This chapter starts in her flashback still and will last a little longer. Also in this chapter we meet a certain male character. I bet cha can't guess who? ;)

Chapter 2- Fear

Fear gripped Annabeth instantly as she looked in the direction of the girl named Clarisse. The girl had a look on her face that said, "I will rip open your stomach just for giggles." Annabeth looked around her to the seats that were open. One on each side; meaning "pretty girl" was on one side and Clarisse would be on the other. Annabeth shivered uncontrollably.

She started weighing her options and came up with one good one. She was saving seats for her friends. However, before she got the chance Clarisse fell into the chair on Annabeth's left without even looking at her or saying anything. The pretty girl just looked at Clarisse and frowned. The girl turned to Annabeth and gave her a bright smile that told Annabeth she was safe, unlike the big girl. She didn't say anything which made Annabeth's apprehension only increase as the girl sat down.

Sitting as stiff as a board Annabeth didn't move at all. Her back wasn't resting against the white fabric that normally cushioned a person. Instead she tried to put all her weight on the front two inches of the seat. Annabeth just wanted to leave but the meeting had just started. Talk about a horrible position to be in. Obviously the two girls knew each other but they weren't even talking to each other.

All throughout the meeting "pretty girl" and Clarisse would glance at Annabeth. Well, "Clarisse" would glare and the other girl would glance. Every time the girl would catch Clarisse glaring at Annabeth and would scowl at her friend. About halfway through the meeting Clarisse thought she would help Annabeth "relax" by shoving Annabeth into the back of her chair. She also added in a deep gruff, "Yo girl, it's just a meeting, chill out." Then with a look at the pretty girl she added to her, "Silena! She really needs to calm down, it's a freakin' meeting."

(End flashback)

She laughed at the first memory of her best friends aka roommates but a mile from the apartment store that she turned at she stopped laughing immediately. She felt something behind her and it wasn't an animal. No, this was most definitely a person, and she was afraid to look around. Thinking about nothing but everything all at the same time (Something she blamed her mother for. Even when she tried to think of nothing she was always in thought.) She decided to make a left in the next alley because she knew that there was an 'out' in it. Just in case the person was indeed following her.

She wasn't imagining things. She definitely heard feet come up behind her. Her mind began racing. This doesn't happen to me. This happens in movies and shows on TV, not in real life. I'm just Annabeth. Oh God… I just hope this isn't what I think it is.

Once she heard heavier footsteps she picked up speed. But somehow the person behind her not only kept up but gained on her. She then wanted to V8 herself because ahead she saw the trap she fell into. She hadn't been able to turn around to see who was behind her but the person ahead of her and blocking her from the exit was definitely male. She now knew what was happening and she guessed the person behind her was male, she now knew that. She could hear his breath and how heavy it was. She pressed herself to build up more speed. Maybe she could barrel through the man at the end.

Just keep running Annabeth, just keep breathing. It wasn't her voice that was saying the words and only one name came to mind. God? Oh great, now I am really going to die! No! She had to survive! She had to survive for Silena, Clarisse, Luke, and her family, even including her stupid little brothers. For now she had to get past the man standing ten yards ahead of her.

Alright time to live or die!

And she slammed full speed into the man. Only to be wrapped up in the man's arms. His arms were as thick and strong as pythons. That's when she heard him speak, "Oh this is gonna be fun, huh Richie?"

Oh god, I'm going to be killed by a guy named Richie? Oh god this couldn't get any worse!

"Oh yeah Bubba, this is gonna be awesome!" said rumbling voice holding her. Ugh…never mind it did just get worse.

She felt hands slip into her shirt for just a second, then a new voice. "Hey perverts, leave her alone!" Annabeth looked up to what she hoped was her savior and what she saw stopped her heart. A huge shotgun barrel was aimed straight at Richie, the one not holding her. "Or do I have to blow your head off big boy?" said the man with gun.

Well this just got a whole lot more interesting, thought Annabeth with a forced smile.

