𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲.

A trick that ends in death

This was the definition of not fun. Flying a Pegasus towards an out of control helicopter. If Honey had been any less of a fancy flier, they would have been chopped to confetti.

Percy had his arms wrapped tightly round Lilia as she steered Honey carefully. They could hear Rachel screaming from inside, somehow she hadn't fallen asleep. Lilia could see the pilot slumped over the controls, pitching back and forth as the helicopter wobbled toward the side of an office building.

"Ideas?" Percy yelled over the beating propellers.

"You're going to have to take Honey and get out of here!" She yelled over her shoulder.

"What are you going to do?" Percy asked, his voice was frantic in her ear.

In response she yelled, "Hyah!" And Honey nose dived.

"Duck!" Lilia yelled. Percy arched himself over Lilia just in time. They were so close to the rotor, she felt the force of the blades ripping at her hair. They zipped along the side of the helicopter and Lilia grabbed the door.

That's when things went wrong.

Honey's wing slammed against the helicopter. She plummeted straight down with Percy on her back.

Lilia screamed as she dangled from the side of the aircraft.

"Lilia!" Rachel yelled. "Take my hand!"

Rachel grabbed the girl and pulled her into the helicopter, both of them breathing heavily.

"No time to rest!" Lilia shouted, moving forward to the controls. She moved the pilot out the way and began pushing buttons.

"You know how to fly this?" Rachel yelled.

"No!"

She took hold of the cyclic and pulled it backwards, avoiding the building by a few feet.

Slowly she managed to steer the helicopter down to the ground. It thudded, causing the two girls to stumble.

"Thank the Gods." Lilia sighed.

Lilia took a good look at Rachel for the first time. She was dressed for a vacation, wearing beach shorts, a T-shirt and sandals. Her hair was tangled and her face was green. She stepped out shakily.

Lilia followed.

Percy ran over and wrapped her in his arms.

"Are you okay?" He said his hands on either side of her face. "I didn't know you could fly a helicopter." A look of awe in his eyes.

"Neither did I." She sighed. "Travis, Connor and I stole one once...we didn't get very far. But I just tried to remember what they did."

"You saved my life." Rachel said, wide eyed.

Lilia flexed her bad shoulder, wincing slightly. "Yeah well... let's not make a habit of it. What are you doing here? Don't you know better than to fly in a war zone?"

"I-" she glanced at Percy, her cheeks red. "I had to be here. I knew Percy was in trouble."

"Got that right," Lilia grumbled with a roll of her eyes. "Well if you'll excuse me, I have some injured friends to tend to. Glad you could stop by Rachel."

"Lili-" Percy called.

She stormed off.

                                             ➳

Lilia made her way to makeshift medical area.

Connor and Travis ran over to her, grins spread across their faces.