I seriously hate writer's blocks. They suck.

… Here are some sneak peeks! …

"Annabeth, she's in danger, and it's all my fault." –Percy Jackson, Taken.

"I had to let him go… he doesn't love me. And now I have to pay the price."- Annabeth Chase, Taken.

~GoGreen52

-Chapter 6- Fear

-Previously-

I looked at his outline, and I could almost see that face. I knew he was looking courageous… something that I always wanted to be.

Something that he was.

All of the sudden, I jumped at least a few feet in the air when I heard the door slam open.

My eyes met with light, and I heard someone laughing, sounding cold and evil. I knew Jackson and I were in for some trouble as soon as I squinted up to meet the eyes of Luke Castellen.

-Annabeth POV-

"Hello Bethy. Looks like you finally decided to wake up." His voice sent chills down my spine, and the tiny hairs on my arms were soon sticking straight up.

I decided to be bold, but my voice still shook. "What do you want, Luke?"

I could feel Jackson stare at me. I knew he thought I was being stupid and reckless, but I knew that Luke wouldn't do anything to me… well, not yet anyways.

"Why Annabeth, you know that I wasn't finished with you last time. So now I have to start all over, and go back to beginning. I was lucky enough to catch you with Persues Jackson, the more the merrier, isn't that right, Bethy?"

I glared, but my breaths came out in gasps as memories threatened to come back to me and take me over. I couldn't let that happen, and let Luke think I was still as weak as I was before.

I'm stronger now.

"How do you know my name?" I heard Jackson ask.

"How do I not know you're name, Perseus? You have quite the reputation, you know… messing with the people who aren't meant to be messed with."

I looked at Jackson, confused. He was glaring at Luke, and I was amazed at how he could actually glare. And I thought my glare was scary.

"You don't know anything about me." Great, he's going to get himself killed.

To my shock, Luke didn't look angry by that comment, only merely amused. "Oh, but I do. You're mother lives with you in New York, and your father owns a muli-million dollar company working with marine life. You were born August 18th, 1995. You're the captain of your school football team and basketball team. Face it, Perseus Jackson. I know more about you than you think."

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see Jackson's face in reaction to what Luke just told him. To be honest, I felt pretty bad for what had happened to him. I mean, it's my fault that we were in this mess.

Percy was silent after that.

"Bethy, you need to explain what's going to happen to Perseus. Wouldn't want to leave him blindsided, would we?"

And with that, Luke left, but not before turning on the light in the room- a single light bulb that didn't cover this whole space. Must be a basement or warehouse of some sort. I could see Jackson clearly, though, and that would help with what I was going to have to tell him.

I looked at Jackson, and our eyes met. "I think it's about time you tell me what's going on. He knows me, Chase. I don't think this is going to end well."

His eyes searched mine, searching for a tell-tale sign that I knew something he didn't. And from the look on his face a split second later, he found one. "Tell me what's going on," he demanded.

Deciding it was rude to not tell him anything, and dangerous to defy Luke's orders, I spoke up. "Look, I can't tell you what happened to me. I don't think I would be able to stay sane… but what I can tell you is this- he's smart, Jackson. He will do anything and everything to get out of something and to get the better deal. He's mentally capable of committing murder.

"Don't underestimate what he can do to you, Jackson. I've seen him at his worst, and trust me on this- I really don't think I will ever be able to shake the images out of my head." By the end, I was shaking. I kept on seeing the images I've tried so hard to forget, leaving me feeling numb.

Jackson looked at me, showing no fear in his eyes, and said, "Chase, it's all going to be okay. I can just feel it. But you need to help me out here, what did Luke mean when he didn't want me to be blindsided?"

I sighed. "Look, Luke likes tricking people. I mean, he likes it when he makes people go insane. It's what he does… he makes people go insane, then he kills them."

Jackson looked at me oddly, obviously not getting what I was trying to explain to him. "So he's going to trick us then? That's all?"

Glaring at him, I said, "Yeah. He tricks people. But the kinds of tricks he pulls isn't some kind of child's play. What he does to people makes them not know what's up and what's down. He blends nightnmares with reality, making people question what's real and what's not."

When I cut off, it was silence. You could have heard a pin drop. Yet, the silence wasn't comforting, like how I usually think of it. Instead, this was lonely, and every second I felt more alone than the last.

I could have kissed Jackson for speaking up. "I'm sorry. That wasn't called for… I guess I'm not having the easiest time believing that I'm actually kidnapped. With you of all people."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "You think?"

"I was just trying to be polite, okay? I know for some reason you're having a tough time, and if we both are going to get out of here, I think we both need to be in a right state of mind."

