XIV

PANDA

The sun was blinding. It bore down on us without mercy and the lack of wind didn't help the burning heat. We had finally made our way out of the forest and back into the first town we had arrived at when we had left camp the very first time. I scanned my surroundings, looking for a place to rest and refuel.

Thankfully, my eyes landed on a small little bakery across the street from us. It had pale yellow walls with dark blue awnings over a big glass windows showing off their "#1 Muffin" and other "delicious pastries".

"That looks promising," Percy said, as he followed my gaze towards the bakery. Inco's stomach grumbled for his reply. I chuckled and shoulder my backpack.

"Well, let's go," I said as we marched forward. We crossed the not so busy street and entered the bakery, with the bell going off to announce our arrival. It smelled like coffee and muffins and that's when my hunger hit me.

"Oh that smells good. If this place is evil, please, I'm going over to the dark side," Nico said, as he salivated at the pastries.

"I'm right there with ya pal," Percy said, as he licked his lips. I rolled my eyes and began ordering a box of twelve. When it was gathered and paid for, we sat down and started to dig in.

"This is heaven," Percy said, as powdered sugar covered his lips and fell with every word.

"Oh jeez Percy, close your mouth when you talk!" I said, nudging his shoulder with my fist. He opened his mouth purposely in my face, laughed and then took another bite of his doughnut. I rolled my eyes. After I had finished my croissant, I pulled out the map Annabeth had given us.

"What are you looking for?" Percy asked, as he craned to look at the whole of New York. I scratched my head.

"I figure the best way to talk to Hecate would be in her temple. I know she wants to wring my neck about as much as every other god, but my best and safest guess, is that she won't touch me inside her temple," I said, as I stared at the map.

"How can you be so sure?" Nico asked, swallowing a bite of his brownie.

"Temples are like churches. They're sacred, so she won't bring violence into it. If I want to get her to listen without turning me into a cricket, it'd be… there," I said, pointing at a small white square in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania that was labeled "Museum of Greeks".

"At a museum?" Percy asked, squinting at the small white square.

"Well, nowadays there's no real temples left. It's all museums. It's better than nothing," I said, as I stared at what could be the key to everything.

"It's better than getting turned into a cricket," Nico muttered with a shrug of the shoulders as he bit another piece off his brownie. I grabbed a pen from a nearby table and circled the museum. I chewed on my lip as I wondered exactly how well this supposed plan would work. I would never say it to Percy or Nico, but I was beginning to seriously doubt the plan. What if Hecate didn't want to help? What if she ignored the sacredness of her temple and tried to kill me anyways? These and many other questions crowded inside my head as I struggled to push them back. I couldn't let doubt hold me back now.

I waited until they had finished their desserts and when they took their last bites, we gathered our stuff and left the door. Maybe a little too quickly; probably because it had been too long since an attack and we didn't want to lose our luck. Right. We didn't have any, because as soon as we walked around the corner, we heard a little girl scream "Cute big doggie!". Now normally, that comment wouldn't bother me. But it does because not more than three hours ago, we had actually seen a big doggie.

I stopped in my tracks, and I could tell Percy and Nico felt the same way. We peered down the sidewalk and saw a little blonde girl with pig tails, looking up; about fifteen feet up. She took a small step back as a giant paw came into view. I caught my breath and I could feel the boys behind me tense up. Without a word, we all began to slowly walk backwards, before we spun and ran. Our feet were thudding hard against the ground when an ear-splitting howl sounded behind us.

"He found us!" Nico yelled as we crossed the street between screeching cars and ran down the opposite sidewalk.

"But how?!" Percy panted, as he took a quick glance behind us. I dared to look and I saw a giant dog face come around the bakery.

"My guess is we won't be able to outrun it! What are we going to do?" Nico yelled as whirled around a corner. Behind us, we could hear the chaos of a car accident and honking horns. I knew Nico was right. We wouldn't last long. I looked around frantically for something and I could see a bus a few yards ahead. It couldn't possibly run faster than a bus could it? I shook my head, it was the best option we had right now.

"Get on the bus!" I yelled, but as I spoke the little digital "stop" sign in the book turned off; it was about to take off.

"No!" I screamed as I waved my hands. "Wait!" Percy and Nico joined into my calls as we swung our arms in the air trying to get the bus driver's attention. Another earth-shattering howl echoed into the sky and I had to cover my ears. It was getting closer. We reached the bus and started pounding on its side to make the driver stop. The doors hissed open and he complained as all three of us bounded up the steps. The driver was muttering under his breath as we paid and made our way to the back and sat down, panting hard.

"Okay, what is that?!" Nico complained as he looked out the window behind us.

"Well, whatever it is, I think we'll be seeing it again," Percy said, as he wiped sweat off his face. I chewed on my lips as my heart pounded. I had a scary idea I knew what it was, but I didn't want to say anything in case I was wrong. But if I wasn't… Percy looked at me and studied me for a few seconds.

"You know what it is, don't you?" he said. Nico snapped his eyes towards me, waiting for me to answer.

"I- I might be wrong," I stammered in exasperation.

"Panda?" Nico coaxed. I sighed.

"Laelaps," I said. Their eyes slowly opened wide as understanding dawned on them.

"The dog destined –"

"Unavoidable," Nico finished Percy's sentence. I nodded. Percy sat back and held his hair.

"What are we going to do with that thing following us?!" Nico exclaimed, drawing the annoyed attention of a few of the bus passengers. I smiled uncomfortably and gestured for Nico to lower his voice.

"Maybe if we split up?" Percy suggested hopefully. I wanted to believe that as much as Percy. It would be simple, we could keep in touch and keep the dog off our trails longer, but I knew it wouldn't work.

"It won't work," I said sadly.

"Why not?" Percy asked. I looked at him.

"Laelaps only follows one target. And we all know who that target is right now," I said unwaveringly. Percy looked away and out the window. Nico sat back and fumbled with the hilt of his sword. I laid my head back and closed my eyes. It would be a long way to Pennsylvania.

Well, I think I'm back! Thanks for understanding :) Okay, so I hope this chapter was okay. Like always, let me know what you liked and/or disliked. Thanks guys!