Forgotten memories

I do somthing stupid

Mrs. O'Leary was probably the only one enjoying the whole "sleeping city" situation. We found her happily demolishing an overturned hot dog cart, mustard everywhere, while the poor vendor was curled up on the sidewalk sucking his thumb like a baby.

Argus was waiting for us nearby, all hundred of his eyes wide open-and trust me, when all hundred eyes are wide, that's not a good sign. He didn't say a word, of course. Argus never does. Rumor has it he's got an eyeball on his tongue, which, yeah... ew. But his face-well, if you can even call it a face-made it pretty clear he was freaking out.

Percy quickly filled him in on what we'd learned up on Olympus-the whole no divine cavalry riding to the rescue part. Argus rolled his eyes in disgust, which, coming from him, was like watching a psychedelic lava lamp swirl.

"You'd better get back to camp," Percy told him firmly. "Guard it as best you can."

Argus pointed at us, one eyebrow raised like, And you?

"We're staying," I said before Percy could answer.

Argus seemed satisfied with that. He nodded once, then turned his attention to Annabeth. With one finger, he traced a circle in the air.

"Yes," Annabeth said, her voice steady but her eyes sharp. "I think it's time."

"For what?" Percy asked, narrowing his eyes.

Argus didn't explain. Instead, he rummaged through the back of his van and pulled out a bronze shield. At first glance, it looked completely normal-standard-issue, the kind we used in capture the flag. But the moment Annabeth set it down on the pavement, the reflection shimmered and shifted-from sky and buildings to... the Statue of Liberty. Which, for the record, was nowhere near us.

"Whoa," Percy breathed. "A video shield."

"One of Daedalus's ideas," Annabeth explained. Her voice caught a little as she added, "I had Beckendorf make this before-" She flicked a glance toward Silena and stopped herself. "Anyway... it works by bending sunlight or moonlight from anywhere in the world, creating a reflection. So basically, if natural light is touching it, we can see it. Anywhere. Under the sun or moon. Watch."

Christine looked at me. I shrugged. Maybe it was something connected to my ring... maybe not.

We all crowded around as Annabeth concentrated on the shield. The image inside spun wildly at first-zooming from the Central Park Zoo, down East 60th past Bloomingdale's, then whipping onto Third Avenue. My stomach lurched like I was on a roller coaster.

"Whoa, whoa-stop!" Connor Stoll suddenly said, pointing. "Back up. Zoom in right there."

Annabeth froze the image, looking nervous. "What? You see invaders?"

"No," Connor said, grinning like a kid on Christmas. "Right there-Dylan's Candy Bar. Dude, it's open. And everyone's asleep. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Connor!" Katie Gardner snapped, sounding exactly like her mom Demeter. "This is serious! You are not looting a candy store in the middle of a war!"

"Sorry," Connor muttered, but his grin didn't fade. Not even a little.

Annabeth waved her hand across the shield, switching the scene to FDR Drive. Now we were looking across the river toward Lighthouse Park.

"This'll let us scan the entire city," she said. "Thank you, Argus. Hopefully... we'll see you back at camp. Someday."

Argus just grunted, gave Percy a look that clearly meant Good luck-you're gonna need it, then climbed into his van. He and his two harpy drivers swerved away, weaving between clusters of abandoned cars.