Last time:

Then Bruce told the other man to search the room. Annabeth panicked. He was going to find her. She held her breath and prayed to anyone out there that she wouldn't be found.

The man stepped into the room.

"Hello? Anyone in here? I promise that if you come out peacefully, I promise that we won't hurt you, or your friend." The man sounded halfway sincere, which caught Annabeth off guard. She knew that she shouldn't believe the man, but he sounded like he meant it. Maybe if she…

"Stop thinking like that!" She thought-yelled at herself. She knew that it was merely a trick to lull her into a sense of security, and make it easier for her to turn herself in. But she wouldn't go willingly. She wouldn't!

"Ok, you had your chance. Now, if I were you, I would steel myself because now, you and your friend are in a world of trouble."

Before she could stop herself, Annabeth gasped. The man turned towards the corner where she was hiding.

"Ha, I have you." He walked towards her desk, and shoved it aside. "There you are, princess." He said mockingly. He grabbed her by her ponytail.

"Up we go. Come on, I bet you want to see your friend huh? Well let me warn you, if you just blabber nonsense like he did, there will be consequences."

Annabeth nodded, trying to blink away they tears that were rapidly arising, along with her fear and anger.

The man, who was light-skinned and fair-haired, started dragging her down the hall towards the men's bathroom.

They were smarter than she and Percy first thought. These people whoever they were, obviously realized that if there was one place were the cameras wouldn't be watched, it was the bathrooms.

As they walked in, Annabeth steeled herself for whatever Percy condition Percy was in. She was glad she did. He was lying slumped on the floor, out cold. He was bound, and gagged. The worst part though, was his right cheek, which was bright red and bruising. He was groaning now, as if he were coming around.

As they walked in, Bruce called out, "Found someone Tristan? Who is this little lady?"

Knowing he wanted her name, but reluctant to give it, Annabeth said the first name that came into her mind. "My name is Kate sir." She added the sir in hopes of appeasing him, and make him less likely to hurt her or Percy.

"Well Kate, what is your friend's name?"

She lied again. "His name is Leroy sir."

"Ok Kate, why don't you stand against the wall, with your hands up." It wasn't a suggestion. She did as she was told, and stood with her back facing the wall.

Tristan came up behind her, and she felt her hands being pulled behind her, tied together, and handcuffed. Then he turned her back around and set her next to Percy. "Stay there and don't say a word. If you do, you will have a bruise to match Leroy's over there."

She nodded, to afraid to say a word. Then, beside her, Percy groaned again, loader, and slowly opened his eyes.

Bruce gave a sadistic grin and said, "Well, what do you know, you friend is awake!"

Percy groaned, and forced his eyes open. His vision was blurry, and his cheek throbbed. His back and legs hurt when more though. He doubted he would be able to walk.

Suddenly, A hand was grasping his face, forcing it up. His eyes met with Bruce, who was grinning sadistically at the pain that was expressed so clearly in Percy's eyes.

"Well, well, well. Look at who's awake. Did you enjoy your beauty nap Leroy? You see, while you were out, a few new developments happened. The least of which is that you friend, who you tried to hide, was found. Why did you hide her Leroy? I am going to have to punish you for that." With that, Bruce slapped the same cheek that had been abused only minutes before. Pain exploded across his face and Percy couldn't hold back his grunt and whimper of pain.

Bruce grinned and then turned to Annabeth. "You see Kate, that is what happen when you cross me. Let this be a lesson to you."

Through his pain, Percy picked up on something. Annabeth had obviously given them fake names, but why. He couldn't think very clearly right now.

"Ok, now that you are awake and alert, we have a Skype call to make to a certain place."

That was when Percy noticed the computer set up with a webcam. It was situated right in front of him. He wondered whom the men would be calling.

Bruce walked up to the computer, and started fiddling with it. As he did, M2 disappeared inside a bathroom to take a leak.

Taking advantage of the moment, Annabeth leaned over to him and whispered, "Are you ok?" He shook his head no. "Don't try to anger him. He seems like he has mood swings, so be extra careful." He nodded his head slightly.

