{1} 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐄 | p.jackson

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵

| chapter eight |
in which clarisse literally blows up everything ( nice going )

"YOU ALL ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE," said Clarisse.

Clarisse's ship was very impressive. As much as Nia hated to admit it, she liked Clarisse's style. But everywhere they went, dead Confederate sailors stared at them.

They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia.

They were interested in Percy because his last name was Jackon — like the Southern general — but he ruined it by telling them he was from New York ( they all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees ).

The Confederates looked at Nia kind of sideways, like they were surprised that she wasn't bound in shackles or forced to work. ( You can probably guess why. ) Nia glared at every single one of them.

Tyson was terrified of them, and insisted that Annabeth and Nia hold his hands throughout the tour. They weren't too happy about it, but Nia was slowly realizing that Tyson wasn't like the other wicked Cyclopses. Besides, they both preferred to avoid the zombie soldiers.

Finally, they were escorted to dinner. The CSS Birmingham captain's quarters were about the size of a walk-in closest, but it looked nice. The table was set with white linen and china. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, and Dr. Peppers were served by the skeletal crewmen. Nia almost cried at the sight of so much food, completely ignoring the fact that it was served by zombie crewmen.

"Tantalus expelled you all for eternity," Clarisse said smugly. "Mr. D said if any of you show your face at camp again, he'll turn you into squirrels and run you over with his SUV."

"Great," Nia muttered, taking a long swig of Dr. Pepper. "Fan — fucking — tastic."

"Did they give you this ship?" Percy asked her.