~ Hey Angels ~

This has become a bit of a thing now hasn't? Do you guys even like being called Angel? Lol.

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Over 1000 reviews! Aaaahhh! I can't believe it. Thank you so much!

All of your support means the absolute world to me. It's been a long and bumpy ride not just in this story but writing this story too. Knowing all of you enjoy reading it and that my writing has actually helped some of you on a personal level makes me smile every day.

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I meant to post yesterday but I came down with a pretty terrible fever (you know the shivery, achy kind? ugh) and was still up at 2 am writing... So sorry about that. Please don't get mad at me :)

One thing about the last chapter that I forgot to mention is the thing about Annabeth being sixteen and visiting a prison. I researched before and a sixteen-year-old can visit without an adult present but they have to have written consent from a parent or guardian. But I couldn't really fit that in since her decision was last minute so I just kinda skipped over that ;)

Before you get into reading I just want to make a quick disclaimer.

HEY YOU! STOP SCROLLING AND READ THIS!

So, this chapter has some major sh*t in it: Violence, swearing, drugs and minor sexual references.

I'd perhaps be cautious before you keep on reading if you're not comfortable with this type of stuff. Although you've made it this far through the story so I can't imagine why.

But calm yourselves, nothing bad's gonna happen to Percabeth. It's quite a badass turn of events, to be honest. You'll see what I mean.

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Oh and to those of you suggesting any songs tributes, please do check to see if I've already used them. I've had a few people requesting songs I've already used in the past...

Brother by Kodaline - Memories Chapter 25

Somebody Else by The 1975 - Memories Chapter 27

Believer by Imagine Dragons - Dreams Chapter 13

There were a couple of others but I can't remember them now.

Anyway, happy reading!

Also, once you get to the guy named Jaeger in this chapter, just know that it's pronounced as Yaeger ;)

Chapter 22

Dangerous Game

Annabeth POV

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"He was bad. He smoked, he broke the law, he drove too fast for his own good. He didn't care because no one taught him how to. But when it came to her, he wanted to be the best man. He couldn't bear the thought of her being hurt by him…or by anyone else. He would kill to protect her, the girl who cared about someone as worthless as him in all her perfection."

— Unknown

...

Sunday 8th May

"Are you sure, you want to do this?" I asked Percy as we stood at the roadside together, looking at the glossy red 1966 Ford Mustang convertible in front of us. It was spanking new with a sheen on its coat that glistened like a glacé cherry.

They'd dropped it off this morning outside Percy's dad's estate with nothing but a letter of instruction.

Poseidon had been out at the time. Percy and I had the whole mansion to ourselves. Before this circus wagon had rolled up, we'd been sitting outside on the terrace together. Percy with his guitar, lightly strumming a few chords every now and then and me leaning my head against his shoulder and smiling in the blissful sunlight.

I loved it when he played for me. He didn't do it often.

When it finally did arrive, as anticipated, we'd spent the morning together by the pool, talking about it—about what we were planning to do.

One last bad thing. One last crime. And then we'd be free forever.

Percy sighed heavily, shoving his hands into the pockets of his faded blue jeans. He wore a navy T-shirt with converses and his tanned arms had streaks of veins from his clenched fists. He was tense.

I stood next to him in a red summer dress with miniature white polka dots. It was a small thing; fitted straight neckline with thin straps and a slight A-line shape at the hips, keeping close to my thighs. I wore my white converses and my hair was loose with the top layer pulled up into a small bun.

"Yeah." He nodded, his gaze still fixed on the car.

"Okay then." I took a breath before crossing to the other side and climbing in. The leather seats were a startling white and the interior was plush like that of a private jet.

He tossed the black backpack into the back and climbed into the driver's seat next to me. For a moment, he just sat there gripping the steering wheel and looking out the windscreen. I waited in patient silence.

"Percy…we don't have to go through with it if you don't want to." I told him gently. "We can change our minds, it's not too late. He said it was our choice."

"We can't turn back now, not after what happened last night."

"It doesn't matter. As far as I'm concerned, last night never happened. And if you don't want to do this—"

"No, I do." He said firmly and then turned to me with soft eyes. "Only if you're okay with it."

"I'm with you whatever you decide."

He nodded, turning the keys and lighting the ignition. We both pulled our sunglasses on, me; my big white ones and him; his black Raybans, before pulling out into the empty road. We headed to the Brooklyn bridge and out of the city—away from all civilisation.

No one could know about this.

We'd talked about it for a while, side by side, our toes dipping into the pool and the sunlight on our backs. Neither of us was sure at the beginning—this was serious stuff we were considering. We had to make sure that we were both 100% up for it and we'd come to the agreement that if we were, it would stay between us two.

It would be the secret we'd bear for the rest of our lives.

~xXx~

22 hours earlier…

The smell of my mom's blue cookies drifting from the kitchen in the late afternoon is what eventually lured me out of my bedroom. The blissful sweetness like melt-in-your-mouth chocolate already had me drooling from the mouth. Suddenly, all my senses were hyper-aware.

I'd long since forgotten what I was thinking about lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling with a basketball spinning on my index finger.

When I padded across the living room carpet in my socks, to the kitchen, she was just setting the baking tray on top of the stove and peeling off her bright red oven gloves. The radio was playing old music and she was humming along sweetly.

It was like a scene from my childhood. Suddenly, I was a 6-year-old kid again.

"Mmm, smells good, Mom." I smiled, walking up to peer over her shoulder at the perfectly round chocolate chip cookies. Same colour as her eyes.

"I thought I'd make them for Annabeth. Something sweet for my sweet."

Sometimes it seemed like she loved Annabeth more than I did. Although that was highly untrue.

I laughed, glancing at the clock on the wall, she'd be here any minute.

"Would you be a darling and grab me a cooling rack from the cupboard?" She brushed a hand against my shoulder.

It was on one of the top shelves, easy for me to reach but not for my mom who was only just taller than Annabeth. She was quite a petite woman. Once upon a time, she'd been able to cradle me in her arms, now I towered over her and could probably pick her up with one arm.

When I turned back to place it on the counter, next to the hot tray, she was untying her apron and hanging it on the back of the door that went into the pantry and the wash-room.

"Is that my sweater?" I asked, clearly having not noticed before but it definitely was. Light grey with a tiny white Nike tick in the left-hand corner.

She was wearing it over a pair of oversized light blue jeans. Boyfriend jeans is what Silena would call them.

"Um, maybe." She smiled innocently.

"You little thief, give it back." I lunged at her.

"Oh but it's so comfy and it smells like you." She darted out of the way.

"Mom, you're being weird." I said, raising an eyebrow.

"I was gonna put in the wash but it was so snugly, I just couldn't resist." She grinned, hugging her arms.

I rolled my eyes. "You're so annoying." I smiled.

"Besides, you're already wearing one." She said, looking at the clean, white sweater over my black jeans.

