Escape from camp half blood

Chapter 5

Nico wondered what the heck it was about him that made everyone in the world feel the need to try to capture, restrain, or kidnap him. Was it because he was Italian? Or did they just not like his face?

"Oh, hello Thalia," he responded to her greeting. "Now's not really a great time."

"Why? Were you planning on going somewhere?" asked Thalia. "Because it'll be kind of hard with all those arrows pinning you there."

Nico scowled. "Thanks for ruining my aviator jacket, by the way. Really. Thanks for that."

"That thing's old and ugly anyway. And isn't that the one you were wearing when we first met you? It doesn't fit you much better. Get something that you don't get lost in when you try to put it on," advised Thalia. She moved to stand right in front of him, smirking.

She wasn't really being unfriendly, Nico forced himself to remember. It was a game of Capture the Flag and they were on opposite sides. But why she'd come all the way out here he wasn't sure. And now really wasn't a good time, because he had to smuggle a couple Egyptian magicians out of camp before anyone found out what they were. So he felt himself getting frustrated at Thalia even more than he would have if it was just the jacket he was worried about.

"I've had this as long as I can remember," he said angrily. "I think it was my grandfather's."

That made Thalia pause. "I'm sorry," she said immediately. "I didn't know."

Nico would have shrugged if his arms hadn't been pinned. "Do you think you could get your arrowheads out of my jacket?" he asked as politely as he could.

Thalia's face colored. "I'm sorry," she said again. "My bow . . . there's a lot of weight on the string -"

"They're not going to come out, are they?" asked Nico miserably.

"No. They're stuck in the tree too deep. We'll have to cut you free," said Thalia. "I really am sorry, Nico."

What's going on? asked the voice in Nico's head. Anubis had been checking in periodically to see what the situation with the Kanes was. He'd come at a bad time. I can't leave you alone for five minutes without you getting yourself captured!

It's just Thalia, Nico told him. And I'm not captured.

Then why are you pinned to a tree?

"Because I freaking feel like it, okay?"

"What?" asked Thalia, looking at him oddly.

"Nothing," said Nico quickly.

Well done, commented Anubis.

Shut up. To Thalia he said, "Could you just cut me free then? Carefully. I want to try to get this mended."

"I'll cut you free in a minute," said Thalia. Obviously her guilt about ruining his jacket only went so far. "You and I need to talk."

"But I don't want to talk," said Nico, his sulkiness returning.

Your jacket will actually be easy to fix, said Anubis. Not for you, since you're a horrible magician, but the Kanes can do it for you. Just ask Sadie to use a hi-nehm spell on it and it'll be good as new.

"Really? That's great!" said Nico, cheering up immediately.

"What?"

Nico blushed and shook his head. He'd gotten used to Anubis' presence in his mind being at a minimum the past few days. It was amazing how quickly he got out of practice at carrying on multiple conversations. "Nothing." he said again.

Thalia regarded him with curiosity for several seconds. "You know what I want to talk with you about?" she asked.

"I can guess," said Nico. "Bianca can't spy on me anymore and asked you to find out why."