DISCLAIMER: I don't own PJO, or the script (or their song), or anything else… I only really own Alynna Adeline Heist… Please review NICELY

ALYNNA's PoV

I stared at the gray walls around me. The other girls were giggling in a corner, huddled around a computer. I couldn't care less about what they were talking about. The other girls, with their sparkly makeup and bubbly attitudes. The girls who felt like they had to fill every moment with a conversation, otherwise it would be "awkward". Kind of like me. God forbid there ever is a peaceful moment around here.

I was currently sitting in a corner with my back against the wall. I had my knees pulled tight to my chest, with my arms wrapped around my legs. I buried my face in my arms and closed my eyes. I wasn't the least bit tired, though. My thick, golden hair hung over my face while I sat in silence. I tried to be as still as I possibly could, but it didn't work out too well. See, I had ADHD as well as Dyslexia. I couldn't stay still to save my life, but lately I had been practicing. I was getting better, but I'm still nowhere near normal.

Finally, I gave in and started humming a song. I tapped my feet and started to sing under my breath.

"I'm still alive, but I'm barely breathin'

Just prayin' to a god that I don't believe in

Cuz I got time while she got freedom

And when a heart breaks no it don't break even, even, noooo

What am I s'pposed to do when the best part of me was always you?

What am I s'pposed to say when I'm all choked up and you're okay?

I'm fallin' to pie- ces, yeah; I'm fallin' to pie-ces!"

(A.N.- that was Breakeven by: The Script, and of course, I don't own it)

"Alynna Heist, please report to the interview office," a voice said over the intercom. Crap. I looked up to find that everyone was staring at me. A few had smirks on their faces. They all thought they were superior to me. They were convinced that they're better, because I've been stuck here the longest. I have been in this "adoption center" for about seven years. I practically grew up with these people. When my mom died in a car crash seven years ago I was sent here. As if they could replace my family. Besides, no one wanted a girl like me. I'm quiet, independent, and not exactly cheerful. Most girls came and went within no more than a couple years. It seemed like I was here to stay. Yeah, I got interviews, but I always refused when they offered to adopt me. I am not going to replace my mom with some random person I've never met before.

I got to my feet and slowly walked through the hallway. I reluctantly opened the door to find Mrs. Smith (she's in charge here) at her desk, with a stubborn-looking man sitting on the couch. The man was lean and he looked strong, but not like a body builder. He was thinner, and looked more like the running type. He had pale skin and straight hair that was somewhere in between black and brown. The trait that stuck out most, though, was his eyes. They were an intense, pale-blue. He stared at me as I walked over to shake his hand, and it felt like he could see right through me. "Hello, I'm Alynna," I said quietly. I knew the drill. You introduce yourself, talk about yourself, and they act like I should be grateful. We talked for about an hour (Well, it was more like an interview. He asked me questions and I answered, while staring at the ground.), and I learned that his name was Paul Henderson. He lived in New York and worked as an accountant. When he spoke, he used a monotone voice, and he didn't smile once. There was something about his eyes, though. They followed my ever move. He took in every word I said, as if his life depended on it. I could tell he was observant, just by the way he moved. He was still and serious, yet he also seemed thoughtful. I could practically see the gears turning in his head.

"Alright Alynna, you may wait in the hall now," Mrs. Smith said in a stern voice. But she said it as if I had the option of staying in the room. I knew I didn't. I quickly turned and pushed open the heavy door. I let it fall closed behind me. Then I walked a little ways down the hall, and leaned my back against the door to the janitor's closet. I fiddled and fidgeted for a while, until I finally gave in and started pacing back and forth. I do that when I'm nervous. I wasn't worried about being adopted. I had received multiple offers in the past, but I always turned them down. I was worried about actually having to leave.

As much as I hated this place, and everyone in it, it was safe. The dull walls blocked out the pain of the real world. It kept out the sad memories, but most of all, it kept away the strange people/creatures that always found me. They never did anything, but they were creepy, and they definitely didn't look nice. Most of them followed me until I told someone. But whenever I showed someone, they told me nothing was there. Even the time in school when a freaky woman with snakes instead of legs, wouldn't leave me alone. It was like they couldn't see what I saw. The creatures always went away not long after I would tell my mom, but no one else, not even her, could see them. I was alone and I'm pretty sure they thought I was crazy.

The voice of Mrs. Smith interrupted my thoughts as she called me back into the room. I followed her as she held open the door. "Alright, so Mr. Henderson and I have discussed a few things, and in conclusion-" she was cut off by Mr. Henderson clearing his throat. "Mrs. Smith, do you mind if I speak to Alynna alone for a few minutes?" She looked shocked, but finally came to her senses and nodded. Then she left the room. No one bothered to ask me if I was okay with this, and that thought made me feel uncomfortable. I stood in a claustrophobic room with a man who was still almost a complete stranger.

He leisurely walked closer to me, in a relaxed manner. He had a sort of intimidating confidence that peeked out as he strode over to where I was standing. I couldn't help but take a small step back. I hoped he didn't notice. Unfortunately, he did. He put his hand on my shoulder, like he was trying to comfort me. "You have nothing to worry about. I just wanted to get to know you better, without her in the room." The way he said her, sort of creeped me out. "I mean, seeing as we are going to be living together," he said with a crooked smile. It wasn't really a smile, though. There was nothing happy about it. It was almost as if he was baring his teeth, getting ready to growl. I tried to smile, because if nothing else, he needed someone to show him what an actual smile looked like.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize we had agreed to, umm, actually go through with the adoption." I said, trying to mimic his sickly level of confidence. He put a confused look on his face, scrunching his eyebrows together. "Well, if you don't want to go through with this there are always other options," he said, withdrawing his hand and pulling something out of his pocket. I didn't realize what it was, until it was too late to run. He pushed me against the hard wall and my head hit with a dull thud. I groaned as my vision went blurry. Then he put the pocketknife under my chin and dug it into my skin. "Stop, please!" I tried to yell. It came out as a whisper.

"Now, honey, what were you saying about not coming home with me?"

"No-nothing"

"You wouldn't be so cruel as to make a poor old guy like me live alone. Would you?"

He dug the knife harder into my skin and I was sure I was bleeding now. "N-no" I whispered. "Good," he said, withdrawing his knife. "Tell anyone and you won't live to see their reaction."