Percy loitered on the corner by the milk bar, keeping his back to the store. Down the street Nico crouched down by the grocers on look out. He surveyed the area from all directions, checking that the street was clear of police. Satisfied he threw Percy a thumbs up.
The plan was simple. Percy would walk into the store and divert Sammy's attention away from the back window. Percy would pretend to knock a chip packet of the rack, alerting Thalia. With some cutters that they had fashioned she would bust open the window and retrieve the cash from the counter and slip out as quietly as she had came in. Percy would apologise to Sammy and lie that he had forgotten his money and get out of the store, grabbing Nico and heading back to the warehouse where Thalia would meet up with them.
That had been the plan.
Percy adjusted his stance and walked as casually as he could into the store. The night before Thalia had tried in vain to help Percy figure out how to change his gait to look like he wasn't about to run off as soon as someone said 'boo!'.
He heard the bell tinkle and Sammy's head popped up from the counter. The serving boy was about Percy's height but several years older. His face was dotted with freckles and the start of a beard was beginning to lick at his chin.
"Hey Sammy!" Percy called. His voice was raw and slightly hoarse, unused to speaking much louder than a cautious whisper.
Sammy didn't seem to notice, "Hullo..."
"Alfie." It wouldn't help to have Sammy know his name, just in case he was busted for stealing.
"Well, hullo Alfie." Sammy grinned, baring his shimmering blue braces in a standard marketing smile.
Deeming any further conversation worthless to his plot Percy lurched forward and bumped into the rack of bargain price chips.
"Oh I'm so dreadfully sorry Sammy!" Percy voice was as loud as it went, making sure that Thalia heard her cue.
Sammy rushed forward and helped Percy gather up the chips, creating the diversion for Thalia as she slipped in wearing a black mask they had made from an old beanie.
Percy didn't know what went wrong. Sammy was distracted and Thalia hadn't made a sound as she had slipped down. But the Fates must've been against them. Sammy glanced backwards at the counter as he cleaned, possibly checking up on the bargain soda can rack, but seeing Thalia start to open the full cashier must've given him a surprise. He yelled loudly and pulled a pocket knife from his shirt, launching up and waving it wildly. Thalia jumped and heaved herself back out the window; she had seen how fast Percy could run and knew he could get out. But she hadn't counted on the fact that Sammy's knife might've caught on his arm, opening a gash and sending him into panic. He started hyperventilating. His breaths coming in short frightened gasps.
And he was just there, coiled up and crying, when a hand shot out from nowhere and knocked Sammy to the ground.
Thalia reached down and pulled him up, draping Percy's shaking body over her shoulder and dragging him out the door.
"Nico!" She hissed. "I told you to get back to the warehouse!"
"But what happened to Percy?"
"Doesn't matter. Just run! The neighbours would have called by now. Cops will be here any minute!" They picked up their pace, already seeing people look out onto the street and give chase.
"Nico!" Thalia shouted. "Route 7!" Nico nodded and veered off the street and dived into the alley turning off it. "I'm sorry Percy. This is going to hurt."