PERCY POV.
Thalia and I ran along the once again (gladly) busy streets, pushing aside confused citizens whose town had been ambushed by freakish dogs. Yeah, pretty usual, I guess. As Thalia joined me in front of a milk bar, she sighed in frustration.
"They could be anywhere!" She complained.
"I know, but we just got to keep looking." I told her.
"What if they are at the van?" She suggested.
"Maybe," I considered the thought. "You go check and I'll keep looking out for anyone. Meet back here at…" I checked my watch. "4.30." Only half an hour.
"OK, see you soon." She sprinted off and I continued down the streets, getting more and more uncertain they where here.
"PERCY!" I heard my name being called and spun around, breathing out in relief as Nico, Grover, Will, Clarisse, Travis, Conner and Katie ran up to me. Nico was scratched but he was fine, and the others were still shaken by the attack of the Hellhounds.
"Perrrcyyyyyy!" Grover bleated.
"Hey, G-Man." I patted him on the shoulder.
"Nico, are you alright?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said. "But you shouldn't be concerned about me after you hear this."
The others started fidgeting nervously, staring at the ground so I couldnt meet their eyes.
"Tell me. Now." I demanded.
"Are you sure? I mean, its pretty-"
"Speak."
"OK." He took a deep breath.

FLASHBACK
(NICO POV., he is telling Percy the story, by the way.)
Grover and I ran as fast as we could. The place we were in was hot, dark and empty. We stopped and I caught my breath for a few seconds.
Grover panted, "Ohh, gods. I haven't run this much since Tyson and I got attacked by that giant snake thing in the Labyrinth!"
I didn't reply – I was trying to listen if any Hellhounds were on our scent. But it was silent.
"Where are Percy and Thalia?" The satyr asked.
I frowned. "I have no idea."
"Maybe they are in the skate park." Grover suggested.
"Maybe," I frowned. "Wait." I grabbed Grover's arm. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" He looked confused.
There it was again – the sound of crashing crates and snarls.
"That I heard." He gulped.
"RUN!" I practically screamed as the Hydra screeched and blew hot white fire. We ducked and it hit the wall, which melted into Greek Fire that danced on the ground.
"What the heck!" I shouted. "I haven't seen a Hydra who could do that!"
"Who cares? Lets go!" Grover yelped and tugged my arm as the Hellhounds joined the eight-headed Hydra. I was sprinting way in front of Grover. It felt like ants were crawling all over my skin.
"Nico!" Grover called.
I slowed down a bit and looked behind me, my eyes widening. Curse Grover for being so slow! The Hydra was looming above him, flames flicking on the corners of his mouth. He was going to set Grover on fire!
"Watch out!" I yelled, running towards him. Of course, he slowed down and the Hydra raised its middle head, growling and getting ready to blow. Grover's jaw dropped and he cringed, turning around. It seemed to go in slow motion. I cried out, but suddenly he was tackled by Will Solace. I stopped and laughed in relief. Not for long, though. All eight heads screeched as loud as twenty thousand trumpets magnified together, blowing my hair back. The Stoll brothers emerged from one of the dark alleys and teased the Hydra, running and leaping all over the place, the monster blowing everywhere in frustration. But the Stoll's moved with style and not a single flame touched them. They dived back as the Hydra got engulfed by flames. We watched in amazement as the beast disintegrated. The Hellhounds whimpered and trotted away. We just killed a frickin' HYDRA! I didnt want to know how much worse things can get...
END OF FLASHBACK