..Chapter 7..

My Sanctuary

TPOV

I looked around and realized I was in Olympus. Except it wasn't normal. There wasn't any demigods or satyrs roaming the streets. Everything was in ruins. Buildings were just dust left on the ground. Everything except the Gods' palace was gone. I gasped and started running for the palace.

When I entered the palace I found it was empty except for one person. It was a boy. From what I could see he was about my age and height. He was standing on Zeus' throne with his back turned to me. I could see he had dark brown hair.

I took a step forward and it echoed throughout the room. The boy's head whipped around and found me. He had piercing blue eyes and a scowl on his face.

"Parker," I breathed looking at him in shock. His scowl turned into a smirk as he jumped off the throne and started walking towards me. I took an involuntary step backwards and held my breathe.

"Thalia! What a pleasant surprise! You're just in time!" he said happily clasping his hands together. I arched an eyebrow and he laughed.

"In time for what?" I asked scared. I didn't have a good feeling about this at all. He just laughed and took another step closer to me. I stepped back and realized I had reached the wall. He crossed his arms across his chest and just shook his head.

"Didn't you know? Taking over Olympus of course!" he said throwing his arms up as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. My eyes popped open wide and my hands started shaking. What Annabeth said was coming true.

"W-What? T-Taking over?" I stuttered stupidly and he just sighed.

"Ryan!" he yelled as he turned his head away from me for a moment. As soon as his name was called a boy stepped into the throne room. He looked to be about three years older than Parker and was three inches taller. He had jet black hair with streaks of grey running through it, and electric green eyes. As he saw me, his face lit up with recognition and he smiled mischievously at me.

"So this is the love of your life Parker? Thalia?" he asked walking up to Parker. I looked between then and saw Parker laugh and shake his head.

"You know I never loved her. It was all an act," he said rolling his eyes. I stopped dead in my tracks. He never loved me? Why had he said he did in the woods? Was that all an act and he knew I was listening?

"W-What? What's g-going on? Where's A-Apollo?" I questioned nervously. Parker and Ryan looked at each other and busted out laughing. After a few minutes I couldn't take it anymore. "Where is he?" I shrieked at them. Parker just shook his head still laughing and pointed to the back of the throne room.

I looked to where he was pointing and gasped. How had I not seen it before? There Apollo was, laying on the ground still and unmoving. His hair was a mess and he looked as pale as a ghost. I gasped as I realized his chest wasn't rising and falling to indicate he was breathing. He wasn't breathing.

"Apollo!" I screamed running towards him. When I got to him I kneeled down next to him and put his head in my lap. "Wake up!" I screamed as tears streamed down my cheeks and landed on his face.

"It's no use. He's gone," Ryan said smirking at me. I whipped my head up to look at him and mustered up the fiercest glare I could.

"What did you do to him?" I shrieked once again. He just sighed and rolled his eyes. When he didn't answer me I figured I wasn't getting one. I continued crying for Apollo. Soon enough I felt Parker's hand grip under my arm. I was yanked up off the ground and pulled away from Apollo.

"Let go of me!" I screamed at him kicking and punching out at him. I missed a couple times but was successful with punching him in the nose. He stayed put though and had a firm hold. I looked back at Apollo just in time to watch him dissolve into dust. "No!" I screamed kicking Parker again. I must've kicked hard because he let go of me and fell to the ground wincing in pain. I darted for the doors of the palace but Ryan got there before me. He wrapped his arms around me in an iron grip. I struggled but his grip was so tight I could barley move.

"That wasn't a smart move," Parker said menacingly coming towards me. I realized his nose was bleeding from when I punched him. I smirked at him but it soon vanished as he raised his hands up to the ceiling and started chanting. There was a flash and all I could see was white.

"Now... I shall rule Olympus!" I heard Parker's voice boom.

"No!" I screamed shooting up from my bed. I looked around and realized it was just another dream. I was panting and sweat was dripping down my neck. "Nothing real... just a... dream," I panted as I got out of bed and dressed for the day. I was finally going to leave my cabin after four days.

When I was ready I bounded out of the cabin and to the dining pavilion. Once I got my food I sat at a table and chewed slowly. As people walked passed me they'd look at me like I was weird because I finally came out of my cabin. I just rolled my eyes and continued eating.

"Hey," I heard a voice from beside me. I froze and looked up, my eyes locking with his piercing blue ones. I rolled my eyes and got up from the table. "Hey, wait!" he said as I threw away my food and started walking towards the forest.

