Alright, I'll do one more chapter for this story real quick while I have the computer. R&R!
After having a lovely meal at Applebee's, Thalia stuck her two kids into Sally's car and climbed in beside them.
As they began the short trip back to Sally's apartment, Thalia noticed Percy. He looked unusually tired.
"What's the matter?" Thalia asked gently.
"My head hurts." Percy mumbled.
"Oh, Apollo, help us." Thalia prayed under her breath. As a teenager, when Percy had headaches, it sucked for everyone else. If he started having headaches as a kid, Thalia was pretty sure her life would be Tartarus.
Nico fell asleep almost immediately, and Thalia yawned herself. She couldn't remember back when she had been able to get any real sleep without worrying about anything. Had there ever been a time?
"Mama, what's wrong?" Now Percy was looking at her, extremely concerned.
"Nothing." She quickly assured him. She caught a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror.
She looked as though the world was crashing down around her. No wonder Percy seemed worried.
"I'm fine." She told him reassuringly.
Sally looked back at them, her lips pursed.
"That's strange…" she murmured,
"What's wrong?" Thalia was instantly alert.
"There is barely any traffic on this street. This is always the busiest street during rush hour, but I don't see a single car!" Sally explained.
Thalia almost felt something sinister at the back of her neck, but she looked around and tried to figure out a more reasonable answer.
"Is the road closed?" Thalia asked.
Sally shook her head. "I would have seen signs."
Thalia frowned. She almost leaped out of her seat when Nico grabbed her arm.
"Huh?" She looked down at the scared little boy. She was so used to seeing an expressionless Nico, she almost didn't register for a moment that her young cousin was scared.
"Oh. Everything will be okay, Nico." Thalia quickly reassured him. "Please drive quickly, Sally."
"I will." Sally promised.