απέναντι Chapter 1, a percy jackson and the olympians fanfic

disclaimer: I absolutely do not own anything that you recognise :)

chapter one

Everyone had an opposite.

The pairs were so dangerously contrasting that societies safety relied on these opposites remaining isolated.

Separated by a maze of alleys and abandoned buildings.

Never to meet.

They said that it was best for all of us.

That it was a matter of survival.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

The biting air slapped my cheeks as I slipped down the dim laneways, the colourful street art adorning the concrete walls illuminated by the yellow glow of the lanterns that were strung above.

It was busy for a Monday night.

Soft guitarists and melodic voices sung to the stars in harmony with the laughter of families eating in small restaurants, well tucked away from the busy city main streets. I pulled my hood lower over my face, gracefully dodging oncoming pedestrians down the narrow lane as a small smile involuntarily spread across my lips. The night was peaceful, not harsh on the eyes, everything bathed in a soft light, the stars watching and winking down on the good and the bad, the fortunate and the unfortunate, the lucky and the unlucky the same.

We must look so petty to them, all separated and angry and hurt and… chaotic.

The laneways slowly gave out to a maze of uneven, narrow roads flanked by towering buildings. The light of the lanterns gave way to the shine of the cold moon, and the expressive street art transformed into messy tags and monstrous looking painted creatures. I looked out the corner of my eye, making sure I was alone, careful to keep my booted footsteps as close to silent as possible. The scurry of rats slinking across dripping pipes and the howl of the wind through broken windows filled my ears as my heart starting pumping faster, adrenaline flooding through my system. I worked to keep my breathing steady, opting to walk closer to the walls, dissolving into the shadows.

Left, right, right, right, left again, straight on, left, just around the corner…

I navigated with a quickened pace, anxious to reach the edge of the deserted maze with its warnings scribbled in red spray paint splattered across the ground and across abandoned walls. Up ahead, I spotted an amber glow, shooting sparks to the inky sky.

A fire. I had to clench my fists to contain my excitement as I carefully stepped closer to where the crowded grey buildings let out to an open crumbling slab. Making sure to stay within the cover of the thick shadows, I peeked around the corner and into the Opposite Side.

"We're gonna freeze this winter if this weather keeps up." A gruff voice spoke nearby.

I flattened myself against the cold wall, scrunching my eyes shut and holding my breath. Had they seen me?

"We just need more wood. We'll be fine. We have to be." Another voice, this one noticeably younger, but still as deep and melodic spoke.

"Yeah, well we ain't gonna find any wood over here are we? Ain't no trees growin' in that maze, and no one's been near it since it was built."

I sighed in relief, relaxing into the wall. They hadn't seen me.

"Do they even know that we're here?" The younger voice inquired.

"You bet they do, they just don't care is all. We're dangerous."

"I don't feel dangerous."

The older man let out a hearty chuckle that echoed warmly around the cold walls. "You ain't dangerous 'til you're with your Opposite. They gotta keep us separated somehow, don't they?"

"It's stupid." The younger man sounded defeated and I heard the scuff of a shoe against the concrete, as though they had kicked a loose pebble.

The other man was silent for a while before clearing his throat. "C'mon, kid, we should probably get back, the fire's just warming up."

"Yeah-" He whispered. I quietened my breathing again; having the distinct feeling that someone was watching me, but I didn't dare to move from my spot around the corner to check. "Hey, Hedge," he called out, "I'll meet you in a minute; I'm just going to check something."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." The gruff voice receded.

I stayed completely still; my eyes still squeezed shut; awaiting the boy's fading footsteps as well.

Only they never came.

I shrunk further back than I thought was possible as my ears twitched towards the sound of approaching footsteps, light and careful.

I'm not here, I'm not here, please don't see me…

"Hello?"

My eyes opened with a snap, but no one was there. He still hadn't spotted me.

"I-I know you're there."

I swallowed as quietly as possible, my heart beating erratically.

"Who are you?" The boy's deep voice continued, "Where did you come from, where are you?"

I didn't move.

After a few heart stopping seconds, I finally heard the boy sigh as he began to move off, scuffing his feet along the loose stones. "Well, uh, I'm sorry if I scared you." He muttered before his footsteps got quieter as they disappeared.

On impulse, I shuffled to the edge of the wall and peeked around the corner. I caught the back of a retreating figure with a tall and lean, yet strong build, shoulders stooped as they looked at their feet, watching their step across the uneven ground. His hands were jutted deep into his pockets and a hoodie was pulled up over his hair.

Who was he?

I shook my head, clearing my mind. That wasn't what I was here for.

Silently, I followed the boy towards the growing amber glow, securing my hood lower over my face. Up ahead was a rise in the cracked concrete, as though a giant had slammed their fist into the earth, creating a valley with sharp edges. The boy scaled his way up and dropped into the crater, and I scrambled as quickly as I could after him. Sliding down into the valley, I could better make out the sounds of laughing and shouting from over the next rise. Being careful with my step, I dragged myself up the second wall before dropping down and stumbling into the edges of a bustling crowd.

I felt my eyes widen in awe at the scene, and kept my head down to shield my face from view, allowing myself to be taken along with the tide of people moving around a huge bonfire. I was in a huge square of hardened dirt, the bonfire in the middle, and small market stalls lined up in front of rows of shabby looking shelters; some made of plastic, tarp or rotting wood. A steady drum beat echoed around the square, the rhythm of clapping and an assortment of garbage cans and whatever people could get their hands on were being used as instruments, the excitement and joy almost tangible in the air. I grinned as I lost myself in the flow of people dancing and twirling around the fire, singing and shouting to the stars.

I finally managed to slip a little away from the crowd and sat down on the hard packed dirt in full view of the square. I pulled out a small notebook and pen from my pocket and sketched the scene, writing underneath it notes of all the observations about the people that I could find.

The bread stall is the busiest. They all know certain dances. The children run around bare foot. The drunks wallow in a little darkened corner. Some wear strong faces. Some wear brave fronts. Many smile. Some look dangerous, scars running across the bodies and faces. Eyes alive. Eyes dull.

I wrote every detail I could latch onto, attempting to quench my curiosity. I wanted to know people. I wanted to understand them. But my whole life I had only seen one half of them. My half.

These were the Opposites.

And they were my answer to creating a full image of humanity, rather than just an incomplete one, one torn apart at the seams.

I leant back on my hands, breathing deeply and taking everything in.

OoOoOoOoO

I didn't know how long I sat there, but by the time I had pulled myself from my daze the square was considerably emptier. I checked my watch.

2:14 AM.

I slowly rose to my feet, knowing that I had to go soon if I wanted to make it back by sunrise, but at the same time never wanting to leave.

I ambled slowly through the stalls lining the square once more, smelling the delicious aroma of baking and spices. Most were packing up as I walked past, and they gave me tired smiles as I looked at them. Their eyes were all so deep. They hid so much, but they didn't hide the fact that they looked broken. From the corner of my eye, I saw an old lady hobbling towards a shelter. She lifted the entry flap- a flimsy piece of tarp- and slowly bent her back forwards to duck under it, but I didn't miss the grimace of pain on her face.

Taking large, quick steps I found myself in front of the woman. She had wisping grey hair and cloudy eyes, her wrinkled face giving away that she had to be over eighty. She straightened a little when she saw me, a guarded look etched across her features.

"Um, hi." I approached her warily, like she was a scared, wounded animal.

Her eyes pierced into mine, strong and steady despite their cloudiness.

"W-would you like some help?" I asked softly.

For a moment, she tilted her chin up and I was sure she would refuse me, but then she looked back at the shelter and slightly nodded her head.

I walked over and lifted the flap as high as it would go before holding my hand out to the woman. With her wrinkled hand in mine and my other hand on her hunched back, I slowly led her into the dark interior. I spotted a clump of blankets on the hard dirt floor and helped her to lie down on a thin mattress before wrapping her up in them.

"You okay?" I whispered with a small smile.

