The intense heat of the flames scorched my arms and I started to sweat. Most of the cabins had been burned to the ground or were burning. The fire wouldn't burn me, but it was terribly uncomfortable.

The screams got louder as I sped towards the dining hall, turning into piercing shrieks and wails, echoing in my ears. I covered them, unable to go any further without my eardrums bursting. Someone handed me earplugs, and I put them in, grateful for the quiet swishing of my heart beat. Then, remembering why I was there, I got up and took off into the hall, where I found none other than the Ruler of the Underworld himself.

A ring of fire surrounded him, spreading by the minute. Some of the closer tables had already burst into flame. Thinking quickly, I stepped in front of him, fully aware that I could be blown to pieces any second, and held my arms out wide.

" Stop!" I screamed, looking straight at Hades. " This ends now!"

A small crowd had begun to form around the outer walls of the hall. I spotted Nico DiAngelo next to Percy, and Piper and Jason next to them. Piper glared at me, but my anger lessened a little when I couldn't find Damon. Where was he?

" Hades, your own son is here and already dislikes you. Hate is not what we need. You are destroying your own son's home, the place he loves so much. This ends now." Still no response.

" A lot of Demigods dislike you, and I'm starting to find out why." The fire ring flickered a little. I was on the right track.

"You're no better than Kronos. You destroy what isn't your's and you ruin life for other people. Maybe your lost souls would be under better control if they were actually willing to go to you." I could tell I hit the spot; the light was dimming slowly. I continued. " Please, just listen for once. I can make you better than you could ever be. You can keep your reputation, but only if you'd just listen to me." The light went completely out now, and a lone bedraggled figure stood hunched over in the middle of the room.

Hades squared his shoulders, glared at me, and disappeared in a shower of fire and ashes, leaving the room echoing from the sound of the lost souls' wails. I sunk to the ground, noticing that my arms were covered in angry red burns, some charred around the edges. Blood dripped from my forehead, running down my bare arms and neck. In the background, people cheered. I wiped my forehead on my arm, the hot liquid stinging my burns. I didn't remember seeing Damon in the crowd. Was he okay?

My world spun as I stood up, but I forced myself to slowly make my way through the makeshift hospital that had been set up in the dining hall. Looking up and down the rows of tables and beds filled with burn victims. The smell of burned hair and flesh made me gag as I made my way outside.

More than half the cabins had been burned to the ground, but mine had been left unscathed. Maybe Damon was in there. I turned the handle and pushed, but the door wouldn't budge. Maybe if I had some help... I called Jason over, and we pushed and shoved the door until it gave way, opening up into my cabin, now completely demolished on the inside.

I walked through, seeing my cello smashed to pieces along the far wall. The window was broken, and the sheets torn off my bed. The fire in the middle flickered feebly as I searched the room for anything missing, along with Jason and Percy, who had followed me into the cabin. Finally, I stood up after checking under my bed, looking at the boys.

" My notebook's gone. I left it on the bed, but it's not there." I sighed, running my hands through my ash covered hair. "Has anyone seen Damon?"

" Nope. Sorry, Christian. I could got check the lists if you want. I have to sign my name on it anyway." Percy said, sympathetically. " I can't find Annabeth, either." I could tell he was really worried about her.

" I guess I'll go with you." I shrugged, throwing one of my pillows to the side. I followed Percy to the combat arena, where I signed my name on the uninjured list. Flipping through the pages with Percy, I couldn't find Damon's name on the injured or un injured lists. I looked at Percy, and he elbowed me.

"I found them." Percy said. I jumped, leaning over to see the page he was on. To my dismay, he was on the MIA list. I looked at where his finger was and saw both Damon and Annabeth's names on the list.

" Missing in action... Do you think this has anything to do with my bedroom and my notebook?"

" I don't know. It's either that, or they burned to death."

" Damon is immune to fire. He can't burn."

"Oh... Right. By the way, what was so special about your notebook, anyway?" Percy started walking back to the dining hall, passing other campers who nodded at them.

" It was from my dad. I keep writing about how I shouldn't look to the future, and how there will be punishment if I do, which worries me. It's even more strange that it was stolen."

" Whatever you do, Christian, remember not to looking to the future. I have a feeling that whomever stole the notebook wanted you to forget. I'll help you." Percy put a hand on my arm, and I forced a smile. "We'll look for Damon and Annabeth together."

" Together." I repeated. I lost the love of my life a week after I found him. Now that was just ridiculous. Overwhelmed by emotion, I started to sing.

In a meadow,

In a valley,

Songs forever they play.

And you lay there,

Bed of flowers,

Music softly it plays.

You are gone,

And lost forever.

And the futu...

Percy elbowed me sharply, and I yelped.

" What was that for?"

" You did it again. You talked about the future. I just stopped you."

"Oh." I sighed. " Thanks."

"By the way, you should probably get some ambrosia. Those burns look bad." Percy said, gesturing to my arms. They were raw and red, blood oozing out of the deeper parts.

I made my way to the dining hall, thinking up a to do list. I was going to find my notebook, Damon, Annabeth, and have a chat with Hades. I thought my life was crazy enough.