𝑥𝑣𝑖𝑖

                                    

                                          
Percy stomped up to the man waiting for them in the parking lot as if he wasn't the literal god of war.
	"Well, well," Ares said. "You didn't get yourself killed."
	"You knew it was a trap," Percy accused.
	Ares just grinned wickedly. "Bet 'ole Festy was surprised when he netted a couple of stupid kids. You looked good on TV."
	Percy shoved the shield into his arms. "You're an asshole."
The other three collectively caught their breath, but Ares just ignored him.
	"See that truck over there?" He pointed at an eighteen-wheeler across the street. "That's your ride. Take you straight to LA, with one stop in Vegas."
	The side of the truck read: KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL HUMANE ZOO TRANSPORT. WARNING: LIVE WILD ANIMALS.
	"You're kidding," Percy said.
	Ares snapped his fingers and the back doors unlatched. "Free ride west, punk. Stop complaining. And here's a little something for doing the job."
	The god handed him a blue backpack filled with clothes, money, and a bag of Oreos.
	"I don't want your lousy--"
	"Thank you, Lord Ares," Ash said, cutting him off. She stepped forward and took the backpack with a bow of her head. "Thank you very much."
	"Your little girl gets you out of trouble a lot, huh, boy?" Ares said with a smirk. "Keep her." 
	Percy's fists clenched and he started forward, but Ash stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Gathering her courage, she stared the god down sternly.
	"I'm not a dog," she stated. "Or property. Now, I believe you promised Percy some information."
	Ares laughed out loud. "I like you, kid. And yes, I suppose I did. You sure you can handle the news? Your mom's not dead. She's being kept."
	Percy looked at him incredulously. "That's it? Ash told me that weeks ago."
	"Oops. Forgot you had the lil' Reaper along. Sorry, that's all I got for you." He shrugged, not sounding apologetic in the slightest.
	"You're kidding me."
	"Nope!" Ares kick-started his motorcycle.
	"You said she was being kept. At least tell me why." Percy asked desperately.
	"You need to study war, punk. Hostages. You take somebody to control somebody else."
	"Nobody's controlling me."
	Ares laughed. "Oh yeah? See you around, kid."
"You're pretty smug, Lord Ares, for a guy who runs from Cupid statues," Percy snarled.
Fire burned in Ares' eyes. "We'll meet again, Percy Jackson. Next time you're in a fight, watch your back."
With a rev of his Harley, he was gone.
	"That was not smart, Percy," Annabeth said.
	"I don't care," was his response.
	"You don't want a god as your enemy. Especially not that god."
	"Hey, guys," Grover said. "I hate to interrupt, but if we're taking the zoo express, we need to hurry."
Two men wearing KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL coveralls were paying their check at the register. The group darted across the street and clambered into the back of the big rig.