AUTHOR'S NOTE: OH. MY. GOSH. I am completely speechless. I have no idea what to say. I couldnt believe my eyes. 30 review just for my last chapter?! AHHHHH! You guys are the most amaizng people in the world! Please keep it up and keep checking for updates for my story! I know its been a while-and Im terribly sorry. I was updating my other story, and the usual. (church, piano, school, homework...etc.)

So yeah PLEASE keep up the support and please review! Take as many cookies as you like! (::) (::) (::) (::)
Happy reading!

Annabeth POV

A day. A week. And a month. And along with the rest of winter with it. I stare at my wall, trying hard not to cry. Not a day as gone pass without me being tortured by the thought of him, the cruel and abusive person I had wanted out of my life so badly. Now all I wanted was to see him one last time, the real him. Not the person that was turned into the monster he was after Mother died.

And now Matt was gone.

Gone.

And I was the one who killed him. Not Thalia. Not the police officer. Me.

I closed my eyes, thinking of the month before.

"Give me the gun brat!" He spat, punching me in the gut.

I let out a sharp breath, holding on tightly. "Never." I said in a hoarse whisper, turning both of us around so that I was on his back, the gun pointed toward his icy heart.

His hand tightened around mine, trying to break my wrist. I let out a cry of anguish and pain as I felt his fingernails dig into my skin, not letting go of the gun.

With my other hand, I secured my hand around the gun, praying to God silently.

'God, please forgive Matt. He's done some things in the past that I know myself he is not proud of. I know what it feels like. I know what it feels like to want to lash out on anything and everything. I know what it feels like to lose the only thing I care about, and go a little crazy. Just please, forgive him. And forgive me.'

"Good bye...Dad." I murmured, closing my eyes.

With a tear that escaped my eyes, I compressed on the trigger, and watched Matt fall onto the ground. His eyes, a usually piercing blue, now became dead, turning almost as grey as mine.

Letting out a shaky breath, I closed his eyes myself, putting the gun in his hand. I couldn't let anyone know I killed my own father, even if it was for his own good. Truthfully, I couldn't feel any pain, any remorse. I was glad he was gone. Forever. No more abuse. No more hurt and pain every night, all of it coming from him.

Standing up straight, I looked at his lifeless body while clenching down on my teeth. Without a word, I turned around and saw Thalia staring back at me, her eyes empty. Her hand was over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

She looked scared. She actually looked scared of me, like I was a criminal.

I shook my head, scowling at the clear marble ground, walking slowly over to her, trying not to alarm her. But she understood. She knew that I was a good person, that I wouldn't do something like this for nothing. All answers will be answered in time.

As we heard the sirens, which sounded almost lethal, we walked out of the mall, never looking back.

Tears were flowing down my face like a river. I gripped the bed sheets with my hands, clutching it while crying out in despair. I didn't know it would hurt this bad-hurt me more physically than emotionally. All the bruises that he has ever caused, felt as if they were burning, making a hole in my body.

I never thought about the thought of being an orphan. But that's when I realized... that is exactly what I am now. I have no one left. No one to call family.

I didn't know where to go. I didn't know what to do. Walking outside, I stumbled over to Percy's house, knocking on the door furiously. I knew the whole town would be suspicious, wondering why would Matt Chase, the fine policeman of this town, commit suicide. And his poor daughter, Annabeth, is all alone in that reclusive house.

As soon as I saw Percy, I pounced, wrapping my arms around his neck, sobbing into his shirt violently. I was scared when I didn't feel his embrace, but soon enough, he hugged me back tightly, digging his face into my hair.

Percy's POV

I know I should be furious with her; push her away, and slam the door in her face. But she looked weak. Vulnerable to the world. I've only seen that look only once in my life. And that was when I stabbed Mason through the heart. My own brother that I cared and loved for so badly. I was selfish. I couldn't stand to see him die, right in front of me. But that is the only-and biggest-regret I have ever made in my life, and I'm not going to let the girl I love be another one of those regrets.

"I. Am so sorry." I said, putting as much as I had into every word.

Annabeth felt so broken. She was a sheet of glass that had fallen into a million pieces, and I'm trying to hold every single one by myself. Her grey eyes had cracks, pained beyond what could be healed. The pain was so deep; it had left scars on her soul.

I picked her up, holding her tightly to my chest-so close that I could feel her weak, thudding heart beat flutter every so often. I put her down on the couch, letting her rest her head on my shoulder.

"I love you, Percy." She said, interrupting the silence, waking me out of my thoughts. "It wasn't a choice that had to be made. It was always there." She said, her voice cracking, tears filling those distressed, pearly orbs.

I looked at her, absorbing what she had said and let out a shaky sigh.

"Percy, I don't love Jason. You have to beli-" She began, but stopped when I closed the space between us, pressing my lips onto hers harshly, never wanting to let her go. She clutched onto my hair and yanked it gently, telling me to stop.

I blushed crimson letting go. "I love you too," I murmured quietly, not being able to meet her eyes. She giggled, and I took in that beautiful melody in, trying to hold on to the noise.

Pecking me on the lips, she hugged me tightly, when all of a sudden I heard Jason clear his throat, looking at me with a deathly glare.

Annabeth POV

Running out of Percy's arms, I stood in front of Jason, open and closing my mouth, not knowing how to explain. Why is it that I feel so much different with him?