She looked at me blankly for a few minutes, before her mouth spread into a toothless smile.

"An Opposite…" She spoke more to herself than to me, "How interesting."

I looked at her, surprised that she had seen through me so quickly. "H-how did you know?"

She reached out and weakly grabbed one of my hands; with the other one she tapped the side of her nose with a small smirk. "I just do."

"You won't tell anyone, will you? Oh, gods, I am going to be in so much trouble-"

The woman held a wrinkled finger in the air, signalling for me to stop.

"My name's Delphi," she offered.

"Delphi… I'm Annabeth. It's nice to meet you."

She smiled cheekily, "It's so nice to meet you too, dear." Her eyes glinted, as though she knew something that I had yet to find out.

I glanced at her, confused, "Well, I should really be going. It's, you know, late, and I have to, uh, get back." I rambled nervously under her steady gaze.

Delphi simply smiled again. "Off you go then, child."

I considered telling her that, technically I was eighteen, and therefore no longer a child; but instead I just stood up and nodded at her, a sad smile on my face.

"I'll be back." I promised.

Dephi gave a short chuckle. "Oh I know, dear, I know. Just be careful going back. This is no place for a pretty young girl like you to be out and about."

After promising her that I would be fine, I left Delphi's tiny shelter and stepped back into the square. Now there was no one around but the earlier drunkards, and I shivered involuntarily as I slunk past them, hoping to go by unnoticed. I had nearly made it to the edge of the square, where the maze of abandoned buildings stood, when someone grabbed me from behind with grimy hands and slurred something incomprehensible in my ear.

Kicking out, I gave a short scream and attempted to elbow him in the face, but he only spun me around and glared at me.

"Naughty, aren't you?" His breath, thick with alcohol, was heavy on my face.

"Let go of me, you bastard." I tried to twist out of hold once more, but he only tightened his grip.

"Now, now, pretty," he slurred grotesquely, "why don't you come with me and we can have some… fun?"

I spat right in his eye, using his momentary distraction to step out of his hold and punch him square in the jaw.

"Leave. Me. Alone." I growled as he stumbled around drunkenly, trying to wipe his eyes.

I spun on my heel, ready to be out of here, but came face to face with another guy.

Well, face to chest really.

I looked up slowly, praying and hoping that it wasn't another drunken creep.

The boy looked around my age, and was looking down at me with amusement dancing across his bright green eyes, his face lifting into a cheeky smirk.

"And here I was thinking I'd have to step in and save you." He spoke, his voice low and lilting, and so, so familiar…

"I was fine." I shot back, taking a step away to put distance between us.

He laughed slightly, and gods, it was just about the most beautiful sound I had ever witnessed. "Yeah, I know that now. But a girl like you shouldn't be out here this late; didn't your parents ever tell you that?"

"Girl like me?" I retorted, ignoring the comment about my parents.

He doesn't know, he doesn't know… I repeated to myself like a mantra.

The boy looked at me curiously, seeming to debate with himself before making a decision and standing up straight. "Come with me, I'll walk you home, you shouldn't be by yourself."

I looked at him blankly for a minute before realising that there was no way that he could know that I wasn't from this side.

"N-no that-that's fine. I'll be fine, I mean, I-I don't live too far-"

He gently placed a hand on my shoulder, effectively cutting me off as I stilled and looked up into his glinting eyes.

"Let me walk you home." He said softly.

"You can't." It was out before I could stop it, and I slapped a hand across my mouth to silence myself. Stupid.

"What do you mean, I can't?" His dark eyebrows furrowed over his green eyes in confusion.

Annabeth you idiot! I mentally slapped myself, abruptly turning on my heels and walking briskly away, hoping that the boy would just leave me be.

Apparently the gods weren't listening to me that night.

A jolt of fire ran up my arm as the boy reached out to grab my hand to stop me. Judging by the speed he immediately released my hand, I knew that he'd felt it too. I spun around to find him looking down at his hands, his eyes confused when he looked up at me, begging for an answer. I looked down at my own hand, half expecting to see a burn etched into my skin, lost for words.

Tentatively, I stepped forward and placed my hand on his wrist, ignoring the boy's wary gaze.

Nothing.

Then, curiosity getting the better of me, I reached my fingertips out and brushed them against his.

A burning sensation ran straight through to my heart and I felt a wave of dizziness overcome me. Ouch, dammit.

"Who are you?" I breathed, taking a small step back.

"I could ask you the same question." He whispered, his voice barely stirring the air around us. We stared at each other, green on grey, his tall frame towering over me, his left shoe absent-mindedly scuffing the loose stones littering the ground, and his hood shading majority of his face, before I started with a realisation.

"You're that boy… with someone… uh, Henry, was it?"

The boy looked up, startled, "Hedge?"

"Yeah, that's the one. Why were you so close to the maze?"

Comprehension flooded his features as he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "It was you in the maze." It was a statement, not a question.

I shrugged nervously. No use denying it now. Something was going on, and I was determined to find out what.

"You're from the Other Side," he continued.

I nodded slightly, silently awaiting him to drag me to the authorities, where they would charge me for treason, for going against the most important rule of all, the only rule they ever reinforced as though it were life or death: Never cross to the Other Side. I looked down at my feet, unable to meet his eyes as I thought through all the punishments they could give me. No one had disobeyed before. Or if they had, we had never heard from them again. Would I be banished?

Hanged?

I shivered slightly, finally trailing my eyes up the boy's dark grey hoodie and to his green eyes.

"You're an Opposite." He mumbled to himself. "And your Opposite is somewhere on this side." He suddenly lunged forward, gripping my arms whilst being careful to avoid my hands. "Are you crazy?" He hissed, "Don't you know what happens when two Opposites meet? Disaster. Chaos. Are you really that stupid?"

I glared straight into his gaze; how dare he call me stupid. The only person who was allowed to call me an idiot was myself.

"No." I declared, wrenching my arms from his grasp, "I am not stupid, and nor am I ignorant. Aren't you the stupid one?" I questioned, jabbing my finger into his chest, "Blindly believing everything you're told? Blindly accepting that there has to be this- this rift in our world? No, I'm not the stupid one here. Don't you ever want to know what's beyond your own world?"

The boy stared at me, shell shocked, before slowly shaking himself out of his daze, letting out a short laugh, his mouth tilting up into a thoughtful smile. "Yeah, sometimes I guess… I'm Percy, by the way; Percy Jackson."

He held a hand out, before thinking better of it and shoving it back into his dark jeans.

"I'm not telling you my name until I can see your whole face." I said, gesturing to the hood that shaded most of his features. I knew that he could easily be undercover with the government- spies were everywhere- and that all government officials had a small tattoo on their right cheek. Better to be safe than sorry, especially when you were a potential ward of the state.

Percy scratched the back of his neck self-consciously, "I- I don't like to show my face."

Alarm bells rang in my head. What was he hiding? A tattoo on his right cheek? But then wouldn't he have already dragged me kicking and screaming to a dungeon somewhere?

"Can I at least see your right cheek?" I demanded.

He looked confused before realisation lit up his features.

"You don't trust me?" He joked.

"No. I don't." I answered realistically.

He chuckled slightly before pulling back the right side of his hood to reveal his cheek and a few tendrils of messy raven locks. I stepped forward and wiped my thumb across it, making sure he hadn't covered anything over with makeup or dirt. Feeling his eyes on me, I quickly stepped back and cleared my throat.

"Annabeth." I said, "Annabeth Chase."

OoOoOoOoO

I clutched the strap of my messenger bag securely as I emerged from the maze and into the world I was ever curious about, an involuntary grin sweeping its way across my lips. The sun was setting in the distance, and silhouettes danced in the fiery orange as they worked to get tonight's bonfire up and running.

Over the weeks that I had been sneaking back to this Side of the maze, I had learnt a lot about this Opposite society, but I still yearned for more. It was like an addiction. The thirst for knowledge overpowered my senses and made me throw all caution to the wind.

It was dangerous.

