Bewitched || P. Jackson

𝔽un times with Fred

They were crossing the Potomac when they spotted the helicopter. It was a sleek, black military model just like the one at Westover Hall. And it was heading straight toward them.

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

Nicki 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," Nicki said, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. "How can the General use mortals, anyway?"

"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 grey and snowy. No sign of a helpful thunderstorm.

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

"We'll be trapped," Zoë said.

"Trust me," Bianca said.

Nicki shot across two lanes of traffic and into a mall parking lot on the south bank of the river.

"Everyone out." Nicki barely switched off the ignition as she hurried out of it.

"Percy, grab Nicki's bag!" Thalia yelled desperately, pointing to Nicki's black school bag. Percy grabbed a hold of it as he tumbled out of the van. He was clinging to it as if his life depended on it even if he didn't know why.

Bianca hushed ahead ushering everyone down some steps. "Subway entrance," Bianca said. "Let's go south. Alexandria."

"Anything," Thalia agreed.

They bought tickets and got through the turnstiles. Nicki's still stormy purple eyes danced around for any signs of pursuit.

A few minutes later, they were safe aboard a southbound train, riding away from D.C.As the train came above ground, Nicki could see the helicopter circling the parking lot, but it didn't follow them.

Percy passed Nicki her school bag and she looked as if she could cry with happiness.

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.

Nicki shifted awkwardly in her seat like she knew something everyone else didn't.

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

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