No. Percy Jackson and Mortal Instruments are too fabulous to be mine. I have no right (even if I did, I would ruin them). They belong to the Fabulous Cassandra Clare and Talented Troll Rick Riodran *sniff. Percabeth in Tartarus*. So...um...*fades to black*

"Going out wouldn't be safe." Percy argued. I snorted.

"I've been in camp for longer than you. I think that I would know what's safe and what's not. Taking you out of camp isn't safe, Seaweed Brain. Now, take care of Archippos for me."

"Yeah, sure. I'll take care of you hippo."

"He's not a hippo! He's a owl!"

It probably was a bad idea to come out to the city. Monster rates have been going up, rapidly, and it wasn't because of the summer. Sweat has become a part of me, the summer heat sent a lazy, drowsiness to my movements. What Helios was thinking, I don't know. Maybe it was Apollo, trying to get girls by taking off his shirt in warm weather with his chick-magnet.

I wasn't armed, and I couldn't be bothered to load up anyways. It's not like anything was going to randomly happen, the very day I go to Brooklyn from Manhattan. What are the chances? It wouldn't be possible. It's not like some new race of people that I didn't know about would pop up in my face and be all tattooed and armed like war machines. See how ridiculous that sounds? Exactly. It doesn't work like that. Heroes and magical beings don't just appear the very day you are allowed to go out in the middle of New York dressed like black warriors and kill people. It doesn't happen like that.

"Whatever. But why would anyone want to name a owl the ship name of Achilles and Hippolyta? See, Tibs is named Tibs because he eats tibbles from PetsMart."

"Your owl is a Glaucidium. I have a Tyto Alba, or a Barn owl! You're telling me to name a barn owl Tibbles?"

He contemplated this for a moment, before giving me a lopsided, sarcastic smile. "Nah. I think you should've named it Seaweed Brain. Then you would stop calling me that."

I huffed. "Calling such a majestic animal who symbolizes my mother such a repulsive name like 'Seaweed Brain' is disgraceful!"

He laughed. "Have fun, you. And I can't have you get killed while I'm not with you, right?" He patted my shoulder and left with a wink.

Seriously. I'm sixteen now...well, I will be sixteen by tomorrow. I can fight, do all that. What do they want with me? It's not like I'll die in a day, or encounter some fascinating new species. I've been training basically all my life. I'm not going to die by one little thing.

"Hey!" a voice said, breaking through my thoughts. I looked down.

A girl was knocked to the ground with canvases, papers, and books surrounding her. She whimpered, rubbing her elbow as she crawled back up, rearranging all her things so fast that I didn't have any chance to help or apologize. She had long, curly red hair down to her waist. With the assortment of a hunter green camilla off the shoulder blouse and a denim skirt, she would look like any average mortal girl.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" I said with false concern. I braced myself for a lecture and a sashay away. Mortal women were intemperate. Greedy, self indulgent.

The girl blushed. "No, no. I'm not fine. I'm fine. Your welcome." She groaned, turning an impressive shade of pink. "What am I saying? I'm fine. Don't be sorry."

I laughed. "No problem. Sorry for knocking you over. Can I help you with anything? I shouldn't have been day dreaming while on the streets anyways. "

"Um, no. I'm fine. Perfectly okay. No help needed." She wasn't like the other girls. More...innocent.

I frowned. Mortals are greedy. They take all they need and demand it, no consideration to others at all. You can't think different, Annabeth.

"I insist. What about I help you carry your stuff to where you're going? How far is it?"

She ran thin hand through her hair. "Around the block, a U-turn. Are you sure about this?"

"Positive." I assured. "Now hand me a bag."

"How the hell are you able to walk in those? Soundlessly?" I inquired. "Those black heels of yours must be at least 2 inches. And yet you walk like you aren't wearing shoes at all. Silent. Where did you get them? They must be magic."

"Huh?" She looked down. "Oh um. Platform stilettos. Round toe. Ankle boots. It's Isabelle's."

"Who's Isabelle? And what's your name anyways? I'm Annabeth. Annabeth Chase." She searched her bag for some object, pulling out multiple things such as bunches or PrismaColor markers and random pieces of paper.

"Hey. I'm Clary. Clary-Clary Fray. Isabelle's a friend of mine." Her keys jingled as she jammed her keys into the door, finally kicking it open with much force.

She looked at me for a moment, seeming suspicious. Normal, as she seems more attentive than a regular mortal. Probably ADHD.

"Would you like to come in for a drink? It's pretty much 98 degrees out there, and I would think that you would like to come in for a while." She flashed a smile. "Thanks bye the way."

I shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Is this your place by the way? Sweet." The curtains were blue, hardwood floors splattered in paint. Paintings were hung up on the walls, shelves upon shelves of paints and art supplies. Everything was put in place, color-coded, sparkling clean. Although it was all that, it was far from uncomfortable as there were countless pillows on the sofa, which was a bright shade of orange. Cushions and beanbags were in piles on the soft, fluffy rug which was neon purple.

"Thanks. This is my mother's place, although she doesn't come here as often anymore. I just come here sometimes for entertainment purposes." She handed me a cup of chilled water.
"Really? Thanks. Although I don't know why anyone would leave this place."

She shrugged. "People have their reasons, even if one doesn't agree with them. It's not my decision, and it doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done." There was a slight bitterness in her voice, hints of anger as if the memories pained her.

"I am sorry for asking. I hope it didn't cause too much trouble and hard feelings."

I thought of my own family. Father leaving and having affairs with her. Bobby and Matthew. Frederick.

All of them who I have left. All of them who has pressured me to leave.

"Percy, tell Annabeth… Tell her she still has a home here, will you? Remind her of that."

Useless words. Completely useless, Annabeth. She means nothing, there is no point. They are not my family. I have a true family- Percy, Grover, Thalia, what's left of Luke.

Luke. How long has it been? The sacrifice. The innocent…

Her phone rang, breaking the shell of my thoughts once again. She gave a apologetic smile, rolling her eyes at her phone.

"Yes, Jace?" She muttered. Her face turned pale. "Yes, yes, I'll be their. Okay. Bye."

"Is everything okay?" I asked, curious. Maybe I shouldn't be so nosy, but I can't help it, right?"

She looked up. "I'm sorry. There's an emergency. I'm afraid you'll have to leave." Her complexion has changed, her eyes had lost their spark and transformed into a serious, dark gaze.

I sat up. "I understand. Thank you for the water, and I hope you good luck?" I caught a flash of black on her arm.

She nodded, and headed for the door just after I had walked out.

"Nice tattoo, by the way."

She stared at me with incredulity before speeding off into the city, until she wasn't visible anymore.

"People have their reasons, even if one doesn't agree with them. It's not my decision and it doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done."

Meh Note: Yeah...umm..I'm no good at this stuff. Thanks to the fantabulous beta, Rosycat! Special thanks to JelloDVDs, Holly0114, Kryrou, Karen Hikari, Hewt, Sabiduria, and QueenOfDaydream for helping me [Although you weren't aware] get through this, hehe! Talking to you guys was a pleasure.

-xxShams

Rosycat's Note: Hi guys! I'm Shamix's beta for this story. I hope you all liked this chapter, I sure did, and please leave a review for this wonderful author. ;-). Nice to meet you, enjoy!