I'm not exactly sure what Alabaster did. Some sort of magic chant or spell, but whatever it was, it saved us.

We swam to shore.

"Alabaster," I said. "I'm done with Kronos, I'm done being a rebel, I'm done."

He looked shocked. "Why? Your parent didn't even claim you. You have every reason to fight."

"Not every reason," I said. "I'm going to set my wrongs right."

"I think you're crazy."

I shrugged. "Maybe I am. If you aren't coming with me, this'll be the last time we meet as friends."

"I'm sorry, Mallory, but I refuse to let the Olympians continue to oppress us."

"I never existed, Alabaster. Understand?" I said. "If anyone asks about me, you never met me."

"Of course," He nodded. "One last favor."

"Thanks," I said. "You saved my life."

Alabaster didn't respond, just turned around and walked away into New York.

I tried to take a step, but almost fell over. I hadn't realized how exhausted I was. I fell onto the ground and felt my eyes flutter shut.

"Hello Mallory,"

"Luke," I said in a daze.

"Look at you, a nineteen year old girl passed out in a New York harbor. That's a long way from that ten year old who was trapped in the Hermes cabin. You are special, Mallory."

"And so are you, Luke," I said. "You are so…"

"So, what?" Luke teased.

"Shut up," I said. "I may think it, but I wouldn't call you special."

"Wake up,"

The words came out of Luke's mouth, but they weren't his.

"Wake up, Mallory."

My eyes snapped open. Where was I?

"Wake up, Mallory," Alabaster repeated.

"Alabaster?" I asked. "What are you doing here? Where is here?"

"After a few minutes, I turned around thinking I could change your mind," He said. "You were out for almost a week. We're almost to Kronos' camp, but I decided to wait for you to wake up."

"Alabaster," I wasn't sure what to say.

"Mallory," He said. "If you haven't changed your mind, I understand, but I was hoping…"

"No. I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore."

Alabaster nodded. "This is goodbye then."

"Don't die. If I could undo this war and my part in it, I would. A hundred times over. But I can't. So right now I just want you to live."

Alabaster nodded. "Don't die."

Alabaster turned and left. I was alone.

I walked into the street. Suddenly everything froze. The cars stopped, the people fell over.

"What the?"

I ran to the nearest man asleep on the sidewalk and felt his pulse.

"Alive? Did everyone in New York decide it was naptime?"

I wandered around for about an hour. What was I doing?

I found myself near the Lincoln Tunnel and ducked behind a car.

"Who's there?" A group of girls stood at the entrance.

"I'm not a monster." I stood up quickly.

A girl who looked like the leader look me over. "You aren't a camper, are you?"

"Not really." I admitted. "But I'm not with them either."

"Who are you with?"

"Right now? No one."

"What's your name?" The girl asked.

"Mallory."

"Thalia."

"Thalia?" I asked.

I knew that name.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Luke used to talk about you all the time."

She looked angry. "You're friends with Luke?"

"I was." I didn't want to anger her, she seemed scary. "He isn't Luke anymore."

"You're right." Thalia nodded. "Are you with us?'

"Why not?"

I remembered my dream.

'You are special, Mallory.' He had said.

I wouldn't call myself special. I wouldn't call you special either.