Hey! This story ended on a somewhat cliff hanger… I think. So I really want to thank the reviewers! A lot of them make me laugh, causing my smart Alec younger brother want to read them. That's why I thank you. It keeps him out of trouble! HELP THE CAUSE AND REVIEW!

~GoGreen52

PS- today is one of my famous 'Writing Frenzies'

Witness Protection

Chapter 17

ANNABETH POV

I really feel bad about this whole thing. If that knife had just killed me… Juniper wouldn't be deathly hurt, Percy wouldn't have to go through this mental pain, and I wouldn't have to be going through this either. I could be in heaven right now. But that didn't happen.

To make it worse, Luke was making me live in a 4 by 8 foot cell, and it stunk. I was about to kill myself, to end the torture… but then I remembered Percy. He was coming to save me.

"Chase!" One of the guards yelled through the grimy steel bars.

"What." I said timidly. I didn't really ask, instead just waited for it.

"You will be going on video cam for the hospital your friends are at." He spat at the word 'friends.'

"Okay." I said, knowing that he already probably left. Did I mention I hate the people here?

This is what I was talking about earlier. I mean, talking to Percy and my friends at the hospital, where they probably are worried for Juniper… it was cruel.

I stood up and paced around in the small space I had. I don't even have a bed. They're making me sleep on the ground. I was dreading that also.

I had to find a way to get out of this place. I had no idea how long it would be until Percy would come. I had to meet him half way.

"Chase! You are coming with us!" A new guard exclaimed, dragging me out of the cell. He cuffed me, and pulled out a pistol. "You wouldn't dare try to run away girl." He mumbled into my ear, caressing my cheek. I flinched away and gave him one of those famous glares only I can give.

"Don't touch me." I said through gritted teeth.

The guard chuckled darkly. Percy's chuckle sounded like a song that only he can master. But this guy… it sounded like a dyeing pig. "And what are you going to do about it?"

"This." I smiled and kicked him in the lower area… let's just say no man would want to be kicked there by me.

"You're dead." He pointed his gun at me.

"Shut up you two! We need her." Luke said, pulling me into a chair. This place seemed like an abandoned warehouse, but with some added bits to it. Good.

Luke tied me to the chair, and positioned the camera so it looked at me. I walked and crouched in front of the camera… probably to give a speech. What an airhead.

The red light turned on, and I knew we were live. In front of my friends.

"Hello. Most know me well. And for those who don't, my name is Luke. And I have something with me that you want." He showed me to the camera. I started to squirm… well, what could I do? The man I wanted to kill so badly was right in front of me.

Luke looked at me and laughed a cold, dark laugh. "Shut up sweetheart." He got up and punched my face. Tears started coming. Percy would be recklessly coming seeing that. Stupid over protective boyfriend. My eye was throbbing… I could sense a black eye coming soon.

"Annabeth. Read what I wrote." He said in my ear. I closed my eyes then opened them with a sigh and began to read what was on the screen next to the camera. It looked like I was looking at it. Percy would think that I was forced to memorize it. Again, stupid over protectiveness.

"Your grandfather wants to make a deal, Percy. He wants to make a trade me… for you…" I started. I felt my eyes widen. "NO! DON'T DO IT!" I yelled, causing Luke to punch me in the same place, of course causing me to scream in pain.

"READ IT!" Luke yelled, pointing to the screen. I took a deep breath. I could do this.

"After the trade, I will be free to go. As for you, you will not. Kronos wants you, not me. So make the trade!" I said, as sarcastically as I could, letting Percy know this wasn't coming from me. At the end it said to smile, so I put on the most plastic smile ever, and then let it go, forcing a frown. Percy would understand that.

The mean dudes took me away, making me scream, and sob. I needed to say some things to Percy. He wasn't about to die on me. And I would never die on him.

PERCY POV

That mutt slapped her! I was going to kill him! Through the whole video, I was fuming. Nico put a hand on my shoulder, and I shrugged away. Annabeth needed me. There was no doubt about it.

We were in the waiting room, and waiting to hear if Juniper got out of surgery… alive. From what Grover told me, Juniper said her final words in the car to him. And he broke down sobbing.

I really felt bad for him Annabeth better not be like that when I save her. I can't live without her. Never probably could either. Without her, I would be living in a shell. Going through a rut that would be impossible to get out of without her.

I paced around the waiting room, and I didn't know what I was waiting for really. Yeah, I was waiting for news about Juni, or a call for ransom. What I was waiting for was a plan to pop into my head. Look, I know it sounds stupid, but at times like this… it tends to happen to me a lot.

I shook my head and sat down. What would Annabeth do? I mean, she didn't want me to make the trade…

I think light bulbs went off above my head. I had an idea. It was crazy, but it was still an idea.

HAHAHA! Percy gots himself an idea! He's not as dumb as he shows himself to be!

~GoGreen52