"Oh, well then, by all means," I threw my arms out, "help yourself. Have my whole closet. Would you like me to bring out a selection for you?"

"Well, I do have my eye on one or two." She smiled mischievously. "Especially that blue one."

"Oh, you asked for it." I ran at her but she was already leaping out of the kitchen in a fit of giggles.

We spent the next few minutes chasing each other around the living room furniture, laughing.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"This isn't over." I frowned, crossing the room to get the door.

"So I can wear it then?" She called, still breathlessly laughing.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes.

"Yay!" She clapped triumphantly.

I reached to open the door eagerly and there she was. Standing there, effortlessly beautiful.

A washy blue-green, high-neck jumper hung loosely over her small figure. Woollen with little patterned holes in places and puffy sleeves. Faded light grey jeans with holes at the knees and black Old Skool Vans that were the same as mine.

Her wavy blonde hair was tied up into a mid-ponytail with big pieces hanging loosely on either side of her face.

God, I'd missed her. It had only been a day.

"What took you so long?" I grinned, stepping out to lift her in my arms and hug her tightly. She smelt amazing. Sweet perfume that left me a little dazed.

She giggled. It was like music to my ears.

"I came as soon as I could, Seaweed Brain." She whispered in my ear, her palm against the back of my neck. Her skin was so soft it sent shivers down my spine.

I leaned back to see her eyes again. "Well, you should have come sooner." I said, reaching up to carefully tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers lingering there.

I could look at her like this for hours. Somehow, whenever we were this close, my mind would slowly start to melt away and I'd be left in a trance. Suddenly, simple things like hearing or even breathing become difficult.

She smiled up at me and I felt her fingers in my hair. The sensation was heavenly. Even with my arm around the back of her waist, holding her up against me, I wanted to pull her closer. To somehow keep her like this forever. Never having to let her go.

"Mmm." She hummed blissfully, her smile even warmer than our hug.

"What?" I tilted my head slightly.

"You have such pretty eyes." She murmured, her fingers delicately sliding through the hair above my ear.

My brain took a moment to catch up as I stared at her in shock. Why was I finding it so difficult to respond to that? It was just the tiniest little thing but it had me almost falling on my knees in front of her.

She laughed softly at my expression and suddenly I was kissing her. My hand gripping her waist, the other sliding to the back of her head. She kissed me back, her full lips moving against mine just slightly. They were so soft and so sweet, I could've melted away.

A warmth spread through my body that stayed even when I was pulling away.

"Careful what you say, Beth or I'm gonna end up on the floor." I breathed against her lips, meeting her eyes.

She flashed a smile at me. "Are you gonna let me in now?"

"Right." I stepped back, shaking away the momentary daze.

Suddenly, I saw that she was holding a bouquet of flowers filled with whites and bright yellows.

"You got me flowers?"

"I got Sally flowers." She corrected me with a smile, squeezing my wrist before slipping inside.

"Oh…what a letdown." I teased and she laughed.

Mom was in the kitchen, transferring the cookies to the cooling rack and placing them on the breakfast bar.

"Hello, gorgeous girl." She grinned, dancing over to give Annabeth the longest hug.

I watched them from the kitchen doorway, leaning against the wooden frame. Mom would have loved a daughter like Annabeth. Much less hassle than a rebellious trouble-maker like me.

"Hi, Sally." Annabeth replied, hugging her back. "These are for you."

"Aaw, they're beautiful!" Her face lit up. "You shouldn't have."

"Oh, it was nothing." Beth waved her off.

Mom smiled, brushing her cheek and then touching her shoulder affectionately. "Thank you, I'll put them in some water."

Annabeth glanced back at me and I gave her a warm smile. She's honestly the cutest person I will ever know.

"Come sit!" My mom ushered her to a breakfast bar stool. "Try one of these and tell me what you think." She gave her a blue cookie. "Careful, it's still warm."

I rolled my eyes. Annabeth took a small bite and smiled. "Mmm, it's really good. You outdid yourself, Sally, this is the best batch yet."

"Really?" She cried. "You hear that, Percy?"

I moved to reach over Annabeth and grab one for myself. It was like eating a piece of heaven. Crunchy on the outside, gooey in the middle. Chocolate chips melting in my mouth. I could've eaten the whole tray.

"Not bad." I nodded, jokingly keeping my cool.

Mom slapped my arm and I laughed.

"Can I get you anything else?" She asked Annabeth. "A drink? Some coffee? Tea? We don't have any tea but I can go get some from the store. You're British, you like tea, right?"

"Mom, stop." I groaned. "You're smothering her."

"I'm just taking care of my future daughter-in-law." She made a face at me.

"Mom!"

She burst into a fit of giggles to further my embarrassment. I dared to glance at Annabeth and saw a light pink colour dusting her cheeks as she looked at her lap and fiddled with her sleeves.

I couldn't help but smile a little at how cute she looked. Mom raised an eyebrow at me.

"Stop causing trouble, you, it's annoying." I scowled at her, moving to grab a plate from the cupboard.

Song Tribute: [Sex (Acoustic Version) – The 1975]

One by one, I moved the blue cookies onto it. Then turned to Annabeth. She was looking up at me, slightly sheepishly. It was adorable.

I smiled, taking her hand and pulling her off the stool into the living room. We sat together on the couch talking a while. My mom was still in the kitchen making dinner for later and singing to herself.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" I asked.

"Would you like to stay forever?!" Mom shouted across the room.

I rolled my eyes but we both laughed at that.

"I'd love to." She smiled, her tone smoother than melted chocolate.

~xXx~

After a long dinner filled with smiles and laughter, we tidied away the plates from the table. It was positioned near the far wall from the front door, beside the living room furniture. I thought about how many times me and the gang had squeezed around this table, eating together.

Even though my place was the smallest, most of our hang-outs happened here because everyone loves my mom. She was more lenient with the things we could do and how late we could stay up than anyone else's parents. Also because there was a Papa John's just around the corner which was always a good idea.

Annabeth was washing the dishes in a sink full of bubbles while I cleared the table and wrapped up the rest of the chicken for later. I went back to blow out the candles my mom had lit in the centre, finding her fast asleep, head tilted back against the chair.

I frowned worriedly. She worked too hard these days. With a heavy sigh, I picked her up and carried her, still half-asleep. I tucked her into bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders. Her bedroom was twice the size of mine but I didn't mind. I'd always wanted her to have the best out of both of us.

She murmured inaudibly in her sleep and cuddled the covers. I smiled at her, leaning down to press a kiss to her temple before turning the lights out and closing the door behind me.

Beth was still washing the dishes when I walked into the kitchen.

"Is she asleep?" She asked as I came up behind her.

I nodded. "I just put her to bed. She had a long day at work."

"She works too hard, she should take a day or two off."

I sighed, leaning against the counter. "I know. I try to tell her but she doesn't listen to me."

She nodded understandingly, going back to the dishes. Her hands disappearing under the layer of soapy water. Suddenly, she gasped, pulling her hand away in shock.

