Hello, my fellow readers. I'm sorry this chapter took ever so long. I've been a little busy with school work and whatnot. Good news is that I was able to have some free time every now and then, and was finally able finished the chapter. Through the next chapter might take a little longer for we are preparing for school finals and I'm currently reading the Iliad and the Odyssey (I'm planning to take my time, and perhaps I might get new ideas with this). Anyways... here is chapter 2. Don't forget to review. Enjoy.

The Traitor

After having a nice full meal in days, Kim took the liberty of showing me around camp. I found everything and anything interesting yet knew that I knew would stink at some of things, perhaps even all of them.

Along the way, Kim and I had our little own cracks of just about anything. Somewhere in the middle of the tour, Kim said, "Watch this," and screamed at the top of her lungs. Everyone, even the nymphs, turned surprised and ready to fight anything, but soon realized it was Kim and her random screaming. We would end up laughing for minutes at a time before Kim showed me something else.

"So," I finally said after laughing at something random. "This Drew girl, what's her deal?"

"Oh, nothing. She just thinks that she can do anything because she can make us let her do it. As much as I despise her, I fear that awful power of hers. Don't take me wrong, some of the Aphrodite kids are okay- you know, some- it's her I dislike the most." I then knew that I had sent Kim into rant, saying things that she 'disliked' about Drew and things she would do if or when she had her hands on her. I was left baffled at the lengths of the enormous rant, when suddenly she turned to me and said, "Sorry, I tend to rant just about anything. Especially, when it's about that stupid movie. Sparkling vampires, so..." and she went back into a different rant.

I couldn't help but laugh and nod with agreement. However, that stopped when we reached the cabin area. There was a large crowd, all the campers, clustered around something. My heart stopped when I heard a familiar voice yelled, "Let go of me!" followed by somebody calling out my name.

I ran to the opening in the center to find Nico holding Maverick with a knife under his throat. I could see that Maverick was struggling to break free from Nico's grip, none of which succeed.

"Nico, let him go!" I yelled. I balled my hands into tight fists, angry at the situation. Dang, I should have brought Armageddon with me. I thought "You want me, don't you?"- Nico nodded- "Then let Maverick go!" I responded, walking towards him.

He let go of Maverick and grabbed hold of my wrist. At the same time, Percy and Annabeth broke through the crowd, asking what Nico was doing. Nico never did responded them, but I turned to them as we walked passed them. "Take care of Maverick for me." I said and they promised to keep a very watchful eye on him. Knowing that Maverick, my self-adopted brother, was in safe hands, I turned to scowled at Nico once again.

We went up the hill that lead to the entrance of the camp and entered the surrounding woods. The moment we hit the shadows of the trees, my vision went black. I felt my stomach churn and started to feel my breakfast coming back up. As much as I could see, I was only able to see Nico next to me and nothing else but darkness. Nico lead me into the emptiness, but I feared that he didn't know where he was going. However, the look on Nico's face told me otherwise. After a minute or so, we came out of the pit of emptiness and darkness and into a forest of god-knows-where. Far out in the distance I saw city lights of what I figured was a major city, I just don't know where exactly. For some reason, I turned to where we had just came out of and saw (just in time) a closing vortex on the surface of big old tree.

I stared at vortex until it disappeared and sat there baffled and in a daze. Nico had let go of wrist to get something out of his backpack that I didn't see before. He tapped my shoulder with a water bottle. Giving him yet another evil look, I grudgingly took the bottle in order to settle my stomach once and for all. I picked out a comfy looking rock (which wasn't that easy) and decided sit on it, crossing my arms.

Watching Nico start a campfire, I began to argue and explain things to myself. I can't believe Nico betrayed me like that. I thought he was a friend. At least I now know where he stands. I should have seen this coming. I mean, come on! It was obvious that Hades would tell Nico to capture me and take me to him. Of course Nico would have said yes; if it's to get your godly parent's approval, anyone would've done that. Heck, I might have too... well, not if the person was my friend or a friend of a friend. Anyways, I'm still mad at him. I mentally shook myself from a deep thought and mumbled, "Traitor" under my breath.

"Call me whatever you want, I don't care." He said as a small fire started to blaze.

"You know, whatever you do - even if he tells you what to do- he won't be 'proud'. He's using you; another pawn at his disposal." I told him.

"You're lying! He'll approve!" He yelled at me, I just shrugged and murmured 'whatever', not caring about my captor's problems.

I looked out at the sky and barely realized that it was sunset, 6:30 pm (1830 hours as some of you might know it). "Hey, daddy's boy!" I called out to Nico. He glared at me for which I didn't care and continued. "Where in the world are we and why is it getting dark all ready?" I asked.

He huffed and replied. "We're in the outskirts of LA. As for the time difference, I don't know. This hasn't happened before."

Great. I thought angrily. A second later, there was a rustle from the bushes behind us. I looked with dread, thinking it was possibly a predator and cursing for not having Armageddon with me again. However, it was a person who came out; a goddess to be exact. I was happy to see Hestia, someone that I liked and didn't hate at the moment. I called out to her having a big smile on my face.

"Teresa. I heard what happened. That takes guts, sticking out for a friend like that." she praised.

I waved it off and rubbed the back of my neck. "I was just following a promise I made with his mom." I scowled again at Nico. "But now I can't do that, can I?" I asked rhetorically. "She would be ashamed, if I was her." He looked confused at first but figured out what I meant and looked at his feet, pushing the rocks next to them.

