"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." ~ George Santayana

"Poseidon was best friends with Zeus and Hades all the way until high school but now they're like sworn enemies?" Piper repeated. "Wow, that's a bit harsh."

Jason laughed. "Gods Piper. I told you this millions of times before. Yeah, it's a bit extreme I guess."

Piper smiled. "I think I know what Percy's dad is up to. You see, he knows what we're doing and he wants to help tend to repeat their mistakes if they haven't learnt about it in history. I think he knows who the Shooter is and it's somehow connected to his past."

Jason frowned. "Are you sure, Pipes? It seems pretty unlikely. The Shooting only happened in the recent years and his past - that's ages ago. If the Shooter had a problem with Percy's dad, wouldn't he just do something to him? He won't go to Goode High. Percy's dad has nothing to do with Goode High. Besides, none of the victims are wasn't hurt in any way."

Piper thought of it for a while. "I don't know but maybe this is an ongoing problem. Only now did the shooter decided to make his move. Maybe he wanted to do this for ages and never got the chance to."

Jason shrugged. "Sounds fair. Maybe it's somebody that Percy's dad knew. So what do we know about his past from digging around his apartment?"

"He met your father Zeus and Nico's father Hades in a park when they were three. They were practically inseparable since. They went to the same kindergarten, primary school, middle school and high school. If they didn't drift apart in high school, it is most likely they would have went to college together. In kindergarten, those three were always more popular than other. Apparently, those three have some sense of a leader in them. People felt compelled to follow them. The popularity extended throughout their school years. In elementary school, Percy's dad wrote about this really cute girl called Amphitrite. Jason, did you know she was Poseidon's first crush? Gods, they were so cute together! Look at this! In fourth grade, he had his first kiss with her. Sadly, she had to move back to Indiana and they never kept in touch. Aww."

Jason snatched the picture of Poseidon and Amphitrite. "Jesus Piper. You are really into love, aren't you?"

"No I'm not!" Piper huffed almost immediately. "It's just that it's his first crush and his first kiss! Don't you think it's cute? I'm not that type of sappy romantic girl but anybody would find this sweet!"

"If you say so." Jason rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, it's Poseidon's middle school years and oh, that's some years for Hades. He already spent two years trying to get Persephone, this girl in his class. Persephone never really paid attention to him though. In middle school, Hades got pretty fed up with it and literally kidnapped Persephone after school. He locked Persephone in his room with him. Naturally, Persephone got really afraid but they warmed up to each other. Persephone's mother got worried on where her daughter and almost called the cops. Luckily, when Hades' parents found Persephone and returned her back to her mom. It's said that Persephone was banned from seeing Hades again but Poseidon confirmed that they have been meeting secretly. And then there's your dad, Jason. Has he ever told you about Hera?"

"Hera who?" Jason asked blankly.

"It's his first serious girlfriend!" Piper said."Poseidon writes letters to this guy name 'Triton' telling him everything that's going on. I don't know why but the letters never got sent and I found them in this cupboard. Hera is one of those girlfriends who are overprotective and gets jealous really easily. She even got jealous because Zeus was giving directions to somebody else who is obviously too old for him. I guess it's fair though. Your dad has cheated on her a few times and Hera was pretty close to killing them every time."

Jason chuckled. Sounds like his dad alright. "Well, I suppose that's why he never told us about her. I don't think Mother would really appreciate him talking about other women."

Piper laughed. "I guess. I won't like it if my future husband talks about his exes. It's just not right. Your father is an intelligent man."

"He is." Jason agreed. "And he would never let us forget about that."

"Do you know exactly what happened between Poseidon, Zeus and Hades? They seem like such good friends. Like the type of friendship that would never end. What happened?" Piper questioned curiously. "I mean, I just want to know. It's tough for something like that to ever happen."

Jason shrugged. "Beats me. I read a few things of Percy's dad during his high school era though. It seems as if they just drifted apart. You know, they each had their own friends and they grew closer to them instead. Zeus became friendlier with your parents and the popular group. My dad would never let us forget that he used to be extremely popular either. Percy's dad was more into swimming and was all for the swimming team while Hades just had his own thing going on. Like every ending they did have a series of arguments though. I'm guessing those fights still haven't been resolved so our parents never talked to each other. Well, mines never did anyways. Poseidon and Hades remained fairly close after the trio broke up and they seem to be together on something. Maybe a plot against my dad. They seem to have gone out of their way to beat my dad in everything. They were both pissed at him."

Piper nodded. "They argued about everything, didn't they? Once Zeus gained popularity - as in more popularity than he ever had when he fell into the group my parents were in - , he started ditching Poseidon and Hades for the populars. Poseidon and Hades obviously weren't too pleased about it. They told Zeus either they can join the populars, Zeus can quit the populars or the friendship isn't going to work out. Zeus didn't want to lose anything and he loved his new position of power over the school. Sure, he was popular before but not the whole Tristan McLean level."

"Piper, why were your parents so popular?"

Piper grinned. "I guess it's all about the looks and the money. My dad's family were a line of famous Hollywood movie stars and celebrities. It's about the fame. They used to live in Malibu but they decided to send my dad to study in New York - Goode High, for a better education and to lead a less superficial life. In Malibu, everything is about fame and fortune. They hoped for something different here for my dad. However, I'm guessing in New York, people still loved my dad's status and Hollywood background. He is pretty much the golden boy when he first joined the school. I mean, why won't he be? He probably made it to the cover of US Weekly just for being himself while other people even struggle to make it in the school newspaper! And my mom, god she's gorgeous. She's from San Diego, California. Ever since she was a baby, she has been modeling. Sure, she isn't the smartest person out there but really, you can be popular if you're drop dead stunning like her. People just fell in love with her looks and gave her a VIP ticket to Goode High royalty."

Jason smiled. "I can see where you got your looks and fame from then."

"Looks?" Piper blushed. "Gods, no! I'm nowhere as pretty as both of them! I don't even know where all my ugly genes came from. Anyway, back to the topic." She added hastily. "Even I got to agree, my parents aren't the best people to hang around with. Sure, they're popular and with them you're like royalty but they aren't exactly society's role models either. They don't get the best grades but enough to pass the subjects. They broke almost every law there ever is. They drink, they smoke, they even took drugs. They got wasted every weekend and pretended to be sober at school at the time. In country to what my father came to New York for, even they admit themselves that they were the fake. They didn't trust anybody or ever let their guard down. In their world, it's all pretty lies over truths that weren't so pretty. It's all fun and games and lies. Your father fell into that world while Hades and Poseidon still managed to see how it's changing their friend. They tried getting their friend back but once you're inside, you can't get out. When my parents were in their early twenties, they realized what assholes they were. They tried changing themselves but even now, they can be the biggest faggots ever. I still love them though. I don't know about your dad, Jason."

Jason felt a rush to protect his father. His father has not fell into the world of lies or whatever Piper was talking about. Zeus Grace never really had time for Jason but still, Jason loved him. He is his dad. "My dad's great. He doesn't need to be changed in any way."

"I don't know Jason. I really don't and I have no right to judge him but maybe he just hid his ugly side away from you. I know people who do that to others to protect them. I can tell he really loves you though." Piper said softly. "Don't really take notice of what I say though. I barely know your dad."

"You guys got anything about the victims of the Shooting?" Annabeth asked matter-of-factly.

"No." Leo shook his head. "None of us did. It's too hard. Everybody's giving us versions of what everyone knows. All everybody knows have been published in newspaper. There isn't any secrets like we hope to discover."

Hazel agreed. "If there are any secrets, they kept it."

Frank bit his lips. "Guys, do you know what happened to Cat and Nico?"

"Cat and Nico?" Percy raised his eyebrows. "What the fuck? They aren't going out are they? Hey, Death Boy never told me anything like that! I didn't even know they talked to each other."

Frank looked adamant at the reply and quickly said. "Oh, never mind. It's nothing. They're aren't going out."

"Frank, you aren't telling us something." Grover studied his friend's expression. "I can tell."

"My boy can read people's expression." Juniper gloated proudly as everybody in the room stared at her. Juniper is always very proud of her boyfriend and often boasted about really random things about him.

"Keep your enthuthiasm to yourself." Leo muttered. "But she's right, Frank."

Frank scowled. Out of their friendship group, the kid he least liked would probably be Leo. He is just so fricken annoying and hard to get rid of. Besides, he and Hazel has this whole flirting thing going on and he didn't like it. Hazel is suppose to be his! "I'm just saying they would make a good uh couple." Frank lied as he fidgeted.

"Fidgeting." Annabeth noticed. "Frank, we can keep a secret."

Frank looked around the room nervously. "Please. It's nothing, really. I swear. You don't have to, just continue on with everything. You know, how can we go further with the investigation? We're really going nowhere."

"He's right but I also really want to know about Nico and Cat now." Percy insisted. "Tell us."

"Guys, if he doesn't want to tell us, let him be." Hazel pleaded.

Percy rolled his eyes. "Fine. Still, you guys make a cute couple. Ask each other out already."

