On Borrowed Time

26. Pudding

PART TWO: BREAKOUT

CHAPTER TWENTY- SIX: PUDDING

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TEAM WINCHESTER, TENNESSEE, USA

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Dean wandered into the building with a mix of emotions brewing in his gut. They were stopped at the entrance for an admittance fee - so much for coming back after-hours, would have saved himself a hell of a lot of money. "You want what? It's not even the real thing!" He protested, looking at the woman who's hand was out expectantly. Her bored look read like this argument was a daily occurrence and Dean grudgingly complied, slapping the bills into her palm.

"Enjoy!" the cashier said in a sing-songy voice that irritated him but he pretended to ignore. He continued on, turning the group towards the heart of the Parthenon - or rather, the overly priced, fake Parthenon.

"Alright, Charlie you're with me, Barry you're with Felicity, let's split up and find this sigil and see if we can figure out how to get everything we need lined up and ready to go," he demanded, leading the group as usual. Without hesitation, the group broke in two and Charlie bounced happily over to his side. She lightly punched him in the arm and grinned up at him.

"Just like old times huh?" but he didn't respond so she gently nudged him, "hey, cheer up! I'm sure she can fix the Impala," she continued but that wasn't what was eating at his mind. No, he was more preoccupied with what this goddess might do after they released this all-powerful husband of hers. He didn't tell that to Charlie, or anyone for that matter, he just forced a smile and bumped her back before they began a comprehensive search of the building.

As much as Dean didn't want to admit it, the giant statue of Athena standing tall and glittering in gold was an amazing sight. For the first time in a long time, he was glad that it was an actual physical item that was making him feel small and insignificant and not a crushing worldly outcome. Well, there seemed to be one of those on the ever-nearing horizon too but he chose not to think about that in this moment. For now, they were tourists taking in the sights, they could be hunters later.

Charlie's phone was out and she was snapping pictures left, right and centre of the art and architecture. He caught sight of Felicity and Barry at one point going about, in the same manner, even going so far as taking a selfie. As they drew up closer to the Athena statue, Charlie's phone lowered and she craned her head back to appreciate the magnificence of it all. Felicity and Barry stepped up on either side of them and that's when he noticed it, as Felicity pointed out the detail in the shield that lay at Athena's feet.

"There it is," he said quietly, as to not draw the attention of the other tourists passing by.

"What, where?" Dean pulled Felicity into his left side, and with his head tilted close, pointed out the smallest of sigils adorning the very edge of the shield. Barry and Charlie were close behind, craning to spot the sigil too.

"Right on the edge there, isn't that it?" he asked and Felicity immediately nodded. She leant as close as she dared to look at the detail before concurring that he was indeed correct. 

"Alright, so how do we destroy the main attraction without anyone seeing?" Barry asked, eying up the statue and then the people milling about. "I mean I could do it, but Persephone said it has to be three different people," he began, turning slowly to take in the entirety of the room.

"How do we get water over here? I mean I don't think dumping a water bottle out is going to do it here," Felicity finally wondered, her brow furrowed in concentration as she too took in the room. One could practically see the cogs turning in Felicity's head, not all that different from when Sam got caught up in solving one of life's many mysteries.