Hello everybody I'm back! The reason my updates have been on the pathetic side lately is that I have the busiest schedule ever. I have all AP classes and right after school I go to cross country, right after that I hit my swim team. Then I go home stuff myself and do home work to 10:00. So expect much slower updates until x-country ends in November. Also I would like to dedicate this chapter to ZoraAshleyarm. Who forced me to get a move on with an update. She also blackmailed me. So thank her.

The bell rang. Percy streaked out of school. He ignored all the other students that were happily gossiping with each other and ran around the school to the other side. And into a side alley next to Goode. He had promised Nico that he would meet him there and they would go for lunch. So there he stood at the entrance to the alley feeling a little stupid. So he yelled.

" NICO!" there was a cackle from behind some milk crates. And a slight pale boy stepped out from behind them. He had a smirk planted on his lips that morphed into a rare smile.

" hey Perc. How's school" his smile widened at Percy's wince. And he let out a bark of laughter.

" how about we forget the cruel and unusual punishment that is High School and go get some burger King." Nico jumped back from Percy like he was exuding something radioactive.

" BURGER KING?! HOW DARE YOU! TRAITOR!" Percy laughed and people on the street stared as he pulled him into a headlock and gave him a violent noogie. Then ruffled his hair. Some of the civilians cracked a smile at the cousins.

" alright, alright I get it we'll go to McDonalds. There's one across the street." Nico cheered and raced out of the alley way with Percy loping behind. As soon as he turned the corner though he gave a shout of surprise. Then Percy heard the screams of civilians and mortals. They all streamed past the entrance blocking Percy's way out. But eventually the stream of people ended, That was when Percy sped up and turned the corner only to see a hell hound with its jaws about to snap Nico up. At this point Nico summoned his sword and tried to jab the creature. But thanks to the angle he was at he missed.

Percy pulled out Riptide and started to charge the beast when it took another swipe at Nico. Nico dodged the paw and skittered back. But he ended up tripping over a piece of the pavement that stuck out at an odd angle and fell backwards. The hell hound advanced on him even as Percy tried to distract it. Nico tried to crabwalk backwards but ended up failing. The hellhound lowered its jaws. Preparing to grab hold of Nico and snap his neck and spine. That was when he felt himself be roughly scraped against the pavement. His head cracked against the cement and he saw stars. After the stars faded he saw a whole lot of golden dust. That must have been all that remained of the hell hound. He looked around for Percy. With any luck they could still go get McDonalds.

That was when he saw Percy's crumpled form on the sidewalk. He picked himself up and sprinted over to Percy's side. He could feel his life force and therefore wasn't worried that he was dead. But he could also feel it ebbing. That was NOT good. He also saw, as he got closer the growing pool of red blood pooling under his stomach. There was a hint of gold in the blood to but it was mostly red. He turned Percy over to survey the damage. And there was a lot of damage. There was a long deep cut that went from Percy's right shoulder to his left hip. And there was a lot of blood.

Hehehehe CLIFFHANGER. On a more sad note. I just found out that a third grade boy in my neighborhood was just killed when a truck hit their motorcycle. The father was killed on impact as well. It would make me feel better if everyone prayed that his soul reaches heaven. Or if you are in another religion, please still pray for his soul. Now back to REVIEWING! Please REVIEW! Totallyawesome out.