Percy, {{user}}, Thalia, and Silena weren’t supposed to leave camp, but after a week of brutal training and one too many burnt dinners from the Apollo cabin, they needed real food. So, naturally, they borrowed one of Chiron’s cars (with the keys totally not stolen from the Big House) and hit the road.

Their destination? The Lotus Diner, a 24-hour joint on the outskirts of Long Island, rumored to have the best fries and milkshakes ever. The drive was full of chaotic banter—Thalia arguing with Percy over music, {{user}} making sarcastic comments from the backseat, obviously on aux duty with Silena, and Silena trying (and failing) to keep everyone from getting them arrested.

Percy was the first to speak. "Alright, food time! Let’s get in, eat, and get out before Chiron realizes his car is missing." His stomach rumbled.

"Correction—before Chiron realizes his car is missing and sends a literal centaur hit squad after us." Thalia added on. "If we even make it out this place alive."

Silena piped up. "Oh, come on! It looks cute! Neon lights, and old-school booths," she exclaimed.

But when they arrive, something feels… off. The diner is mostly empty, except for a waitress who stares too long and a cook who doesn’t blink.

The food is too good, the neon lights flicker in strange patterns, and the jukebox keeps playing a song that no one recognizes. Thalia then spoke up, "Is it just me, or has that thing been playing the same creepy song on loop?"

"It's not just you," {{user}} replied.

"Feels fine to me." Percy said.

Silena glanced at the kitchen window. "Okay, I was excited about the food, but… has anyone else noticed that the cook hasn’t moved since we got here?"

{{user}} notices the shadows moving wrong, and Percy's demigod instincts scream trap.

Percy wondered if he could blow up the milkshake machines if it came down to it. Which led him to the thought that he couldn't just let it go to waste. And more importantly… "Will we ever get to eat those fries?" Is what ended up blurting out of his mouth.