{1} 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐄 | p.jackson

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺-𝘵𝘸𝘰

| chapter twenty-two |
in which nia gets a visit from her uncle fred

THEY WERE CROSSING THE POTOMAC WHEN THEY SPOTTED THE HELICOPTER.

It was a sleek, black military model, just like the one that had attacked them at Westover Hall. And it was heading straight for them.

"They know the van now," said Percy. "We're gonna have to ditch it."

Zoë sharply swerved into the fast lane. The helicopter was gaining on them.

"Uh, Zoë?" Nia said. "Could you go a little faster before that helicopter manages to get us?"

"I am driving as fast as I can!"

"Maybe the military will shoot it down," Grover said hopefully.

Percy shook his head. "The military probably thinks it's one of theirs. How can the General use mortals, anyway?"

"Mercenaries," Zoë spat out bitterly. "It is distasteful, but many mortals will fight for any cause as long as they are paid."

"But don't these mortals see who they're working for?" asked Percy. "Don't they notice all the monsters around them?"

Zoë shook her head. "I do not know how much they see through the Mist. Sometimes mortals can be more horrible than monsters."

The helicopter kept coming, making a lot better time than they were through D.C. traffic. Thalia closed her eyes and prayed hard. "Hey, Dad. A lightning bolt would be nice right about now. Please?" 

But the sky stayed gray and snowy. No sign of a helpful thunderstorm.

"Looks like we're on our own," grumbled Nia. "Typical."

"There!" Bianca suddenly said. "That parking lot!" 

"We'll be trapped," Zoë argued. 

"Trust me," said Bianca. 

Nia shrugged. "Might as well; that helicopter will catch up with us any minute now."

Zoë shot across two lanes of traffic and into a mall parking lot on the south bank of the river. They all gathered their stuff, left the van, and followed Bianca down some steps. 

"Subway entrance," Bianca said. "Let's go south. Alexandria."

"Anything," Thalia agreed. 

They bought tickets and got through the turnstiles, looking behind them for any signs of pursuit. A few minutes later, they were all safely aboard a southbound train, riding away from D.C. As the train came above ground, they could see the helicopter circling the parking lot, but it didn't come after them.