My thoughts were cut off when I heard an ear-shattering crash echo throughout the mansion.

I quickly ran downstairs and slid my back against the wall, trying to look around the corner for the cause of the sound. At the side of the house, I saw four dark figures climbing through a shattered window. I rushed upstairs and slammed my door and locked it in a heartbeat.

I grabbed my phone and called Thalia, but I she didn't pick up. I tried again and again, but all I got was her voicemail. In the corner of my eye, I saw a bright yellow note.

Percy' s note.

I reached out, grabbed it and rushed into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I called Percy's number and on the third ring he picked up. I let out a sigh of relief.

'Uh, hello? Who's this?' A voice spoke. I was shaking but kept a firm grip on my phone.

'Percy, it's Annabeth. Someone's in the house and Thalia wouldn't pick up her phone and I don't know what to do!' I blurted out. I heard a calm voice speak to me, which made me take a deep breath and compose myself. Well, that is until the figures downstairs footsteps got louder.

'Annabeth, it's gonna be okay. Where are you?' Percy's serene voice spoke.

'I-in the bathroom, in the bath. Percy, please!' I was on the edge of tears. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I didn't stand a chance against four people with guns.

'I'm coming, Annabeth, hang on. I'll be there in five minutes, okay? For now, keep quiet and hidden. I promise I won't let anything happen to you, alright?' He assured me. Then the phone was beeping, meaning Percy had hung up.

I lay down in the bath, curling up into a ball and hugging my phone. I hoped the huge mansion with over 50 rooms would keep them occupied until Percy arrived.

But I spoke too soon.

My bedroom door was kicked open and the footsteps were loud and clear. I saw shadows from under the bathroom door and I counted them as they walked past.

One…

Two…

Three…

Four…

Five…

There were five robbers.

How would I stand a chance?

I wrapped my fingers around my owl necklace and closed my eyes, hoping this is all a dream.

But my ears were soon filled with a ringing noise. The bathroom door burst open and I was dragged out by a pair of calloused hands.

'I found her boys!' A husky male voice announced.

I tried to break free, but the black figure had a strong grip. The hard way he grasped me made me feel pain to my wrist up my arm when walking down stairs. When we got to the last step, I was greeted with the cold tile floor hitting my head and an assurance of concussion.

I struggled to get up, but I was stopped by one of the men kicking his foot in my stomach, making it hard to breath. He and his friends kept on kicking me, so soon I could the pain shooting through my body.

The tallest figure bent down and grabbed my necklace.

'It's her, boys. We got the pri-' His husky voice was cut off when I saw a pair of calm and clear sea green eyes. Calm, yet this time it was as if a storm was brewing inside them. Percy gave me quick smile and put a knife to the man's throat.

I turned my head to the other figures, who were once standing, were now on the ground a few feet away from him.

'Step away from her and no one gets hurt. Well, except you.' Percy said in a regal voice. The tall figure dropped my necklace and slowly stood up, putting his hands in the air. It all seemed too easy.

I was right.

The man grabbed Percy's wrist and flipped him over his shoulder, making him hit the tiles next me.

'Percy!' I croaked, trying to crawl to him. A hand suddenly grabbed my hair, and the man dragged me to the door as I screamed in pain. He pulled me to me feet harshly.

'Shut up! You're so weak, it's frustrating. Now, be quiet and walk.' He hissed. I turned my head to the front door and I saw a black van driving up the driveway. It came to a stop and more men walked out with guns in their hands.

'Where's the boy?' A man with a scar on his face growled.

'Inside. But he won't be waking up for a while.' My captor grinned back.

'What?! You idiot! No harm was to come to him! We had orders to get her and no one else! Boss is gonna kill us. Oh, if he finds out that his so-'

I zoned out. I had to think of an escape plan while these bird brains were talking.

I looked around to see six men in the van, and the two here arguing, which made eight. I didn't need a prince. I had to fight this myself and I couldn't let Percy get hurt more than he was, just for me.

I stomped on my captor's foot and freed my wrists from his grasp. I quickly moved to the back of him, and with one quick movement I kicked him into the man with the scar and ran back to the house. The door seem so close yet so far, but if I could just reach for the handle…

A figure came up behind me, grabbed my waist and dragged me back to the van while I jolted and thrashed.

'Percy!' I called. I was pushed against the cold van floor. Then Percy was there in the doorway, standing as he wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve. He look at me.

'Annabeth, close your eyes, okay? Find a place to hide.' Percy ordered. The man holding my hair let me loose and went stood with the other man who was aiming his gun at Percy. I nodded and hid behind the van.

I closed my eyes and soon I could hear the yelps of pain. I peeked through the window to see Percy fighting four figures at once. His movements were clean and quick, almost like he had been trained to kill.

When Percy was just about to knock down the man with the scar, I saw another figure come creeping up behind him with a knife. Without a second thought, I rushed in and blocked the stab. Felt pain shoot through my right shoulder and I screamed in agony.

I collapsed onto the rocky driveway and heard a faint voice call 'Annabeth!', but it was too late. I fell into darkness