Chapter 42

Jesse, Annabeth, and Charlie started to cry. Julie told the rest of the story, explaining how they made it to Olozar’s lair, how he was Ryan’s uncle, and how they got the antidote. Then they got to the part when Olozar got away and all the kids looked devastated.

“The important thing is we’re all safe,” Julie said, “and we have the cure, which is what we were after, to begin with.”

“But I can’t believe it,” Jesse said. “I really can’t believe it. I thought Chloe would be the one to lead us back home. I thought she was the one who would save us.” His voice got low, and he looked away from the others as he wiped a stray tear from his cheek.

Annabeth and Charlie leaned their heads on Jesse’s shoulders, trying to console him. They were too young to understand the magnitude of the situation.

“But you guys have the cure now, right?” Jesse asked expectantly. “You can sa