Annabeth couldn't help but smile as Frank and Hazel blushed. Who is Percy giving love advice now even though it is pretty obvious. Annabeth wanted Percy back but she also wanted Luke. Life is hard and she didn't want to choose. Percy is perfect but Luke is her first crush. She can't ever forget that.

"Um, alright." Annabeth clapped her hands together to gain her audience's attention. "Guys, I think we should quit looking into every victim. It won't work. It didn't. Let's focus on people who were in the Shooting like some of us but didn't die. Hopefully they can tell us something they didn't tell the reporters."

"So you're telling me, Chris killed himself." Clarisse took a deep breath and faced the stranger again. When she ran away last time, she couldn't help but think did Chris really suicide? She needs to know the whole truth. She can't run away from this masked stranger. She had to come back to this person.

"Oh yes. Why would I lie to you? I told you it's true." The stranger said gleefully.

"What if I still don't believe you?"

"You already do, dearie." The stranger chuckled and handed Clarisse a few torn pages. "But if you want more proof, here."

Clarisse snatched those pages and gave it a glance. It was written in Chris' handwriting.

I don't know if I can go on anymore. This world is tough but some say it's worth living. It probably is if I'm somebody else. I tried the best I can. I tried pleasing everybody but that's almost impossible nowadays if you're not handsome or rich. I love and loathe this world at the same time. It's just not as simple as everybody made it out to be. It's much more complicated than that and I don't know how to live this. I'm just not enough. Clarisse, God bless her, deserves so much better than me. Who am I? A prawn in chessboard everybody bigger than me is playing. A weak person who can't take anything any longer. A person who is being pushed into insanity. I can feel what going crazy is like. Being mad. Being insane. I am out of this world. This world is not for me and it's better off for me - for everybody - if I just leave it.

The rest of the pages were torn. Clarisse's mouth dropped wide open as she read the words. "Where did you get this?" She breathed.

"Let's just say I have my sources." The stranger sneered. "So, do you believe me now?"

"No, I don't." Clarisse lied. "I need more proof."

"What you see is what you get." The stranger replied. "Clarisse darling, I know you already believe me. You recognize his handwriting don't you? You could tell that he wrote this."

"Maybe somebody forced him to write it." Clarisse insisted.

The stranger laughed. "Really? Do you honestly think that would happen?"

No. Clarisse knew it's a no but she wants more proof anyway. She wants to see how many clues Chris probably left behind and she never took notice of them. "Yeah."

"Honey, this world doesn't need evidence. I'm not offering more proof. Deal with it."

"Fine, then I'm not helping you on whatever you wanted me to help with." Clarisse sniffed.

"We made a deal." The stranger growled. "I gave you information about Chris. It's your choice whether to believe it or not and you chose not to. These are facts. They are legit. It's not my job to make you believe it. I gave you my part of the deal and if you don't give me yours hon, it won't be pretty."

"I asked for information. Information that are real. I didn't ask for lies. You can deny that these are fake information all you want but until you make me believe, they are still lies. Lies to make me do something you want."

The stranger pointed their finger at her. "You know who came up to me to ask for information about Chris? You. You wanted to know. I gave you what you wanted to know. You found me and struck a deal with me. You better bear with me, missy or I can make your life miserable."

"Isn't my life miserable enough? That asshole Shooter took away Chris and Silena who by the way was one of my fucking best friend. Haven't that coward took enough away from me to make me miserable? You can't really do anything to make me feel worse than the Shooter has already done. The only reason I'm living is to deal with that faggot who took away their lives."

"Oh, I'll find a way." The stranger promised. "I will."

Reyna knocked on Mitchell's door. It was about time to visit him again. Reyna sort of missed him. He did kind of became one of her best friend over the weeks. Jason and Piper are off to California. Annabeth is obsessed with a history paper she had to finish. Hazel and Frank are off doing their own thing. Percy seems to be in another world by himself and Leo is just being Leo. She never actually got a chance to hang out with them and she isn't really that close to other people like Grover.

"Reyna?" Mitchell came out in his pajamas. "What are you doing at this time?"

Reyna shrugged. "I don't know actually. I'm just bored, I guess. I think my family had enough of me staying at home all day."

Mitchell smiled. "Sorry, I can't ask you to come in. My mom is doing her yoga inside and she doesn't want anybody to see her."

"Is your step-father home?"

"Yeah." Mitchell nodded. "Why?"

Reyna chuckled. "Just asking. He's never home."

"Right." Mitchell stepped outside of his house and closed the door. He sat down on the porch bench and signaled Reyna to join him."So the stars look bright today."

Reyna frowned. "Why would you say that?"

"I have to say something or it'll be awkward!" Mitchell explained.