But I hadn't been caught yet.

I knew that the bonfires were slowly getting smaller each night; they had to be careful as it was nearing the middle of winter and wood supplies were terrifyingly low. Without the burning coals in the middle of town, the whole square was like a breath of frozen air, seeping into the bones of anyone who walked through. Percy had often expressed his worries over his younger sister fighting against the cold. His eyes would hold grief as he would talk about how they only had the clothes off their backs and a few worn blankets to wrap her up in. I knew that he would sooner give up everything he had than have his family suffer. It was just the way he was.

Speak of the devil and they shall appear.

A hooded figure scrambled over the edge of the cracked concrete valley, and I took off running towards them.

I could see the smirk evident on his hooded face before he caught me as I ploughed into him, wrapping me in a hug and chuckling into my blonde curls.

"Hey, Wise Girl," he laughed. "What's got you in such a rush?"

I shrugged and snuggled myself deeper into his warm chest, making him laugh again.

Gods, I loved that sound.

He gently unwound himself from me, careful to avoid my hands- the electric shocks hadn't gotten any milder over the weeks- and took my face carefully in his calloused hands, forcing me to look into his bright green eyes.

"Hey," he joked. "Hey Wise Girl. Excited to see me, huh?"

I let out a small smile as he bopped my nose.

"I'm always excited to see my best friend."

He laughed and slung an arm across my shoulders, "Ain't that the truth."

We slowly made our way back to the crater before skidding down into the valley. Percy settled down on a chunk of grey stone and patted the spot next to him.

I loved this place.

The first time I had come back, Percy had found me sitting on the edges of the market and had immediately dragged me over to the cover of the shabby shelters, demanding to know if I wanted a death sentence. After a lot of arguing- me wanting to go back and observe the people more, and Percy stressing how dangerous it would be if I accidentally found my Opposite, or if a government spy spotted me- he finally gave in. On the condition that I promised to never go anywhere without him; I'm not risking it, he'd argued. I'd wanted to ask him what he'd be risking, but one look in his sincere eyes told me that he cared; just like he cared about his family. Percy Jackson was fiercely loyal- but I had yet to figure out if this was his biggest asset, or his biggest weakness.

I snapped out of my reverie as I sunk onto the makeshift seat next to Percy.

"I brought something for you," I whispered as I shifted my bag onto my lap.

Percy looked at me with wide eyes as I pulled out a couple of woollen blankets that I had packed on my way out from my foster parent's house. Percy still didn't know about my living arrangements, but then again, he'd never asked. As far as he knew, I probably just swiped them off my couch back home, or bought them from the shop. And I let him believe that; it was easier that way. He loved his family so much, and I couldn't bear to see the sympathy that would drip from his caring eyes if he found out that I didn't have one. The blankets were my parents- the only thing of theirs that I had left- but Percy didn't have to know that. Besides, it was better that they were being put to good use.

"They're for your family." I explained softly.

Percy remained quiet as I placed them in his lap. He didn't move.

"Annabeth…" his voice was shaky, "I-I can't take these."

I froze, wondering if he had read my mind and realised their sentimental value, but I shook the thought away, instead plastering a bright smile onto my face. "Don't be ridiculous, Seaweed brain." I reprimanded, slapping on the arm. "I lugged these all the way here for you, and you better take them, or so help me I will-"

My rambling was cut off as I found my face squashed into a chest, and Percy's arms around me tightly in a bear hug.

"You're the bestest person ever." He smiled into my shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Can you stop suffocating me now?" I joked lightly, trying not to be overwhelmed in his ocean and wood smoke scent.

Ocean? There's not even a river for kilometres, let alone an ocean.

I let the thought go as he pulled back with a smirk on his face.

"You know you love it."

I rolled my eyes and punched him in the arm (though I'm sure he didn't even feel it).

So maybe I did love him… Just a little bit.

oOoOoOoOo

"The stars tell stories, you know?"

I turned my head to see Percy's next to mine, his face tilting towards the stars with a small smile on his face.

"Do they?" I asked, laughing slightly.

Percy's grin widened. "Yes. Now here, let me show you."

I shook my head in amusement but did as he directed anyway. I lay back down next to him, my head resting against his shoulder as he put one arm around my waist and the other underneath his head.

"Okay, so that one-"

"Which one, Percy, I'm not a mind reader you know." I laughed jokingly.

Percy blushed slightly and took the hand from under his head to point at a constellation. "Uh, that one. You see it?"

I turned to tell him that my head was in a different position to his and therefore where he was pointing to wasn't the same thing from my angle; but when I saw how his whole face had lit up, I decided to just let him be.

"Yeah, I see it."

He grinned, never taking his eyes from the sky. "Well, that there is Barney. Barney the Purple Dinosaur. He's this ancient myth from back where society wasn't split, trapped up there forever in the stars."

"Barney the Purple Dinosaur?" I repeated, scepticism clear in my tone.

He nodded like this was common knowledge. "Yes, keep up," he laughed. "I thought you were the Wise Girl in this friendship."

I smacked his arm, but I was biting my lip to stop my smile from spreading. "Oh, shut up."

He shook his head, turning it so that his nose ran through my curls. "Not until I finish my story." He whispered.

I rolled my eyes, but let him continue all the same. If only to see the beautiful smile that shone on his face.

I wished he would let me see his whole face, rather than always leaving it in the shadow of a hood. It had been months since we'd met, so I knew it wasn't just some fear of strangers. I wondered why he was so adamant to keep it hidden; from what I could tell, he had rather handsome features- a strong jaw line, nice nose, full lips and raven hair that snuck out of his hood every now and then.

I let his animated voice lull me into the edge of consciousness; wrapped in his warmth with his breath tickling my ear every now and then.

I felt safe for the first time in years.

"Hey Percy?" I asked softly, interrupting his ramble about a fish named Nemo. "Can I tell you something?"

Percy immediately turned his head to face mine, his eyes searching for anything wrong with me.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" His eyebrows furrowed in concern.

I laughed and smoothed his brow with my thumb. "Relax, Seaweed Brain, I'm fine."

He allowed himself to give me another once over before looking into my eyes, the green glinting in the minimal light, and nodding, urging me to start.

I looked around the concrete crater that we had adopted as our 'spot' before taking a deep breath and facing him again.

"My family," I started. "Well, you see…" I hesitated, avoiding his eyes. This was ridiculous, why was I scared? We were best friends. He deserved to know all the aspects of my life. The good, the bad and the ugly.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He spoke gently.

"I don't have one." I blurted out.

Percy became stock still, his eyes wide with shock. "What?"

"I- I live with a foster family. They're not too bad, but they're just like the rest of them, you know. Just in it for the money they get. So, yeah, you know, I just never really had anywhere to belong, I guess. I- I tried so hard, every day, I thought maybe… just maybe, if I was good enough, someone might actually care about me one day."

Percy nodded solemnly, his eyes a dark like stormy seas. "How long? How long have you been without a family?" he whispered.

"Umm… eleven, twelve years?" I answered hesitantly.

"Gods, Annabeth," Percy breathed. He suddenly sat up straight. "The blankets?" I knew what he was asking.

"They had more use here Seaweed Brain. They were just collecting dust at home."

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply before tugging me up to sit on his lap. He grasped my wrists gently, careful not to brush his fingers against my hands.

"Thank you," he said sincerely, "for telling me." His face was a few centimetres from mine and I could feel his warm breath against my nose.

"You're welcome." I smiled slightly.

He let go of one of my wrists to play with a strand of my blonde hair, twisting it around his fingers. He appeared lost in thought, and I took the time to outline his face with my hands, relishing in the way he leaned into my touch.

"Can I see your whole face?" I asked tentatively.

Percy froze before shaking his head slowly. "I'm sorry Annabeth. Some things are best kept hidden." His gaze penetrated mine, his lips lifting into a sad smile. "But you're not missing out on much anyway." He tried to joke.

I looked down and gave a sad nod.

