Sorry for not updating in SO long! I was toooo busy with my school work and creative writing story! Now, I hope this chapter will make up for it!  Love all my fans,

Verop

-X—X-XX-

I opened my eyes and yawned. I could feel the cool air against my face, my shirt slightly up. I turned. Annabeth was asleep, breathing quietly and softly, her hand lightly intertwined with mine. I took my hand from hers slowly and sat up, rubbing my eyes. I guess we'd fallen asleep while waiting for Grover and Nico. I looked around the room. That's funny. They still weren't back. Annabeth shifted to her right side, so her face was turned in my direction.

I didn't want to wake her. She looked peaceful and rested. I could tell she was tired. Sighing, I thought I'd let her sleep for just a bit longer. I stretched and walked towards the balcony, opening it. A rush of wind greeted me, stinging my eyes for a split second. The sun was sinking slowly in the horizon. I don't think I slept for long. Two hours at the most.

"Annabeth?" I turned and called her name.

She didn't stir.

"Annabeth!" I jumped on the bed.

Annabeth awoke with a start, instantly glaring at me.

"Percy!" she bit her lip, rubbing her eyes.

"Gods, Annabeth! You sleep too long!" I laughed jumping off the bed.

"Why are you so hyper?" Annabeth asked.

"No idea!"

Annabeth rolled her eyes and looked around.

"Grover and Nico aren't back?"

"…no. I noticed that, too," I stopped acting like an idiot and started refocusing my thoughts.

"…I don't like that, Percy. Let's go fetch them from downstairs," Annabeth told me, getting up and slipping her shoes on.

"Sure," I patted my pocket. Riptide was still there, which was exactly what I was checking for.

"Got the room key?" Annabeth asked.

I reached in my pocket, feeling my pen/sword and a plastic card. I took it out, looked at it, and nodded to her.

"All is well!"

"Great," Annabeth was about to open the door, but I grabbed her hand.

"Annabeth," I clicked my tongue, shaking my head from side to side.

"Percy! Come on!"

"No,"

She rolled her eyes, and kissed my nose.

"NOW can we go?"

"Pssh! What was that?" I glared, crossing my arms.

"Ugh. So immature," Annabeth kissed my lips quickly and opened the door.

"I can live with that…" I muttered as she dragged me out.

-X-

"Excuse me, but where is the virtual tour arcade?" Annabeth asked the clerk.

He looked at her, his long goat nose almost touching her face. Annabeth leaned back as the creature replied, "To your left. It has a big sign, that you cannot miss,"

"Thank you," I nodded at him, putting my arm around Annabeth's shoulders and steering her away from the guy. Awkward people they have working here.

We walked to our left, just like the guy said, until we saw a huge sign that was lit up with thousands of brilliant lights. It read "Virtual Tour!"

"How did we miss this?" Annabeth cocked her head.

"Um…beats me," I shrugged.

It was strange though. We went all around the hotel until Annabeth finally got fed up and dragged me to the Reservation Desk. Annabeth shrugged and walked into the arcade. Lights were EVERYWHERE. The familiar smell of fresh carpet and cool air conditioner met my nose.

"Whoa," Annabeth blinked.

"Yeah…" I stared at one of the games called, "The Quest of Hercules," and another that was called "Prometheus' Run,"

It wasn't hard to find Grover and Nico. They were playing as a team at the "Dance with Aphrodite" game. I thought that was so wrong, especially since the goddess of Love was a manipulative, little-

We'll just stop there.

"Hey Percy! She looks exactly like Aphrodite!" Grover said excitedly, moving his feet to whatever the beat was.

"Sure," I waved my hand. "Come on, we've got to go eat, then go rest for tomorrow,"

"Aw, come on, Man! This is so fun!" Nico whined.

"No guys. Let's go, seriously," Annabeth said firmly.

The hair on the back of my neck crept up. I don't know what I felt…but something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it…just something. Something was out of place. I looked around. Other demigods, satyrs, and even nymphs (probably taking a break from my dad, like me) were all around playing and giggling. Nothing SEEMED out of place.

"Percy," a soft voice said.

Annabeth and I turned. I figured it out. It was her. Thalia was back.

"YOU!" Grover bared his teeth. This was the first time I'd ever seen him like this.

"Thalia!" Annabeth said sharply.

I didn't hesitate. With a quick motion, I grabbed Thalia's hair, and spun it sharply until she kneeled at my feet. Nobody cared to stop me. They were all equally pissed off.

"P-Percy! Ow! Let me explain!" Thalia tried to free her hair from my grasp, but no amount of lightning would break my hand away from her.

"Go back where you belong, Thalia!" Grover immediately got off of the "Dance with Aphrodite" game (which I still find really creepy)

"B-but I left! I left to come back to you guys! I-I m-m-made ow! I made a mistake!" Thalia whimpered as I glared at her.

"Oh yeah? And precious Luke? Huh?"

At this, Thalia's eyes swam with crystal tears.

"Left him, too,"

"Really? Why? Why not bring him with you?" I sneered.

Thalia didn't reply.

"Listen," I released her, practically throwing her to the ground by me. "I don't give a care what you do, but you're not coming with us! Not even Zeus can make me take you back, traitor,"

Thalia looked sad as she rubbed her scalp.

"But Percy"-

"NO. You're not coming with us!" Annabeth hissed. All memories of Thalia and her seemed to vanish when she looked at Thalia's scarred face.

"Let's go guys," I said gruffly.

No one around seemed to notice our little fight. Strange. Maybe it was normal. I might tell Annabeth about it later…

"Percy!" Thalia tugged on my shirt.

"WHAT?" I tore it from her grasp.

Thalia's eyes couldn't hold the crocodile tears much longer and they spilt slowly down her cheeks, leaving a steady line of shimmering flesh.

"I love you. That's why I came back. I love you!"