Thieves Of Olympus

55

MILO

My heart dropped when we descend from sky to the back alley of a diner. Walang tao dito ngayon dahil lunch time. Nanginginig pa akong bumaba sa likod ng griffin—ni Beck.

"I thought we left without you. Hindi ko naramdaman yung puso mo!" nag-aalalang suporta ni Erina sa akin.

Soleil pats my back smiling, "Let's eat. Before we check out of the hotel. You need a reward for being brave."

"Stay here, Beck! We'll be back," she snuggles at the griffin. It shakes it's feathers as an answer.

I almost trip on our way out. Buti na lang ay sinuportahan nila ako. Hindi ko na kayang ulitin pa ang experience na iyon. Halos lumabas na sa lalamunan ang puso ko kanina! If not for them I'd oppose to the idea of riding that...griffin.

"My treat dahil hindi tayo pinataaman ng kidlat ni Zeus!" Soleil's pitchy voice relax my senses.

I don't want to feel his power! Matutuluyan talaga ako kapag ganoon.

"Calm down. Eto tubig," inabot ni Erina sa akin ang baso.

Magkatabi sila sa upuan habang nasa sa harap nila ako. Nakaorder na sila ng tanghalian namin. Celebratory lunch daw sabi nila.

"Classic grilled cheese burgers and fries with iced tea," lapag ng waitress sa lamesa. She gives me a flirty smile but I gave her a friendly one. She leaves after that.

Soleil and Erina has the quiver between them. Napagkamalan pa silang architect dahil mukha itong portfolio holder. Some guys tried to hit on them but Erina shoos them off with her smile and her voice.

"Hi ladies wanna go on a double date?" asks a Caucasian in 20's. He doesn't mind me as if I don't exist at all. His friend pushes his hair off his forehead. Kakapasok lang nila ng diner eto na agad sila sa lamesa namin.

"Sorry, we can't. We're actually on a date. Our friend just went out..." tinignan niya ang cellphone na hawak. She waves it at them, "He'll be here in a few."

"What a waste. We actually want to treat you for some snacks..." he looks disappointed.

"There's always a next time!" may pag-asa sa boses ng kasama niya.

Yung next time niyo hindi uubra sa kanila. Lalo na sa katabi niyang blonde. Her suitor will not allow that.

"Sure! When we meet again," ani Soleil.

Erina waves at them dismissively, "Nice to see you by the way. Off you go folks. He might go berserk if he sees you near."

Kusa silang umalis sa pwesto namin. They chatter about them and just stare at us. They tried the smooth talk at them but they failed. Instead, Aphrodite's girl wins the conversation.

"You wrap them 'round your fingers girl!" nagapir silang dalawa ni Soleil habang tumatawa.

"Walang panama ang katulad nila sa'yo," nailing kong sabi.

"Bakit kasi ang ganda ng kasama natin eh!" irap nito ng pabiro sa katabi.

Nagcheck-out kami sa hotel na tinutuluyan namin. Naging malaki ang balita tungkol sa nawawalang quiver sa Conservation Center. They deploy some of police and numbers to contact pero mali-maling tip ang nakukuha. All for the sake of reward money. Basta talaga pera...

Nasa likod nila ako habang naglalakad kami. I roam my eyes around kung may cab na nadaan, "Let's head to the airport."

"No."

"Why not?" tanong ko sa kanila.

Nahila nila ako noong tumakbo sa dinaanan namin kanina. Napalunok ako ng laway sa gusto nilang gawin. I remember the path to the alley where we came from.

The beggar looks high on solvent. He doesn't mind Beck's presence. Umiiling pa ito tuwing nililingon niya.  If I were in a normal person in a normal state I'll be shocked to see a bird with a lion's body.

"No way, ladies..." humalikipkip ako.

Soleil narrows her eyes at me. Ginaya niya ako pero mas mukha siyang maldita, "Yes way!"

"Who votes—"

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil nagtaas na ng kamay ang dalawa. They were smiling at me. Nagtanguan pa silang dalawa.

Napagkaisahan nila ako!

Nagpanic kami ng kaunti dahil sa police car na dumaan. Malapit lang ang ito dahil sa lakas ng sirena. We stood still, holding our breaths until it passes by. It turned to a highway far from us kaya nakahiga kami ng maluwag.

Sabay-sabay kaming nagbuga ng hangin.

"Go home or go to jail. Walang ng ibang choices," Erina says. She's feeling the quiver on her waist.

Soleil fumbles with her bag straps, "They both start with a 'Go' so I choose option one. Beck will fly slower, and in lower altitude."

Beck grunts in approval. He loves the scratches and the attention they give him.

"Go home? When you can make the prison cell your very own room. You have no rent to pay and the food is free," the beggar comments.

"Thanks but we pass," I chuckled nervously. Mas kinabahan ako sa sinabi ng pulubing ito.

The idea of considering a prison as a home is absurd. Besides, wala sa plano kong matulog, at humimas ng bakal sa kulungan.

"Sakay. Aalis na tayo," I urge at them.

"Whoa!" they said when I helped them get up. Once they were settled binigyan ko ng kaunting paper bills at pagkain ang pulubi. I hope he uses the money for good.

I hold my breath when Beck surged up to the sky again. He stinks but he got the rest he needs. Maybe he can stay in the camp to be taken care off.

"Magugulat sila sa dala natin!" ramdam ko sa boses ni Soleil ang saya.

"Which one?" I ask.

"Artemis' quiver," Erina answers excitedly, "...and Beck,"

We fly in lower altitude. Tago pa din sa ulap ang nililiparan namin. Kailangan lang namin bumagal tuwing may mga eroplanong kasabay.

Teenagers on a unknown creature will blow up the mortal realms.

We fly lower noong nakita na namin ang camp. Nadaanan din namin ang Institute. It looks dark and haunted from the sky. Different from the camp without the suffocating ambiance.

"Down, Beck!"

Lumuhod ang griffin at bumaba na kami. Binigay siya sa mga satyr na nakikita sa amin.

We are the first group to get back.