Hey guys. Just saying that this chapter is really really really going to suck. And I mean it. It's not very long and I just couldn't….get into it. BUT! Never fear! Maybe in a few weeks I'll do a re-write. And that first chapter too…..*shudder*. Anyway, enjoy.

"Percy! The foods going cold! You're so slow!" Niko's voice echoed around me.

"I'm just following your directions! I don't know where I'm supposed to be going!" I shouted out to the forest.

No reply.

I sighed heavily. I'd only known Niko a week and already we were teasing each other.

I still couldn't find my way around the forest, even during the day, a fact that Niko never let me forget.

I just couldn't wait to have a race in water. He wouldn't stand a chance.

A fleeting smile crossed my face but it was gone almost instantly. After the first night of joy that I'd found another person like me, I'd stopped smiling.

I refused to get my hopes up about finding a friend.

I wasn't sure whether I trusted Niko or not. He seemed trustworthy, but I'd thought the same with Annabeth and Grover.

I stood slowly and started jogging again.

The night air was freezing and I shivered slightly as I ran.

"Niko! Where's the cave?" I yelled out.

After a minutes silence he replied from the darkness.
His Hades blood gave him the ability to spy on me and talk to me through shadows.

"You're going the right way, for once. Just keep going. Go a little bit to your left. Yeah, that's right. Anyway hurry up. I'm hungry!"

I shook my head and did what he said.

30 minutes later.

We were sitting around a small fire just outside the cave, eating our roasted rabbit. Doesn't sound the best, but trust me when I say it's better than roast rat that we had last night.

I thought fondly back to the time in the lake where I didn't have to eat anything, just lived off the water.

"Hey Percy! You're on first guard!" Niko said waving a hand in front of my face.

"Yeah, yeah. Just let me grab my dagger."

I stood from my relatively warm spot near the fire and walked into the cave.

It wasn't overly big, a rounded roof with a mainly flat floor.

It look more like someone had scooped out part of the cliff face than a real cave, with stalactites and everything.

Niko hade made it more 'homey' over time by somehow managing to get a few mattresses, chairs and a table all the way out here. He'd also managed to get some blankets and pillows.

It wasn't much but it was as good as it gets out here.

I walked over to 'my side' of the cave and grabbed a celestial bronze dagger from my backpack that we had 'borrowed' from a store on the edge of the woods.

After a moments hesitation I also took my black hoodie and pulled it on over the dark blue white t-shirt I was wearing. I also had on some clean-ish denim jeans and white sneakers. Okay maybe we borrowed a bit more than a backpack.

I walked back out and gave the all clear to Niko.

He gave me a nod and walked inside to get some rest. I had 4 hours out here.

With a sigh I snuffed out the fire and settled by the warm ashes.

I was already bored.

It was going to be a long night.

.:*:.

I woke up the next morning feeling stiff.

I groaned.

I'd been half dead when I'd dropped into bed last night.
It had been about 3am according to my watch. I rolled off my mattress with another groan.

I walked outside the cave and leant against the cliff wall, face turned up into the sun.

It was not warming me up.

Niko looked about as good as me.

"Aren't you supposed to love staying up all night Niko?" I teased.

With a superb death glare in my direction (Hades kids are very good at death glares) he walked into the forest to the stream nearby.

I groaned and slid down the 'wall' until I was sitting.

Closing my eyes I tried to get a little peace before things really got going.

I hadn't bothered getting changed last night. It's not like we had pyjamas or anything.

My eyes snapped open as I heard a shout from Niko.

Within seconds I was racing after him, Riptide in my hand. Yes, I still had Riptide.

I was froze at what I saw when I reached the stream.

Niko was knocked out against a tree and there was a huge Minotaur leaning over him.

Weren't Minotaur's meant to be rare monsters?

Then I realised just what was happening.

Niko was about to be killed!

With a yell to distract the Minotaur I jumped into the battle.