Heartache || Percy Jackson

Percy Makes a Dramatic Entrance

Cassie tore across a large space of empty grass, which she later learned was called the Mall, not daring to look behind her. She burst into the Air and Space Museum and took off her invisibility cap once she was through the admissions area.

The main part of the museum was one huge room with rockets and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Three levels of balconies curled around, so you could look at the exhibits from all different heights. The place wasn't crowded, just a few families and a couple of tour groups of kids, probably doing one of those holiday school trips. Cassie searched frantically for a mop of dark hair. She knew Percy was smart enough to get out of there...she hoped. Cassie wanted to yell at the tourists to leave, but she figured that would only get her arrested. She had to find Thalia and Grover and the Hunters. Any minute, the skeleton dudes were going to invade the museum, and she didn't think they would settle for an audio tour.

Cassie ran into Thalia—literally. She was barreling up the ramp to the top-floor balcony and slammed into her, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule.

Grover yelped in surprise.

Before Cassie could regain her balance, Zoe and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at her chest. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere.

When Zoe realized who she was, she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow. "You! How dare you show thy face here?"

"Cassie? Where's Percy!" Grover said.

Zoe glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You're not supposed to be here!"

"Luke," Cassie said, trying to catch her breath. "He's here."

The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet. "Where?"

Cassie told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, the General, and losing Percy.

"The General is here?" Zoe looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

"Why would I lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors—"

"What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?"

"Twelve," Cassie said. "And that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster."

Thalia and Grover exchanged looks.

"We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent... She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet."

"Zoe," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General—"

"It cannot be!" Zoe snapped. "Cassie must have seen an Iris message or some other illusion."

"Illusions don't crack marble floors," Cassie told her.

Zoe took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Cassie didn't know why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but she figured now wasn't the time to ask. "If Cassie is telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible... We must leave now."

"Good idea," Cassie said.

"I was not including thee, girl," Zoe said. "You are not part of this quest."

"Hey, I'm trying to save your lives!"

"You shouldn't have come, Cassie," Thalia said grimly. "But you're here now. Come on. Let's get back to the van."