helicopter was only a few seconds away from slamming into the side of the

building.

 

Then miraculously the helicopter righted itself. It spun in a circle and

hovered. Very slowly, it began to descend.

 

It seemed to take forever, but finally the helicopter thudded to a landing in

the middle of Fifth Avenue. I looked through the windshield and couldn't believe

what I was seeing. Annabeth was at the controls.

 

I ran forward as the rotors spun to a stop. Rachel opened the side door and

dragged out the pilot.

 

Rachel was still dressed like she was on vacation, in beach shorts, a T-shirt,

and sandals. Her hair was tangled and her face was green from the helicopter

ride.

 

Annabeth climbed out last.

 

I stared at her in awe. "I didn't know you could fly a helicopter."

 

"Neither did I," she said. "My dad's crazy into aviation. Plus, Daedalus had

some notes on flying machines. I just took my best guess on the controls."

 

"You saved my life," Rachel said.