*peeks out from behind a door* Ah, uh, so, hello! Remember me? *laughs nervously* Please don't hate me for this late update! Please! I'm very sorry for the two months wait, and I know that I'm not in the position to give an excuse, but shit happens in life! And don't worry, I'm not giving up this story! Not at all!

But geez, I got so many torture comments... I'm a wee bit scared.. XD And to those rooting for more Percabeth, just have a little bit of patience! More chemistry will develop soon!

Thanks to all those who reviewed, followed and favourited! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Bla bla bla. I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Bla bla bla.

Ch 8: I Am In Trouble:

Annabeth waited for the demoness to strike at her. But not a blow arrived. Nothing at all. Nada. She partly wondered if Drew was merely toying with, scaring her shitless before actually killing her. That seemed quite Drew-like to her, even though she didn't know much about the demon.

Why?!She screamed mentally, not having the energy to use her voice. Why can't you just kill me already, you monster?! Damn you! Damn all of you!Her tears had stopped, but her body had started trembling. She felt memories of her past flood into her mind. Was that how people felt when they died?

She remembered how her father had promised her that they would always be a happy family. She remembered how her brothers used to play with her in the backyard when all of them were small. She remembered how she had said that she wanted to become a successful architect.

What the hell Annabeth? Now's not the time to remember all this!She still wasn't dead. Just what was Drew planning? Maybe she was just waiting for Annabeth to open her eyes. Ha! As if she was about to do that. Who knew what she would see if she opened them? Or perhaps the demon would claw her eyes out.

"Hey? Are you okay?"

Annabeth let out a startled gasp as her eyes flew open against her will. Green eyes stared back at her, emotions swirling in them. Worry. Rage. And god knows what else. She let her eyes flicker past him. Drew wasn't there. The black shadow had vanished. Had Percy killed her? She turned her gaze back at him.

He seemed to wince under her gaze. Annabeth didn't know that demons winced. "Of course you're not okay. But there's no need to worry now. Drew's dead. You did a good job killing her physical body. I merely used my magic to vaporise her soul. But listen, are you-"

"Why…?"

Percy raised an eyebrow at her. "Why what?"

Annabeth took a deep, quivering breath. "Why didn't you come earlier?!" she screamed at him, then started to cough, her body shaking badly. Percy grabbed her shoulders. She tried to struggle against his hold but he didn't budge. "You said that a mate knows when its other half is in trouble, didn't you? Then why didn't you come to help me sooner?!"

"Annabeth, I-"

"And do you know what has happened?" This time, fresh tears poured out of her eyes. Annabeth didn't bother in trying to stop them. She was tired. She was hurt. She didn't even care anymore. "My best friend has died!" She grabbed his collar. "Why?! Why is it that everybody I have come to love always leave me in the end?" she grit her teeth.

She felt Percy's body stiffen. The muscles moved under his shirt as he hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Even I don't know why I didn't feel anything. I came the moment I heard your voice in my head." He buried his face in her shoulder. "I am so sorry."

How could he not know why he didn't feel her emotions? Annabeth continued to cry in silence, until her body finally stopped trembling. After sniffling for a few more seconds, she muttered, "He's dead."

"I know."

"Drew killed him."

"I know."

"This is all my fault."

Percy grabbed her face with his hands. "It's not."

She didn't meet his eyes. She couldn't bring herself to do that. Images of Luke's death kept replaying in her brain. Annabeth hadn't even told him that she loved him. That he was her first love. And now, she would never be able to do that, even if she wanted.

Life was a bitch.

Annabeth turned her head and immediately wished she hadn't. On the ground, lay the bloodied dagger with which she had stabbed Drew, just a few inches away. She pursed her lips and bit back a sigh. She felt exhausted. "She's dead?"

"Yeah."

Annabeth still didn't face him. "How did you do that? Elaborate."

"You don't need to know," Percy replied.

Annabeth was about to snap at him crudely before she saw something slither on the ground. She blinked twice, making sure it wasn't an illusion. And it wasn't. A white snake was slithering towards them, its tongue lashing out every few seconds. Her body tensed. She was sure Percy felt it, but he made no comment.

Where did that come from?Annabeth thought wildly. Percy didn't seem to notice it. The snake merely inched closer and closer. At the last minute, Annabeth snatched the dagger off the ground and stabbed it, just as it had bared its fangs.