"Save it. I know what you are going to say, "He said quietly, about to turn around on one foot.

I wasn't in love with him. But I loved him, and I didn't want to let that go.

I grabbed his arm, spinning him around, looking into those clear blue eyes.

"I don't want to let you go, Jason. Not like this." I begged.

He shook his head. "You can't love both of us. And you made it clear you love Percy."

Tears gathered in little puddles in my eyes. "I don't know how to explain... but I do love you Jason." I said, resting my hand on his arm. "But I'm not in love with you. And you are not something I want to lose. So please, just look at me." I coaxed, trying to find those eyes I so desperately wanted to see.

But Jason was hurt. "Forget it." He spat, shrugging off my hand. "I've been hurt enough."

He glared at Percy, who clenched down on his teeth, doing his best not to come over here and disturb the time I had left with Jason. Percy already knew he had me.

I narrowed my eyes. "Don't bring Percy into this." I demanded. "He doesn't have anything to do with this, now."

He huffed, exasperated. "You don't even care if he killed someone? That he hurt his own brother, just because he was that selfish?" Jason asked, bewildered at the thought.

I have thought about this. I knew it was wrong for Percy to be so selfish, to kill his own brother just because he didn't want him to die, to feel that regret for the rest of his life. But then again, what would I have done if I was in his shoes? Waited and watched my own little brother die in front of my own two eyes?

I shook my head slowly, watching the anger build up in him.

"Well then." He said bitterly. "I hope you two have a very, happy life together."

With one foot, he turned and walked out the door.

I let out a shaky sigh. A part of me wanted to chase after him, throw my arms around his neck and fall into his embrace. But I knew that what I had done was right.

Percy came up behind me, putting his arms around my waist. The tingling feeling from the first time he had done that was still there, making me jump slightly. I rolled my eyes, knowing he had done that on purpose to make me think of that same day. Turning around in his arms, I looked up at his face-eyes swirling like the waves of the ocean; that permanent lopsided grin tugging at his lips.

"Look at that moon up there." He whispered, pointing up into the sky.

I looked up, through the huge window that was on the side of his house, and gazed at the moon and stars. It was so uncovered, so liberated, something I wish I could be. Maroon colored drapes hung lazily on each side.

"It's beautiful." I breathed, the sight taking away my breath. I smiled, looking at the almost yellow full moon. It looked sad, as if it was all alone, with no one there. All the stars were around it, never even giving it a chance. It broke my own heart just looking at it.

"Not as beautiful as you." Percy said, stroking my cheek.

I blushed crimson, looking down.

I tried to remember a memory so distant ago-it was hard to believe it has happened. It felt like a dream, or a wish that never actually came true, but you wished for it so hard that it almost seemed real.

Sighing, I didn't take my eyes off the twinkling balls of flaming gas, lighting up the sky. "You know," I began, "My mom would tell me ever night...'Aim for the moon, that way if you fall, you will land among the stars.'"

"No Annabeth. You won't land among the stars."

I turned around, and looked at him confused.

"You won't just land on the stars, you will shoot pass them in a blink of an eye. You are brighter than any star there is in the sky." Percy said without any hesitation, completely straightforward without a hint of irony. "Your beauty will last forever, while theirs can diminish."

I smiled widely. "I love you Percy."

"Love you too, Annabeth."

He leaned in for a kiss, but I stopped when I heard my name. "Annabeth." The voice called.

I turned around, to see Matt, standing where the wide window was.

Gasping, I took a couple steps back, bumping into Percy's chest.

"Matt?" I asked, stricken dumbfounded. "You-You're..."

He smiled warmly. A sight I haven't seen in such a long time. "Don't be afraid of me, Annabeth. I'm in a better place now."

I could hear Percy's concerned voice, but I brushed it off. I didn't know how long I would have with my dad. My real dad.

"Dad?" I asked, almost crying of happiness.

He smiled again. "Yes, it's me Annabeth."

"But-But-But..." I stammered. "How?"

"I wanted to thank you for letting me remember who I am, not the monster that became of me." He said, scowling at the thought. "I am with your Mother now."

I smiled, letting out a tear of joy and relief. God has answered my prayers.

He looked back, as if someone was calling him. "I don't have a lot of time left, honey."

But he couldn't leave me now. I just got him back!

"No! But Dad!" I said in alarm, desperately wanting him to stay with me.

"Promise me that you will not make the same mistake I did." Dad told me, grabbing my hand. It almost felt real.

A tear ran down my cheek. "I promise." I whispered.

"Hey, now. Don't cry." Dad said, wiping it off, even though I knew it was just a gesture. A brush of wind passed my face, cooling me off.

"I love you." I said, trying to smile.

Dad smiled back. "I love you Annabeth, and your Mother does too. Hold on to that."

And with that, he vanished, as if nothing was there. Percy was now in front of me, shaking my shoulders. "Annabeth! What's wrong? Who are you talking to?" He asked his eyes full of panic.

I gripped my head trying to remember the thought. Was that real? I closed my eyes, and I could still feel his presence, his touch. It was.

I shook my head. "I'm fine." I told him smiling, and for the first time in a long time, that was the truth.

NO CLIFTHANGER! :D That's a first! But yeah, please keep reviewing and again, thank you SO much for the support again. I am still unblievably suprised! Luv ya guys! Baizzz!

BTW: THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! Dont worry-there will still be way more to come! Just to let you guys know!

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