"You okay?" I quickly straightened up. "Did you cut yourself?"

"It's nothing." She brushed it off, shielding her hand away.

"Let me see."

Our gazes locked and with a sigh, she held out her hand. I took it between both of mine, turning it over to look at the cut. It was just a tiny one across the tip of her index finger. But it was bleeding.

I reached over to run the cold tap and hold it underneath the running water. All the while feeling her eyes on my face. Then I crossed the kitchen to the first aid drawer, pulling out a box of plasters.

She pulled her hand away from the tap, turning it off, for me to dab it dry with a paper towel. I stripped away a small plaster and carefully wrapped it around her finger.

"There." I said, sealing it shut.

"Thank you." She murmured, smiling shyly at me.

I dried both her hands with a towel before draping it over my shoulder and telling her that I'd finish the washing up.

"Oh, no it's okay. I can help."

"Let me do it, Wise Girl." I smiled at her, pulling her towards the breakfast bar and gripping her waist to lift her onto it. "You just sit there and look pretty."

She cracked a smile and nodded gently. I turned to go back to the sink and finish the dishes while the radio played softly in the background.

"Since when did you become so mature?"

"I have my moments." I smiled back at her briefly, placing the plates on the drying rack.

She giggled and we talked across the kitchen about a lot of things while I finished the last few dishes.

A while later, I heard my phone ringing. Glancing at the clock, I could see that it was just approaching 9 o'clock. Beth slipped down to go grab it from the living room while I dried my hands.

When she handed it to me, it was an unknown number. I frowned lifting it to my ear to answer.

"Hello?"

"...Brother? it's me."

My heart plummeted in my chest and I dropped the towel to the floor. Annabeth's curious look shifted to concern.

"I need your help."

~xXx~

I stormed into my room, throwing the phone onto the bed and stressfully running my hands through my hair. Annabeth was behind me seconds later, touching my arm gently.

"Percy, what's wrong?"

I'd locked myself in the bathroom so she couldn't hear the conversation and she hadn't been too happy about that.

It took me a second or two to respond. "That was Rafael." Her hand dropped. "He wants me to help him break out of jail." I turned back to her.

She gasped. Swallowing down a lump in her throat. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"He wants me to go and pick up a few things for him. Things he needs to leave the country." I stared at the floor, conflicted. "Beth…he's breaking out of jail whether I help him or not."

She struggled to come to terms with that for a minute.

"I don't understand, why does he want your help? He has people all over the country who are loyal to him."

"After his arrest, a lot of things have gone down. Loyalties shifting, deals going wrong, money going down the drain. He's not sure who he can trust at the minute." I sighed, looking out my window for a second. The sky was beginning to darken. "I guess I'm the only person he's got."

She nodded as if she understood. Somehow, Annabeth had always believed that Rafael, in his own wicked way, cared about me.

"It's all a bit fucking chaotic right now, to be honest." I shrugged. "It's not safe for him here anymore. I think he's planning on living in China for a while."

"Does he even speak Mandarin?"

"He speaks a lot of languages." I told her. "It comes with having an international drug business. I've heard him speak Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Japanese…I wouldn't be surprised if he could speak Mandarin as well."

"Wow, I knew he was intelligent but I didn't know he was that intelligent." She frowned, stepping back to think about all this.

"Rafael is probably smart enough to hack into the White House and set all our nuclear bombs on Europe." I scoffed. "That man could start World War 3."

She stared at me, eyes blown wide. "Should we even be helping him then?"

I thought about that long and hard.

"He's getting out anyway." I shrugged. "And…I don't know…there's just a part of me that wants to say goodbye." I frowned, listening to my uneven breathing. "Is that wrong?"

I looked up at her for guidance. Beth always knew the right thing to do.

She shook her head. "If you want to see him, you should see him."

The fact she could say that after everything he did to her was mind-blowing. "But he was horrible to you…" I whispered. "How can you—"

She smiled. "Rafael did a great many things that were entirely wrong. But he also did a great many things that were right."

Gods, why were her words always so wise?

"Perhaps we owe it to him—to somehow show him that he doesn't have to be a bad person if he doesn't want to. Maybe seeing you again would give him that hope."

"I suppose that makes sense." I nodded. "God, I'm really going to do this aren't I?"

"I'm coming with you."

My gaze shot up from the floor to look at her with piercing eyes. My heart skidded against my ribcage like a racing car suddenly coming to a screeching stop in the road.

"No, absolutely not." I said. "These men are dangerous, Annabeth, I'm not having you anywhere near them."

"Well, I'm not letting you go by yourself. I can help." She pressed.

"It's too dangerous, you need to go home."

"There's no way I'm going home. Not after what you've just told me."

"Well, you're not going anywhere dressed like that, they'll smell you from a mile off. You couldn't even pass for someone who buys drugs, let alone sells them." I frowned.

"I can change on the way. My mother always has spare clothes in her office."

"Forget it! Newbies die in this game, Annabeth."

"What game?" She gasped.

I laughed, a slight craze about it. That tended to happen to people who had seen the things I'd seen.

"This life," I told her, my expression hardening. "It's all one big game of chess. Everyone has a side. Everyone has an order of play to their role. And everyone kills."

My voice was so serious now that I could start to see the signs of fear in her eyes. Signs that should have been there right from the start.

"You step on the board and there's no going back. You make one wrong move and you're dead."

"I understand what I'm getting myself into. I understand that it's dangerous—"

"You don't belong in that world, Annabeth." I growled at her, a little too harshly. "You're playing with things you shouldn't play with."

"You're not leaving me behind, Perseus Jackson, not again!" She frowned stubbornly.

Before I could stop myself I was shoving her against the wall, hard. "Annabeth, you're not coming and that's final!"

"Try and stop me!"

I clenched my jaw, sighing in frustration. "You don't understand, Beth. Out there…it's different. Out there, you can't change your mind or call for help. You can't expect to come back in one piece because you won't. Whether that's physically or mentally. A piece of you will die out there."

"I don't care." She whispered, looking up into my eyes.

"I do!" I told her, pouring my heart into every bit of those two little words. "I care..."

Her eyes softened at my words and she was quiet for a while before she spoke again. "Percy, that world is something you used to be part of. Therefore, it's yours. And loving you means I want all of you. Not sugar-coated you." She spoke in a silvery tone, enough to make my heart tremble. "I want to know every part of your world. Even the bad stuff."

A shaky breath escaped my lips and I dropped my head.

She was making this excruciatingly difficult.

"Please take me with you." She begged. "I want to come with you."

"What if something goes wrong?"

"Then I'll be there to protect you."

I couldn't help but smile at her for that, lifting my hand off the wall to touch her cheek. "Beth, I know you're strong. Believe me, I do but…you're not strong enough. Not for this."

"I can be." She pleaded. "I can be strong for you."

"Beth…"

"Please, Percy. Don't go alone. I can't stand the thought of you being alone anymore." She whispered and I watched a tear slide down her face.

