Hey! I can't believe this story has over 100 reviews and follows; I love you all! I'm glad you like it(: I love hearing you opinions and ideas after each chapter, so thanks for the feedback!

'Don't see me,' Nico prayed.

But the world had always hated Nico.

They made eye contact.

Hades' face contorted in rage. "You," he growled. "This is all your fault." Nico's mind went blank, barely able to comprehend what Hades was saying.

"Now I got police after me," Hades seethed. "But you know what? I can get revenge for your pathetic weakness." He started walking towards Nico, slowly. "Look where your little confession got you, anyway. Sitting alone in an alley, with no one caring."

Those words jogged Nico's memory. He had a vague sense that what Hades said wasn't true. Someone did care, didn't they? The image of a certain green eyed teen and his mom popped up in his head. Nico suddenly felt some strength return to his limbs. He jumped up quickly and backed away. 'They care...'

Hades looked slightly annoyed that Nico wasn't going to go easily, but he didn't seem at all worried. "No one wants you. Especially after what you did to your only remaining family," he growled.

Nico faltered for a moment, but then narrowed his eyes. Hades wanted to distract him, but Nico wasn't going to let that happen. "You're the bastard here, not me," he sneered, hoping to sound confident.

Hades chuckled darkly, sending shivers down Nico's spine. "Ah, still have some of that rotten spirit, huh? Well, I'll just have to break that." He began advancing on Nico quickly.

The small teen swiped up a nearby beer bottle, chucking it at Hades before he turned around and sprinted in the opposite direction. He wasn't sure if the bottle hit its target, but he couldn't afford to check. Nico got to the end of the alleyway, turning and running down the sidewalk.

Straining his ears, Nico picked up the sound of boots hitting the pavement closely behind him. Hopelessness filled him. Nico wished he had taken more painkillers, his collarbone and ribs burning. He felt fingers brush against the back of his shoulder. Hades was close.

Suddenly, Nico thought of the sad looks that Sally had given him, the guilt that had filled Percy's face. 'I can't let them down again,' he promised himself.

Adrenaline coursed through his veins, and Nico pushed his legs even faster. His size finally becoming an advantage, Nico swiftly turned down a passing alley, vaulting over the trash cans and junk. He heard a crash that sounded suspiciously like someone colliding with a trash can, but he didn't falter.

Nico emerged back in the street and ran in the direction of Percy's house, weaving through side streets and alleyways in the most confusing route possible.

The only thing he was aware of was the faint jolt each pace sent through his legs. Nothing was real; pain, fatigue. The only thing that dominated Nico's thoughts was a certain cosy house and the people that lived in it. He vaguely wondered how he could be running this fast for this long, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the steady slap of his sneakers filling the night's oppressive darkness. Nico was pretty sure he had lost Hades awhile ago, but he didn't slow down or even risk a glance.

After an amount of time that could have been hours or merely minutes to him, Nico realized he wasn't running anymore. He glanced up and realized it was because he was in front of the Jackson house, the faint outline in the moonlight giving him little relief.

The night was silent, no chasing footsteps in the area. Nico raced up the path and flew in the front door, running straight into a worried looking Percy. He stumbled back a few steps, taking in Percy's wide, relieved eyes. "Oh my gosh, Nico, I was so scared-"

Percy was cut off by a bone crushing hug. He stood there dumbly for a moment, before wrapping his arms around the smaller teen. Nico was aware that he was shaking, from the cold or fear, he couldn't decide.

His adrenaline was wearing down, and he became painfully aware of his ribs protesting against his labored breathing. His leg muscles ached. He let himself lean some of his weight onto Percy, who accepted it without question. Percy leaned over and kicked the door shut, not letting go of Nico.

"Let's go upstairs, huh?" he suggested. Nico nodded. He let go of Percy, though Percy made a point of keeping a hand on his shoulder. The pair walked into Percy's bedroom. Nico stumbled over and threw himself onto Percy's bed, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling. He put his hands over his face, the night's events catching up with him. He felt the bed dip near his feet.

"Wanna tell me what happened?" Percy asked gently. Nico was about to growl out a no, but he hesitated.

'Why be mean to the only people who care about you? If I shut them out, then I'm probably more of a bastard than Hades,' Nico thought grudgingly. He took a deep breath.

"Hades," he said quietly, surprised if Percy could even hear him. "I had to get some fresh air... Hades found me... I ran all the way here.. he wanted revenge..."

Nico was ready for angry questions about why he would leave the house alone so late at night, questions about how stupid he was. The minute that passed felt like an eternity. "You're safe now. I promise, Hades has no power over you anymore. The police will find him, and everything will be alright," he heard Percy finally say shakily, though the power of the words was not lost.

Nico dropped his hands to stare at him. The teen's expression was a contradictory mix of worry and relief, but not anger. Percy ruffled Nico's hair, an infuriating habit, and laid down on the air mattress that sufficed as his bed until they bought another. Although Nico felt tremendously guilty about kicking Percy out of his own bed, the swim captain had reassured him many times that he didn't want to sleep in it.

"You should get some sleep," Percy said into the darkness. Nico thought that was a preposterous idea, that his brain would be too busy to relax into sleep. But, his body had other plans. He began to doze off almost as soon as sleep was suggested.

"Goodnight, Percy," he muttered drowsily into the dark room.

"Goodnight, Nico. I'm glad you're okay; it's okay now."

And for the first time ever, Nico thought that it might, in fact, be okay.

Btw, that wasnt the big event I'm planning, though it does kinda tie into it. Thanks for reading! I'd love some feedback, I want you guys to enjoy this story :D