"Hey," I felt a finger on my chin and lifted my head up. "Don't be like that." He pleaded, his green eyes wide like a baby seal's. I bit my lip to stop the soft chuckle that wanted to erupt from my mouth at the sight. Seeing my contained smile, he grinned back, laughter escaping us as he leant forward to kiss my forehead fondly.

"I'll tell you what," he promised. "I'll be your family. How does that sound?"

"You'd really do that?" I looked at him in awe.

"Of course I would. I pinky promise that you'll always be my family." He held out his pinky finger like a child. I looked at it and brought my hand up to meet his before realising that the electricity thing might happen again.

"Percy, I don't really want to make my hair stand on end today." I joked, gesturing at his pinky.

He blushed and immediately curled his hand towards himself. "Heh, sorry. Forgot about that."

I smiled and leaned closer to him, not missing the way his breath hitched in his throat at our proximity. I slowly bumped my nose against his and pulled back.

"There. Nosey promise. Totally not a thing, but that's okay."

Percy let out a string of laughter that I swear made the moon dance in the sky. He leaned forward and bumped my nose with his again.

"Nosey promise." He whispered.

oOoOoOoOo

It was nice having a family.

Even if it wasn't exactly a real one.

I sat on the edge of the market place again, doodling and taking notes in my sketchbook. It always amazed me how beautiful people could be, especially when they had nothing left but each other. On my side of the world, people felt plastic. Artificial. They lived to step on each other's faces, to reach the top of a never ending ladder.

No one was ever satisfied.

No one was ever just content and grateful.

But sitting here, observing the early night life on the Other Side, I felt unexplainably calm.

The joy surrounding these people was contagious, and I found myself laughing along with some children who were braiding each other's hair next to the flower stall, sketching the young man talking to the old beggar, and staring at the multitude of stars that were impossible to see at home.

Percy still didn't like me sitting or wandering around alone, but at the moment he was too preoccupied getting his little sister, Mia, to laugh, to notice anything else around him. I watched them fondly, a small smile spreading across my lips. I knew that Percy had promised that we were family, but I couldn't help but doubt that he would ever love me as much as he loved his real family. His eyes shone in the firelight as he spun Mia, who was giggling and clinging to his shoulders, around in dizzy circles until they collapsed in a mass of laughing limbs.

I wondered what it was like to have a younger sibling to care about. I may have had the chance… before…

I shook my head, dispelling the thought.

Not now. I ordered myself.

Instead, I jumped to my feet, dusting off my jeans and shoving my sketchpad into my messenger bag. I made my way over to them slowly, standing off to the side a little awkwardly.

Percy looked up and noticed me standing there. He laughed and gestured for me to come closer. I rolled my eyes and stepped next to him where he wrapped me in a hug and then lifted Mia onto my shoulders. I laughed as the little girl pulled at my hair and leant her face upside down over mine.

"Anna! Annabef!" she giggled gleefully. "Run, run, quickwy, or Perfy will catch us!" I looked back at Percy with confusion to see him shrug his shoulders and crouch as though waiting to start a race.

"I'll give you a head start," he winked.

I quickly shifted Mia onto my back instead of my shoulders and told her to hold tight before sprinting off between the stalls. Her giggles filled my ears as she urged me on.

"Faster, faster!"

I grinned and sneaked a glance behind me to see Percy about twenty paces behind. I screamed jokingly and took a quick turn through a small chicken yard, startling them as they flapped their wings in a frenzy. The owner of the stall glared at me but I just smiled sweetly and shouted, "Sorry!" over my shoulder.

I heard the sound of clucking behind me and turned my head to see Percy stuck in the chicken yard, looking terrified at both the chickens and the owner who was approaching him with a big stick. He yelped and vaulted over the fence, taking after us again. I bypassed another stall, not noticing a stray splinter sticking out its side; my shoulder grazed against it, and I winced slightly, but kept running. It was just a scratch, and I barely noticed it as Mia urged me on. I let my laughter ring to the sky as I weaved in and out of the make-shift shelters, breathing heavily in time with my pounding footsteps, sure that I had lost Percy. That is until I stepped between two tents and saw him standing directly in front of me, causing me to pull up short.

Mia squealed, but a huge grin was on her face.

"Gotcha," Percy smirked.

I poked my tongue out at him maturely and lowered Mia to the ground so she could go latch onto her brother's leg.

I placed my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath, whilst Percy didn't even look the least worn out. No fair, damn his athletic body.

"C'mon, we gotta get little Mia here to bed." He said, poking her stomach lightly. Mia pouted on protest, but Percy just laughed and slung her gently over his shoulder before reaching back and grabbing my wrist.

I followed him through the rows of shelters until he came across one made of old canvas. A single pole held it up at the front, and its edges leant against the neighbours. Percy ducked inside and dragged me along after him, only letting go of me to plop Mia down on a clump of blankets. I noticed one of them was mine, and smiled slightly.

"Mum?" Percy called out, "You around?"

I stepped further into the dimness and noticed a middle aged woman stitching something up in the corner. She raised her head and a warm grin graced her features at the sight of her eldest son.

"Percy! Where have you been?" she scolded lightly.

Percy laughed awkwardly, "Sorry, ma. I was with Annabeth."

Mrs Jackson's warm brown eyes shifted to mine and widened. "Hello dear," he said kindly, "I've heard quite a bit about you."

From the corner of my eye, I caught Percy glaring not-so-subtly at his mother, and I smiled, stepping forward to introduce myself.

"Annabeth Chase, it's nice to meet you Mrs Jackson." I held my hand out.

Mrs Jackson ignored my hand and pulled me in for a big hug. Now I knew where Percy got his warm hugs from.

"Call me Sally, dear, and any friend of Percy's is family of mine."

My heart warmed and I blinked back tears, catching Percy grinning at us from over Sally's shoulder.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Sally finally pulled back, but I would have gladly stayed there all night. I hadn't realised how much I missed a mother's touch.

"Let me get a look at you, Annabeth." Sally smiled.

I mock curtsied and spun in a circle, letting her see me properly. When I spun back around, Sally's gaze was worried and I looked at her oddly, wandering what was wrong.

"Sally?" I asked.

She shook her head and came closer to me, placing her hand on my shoulder. I winced. I'd forgotten about running into that stall.

"That could get infected; we should clean it and wrap it up." She said calmly. "Percy, can you get the warm water?"

"It's just a scratch," I protested weakly, but Sally would have none of it.

"Percy, can I leave you to do that?" Sally called back to her son. "I have to finish sewing this shirt up."

"Sure thing, mum." Came his reply.

"Go through to the back, where Percy is." Sally instructed me with a smile, "He'll get you cleaned up."

I smiled gratefully and slipped behind a long curtain that sectioned off an area from where Mia and her mother were.

Percy was sitting next to a small basin, rinsing a cloth. He turned and gestured for me to sit in front of him.

"Gods, I can't believe I didn't notice this." He muttered to himself as he checked the scratch through my ripped jumper.

After a moment, he cleared his throat a little awkwardly, "Umm, you're gonna have to take this off." He said, gesturing to my jacket.

"Oh, right. Yeah, of course." I removed the jacket slowly, wincing as the fabric pulled at my shoulder.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't just a small scratch.

I was left in my black tank top, my shoulder exposed. Percy checked it closely, running his fingers over it gently.

"There's a heck of a splinter in here, sorry… this might hurt a little." He looked up at me apologetically.

"It's fine. Just do it." I smiled tightly.

I gritted my teeth slightly as he wiped over my shoulder with the warm cloth, cleaning away the dried blood.

"Don't look at it," he muttered in my ear, and I nodded, turning my head the other way. "Man, you're accident prone," he laughed slightly. I let a small smile slip onto my face.

"Yeah…"

I sucked in a quick breath as Percy swiftly pulled the splinter out.

"There, that wasn't too bad, was it?" He smiled warily, his green eyes shining with concern.

"It was fine." I assured him.