"Oh, so I'm not in a right state of mind?" who does he think he is? "For your information, I'm the one who figured out where the hell we were just a few hours ago!"

"Well forgive me for trying to help you!"

"Trying to help me? I'm sorry, but your definition of help and mine are two very different things!"

"Obviously your mom never taught you about helping others, Chase."

I glared at him. Bringing my mother into this wasn't going to get him anywhere. "Don't go bringing my mother into this. She's a very good woman, and you don't see me downing your mother, do you? Follow my lead and don't diss mine, then."

Jackson scoffed, a mist clouding over his green eyes. "Like Athena is a mother at all. That's why I can down her, Chase. My mother is one of the best there is, and is probably looking for me by now, while Athena doesn't even know you're gone. Face it, Chase- you really don't have a mother. In fact, you don't have any parents at all."

Ouch. That one hurt.

The only reason why it hurt is because you know it's true, the small voice in my head told me. Sure, I do have some mommy issues, but it's actually kind of rude to point it out to someone like that… but this is Jackson we're talking about. There's nothing that he does that's not rude.

I know that my mother isn't really there for me all the time anymore, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she's not a bad mom… that's just a lie, and you know it.

"Hey, Chase? You okay over there?"

I just ignored him. I had no desire to talk to Jackson after what he just said. So I ignored him, which kind of sounds elementary for me to do, but he practically just called me an orphan. Of course I'm not very happy about that.

"Come on! The silent treatment? Seriously?"

I was glaring at the ground, trying to keep myself from losing it with him. I guess he really thinks he's above all others. I knew that Jackson and I never got along, but right now if I was able to get out of these chains, I would kill him. Which is weird, considering I normally don't have violent thoughts.

I rid myself of them after last time. I went to the church and have a therapist so I don't have to live thinking like that, but I guess with Jackson things change pretty easily.

"You're supposed to tell me about Luke, not give me the silent treatment, Chase! Come on, what is the matter with you?"

I snapped, not able to take on his nagging. "Will you shut up, you ungrateful idiot! I told you all you need to know- Luke likes to make people go crazy, and then kills them! I think that's all anyone would need to know in a situation like this!"

Jackson looked at me, but I was shocked when I didn't see any anger in his eyes. All I saw was regret. And to be honest, I got a warm feeling when I saw that, probably just from the satisfaction of having him see my way.

Yup. Only from the satisfaction.

After a few minutes in silence, he spoke, "How do we get out of here, Chase?" his voice sounded defeated, as if he was ready to give up. And Luke hasn't done anything to us yet… we have no chance, I guess.

I looked at him softly, finally seeing what he was really feeling. He was scared, and he knew it. But he was also ready for this, too. He was courageous, and that was going to help him- help us, get out of here alive.

"I don't know, Jackson."

He groaned, and I heard a thump against the concrete when he hit his head back against the wall. I knew he was frustrated, but we had worse to think about right now. Instead of just trying to figure out how to get out of here, we also need to think about how we are going to survive to see the next day.

"Save your energy, Luke's probably devising a plan to make us go crazy right now, and we need to be ready for it," I told him. "You need to stop thinking about whatever you're thinking about right now, because obviously it's not going to help either of us in the long run."

Jackson looked at me, his eyes wide. "I think I might have an idea…"

I opened my mouth, and tried to speak, but I wasn't able to find words. He noticed this, but before he was able to tell me what he ever-so cleverly came up with, the door slammed open, causing me to jump, yet again.

"You two have a nice chat? Annie, dear, I hope you told Percy about what we do here. It would be rather tragic… and not as fun for him to be blindsided, don't you agree?" Luke asked, his chilling blue eyes, digging into mine. I nodded timidly, too scared to speak.

"Good!" Jackson and I jumped at the loudness of his voice. "Now, we must get started, shall we?" Luke waltzed around the room, in a bird like dance, circling Jackson and I- his prey.

Luke disappeared behind me, and was out of my sight. I watched Jackson, reading his expressions as I knew he could see Luke. So, when his eyes started to widen, I closed my eyes, and prepared myself for the worst.

"Bethy, are you scared?"

I could feel his breath hitting my face, the smell of cool mint evading my senses. Slowly, I opened my eyes, as if it was going to prove to him that I wasn't scared of him anymore, and that he doesn't have the same effect on me like he did before.

But when I opened my eyes, I kind of wished I didn't in the first place. The round things like ice that Luke has for eyes was staring at me, as if they could reap through my soul. I felt violated, like he knew my every secret… and that was from one look.

I started to tremble, my body not agreeing with my mind about not being scared of him. I mean, I couldn't help but tremble at the sight of those eyes- the same ones that have haunted me for years.