My heart sank. She didn't want me to be alone? I'd never even realised that she'd been so worried about me all this time. I suppose I had been alone for a long time. A very long time. Drowning in my secrets and wrong-doings for nearly all my life.

My jaw tightened as I thought long and hard about what to do next. I couldn't possibly let her come. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her. But then again, if I don't let her come, I'll lose her again.

And we promised to be honest with each other. We promised that, from now on, we'd do things together.

And maybe it would be nice to have her by my side. To have my anchor right there with me, rather than as an image in my mind, tethering me to what humanity I had left.

I could feel slight trembles running through me now. Could hear the beating of my heart in my ear-drums.

With a deep exhale, I slowly nodded my head. Then I leaned down to kiss her long and hard. We wrapped our arms around each other desperately. I could feel her tears, staining our lips.

"Okay." I whispered once we'd pulled away. Eyes still closed, foreheads pressed together.

I felt her hand enclosing mine and she squeezed it tightly to let me know that we could do this. As long as we did it together. We could do this.

And I put all my faith in her. I would always put my faith in her.

~xXx~

3rd Person POV

When the night was at it's most dark and most cold, it was time to put on their coats and step onto the chessboard.

"Are you afraid?" Percy turned to ask her as they stood at the side of the road.

"...Just a little." Annabeth whispered.

This deed was the ultimate crime to rid them of all others.

Two people, willing to walk through fire in order to get to the other side where the grass is greener. Where the sky is bluer. And where they no longer have to endure the evils that had been suffocating them like smoke in a cage.

Through the tinted windscreen of the Aston Martin, a view of the skyline appeared with startling beauty. There wasn't a cloud in sight. Only an infinite scattering of brilliant stars against a sea of black. Rows of towering skyscrapers extended above, their windows alight from within.

Lines of cars stretched on for miles through the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. Kaleidoscope colours from the many glowing billboards and roadside shops danced and twirled across the shiny black surface of the car. Catching in the silver and sea-green eyes of those sitting inside—waiting—anticipating.

One steady as a rock, hands gripping the steering wheel firmly, the other secretly trembling to the bone beside him, determined to see it through anyway.

The darker figure of the two had a glint in his eyes. It was as though he was ready for something terrible to happen and yet there was no fear visible in them at all. Not one of his beautiful features twitched or tightened.

He was as still as water on the surface of the most silent lake.

There was something fascinatingly beautiful about that.

The other, lighter, figure, with blonde hair that fell over her shoulders, had an innocent beauty about her. Full red lips that were being pulled between her teeth to stop the trembles. Moonlight eyes that quivered but somehow held their place as well.

She wasn't accustomed to whatever nightmares they were getting themselves into but when she turned to briefly glance at the dark angel beside her, at the lights skating across his face, she knew that she would do anything to keep him safe.

And if that meant tumbling into hell along with him, then by the Gods, she would throw herself off that cliff.

The car slowly came to a stop in a quiet street on the far reaches of the city. It was a scary looking area with old buildings, pitch black alleyways, and rubbish lining some of the pavement. But nothing out of the ordinary for New York. In the daytime, it would look like any other street.

The engine switched off, plunging them into silence. Except for the quiet sound of Annabeth's uneven breathing.

Percy pulled the keys, tucking them into the pocket of his black leather biker jacket and turned to look at her. She was still chewing her lips, clutching her fingers in her lap. He knew he had to calm her down or this whole thing would go up in smoke.

"Hey," he began softly, reaching over to touch her shoulder. Her head snapped up. "You can do this. Be strong. Don't be scared."

She nodded, fixing her gaze on his eyes. She let out one final heavy breath and snapped herself out of it.

Song Tribute: [Dangerous Game – Klergy]

Then he reached over into the glove compartment and pulled out a gun. It was a scary looking thing. Blacker than the sky and the car and the colour of his hair. Even the colour of his eyes which had darkened significantly to hide any trace of blue or green.

Annabeth sucked in a breath. She was witnessing his dark angel side, full force, and she told herself that she had to be ready for it.

"It's just for precaution." He eyed her severely. "You gotta stay with me, Beth. I need you to be calm."

She nodded again with more conviction this time. "I am." She pulled up her black mouth mask, the one he'd told her to wear so that she could keep her identity.

He tucked the gun inside his belt, hiding it behind his jacket. "Okay…let's do this."

Time slowed as they both stepped out of the car. Two figures, gracefully emerging from the dark vehicle like Gods. Frightening and lovely.

Black knee-high suede boots touched down as the woman with the long, red coat took to her feet. An ice cold breeze swept through the air, slicing across her cheeks and tinging them pink. She gasped as her hair danced for a moment or two before settling on her back.

Her coat, the colour of blood, flapped against her black attire—jeans and top—so she fastened the sash at the waist. It shielded her all the way down to her knees. Though she felt it didn't shield her much from the hungry wolves out to tear at her flesh.

With a click of stiletto heels, her long legs reached up to step onto the stone pavement. And she turned to watch the man, dressed in black, moving to join her.

His black hair was dancing in the small gusts of wind, revealing the strong features of his face. He was frighteningly calm. As if like a soldier maintaining their posture.

His broad shoulders were set with a kind of daunting superiority. His hands casually in his jacket pockets like he had just sauntered through Hell, danced on its burning deck and defeated Death.

Now, the wind was the only thing that gave life to his tall, menacing figure. But there was something incredibly lush and delicious about him.

He walked ahead of her for he knew the way and she didn't.

Everything moved slower than normal. Each 'buhm-buhm' of late heartbeats, against the long steps of their feet, spread the seconds out like sluggish turns of a clock-face. Caught in near-oblivion, there was nowhere to go but forwards. Forwards into the darkness.

The dark angel gently turned his head to look back at the woman pulling her red hood up to cover her golden hair. He thought she looked like a movie star but there was something darker about her tonight and he couldn't quite tell whether or not he liked it.

Trusting her, he faced the direction they were going again and held his hand out for her to take. Seconds later he felt her soft gloved fingers in his leather ones. It was necessary, he had told her, to ensure they left no trace of themselves anywhere.

And then they walked side by side in the middle of the deserted street like a force not to be reckoned with. A windy blur of dark buildings and electric lights behind them and the sound of police sirens and car horns echoing across the city.

They seemed like a pair so tightly bonded together that not even the fire of a gun could tear them apart. Identical but contrasting. While one was beautifully ethereal, the other was more awe-inspiring in a terrorizing way that was somewhat intriguing.

The dark angel drew his strength from her—felt it radiating from her fingertips, up his arm and into his chest. He'd spent too long being petrified of the endless scenarios where she didn't come out unharmed. For now, it was time to harden his soul. Harden his heart. And focus his mind.

It's all one can do to survive in this world.

They reached what looked like an old video game store and stepped inside, letting go of each other's hand. Though they were together, it was too risky to show affection now. Too reckless to reveal vulnerabilities.