"Thalia about four nights ago I'm-," he was cut off by me spinning around and glaring at him. I walked up to him and pushed his chest.

"You had absolutely no right to do that! Did you even stop to think about what this would do to me? I've been keeping it from Apollo! Do you know how hard that is?" I shrieked at him and he opened his mouth to talk again but I held my hand up to stop him. "Parker just stop. I don't want to hear any of your crap anymore," I said turning around and walking to the forest. As I was walking I felt somebody grab ahold of my wrist. I tried to yank my hand away but his grip was just to firm.

"Thalia... please just give me another chance at being your friend," he whispered, his voice cracking in places. I sighed and shook my head.

"Just let me go Parker," I said with venom in my voice. He immediately dropped my hand and I rushed away into the forest so he wouldn't see the tears that were now streaming down my face.

x

I didn't fully tell the truth to myself.

I thought I ran away from Parker because I hated him for what he did. I was wrong. I ran because I was scared. Scared of what he could do and what he was planning to do. I never pictured Parker to be the kind of person that would take over Olympus. It just didn't fit.

"Thalia?" I heard somebody ask and I looked up to find Apollo coming towards me. He half smiled and sat down next to me. Right then and there I made a split second decision.

"I'm ready... to tell you," I said quietly and Apollo's head whipped up and he locked his eyes with mine. He just nodded and I took a deep breathe. "Parker... h-he k-kissed me," I stuttered looking at him. I saw his eyes bug wide and he gasped. I bit my tongue to fight back a sob trying to break loose. I just turned my head away and looked at the ground.

"T-Thalia... I... what?" he asked utterly confused. I sighed and turned towards him.

"I walked under the mistletoe and he was there. I didn't want to kiss him but he cornered me and forced me to," I sobbed looking at him. He just sighed and wrapped his arms around me hugging me to his chest as I cried.

"Did you feel anything?" he asked in a broken whisper and I looked up at him.

"No," I said but half of it was a lie. I did feel something. I hated to admit it but I felt something. I don't know if it was hatred or love but I know I felt something.

"Okay," he said burying his face in my hair. I sighed and kissed his cheek. "I love you Thalia. So much. You don't even know," he whispered and I half smiled at that. I might not know how much he loved me but I knew how much I loved him.

"I love you too Apollo. Forever," I whispered and I heard him chuckle a little.

I felt a sudden erg to tell him about what Annabeth and I had learned about Parker but every time I opened my mouth I'd stop. The image of Ryan smirking at me would flash through my head and I'd shiver and blink the image away.

Why was this week so hard for me?

Hmmmm I don't know what I feel about the ending :P

Well I'm liking these fast updates aren't you? ;)

So how are your guys' weeks? I'm having a boring week... BLAH. and I just started Summer and I'm already wanting to go back to school to see my friends ): Two months! I don't know how I'm gonna last.

Well I have a lot to say about the title of this chapter. My Sanctuary is by Utada Hikaru. She is one of the most amazing singers I've ever heard. The song is from my favorite video game, Kingdom Hearts.

There is actually 4 different versions of the song. The first is the English version, My Sanctuary. The second is the Japanese version known as Hikari or Passion. Then there is the instrumental and then the piano version that you can have in either English or Japanese :)

Here's the links:

English version: http : / / www . youtube . com / watch ? v = CvkvkeEJLjY

Japanese version: http : / / www . youtube . com / watch ? v = vDfRkujq 3 gY & feature = related

Instrumental version: http : / / www . youtube . com / watch ? v = ogyonKWT - Ps & feature = related

Piano version (English): http : / / www . youtube . com / watch ? v = QGIFbpMxmy 4

Piano version (Japanese): http : / / www . youtube . com / watch ? v = MVZZhB0IrYY & feature = related

I suggest you listen to them because it's actually a really great and emotional song. Personally, my favorite is the Japanese piano version(: I actually know how to sing it in English and Japanese. I'm just that talented ;)

Review responding time!

Akatsuki Child: ApolloxThalia FTW! Lol ;)

TOTALinuyashafan101: Hmm maybe it's just Parker taking over Olympus... maybe it's both of them :O

RebeccaBaxter: Here's your update!

Harryfan94: Oh my gods thanks so much! It makes me feel good on the inside :)

TheJazzyDolphin: Hahaha yess they are perfect for each other ;)

Anyways that's it for today! Time to go to swim practice =/ Next update will be soon!

-Taylor(: