A/N: I do not own PJO.

Sorry it took so long to update, I was running low on inspiration.

Without further ado, I give you...

Chapter Nine- Stryker

I was deep in a cave and the air was freezing. I felt ice creeping around me and a cold hand on my neck.

The fingers were long and stark white. I felt another hand clamp over my mouth. I struggled against the hands, but they only held on to me tighter.

A voice hissed, "You can't stop me. I've already sent someone to take over your little camp!"

I yelled into the hands and thrashed about, but I felt a leg kick me. I thrust my elbows back and hit something hard.

"Don't worry, half-blood. The trees can't help you now!" the voice screeched. With one final kick, my dream shifted.

I was at camp, but I was tied to the pine tree on Half Blood-Hill. The woods were on fire and I saw Willow clinging to a tree as some humanoid figure stabbed her. She screamed and I woke with a start.

I realized I had been crying, and I looked around the room. It was still dark and the clock on Abby's desk said four-thirty.

Channing stirred and sat up. I had worked my way into a corner and he scooted next to me.

Channing rubbed away a tear with his thumb and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"What's wrong?" he asked quietly.

I stood up and carefully stepped out of the dorm. Channing followed me and sat next to me when we reached the soft grass.

"My dreams were bad," I whispered.

Channing put his arm around my shoulders again and I leaned my head on him.

"It was just a dream," he said.

I had stopped crying, but I was still frazzled and I bit my lip.

Channing leaned closer to me. "I'm kind of scared to try this again," he admitted.

I laughed a little. "It seems like the universe is out to get us," I said and leaned my forehead on his.

Channing smiled and kissed my cheek. His fingers laced in mine and his other hand wrapped around my waist.

"To be honest," he said, "I'm thinking we're cursed."

I laughed lightly and Channing sighed. I cocked my head to the side. "What is it?" I asked.

"Tomorrow we barge into the Underworld and there's a major possibility that we could die in the process. I haven't kissed you yet, and I might never get the chance," Channing said quietly.

He leaned closer to me so that just our lips remained apart. "Channing, please. Just wait until we get to the Underworld," I begged.

Channing gazed at me and sighed. His hot breath cascaded over my face and he closed his eyes. "Why?" he asked.

I bit my lip. "Because I asked you to. And because there's no way we are going to die," I said firmly.

Channing touched my cheek and leaned closer. At first I thought he was going to kiss me, but he just pecked me lightly on the cheek before pulling away.

"You make me happy," he whispered.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Cheesy much?" I joked.

Channing regained his smirk and nudged me. "I read Shakespeare, okay. But I can't put things I think into words. If I could, there would be too much for me to say," he said and took my hand. "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Stryker is the sun!" he said dramatically.

I smiled little and squeezed his hand. "Aidan would be jealous," I whispered.

Channing blushed. "It's easier to quote things."

I smiled and stifled a yawn.

Channing stood slowly and offered me his hand. He pulled me up and we walked back to the dorm in silence.

I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

When I woke up, Hayden was pacing the room, looking nervous.

"Stryker, good, you're awake!" she said and let out a sigh. I looked around and noticed no one else was in the room.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"They're arguing like children outside. Channing is just being a tool again," she said crossly.

I got up and stretched. My back popped and Hayden winced.

"Doesn't that hurt?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Not really."

Hayden bit her lip and glanced out the window. "We seriously need to break up that fight," she said slowly.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "What are they arguing about?" I asked. Hayden shrugged and I pushed the door open hitting Tanner in the face.

"Ow!" he cried.

I mumbled an apology and stepped outside. Channing was arguing with Aidan and Dakota stood helplessly between them. Chase was resting under a tree and Tanner had joined him.

Hayden rolled her eyes and mumbled, "Gimme ten seconds and I can break this fight up."

I shrugged and Hayden smiled wickedly. She strode over to Channing, but he didn't glance at her. She walked behind him and grabbed his shoulder. She squeezed and Channing cried out and fell to the ground. Hayden kicked his shin and he got up. She merely cracked her knuckles. I saw what was going to happen before Channing did. Hayden drew her fist back and thrust it forward, clocking Channing square in the nose.

