'Kay so I want to know where you want me to go with this. I follow what my readers want (unless you ask me to kill Percy or Annabeth, that I cannot do) I did some research for this chapter. So please review. Thanks!

I DON'T OWN PERCY

Percy

We arrived in Venice so tired, I could hardly keep my head up. We had magically transported to right outside the hotel, which was great. But a couple of mortals had seen us, which was not so great. We decided to let them make up their own reality of what happened, which was amusing considering they clapped and gave us five Euros. Mortals. We crashed as soon as we got into the room. It was nice enough. It was a small room with a bed, a desk and a drawer. The bathroom off to the side was just a toilet, sink, and shower crammed into a closet space. But it was supposed to be a three star hotel. People in Italy really have their standards down.

We spent the next five days there in Venice and we explored everything. They're really isn't many attractions to see there. I mean, you take a gondola ride, you walk the bridges, stuff like that. The place was basically a tourist trap, but I couldn't imagine having more fun anywhere else. As we strolled along the streets, hand in hand, Annabeth told an abundance of interesting facts so I was never bored. As I had suspected, Venice was the only place in the world where children of Athena (Minerva) had worked with children of Poseidon (Neptune). History states that Venice was created by criminal immigrants in the 1500s. But, as usual, they were wrong. This is the real story.

Athenian children wanted to show Poseidon that they, too could control water (there was much resentment toward Poseidon those days, he killed over thousands of people in China with an earthquake in 1556 and there was a huge tidal wave in Northern Europe in 1570). So, they sent out to construct a safe city on the northern edge of Italy. They got specially modified super light and sticky stones, strong and water resistant wood, the works. They could't do it. No matter how hard they tried, Poseidon would send in a wave causing their creations to come tumbling down. This went on for about five years until one day, a group of Poseidon children escaping from Italy as convicts (what can I say? The sea is restless) came upon the distressed children of Athena. Instead of laughing at them them, they felt pity on them. They prayed to their father to stop and then went to the Athenians, helping the materials become stronger and more stable. Eventually the city was built into what is is today and the children vowed that this would be the only place where both Athena and Poseidon could make peace. That's why no natural disasters hit this place, it is protected by both the war goddess and the god of the sea. That's how one of the safest places for our kind was created.

The bridges are beautifully constructed over the twinkling salt water. I always felt strong and safe not only because I felt the salt water all around me, and my ancestors work standing before me, but because Annabeth was in my arms. Plus, there were no horse-demon thingys because Frank destroyed them all. Yeah, life was good.

Annabeth

"I don't want to jinx it but have you noticed?" asked Percy as he pulled off his socks and shoes. "Not a single monster."

I know." I said, climbing into our bed. "It's making me anxious."

Percy grinned. "Anxiety is the number one reason for depression, you know."

"Is that so?"

"Not sure. Just made it up."

It was our last night in Venice. Tomorrow, we'd be heading for Athens, again. Although I must admit, there wasn't much time for sight-seeing last time we were there. More of a fight-fight-kill type of vacation. The last five days had been extraordinary. It seemed like it was the longest period of time that we hadn't been fighting for our lives, ever. Yeah, I know, It's so boring hearing about a perfect life but that night, things started to get complicated.

The cavern was large, dark, and musty. It was warm, but I still felt a chill run up my spine. I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face.

So much pain and suffering. Would it not be easier to give up? The voice was intelligent and sounded like a woman's, but you just never knew with Greek gods.

"Not when there's something worth fighting for." I replied. I'd been through enough of these kinds of dreams to see that it was trying to demolish hope.

Ah yes, but what happens when that thing worth fighting for is demolished? What happens when that thing is damaged beyond repair?

The creature talked as if it were merely discussing a toy or an inanimate object. If this monster was as clever as she let on, than wouldn't it know that she was talking about people, or a certain person in particular?

Oh, people can be broken, too. she said, knowingly. Especially the ones you care most about.

I heard a loud woosh come from in front of me, as if the air was being pulled apart then rematerializing. Then, Percy was standing there, bathed in moonlight.

"Percy", I said relieved. I went to grab his hand but something was wrong. His eyes. His eyes, usually twinkling with amusement, were cold and harsh. His smile was dark just like-

Yes, the creature purred. You remember the one you lost. The one who you first confided in. Tell me dear, where is hope when there is nothing left to hope in?

Percy started towards me, pulling out Riptide as he walked along.

"Percy? OK, you just stop there." I said, backing away.

He started to advance even faster, that creepy smile that looked so much like Luke's but was so much more painful to look at on Percy's face. I knew I couldn't beat him, let alone fight him. He was too precious to me. The only thing I could do was run.

I turned around and bolted away. I could hear his footsteps get faster but he was never as fast at running as me. I kept listening painfully to his steps but instead of getting louder, they got further away. I smiled with relief. Sometimes the wisest thing to do was to run away. At least, that's what I thought until I ran into a solid mass of warmth that smelled like the ocean.

"What?" I sputtered. "How?"

Percy smiled over me. I was lying on the ground, with no way out. I would have to fight him, but maybe he could listen to reason.

"Percy, listen to me," I said, "I love you and you love me. You are NOT going to fight me and we are going to walk away from this unharmed."

The creature laughed. Do you think you have charm speak? You are not like your friend Piper. He will kill you. He knows your secret fears, your worst memories, your weakest points. You cannot escape misery.

With that, Percy stepped on my ankle, successfully breaking it. I cried out in pain, but this only seemed to urge him on. He used his other foot to crunch down on my ribs. I tasted blood in my mouth. I punched him and clawed at him but to no effect. His Achilles Curse was back. Wait, if I could hit the small of his back.. I tried to get up but his knees were on my stomach. My hands reached for his back but at the same time his left arm pushed my arms down. I was helpless.

"Percy", I tried again with tear is my eyes. "Please" This was so much more worse than anything Luke had ever done. Luke was a petty crush, Percy was my anchor, my messiah, my vulnerable point.

He's gone. the creature said. This is your future. You have no reason to live. You and all your friends will die. Go ahead, Percy.

His eyes showed no mercy. He grabbed Riptide with his right hand and reached for my shoulder. The wounded shoulder. The shoulder that Ethan had punctured with a poisoned knife.

"Percy!" I yelled as he slowly drew a deep-cut line along the wound, hitting the bone. The pain was intolerable. I screamed as I fell into eternal darkness.