Fire:

Percy

After a while of driving with the truck hitting big bumps that sends everyone flying, we finally stop.

" Bag them."

They come over and put black,thick bags on our heads. There isn't anything we can do to stop them because we are handcuffed so we all put up with being treated like animals. It's nothing new for me, after years of living under Ares this kind of treatment doesn't phase me. They forcefully they stand us up and walk us outside, I can't see anything but I can feel the cold air against my body. It's freezing. I hear a click and a creak and I suddenly feel warm again so I assume we must be inside. Suddenly, the bag is ripped off my face and I see that I am in a cell. I look around and my team is all here...except Annabeth.

I panic. My heart is racing with all of the horrible things that might have happened to her. I turn to Charlie and ask.

" Charlie, where is Annabeth?"

" Percy, she was taken to a room to be interrogated. It's not going to be good."

" What do you mean it's not going to be good! They aren't going to kill her are they!" I yell.

Charlie shakes his head and says," No. She is too important for that. But they want to know about the map and knowing Annabeth... she isn't going to tell them anything."

I nod and sit down against the wall. He is right. If I have learned anything about Annabeth is that she doesn't give in to anyone. The wall is cold but it feels nice against my back. My eyes get heavy and I doze off. My nightmares come but I am too tired to care.

A couple of hours later I am woken up to a conversation between Charlie and some girl. I keep my eyes close but listen in.

" So if you're mom is the goddess of love why did she go with Kronos?"

The girl pauses and then sighs," Probably because she was too scared. I mean do you think my mom could survive in Tartarus. But I am not really sure what her role is with Kronos. Most of the gods have an assignment but I don't know what is her assignment. All I know is that my siblings and I hate Kronos just as much as you do. But we haven't had the chance to escape. We can't."

" Come with us. We are going to break out and when we do you can come and fight with us."

" I-I can't leave my-"

" Silena. If you help us out I promise we will protect you guys and you can come to base."

" Oh gods Charlie I just met you. Why are you so nice to me?"

"Because I know you didn't chose this. Everyone needs a second chance."

I peek one eye open and I see them holding hands. Its the girl from earlier. She is on the outside of the cell and he is in here. She nods and says," Alright I will do it. Anything to help you Charlie. "

I wake up but they don't notice, everyone is either asleep or talking. I turn to look at my side and Annabeth is still not back yet. I am really worried now. How long has it been?

But my prayers must have been answered because Silena slaps Charlie and says," Stop that prisoner."

He rubs his face but knows why she did it. Coming down the hall is Clarisse and another guy holding up a girl with curly blonde hair. Annabeth.

They open the cell and throw her in. She hisses in pain when she lands on the ground and rolls to her side. I come over and ask worriedly.

" Oh gods, Annabeth! Are you ok?"

" Do I LOOK ok Seaweed Brain!" She yells as she tries to sit up. I help her out and pick her up. I help her sit against the wall and finally get a good look at her injuries. Her eye is purple, swollen and so is her lip. Her nose looks bent and there is blood all over her face.

"Well no but for someone who just got beaten up, I say you still look pretty good."

" Shut up. Just shut-." She winces in pain and holds her side. I come over to her and gently touch her hand.

" Let me look."

She silently nods and I lift up her shirt. I touch her bare skin and I feel her warmth. My face feels warm and I try to focus on the task. I feel her side and something is sticking out. She definitely has a broken rib. I look up at her and gently pull down her shirt.

" Got a nasty bruise and a broken rib. But other then that you look good."

I go to sit next to her and she nods sleepily," Awesome."

I look around for something to clean her face up with. I see a bucket of water, a ripped up shirt and a piece of bread. All we have is bread and some water and that's all that Clarisse gave us to survive, but I don't think anyone would object if I use it to help Annabeth out.

I go over and I dunk the shirt in and squeeze some water out. Carefully, I put it to Annabeth's face as I clean up the blood. We look at each other, silently exchanging thank you and no problem. I can't help to get lost in her grey eyes. I gently rub the blood off her cheeks and it is silent and inimate. She looks at me and her eyes are searching for something but I can't tell what it is. She suddenly winces and I go to pull back my hand but she stops me and instead holds my hand against her cheek while she closes her eyes.

"Did I hurt you?" I ask worriedly.

"No..you could never hurt me." She opens her eyes and our eyes lock. I have never felt this...fire in my gut. It burns so bright whenever I see her and my whole body feels warm when she is around. She looks so broken and upset and I can't stand it anymore. We need to get her out of here.

" We need to get out. They are going to keep beating you until you're dead because we all know you aren't going to tell them anything."

"You don't need to worry about me. I can handle myself." she says determined and a bit delusional.

"Well you did a good job with that Annabeth." And now I am angry. I can't do anything about Luke beating her up and I can't do anything to help her or to try to persuade her to just tell them something. I don't want to see her keep getting beaten up like this.

"I have a plan alright. And besides I think I have a plan."

I sight and put away the cleaning materials. I grab the piece of bread and it to Annabeth. She refuses and I don't give her a chance to argue. I get up and pace in front of her.

"Fine. I trust you just don't get yourself killed. I couldn't handle that Annabeth. What's your plan?"

Annabeth is eyeing Charlie and Silena and says,"I think we can figure out something." She nods over to Charlie and Silena talking and I nod. She then continues and looks straight at me, "And I can handle it. I was trained to endure pain."

I sigh and sit down next to her and she rests her head on my shoulder. Alarms are going off in my head but I don't protest her touch. The fire burns once again and my whole body is burning. I carefully wrap my arm around her shoulder and she sighs and holds me closer to her. In a couple of minutes she is fast asleep. She needs me just as much as I needed her three weeks ago. I look down at her and I can't help but see how beautiful she is, even with her bruises and swelling. I don't know why I am feeling so out of breath whenever I see her or all of my nerves are on high alert whenever she is around me, when she touches me. Maybe I am going crazy. But even if I am a little bit crazy,know that somehow that I am falling for Annabeth.