You Began Your Journey Here As A

Tell You What," I Said. "after The Testing After The Demon Days, When Things Settle Down -" "things Won't Settle Down." "- I'm Going To Take You To The Mall." She Blinked. "the Mall? For What Reason?" "to Hang Out," I Said. "we'll Get Some Hamburgers. See A Movie." Zia Hesitated. "is This What You'd Call A 'date'?" My Expression Must Have Been Priceless, Because Zia Actually Cracked A Smile. "you Look Like A Cow Hit With A Shovel.

The Dead Are Hard To Look At. Their Faces Shimmer. They All Look Slightly Angry Or Confused. They Will Come Up To You And Speak, But Their Voices Sound Like Chatter, Like Bats Twittering. Once They Realize You Can't Understand Them, They Frown And Move Away. The Dead Aren't Scary. They're Just Sad.

And If I Was Humming "happy Birthday" And Smiling Stupidly As I Fled For My Life—well, That Was Nobody's Business, Was It?

Two U.s. Marine Skeletons Guarded The Doors. They Grinned Down At Us, Rocket-propelled Grenade Launchers Held Across Their Chests. "you Know," Grover Mumbled, "i Bet Hades Doesn't Have Trouble With Door-to-door Salesman.

Look," Percy Continued, "i Know I'm New Here. I Know You Guys Don't Like To Mention The Massacre In The Nineteen Eighties-" "he Mentioned It!" One Of The Ghosts Whimpered.