It was time for the dangerous game to begin…

~xXx~

Annabeth POV

A bell rang at the sound of us stepping through the doorway. Just a little tinkle but it was like thunder in my ears. Against the sirens and the cars and the pounding of my heart, it felt like my head might explode.

Calm down! I told myself as I dropped my hood and shoved my hands into the coat pocket to disguise the fact that they were shaking.

God, all this for a fake passport, a handgun and a packet of toxic white powder. I wasn't too happy about the drugs but if it was going to get Rafaello out of the country for good then the pros most definitely outweighed the cons.

Inside it was small, cramped even. Shelves stocked heavily with video-games. Not the kind you'd let your children buy. The covers were painted with flesh-eating zombies, blood-splattered faces and half-naked women. I gulped, shifting my gaze to the man at the counter. He was a scary looking figure with a cigarette hanging in the corner of his mouth. White vest top, gold chain and tattoos down the side of his face and arm. Closely shaven head and facial hair. He didn't look from around here.

This was a good thing though, I told myself. "Overly-friendly dealers, that's a worry", Percy had told me when we'd been discussing the plan for tonight back in his apartment. "You can't be fooled by the 'special price' – 'Fluffy' is not your friend. At best, he's trying to shift his supply. At worst, he feels guilty that what he's selling you is fake – lethal substances that'll have you dying on a hospital bed in just a few hours."

Not that he'd liked doing it but he'd had to give me an educational rundown of how the system worked. Who to trust, who not to trust—how to read people and pick up on all the warning signs. He wanted me to be prepared.

"There are various strains of dealers – " He'd continued. "The aspiring musician, the runaway criminal who has three phones because they're convinced the police are monitoring them, the alley seller in the beanie who's definitely at least five years younger than you – and, within those distinctions, a minority of alright people who just so happen to sell drugs."

All of which are not the type we want to be dealing with, he'd said. As far as Rafael's concerned, he only employs the best. The kind that actually understands his production line and will give it to him clean.

I'd been pretty surprised as to just how much he really knew about all of this but then again, he had been a member of the most dangerous and well know drug-related gang in the country…

The scary man looked at Percy, unamused, as he sauntered straight up to the counter and casually rested one arm on its surface. I stayed a few steps behind him, out of the way.

"Wassup, tough guy? Me and my friend, here, are on a tight schedule and were wondering if you could fix us up." He said, voice as steady as rock. I'd never heard him speaking in a tone like that before. It was weird. Not like him at all.

I didn't really know what that meant and stared at him rather dumbly. Yet judging from the other man's face, he'd said the right thing. Maybe it was some sort of code phrase to get passed the fake video store display thing going on.

"...Follow me," the man said, guiding us through a back door behind the counter.

The back room of the video store was connected through a narrow corridor. Walking along it, I could almost feel my shoulders brushing against the walls but I could barely see them in the dim lighting. Once the corridor widened out a little, we came to several rooms in which people were getting…'treatment'.

Pleasured noises came from all sides as my eyes fleeted across naked women wrapped around smoking men, their faces unidentifiable behind shimmery red curtains. The smell of the smoke filled the air–somewhat sweet and earthy.

Percy would know what it was but I couldn't put a name to it.

More giggles and I gasped, snapping my head forward and biting my lip. I could feel an empty pressure expanding in my chest now. Something rather close to terror.

I kept my eyes on Percy, walking just in front of me. He hadn't given me a single glance since we'd stepped inside but I fully understood why.

The man walked the length of the hallway before coming to a stop in front of an empty room. "Watch your step," he said before turning around and walking straight back out again. I turned to watch him go and then looked back at the room, slightly confused.

What does he mean, watch your step? There's nothing in here apart from a low table and a few chairs –

Percy swiftly moved to the centre of the room and began pushing the table back. Then he crouched down to peel back the rug, revealing what I assumed was some kind of trapdoor. He pressed his hands down experimentally, feeling a slight shift. He ran his fingers along the floorboards until he found a seam in the wood. Then he was lifting it up and staring down into the hole.

There was a staircase – makes sense.

He got to his feet again and briefly glanced down the hallway behind me to check no one was there. Then he met my eyes and stepped a little closer, subtly touching my arm.

"You okay?" He whispered, his voice sounding a lot different to how it was back in the front room with that man.

I nodded, thinking that even if I didn't have a mask over my mouth to smother my voice, I wouldn't be able to talk anyway.

Then he shifted to lead me down the staircase, one step at a time. We came into what could only be described as a den. Dark lighting, tables filled with men sampling hard liquor and blowing out puffs of smoke in between sips. I could see cards fanned in front of their faces and women at each table ready to deal them out.

At our arrival, numerous people cocked their heads up to look at us. I could feel my skin prickling all over and the strong desire to turn back around and get the hell out of here. But I stayed.

A loud noise came from the back, shifting everybody's attention. "You looked at my cards you cheating piece a' shit!" A man yelled, rising to his feet to grab the scruff of another, younger, man's collar.

"No, I swear I didn't."

"I'll teach you to mess with me you little brat." He growled, pulling out a gun and pushing it under his chin.

"No, please–"

Before I could even look away there was a loud bang and the sound of a body collapsing onto the table. I stifle back a whimper, gulping down the huge lump in my throat.

For a moment, I just stare at the young man lying still on the table. Then I glance at the other people in the room. They've gone back to their cards and their cigarettes like nothing's happened and I can hardly believe it.

The second time you see death by murder is not like the first. It isn't a cold chill that runs down your spine or slowly creeps up the back of your neck. It's more like a hot fire burning your skin, suddenly making you hyper-aware that you could be next.

In my weakness, I stumble against Percy and he immediately shoves me back with his elbow. It's a forceful movement, almost angry, but I can't see his face, standing behind him, so I can't tell.

Even though I know why he did it, nobody was looking at us and somewhere inside, it still hurt.

As Percy walks forwards, unscathed, I traipse behind him, feeling rather like a burden right now. A man appears from an onwards corridor and I suddenly start to worry whether he might dispose of us too.

Instead, he stops in front of Percy and actually bows his head a little. I'm too shocked to notice how Percy responds. Is this what it's like for him? Do people really know his name wherever he goes?

Of course, I've always known that Percy has a bit of a wild side and a past far darker than anyone can imagine, but seeing it in person was different. Different to even that night at the theatre. That was considerably self-defence from someone victim to a crime. This was more serious and intentional. His actions were that of someone at the helm of a ship, not someone on deck, following orders.

And how utterly shocking and terrifying that was.

"Mr Jackson, it's a pleasure." The man said. "I see you've come for the package."

Percy told him that he had and we were escorted down another corridor. I don't know why, but I glanced back at the young boy and saw how a red pool of blood had seeped across the table. Thick liquid oozing against glasses and staining the playing cards red.

With a silent scream, I shot my head forward and squared my shoulders to somehow try and shake away the little girl that was coming over me. But I could feel the violent trembles under my skin.

