The Truths Spoken In The Sea Of Lies

Otherworldly Dream

Dreams of Ragnarök Fight,

Time's vast chasm separates,

Worlds collide in sleep.

***

They were crossing the Potomac when they spotted the helicopter. It was a sleek, black military model. And it was coming straight toward them.

"They know the van," Rhea said. "We have to ditch it."

Zoe swerved into the fast lane. The helicopter was gaining.

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

"The military thinks it's one of theirs," Rhea said. "And the General is using mercenaries."

"It is distasteful, but many mortals will fight for any cause as long as they are paid," Zoe said bitterly.

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 about now. Please?"

"HAH! If he does something nice for once I will dress in rags and do the hula !" Rhea scoffed.

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

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

"We'll be trapped," Zoe said.

"Trust me," Bianca said.

Zoe shot across two lanes of traffic and into a mall parking lot on the south bank of the river. They 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 safely aboard a southbound train, riding away from D.C.

As their train came above ground, they could see the helicopter circling the parking lot, but it didn't come after them.

Grover let out a sigh. "Nice job, Bianca, thinking of the subway."

Bianca looked pleased. "Yeah, well. I saw that station when Nico and I came through last summer. I remember being really surprised to see it because it wasn't here when we used to live in D.C."

Grover frowned. "New? But that station looked really old."

"I guess," Bianca said. "But trust me, when we lived here as little kids, there was no subway."

Thalia sat forward. "Wait a minute. No subway at all?"

Bianca nodded.

The whole subway system couldn't be less than twelve years old. And everyone else was thinking the same thing because they looked pretty confused.

"Bianca," Zoe said. "How long ago..." Her voice faltered. The sound of the helicopter was getting louder again.

"We need to change trains," Rhea said. "Next station."

Over the next half hour, all they thought about was getting away safely. They changed after a while they lost the helicopter.

Unfortunately, when they finally got off the train they found themselves at the end of the line, in an industrial area with nothing but warehouses and railway tracks. And snow. Lots of snow. It seemed much colder here.