Olympia : Expansion Arc

Chapter 13

By the time the authorities have arrived, the Plaza had been cleared of people except for Annabeth, Thalia and Mia.

Nico and Piper were on their way. Annabeth and the others were being held for interrogation as witnesses.

By the time they had finished interviewing Thalia, Annabeth was shaken. She tried to hide it for the sake of Thalia and Mia, but she failed miserably. Her hand was trembling and her breath was shaky.

Annabeth have seen deaths in movies before, but this was a total other thing. Nothing could've prepared her to witness a murder live in front of their eyes.

Mia and Thalia were shaken as well. Mia was clinging close to Annabeth as she held her hand tightly.

Thalia went over to where Annabeth was sitting just outside the Plaza. The body had been carried away as the entire Plaza has been closed out by yellow tapes. The paramedics that have come to take care of them were about to leave as well.

Nico then arrived with Piper. As they exited the car, Piper rushed towards them and gave all three of the a hug. "I'm so glad you're safe." She exclaimed in relief.

"Yeah," Annabeth managed. "I'm glad we're safe as well."

"What happened?" Nico asked.

Annabeth told them the full story, how she spotted the Oracle out in the open and how they publicly executed that poor guy in front of dozens of people. And how they had done it through Olympia.

"I've done some background research on the victim." Piper said. "Apparently, he was a small time hacker that's been exploiting lots of people for money."

"Not exactly an angel." Thalia said. "But still, not sure if he deserved to die."

Nico nodded in agreement. "This was a statement by the Oracle. They are about to make their move. If they that kind of technology, then everyone is going to be under threat."

"What should we do?" Annabeth asked.

"Not sure, but we must be ready." Nico said. "For the time being, you guys need some rest."

Annabeth wasn't going to argue. Today had been taxing for her and it was not because of the shopping. "I'll send Mia back home."

Line Break

Nighttime was upon them by the time they arrived at the Orphanage. Annabeth walked Mia up to the doorway.

"Will you be okay?" Annabeth asked. She was worried about her. No one should go through that as a kid.

Mia nodded her head. She was trying to hide the fact that she was afraid. "I'm okay." She said in a small voice.

"Are you sure?" Annabeth asked.

She was quiet for a while before she answered. "That won't happen to us, right?" Mia asked. Annabeth caught her breath. This was something that a kid shouldn't be dragged into. Annabeth didn't want to put Mia in danger.

"Of course not." Annabeth gave her an assuring smile. She knelt down and hugged Mia tightly. "I won't let anything happen to you or anyone. I promise."

Mia loosened up as she returned Annabeth's hug. "Thank you." Mia said before opening the door. "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Annabeth replied with a smile as Mia entered the Orphanage. Annabeth waved her goodbye as she went back to her car.

To her surprise, something was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. It was a note, no bigger than a normal playing card.

Did Mia drop this?

Annabeth picked it up and read it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------