We came to a back room that was just as dark as the previous, spare for the spotlight shining down on a desk where a man in a crimson coloured shirt sat. Mid to late twenties I thought. Two, rather large, guys standing either side of him from behind – bodyguards I assumed.

There was an array of junk on the desk, including small stacks of papers, cigarette butts and empty coffee cups. The man sat there counting his dollar bills from a leather briefcase, a cigarette hanging from his mouth as his dark hair fell in his eyes.

"Master Jaeger, there's a Mr Jackson here to see you." The guide told the man sitting at the desk, who briefly looked up from his counting.

"Thank you, Anderson, that'll be all." The man said, going back to his counting. The other man bowed, turning to leave without another word.

"You're late, Jackson. Don't you know how important it is to be punctual in this business?" His voice was rough and he pulled his cigarette out of his mouth and closed the briefcase. The bodyguard to his right reached over and took it from him.

"I don't really care for this business, I'm here for a package that you can't afford to not give me." Percy responded calmly, unaffected by the threat in the other man's voice.

For a moment, I was worried he would get angry at Percy's tone and set his guards on us but he didn't. He smiled.

"Always straight to the point, Jackson." He pointed up at him. "That's why I like you."

I glanced to my right, Percy's face didn't even twitch at the compliment.

"Who's your friend?" Master Jaeger asked, his eyes sliding over to me. I felt a chilling shiver run through me as I bit my lip behind the mask.

"An acquaintance of Master Montelupo's. She's none of your concern." Percy brushed it off quickly.

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not so sure about that. What's your name, pretty eyes?"

I felt my heart miss a beat – tripping and stumbling to catch up again. I looked up at Percy, not knowing what to do. He gave me a fleeting glance and then changed the conversation.

"The package, Jaeger, where is it?"

The older man smiled, reaching up to click his fingers in the air. I waited for something terrible to happen. Suddenly, an adolescent boy, perhaps 17, appeared out of nowhere with a small black briefcase and set it on top of the table. He had a horrible grin that suggested he liked to cut up people in his spare time.

Behind him, a tall, slim woman glided out of the darkness. This one looked early twenties. She had long brown hair and dramatic winged eyeliner that made her look like a supermodel. Her curvy figure was suffocated by a tiny spaghetti strap dress the colour of the Northern lights. Mixes of shimmering dark blues, purples and greens all swirled into one. I couldn't help but think it looked rather like snakeskin.

"If it isn't the one and only." The boy said. "Not what I was expecting. You're a lot less intimidating in person."

Percy said nothing to this.

"That's enough, Bullet." Master Jaeger ordered steadily. "Newbies have such terrible manners, don't you agree, Jackson?"

A made-up name, I was sure. This kid was probably just out of the foster system.

"Appalling." Percy said.

"Quite so." Snake Lady added with a smile. "And entirely naive. He's as delicious as you described, Master Jaeger."

I felt my stomach plummet as Percy frowned at her, slightly confused. She let out a little giggle and I caught Master Jaeger smirking.

"You know, if you weren't into women, Jackson, I'd give you a night to remember." The older man said and I started to notice just how incredibly handsome he was.

Percy stiffened immensely at my side and his lip hung open for a moment before slamming shut.

"Enough about pretty boy, I wanna know who's hiding behind that mask." Bullet cocked his head at me. "Won't you show us, red coat?"

Before I could reply, Snake Lady was reaching out and tearing it from my face. I gasped as Percy grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him, shielding me from their eyes.

"Get away from her." He growled.

Snake Lady giggled once more, reaching up to tap the bottom of his chin with a long fingernail. "He's a protective one." She chimed. "Can't I play with her just a little? I promise I'll leave her head still intact."

Percy didn't say anything, just stood firmly in between us. It was already too late though because I glanced up and caught Bullet's eyes.

He grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Oh, she's breath-taking." He said and I backed away, now in view of Master Jaeger. "She'd do splendidly on camera, don't you think, Master Jaeger. Put her in the program with the other women and you'll have men lining up by the door."

It was at that moment that I really did feel a chilling terror. I should have been used to verbal abuse like that by now but it never got any easier. It was skin-crawling.

"Hhmm, I suppose you're right." Master Jaeger nodded with a professionalism about him. It was rather a relief to know he was only keen on the opposite sex.

Percy frantically reached for my wrist, pulling me to his side. It was the first time all night that he felt unsteady. But his eyes burned with rage and I could telling, looking at his jawline from the side, that he was clenching his teeth, hard.

"You even touch her and I'll have you and your entire business burned to the ground." Percy snarled, his voice steady but vicious. I'd only heard that tone a few times but, somehow, each time I did it always managed to sound more frightening than the last.

The man behind the desk looked amused. "Acquaintance of Master Montelupo's, my ass." He sniggered. "Our very own dark angel's gone and fallen in love. How sweet."

I bit my lip, barely holding back a whimper. "Vulnerability is the worst thing a person can reveal," Percy had told me. "It opens up the whole playing field and suddenly your opponent can predict every single one of your moves."

"Enough of this child play." Percy hissed. "Show me what's in the case."

"It's just the usual." Master Jaeger smiled and ushered for Bullet to do as he says.

He flipped back the clips, swivelling it around and opening it wide to reveal a demon-looking handgun, a pack of white circular pills, that hadn't been in the cards before, and finally rather a large packet of what was obviously cocaine.

Percy tensed at the sight of the weed but he was so conditioned to this environment that he didn't even batter an eyelid.

Master Jaeger then reached into the drawer of his desk pulling out a number of papers along with a fake ID and passport. He pushed them across the table for Percy to check through which he did briefly but thoroughly. Anyone could tell he was an expert in these sorts of things.

Song Tribute: [Ultraviolet – Freya Ridings]

He nodded his head once, "we'll take em'."

The older man smiled, picking the papers up and slotting them into an A4 sized brown envelope, followed by the ID and passport. Percy took it from him, folding it messily in half and tucking into his belt, against his back. The leather jacket shielded it from plain sight.

"You'll get your money transferred to you from Rafael by the end of next week." He jolted his chin up at Master Jaeger, slotting the packets of drugs into his jeans pockets.

"Yes, I already know the conditions. You can go now." He waved us away.

"And here's your parting gift." Bullet sneered, whipping out a knife.

I was so shocked by its sudden appearance that, naturally, I only acted on instinct. A split second of burning strength in my heart and I was pushing Percy aside to take the hit. The blade sliced across my cheekbone but only just. It barely even stung at all and I couldn't feel any drops of blood escaping.

I panted heavily noticing how shocked everyone was, eyes blown wide. Percy gaped at me and then suddenly there was a flash of anger in his eyes.

What happened next passed in the blink of an eye –

He slammed Bullet's head down on the desk with a frightening force – the sound of metal echoing across the room – then stamped on the back of his leg, sending his knees buckling to the floor with a huge cry of pain. The knife had long since tumbled out of his hand –

Percy gripped his shoulder, clenching his fist in the air and sweeping it down for a bone-breaking right hook. Bullet went out like a light.

