AN: Hey everyone, sorry this one took so long to publish; still not sure if it is right; but please enjoy.

"ANNABETH CHASE PLEASE REPORT TO THE CHECK OUT ROOM IN RECEPTION," blasted the loudspeakers. Jeez, way to make it subtle. It's about freaking time to. Two hours, forty three minutes and fifty-seven seconds late. Not that I was counting.

As I started to walk away something hit me with full force, wrapping their arms around me. I was on the verge of spinning and kicking my attacker. But then I heard the barely audible voice; "I'm gonna miss you Annabeth."

Oh, it was Lace. I spun around and returned the gesture. I couldn't help recognizing the fact that this was my first hug since him. Ugh; forget about him Annabeth; he is just an idiot.

"Please don't go. What about those boys? They're gonna hurt me again." Lace whined.

"They won't hurt you; and if they do, remember that defence manoeuvre I taught you?"

She nodded eagerly, remembering she had his weapon at her disposal.

"You just do that, and run as fast as you can to the office; got it?"

"I guess so. Can you take me with you?"

I laughed mentally, there was no way in Tartarus; wait what did I just say? What the hell is Tartarus? I brushed it off; probably all my time in this hell-hole affecting my brain. Well there was no way I was taking her with me, just so she could watch me stab my ex to death.

"Sorry Lace, I can't. Have an amazing life though, okay?"

"But how? I'm an orphan, and no one is gonna adopt me, and there is this new system coming in. It's like at a pound. If no one takes the dog, they put it down."

"What did you say?" I demand dumbfounded. Did she just say what I think she said? That they would put her down? That's stupid, probably just an excuse for me to feel sorry for her and let her tag along. If I could, there was security everywhere and no way of escaping.

"They're going to kill me. I got a warning from another girl there. She told me they tell you they're giving you a special check-over, and lay you on a table and give you a needle full of silver liquid, and then you die." As soon as she said this I knew it was true. I could see it in her eyes. I could also see terror. Her bottom lip was trembling and she was shaking like a leaf. A gust of wind blew and I had to catch her before she fell on her face.

"Where did you hear this?"

"My friend looked through one of the tiny windows and saw the whole thing. She was taken the next day."

"Did you see her again?" I stuttered, fearing the answer. But I didn't get an answer; all I got was a single teardrop rolling down her innocent face. I went through a number of emotions in the next few seconds. I felt dumbfounded, then furious, then determined. How could they do that to a little girl? How cruel are people now that they "put down" children, like a freaking animal? Well news flash, I was not letting Lace go back to that prison, that murder house.

"Follow me," I nearly spat, still unbelieving of what Lace just told me.

"ANNABETH CHASE REPORT TO THE CHECK OUT OFFICEI RECEPTION NOW," repeated the loudspeaker. We weren't checking out though, we were going out our own way.

Lacy was silent as a mouse as we crept towards the far corner of the Institute. There was a guard patrolling about two hundred metres away, but unfortunately he was looking in our direction. He gave us a quizzical look, but I just continued as if I didn't see him. Shit, he started walking towards us. I could see a gun in his belt, and a bulge in his chest; I imagine that's where he hides his knife.

"Hello ladies, what are you doing out here? All alone?" He allowed his eyes to roam over our bodies, disgusting me.

"Oh we were just bored in there. Those boys don't know how to keep us entertained, you see. It gets awfully lonely in there." I played along with the act, sickening myself at how real I sounded.

"Really, well I could do something about that…"

And just like that he grabbed me and tacked me to the ground. His hands were all over me, and I hated every second. I swear I nearly threw up, but I kept telling myself it was for Lace. Sneakily, my hand removed the knife from his shirt, while he was…Oh God; he was fumbling with his belt. Oh crap what the hell am I doing? I am not losing my virginity to this bastard. I am not going this far for freaking Lace. Hell, I barely knew her! I snuck a glance at Lace; she was running over here and looked like she was going to tackling the "oh-so-lovely" idiot who had now managed to get his belt undone, and was no undoing his fly. I shook my head at Lace, and thank the Gods she stopped and saw the knife in my hand. Her eyes flashed in understanding and she stepped back; knowing she would be better out of my way. He was on top of me, and man was he heavy. But all the years of training and fitness and built-up muscle paid off; I threw him off me and landed a couple of metres away. He looked at me in surprise. My eyes widened. That was too close; he had his pants down at his ankles and only his boxers separating me and insanity; for I would surely lose my mind if my eyes had to see such a sickly sight.

I was panting, and exhausted both physically and mentally; but I rose and jumped on top of him, finally showing him the knife, and pressing it to his throat. He was a coward, just like any man.

"Please don't kill me, I thought you wanted it you bitch!" he pleaded, apparently not realizing calling me a bitch would not help his situation. I knew I couldn't kill him; I just wasn't in the mood. But I could have a little fun.

"I'm gonna ask you this once, and that is it. I was trained in the art of reading the truth in people's eyes; so if you lie I will now, I will kill you. If you tell the truth I will only knock you out, understood?"

He whimpered in understanding. Idiot.

"How many girls have you raped?" I whispered.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head, grasping the fact that I would not take his answer well. Maybe he is not as much of an idiot as I initially thought.

"Too many to count, mam." He stuttered, and I believed him. But I wasn't done. I would avenge those girls.

"Just estimate." I pushed

"Maybe thirty?" he barely managed to get out, he was actually trembling.

"Thirty, eh? Well, I can see the truth in your eyes, and I appreciate you taking my advice from earlier. I am not going to kill you." Relief flooded through his eyes, "But I am going to make you wish those thirty girls were still virgins."

I dropped the knife in my pocket, keeping it there for later. I punched him thirty times in the stomach, throat and face. Each time he whimpered; I gave him an extra. By the end he was winded and bruised; while still conscious. That just wouldn't do.

"You will NEVER lay your hand on another woman again, or I will find you and kill you." That was a lie. I just hoped he believed it.

I reached into my pocket and produced his knife. I raised it above my head; letting him think he was going to die; then at the last possible second I spun it around and knocked him out.

Amid the chaos, there was a scream. For a few seconds I wondered if it was me; but as I looked around I comprehend it was Lace. Of course; I had almost forgotten she was there. She had tears streaming down her face, and her hands over her mouth; probably to stifle the scream that no doubt threatened to emerge. I immediately felt bad. I couldn't keep her with me. She was too innocent. But then again I couldn't leave her here; where she would die.

"It's okay, you're okay. Everything's going to be okay." I rose from my position on the guard and moved to hug her. She collapsed into me, emotionally drained. I kept talking and reminding her it was okay. Or was I reminding myself? I took a few deep breaths, and forbid myself of thinking about what almost happened; because I would surely break down. We stood like that for another minute or two; but then my name was once again blasted over the loudspeakers. Shit. I knocked the guard on the head again; just a precaution; then I ripped the fence up from the ground.

"Okay, crawl under." I spoke to Lace, and she did as I instructed. There were a few grunts and curses; which I was surprised by, since I didn't think she swore; but then eventually she was standing on the other side grinning like an idiot, proud that she made it under the barrier. I guess she overcame her shock of the events that unfolded earlier. However, her smile soon disappeared when I was under in an instant. I thought I heard her mutter; "show-off" under her breath, but I couldn't be sure. I smiled to myself, proud I had got both of us out of the camp; mostly unscathed. We were loose, and there was no way in hell we would be stopped again. I just had to figure out what to do with Lace.

Thanks for reading; please review! I am now taking in suggestions for whether she should get back with Percy; or maybe Jason? Please tell me your ideas. xoxox