I felt numb. Everything was silenced.

"WHAT?" Annabeth screeched.

"It's true!" Thalia started to sob. "I love you, Percy. I couldn't keep it in any longer! I couldn't!"

"Listen," I took in a deep breath. "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard! You love Luke. Not me,"

"I DO!"

Grover shifted uncomfortably.

"What is it?" Annabeth asked him quietly.

"…I think she's telling the truth," he said carefully. "I can feel two sides of emotions, each equally balanced. She loves Luke, and I don't think she'd be able to handle it…but I can say the same for you Percy,"

"NO. You're not telling me this!" I put my hands up and glared.

"He's not lying!" Thalia said exasperated.

"Get away from me!" I whispered, stepping back.

What the hell was she saying? Who was this? No way that the girl in front of me was Thalia!

"Percy…I really mean it. I need you," Thalia started walking up to me, but Annabeth stood in front of me protectively.

"Out of the way," Thalia grumbled.

"No. You. Get away from us," I sneered behind Annabeth's shoulders.

"B-"

"GO BACK TO HIM! GO!" I ran out of the arcade, going up to my room. We were going to stay locked up in our rooms until that girl can stay away.

"Percy!"

My name echoed in my ears, even after I slammed the door to me room and went straight to the balcony. The sun had already set, leaving fading purple clouds and a heavy black blanket over the sky. I wasn't crying. There was no reason to.

The door shut softly behind me. I didn't look over my shoulders.

"Percy?"

Annabeth's voice.

"I don't want to talk Annabeth," I said gruffly.

"You know you can always talk to me," she put her arms around my waist, resting her head on my back.

"Really," I shoved her away and walked inside.

Annabeth didn't look angry at all. In fact, she looked a little…pleased.

"WHAT?" I looked at her, agitated.

"Nothing," she smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Listen, Annabeth, I don't like Thalia, really. I just couldn't stand"-

Annabeth started laughing. I cocked my eyebrows.

"I knew it!" she giggled.

"What is so funny?" I asked.

"The way your acting!" Annabeth walked up to me. "I knew you would be all 'no Annabeth, it's not true!' I was so right!"

"…Erm…" I didn't know what to say.

I was, genuinely, speechless.

Annabeth pressed her lips to mine, intertwining her hands with mine. I broke away and she kissed me again. Damn. I gave in, letting my lips move on her cold ones. Cold…? Whatever. A thought came into my head and I put my hand up to my mouth to stop her from kissing me again.

"Where's Grover and Nico?" I asked.

"I left them downstairs," she cocked her eyebrows. "I rushed after you!"

"…oh my gods," I gasped, running to the door.

"Percy?"

"Annabeth…you left them DOWNSTAIRS with THALIA?"

"…oh. That wasn't very smart," Annabeth nodded to herself.

"YOU THINK?"

"STOP YELLING AT ME, OK?" she hissed. "SORRY FOR TRYING TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!"

"Well…" I didn't have a reply to that, so I just yanked open the door and started running. Annabeth was at my side.

We ran down the stairs and to the same sign. When I walked into the arcade, I could see no one. Not one child.

"This is weird," Annabeth coughed.

"Annabeth," I said her name weakly.

"Hmm?"

She walked over to the machine I was at, the "Dance with Aphrodite". A note with a dagger was in it.

I've taken Thalia, Grover, and Nico. If you think they're in the underworld, you're partly correct. I know Nico is son of the lord of the Dead. He's somewhere but the underworld…I want Thalia back, Percy. It's a fight to the death if I see you again. Grover on the other hand…maybe there wont be much use for him…

Luke

"Oh my…" Annabeth's hand went up to her mouth.

I looked at her from the corners of my eyes. I didn't blame her anymore, but still. She shouldn't of left them behind.

"Percy I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking straight!" she bit her lip.

"Don't worry about it. I want to kill that freakin' Luke," I crushed the note in my hand. "And I WILL,"