I'm not going to waste too much of your time here, so let's cut straight to the chase. This is a really short chapter and possibly the shortest one of this story. After this chapter there's only seven more left. Let's see how fast I can write them! haha Anyways, this was the only time today I have to update because I'm going to the Luke Bryan concert and am totally pumped! Read and review please!

Chapter 3

Percy POV

I walked back out of the hospital and sauntered to my car. I knew exactly what I would have to do. I had to contact Nico, son of Hades. He would know all about her situation and where she is death wise… I hoped. The only sure way he could be contacted, though, is through Iris Messaging. As I drew nearer to my car, I was capable of seeing the outline of sombody leaning against the passenger side door. Who the fuck would be at my car, I thought to myself. I reached into my pocket and quickly gripped Riptide, my go to weapon of choice. However, whoever was standing there saw me do so and simply chuckled. Wait a second… I knew that chuckle… I just couldn't seem to put my finger on the person's name nor did I have a clear image of them. My grip tightened.

"I came here to help you, man. No need to get hostile," said the voice that I now recognized as Nico di Angelo.

"Gods, Nico. I didn't recognize you from that far back. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm assuming you already know about Annabeth."

"Nah, dude. I'm at the hospital because that's where I spend all of my free time. It's just such a fun environment to be in," I said sarcastically. So sarcastically that Annabeth would have actually been proud of me.

"I don't have to help you, Percy. I came here on my own free will. Don't make me change my mind," he threatened.

"Well, you are saving me a Drachma. Now I don't have to Iris Message you," I said.

"Yeah, because that's you're biggest problem here right now," he articulated mockingly.

"What information do you have, Nico?" I asked impatiently.

"Well, that depends on you."

"I swear to gods, if you don't give me any information, which I know you have-,"

"Dude, you can't threaten me. I already live in the Underworld," he rebutted, before I even finished. He had me there, too. He was right. What's worse than where he currently resides? Oh, that's right: nothing.

"Look, do you have information or not?"

"Yes."

"Then give it to me."

"Use your nice words, Percy." I looked at him stunned and he just stared back, laughing and mocking in his eyes.

"Please give me the information."

"That's better. What do you want to know?"

"Is she dead?"

"No."

"So, she is alive?" I asked, hopeful.

"No."

"What? What the fuck is that supposed to mean? She has to be one or the other, Nico."

"Well, no she doesn't."

"But, Will said that her brain was still active, indicating that she's still somewhat alive."

"But her heart isn't beating anymore, Kelp for Brains."

"Okay, listen Dead Head. I just talked to Will Solace. He said that her heart is still beating. Barely beating, but beating nonetheless."

"And that was approximately, what would you say, five minutes ago?"

"Yeah, why does that matter?"

He lifted his eyebrows. That can only mean… no he has to be wrong. Her heart can't not be beating.

"No. You're wrong. You have to be," I argued with him.

"Percy, when it comes to death, which one of us is most likely to be correct?"

"You."

"And which one of us can sense death?"

"You"

"And you therefore just said I'm right."

"But you already said that she's not dead."

"I also said she's not alive either, Perce. You really should pay more attention."

"Shut up. So what exactly is going on with her if she's not dead and not alive?" I asked, growing more confused by the second.

"Well, she's at what I like to call the halfway point."

"Which is…?"

"Which is basically where she can either choose to come back or she can choose to die. It's basically like she's contemplating suicide, in a very sick and twisted way. She can choose to live or go to her ultimate demise," Nico informed me.

"So you know where she is?" I asked feverishly.

"Uh, yeah. But, Percy-," I didn't let him finish.

"So you can go find her and talk to her?!" I asked excitedly.

"If you would have let me finish, you would have already known that I'm not really supposed to meddle with that kind of stuff."

"Nico, please. What's the worst that can happen to you? Like you said, you're already living in the Underworld. What's worse than that?" I battled.

He looked hesitant for a second and actually thoroughly thought it through. While he pondered on whether or not to help me with Annabeth, I got a good look at him for the first time in what seemed like ages. He had grown significantly since Annabeth and I had first met him when we were about fourteen. Leaning against my car, he was my height. If he was 6'2 while leaning, something told me I didn't wanna know how tall he was straight up. If I had to guess, I would have said about 6'6. I guess puberty treated him well.

"Fine. I'll do it," he complied.

"Really?"

"Yeah. But only because I don't want you doing anything stupid if she decides to continue on her path to death and you wouldn't be able to blame me."

"Good enough for me."

"What exactly do you expect to happen though, Percy? I mean, ultimately, it's her decision no matter what. You do know that, right?"

"Yes, I acknowledge that. But, maybe she'll listen to you or something. It's Annabeth, Nico. Provide her with logic and facts and shit like that. Make her think that it's illogical to continue on the path of death."

"You think that will work?"

"I'm hoping."

"If you don't mind my asking, how did she end up here in the first place?" he asked cautiously.

"She crashed her car," I responded.

"How did that happen?"

"Well, she and I got into a pretty bad fight and she left. She was really upset and pissed off. As to where she was planning to go, I have no idea."

"What did you do, man? I mean, Annabeth is normally so in control. You must of seriously fucked up big time in order to compromise her like this," he informed me.

"Oh, I'm more than certain she'll tell you."

"All right. Do you want me to say anything to her for you?"

"Tell her that I'm sorry and that it's all my fault. I'd take everything I said back if I could. Oh, and also-," I was cut off by my little cousin.

"Yeah, I get where you're going with all of this. And yes, I will make sure to tell her that you love her."

"Thanks, Nic."

"Yeah, you'll owe me at some point."

"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes.

And with that, he was gone. Let's just hope that he knows what he's doing.