Percy jumped at her sudden movement, clearly having not expected that. His eyes narrowed at the snake, now dead and motionless, lying on the ground. "What?"

"That's what I wanted to ask," Annabeth muttered, her fingers clenched on the handle of the dagger. "I just saved your life." What would have he done if the snake had somehow bitten him?

"Poison has no effect on me. Well, at least this animal's poison has no effect on me." He didn't even bother looking at her. His gaze was fixed on the snake.

"Did you read my mind or something?" Annabeth demanded. Why was she even asking such unnecessary questions at a time like that? Simple. Her logic had cracked. Her neurons had gone haywire.

There was no response. Annabeth expected that much.

"Will you at least look at me?" she whispered. Well, she couldn't really blame him, considering the fact that she wasn't even facing him all this time.

Percy turned his head slowly. Green eyes on grey ones. Something darkened in his irises as he began to speak. "We're in trouble." He stopped and breathed through his nose. "Or more correctly, you're in great trouble."

"Me?" Annabeth wanted to laugh. When was she not in trouble these days? "What now? Don't tell me that another one of your exes had sent that snake to kill me." Her grip tightened on the dagger, trying to resist the urge to stab something. "Can't you just ask your girlfriends to stay away from me? I can't deal with them anymore."

A light growl emitted from the demon. She had irked him, but Annabeth could care less. "This, Annabeth, is much more serious than what you think." He shook his head lightly. "It's of no use," Percy muttered as held out his hand. "Come on."

Annabeth looked at his hand blankly. "Huh?"

"I'm gonna take you home."

"What?" she hissed. "I'm not falling for that act, Mister. You knew who sent that snake, didn't you? Then tell me! Why am I in trouble?" The demon didn't reply. "Damn it, why won't you tell me? What good will it be if you keep me in the dark?"

"Listen Annabeth," Percy said. "I'll tell you everything. But not now. Not tonight. It will be too much for you to take in."

Before she could argue that she would be able to process the information, Percy hugged her tightly. Her voice caught in her throat as he buried his head against her neck. Annabeth closed her eyes, feeling a few stray tears escape. How much more am I going to cry? she thought ruefully. Luke…

She hugged him back, clutching the fabric of his shirt as if her life depended on it. He was right. She was drained. She would have stressed herself to unhealthy limits if she had found out the origins of the snake. About that… "Hey," she said softly.

"Hmm?" he asked.

"Someone else wants me dead, right?"

Percy stiffened and didn't reply.

Annabeth rested her face against his chest. "It's obvious," she mumbled. "Some other random demon wants to kill me. But why? It's probably because of the same reason as Drew, just out of pure jealousy. Or maybe," Annabeth felt her blood run cold. "Maybe someone close to Drew wants to avenge her death."

Percy let out a choked noise. "You're smart."

"Happy late realization."

Silence ensued. For some reason, Annabeth didn't want to let go of him. She knew that she was getting too comfortable, but somehow it didn't bother her. Also, his scent was quite soothing. "But how would they find out about her death so soon?"

"It's the family bond demons share. When a family member dies, the others will feel it immediately," Percy muttered. "Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"I'm going to teleport the two of us back to your house."

"So, why can't I keep my eyes open?"

"If you don't want to feel nauseous, it's better if you follow my advice."

"Just so you know, my eyes are already closed."

"Oh…" Annabeth felt his chest vibrate. Was he laughing? "How was I supposed to know that?"

Annabeth mentally rolled her eyes. Idiot! Then she thought once again. Why am I acting like this? My best friend has just died! And here I am behaving like a lovesick person! The first thing I should do tomorrow morning is to pay a visit to the psychologist!

"Just so you know," Percy imitated her. "We're home."

Annabeth felt her eyes snap open as she looked around wildly. The two of them were sitting on the floor of her bedroom. In a very suggestive manner. Annabeth felt heat rush to her cheeks and instantly scrambled off him. As she was doing that, she noticed the bronze dagger still grasped in her hands. Had she been holding it the entire time?

"Thanks, I guess," Annabeth muttered, rubbing her neck. "For the free transport." Percy stared at her in silence. For a long time. Annabeth shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "What is it?" she asked.

"You look terrible. Downright terrible."

"Gee thanks. I already know I do."

He got up and gently took the dagger from her hand and put it on her bedside desk. "Sleep," Percy said, or more appropriately, he ordered.

Annabeth scrunched up her nose. "Excuse me?"