Reyna looked up at the sky. "Fair enough. The stars are pretty."

"You know, Zoe loved stars." Mitchell hesitated and told his friend.

"Zoe who?"

"Zoe Nightshade. She's one of the girls who died in the Shooting."

Reyna bit her lips. "I think I do remember her. I didn't know her very well though. My friends were pretty good friends with her though. I never actually talked to her. Wasn't she famous for going out of the way to avoid guys or something?"

Mitchell laughed. "I suppose so. Well, it really depends on which guy. Believe it or not but she was my best friend in kindergarten. I don't know what happened in elementary but she won't even talk to me. Yeah, that's when she started her streak of hating boys. She wanted to go to Artemis' Hunt elementary school. I swear, I don't think any boys have ever survived talking to her without getting hurt or something. Of course, there's Percy though."

"What does Percy have to do with her? Did they ever dated?" Reyna questioned.

Mitchell shrugged. "I'm not actually really sure about it. I just heard bits and pieces off Drew. I don't even know if Drew is right since half of her gossip are just rumors and lies. I heard that they went on some adventure together. Not that kind of road trip adventures to Indiana or something and not the kind you see on Peter Pan or anything else. I don't think so anyway. It won't be surprising if they went to Tennessee together. Grover was with them. Bianca too. Thalia was the last member of their gang. It was the first year of middle school and Annabeth went missing. They went off to find her. I heard she didn't even get pass the borders of California. I think she was found in San Francisco. However, after that adventure, Zoe seemed to have gained respect for Percy and technically he's the only guy Zoe would ever talk to."

"What about Grover? He's a guy and he was on the adventure too!"

"Grover?" Mitchell bursted out laughing. "He's too shy around girls around that time. I don't think he even spoke to her during the whole thing."

Reyna managed a half smile. "Cute." She felt something touched her hands and looked down. It was Mitchell's hands. He was blushing furiously red.

Did she like Mitchell? Goddamnedit, her love life is fucked up. Reyna didn't even know where it is going now. It was a perfectly romantic night. The sky was clear and the stars were shining brightly at them. Soft breeze were grazing at their skin and Reyna's heart was beating loudly. So loud that she wasn't sure if Mitchell can hear it. To be honest, she never held a guy's hand before. She always wanted to hold Jason's but it never really work out and it probably never will. Mitchell said Leo liked her but she wasn't sure if she liked him back. Sky is cute but she has to keep telling herself it's a crush. He's in college and normally only A-listers date college guys. Reyna is not even close to being an A-lister. Sky would never like him back and now Mitchell obviously do.

Suddenly, Mitchell fell. He collapse onto the ground. The magical touch of their hands were gone just like that.

"Are you okay?" Reyna cried.

"God." Mitchell sputtered.

Okay, Reyna decided, he definitely isn't. "Do I have to call the ambulance or anything?" Reyna propped Mitchell against the bench and rang his doorbell.

"Hey-" Mitchell's step-father opened the door and didn't' even get a chance to finish his sentence as he spotted his step-son clutching his stomach leaning over the bench. Quickly, he rushed to him. "Mitchell! Are you alright! Reyna, take care of him. I'll call the police and oh my god, honey, get out! It's Mitchell!"

"Mitchell darling, are you stuck on a tree again? It's not the far of a climb down!" Mitchell's mother called from inside. "Is it that urgent? I'm doing yoga!"

"Honey, it's important! I think he's been shot! Oh 911? Officers, this is urgent. Yes, no! What the hell? I don't know what exactly happened! Yes! Please!" Mitchell's father hollered at the phone.

"I-" Mitchell choked as blood pour from his chest.

"Mitchell!" Reyna cried. "Get the bullet out!"

The bullet was shot deep into Mitchell's body. Reyna didn't even understand how it happened. It's impossible. They didn't even hear a gunshot or anything. The night was just perfect until the bullet ruined everything. Reyna could hear Mitchell's breath going shallow as the police sirens grew louder. Mitchell's mother rushed outside and was out of control. Reyna was lost in her mind. She couldn't see properly anymore but she could make out that police were rushing towards Mitchell and he was on a stretcher in no time. Mitchell's mother yelled something to her but Reyna didn't remember. She didn't know what to do anymore.

AN: Sorry, I know this chapter is way overdue and is shorter than the previous chapters. My macbook broke and I couldn't get it fix until yesterday and I didn't exactly have a lot of time to write this. I'll try to update again next Thursday though and I hope you liked this chapter and haven't gave up on the story yet! I promise to have some big revealing plot kind of thing really soon ;)

~Kisses, Emily