Chapter two

Percy Jackson, three months later

Percy was going to the store to buy Milk when he met a boy that looked just like him. Though, instead of sea green eyes, he had emerald green. They bumped into each other. Literally. The boy just fell out of nowhere. One second it was just him and the Grey and very, very dirty sidewalk when the boy suddenly appeared in-front of him and walked right into him.

"Ow!" Percy yelped.

The boy struggled to his feet.

"I'm so sorry."

He apologized, offering a hand.

"It's Okay. I should have been watching where I was going."

Percy said, reaching out to take the Boys hand.

The moment their hands touched Percy felt as if Thalia herself had sent an Electric shock through him.

Yelping, (again) he snapped up to his feet, taking several steps back.

"What in the-?"

The Boy stared at him, surprised. Slowly, realization leaked into his eyes.

"You're a Balancer too?" the boy exclaimed.

"What?!"

The boy glanced around.

"Follow me." he said.

The Boy led him down the sidewalk, entering 'Orla's secret'. The restaurant was the kind that was loud and bright.

When both boys had found something to eat Percy began his questions.

"You're a Balancer too?"

The Boy nodded, a bit puzzled.

"Yeah. It's your first time meeting one?"

It was Percy's turn to be puzzled.

"You mean it's not your first?"

The boy bit into his hamburger.

"Yeah. Though it's been like, six years so it took me some time to recognize you."

"Explain, please. I'm new here." Percy said.

The boy studied him.

"You are new. How did I not notice this before? Well, Balancers can visit other dimensions. Kind of like extra credit. The thing that you felt when we touched each other is called a 'rift'. Not sure why. It happens when people from other dimensions touch each other. Don't know why."

Percy raised an eyes brow.

"How do you know this? Chaos didn't tell me anything."

The Boy shrugged.

"I don't know. Somebody told me, but I don't remember."

The boy stuck out his hand.

"Harry Potter."

Percy grasped it, ignoring the rift.

"Percy Jackson. Nice to meet you."

Percy Jackson, 15 years old

"Percy. Are you listening?" Annabeth snapped.

"Wha-?" was all he could say before Annabeth slammed her hand into his face, knocking him over.

"Ow! What was that for!" Percy complained.

Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Because seaweed-brain, your not concentrating at all. You should have been able to dodge that attack with your eyes closed."

She said, helping him get 't

"Whats on your mind?"

Percy hesitated. Should he tell her? Yes. He could tell her. But...what if she didn't believe him? No. No, f course she would. She already knew that God's existed. But..what if she didn't? He wasn't sure if he could go through betrayal again. This time, he would surely die.

"Nothing. Just worried about the war." he lied easily, smiling.

Annabeth didn't notice that his smile was just a mask. Or did she? She was good at hiding stuff.

"well then, concentrate!" Annabeth said, swinging her dagger.

Percy couldn't sleep. Even though he could hear the sea, for once it didn't calm him. He raised his hands, staring at them. A sudden knock on the door startled him. Kicking off his covers he pushed himself out of his bed,and opened the wooden door. And slammed it back shut. Nano. What was she doing here?

"Percy? Open the door."

He didn't dare move.

"Percy. I'm not going away. Come out."

Nano whispered.

Percy clenched his fist together, drawing blood. I hate you.

"I'm here to tell you about Rio."

The breath was knocked out of him. He froze, shock washed over him, along with hope. Rio. He threw the door open and yanked Nano in. Shutting the door quietly he spun around to face the her.

Her pitch black eyes bore into his.

"Spill." Percy hissed.

Nano's lips curled upward.

"Nice to see you too, Balencer." she said.

Percy forced himself to relax. Think logically. If only Annabeth was here.

"I swear if you if you tricked me, then-"

Nano raised her hands defensively, though her sly, emotionless smile didn't drop.

"Sorry, sorry." she said, perching on his bed.

"You're still messy." she said, picking up a sock from his bed.

I looked at her, waiting.

"Phona wants you back. He told me to literally get down on my knees. You belong with us Percy. Not with them. He made a mistake in the past-"

"Mistake!" Percy roared.

Nano backtracked quickly.

"I meant-"

Percy slammed his hand on the wall behind Nano, leaning forward.

"I don't care. I'm never going back. If you don't have any information about Rio, then get. The. Hell. Out." Percy muttered.

Nano stared back stubbornly.

"He's alive." she said before vanishing.

Percy stood as still as a statue.

Alive.

He collapsed on his bed, drinking in the information.

Alive.

He had to go look for him. And he needed Annabeth's help. But what would he say? How would she react when she hears what he did? He could see her face, twisted in hatred and disgust. He couldn't lose her. But he couldn't give up on Rio either. He groaned, rubbing his face. Tomorrow. He would deal with it tomorrow.