"What ever you are telling him, it better not be an escape plan or anything of the sort." Bruce said as his rang someone. Moments later, Bruce's face disappeared from the screen and a man in a police uniform appeared.

"Who are you?" He asked the moment the connection finalized.

Bruce grinned and said, "Someone you should be very nice to, considering the hostages I have.
"You are the one in Goode High School, aren't you?" The officer said, not as demanding as before.

"Yes, I am"

"Why are you inhabiting the school? I think you should know I have fifty officers surrounding the school at the moment. Choose your words carefully."

"I need to talk to the principal of this school, and, unfortunately, hid is the only way to do it."

"The principal has already told us he will not negotiate."

"Will he if I show you this?" Bruce said, and moved away from the camera, revealing Annabeth and Percy.

The officer's demeanor changed instantly. His expression became softer and he said to the pair of teens, "Hello you two, Are you ok?"

Annabeth turned to Bruce, silently asking permission to talk to the officer. Sensing what she was asking, Bruce nodded his permission.

"I am fine sir. My friend over here is not though. What is your name sir?"

"My name is Officer Blowfis, and I can tell that your friend is not doing good." Then Officer Blowfis turned his attention to Percy then. "Can you move son?" he asked.

Percy shrugged his head in a so-so manner.

"Ok, I have the information I need. Stay safe kids." He then said louder, "Can I talk to you again Bruce?"

Bruce stood up and walked to the camera. "Now you know that I mean business."

"I do Bruce. One thing though. Is there really any other need for the other people in that school? Why don't you let them go? We promise that we will not try to get inside the building while you let them out. It would be easier this way. Then you wouldn't have so many people to worry about."

Bruce stopped and considered for a minute. Then, with a suddenly cunning smile on his face he said, "you know what? I think I will do that to you, as a sign of good faith to you. I will let them out a hall at a time. They will have three minutes to get out, or they join my little group here. As for your promise, I will show you what I will do to the girl if you break it. But first, let me demonstrate on the boy."

He turned back to Percy and Annabeth and said, "Leroy? Come u here so that I can show the good officer something."

Percy's eyes widened. He wouldn't be able to stand, let alone walk to him. But he had to try. He shifted his weight forward, so he was kneeling towards the webcam. Even this little movement caused his tons of pain. But already, adrenaline was kicking in and making him forget his hurts. He shifted backwards so that his bound hands were touching the wall and his knees were in the air. Even as he did, the movement hurt less than before. He then used the wall as support and stood up.

Ignoring his screaming muscles, Percy walked slowly to Bruce and the computer. As he did, Officer Blowfis eyes widened slightly, as the damage to Percy's face became clearer.

Bruce grabbed the neck of his shirt and pulled him in line with Bruce. Then he wrapped his hands around Percy's neck and squeezed. *

Percy's airways closed instantly. He couldn't get breathe in. He struggled, but in his weakened state, it just used up more of his precious* life energy. Black dots appeared, his world grew smaller as blacker crept in the sides of his eyes. The gag wasn't helping matters. If was growing tighter and tighter. Percy was going to give in to the sweet arms of unconsciousness when-

Bruce let go of Percy. Percy collapsed on the ground next to Bruce's feet. He drew in a rasping breath around the gag. He was relived to be alive. Never again would he take air for granted.

"You have been warned." Bruce said, and stopped the call. He then turned his attention to Percy.

He grabbed Percy by the backside of his gag, and dragged him over to Annabeth. Her eyes were big and worried. She was scared that it would happen to her, he knew.

Bruce dumped Percy unceremoniously and grabbed the rifle he had just noticed that was sitting by the sinks. M2, who had come out of the toilet, grabbed the other one.

Bruce turned to his comrade and said, "Lets go do this. I don't want us vulnerable for long."

He turned his attention to the teenagers and said, "Don't try anything, or the consequences will be severe." On that note, He walked out of the bathroom, M2 at his side.

*1: thought about ending it here :)

*2: anyone else think of Gollum from LotR