The next week, Percy and I set off for Hades' realm, along with Percy's friend, Nico. Since Nico was a son of Hades, we figured that it would be good if we brought him along. I wasn't too keen about meeting Lord Hades again, considering our previous one didn't go so well, and definitely didn't want to do it without him. The storms weren't any better, so we decided not to go by sea or air. We took a taxi through New York, which was interesting. The number of Cyclops living in abandoned alleys was baffling. I half expected to find a few sheep with them, but I guess I was thinking of Polyphemus. Once we were out of the urban area and a rural area, we trashed our cellphones, not wanting to attract any unwanted monsters.

" Do you think we'll find them?" I sat down by our campfire, throwing in a piece of rabbit for my dad. I glanced over at Nico. He shrugged, shaking his shaggy black hair out of his face.

"Don't know. If anybody has them, it has to be my dad, unless..." He bit his lip thoughtfully.

"Unless what?"

"Nothing."

"Nico." I looked at him. Percy spoke this time.

"Unless another God, Goddess, or monster took them, using the commotion Hades caused to their advantage."

"Exactly." Nico replied, running a hand through his hair. I sighed. Of course. Nothing was ever simple when it came to Greeks. A single tear trickled down my cheek, my nose starting to run. There was no way I was going to cry in front of two boys, but I couldn't help it. More tears fell, my shoulders shaking with every silent sob. I felt Percy come over and sit next to me, putting his arm around me. I leaned into his strong embrace, crying harder.

"It's okay, Christian. We'll find him."

Nico snorted, Percy turning to glare at him. "Do you always have to be so pessimistic?"

"No. Do you always have to raise people's hopes? Christian, I know how it feels to lose someone you love, but they always come back to you in some shape or form. My sister comes back to me in the form of a spirit." Nico takes my hand. It's ice cold, making me tense up. I never thought I'd be holding hands with Nico, who is openly gay. Not that I had a problem with it, but I really didn't expect it. I could tell he was just as surprised with his actions as I was.

"Thanks, Nico. I think what Percy was really trying to say, was that we will eventually find them, whether they're dead or alive." I sniffed, one last tear trickling down my cheek. He squeezed my hand, helping me up off the ground.

"No problem." He said quietly. I put my arms around his neck and hugged him. Much to my surprise, he hugged me back, not pulling away.

"You don't always have to be alone." I whispered in his ear before pulling away, turning to Percy. "I'll take first shift." I say, taking my sword out of my bag. Both boys shrug, turning to the pile of blankets by the crackling fire.

"Holler if you need anything." Percy said before both boys were out, snoring loudly.

An hour later, I started to dose, jerking awake at every pop and crack of a twig or branch. Soon, I could barely keep my eyes open, and I woke Percy, who took second watch.

I woke to Percy shaking my shoulder, the woods still quiet and dark, except for a low growl. I sat up quickly, brandishing my blade. A pair of glowing, red eyes emerged from the brush, and a fully grown hell-hound stepped into the light of the fire. Nico was already up, his face pale in the light of the fire.

"Hell-hound." I whispered, just as it lunged at me, tearing the front of my shirt to shreds, my skin torn into ribbons. Lights flashed behind my eyes, my body sinking to the ground, Nico at my shoulders, helping me down. Everything was in slow motion. Percy turned to me, screaming my name. I waved him away. grimacing.

"I'll be fine! Take care of the monster." I waved Nico away as well, my blood staining the blankets I was laying on. Soon, all that remained of the hell-hound was a pill of dust, and Percy and Nico knelt by me, panting loudly.

"Why haven't you healed?" Percy panted, cutting my shirt off with a knife. I felt pretty nervous in just my bra, and I could feel Percy's eyes on my chest. I cleared my throat, and he looked up blushing slightly. He handed me a small chunk of ambrosia, and I immediately felt better, though my wounds didn't heal.

"They should heal. I must be losing too much blood to heal myself. Every gift comes with a price, you know." I yelped when Percy ripped off a part of his shirt and dabbed at my torn skin.

"Sorry." He mumbled. I could see that touching me bothered him. He was probably thinking about Annabeth. Suddenly, the strength I gained by eating the ambrosia started to go away, Percy looking stronger and more awake, the circles around his eyes fading a little. I grabbed his arm to stop him from touching my wounds.

"Percy, stop. You're taking my strength." My vision was a little fuzzy. He jumped back, realizing what he was doing.

"Oh, gods. I'm so sorry!"

"It's not your fault. I need more ambrosia. Just don't touch my skin until I've stopped bleeding. My blood gives energy to whomever touches it." He nodded, sitting back after handing me another small chunk of ambrosia. My stomach burned, the flow of blood slowing a little. Nico sat by the remains of the hell-hound, running his hands through the black dust.

"What now?" Percy asked, sighing heavily. I shrugged slowly.

"This wasn't one of my dad's hounds. The dust is made of ash, not sand, like this one was." Nico stood up from where he was, coming over to sit by the fire. "How are you? No, wait... stupid question." He sighed. "You're flickering. Right on the edge of the living and the dead. You've lost a lot of blood."

"So I'm dying?"

"I don't know. You're conscious, so I think you'll make it. It's hard to tell." Nico's eyes got cloudy, a dazed look crossing his face.

"Nico?" He shook his head, his eyes clearing.

"You'll make it. Don't worry." I smiled a little at the sound of his voice. He sounded so sure of himself.

"I'm gonna rest a little." I said, yawning. Percy nodded.

"I'll take third watch." Nico volunteered, stretching. Percy laid back on the blankets next to me, and I was lulled to sleep by the steady, rhythmic snores of Percy Jackson.