Several more precious minutes passed by, though they felt like hours. Annabeth leaned her head against my shoulder. I grasped her hand. Nico snored in the corner.

"Percy," Annabeth whispered in my ear.

"Yeah?" I whispered back.

"What if I don't live?"

"I told you not to say that."

"Admit it, it's true. If we don't get out of here, I will die."

I sat quietly for a minute, then hugged her suddenly. She hugged me back. I held her close like there was no tomorrow, and of course, there may not have been for her. I felt hot tears fall from her, which was strange since she rarely cried.

"I promise," I said, "that I will do all I can to save you."

She backed away suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm just afraid... What if it's contagious?"

"Wouldn't Nico or I have caught it by now?"

"Not necessarily... Or maybe you did. Some diseases have silent but deadly symptoms that you don't notice until they get worse."

I gulped. There was no way we could figure this out if all of us were sick.

"What are the 'silent symptoms?' I asked.

She thought for a moment. "I don't know."

"That's encouraging. Don't worry, I'm sure I don't have it. Maybe there aren't even any silent symptoms."

"I hope not."

I took her hand. We were quiet for a moment, then she coughed and mustered a, "Thank you."

"For what?" I asked.

"Putting yourself in harm's way to save me. That's why I didn't tell you at first. I knew you would do this, and the only one who's allowed to hurt you is me."

I smirked. "I don't think so."

"You wish."

"Anyway," I said, "Grover would've saved you. Chiron would've. Really most of the campers."

"Percy," she warned, "I'm complimenting you. Take it."

I laughed a little bit.

Suddenly, Nico cried out.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He didn't answer for a minute, then laughed. "Oh, my gods, I thought I felt a drip of water. I must've been dreaming."

"No," Annabeth said, "I feel it, too."

Water slowly dripped in from the ceiling. Where was it coming from? Was Hades trying to drown us? No, he was smarter than that. The only sound for a while was water dripping, and of course, Annabeth coughing. Then, without warning, the water started coming in quicker and quicker. We stood up simultaneously.

"It's up to my waist!" Nico cried, which meant it was at Annabeth and I's thighs.

"Is your dad doing this?" Annabeth screamed over the roar of the rushing waters.

"I don't think so!"

"Pray to him!"

"He won't listen!"

"Try!"

"Persephone will convince him otherwise!"

"Guys," I warned, "not the time."

I realized suddenly that I could see Annabeth and Nico. It was like wherever the water was, I could see what it was seeing. Annabeth was taking deep breaths, probably to keep from vomiting. Nico was now chest-deep

"Please, Nico!" Annabeth cried, coughing. Blood spattered in the water.

He shook his head. "I can't. He won't listen-"

"Listen, Nico!" Annabeth screamed, a sudden surge of anger. "Pray to Hades. And Percy, pray to your dad!"

"Why?" I asked.

"Uh, let me think, we're knee deep in water, but why pray to the sea god?"

I sighed and quietly prayed, "Father, please help us out of this. We really, really need you. If anything, it'll help your relationship with Hades and Athena."

"Nico," Annabeth said, "your turn!"

I could see him taking a deep breath, then mouthing words. Annabeth, clearly not hearing it, opened her mouth to say something. I quickly gripped her hand to silence her. She tensely gripped back, but still solemnly, like she was used to the threat of death. Which, even being a demigod, was impressive. Nico stopped mouthing. We were silent, listening to the water pour in. Nico had to tread water to stay up now. Annabeth and I were getting close. Even if I wasn't going to die, I had no interest in watching my friends perish. I knew I could keep them in an air bubble, but I didn't know how long.

The water began to cover Nico, and he mustered one last, "Help," before he went under. Annabeth and I were under shortly after. She was still holding my hand. I pulled her close to me and she held onto me, clearly scared.

Suddenly, without warning, there was a bright light above. Annabeth could see it, too, because her eyes were open and looking up. A naiad emerged toward me.

Take heart, young warrior, her voice said in my head. Your father has heard you. You, and your friends, will be spared.

I nodded. There was a flash, and then everything went black.

"Wake up," someone said, shaking me.

My eyes flew open and I sat up quickly. Annabeth and Nico were sitting beside me, looking worried. I smiled to show them I was okay.

"What happened?" Nico asked.

Annabeth and I exchanged looks, then I explained it all.

"See!" he cried, jumping up. "It wasn't Hades! It was Poseidon!"

Clearly, it was. I said a silent "thank you", then said, "Look, Nico, who cares what Hades thinks? You care about your friends, right?"

He was silent and unmoving, the creepy way an Underworldian child could be.

"Nico," Annabeth persisted, "what would Bianca do?"

He tensed. "Don't talk about that! Look, I do care about you guys. And that's why I'm here."

Annabeth looked around. "Where is 'here' exactly?"