"That's for calling me ugly!" Hayden screamed as Channing cursed. Blood was gushing from his nose. I ran to him and pushed the two apart.

"Enough!" I yelled. "You're both being children!"

Hayden stuck her nose in the air and huffed. Channing pushed her down and tackled her. Chase jumped up and tried to intervene, but Hayden rolled over and was on top. She clawed at Channing's face and he batted her hands away, grabbing her wrists.

"You never could beat me," he growled and she roared in anger.

"Channing Tenebre, I'm going to kill you!" Hayden screamed as Channing pinned her underneath him.

Abby ran up and put her hands on her hips. She pried Channing of Hayden but Channing was still breathing heavily and glaring at Hayden.

The sun was burning hot and I could have sworn steam was rising from Hayden. Channing wiped sweat from his brow.

"So you think making the sun brighter will make me weaker?" he growled.

Hayden, who until then had been looking smug, suddenly looked a little worried.

Channing closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was suddenly very cold and I could see my breath. The sun dimmed and suddenly, though it was a cloudless day, it blinked out. For two seconds we stood in darkness. Hayden screamed and attempted to tackled Channing, but Tanner and Dakota held her back. Aidan and Chase held Channing, but he wasn't struggling.

It got warm again and Abby stared at us in disbelief. A form shimmered next to her. We shielded our eyes once the light got intensely bright.

Next to Abby stood the most gorgeous guy to have ever walked the face of the earth. My jaw dropped and Abby looked like she was about to pass out.

His face was unhappy though, and it was focused on Channing.

"Were you just messing with the sun?" he asked angrily.

Channing's eyes got wide. "No, sir!" he said quickly. I didn't know why Channing seemed scared of the boy, because he couldn't have been more than a few years older than us.

The boy glared at him. "Don't you lie to me, boy, I'm the god of truth!" the boy yelled.

I didn't know who in Hades the god of truth was, but the way Channing was quivering like a kicked puppy wasn't a good sign.

The boy poked Channing's chest and Channing winced. "I'm sorry, Lord Apollo!" he cried.

I raised an eyebrow and stifled a gasp. This boy couldn't seriously be Apollo. He looked about Abby's age, eighteen or nineteen. He had stiking eyes, blue as the sky, and shaggy blonde hair. Hayden gravitated toward him and smiled.

The boy continued to glare at Channing. "That is a serious offense," he said harshly, but his face suddenly changed. Instead of looking angry, his muscles relaxed and a smile danced onto his lips.

"Lord Apollo, I'm really sorry," Channing begged.

Apollo smiled. "I was just playin', kiddo. You're one powerful demigod if you could put me out!" he said, patting Channing on the back.

Channing looked like he was about to pass out. He was paler than usual and his blue eyes were wide.

Apollo glanced around at us. "So what are you kids up to?" he asked. His eyes fell on Abby and he smiled at her.

Abby blushed and he winked. Oh my gods. Apollo was hitting on my sister. Hayden pouted but Tanner walked over to her and she looked happy again. Tanner slipped an arm around her and she leaned against him. But the moment was over when Tanner pulled back. Hayden sighed and looked away.

Apollo raised an eyebrow at us, but turned his back on us and struck up a conversation with Abby.

I walked over to where Channing was standing and gave him a slight shove. "What were you thinking?" I asked.

Channing shrugged and wiped blood from his face. "I was thinking I wanted to piss Hayden off," he said angrily.

Chase slipped behind me. "If you hate her so much, why do you fight for her attention?" he asked.

Channing turned red. "I don't want her attention. She was the one who punched me in the nose!" he cried. His nose started bleeding again and he cursed.

Aidan and Dakota were talking to Tanner and Hayden, but they were whispering. Apollo had Abby giggling like a school girl and I couldn't help but smile.

I turned back to Chase. Channing had ripped a peice of his already torn T-shirt and was wiping his bloodly face with it. He was doing a crappy job, so I took it from him. Chase handed me a water bottle and I sat down in the grass. Channing sat next to me and Chase sat across from us. I dabbed the cloth in the water and began washing Channing's bloody face. He closed his eyes and sighed. Chase raised an eyebrow and poked my side.

