Percy stumbled along, his lungs on fire. His breathe caught in his throat and he spluttered, gasping for breath. Riptide glowed faintly on the ground next to him and he knew he should bend down and pick it up to defend himself, but he was barely aware of this thought. His mind was preoccupied on the task directly at hand. To keep on breathing. Another blast of noxious gas hissed through the gap under the door behind him and Percy reeled forward, trying to grip the moss covered wall for support. Thoughts flew around his mind. How had this even happened?

He had been on a quest with someone, he didn't even remember who anymore. Though he was sure it had been a girl. They had split up, or something like that, maybe she had been taken away and he had been trying to find her. The details got fuzzier and fuzzier as he tried to recall them.

With each shaky breath Percy inhaled more and more of the gas and exhaled what was left of his clean oxygen. Another breath and he was on the cobble stone floor on his hands and knees. One more spluttering cough and his arms crumpled under him, his face pressed into the moss. He couldn't draw breath; the moss was covering his mouth and nose. But Percy didn't turn his head to open his airwaves, the air around him was just as bad and would kill him the same, just a bit slower. He closed his eyes and forced himself not to struggle, letting go his last breath, but not taking another. Black spots appeared in his eyes and he felt himself start to slip from the world of consciousness. He was almost gone when a voice, not his own, reverberated through his head.

Perseus Jackson! It screamed, high pitched with desperation and alarm. You are not dying on me. Not after everything. But Percy barely registered what the voice was saying. He heard the voice take a few deep breathes, and then speak again, this time calmer and steadier.

Percy. Reach out your hand. Without being aware of what he was doing, Percy reached forward, his toned arm unfolding from his side. Take the berry Percy. Percy's fingers found a small, squishy sphere and plucked it from its stem.

Eat it Percy. It will allow you to breathe easier. Percy. Put. The. Berry. In. Your. Mouth. He did as he was told, his eyes still closed and breathing non-existent, but he brought his fingers to his lips and slipped the berry between them. The squishy thing rolled off his tongue and slid down his throat. Instantly Percy could feel the effects taking place, the black spots cleared from his vision and he felt energy spreading through his limbs.

Cautiously Percy raised his head and blinked, then took a deep breathe, his lungs expanding, he expected to feel the burning sensation of the gas but instead cool, stale air flowed into his body. Percy heard the voice sigh and the presence of it in his head trickle away.

He pushed himself up, cambering to his feet and scooping up Riptide, holding it out in-front of him. Suddenly the details of his adventure returned to him and he was striding down the corridor, determined to find Annabeth. He was almost at the door in the wall on the other side when something halted him in mid-stride. The voice. Recognition formed in his mind and he closed his eyes, thinking.

A name formed on his lips, but before he had the chance to mutter it the door flew open and in its arch stood a human-like figure, standing tall and rigid.

"I see you found the little… loophole… shall we call it that." The figure's voice drawled. Percy narrowed his eyes, he recognised this man. The figure gracefully stepped forward into the dim light. Dr Thorn, the Manticore Percy had battled a few years ago. The same man who had now kidnapped Annabeth for the second time. "Bring forth the girl." He snarled. Behind him a man stepped through the door dragging a blonde haired girl with him. Her hand and feet were both bound and her head lolled to the side unconscious.

Rage welled up inside Percy, and he readied his sword.

"Now, now Percy." The Manticore drawled. "We don't want a fight."

Without warning a spike shot over the Manticore's shoulder and almost impaled itself into Percy's side, but, lightning fast, Percy deflected it off his sword blade and it bounced harmlessly against the corridors wall. Dr Thorn pursed his lips then clicked his fingers. The man dragging Annabeth threw her forward. Dr Thorn caught her by the hair and shoved her towards Percy. An almost animal sound came from Percy's mouth and he launched himself at Thorn. In a matter of minutes of swiping, jabbing and racing around Percy had reduced the Manticore to a pile of ash and the man had fled back through the door.

Percy raced over, cupping Annabeth's head in his lap. He brushed stray hairs from her face and kissed her forehead holding on to her tightly.