I took a look at the bloody splinter in his hand. It was about the length of Percy's finger, and jagged at the edges. I laughed shakily.

Percy pressed the cloth to the wound again and cleaned out all the excess dirt, being extra careful to not apply too much pressure.

"Hey, Wise Girl, what's this?" he questioned, his finger skimming over a small tattoo just above the graze.

"Oh, that. Uh, I've had it forever. I think it indicates the Side you belong on. Like identification or something. I guess only the Other Side has them."

Percy tensed. "Make sure you always keep your shoulder covered over here, okay?"

I nodded, smiling a little at his concern. "It's the middle of winter, Seaweed Brain; it's not like I'm going to be parading around in T-shirts."

He laughed a little and rolled his eyes. "I meant when summer comes around, Wise Girl."

"Oh." I laughed shortly, "I hadn't thought about that."

"You will keep coming, right?" he questioned shyly. "I mean, I know it's dangerous and… well… really selfish of me, but you'll be safe as long as I'm there, and I wouldn't let anything happen to my best friend. Family," he corrected.

"Of course I'll keep coming, you idiot. I haven't finished observing these beautiful people yet. I don't really think I'll ever be finished."

Percy grinned. "Good." His nose bumped mine again, reminding me of his promise. I had somewhere to belong. My grin mirrored his.

"Take this off in a few days," Percy instructed as he finished wrapping my shoulder in white gauze. "And wait here for a moment."

"Ay, ay Captain." I saluted.

A few minutes later, Percy came back, dressed in a new hoodie (which was, of course, flipped up over his head like always), and holding the one he had been wearing in his hand.

"Here, this'll be warm. I'll get mum to stitch up the rip in yours."

I took the jumper gratefully and slipped it over my head, immediately relaxing as his familiar scent enveloped me.

"I should probably head off." I whispered reluctantly. "It's pretty late."

Percy looked up sadly, but nodded and slipped a smile onto his face anyway.

"Yeah, of course. I'll walk you to the maze."

He often offered to walk me all the way back, but I had reminded him that he had his family to take care of and couldn't risk getting caught. He had turned that back on me and argued that then I shouldn't be on his side because I could get caught, and I was now part of his family. But I had just laughed and said that his real family was more important. He had looked at me with a frown on his face, his eyebrows furrowed. But then I went on to say that, besides, you'd miss me too much, and he didn't disagree.

I nodded, allowing him to grab my wrist as he led me out of the small shelter, calling out a bye to his mum and kissing Mia on her sleeping forehead.

The square had become noticeably quieter, but Percy pulled me closer to him as we passed some shady drunks who eyed me up and down in a way that made my skin crawl. I didn't see what Percy did, but suddenly all the men looked the other way and left us alone. I looked up at Percy gratefully, and he just squeezed my wrist.

We scrambled into the crater, climbing up the other side slowly.

"I'll see you soon?" he asked hopefully, glancing up at the stars that sprinkled the sky like diamonds.

"Of course you will, Seaweed Brain."

He nodded and scuffed his feet against some loose stones. He took a breath and looked as though he were about to say something, but then clamped his mouth shut and just caught me in a hug instead. I nestled my head into the crook of his neck, dreading going home to a cold house in a cold city.

"You'll be fine," he whispered into my hair as though reading my mind.

And I couldn't help but believe him.

oOoOoOoOo

I'd never snuck out during the day before.

School had let out early due to a sudden government scare and I knew my foster parents wouldn't miss me.

Two Opposites had met.

The world around me had been chaos as students gushed about who it could be and what would happen to them. After all, Opposites were dangerous and must be kept apart at all costs. The news report had been blaring live through the school speakers, a warning that we must keep our society safe and that all entry to the Other Side was strictly forbidden. The two Opposites had apparently been caught as they bumped into each other in a café on the same Side. The government had stated that one came through the maze, and that they were putting up extra precautions and systems into place today to ensure that no one would be able to make it through again. But that didn't calm the people down. Everyone was shuffling along; too scared to touch anyone in case their Opposite lurked just around the corner. Apparently they had caught the two in time before any real damage to society had been committed; but the small café where they were found was no more- though no details on how the Opposites had destroyed it were released.

The news report had continued on to describe the punishment that bestowed the two criminals. The one from This Side banished. The one from the Other Side hanged.

My heart had immediately lurched into my throat.

Percy.

What if he had ran into his Opposite whilst being on this side, maybe looking for me? They kept us separate for a reason; you could run into them with no warning at any time…

No. No, I had refused to think about it. It couldn't be. Percy never came to this side. It couldn't be him.

But what if he wanted to come see you…? My conscience betrayed me, what if it was someone in his family…?

It would be all your fault…

I had proceeded to slam my fist into the nearest locker to shut my thoughts up before I decided that I needed to see him. Now.

He had to be okay.

And so I had snuck out as soon as everyone evacuated the school in a flurry.

The maze was so familiar to me by now that I could navigate it with my eyes closed, and I did just that; sprinting along with my left hand trailing along the wall, too scared to open them in case the tears they harboured fell onto my icy cheeks.

It's not him it's not him it's not…

It was like a mantra in my head, spinning in a loop, desperate, as though it could change the course of reality.

My feet pounded in rhythm to my thumping heart and ragged breaths. Sprinting, sprinting.

It's not him. It's not my best friend. It's not the only person I have left in this world, it can't be-

I rammed head first into another body and sent them toppling backwards. I landed against their chest with an 'oomph' and immediately snapped my eyes open.

I've been caught I've been-

"Percy?" I asked hesitantly.

The boy beneath me groaned and rubbed the back of his head where he had hit it against the ground before peering up at me with green eyes.

"Percy," I breathed, hugging the living daylights out of him. "Oh, my gods, oh, my gods…"

I was sobbing now, the tears finally falling and my chest heaving as I tried to get enough oxygen into my lungs.

Percy finally snapped out of his shock, looping his arms around my back and whispering in my ear soothingly. I noticed that he was shaking slightly, running his fingers though my hair as a few tear drops –which were not mine- fell onto my neck.

"Wise Girl," he gently lifted us both up into a sitting position, his head still buried in my shoulder as he pulled himself together. "It's okay, you're okay."

His hood had fallen back to rest on his shoulders, and I blinked at the sight before me as he pulled himself slightly back. Percy never- never - removed his hood.

His messy raven hair flopped over his forehead and stuck out in every possible direction; his pale face gleamed in contrast with his bright green eyes and his features were undeniably boyish, yet handsome. But that's not what had my breath caught in my throat.

Scars. Scars and burns. Some small, some bigger; criss-crossing his skin at areas on his neck, up the side of his face and across his forehead. One particularly ragged one stretched from his jaw line down to beneath his jumper, as though someone had tried to stab his throat.

He obviously hadn't realised that his hood had fallen off as he was still searching my face, his eyebrows furrowing together.

I slowly reached out my hand and touched his face lightly. He leant into my palm a little before realising that his face was exposed. He recoiled like I'd hit him, hurriedly pulling his hood back up to shade his face.

"Percy?" I questioned softly, "What happened? Where did you get those scars?"

He hung his head and turned as though ashamed, but I just wanted to wrap him in a bear hug and hide him from the world. I stepped forward and grasped his hand. He immediately tried to pull out of my grip but I tightened my fingers around his, letting the waves of electricity pulse through me, ignoring the pain and waves of nausea. Percy tried to pull away again, his eyes scared as they locked on mine.

"Annabeth, Anna please…" his voice broke. "I'm hurting you."

With a final tug he snapped his hand from mine, leaving my head spinning at the sudden loss of charge travelling through me. My heart stuttered and I grasped my chest in pain.

Percy took a step back, away from me.

I reached out weakly, but he stepped back again, his eyes horrified.

At me? I felt my gut churn in remorse as he backed away as though I was some form of disease.

"Seaweed Brain…" I whispered pathetically.

He shook his head slowly, his adams' apple bobbing as he swallowed.

"Please, I'm sorry-" I tried before I choked on the lump in my throat.

