Chapter 17: The...Beast?

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Twilight's POV

A dam the size of a football stadium stood in our path. I almost forgot about how much I had to lie, to stretch my legs as a wolf again. I hated lying, but it was the only way. For a moment, I remembered the way I raced around, helping them as a wolf. It was so great...but unfortunately, probably not accepting. After all, I heard Artemis call people who turn into wolves a mutt...in a bad way. Yeah, not telling. We stood at the rivers edge, looking up at a curve of concrete that loomed between the cliffs. People were walking along the top of the dam. They were so tiny they looked like fleas.

 "Seven hundred feet tall," Percy said. "Built in the 1930s."

"Five million cubic acres of water," Thalia said.

Graver sighed. "Largest construction project in the United States."

Zoe stared at them. "How do you know all that?"

"Annabeth," Percy said. "She liked architecture. "

"She was nuts about monuments," Thalia said.

"Spouted facts all the time. " Grover sniffled. "So annoying. "

"I wish she were here," Percy said.

Zoe was looking at them strangely. The trio had sad expressions on their face. It must be horrible...

"We should go up there," Percy said. "For her sake. Just to say we've been. "

"You are mad," Zoe decided. "But thats where the road is. " She pointed to a huge parking garage next to the top of the dam. "And so, sightseeing it is. "

~~~

I was enjoying what they called a 'burrito' when Percy ran in. His hair was messy, and he was slightly frantic.

"We need to leave," he gasped, "Now!"

I saw behind him a skeleton army. One I knew I could only kill as a wolf.

"We need to move," I said.

Three were on us. To the elevator, three more stepped out. We were trapped.

Then Grover had an idea that was just so...Grover.

"Burrito fight!" he yelled, and flung his Guacamole Grande at the nearest skeleton.

The skull was knocked clean off. The other children started a chaos of a food fight. We escaped in the chaos.

~~~

 "What now?" Grover asked as we burst outside.

The skeletons moved forward, forming a crescent around us. Their brethren from the cafe were running up to join them. One was still putting its skull back on its shoulders. Another was covered in ketchup and mustard. Two more had burritos lodged in their rib cages. They didn't look happy about it. They drew batons and advanced.

"Four against eleven," Zoe muttered. "And they cannot die. "

"Well, they can...maybe..." I began to think, "Sure, maybe not outright, but if we have a new strategy..."

"That wolf could, but he isn't here." Thalia said.

Right. Should I reveal or not? This could end badly for me.

"Thalia," Percy said, "Pray to your dad."

She glared at him, "He never answers."

"Just this once," Percy pleaded. "Ask for help. I think...I think the statues can give us some luck."

Six skeletons raised their guns. The other five came forward with batons. Fifty feet away. Forty feet.

"Do it!" Percy yelled.

"No!" Thalia said. "He wont answer me. "

"This time is different!"

"Who says?"

He hesitated. "Athena, I think. "

Thalia scowled like she was sure he'd gone crazy.

"Try it," Grover pleaded.

Thalia closed her eyes. Her lips moved in a silent prayer. And nothing happened. That's when I saw movement in the corner of my eye. A flash of bronze, and the skeletons were swept aside. The skeletons began to open fire, but the angels shielded us. Least, I think they were angels. That's what everyone else said.

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