And No One Gets Hurt (A Percy Jackson AU)

Chapter 21-Nico

You guys deserve another one for being so patient. :)

Blame Twila for this.

Nico was going to die.

"MOVE!!" Thalia pushed him ahead, again, "DON'T SLOW DOWN!!"

His chest burned, his hair was all over the place. Every step sent burning agony up his legs. He didn't dare slow down. His breath was heavy, oxygen seemed to be coming harder, like they were gaining altitude.

"LOOK OUT!" Nico twisted around the corner barely missing getting shot. Thalia dodged the bullets. Her blue eyes flashing. Despite their obvious similarities, and Nico's plain hatred of her, Nico was certain of one thing

He'd rather have her with him right now than any one else.

She round housed kicked the startled gang member in the side, the force of it slamming him into the lockers. The guys face left a dent so hard the lock broke and the locker door opened. Half a dozen text books and random papers toppled out, hitting him even harder.

"Nice...kick..." Nico panted.

"I...didn't know...anyone...even used...their lockers..." Thalia was just as out of breath. Her bracelets jangled around her wrists, as she tried to catch her breath.

"We can't stay here." She said, "Zoë will-"

The bullets barely missed her. The window of the classroom beside them cracked and shattered.

"Why do you have to ruin everything, Thalia?" Zoë yelled down the hall.

"Because it's fun!" Nico grabbed Thalia's arm and they took off running. Thalia panted, cursing just about everything. Nico supposed she should just be grateful that she wasn't wearing those boots that she normally wore now. Gym sneakers were definitely easier to run in.

Gym sneakers.

"Thalia! Turn right here!" Nico yelled skidding around the corner.
"What?" She hissed, following him. Nico grinned, an eerie light filling his eyes. They bounded down the hall, Zoë following, and Ethan somewhere in the distance.

"To the gym hall, Thalia! I got an idea!" If Nico wasn't so close to dying, he was almost enjoying this. Thalia didn't argue. Nico flew past the doors, and jumped down the stairs three at a time. Thalia took them at four, drawing even with him.

"I'm not even going to ask why the floor is covered in water." She complained.

Nico splashed in the growing puddle. Water flooded his converse, soaking the bottom of his jeans. His lungs heaved but he managed a grin. And not one of those cold, emotionless ones he perfect for the past year. A real one. His first real one since Bianca....

Gunshots rang past them. It was a miracle neither of them had been shot yet.

The band hallway loomed ahead. Nico's shoes slapped the tiles, with wet kisses. Thalia's shoes squeaked. Nico could hear the cursing behind them.

"Come on!" Nico said. Thalia didn't need to be told again. Her black and bangs continually crashed back and forth falling into her eyes.

They charged through the hallway, the rows off desks stacked on either side of threatening to fall. Nico grabbed the metal leg of one yanking it out of the attack and into the path behind them. Two bullets shattered against the clear finish, leaving deadly white cracks.

"That was your big huge idea?!" Thalia yelled, "A desk?!"

Nico ignored her, not that he could breathe enough to respond in the first place. His mind whirled. His heart pumped in his ears.