Blink.

He straightened up, with a sniff, sweeping back dark locks of hair from his dazzling eyes. Then he actually smiled.

Perhaps I should have been frightened. Perhaps I should have turned away. For people say there's nothing more dangerous than a villain but there is…and it's a villain who wears a smile.

I stood in motionless shock. But the thing is, I wasn't in the slightest bit scared anymore. No more came the sense to bite my lip or shove my trembling hands in my pocket. No more came the cold shivers or the fear that I was looking at a total stranger. For the first time all night, I was steady. Steady like Percy.

And I would adore every bit of him – Dark Angel and all.

"Boys should learn to take a warning from a man seriously." Percy stated, his voice low and incredibly superior.

The room stilled. Nobody dared make a move on him.

"Well, it's been lovely seeing you all but we really must be going now." He chimed, brushing himself down and straightening his jacket like it was a suit.

It was like he was made of sarcasm and elegancy.

Then, to everybody's mixture of disbelief and respect, I reached over and took the gun off the desk. Slotting in the magazine to load it but keeping the safety switch on, I slipped it into my coat pocket and looked up.

Everyone was staring but I didn't care.

"Beauty dances with the devil after all." The man behind the desk smirked, one eyebrow raised.

"Everyone dances with the devil at some point, Master Jaeger." I spoke for the first time, my voice as clear as water. "Only fools do it forever."

Then I turned and walked away, reaching up to pull my hood over my head. Through the rush of adrenaline, a fire started to burn in my heart but this time it felt good. I wonder if this is how Percy always feels.

I could hear his footsteps behind me but I didn't look back. As much as I wanted to turn and hold his hand and pull him close, I had to be patient. I had to wait until we were outside.

So for now, I took it one strong step at a time. Head held high.

Heartbeat…as steady as a rock.

~xXx~

Pushing my way through those doors to the fresh, breathable air outside was like a gift sent by the Gods…

Song Tribute: [Fallingforyou – The 1975]

I sucked the cold oxygen deep into my lungs, marching further along the pavement to take it all in and get as far away as possible from that house of Hell. I didn't stop. I just kept walking. As if the further I got the more my sins would wash away.

But the gun was heavy in my pocket like a weight pulling me down. I could hardly breathe anymore. So much space and yet no room at all –

"Annabeth!" I heard Percy calling and realised he'd done that a few times now.

Stop. Slowly…I turn back to him. He's standing a few feet away, his shoulders rising and falling dramatically. His hair is blowing in the wind again. It's a light movement and it's so perfect. He looks worried.

His expression softens significantly and he starts walking towards me. "Annabeth…" He whispers just before he reaches me. And that's all he can say.

I step closer to him, gently slipping my arms inside his jacket around his waist and hugging him. His skin his warm and I feel the strength in his torso. I hear his heart beating in his chest and I can't believe how much I adore that sound.

He's taken aback for a moment but then he wraps his strong arms around my neck and I feel his hand against the back of my hood, pulling my head deeper into his chest. He presses his face to the top of it, keeping me there for a long while.

"Baby, I'm sorry." He whispers.

I frown at this. I hadn't wanted an apology, he hadn't done anything wrong. The only reason I was here was that I put myself in this situation. If it had been up to him, I wouldn't be.

He lifts his head as I tilt my chin up to look at him. I see my face in his eyes and I look sad because he's sad too.

"Don't say sorry." I whisper back softly. "I don't want you to feel ashamed anymore."

He softens again and smiles at me. It's a warm, gentle smile that melts my heart. He nods a little, cupping my hood and stepping even closer so that he's standing over me and I have to strain my neck.

"Did I do okay?" I ask as I look hopefully into his eyes.

"...You did so well, Wise Girl." He tells me softly.

"I wasn't a burden? Even when I stumbled into you…"

He smiles at me adoringly. "No." He whispers. Then he gently reaches up to push back my hood and the loose strands of hair from my face.

I breathe rather shakily at the sensation of his fingertips on my skin.

His eyes shift to the small cut on my cheekbone from Bullet's knife. This time he doesn't look sad or angry. He simply just cups my cheek in one hand, the other resting on my shoulder, and bends down to press a kiss to it. Soft and sweet.

I shudder in his arms. And it's not from the breeze twirling around us like a stream of gentle pirouettes.

His lips slide along my cheekbone to my ear. "I can't believe you did that for me." He whispers, his breath tickling my skin.

"You would have done the same for me." I half gasp as he presses another delicate kiss to the tip of my ear this time. I tighten my grip around his waist to stop myself from collapsing.

He lowers his lips to my neck, barely brushing them against me. But the skin is so sensitive there that I can't help sucking in a breath.

I find myself whispering his name. At this, he straightens up to look at me. Night lights dancing in his eyes. I'm so entranced by him now that it starts to consume me.

"You really are the anchor tethering me to my humanity…" He murmurs and my lips part in shock. "I'm so completely and utterly devoted to you, Beth. You could ask anything of me and I'd do it..."

I'm too shaken to reply or even think of words anywhere near as beautiful as his own. So I shift to take his face in my hands, fingers gently brushing over his skin.

"Why do you always say such beautiful things?" I ask quietly.

"How could I not? A girl like you…willing to love a boy like me." He takes my waist, pulling me against him. "That just doesn't happen."

I lean in to press my forehead to his as we close our eyes. I blink away a single tear. Neither of us says anything for a while. The only sound is coming from the wind and the background noise of the city.

"I luh–"

He cuts me off with a kiss and my hands fall to clutch at his jacket. I gasp as his grip tightens on my waist and he pulls me so close that the curves of our bodies fit perfectly together like two puzzle pieces. He kisses me deeply with an urgent passion I haven't felt in him in a while.

When he pulls away, I look at him in a daze. "I want to say it first this time..." He says.

My lips part from one another and I feel myself taking a breath as I start to nod my head.

He smiles, bending down to press another lingering kiss to my lips. "I love you." He whispers against my mouth.

I look up into his eyes. "…I love you too."

We stay like that for a minute or two. Then he pulls my hand from his chest. "Let's go home, yeah?"

I nod desperately. He laughs softly at my relief. Then moves to gently pull me towards the car. We lace our fingers together and I feel safe by his side.

The worst is over, I tell myself. Tomorrow's a new day but, for now, we're both still in one piece. And that's what I cling to in situations like this – the little moments of happiness.

They're not just what gives me hope, they're what gives me faith.

~xXx~

14 Hours Later…

After a long drive, we finally arrived at the place. It was far from New York City, where the only thing beyond the horizon was flat grassy plains and forest. The long, empty road went straight on as far as the eye could see before disappearing behind a blur of heat.

We pulled up slowly, hearts beating steadily—he was waiting there for us. Like a shadow, he emerged from the trees and stopped at the side of the road up ahead. We climbed out of the car, taking off our sunglasses like we were in some 1950s retro movie as the afternoon sun was beating down on us.