"You need to sleep. You're exhausted, Annabeth. Don't try to deny it. Your body is weak and you seriously need to rest."

Annabeth gave a humourless laugh. "How can I sleep after all that has happened? Even if I wanted to sleep, I wouldn't be able to." She was sure that she would be getting nightmares about Luke's death for many more nights to come. "And also, demons are still after me. You think that knowing all this, I'll be able to sleep?"

Percy swore under his breath. "That is why I didn't want you to know. But Wise Girl just had to go and figure it out herself." Annabeth blinked at her new nickname. Percy placed his hand on her forehead. "But don't worry. I'll protect you this night. I won't leave your side. You needn't worry about demons attacking you." He pressed his lips against her ruffled hair. "Just sleep for now, my mate."

Almost immediately, Annabeth felt numbness wash over her, and she knew that it was all Percy's magic, and it somewhat reminded her of the first night they met. That night, Annabeth thought she wouldn't be able to sleep a wink. But she slept soundly the moment she hit her bed, not caring for anything else at that time.

She slept peacefully all throughout, knowing that she was perfectly safe with her demon watching over her. She also had a feeling that this was the last good nap she was going to have in a while.

-o-o-o-

When Annabeth woke up, Percy was not there anymore. For a split second, she wondered if she merely had a nightmare about Luke's death. But she knew that wasn't the case. Where is Percy? Maybe he had gone back to… wherever he lived. She heaved a sigh.

Just as she had got rid of one enemy, another one had arrived. I must have done something really terrible in my past life to deserve all this, she thought sourly. So many things had happened in less than twenty-four hours. Luke was dead. It was her fault. Annabeth buried her face in the comforter.

And now she probably even had a bounty on her head. For no fault of hers! Okay, so maybe it was her fault that Drew died, but the bitch had it coming. The demoness totally deserved it for murdering her closest friend.

With a scowl on her face, Annabeth sat up. She noticed that the dagger on the table beside was no longer bloodied. Maybe Percy had cleaned it. How long had he been absent? Sighing once again, Annabeth took out some clothes and immediately got into the shower to get freshened. She was covered in dirt and her shirt had blood stains. "Damn, this will take a long time to get out," Annabeth grumbled to herself.

Once she had changed, she went downstairs to her kitchen to prepare some coffee. She wasn't really in the mood to eat something, but not eating would not be able to bring back Luke. Better to eat at least something, despite her lack of appetite. Annabeth wondered what Percy would've thought if she had refused to eat. Would he have forced her to have a meal? Shaking her head slightly, Annabeth frowned. Why am I even thinking about him?

He saved your sorry life, her conscience whispered back.

Annabeth poured herself a mug and was about to take a sip, when the doorbell rang. The blonde jumped and almost dropped the mug onto the floor. Silently placing it on the counter, she looked at her front door with wide eyes. Who could have been visiting at such an early hour?

Demons?

Damn, damn, damn! She had left her dagger upstairs! Should I go and bring it? Annabeth narrowed her eyes. Or should she just invoke the incantations she had? But that didn't work last time! Cursing to herself, Annabeth took a dash for her stairs, the doorbell still ringing madly. She rushed into her room and immediately took her bronze dagger into her hands.

The doorbell was still screeching. Sheesh, whoever it was outside was sure impatient. What if Annabeth had been sleeping? Hiding the dagger behind her, Annabeth slowly walked towards her door. Sucking in a sharp breath, she braced herself and reached for the knob and jerked the door open.

Thankfully, it was not a demon.

It was Piper.

Annabeth almost laughed in relief. But then she noticed her friend's disheveled state. Piper's clothes were wrinkled. Her choppy brown hair was a mess. Her eyes were wide and she was panting as if she had run the entire way to her house. "Pipes," Annabeth greeted.

"Annabeth," Piper attempted a smile, but it ended up looking like a grimace. "You look terrible."

Annabeth didn't doubt it. She had bags under her eyes and her hair was pulled back in an untidy bun. Despite having slept for so many hours, she still felt worn out. "Yeah, well, so do you."

Piper chewed on her lips and played with a feather she had tied with a stray strand of her hair. "May I come in?"

Annabeth raised her eyebrow at her sudden formality. She stepped aside, making sure that the dagger she was holding was out of Piper's sight. After her friend was in, she immediately locked the door and hid the dagger under a couch. Piper walked over and flopped onto a chair near the dining table.

"Coffee?" Annabeth asked.

