A/N: Here's the next chapter! :) Thank-you to SummerSpirit18, who was both the first follower and reviewer! Feedback much appreciated.

Also, thanks to Daownlyone for ideas and help on this story and also for the name (: Oh, and go check out his stories (for Pokemon)!

Disclaimer *which I forgot to do last chapter*: I do not own Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus. All rights are reserved by Rick Riordan.

Chapter 2 – Reminiscence

Lost Boy's P.O.V.

"A-are you, are y-you… okay?" A girl asked. It sounded distant and fading, but soon, I could hear her breathing. It grew stronger as my soul strengthened. I had been through many things, but not much was like what I had just experienced. It was as if the life was seeping out of my pores, as if I was slowly dying. Yet, miraculously, the feeling had stopped. I was brought back to life. The life had come back, had slowly filed back into my body, had revitalised me.

I tried to open my eyes, however they would not open. I tried forcing them open with all my strength, but they just would not open. It was as if someone had stuck them together. Hopefully, this was not the case.

"Are you awake?" The same feminine voice asked as I felt a hand grab mine. Suddenly, my heart began to beat faster. Was that the girl's hand in mine?

Finally, I could open my eyes, but the light was blinding, as I had to shut them immediately again. There was white, white everywhere. After what seemed like ages, I got the nerve to try again. This time, it was better, but not by much. After numerous attempts, my eyes had finally adjusted to the light and were ready for the sights of the outside world. However, I realised that by the time my eyes could be opened, the day had grown dark, so I saw nothing but a faint, flickering candle on a table near where I lay.

Turning my head slowly, but painfully, I noticed a feminine figure sitting on a hardback wooden chair beside me, my hand in hers as she slept. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the girl. She had perfect skin and choppy, black hair and a small smile played at her lips, no doubt that it was because of a pleasant dream. As I felt the warmth of her hand in mine, I stroked the back of it, feeling the soft skin on mine. Her presence made me feel happy, even though it was silent and dark and this woman was the first to ever do such a thing since the death of my mother and sister. It pained me to think about them. I had run away from home, away from my stepfather who did nothing but get himself drunk and occasionally sexually abuse my sister, when she was alive, and I. Our mother had passed away when I was only a few years old, leaving us with this monster. My sister, Bianca, and I had sworn we would run away together, one day, report the man to the authorities and then live together. That dream had never happened and it pained me to think of Bianca's death. She was the only one in my life that I had trusted everything with, the only one I could talk to. She was my big sister, whom of which I relied on so much. What happened to her, I could never speak of again.

Mystery Girl's P.O.V.

With a sharp intake of breath, I yawned, attempting to stretch my arms upwards. It was then that I realised my hand was blocked by an object. As this was new and unexpected, my eyes flew open to see my hands in that of a young boy. His fingers were wrapped around mine, his thumb on the back of my hand. He couldn't be any older than 13, yet his face showed the fatigue of someone that was much older.

What had he been through, to cause this change? I wondered to myself, however, I had a feeling I'd never find out.

It was then that I realised I had slept on a chair with my hand inside this strange boy's the entire night. My neck was stiff and sore as I blushed with embarrassment and carefully, and regretfully, removed my hand from his hold, hoping he had not woken during the night. My friends and I had found him yesterday, battling two vicious monsters and had brought him back to our residence not far away. As I watched the young boy sleep, I thought about how he could've been left in the situation that he was, however I did not know. It was obvious he was one of us, who attracted monsters and seemed to have special powers.

I sighed and got up to get ready for the day ahead. I had a feeling this would be a long day.

Nico's P.O.V.

I heard her sigh and agile footsteps leading away. When I was sure she was gone, I opened my eyes, as a blush crept to my cheeks. I had fallen asleep last night while stroking her hand and was awoken by her movement; however, I was not ready to face these ridiculously nice strangers who seemed not much older than I.

Sitting up slowly, I surveyed my surroundings, while my head spun. I was on a small single bed, one side facing a pale cream wall, the other to the rest of the small room. There was a desk in one corner and a door in the other. The chair beside me looked as if it had come from the desk. There was also a small, wooden closet and a worn, matching bedside table. All of this was placed upon a soft, creamy coloured carpet. As much as I wanted to walk outside, through the door and into what could possibly be freedom, I waited. A feeling in my gut told me that this place was safe, the people here were nice and the girl would soon return. Everything will work out perfectly.

At the end of that train of thought, the girl from last night came back in and saw me sitting on the bed. Her hair was wet and she dressed in casual, black clothes, showing that she had probably just showered or something.

"Hi," she greeted warmly, looking over me in my current dishevelled state.

"Um, hi," I replied, "I'm Nico. Nico Di Angelo."

She blinked twice, and then spoke. "I'm Thalia Grace. Are you okay? You seemed to have collapsed quite suddenly last night."

Her words were kind, however her expression showed that she knew she had asked quite a large multitude of questions.

I nodded in assent, "Yes, I'm fine, thanks for helping me."

She smiled and sat beside me on the bed as we discussed our lives. She told me that her friends were Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson. All three of them had been like me, chased by monsters and had found each other and stuck together for safety. They were like family.

For a moment, I felt a twinge of jealousy. Three kids who had led a hard childhood life had formed together and now considered to be family. This only showed that family didn't necessarily mean blood, but it definitely meant love. From what I had heard, these three had always looked out for each other, had always helped each other when the other was in need. Just like Bianca and I used to do, I thought sadly.

"Nico, you're a apart of our family now," Thalia said quietly, all of a sudden, as if she could sense my emotions.

I gasped, looking up at her, surprised. "M-me?" I asked uncertainly, "but all I did was cause you inconvenience in having to save and accommodate me. Are you sure?"

Of course I wanted to be accepted into their makeshift family, but was I really the perfect little addition to whatever hardships they already had?

"Yes, Nico, I'm sure," Thalia smiled back, genuinely happy in my presence. I nodded and smiled back, enjoying the silence that didn't last for long.

"Now, let's get you cleaned up so you can meet the others!" Thalia said, brightly, moments later. Smiling, I let her lead me out of the room to the bathroom. It was only then that I realised how long I had gone without showering, or cleaning myself in any way at all.

A/N: Well, there you have it! I will be focusing mostly on Nico and his life, occasionally Thalia too, but not as much on Percabeth, however I promise that there will still be chapters in there dedicated to Percabeth.

So, what do you think happened to Bianca, to cause her death?

When will Thalia and Nico officially get together, like Percy and Annabeth?

And, what will Percy and Annabeth think of the child of the dead?

Please R&R!

Also, just to let you know, my chapters will not be consistent in length. I assume it's understandable that the first chapter was shorter than the current one; however, future chapters have a chance of being either longer than this by a small amount, or shorter than this, depending on what I need/want to put in.

- xHadesChildx