There was a sweetness floating in the air. A light summer breeze. It brushed over each blade of grass making them sway gracefully like lily-bells. The perfume of flower sprigs growing at the side of the road took me back to another time. And as the sunlight ignited the road ahead, it seemed full of the promises of life; a new start—a better start. A part of me wanted to take it.

Just me, the road and Percy.

"I didn't think you'd come." The tall stranger said as we walked towards him.

"You're my brother," Percy said, "of course I came."

"I thought you were done with the whole brotherly thing." Rafael smiled. He didn't look like a guy who'd just spent weeks in high-security prison. I was still trying to wrap my head around how he'd escaped. Maybe it was best I didn't know.

"After this, I am." Percy said firmly and Rafael nodded as if he'd expected as much. Then his eyes shifted to mine.

"Meu amor…" he started, catching his breath, "I don't expect your forgiveness for all the things I've done but I am truly…deeply sorry." He articulated with a genuine fill of raw emotion. "I hope one day you can find the space in your heart to forgive me."

I looked at him for a while, my eyes searching his and finally, I spoke. "I do forgive you, Rafaello." I murmured. "I can't hold onto my anger anymore, it's best for all of us if we forgive."

He nodded, his eyes unsteady as he swallowed down a lump. I think he understood that I wasn't forgiving him for him, I was forgiving him for me. It takes a lot of energy to stay angry. Forgiveness isn't about the person who hurt you, it's about you and moving on, hate traps you in the past. That's why I had to forgive him.

"I hope we will see each other again." He smiled hopefully.

"No." Percy cut in firmly. "No, once you leave, you're not coming back. You can go anywhere you want, I don't care, just not New York."

"I understand." He nodded.

"This should be enough to get you across the border and then you're a free man." Percy handed him the backpack. It contained the package we'd picked up along with a burner phone and a huge wodge of cash that had been left in the glove compartment of the car.

"There's cash, a new passport, a burner—everything you need."

Rafael nodded gratefully, taking the bag. "You know, if you ever need anything just call and I'll be there. I'm here for both of you. We're all family now."

"Not anymore, brother." Percy said in a wistful, melancholy tone. I really felt for the both of them then, especially when Rafael's expression dropped. "From now on, you're on your own. If I do this, my debt is paid. We're finished. That's what we agreed."

"If that's what you want." Rafael nodded. "You're free." There was a silence for a long while. "I only wish…I only wish we'd grown up in a different life. Maybe you would've known me differently. Maybe we would both have turned out for the better.

"Maybe." Percy agreed but he said nothing more.

To break the awkward silence, I stepped towards Rafael. "Be safe, Rafaello Da Montelupo. Promise me you'll start a clean slate. You have everything you need for a new life, don't waste it."

"I promise, meu amor." He smiled that beautiful smile. "But in return, you must promise to take care of my brother." He said, looking at Percy now who seemed somewhat taken aback by this. I think they both cared about each other, they just wouldn't admit it.

"I promise," I told him, smiling brightly.

"You kids stay together, okay?" He smiled between the both of us. "You belong with each other." I glanced at Percy, a light blush dusting my cheeks, he was too stubborn to smile but his eyes gave away everything.

"Farewell, meu amor." He smiled down at me and I stepped closer to press a soft, gentle kiss to his cheek—merely a brush of lips against skin.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

After that, he seemed to glow. Then he glanced at a tense Percy, gave him a nod and moved passed us towards the car. Before he reached the shiny vehicle though, Percy stopped him.

"Rafael!"

His brother turned early enough to see a flash of metal as the keys flew through the air and jingled when they buried deep into his palm. They locked eyes for a second and suddenly Percy was storming over and pulling his brother into a hug.

Rafael returned it without a second thought as they pulled each other close, patting each other on the back and gripping one another tightly. It was one last embrace. One last goodbye before they would part ways forever. It brought a tear to my eye.

When they separated, I realised they were the same height now. Percy had always been a tall guy but as they stood together in the sunlight, their dark hair glistening in it's hot, burning rays, I think—for the first time, I noticed that they really did look exactly alike.

I'd been questioning it for a while now, but it took this moment to make me realise it. They weren't just brothers by mind and blood, they were brothers by spirit.

"I'll miss you, brother." Rafael smiled, gripping his brother's neck firmly. "Be careful out there. Promise me you'll always protect her." He added, glancing at me and then back at Percy.

Percy nodded and I caught my breath. With that, Rafael climbed into the car and drove away. I moved to the centre of the road as Percy came up behind me to stand by my side. We watched in silence as the red Mustang moved further and further away. Into and beyond the distance. To a better world, I hope.

Song Tribute: [Love Like This – Kodaline]

"Will you miss him?" I asked, looking up at Percy.

"Yes…" he said, "and no."

I smiled, taking his hand in mine as we watched his brother driving a road labelled for a one-way journey—no return.

"I can't believe I'm actually free." He murmured, his hair blowing gently in the breeze. "I'm free." He smiled brightly, his teeth glistening in the sunlight.

I smiled, tilting my chin up and standing on my tiptoes. His smile softened as he craned his neck to kiss me. It was a gentle, delicate kiss but there was meaning behind it—the promise of an eternity together.

And as the car disappeared on the horizon, we turned and walked back, hand in hand. Grover was coming to pick us up but for now, we were alone and we didn't need anything to fill the silence. This was our story. This was our new beginning.

And this was the road we'd chosen to take. Together.

.

.

.

.

.

~xXx~

That's your dose of Dreams, for now, my lovely readers! I hope the long chapter made up for the wait.

Talk about how perfect that song 'Dangerous Game' was for this chapter? I got chills.

So there was a lot to process in there...

Long story short, the basic aim of this chapter was to end all walls between Percy and Annabeth because of Percy's past and the guilt he feels towards it. I wanted Annabeth to visually see his inner demon and willingly choose to stay by his side. That way he knows how much he's loved.

This wasn't about turning Annabeth bad. Far from it.

What else is there to mention?

OH! This is our OFFICIAL goodbye to Rafaello Da Montelupo! *Cry face* I'm actually quite sad about that :(

...

I apologise for not doing any review responses once again. I'll go back over them next time.

Just wanted to make a quick reply to perrrccaabbeth, though. Because omg IKR! 'I'll Be Good' goes so well with Percy's character! I was shook.

Shoot me a PM if you've got any major questions that you would like to know ASAP ;)

Next update? Wouldn't we all like to know... *ehem* sorry.

Okay, for those of you who keep asking - the day on which I update is Sunday. If you don't find the new chapter on a Sunday then come back and check on Monday or Wednesday.

Granted, it's Thursday today but wifi problems and getting ill problems got in the way. This doesn't normally happen.

I won't be updating again this week because I haven't written the next chapter yet. I need to get on that. Come back and check on my updating days the week after. Most likely Sunday.

Lots of love,

~ AWG xx