"Awe, little Bethy is scared," he cooed, though his voice was like nails on a chalkboard.

I glared at him. "You could never make me scared, Luke. Not anymore."

I saw Jackson give me a look as if to say, "Do you want to die?" I just winked at him. I knew how to get under Luke's skin… and this was it. Besides, if I could get under his barrier just enough, than maybe I could make him crazy… or crazier.

I could use his technique against him. That's what I was planning on doing before, but I got out before I could do any real damage. This time… only one of us are going to come out of this alive, and Percy, if he can handle Luke.

Luke's complexion started to change before my eyes, and all of the sudden, he snapped his fingers, having some of his goons come into the room. "So, playing tough, huh? Well, let's see if you're as tough as you think. Time to come face to face with your worst nightmare, Annabeth Chase."

I smelt something really sweet, like ripe strawberries, and my world went black.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chloroform was starting to get on my nerves. And seriously, what was the whole thing with waking up in dark room? This was just getting overused.

I remember being hit with chloroform from a few of Luke's goons. I bet Jackson was too, considering how stupid it would be for Luke to just knock out one of us, and that could lead to problems in the future, easily. But where was he?

"Jackson? You there?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

I waited in silence, hoping to hear just a little scuff, anything just to know that I wasn't alone in here. But after a while, I realized that Luke not only relocated me, but he has Percy and I separate. I know what this means… we're about to be driven crazy.

I took a deep breath, and tried to tune into my surroundings. Hopefully, if were able to know where I was, I would be able to figure out how to get out of this place. I hope Luke's goons were stupid and forgot something…. That's how I got out last time.

I closed my eyes, and focused in. I was obviously sitting in a chair, I think wooden, but since I couldn't see it, of course I couldn't be sure. The room was pretty stuffy, like it was air tight. But I doubt that it was, considering how Luke wanted me to go crazy first.

Trying to force myself to see what was around me, I narrowed my eyes at the sides of the room. But all I saw was the same black that was in front of me.

The same black that was in front of me…

My God.

As soon as my eyes started to get used to the dark, my theory was proved correct. In front of me, I saw the faint outlines of myself… and all around. I was tied into a chair that was bolted into the floor, surrounded by walls of mirrors.

What is Luke planning?

All of the sudden, I heard a thump above me, and Luke's voice. "So, Annabeth Chase, not scared of me? Or are you just putting on a show for our little Percy? But, we both know one thing you are terrified of."

The top of the room had a little hatch that opened, and out came the one thing that I honestly am completely afraid of. My phobia, a weakness in my armor.

Spiders.

-Percy POV-

I hate waking up with a headache. And of course, I guess lately that's all I've been waking up to. A headache. And people who give me headaches.

Headaches for everyone!

I woke up in a room that was covered in darkness. I heard things beeping, but I wasn't too worried about that. To be honest, all I'm worried about is Chase. Who knows what Luke's doing to her, and I need her to get out of her.

Yes, I'm actually admitting that I need Chase to do something.

"Chase? You here?"

Well. Either she's giving me the silent treatment again, or she's not here. I'm just going to go with the second.

I had no idea where I was, or what I was going to do to get out of here, but all I know is that I'm alone, and if it comes down to something with wits, or just knowledge of this place, I'm screwed. Luke was going to make me go crazy, but I don't exactly feel like doing it alone.

Not without Chase… this is meant to be said in the least friendly way possible.

"Hello, Percy Jackson."

Immediately, the lights came on, and even though I was squinting, I saw Luke himself, standing in the front of the room… I think, or at least where I was facing. My blood went cold when I saw people one the screen.

My mom and step mom.

I looked at Luke, glaring with all my might. Why was this going to involve them? Why was this going to involve anyone?

"Percy, you must be wondering, why them? Why the screen?" Luke said. I just continued to glare at him. Something about Luke even looking at my mother's picture just made me want to beat him up. "Well, your job is fairly simple. These people mean a lot to you, no? Even if they do, you will have to kill one of them."

Okay. Now I seriously wanted to beat him up.

We have two snipers aiming at each of these ladies right now. Your two beloved mothers… I know how protective you are of your friends. In fact, I happen to know that you would take a bullet for them. How ironic, considering that's how one of these ladies are going to die!"

I started to hyperventilate, and shaking my head. "You can't make me do this."

Luke smirked, his eyes liked a python's. "Yes I can. You pick one, or I kill both of them myself."

I looked at him. I looked into his eyes, seeing that he was dead serious. I was going to have to kill someone.

Still hate writer's blocks.

~GoGreen52