"Don't say that." Percy's eyes blazed into mine, alight and unwavering. "Don't you dare say that ever again. You've got nothing to be sorry about, you hear me?"

I nodded, confused. But why did he look like he was about to run away?

He took another hesitant step back, looking like he was warring with himself.

"Whe-Where are you going?" I managed to stutter.

Percy looked anywhere but at me, "I'm sorry, Wise Girl. I hurt you. I just… all I can ever do is hurt people. You need to get away from me. Please."

I shook my head vehemently, because this was Percy-freaking-Jackson we were talking about here. He didn't hurt people. He was my best friend, and he was beautiful and goddammit if he couldn't see it.

"No, Percy, don't be stupid! It was my choice to grab your hand. You have never hurt me." I was yelling by now, and my chest was still aching, raw and throbbing.

"I'M A MONSTER!" he yelled, ripping the hood off his head. "Look at me! I'm a walking disaster, everyone who crosses in my path ends up… ends up-" His eyes rose to mine, swirling in impossible grief and self-remorse. "They end up hurt, irreparable or dead." He finished quietly.

He took a deep shuddering breath. "My father, I killed him just after Mia was born. She never got to know him, because of me. I got stuck in the maze, he tried to save me. They shot him Annabeth." He closed his eyes, taking another step back. "My brother died the winter of last year. All because I wouldn't give him my blanket. Because I was selfish. I once killed a man to steal his food. Their family watched in terror as I ransacked their home, all they had, and left the husband, the father, dead on the floor in a pool of his own blood. I got into fights. I came home with scars. They didn't get home at all." A tear escaped his eye and slid down his face like broken glass. "Today… today I thought they'd caught you coming through the maze. Today, I thought I'd killed you and I will not, I will not let that happen." He shook his head aggressively, his hair flying around his head like a dark halo, tears streaming down his face. Like a beautiful fallen angel covered in ashes like fallen snow.

"Percy, I don't- I don't care!" My voice was weak, but I tried to force it out so he would just listen to me. But he held a hand up to silence me.

"Please, stay away. I'm no good. Don't you get that?"

Once again ignoring the stabbing sensation in my chest, I marched forward until I was directly before him. "That's bull and you know it."

His eyes shut tight and I sensed a shift in him; but just as I was about to rejoice, he opened his eyes and glared into mine. I shivered. I'd never seen eyes so cold and I could barely believe that it was still the same boy standing in front of me. It was as though he'd flipped a one-eighty. I caught a glimpse of something else swirling just beneath the surface of his green irises, but as soon as I thought I saw it, it was gone again.

"Ever think that I just didn't want you around, huh? That I'm trying to get rid of you?" His voice was monotonous and dark, nothing like the soft, warm tone that usually lilted off his lips.

I staggered back as though I had been slapped. What?

"I'm sick of you. I'm sick of worrying about you. I want you out of my life."

I looked up at him in shock. What the heck just happened?

"I know you have no family," he persisted. All the air in my body left and it felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "I know you come here because no one else can stand you."

Now it was my turn to step back, my breathing becoming shorter as I heard him turn my secrets against me. I hated him. Or at least I wanted to hate him, but I couldn't hate him because he was my best friend and because I knew he was telling the truth. But I didn't like the truth. The truth hurt.

I trusted you…

"Well, I'm sorry to break it to you, Wise Girl," he spat out the nickname like it was acid, and I trembled slightly. "But you're not my family."

I shut my eyes against the words, only slightly aware of the sound of his quickly retreating footsteps, only slightly aware of my legs collapsing, only slightly aware of my cheek hitting cold concrete and my chest still aching, aching as my heart beat unsteadily in my ears…

"I'm sorry, Percy," I whispered into the night, but I knew that I wouldn't get a response.

oOoOoOoOo

The light danced beyond my eyelids as I dragged myself up from unconsciousness. The ground was hard against my back and my legs were twisted at a funny angle. I groaned as I slowly stretched my limbs out and opened my eyes.

I was still in the maze.

And it was daylight. By the looks of it, early morning.

Well, crap.

I sluggishly pushed myself up until I was leaning against the cold wall. My head was pounding but I was glad to feel that my heart beat had steadied out. As I reached up to massage my temple, my fingers ran across something that was caked onto my cheek. I pulled my hand away and studied the substance before realising that it was dried blood.

What the-?

I wiped as much of it off as I could before leaning my head back against the wall. It must have been where my head had hit the ground.

Note to self: do not hold Percy's hand for extended periods of time.

Percy…

I immediately shoved him from my mind. I could deal with that later. Right now there were more pressing matters. Like my head for instance.

I groaned again and pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes, willing the pounding to just stop so I could get up and find some damn water. But the headache held no sympathy for me.

I staggered to my feet. First things first, I had to get home undetected.

I began walking at a crawling pace through the maze, silently hoping that they hadn't put up the 'extra precautions' yet. If I was stuck in here forever, that would sincerely suck.

Before too long, I recognised the familiar street art that signified I was about to step out into the city, and took care to pull my hood up over my face to hide the blood and, no doubt, the bruise that accompanied it.

The city was bustling for an early morning, but I gladly got myself lost in the tide of people, weaving through the network of streets until I came to my foster home.

Gods, I was so dead.

I sneaked around the back, cracking open my broken window and slipping through into my small bedroom. I walked across the room and twisted the door handle ever so slowly so it wouldn't creak, and stepped out into the hallway towards the bathroom. Just as I thought I was home free, my foster mother, Rebecca, stood in my path, arms crossed across her chest and red hair blazing in the morning sun.

"Morning, Annabeth. How nice of you to grace us with your presence once again." Her tone was clipped and cold, letting me know that she knew all too well that I hadn't come home last night.

I looked up into her smug face. "And why do even care, huh? It's not like you've ever been worried about my whereabouts before."

Rebecca's eyes shot daggers at me as she leaned in closer. "Listen here, you little brat," I flinched back, "you have no right to speak to me like that. We give you a home; and in return, we get government money. And you just be the quiet little helpless girl that you are, okay?"

I looked down at the floorboards, feeling impossibly small. She always made me feel like that. And over the years, I had begun believing it too. After all, I'd killed my own parents. It was my own fault I was in this position.

Percy wasn't the monster; I was.

The flames licked around the kitchen as smoke engulfed my lungs. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe. I was wrapped in my parents blankets, using them to cover my face as I screamed,

screamed,

screamed.

The fire was roaring in my ears, the possibility of putting out the blazing stove long gone. My chubby hands were clenched into fists as I scrunched my eyes shut. I couldn't stop screaming, but I couldn't breathe. I needed mum. I needed daddy.

I dropped to the floor and crawled out of the kitchen and up the stairs to my parents' room. I pounded on the door. Pounded,

pounded,

pounded.

They wouldn't open up.

They couldn't open up.

"Mummy!" I screamed, my throat raw and blistered. "DADDY!"

I could hear their muffled voices from inside the room.

"Get out Annabeth! Get out!" It was my dad. But I couldn't just leave them. Why weren't they coming out!?

I wouldn't leave them. I wouldn't leave them. I wouldn't leave them…

…I left them.

I ran. Like the coward I was.

I ran out of the house and into the street, still clutching their blankets.

I gasped as I noticed Percy standing beside me.

"You burnt them." His voice echoed in my ears. "You're a monster. You aren't my family. You're not anyone's family. Just leave!"

His voice rang around my head as he turned his back on me, his green eyes full of disgust.

Just leave just leave just leave just

I shot up, my eyes widening as my breath fought to enter my lungs. My sheets were tangled around me and I was half falling off my creaky bed.

I tear escaped my eye involuntarily, slicing down my cheek. Just a dream, just a dream, I tried to tell myself, but I knew it wasn't just a dream. It was the same dream I'd had every night for twelve years. A dream I couldn't escape.

A memory.

