AU: Hey guys, Sorry if I didn't update yesterday, I was really busy. Anyways here's the next chapter. Cliffhanger time :D Review so I can post more chapters faster. This chapter in my opinion isn't a really good one but it still gets the job done though. Enjoy!

X- Our Lifeline Gets Cut Off

We walked into the elevator silently and I pressed the button for the lobby. Again, we just stood there silently listening to the elevator music. The doors opened and we walked on to the lobby. As we were walking toward the exit a hand suddenly tapped my shoulder.

"Excuse me sir, are you the guests of Mr. Matthews?" An employee of the hotel asked me.

"Yes, yes we are. Why?" I asked eagerly

"I'm afraid we have to take the card Mr. Matthews has given you."

We both looked at him in shock

"Wh-wh-what? Why?" I said stuttering.

"I'm sorry but it was a direct order from our manager, he said that only the Matthews family can use that card. And Mr. Matthews should have not given it to you." He said apologetically.

I sighed and took out the card from my pocket and gave it to the employee. He thanked us and walked away.

"So, I guess we're on our own now huh?" I said to Annabeth

"I guess so. C'mon, let's buy some stuff for our trip" She answered pulling my hand towards the exit.

We walked into the nearest convenience store and I picked up some chips, coke and some gummy worms. I went to where Annabeth was picking up some stuff.

"Hey Annabeth, I've got some stuff that I-" I stopped as Annabeth was looking at me like I've stolen something.

"Percy." She said in a soft voice "You do know that we don't have Jake's card anymore. We need to save our money in case of emergencies. So, just get what's needed please?"

"Yeah, sure" I said sympathetically.

So I took back all the coke the chips and my oh-so-loved gummy worms and took some water, some food rations etc. As I was walking towards Annabeth, she was looking at some chocolate covered raisins. She then looked away and went to the counter.

I grabbed the candy and went to her next to the counter. I took out my items and put it on the counter next to hers. I paid with the remaining money that Chiron gave us. I noticed that we we're losing money. And fast.

"That would be all sir?" The Cashier lady asked me.

"Yeah, just one more thing." I said putting down the chocolate covered raisins on the counter.

"Percy I-" Said Annabeth but I put my finger on her lips silencing her.

"It's another transaction please." I said to the cashier. I dug out my dusty wallet from my back pocket and took my remaining money and paid it to the cashier.

She took the money and charged it. I took the candy from the counter.

"No plastic bag needed ma'am." I said leaving the cashier.

"Here." I said giving Annabeth the candy.

"Percy, I can't it yo-" She said but I interrupted her.

"Take it, it's yours wise girl. We don't have money to waste with the camp's money so I just used mine." I said to her smiling.

"Thank you, Percy." She said blushing heavily taking the candy from my hand.

"No problem, Annabeth" I said kissing her on the cheek making her even blush more. She ate the chocolate covered raisins while walking, she looked really happy and I just smiled at her every time she looked at me. We called a taxi cab and told him to go to the outskirts of Las Vegas.

We paid him and got off, the dessert and mountains, now, in sight.

"It's gonna be a long walk " I said to myself. Annabeth must have heard it and answered.

"Don't worry, you have me for company" She said smiling at me.

We walked for what felt like hours. And Annabeth and I were continually telling each other stories from school and from our families. I noticed that Annabeth's water bottle was almost empty and she was drenched in sweat and was breathing heavily. I took a look at my water bottle. It was just about half-filled.

"Here Annabeth" I said giving her my water bottle.

"I can't take this Percy, it's yours." She said trying to give me back the bottle.

"You need it more than me wise girl. Drink up, I don't want you fainting on me" I said jokingly.

"Thanks again, Percy" She said drinking all the water left from my bottle.

So we walked for a few more hours and Annabeth just suddenly stopped near the top of a rocky hill we we're going through.

"What is it Annabeth?" I said walking next to her.

"That" She pointed toward the bottom of the hill.

I looked at it, and my eyes widened. "This is bad." I said, still in shock on what I have just seen.