I shook my head and Channing bit his lip when I began washing a cut on his cheek. He opened his eyes and stared at me. I found it a little creepy, but I wasn't complaining.

I was pretty plain when it came to looks. I have never been as pretty as Abby or Dakota. Boys always stared at Dakota back when we were in school. They always flirted with her, but I always felt ignored. So when Channing sat there and stared at me, I felt wanted.

Channing looked over at Chase and said, "Why are you still here?"

Chase smiled. "Because you just got punched by a girl and I haven't made fun of you yet."

Channing shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat," he said and Chase made a face at him.

Channing stood up just as I finished and stretched. "We should sneak away while they aren't looking," he whispered, gesturing to Apollo and Abby. Hayden stalked up to us, followed by Aidan, Dakota, and Tanner.

"They're busy," Hayden mumbled, jerking her thumb towards my sister and the god. I smiled when I saw Apollo tuck a curl of Abby's hair behind her ear.

I fiddled with the waist band of my shorts and approached the two. Abby smiled brightly and Apollo nodded.

"Abby, we, uh, have to go now," I said awkwardly.

Abby's face fell but Apollo smiled. "They'll be cool!" he said and patted Abby on the shoulder. "Trust me."

Abby smiled a tiny bit and hugged me tightly. "I love you so much," she whispered.

I felt tears sting my eyes. I had never been close to Abby, but I felt so close to her now, that it was a shame I was most likely going to die soon. I hugged her back and she pulled away.

"Just go," she whispered.

I nodded and walked back to the group. Together we walked into the streets of Los Angeles and to our ultimate doom.

Little did I know that we were being watched.

We had been walking for an hour and stopped to rest. We had no idea where we were going and being the ever stupid kid I was, I had forgotten to ask Apollo where the Underworld was.

We were seven kids wandering around a huge, scary city by ourselves. I sat us down near a hospital and Tanner sighed. He suddenly winced and clutched his arm.

I watched him out of the corner of my eye, and he yelped a little. "That one hurt," he mumbled to himself.

This went on for about five minutes. While the others ate some food Abby had given us, I sat next to Tanner.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Tanner had been staring at a tree and he winced again.

Tanner turned to glare at me. "Nothing is wrong," he said crossly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Tanner, I'm not stupid," I said and folded my arms across my chest.

Tanner rolled his black eyes. "Whatever. Just keep telling yourself that," he mumbled.

I glared at him. "What is the matter with you?" I asked.

Tanner shrugged. "You're just bothering me. Plus, this quest is a waste. We're all gonna die anyway," he said blandly.

I wacked his arm. "Why are you being so negative?" I shouted. The others looked up and stared at us.

Tanner stood up. "You know what, Stryker? I'm negative because I'm death! My touch kills people and my very presence seems to drain the life out of things. You all are lucky it's hard to kill a demigod. Otherwise, you'd all be dead because of me!" he yelled.

I pushed him back. "Tanner, don't be dramatic," I said and rolled my eyes.

"I'm not being dramatic. You're being a brat!" he cried and threw his hands up. "Sometimes," he said visiously, "I just wanna hug you 'till you die."

I knew he literally could hug me until I died, but I still thought he was being a drama queen.

Channing whispered something to Chase and Tanner whipped around. "You guys talking about me, huh? The kid of the god of death is being weird again, is it?"

Channing shook his head. "No, Tanner―"

Tanner stalked up to Aidan. "I suppose you think I'm crazy too!" he accused.

Aidan held up his hands. "No!" he cried innocently.

Tanner poked Aidan's chest. "Gods! You are all so self absorbed!" he shouted. Suddenly he clutched his side. "Ow! That was a cancer patient," he muttered and glared at the hospital.

I grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. "Tanner! What the Hades is the matter?" I yelled in his face.

Tanner slowly blinked and looked at me defiantly. "Everytime a person dies, I feel it. Do you have any idea how many people die every day?" he said harshly.

Hayden wrapped her hand in his. "Tanner, I'm so sorry," she whispered. Tanner pulled her into a short hug. He pushed her away after about two seconds, and Hayden looked at him sadly.

"Don't be," he mumbled. He looped his pinkie in hers and kissed her forehead softly. Hayden shivered under his touch and took a ragged breath. The color was sucked out of her cheeks and Tanner stepped back. Hayden took a step closer but Tanner pushed her back. "I'll kill you if I don't get back," he whispered.

