Follow the owl 2/2

"So the owl appeared again?" asked Christina who, despite just having woken up was already focused on the conversation. The owl was a serious issue after all, it meant someone was watching them.

"Yes." replied Annabeth while nodding. "It might be telling us to stay in the next stop." continued Annabeth.

"Yes... but that would make it more troublesome. If we do indeed stay in the next stop, we would have to recognise the owl as something sent to help us and discard the theory that it might be a trap." said Christina. She might not be an expert in the subject but she knew enough about mythology to know that gods... gods shouldn't be trusted.

Petty being with unlimited power were not a good sign, especially for demigods. She still remembered stories about Hercules and Perseus, the only two demigods she remembered well, neither one of them had a nice time thanks to the gods. Add to that all the myths she remembered about the gods themselves, the curses they laid upon others whenever they felt like it combined with the little value they gave to mortal lives... to say that the prospect of having a god watching them made her worried was an understatement, especially when the god appeared to be one of the most vindictive ones, who knows if she just wants to guide hem to a monster camp so they are devoured because she doesn't like them or something?

"Sigh, I just don't understand why a god would do anything for us." continued Christina. "I mean sure we are their children, but it's not like they cared about it before. They haven't helped us when we actually needed help so why now?"

"We already discussed this." said Annabeth, acting as mature as possible. "We agreed it wouldn't be worth it to risk offending a god, so even if it is a trap all we have to do is be careful."

"I know. It's just that... sigh, I hate having to bend for other's whims. Especially when it is someone who wouldn't help us no matter how much we ask for it." replied Christina. It is true that they had prayed to the gods, they even offered part of their food whenever they could even if it wasn't much. This could indeed be an answer to their prayers... but why now? And why? There is no way they are hearing their prayers just now so why?

Annabeth slightly nodded. Though she felt more 'connected' to her godly parent than Christina because her father would occasionally talk about her, it was indeed... hurtful being ignored, especially when your life is on the line.

"Very well then, we'll get out in the next stop and follow the owl, or at least try to." continued Christina, hoping the owl would lead them to something good, anything other than a monster trap would do really.

"About that... it is gone." said Annabeth while looking awkwardly at the floor. "Just like last time it disappeared as soon as I saw it."

Christina stared for a moment before a sigh escaped her lips. "Of course it would disappear again. Why not send the hungry and wounded kids living on the streets on a wild goose chase without any clues right?" said Christina, frustration evident through her tone. "Sigh, it doesn't matter now, we will just do our best to follow whatever clues are left behind. It might even be fun." continued Christina with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood by appealing to Annabeth love for solving mysteries and puzzles.

This worked, seeing how a smile appeared on Annabeth's face. Who wouldn't enjoy solving a hard puzzle from the gods themselves right?

This puzzle from the gods proved to be... tough, to say the least. A few days had passed since they arrived to this new city and nothing was found. The owl didn't show up again and monster attacks were starting to become more and more frequent.

"I think we should skip town again." said Christina looking in Annabeth's direction.

"I am starting to think so as well." said Annabeth.

Not finding anything made them feel. annoyed. They were staying here even though police cars were starting to pass with more and more regularity because they thought the owl would show up again and guide them somewhere, but it seems that was not the case.

.

The sound of sirens filled the streets, police cars rushing through the streets while officers ran across dark alleys.

"Stop! We are here to help you young ladies!" screamed a female officer while running behind two girls. The girls ignored her shout and kept running, making use of their small bodies to pass through a fence, leaving the officer with no choice but to climb it.

"I am sorry." said Annabeth while panting. "I-If I hadn't-"

"No." interrupted Christina. "You know we don't blame each other. No matter what we won't point our fingers at the other one so stop worrying." continued Christina while hugging Annabeth. "Now stop focusing on this and let's keep going, we can't let them catch us."

"Y-Yes." said Annabeth. While she was glad Christina said that, she couldn't help but blame herself, if only she was a better thief they wouldn't have been caught. Because fo her they now had to deal with the policemen that where already in town searching for them because of the hospital's situation. It might have taken the police a couple of days to learn that they were in this city, but now that they did she just led them in their direction.

As they were running across another alley, Annabeth saw the light of the moon being reflected on a bronze statue, a statue shaped like... an owl! "Let's go here!" she said while grabbing Christina's hand and rushing in the owl's direction. "The owl is there, maybe it is trying to guide us."

Christina couldn't help but be both relieved and angry. On one hand it was good to have some help, on the other hand she just couldn't understand why the owl waited until now to show up.

As they arrived to where the owl was, a club was suddenly swung in their direction, forcing them to jump back to avoid it.

"Kekekeke, to think two more little demigods would appear." said a cyclops while appearing from an empty alley.