The brunette shook her head. "Listen," she began. "I think I may be in trouble."

Well, the two of them had that in common. "What do you mean?" Annabeth asked as she sipped her caffeine.

Piper twiddled her thumbs. "So, I went to a party last night. It was hosted by one of dad's closest friends. There I met this guy, though I have forgotten his name," she admitted, sounding somewhat sheepish. "And well, we just talked for a few minutes before Dad called me. After that, for the rest of the night, he just kept staring at me. And it was creepy as hell." She shuddered.

Annabeth nodded at her to continue.

"Then early this morning, just after I woke up, I heard a scratching sound at my window. When I turned around, there was a dark figure outside. And then, well, I screamed." Piper looked down, seeming very interested in the table. "I forgot that I wasn't in my father's residence, and hence, had no bodyguards with me. As I tried to get a closer look at the figure, I realized that it was the same man I met last night. And I wasn't thinking properly, so I ran out of my house."

Annabeth let out a strangled breath. "That was a stupid choice you made."

Her friend clenched her fists. "You think I don't know? I freaked, okay? You know I get scared easily. I immediately regretted my decision. But if I had stayed in my room, he would've gotten in."

"Why didn't you call the police quickly?"

"As I said, my drowsiness was affecting my ability to think properly. So, once I started running, it took him by surprise, but then he started following me, if that wasn't obvious. The closest place I knew was your house, so I started to run towards it."

Annabeth nodded. Usually, Piper stayed at her father's residence, but nowadays she had taken a liking to live alone. Maybe she had been experiencing family problems, but Annabeth hadn't prodded much on that topic. The house where Piper lived alone also belonged to her father, but it had been unused for many years (again, Annabeth didn't know why).

Whatever the case, her house was a mere seven minutes walk from Annabeth's. Hence it did not surprise her that she would have chosen this place for shelter. However, if this stalker was still after, then there was no doubt that he might arrive here. "Shit," Annabeth's eyes widened. "Is he still after you?"

"I, uh, no. You see, he almost caught up with me. But - but then I was saved… By him!"

Annabeth blinked. "Who?"

"That guy," Piper hissed. "The one I was talking about to you and Thalia during lunchtime."

Annabeth's mouth made an 'o' in understanding. "Oh, the calm dude. Why was he there?"

"How am I supposed to know? But bless my luck, he pulled out of the way into some alley. He didn't let me go until the stalker was gone." For some reason, Piper didn't sound excited. She seemed freaked out, scared even.

"So, he helped you right?" Annabeth pointed out weakly. "I don't see what's the problem, other than the fact that your stalker might attack again."

"His eyes were glowing, Annabeth! They were freaking glowing! You may think of me as batshit crazy, but I am totally sure!" Piper ran her fingers through her hair and shuddered visibly. "His eyes were a luminescent blue. And then he smiled at me and released my hand. What a smile! It was downright creepy! It's as if he knew that disaster was in store for me!"

The hell? Annabeth thought. "Hey, you sure we're talking about the same guy? Didn't you say earlier that you felt calm around him?" Maybe he had a twin brother.

"That's the eeriest thing! It's as if he went through a complete transformation within the past few days. So, when he released my hand, I stumbled forwards, and when I whipped around, he had vanished! Poof! Just like that!"

Annabeth stiffened as a sudden thought hit her. Could it be… Could it be that… No, it can't be! Is this the doing of… some other supernatural being? "Pipes, don't be so sure! Maybe it was his twin brother or somebody?"

"Fine, even if I accept that, what explanation would you give for the glowing eyes, huh?"

"Uh, your wild imagination?"

"And his sudden disappearance?"

"Um, super speed and agility? Maybe he is practicing for the marathon?"

"Bullshit!" Piper cried. "Honestly, I don't think it's his twin brother. Sheesh, and to think I called him an angel a few days ago!"

"Ah, but you see, he is an angel."

The two girls jumped at the foreign voice. One which sounded suspiciously familiar to Annabeth. She set her coffee mug down on the table hard and stood up, her muscles still. Piper was merely gaping widely at the new stranger in the room.

"Though he is not exactly the kind of angel you are thinking of," Percy's voice drawled from behind her.

-o-o-o-

Yeah, so slightly longer chap. Did you like it? Next update will hopefully be soon.

Also, this chapter is unedited. Hence if you see some mistakes or grammatical errors, please feel free to notify me. R&R!

Kudos~!