Hayden wiped something from the corner of her eye, a tear? Hayden wasn't one to show anything other than anger. Seeing her sad and crying made me think about who she really was.

Hayden was so pretty, much prettier than I was. I didn't see why Channing rejected her nor did I understand why he would call her ugly. Hayden was bitter now, drawing from her beauty and making her angry and twisted.

I glanced up at Dakota and we locked eyes. Dakota frowned and rubbed her cheek. She had a funny habit of rubbing her cheek when she was upset or nervous.

Tanner winced again and said, "Can we move somewhere else?"

Channing nodded and we followed him to a warehouse. He tried to pick the lock, but he couldn't find anything to do it with. Dakota snapped her fingers and handed him a bobby pen. Normally Dakota would have objected to breaking and entering, but with tensions already high, she probably didn't want to start anything. Channing still couldn't get it and he sighed.

"I should have been born a Hermes camper," he mumbled.

A new voice came from behind us. "I'm flattered."

We turned around and saw a well groomed business man standing behind us. He wore a crisp suit and carried a black briefcase. He had curly brown hair and shining blue eyes.

Channing smiled widely at the man and I could have sworn he was about to bow. "Lord Hermes!" he cried.

The man nodded seriously, but kept a mischievous smile. "Again, I'm flattered," he said and smiled brightly. I opened my mouth to speak but he held up a hand. "You seven have an interesting quest," he said seriously.

Chase nodded. "Yes, sir. But ya know what would make it more interesting?" Channing said nervously.

Hermes shrugged. "If all of you were to wear T-shirts that said 'Hermes rules'?"

Channing cracked a smile and said, "Yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of you telling us where the Underworld is. That might help. A lot."

Hermes shrugged again. "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you," he said slowly.

Chase sighed. "Look, Lord Hermes, no disrespect or anything, but we seriously need to get to the Underworld to stop a sadistic god of death. So telling us and letting him do the killing would be lovely," he said quietly, keeping his head bowed.

Hermes smiled and said, "It's close. Closer than you think." He handed Chase a slip of paper and vanished.

Chase unfolded it carefully. "DOA Reform School," he read slowly, squinting his eyes.

Hayden snatched the paper from him, effectively ripping it in half.

"Now look what you've done!" Aidan cried. Hayden rolled her eyes and held the two sides together.

"DOA…" her voice trailed off. "Well the Hades if I know. Hermes has doctor hand writing," she said and sighed.

We all took turns attempting to read it, each of us coming up with a new phrase.

We walked across the street and sat under a billboard. Tanner looked up, attempting to read it. It was a black background with white letters, making it much easier to read, but I didn't bother to attempt it.

Tanner scratched his dark head. "DOA Recording Studios," he said quietly.

"That's stupid," Dakota said. "Why would the Underworld be in a recording studio?"

Tanner pointed up to the billboard. "No, look! DOA Recording Studios!"

We looked up at the billboard. "That's it!" Dakota cried. She pulled a pen out of her pocket and scribbled the address printed on the billboard.

We ran through the street as fast as we could, getting a few dirty looks from pedestrians. We sprinted past an abandoned looking building. I couldn't quite read it, but I made out the word Crusty's. I got a chill and kept running.

Soon we came to a black building. Glowing red letters above it said "DOA Recording Studios." Or at least I assumed it said that, I couldn't decifer it.

"Well," Tanner said. "Who's ready to meet daddy?"

We pushed open the door to hell and walked straight to our doom.

A/N: Again, I'd like to apologize for taking so long to update this. I was running on low creativity and inspiration.

My thoughts on Stryker and Channing: I love them, yet I have to make it difficult. Things are gonna be screwed up for them soon.

This is in fact going to be a bit of a tragedy. Ponder that.

I really don't have anything else to say besides it might be a while before I update agin. At least a week, but no longer than a week and a half.

As always, review. Reviews really do help, so the more reviews I get, the faster I can write.

If you haven't already, check out my other stories, especially "From the Foam of the Sea."

Anway, hope you enjoyed(:

ψcamille elisabethψ