I turned my attention back to Hestia. She had picked up a stick and tended to the small hearth. "So, what brought you here? I know you're not here to save me."

"Well, it's just that it'll probably be your last day on earth, so it's better to enjoy it when you can. Also, I figured you would want to talk for a while; you seem troubled - and not the fact that you're going back to the Underworld." She explained. She lifted her glaze from the fire and looked at the now starry sky above. "Besides, you're a lot like your mother, Nemesis." she then turned to looked at my stunned face.

"How?" I asked still a little surprised. Honestly, how can me - a somewhat different demigod - can be 'a lot like' the goddess of retribution? I mean, sure, I can see small aspects of Nemesis in me and the other guys back at cabin 16. But to exactly or a lot like to the goddess that is my mother, I don't know about that. As I was pondering this, I noticed that Nico wasn't interested in listening to our conversation and had fallen asleep.

When I refocused back on Hestia, she seem to giggle at my dumb question. "Okay, where should I start? Well, for starters, you both are out for balance even if it's doing something bad. Secondly, both of you have a serious and thoughtful personality. Oh, and let's not forget the short temper you both have." I was about to argue on that point, but remembered how I acted with my 'nephews,' Percy, and with Nico at the moment. So, I remained quiet and she continued. "The list so on and on from there. Though, we don't have time for that. I have a feeling you want to get something off your chest."

I put my head down as if my teacher had just pointed me out of the whole class and stated a flaw out-loud. "Right. It's just... I'm okay with dying but I feel guilty leaving poor Maverick all alone. I mean, I know he has Percy and Annabeth to take care of him and keep him company, though I feel that it's my job to do that." I lied. Okay, this was bothering me but not as much as thinking of what the gods were up to. From what I read and learned about them, they are now acting weird and different. And talking to a goddess didn't made me feel comfortable to discuss about, even if it was Hestia. I went on about how much I worried about Maverick after I'd leave until I began to feel sleepy (which wasn't that long). At last I asked if she could look after him, make sure that he's fine. She agreed and I finally fell asleep.

I was woken up after what seemed to be 5 minutes of sleep; apparently it was a couple hours later, dawn to be more like it.

"Come on. Time to wake up." Nico said. "You have a big day today." I sighed and rubbed to sleep out of my eyes and stood up. I cleaned my shirt of any dirt it may had have and couldn't help but mumble "traitor" again. When we were both ready to leave, we headed down into the city of L.A.

Once inside the famous city, we saw all it's bustling people going in and out of stores, fast-food restaurants and other famous landmarks. Nico guided me through thick crowds of people like he did through the dark empty void earlier. With all the thick crowds, I doubted that we would ever reach our destination, but that was when Nico had stopped in front of a building: DOA Recording Studio.

The odd thing about this place was that no one was going in or out of this place; and strangely enough it looked familiar. We entered the threshold and came upon pale-looking people of all different size, age and race. Finally, we reached the front desk. Placed atop the surface was a name tag that read: Charon, and behind the desk was guy reading a magazine. Charon lifted his gaze from magazine and looked at us walk passed him and into a secret back door (or least that's what I assumed). Crossing the new door, we appeared in front of a black marbled castle that I had seen when I first went through the Underworld (you know because I died and whatnot). We quickly went into the throne room where Hades sat eagerly waiting for my arrival.

"Ah, daughter of Nemesis. I have been expecting you. I told you that will bring you back to where you belong." He gloated. "Now, I shall think of the worst punishment that anyone can come up with." He paused deep in thought. He rubbed his chin while having his smirk turn into a full-on smile. He was about to speak once again to give me the dreaded evil punishment when we all heard thunder and lighting hit the back of the throne room. When the spots had left my vision and I could see, I looked back to where the lighting had hit but instead of a charred flooring or a small crater was the king of the gods, lord Zeus.

"Hades! What exactly are you doing with this poor girl?" yelled Zeus from across the throne room and drawing closer to Hades himself. Zeus didn't gave him any chance to respond for which he continued. "I demand that you shall leave this girl be until her destiny is fulfilled." He said is all in a deep, strong and confident voice that I've never heard in my life. Zeus continued his course towards Hades until he was on my left side close to me.

The great king of the gods stood tall emphasizing his dominance with his pin-stripped suit, his electric blue eyes and a face full of determination. Once again he spoke, anger starting to fill his voice. "And another thing, you shall not bother her by either in person, with the help of a demigod or by dreams. Am I understood?" he asked violently. Hades reluctantly nodded and didn't dare talk back to his king. With lord Zeus satisfied, he place his right hand upon my right shoulder and my vision became lighting white.

{Dramatic music} Why did lord Zeus rescued the lowly demigod Teresa? What is Teresa's destiny? Will Hades leave Teresa alone? Will I ever stop sounding like a weird narrator trying to add suspense? All this may be anwsered in chapter 3.

[laughs all child-like] So there you have it, that was chapter 2. I'm sorry if was a little dull, but I was trying to work on my description which I have not yet mastered. So, tell me, was it okay? Better than any other of my chapters? or does it still need a little improvement? I also want to hear what you liked about the story so far.

And for those who are wondering, I know a guy that owns a time machine. So, remember: All flames will go back in time and into the prye. Bye-bye 'til chapter 3. :)