sa likod. They were looking at the city lights. Alisto naman akong tinitignan ang dinadaanan namin.

"Saan niyo gustong kumain?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"Anywhere as long as there's food," Erina lazily drawls.

"Yeah... Foods" wala sa sariling sabi ni Soleil. Siguro ay gawa ng jetlag.

The thirteen hours travel time made my legs and butt numb. Sumakit din ang likod ko kakaupo sa eroplano. Tumatayo lang ako tuwing nagbabanyo. I can't leave my companions alone too dahil pinagkatiwala sa akin ang dalawa.

We arrived at a restaurant near the hotel. Ayaw nila sa duty free dahil halos puro souvenir ang mga naroon. Chocolates, perfumes., etc.

I only ordered cobb salad and fajitas for us. Mukhang wala naman masyadong appetite ang dalawang ito tulad ni Ree kapag pagod sa biyahe. I would at least feed them meat and vegetables to fill their stomachs.

"Let's eat," I called their attention when they spaced out.

"Ohh. Wow..."

Namangha sila sa nakahandang pagkain. I amusedly look at them habang nakain din ako. They were like children who tasted food for the first time. A fact even I cannot deny. Umorder na lang ako ng kape para sa among tatlo para sa panulak. I paid the bill since wala na sila sa wisyo.

I used the little time I had to contact the hotel we reserved online. Baka ibenta nila sa iba kapag hindi ko sinabing tutuloy kami doon ngayong gabi. They actually had an ETA—expected time of arrival—until 9 pm. Kapag lumagpas ay ibebenta na sa iba ang kwarto.

"Good evening, Sir! Here's your keycard. The suite is on the third floor right wing. Our bell boy will assist you with your things. Enjoy your stay!" the receptionist smiles at me.

"Thank you. You too have a good evening," bati ko pabalik.

Tumulak kami papunta sa suite. It has a two bedroom one common bathroom at living area. May minibar din dito. I helped the bellboy with our bags and send him off.

"Matulog na kayo. You look tired. Go on..." I ushered them to their room after nilang mag-toothbrush. Tulog agad sila pagkahiga sa kama. I let them have their socks on and pull the duvet to cover their chests.

Sanay na ako sa ganito. Halos araw-araw ko itong ginagawa kay Ree kaya okay lang sa akin. Natulog na din ako pagkatapos magtoothbrush.

"Don't wake him up yet. Order na lang  muna tayo ng pagkain," I can hear their muffled voices in the living room.

I yawned and wear my glasses before going out. Kasabay ng paglabas ko ay ang pagdating ng pagkain.

"Good morning!"

"Morning!"

Sabay nilang bati sa akin. I greet them back too. Soleil gets the foods while Erina switches the channels on the TV. Nakaayos na ang inorder nila paglabas ko ng banyo. Pinaguusapan din nila kung saan kami nagsisimulang maghanap.

I notice the unmoved foods, "Hindi niyo na dapat ako hinintay."

"It's a habit. Sabay-sabay kasi kaming kumain," Erina explains.

After breakfast ay nagsimula kaming magdiskusyon sa gagawin. Hinanap nila ang history ng native Indians noon. Iyon kasi ang una nilang naisip. In terms of self defense Indians use archery to hunt and protect themselves along with their tribe.

"There's so many tribes in here. May Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Comanche. So saan tayo unang pupunta?" tanong niya.

Soleil narrows her eyes, "We can't separate. Masyadong delikado saka hindi natin kabisado ang lugar."

"Yeah, we can't. Pero pwede tayo magtanong sa mga pulis," suggest ko.

"Hindi ba nababalot ng mist ang quiver ni Artemis? It might be hidden in plain sight," Erina says.

"Might be. Pero try natin wala naman mawawala," Soleil accepts my suggestion.

I drink the coffee and nod, "Ako na ang tatawag. Tell me the description of the item. The realistic ones."

Without that quiver Artemis cannot hunt. May magic ang lalagyan ng pala song iyon. Kapartner nito ang pilak na pana. It is said that the arrow the Artemis uses is the moonlight itself. Only it looks like a mirror in plain sight.

I dial the police station's number and told them everything except the magic part. Baka mapagkamalan pang prank call ang ginagawa ko o 'di kaya'y masabing baliw na ako. That day we waited for the telephone to ring. Tinitignan namin ito na para bang may lalabas na tao galing dito.

We jumped to our feet when it rang loudly. Halos mag-unahan kami sa pagtayo. Ako na ang sumagot. They might get excited and scream on the phone.

"Thank you officer—very much appreciated!" saka ko binaba ang handset ng telepono.

"Anong sabi?" Soleil says in a prayer like position.

Naka ikot naman sa akin ang ulo ni Erina, "Mayroon bang nagmatch sa description?"

"They found one. Pero tayo daw ang dapat tumingin," I confirmed.

"Where?" they ask in unison.

"Here in Texas."