Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
we were crossing the potomac when we spotted the helicopter.
it was a sleek, black military model just like the one we'd seen at westover hall. and it was coming straight toward us. i let out a stream of internal curse words.
"they know the van," percy said. "we have to ditch it."
zoë swerved into the fast lane. the helicopter was gaining.
"maybe the military will shoot it down," grover said hopefully.
"the military probably thinks it's one of theirs," i looking up at it.
"how can the general use mortals, anyway?" percy asked.
"mercenaries," zoë said 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?" percy asked. "don't they notice all the monsters around them?"
zoë shook her head. "i do not know how much they see through the mist. i doubt it would matter to them if they knew the truth. sometimes mortals can be more horrible than monsters."
the helicopter kept coming, making a lot better time than we were through d.c. traffic.
thalia closed her eyes and prayed hard. "hey, dad. a lightning bolt would be nice about now. please?"
but the sky stayed gray and snowy. no sign of a helpful thunderstorm.
"there!" bianca said. "that parking lot!"
"we'll be trapped," zoë said.
"trust me," bianca said.
zoë shot across two lanes of traffic so fast, i was crushed into the door. she drove into a mall parking lot on the south bank of the river. we left the van and followed bianca down some steps.
"subway entrance," bianca said. "let's go south. alexandria."
"anything," thalia agreed.
we bought tickets and got through the turnstiles, looking behind us for any signs of pursuit. a few minutes later we were safely aboard a southbound train, riding away from d.c. as our train came above ground, we could see the helicopter circling the parking lot, but it didn't come after us.