But this time Percy was in it too. And he had hated me. Which, come to think of it, wasn't so far-fetched; after all, no one ever really wanted me around, did they? Which meant that something must be wrong with me; something that had obviously finally irked Percy to his patients end. I'd been told on multiple occasions that I was too smart and stubborn. But that never bothered me. I was proud of those traits. But maybe… maybe they bothered others. Maybe I was more annoying than I thought I was. I knew for sure that I wasn't as selfless or caring or kind as Percy. I knew that I took too much, and didn't give enough back in return. I knew from the very moment that Percy had decided to be my friend that he must have been crazy; but still, I had hoped…

I shut my eyes again tightly, seeing the image of Percy's retreating back burned into my inner eye. Even though I didn't blame him, my stomach still dropped at the very idea that Percy never wanted to see me again.

Dammit Percy, what are you doing to me?

I took a deep breath and pushed the memory from my mind. I couldn't afford to dwell on it now.

Instead, I grabbed my messenger bag and chucked my notebook in. Just because Percy didn't want me around anymore didn't mean that I couldn't do what I loved.

Even if I was breaking my promise by going over there without him by my side.

But then again, he broke his promise on being family.

oOoOoOoOo

They had started reconstructions.

Giant cranes reached towards the overcast sky, lugging grey blocks of slate that were steadily building a wall right in the middle of the maze.

Impossibly tall.

Impossibly smooth.

Impossible to climb.

I gritted my teeth in determination. I'd just have to find another way in.

To say that I was uncomfortable would be a comic understatement.

One of my legs was awkwardly halfway over a fence, while the other dangled down dangerously close to an angry dog's gnashing teeth. One hand was clutching desperately to the top of the wooden fence, my other one flailing around with a stick in an attempt to distract the dog that was eyeing me like a tasty treat. My messenger back cut into my chest from where it was hanging across my body, and I was using all my strength to not fall back into the yard I came from.

"You like fetch, doggy?" I asked in a baby voice.

The dog growled.

Oh, come on, Annabeth. Think, think.

"Sit." I commanded.

The dog did not sit. It growled again.

I growled back.

The sky thundered dangerously.

The dog whimpered.

"You don't like storms?" I questioned. Lightning flashed, brightening the grey sky momentarily.

The dog backed up a few steps, its tail between its legs.

I looked up at the sky, begging for it to let loose a torrential storm.

I suddenly got an idea and awkwardly manoeuvred one of my arms to reach into my bag and pull out my old drink bottle. Untwisting the lid, I sprinkled some of the water over the dogs head.

The dog whimpered at the thought of rain and backed up further.

Stupid dog.

I felt a drop of water on top of my head and snapped my eyes above me. It was only just past noon, but the whole sky had darkened with clouds so dark it could be dusk.

One drop followed the next, followed the next, followed the next until the heavens opened up and hammered down onto the earth.

The dog made a speedy escape and I took my opportunity to leap down onto the soggy grass. I hit the ground running, sprinting to the next fence and vaulting over it as quickly as I could, only stopping long enough to check for storm-loving, Annabeth-eating dogs that may have been awaiting me.

Who knew going through people yards would be such hard work?

I knew that I had to get to the Other Side. I told myself that it was because I couldn't give up something that had become such a huge part in my life, something that I loved doing, something that was widening my understanding of people, but I knew better. I knew it was because of Percy. I knew it was because of this sinking feeling in my gut that had been ever present since I woke up in the maze.

Something was wrong. And I was scared to think of what it could be.

I had decided that I obviously couldn't go through the maze with that wall in the way and all the construction workers around, so I took a new route. One that I had nearly forgotten about. One that Percy had told me about once in one of his many stories.

He'd said that his cousin, Thalia, used to go into parts of This Side to find wood and food for winter- but she hadn't used the maze…

I came to the edge of the last yard and scrambled over the noticeably higher fence and dropped down into a crouch. I grimaced as I looked down at my calf, realising that I had scratched it through my jeans on the ragged fence.

The rain was still going strong and I could barely see a metre in front of my hand, but I could make out a wall of thick oak trees in front of me. I stepped forward and squeezed through the small gaps between the trunks, relishing in the brief shelter it provided me from the storm.

Pushing through the last of the leaves, I stepped out into an open field, seemingly never ending in all directions except for behind me. In the rain I couldn't even tell if it was flat or if there was an incline, but I knew it spread for kilometres before coming to a wall that separated the sides. The wind whipped my hair around my face, the rain plastering it to my neck. I was shivering uncontrollably but I couldn't stop now. I could not stop now.

Walk forward three paces, then turn right… I recited in my head.

Forward one, two, three, four, five. Turn left and clap four times…

I couldn't help but think that this was ridiculous. What were the chances of finding some tunnel that lead to the other side based off an old nursey rhyme? But I continued anyway.

Jump up and touch the sky.

I jumped tentatively, reaching my arm up above my head. This was stupid. No one could touch the sky by jumping; it was probably just a silly bedtime story that Thalia used to tell Percy when they were kids.

Oh, what the heck. I jumped again, a bit higher this time, landing back onto my feet heavier than before. Nothing happened for a moment, then…

Falling

I gasped as I hit the ground with a thud, landing painfully on my ankle. I winced and squinted up the hole I had just fallen through, seeing a glimpse of grey sky far above, felt the occasional drip of rain track across my face.

I stood up shakily and felt around; this couldn't just be a hole. I leant to the left and grinned when my hand didn't come into contact with anything.

Bingo.

I crouched down and followed the small tunnel along in the dark, hoping and praying that I wouldn't suddenly start suffering from claustrophobia. The tunnel was dark and damp; its roof was stone, but its walls were just the solid earth which had caved in at some points.

Being buried alive like this would not be fun. I banished the thought from my head and pressed on into the darkness.

After what felt like hours, my legs were heavy as lead from crouching for so long, my back ached, my ankle was throbbing, and my eyes still hadn't adjusted to the complete lack of light.

If I ever met this Thalia, I was going to kill her.

Finally, finally, I spotted something bright in the dimness up ahead and hastened towards it with a new found energy.

The tunnel reached its end and spilled out in into an antique junk yard.

I peered around the corner cautiously, squinting; even the dim storm light seemed too bright to handle after the inky blackness of the tunnel.

After listening carefully for footsteps or signs of life, I inched my way forward, being careful not to put too much weight on my bad ankle, and ducked behind a rusted metal hunk of some form of vehicle, shielding myself from the rain that was still pouring.

Where was I?

Once I was sure that there was nothing alive anywhere near, save for a few lizards, I scrambled to the top of the vehicle to get a better lookout.

I was on the very edge of the junk yard, a vast wasteland of forgotten debris. Looking behind me I could make out a few kilometres of rubbish heaps before they were swallowed by the looming clouds. Looking ahead of me I could see about fifty metres of junk before it opened up into a cracked concrete slab, much like the one near the maze. Turning slightly, I noticed a black smudge on the otherwise stormy grey horizon.

The bonfire.

It must be.

I got ready to jump down and get there as quickly as possible before something stopped me.

The black smudge of smoke was far too large to belong to a single bonfire- even one as huge as the one in the centre square.

My throat immediately dried out as I thought of all the possibilities.

Were they burning the village? Killing the people? Setting fire to the maze?

My breathing became heavier as I slid off the roof of the rusting vehicle, and started for the plume of smoke. It wasn't too far off, and I could already smell the tinge of smoke tainting the air.

Gods, Percy…

I shook my head and refused to think about it, focusing instead of one foot in front of the other.

Left, right, left, right, left, right, left…

The village was in shambles.

Men in gas masks paraded around with flame burners, rounding up men, women and children alike. Some of the shelters were burnt, others were still burning. The bonfire was in full blaze, half the town already lined up in front of it, guarded by the masked men.

Some looked scared.

Some looked defeated.

Some looked bruised and broken, as though they had put up a fight.

One looked accepting. His head was bowed, his shoulders calm and his hood down, his raven hair plastered to the back of his neck as the rain pelted down. His little sisters hand was gripped firmly in his own as he quietly calmed her down.

