AUTHOR'S NOTE: OH. MY. GLOB! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH GUY FOR 200 reviews! I am seriously jumping up and down right now! Thanks for letting me reach 200 reviews! You all are the best peoples ever! :D Also thanks for 50+ alerts and 10,000+ views! Im totally dying! But yeah please feel free to PM me anytime. I freak out every time I get a review or PM. :D OH I almost forgot! For my Review Challenge: I would like a superpower having to do something with minds (mind control, mind reading, picking up items with ur mind... etc).
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I flinched at the sound of the ominous gun cock, raising my arms and not daring to look back. I kept my eyes completely shut, not letting any light escape.

I didn't want to see who it was. But I was afraid that I already knew.

The sound of his psychotic laugh echoed throughout the walls, ringing loudly in my ears. I took a large gulp as I felt a small, rounded cold metal touch the side of my neck. His fingers brushed off my blond waves off my shoulder, leaving my skin burning.

Leaning in, he got as close as two centimeters away and whispered harshly. "Shouldn't have left home, badass. You can't imagine the things I'm going to do to you." He hissed.

"And with your friend..." He began, and I opened my eyes in alarm, hearing Thalia scream. I took in several things at once.

A small black gun was in Matt's hand, aimed toward Thalia. There was no one around, so I realized that we had't made it that far. I could see the mall, civilization-so close but so far. The jail was down a long, labyrinth-like hallway, which no one could ever evade from.

"Don't you touch her!" I screamed, jumping on his back, and making him aim up. He shot wildly, trying to pry me off his back. I held on tightly, like a bull rider holding on to whatever they could.

"Thalia!" I screamed, looking into her distressed navy colored eyes, "Run." I commanded her, taking the color of those eyes into memory, as if I wasn't ever going to see her again.

But it was too late. He flung my body off like a rag doll, and took a hold on me, bending my whole body back so I couldn't move. In his other hand was Thalia, lashing and thrashing as hard as she could.

Dragging us both, he threw us into the nearest closet. "Now, I'm going to say this, and I'm only going to stay it once." He whispered harshly through his teeth. "I'm going to put you both in jail if it's the last thing I do. And Annabeth," He smiled wickedly, sending a wave of panic down my spine. ", Let's just say you would rather be in hell after I'm done with you."

Matt slammed the door, and I heard the lock snap shut. How could something so innocent and fun turn out to be so treacherous?

"What the hell just happened?" Thalia exclaimed, rocking back and forth in a little ball. She was in total shock.

Tears filled my eyes. "Oh my God Thalia I am so sorry." I apologized, tripping over my own words. "I-I didn't mean to drag you into this. It's just Matt and-and I j-just..." I sobbed, the tears flowing like flood gates pouring out.

We sat there in the darkness for a while, not saying anything to each other.

But if I was going to die, I didn't want to have any regrets or mistakes.

I still saw her whimpering in the corner, talking to herself when I scooted over. I put my arm around her and she rested her head on my shoulder.

"I promise. I won't let him hurt you." I whispered. She was the first best friend I've had since I was in Elementary school. She was the first one to talk to me on my first day here. She was the first one to open up to me like a best friend should. And all I did was push her away and caused her trouble. The least I could do was do this here, now. I promised to myself. Even if I have to die, I would protect her.

If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you

She looked up at me, and smiled, appreciating what I was doing for her. I continued to sing loudly. What did I have to lose?

Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

She sang with me, smiling the whole time.

You can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Thalia sat up and gave a tight embrace.

"Thanks Annabeth." She murmured into my messy hair.

I looked at her, surprised. Thalia is not the kind of person to express her feelings out loud. Like ever.

She smirked. "What?" She asked, her eyes lighting up the dark room.

I shook my head, chuckling. "Nothing."

Laying my head back on the wall, I sighed trying not to think of Matt's words.

"..You would rather be in hell..."

I thought of all the things that I really cared for. My mother, who was already dead. Thalia. My best friend that has been with me through everything. And...Percy.

Percy.

His name sent a powerful blow to my chest. All the things we've been through. And all the times we've had. It came crashing down on me like the bitter snow, coming down on my bare back.

I realized my feels for Jason were fake. They were from wanting attention. Wanting love and understanding. But I realized that it's what I already had all along.

"Thalia?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Yes?" She chimed.

"I hurt someone I care about. Someone I would give up my life for."

She looked at me and grimaced. "Is this someone Percy Jackson?"

Thalia had never liked Percy. She thought he was a Neanderthal who learned to speak.

I sighed and put my hands over my eyes. "Maybe." I groaned.

"Well, if he loves you...he'll understand." She told me, looking into my stone-like eyes.

I smiled. "Thanks Tha-" I began, before the door swung open, and the invading light shone through.

Hands shot out, grabbing Thalia by her punk-like, dark hair, who began screaming to the top of her lungs, piercing my ears. "ANNABETH!" She screamed as I scrambled to my feet.

Matt had three police men behind him, all standing there like emotionless statues.

"Take the girl." He said, scowling at her face.

Two of them grabbed Thalia, holding her down, and walking her off to the car parked outside the mall. It was close to closing time, and only a couple of people were passing by the exit.

I pushed my way through Matt, screaming, "Take me instead!"

Matt tried to hold me back, gripping onto my waist. I could feel his nails sink into my skin, causing it to bleed.

"Calm down sweetie. You don't want to strain yourself." He said coldly with a sickening fake 'fatherly' smile on his face.

"NO! GET OFF ME!" I shrieked, stomping on Matt's feet, getting him to release me. I wouldn't let them take Thalia. I wouldn't.

I started running toward Thalia until I felt the tip of a sliver gun, held to my head.

"Do it." I stated.

"What?" He spat in astonishment.

"You heard me." I snapped bitterly. "Do it."

A malignant smile crept up on his face. "I've never been happier to hear those words in my life."

I let a tear escape as I absorb those words, taking in their full meaning.

He pulled the trigger and I did something that I never thought possible.

I grabbed his hand, twisting it downward as he let out a cry of anger. Anger and agony.

"I didn't live in your house and survive your abuse all these years without learning a few things," I explained to him, making him drop the gun onto the ground.

Matt reached for the gun, as if it were his lifeline. Like it was like the life source its self. But let me tell you a couple things about guns. It can be your life source, it it can be your welcoming trip to hell.

We both struggled to attain the devil machine-fighting until the end.

All I knew is that I heard the sound of a gunshot, and saw Matt fall onto the ground, the gleam in his eyes turning dead.

But I could feel nothing. Everything I felt was gone. I was actually relieved to have him out of my life.

Death is easy. It comes and it goes. Life is the one that's truely hard.

Bending down, I closed his eyes for him, and put the gun in his hands on his chest.

I turned around and saw Thalia with her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes.

Slowly and carefully, I walked over to her and shook my head, sending her a message only she would understand.

And with a small nod of conception, we walked out of the mall; finally leaving the biggest worry in my life in God's judgment.

DUN DUN DAHHHHHH! Suspense! Lol! Keep reading to find out what happens! And remember to PM or review me any suggestions where you want this story to go, comments or ideas! Love them all! Review!

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