Champion of Olympus

Burgers And Fries Almost Caused Us To Die

"Hey, wake up." Someone patted my face as I opened my eyes to two storm grey eyes looking at me with concern. "Here, eat this quickly."

Annabeth placed a small square in my mouth as warmth spread out throughout my body. My eyes opened in clarity as I took in my surroundings.

We were surrounded by tall trees all around us. The night skies glowed as it peeked through the branches.

"What happened?" I asked quietly, my chest still felt sore. The ambrosia must have fixed me enough to stop the bleeding, but I still felt cold from the lack of blood. My t-shirt was ruined in the front, blood still damp on the front of it. My shoes must have reverted as they were back in their discreet jogging shoe form. Same with my gauntlets.

"We got away. The bus exploded after it got struck by lightning and we ran into the forest." Annabeth explained. "Are you able to walk?"

I nodded as I got up to my feet weakly.

"Thank the gods. Percy found a shop just ahead. We might be able to find food there." Annabeth said

I look down at my clothes and the blood covering my front and hands. Annabeth stared for a second, thinking about the bloody problem ailing me.

"Here, wear this. And I have some water, let's try to wash the blood off your arms at least." Annabeth took off her black cotton jacket and took out a water bottle before handing them to me.

I took the jacket that she took off as I stared at it. "Umm you sure? I'll be getting blood all over it."

She waved her hand in disregard, "It's fine. Just wash it well before returning it." She said with a smirk.

After scrubbing my arms as best as I could, I put on Annabeth's jacket and zipped it up to hide the torn shirt. It was almost a perfect fit, seeing as it was already slightly large on Annabeth. Annabeth nodded in acceptance and led me over to Percy and Grover who were waiting outside the woods next to a deserted two-lane road. There was a scent of grilled food wafting from across the road.

"Asher!" Percy and Grover said together as they rushed up to me. "You feeling better now?" Percy asked.

I nod, "The ambrosia square helped out and I'll be fine after a rest." I look across the road. "You guys found food?"

"I smell it. It's coming from that store across the road." He points over to a weird roadside curio shop. We walked over together as we stood in front of the store.

"What the heck does that say?" Percy asked.

"I don't know." Annabeth replied.

Grover translated for us. "Aunt Em's Garden Gnome Emporium."

"That's a mouthful and a half." I commented.

The entrance to the store was flanked by two cement garden gnomes, smiling and waving as if they were about to get their picture taken. The smell of grilled food wafted from the door.

Percy made to open the door as Grover warned, "Hey..."

"The lights are on inside," Annabeth said. "Maybe it's open."

"Snack bar," Percy said wistfully.

"Snack bar," Annabeth agreed. I couldn't care nonetheless. I just wanted a place to sit down and rest.

"Are you guys crazy?" Grover said. "This place is weird."

We ignored him. The front lot was a forest of statues: cement animals, cement children, even a cement satyr playing the pipes, which gave Grover the creeps.