Icarus - Annabeth Chase

chapter nine.

trigger warning; self harm, smoking

"Dumbass, don't do that again." Akira grumbled but kept running, not daring to look behind her. Percy muttered a small apology but sped up, hoping the skeletons were far behind. They tore across the Mall, not daring to look behind them. They burst into the Air and Space Museum and Percy took off the invisibility cap once they were through the admissions area, Akira looking normal again.

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. Percy wanted to yell at them all to leave, but figured that would only get him arrested. They had to find Thalia and Grover and the Hunters. Any minute, the skeleton dudes were going to invade the museum, and they didn't think they would settle for an audio tour.

Percy ran into Thalia—literally. He 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 he could regain his balance, Zoe and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at his chest. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere.

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

"Percy!" Grover said. "Thank goodness."

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

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

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

Akira told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General. 

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

"You know I wouldn't  lie to you about this. Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors—"

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

"Twelve," Percy 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. "Akira must have seen an Iris-message or some other illusion."

"Believe me, I wish it was. But illusions don't crack marble floors." She kept looking behind her, hoping the skeletons were off their trail for at least a bit.

Zoe took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Percy didn't know why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but figured now wasn't the time to ask. "If Akira 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," Percy said.

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

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

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