I KNOW! IM LAAAATE! *dies*

But I didn't forget about you guys! I promise! I'm just SUPER busy...

ruerox11: Her cockiness was unintentional *dies* Originally, I had created her to become Layla's best friend but I accidentally made her a jerk... So I WILL fix that!

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tlc234: Thank you! And I will be uploading more often :) It's just because I've got science fair to worry about at the moment...

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GLN3: xD I'm glad my quest is appreciated! xD But I get your pain. I have to write a paper on Athena so I understand your pain. xD

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Cockapoo: I'LL FIX IT! I PROOOOMISE! Although, if it makes you feel better, ALL the characters swear every once in a while. But I WILL fix the cockiness issue. If I can't, tho, I'll let you make another character! It's not too late to add someone new if you'd like :) And yes, Nico is coming xD

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Disclaimer: The purple butterflies own AAAALL! Except for PJO, sadly. And so I don't own it either xD

The darkness engulfs us, tendrils of it grasping at our bodies, keeping us in its safe shadow. Of course, the darkness was a good thing for all of us, keeping us unseen as we snuck out of camp, but it was even better for Nico and I. Call me strange, but it was almost rejuvenating. Although I hadn't slept properly in weeks, I felt like I'd just taken down twenty bucks worth of Starbucks mochaccino's. In other words, I was giddy and excited, more so than usual.

"What's up with you?" Malcolm asks curiously, his face serious and solemn. "Why so happy?"

"I don't know," I whisper giddily, bobbing up and down with each step. "I just feel... excited."

"How could you be excited?" Alisa asks, rubbing her eyes. "It's freaking four in the freaking morning and we've been walking for a freaking hour. I feel like I'm gonna drop dead."

"Interesting choice of words," Nico smirks, hugging her from behind. "I wouldn't use them knowing my dad. He doesn't seem to understand figures of speech."

"Shut up, you," she smiles, taking his hand and pulling him closer. She kisses his cheek, and I feel like I'm intruding. Watching a girl kiss your brother is one of the weirdest things in the world.

"Keep it PG, kids," Percy chuckles, dragging Nico with him. "We've got little one's with us," he smiles, pointing at Malcolm and I.

"Hey, I'm only two years younger than you are," I say, punching his arm playfully. "And it's you and Annabeth who need to stay PG."

Of course, that earns me a noogie but it's not like I care. I simply shrug. "It's the truth."

I listen quietly to the snow crunching under my feet, the soft hooting coming from the owls perched nearby. The darkness simply makes the world more beautiful. The shadows my childhood friends were always scared of seem inviting and friendly to me. The cold surrounding my shoulders causes me to shiver although it's the only thing that keeps me from simply stopping to enjoy the darkness. Because the fast we walk, the faster we get to Manhattan and the faster we get to be able to stop. And, of course, stopping means sleeping bags and warmth.

And so, we trudge on. My sneakers are now completely soaked in a mixture of snow and sweat, my hands fiddling with the zipper on my coat. Of course, I had come unprepared. As a California kid, I'd never had any need for a jacket or boots and so I never owned any. But here in New York, I'm as good as dead if I don't have a jacket, at the least. But boots in the outside world, where it snows (unlike at camp), are mandatory.

A loud thump comes from just ahead of me, followed by a soft cry of pain. My eyes search the ground. There's Annabeth, hands clutching her ankle. Her eyes shut tightly in pain, eyebrows scrunched together.

"You okay, Annabeth?" Percy asks worriedly. He offers her a hand and she takes it. He pulls her up beside him, pulls her arm around his shoulders and tries to help her walk.

"I'll be fine," she answers through gritted teeth. Although we all know she's not fine. Her clenched body, shaking hands and reluctance to move all prove that point further.

"Why don't we stop to rest?" Percy offers. He tries to set Annabeth down but she refuses.

"I'll be fine, Percy. Let's keep moving."

"No," he insists. "We aren't going any further. Plus, everyone else is tired too."

"Amen to that!" Alisa smiles, dropping down onto the ground and pulling her bag off her back. "Let's set up camp!"

"Give me a second," Nico smiles, eyes gleaming mischievously. He whispers a few words under his breath, eyes shut tightly. A soft sizzling sound reaches my ears and I turn to see a large tent appearing out of nowhere.

"Nice work, Di Angelo, but I'm sure stealing is illegal," Thalia smirks, pointing at a silver tent that she equally pulled from nowhere.

"Nothing's illegal unless you get caught, Grace."

A scowl forms on her face at the sound of her surname and she walks into her tent. "Pick a tent and sleep, people. We've got a long day tomorrow."