As she thought this she noticed that 'Bubba' let go very quickly and it took Annabeth a little while to get up. About .257 seconds to be honest. That long to get up and start running at the man with the gun. Now, running towards someone who is holding a very large gun may not seem like a good idea to you. However, when she weighed her options the percentages of danger were about 22.97% higher staying with Bubba and Richie. So to Mr. Shotgun she ran. (That's really only something Annabeth would be able to configure.)

When she finally reached the man with the gun she gave him a quick look down. Around 5'10" with his shoes and a semi-muscular build; he had black loose fitting jeans with a black tee that barely stretched over his chest. Annabeth couldn't help but think Time to move up in shirt sizes isn't it buddy… GEZ! Only I would be rescued by someone only to insult them in return! As she walked behind him she could see one word in bright neon green, SECURITY.

Well that explained the gun she thought sarcastically. All the security guards from the night clubs had guns but you on saw them about every 2 minutes! Those guys were so creepy! What's ironic is that every night club from Cornell to NYU and beyond was owned by one man, named Hades. Creepy name and an even creepier guy. What's weird is the guy holding the gun looked a lot like the picture of Hades in the paper she saw yesterday. The picture was of Hades, surrounded by bodyguards but Annabeth doubted he needed them.

Hades had a strong build that was always covered in suits and he had eyes that were hidden by dark black sunglasses. He had scars that covered his face that gave the interpretation that he 'earned' his position here in the dark streets of New York the hard way.

This boy as she saw it because he looked like a freshman had the same build and same dark brown hair. The one difference in their appearances was that this guy had very little scars and he had no sunglasses on. His eyes were a dark, dark brown. She just now remembered his voice as well. He definitely had a slight Italian accent. The only thing that turned her away from saying he was Italian was the fact that he was extremely pale. As if he never saw the son. She was staring him down and trying to absorb as much information as possible when she was rudely interrupted.

"Hey, are you alright?" yelled the boy. Apparently, he had been trying to get her attention because he seemed annoyed. She looked at the two men that had attacked her only to see them face down on the ground with their hands on their heads. The boy tried once again.

"EXCUSE ME!" she turned and faced him.

"I don't mean to be rude or startle you, but are you hurt? The police and an ambulance are on the way!" This caught Annabeth's attention.

"Security guards from Hades' bars don't call cops; you guys are the 'LAW'."

The boy shyly grinned and puffed out a breath, "Just because I have a black shirt with neon colored letters saying SECURITY, doesn't make me a guard does it?" The way he said it was sarcastic but Annabeth could tell there was a depressed underlining.

"Well you look just like Hades the owner of every night club in New York. I saw him in the paper last week when he opened up that new club for kids…Half Blood I think it was."

Again the boy sighed, "Yeah I look just like him because he's my dad. Now what's your name?"

"WAIT?" Annabeth screamed the word, "YOU'RE NICO DI ANGELO?"

Nico finally gave a legitimate smile that made him look years younger, "Well now I know my name, phew! Thought I had forgotten it for a second. Phew, thanks!" He said sarcastically. He grabbed his ear tenderly then snapped his fingers right next to it. *Snap*

When Annabeth returned this action with a questionable glance he grinned, "Just checking to make sure I can still hear. You got some pipes on you girl."

He chuckled as Annabeth blushed and he added, "By the way you still haven't told me your name. I'm not asking to be creepy I'm asking for the Police Report." As if it were a script sirens started going off. Making Annabeth fully grip what had just happened.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry for being rude. Thank you so much for the help." She grinned when he snapped his head toward her. "Help?" he said with a squeak. "Yes help, I was fine but it's nice that you were here so I didn't have to get dirty."

Nico got over his shock and just looked at the flashing lights and opened his mouth to talk to them. But before he could say anything they heard, "Put the gun down and put your hands up!" Annabeth grinned at his 'Oh duh, I'm an idiot look' and she added "Oh by the way, I'm Annabeth!"

Okay so that was a terribly long wait I know! I'm sorry I was waiting for the beta to get it back to me. And she will eventually and when she does I'll repost her corrections and what not!

So how many of you thought it was Percy? Haha! Gotcha! Just kidding! We meet Percy next chapter, I promise! Please Review!

Thanks,

Jordan