Percy.

I immediately made to go to him, but stopped as a troop of men marched passed my hiding place. I quickly sunk back into the shadows, holding my breath.

Peeking out again at the line-up of people, I noticed a few that I recognised.

There was Daisy, who sold straw hats at her small stall.

Rob, the old man who always helped to start the bonfire for the night.

Delphi, who was sitting in a heap, too weak to even stand.

I felt something wet on my cheek and realised that I was crying. I pressed myself back into the shadows, but kept my ears open, listening for what the leader of the masked men was saying through a megaphone. It was hard to make out over the rumbling of thunder and the roar of the fire, but I could faintly hear him barking orders and yelling at the crowd.

"You know you all have Opposites on the other side of this wall. The Government has decided that it is too dangerous for society to have any chance of Opposites ever meeting. From this day forth, one of every Opposite pair will be eliminated."

I froze. Eliminated?

"The Other Side has a vast and growing economy, with schools and hospitals in place. They have resources. You do not. It only makes sense that this is the side to be eliminated in the most efficient way possible…"

I leaned forward on my hands and knees, dry heaving. WHAT!? Were they CRAZY!? My vision was going blurry and I wasn't sure if I was breathing. No, no. NO!

Percy, Percy, Percy, Percy, Percy…

No, no, no, please no, no, no, no, no, no…

I staggered to my feet. I couldn't just sit here anymore. I was Annabeth Chase. I always had a plan.

Think of something, dammit.

I looked straight at Percy, who was now looking at the leader with a blank expression on his face. He seemed at peace, almost… relieved…?

How dare he be so nonchalant about his own death.

I moved forward a hiding place, ducking behind two huge garbage bins. I needed to get Percy's attention. I didn't care of he hated me. I didn't care if he never spoke to me again. We just needed to do something now.

I managed to get myself so that I was right next to the line of villagers, hidden by a destroyed market stall.

"Percy." I hissed.

He didn't move. Dammit, Percy.

"Percy." I hissed a little louder.

This time, his little sister noticed me, and she turned around to look for the noise. Her eyes grew wide when she saw me, and I quickly put my finger to my lips, signalling her to be quiet. Then I pointed at her brother.

Mia tugged a little on Percy's jacket, getting his attention. He looked down at her, and I could see his green eyes glint with concern. He may not have cared if he died, but I could sure tell he wasn't going to let anything happen to his little sister.

Mia whispered something in his ear and nodded slightly in my direction.

Percy immediately stiffened. Slowly, his head turned so that he could see me from the corner of his eye.

He didn't look calm anymore.

He looked downright terrified.

His wide green eyes locked with mine and we just stared at each other for a moment before he snapped his gaze away and stepped slightly backwards so that I was in hearing distance.

"Annabeth, get the hell away from here." He spoke, his tone deathly calm despite the muscles twitching in his jaw.

"Look, I know you're mad at me," I started, but he cut me off.

"I'm not- I'm not mad at you Wise Girl. I just need you to get out of here." He sounded desperate.

"No. I can help." I insisted. "There's no way I'm leaving all these people here to die. There's no way I'm letting you die."

Percy looked shocked for a moment, but then spoke slowly. "And there's no way I'm ever gonna be able to live with myself if you die. Annabeth, please."

I shook my head stubbornly. "I won't die. And neither will you."

Percy just shook his head, scrunching his eyes shut.

"Anna, please."

I didn't give in.

"Just tell me what to do. We can do this Percy."

He stared at me hopelessly, but then looked down at Mia, and across at all the people he had shared his life with. Slowly I could see a plan start to formulate in his head.

"Gods, I promised myself that I'd never do this again." He muttered and reached his hand out so that I could touch it. "Grab my hand."

I looked at him like he was crazy; we both knew that that only drained us and left us shaking from the shock. Or at least, that's what I had experienced; I assumed it was the same with him. But nevertheless, I grabbed onto his hand, lacing my fingers with his.

The electricity sparked through me like always, the burning sensation flowing up my arm and making my heart beat irregularly. I could feel my energy draining rapidly, but I gritted my teeth. Don't let go.

"How is this helping?" I asked through my tight jaw, struggling to stay conscious.

Percy looked down at our intertwined hands and then up at my face. "Just trust me. I'm sorry Annabeth. I promised I wouldn't do it again."

"Do what?" I asked him, confused. But I never got to find out. At that moment an arm grabbed me from behind and ripped my hand from Percy's. I gasped at the sudden loss of electrical current and sagged with exhaustion, allowing my arms to be pinned behind my back and my face to get pressed into the dirt. I could faintly hear Percy's screams in my ears, growing more and more distant as I either steadily lost conscious or he was dragged away. I didn't know which.

I weakly batted off the hand holding me and tried to curl up into a ball as best I could to try to stop the ongoing ache in my chest, my heart beat still felt irregular in my ears, and my blood was pulsing through my veins at what had to be an unhealthy pattern.

The rain was still pounding into the hard ground, but this time I welcomed it, letting it drown me and carry me away. I barely even noticed when hands pulled me roughly to my feet and tugged off my jumper, revealing my shoulder which held the small mark showing which Side I belonged to. I faintly shivered at my suddenly exposed form, the rain instantly drenching my thin tank top. I was thrown to another pair of hands which gripped me tightly to keep me upright. They were yelling in my ear, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. My eyes just wanted to close

Close…

Something was shoved against my forehead, cold and hard, and I slid my eyes open a crack to see what it was.

Huh, would you look at that, it's a gun…

I had never wanted to sleep more in my entire life, and I wished that everyone would just shut up so that I could collapse and never wake up again. Never see stupid Seaweed brain and his stupid electric hands again…

Seaweed Brain.

I smiled as I imagined I could hear him over the roar of the crackling flames and hail pelting the ground like stones.

"ANNABETH…" His voice faded in and out, like he was singing a song… a sweet song, but a sad song. He sounded desperate. Why was he sad?

Don't be sad, Percy…

Someone ploughed into me from the side just as I heard a distinct pop.

The gun, I thought. Had someone been shot? I forced my eyes open, trying to shake off the dizziness and the urge to puke. Percy was above me, his eyes red and blood shot, a scream curdling in his throat as he pushed down frantically on my stomach.

Ouch. What the…?

Percy took one hand off my stomach and placed it gently on my face; I could feel his hand trembling slightly and I wanted to ask him if he was cold. I could see his lips forming words as tears dripped from his eyes and onto my face.

I lifted my hand to cover his, but he immediately stopped me, gently grabbing my wrist and bringing it to his face, closing his eyes as he rocked me back and forth. I spread my fingers out to stroke his cheek slightly.

"Percy?" I croaked weakly. His eyes snapped open and searched mine worriedly.

"Hey, hey Wise Girl." He whispered. His voice sounded distant and foggy, and I could only just make out the words. "You're gonna be okay, you're gonna be just fine. I promise, gods, I promise." He repeated over and over into my ear, holding me as though I were a glass about to shatter into a million pieces.

"Why are you crying?" I breathed.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, all my bloody fault." His other hand continued to press down on my stomach, and I slowly became increasingly aware of sharp needles of pain erupting for where his hands pressed.

What the heck?

I looked down at myself, noticing the way a ruby red stain blossomed across my grey tank top like spilled ink.

I looked back up at Percy; he was smoothing my hair out of my face and rocking me steadily in time with his sobs.

"Seaweed Brain," I whispered. "I just want to sleep…"

"No, no, no, no, no, Annabeth. C'mon Wise Girl, not yet. NOT YET! Don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes. Hey, hey look at me, look at me, yeah?"

I forced myself to lock gazes with him, staring weakly into his vibrant eyes, which finally weren't shrouded by that stupid hood. I smiled. It was nice to see his whole face. It was beautiful.

He was beautiful.

"Family?" I whispered.

Percy leant down and gently bumped my nose with his own, his tears staining my cheeks. "Family." He promised.

And then my eyes closed.