Wings

9: I Could Fly High

A/N: You better to listen to the song for this one because this song is probably the most perfect song that exists for the story I'm trying to tell !! Basically consider this to be Wings's theme song.

WPOV

Track: Face My Fears, Isak Danielson

Nico and I leave the next morning. It feels a little fast to be leaving already, but Nico pointed out that we have no reason to stay anymore; he's healed, and someone must have already reported us, so the Chase's house isn't exactly a safe space anymore.

Annabeth goes out to get us some supplies to last us a few days, at least. It won't be enough to sustain us long-term, but maybe it'll help us get a headstart. In the meantime, Mr. Chase removes the remnants of Nico's stitches, and I try to think of anywhere we could possibly run to next.

"Any distant family that your parents might not think to contact?" Nico asks.

I shake my head. No one that wouldn't be a risk, at least, but I don't say that. Because really I'm not sure which of us is the bigger risk—if I do think of someone who I could stay with, where would Nico go? It wouldn't be fair to find a safehouse and then leave him to fend for himself again. Wherever we go, I want it to be safe for the both of us. The only problem is that I'm not sure a place like that even exists—is there anywhere in the whole world that wouldn't judge or fear us? Are we bound to run forever, never really finding a place to settle?

That sounds exhausting. I really hope that's not the case.

Mr. Chase removes the final stitch and stands up to remove his medical gloves, and then he washes his hands in a basin in the kitchen for good measure. From the kitchen, I hear him call to us: "By the way, you two—the king had a speaker in the town square this morning announcing an increased reward for capturing Nico. If anyone thought about giving up the pursuit after last night, the new reward will change their minds—you're going to need to be careful."

I expect Nico to respond somehow, but he just kind of frowns a little and then seemingly gets over it. I guess it makes sense that he's used to this sort of thing—the reward for his head has been increasing for as long as I can remember. It's never made it easier for anyone to catch him, though.

Also, now that Mr. Chase has left for the kitchen, that leaves Nico and I in the cramped living room together by ourselves, so I take the spot next to him on the couch as he pokes at the places where his stitches used to be.

"Does it hurt?" I ask him, and he shakes his head.

The couch isn't very comfortable—it's lumpy and old—but I stay anyway because I don't want to have to leave Nico here. I know it's probably just me being paranoid, but now that we're no longer actively on the run, I'm a little scared that he's going to fly off. The immediate threat is gone now, anyway. Even if it's only a temporary safety.

But Nico never moves to leave, so neither do I.

Annabeth pushes the front door open, and it creaks as she does it. She's holding large leather bags of what I presume are supplies, but she doesn't bother opening them up to show us. She just hands one to Nico and the other to me.

"There's enough food to last you until Wednesday, but after that, you're on your own," she says. "I also found whatever cheap clothing was available and put it in—if it's not the right size, you'll have to try to find something you can use to sew it. My dad can get you some medical supplies to add to your bags, too, but that's about all we can provide."

"It's more than enough," I say gratefully. "Thank you for helping us—I don't think most people would."

"You're my friend," Annabeth says defensively. "You didn't think I'd have your back? Don't be stupid."