[3] 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐒 ― p.jackson, l.valdez

004.

「004. zombie apocalypse ? question mark ? 」

TOURISTS SHOULD not be scarier than monsters. but when hordes of them infest where you're just trying to peacefully sleep- yeah, it is scary. in groups of around twenty or thirty, tourists swarmed through the ruins, milling around the villas, wandering the cobblestone paths, gawking at the colourful frescoes and mosaics. val had worried the tourists would react to the statue of athena (because it was pretty noticeable, y'kno-w being forty-foot tall and all that jazz), but each time a tourist group approached, they'd stop at the edge of the courtyard and stare in disappointment at the statue.

one british tour guide announced, "ah, scaffolding. it appears this area is undergoing restoration. right, let's move along!"

and off they went.

at least the statue didn't try zap them all to dust. because that would have been scary- not even just that, it would've been weird too. though, judging from what val knew about the greeks and the gods and all their statues- he wouldn't be surprised if the gods had sent one of their little statues down to shout something like: 'die, unbelievers!'

he remembered what annabeth had told them about the parthenos, it had this magical aura that both attracted but also kept monsters at bay. and she was right (because when wasn't she?). every so often, out of the corner of his eye, val would spot some glowing white spirits in roman clothes flitting among the ruins, frowning at the statue in consternation.

"those lemures are everywhere," hedge muttered, "keeping their distance now- but come nightfall we'd better be ready to move. ghosts are always worse at night."

val didn't know why hedge knew that, but he kept his mouth shut. he was sure if he asked he might get a story that might scar him.

he watched as an elderly couple in matching pastel shirts and bermuda shorts (couple goals, guys) tottered through a nearby garden. val was glad they didn't come any closer. around the camp, coach had rigged all sorts of trip wires, snares and oversized mouse traps that probably wouldn't stop any self-respecting monster. but they probably would bring down a senior citizen.

and as funny as that idea might be (if you squint it is, okay?), val didn't want to get sued or have old people yell at him. imagine how disheartened you'd be if some grandma came up and shouted at you. it might not be your grandma- but val suspects that old people just have this effect around them. you want to be nice to them (because most of the time they have a toffee in their bag or something and even if they taste shit- for some reason you want that) because for some reason the weird wrinkly smile and what should be a condescending pat on the head (which somehow isn't with them) feels like you've gotten a gold star.

his dream had already creeped him out enough- what with sharing it with reyna. nothing against her, but she seemed like a pretty terrifying individual.

"nico's still fast asleep," commented val, shaking his head, "that guy could sleep through an earthquake and say it was nothing."

"when he wakes up, we all have to discuss something," reyna said, looking at val as if to say that dream we shared. the one that creeped us both out.

"yeah," nodded val, "how long do you think that's gonna be?"

"don't think on it too much," hedge said, offering them a plate each of flame-grilled waffles with fresh sliced kiwi and pineapple. "just eat."

"ok gordon ramsay," muttered val, "this looks amazing."

"it does," nodded reyna, before looking at hedge, "how exactly did you do that?"