Chapter 44

They appeared right in the clearing by the treehouses a moment later. “Annabeth, Charlie, Jesse! We did it!” Julie yelled triumphantly. Ryan patted Julie on the shoulder in support. “Let’s tell them the plan,” Julie said.

The kids all gathered around the fire in the clearing and made themselves comfortable. Jesse passed around sandwiches for all of them to eat. Julie and Ryan were starving. They just realized that they hadn’t eaten since they left Thunderbird’s house that morning. Julie and Ryan started choking down their food, but the others took their time, waiting to hear what Julie and Ryan had to say.

“We released the antidote,” Julie said between bites. “When we went back to my house, we saw two police officers there. I guess they were still investigating the scene. We overheard one of them talking to someone on the phone.” She paused, put down her sandwich, and looked seriously at the other children.