Hello! Thanks for the many reviews! I was so surprised at how many I got, and even more so on how many people responded to what Mother-effer said. And Bob, thanks again for backing me up to the second flamer, who I bet is a just a (jackass) lackey of the first (bastard). Thanks to all of you that backed me up! It means a lot. :) Also, my poll is still up! I own nothing, and enjoy the chapter! :)

PS: Mother-effer, my story must not suck as much as you said if you're still here. And if you invited a friend it seems. Ha.

PPS: Bob, you have to tell me when you get an account, because I so wish I could PM you right now. And don't worry; as of right now, I'm not suicidal.

PPS: To the two jackasses that review, thanks. I can't care less about what you say, because it doesn't matter. In the end, none of you are gonna matter because you wasted all your time trying to puncture titaninum, even though people say it's impossible, and you won't be doing a thing to make yourself known. You'll be left as nameless, forgotten shells of human beings when you die, and eventually even your own descendents won't be able to remember your name. And when that happens, I won't cry because I'll remember, and you got what was coming to you. Simple as that. I'm not threatening you, I'm simply relating facts. And for your information, I couldn't care less if everyone hates this story, even if everyone hates me. I like this, I like myself. You aren't my friends, so it doesn't matter now does it? Have a nice day fellas. FYI, unless you say otherwise, I'm classifying you as boys.

Percy's POV

I received another slap. "No you didn't! Why would you deserve it?" Thalia asked.

I whispered the answer to her question, then was asked again to repeat it louder. It was only hear the first time by my knees. "Because I'm an awful person! Look where trusting me got people. I should get another slap. Do it."

Drawing my face out of the safe haven of my body, I tilted it towards Thalia and turned my cheek to her. "Do it. Do it!" Closing my eyes lazily in anticipation, I waited for the familiar stinging sensation.

It never came. Much to my disappointment, I assure you.

Opening my eyes, I looked at Thalia to see her staring at a shaking hand. "Why didn't you do it? What's taking you so long?"

Slowly, she whispered, "I couldn't. Not when you're so willing." Prying her gaze from her hand, she met my eyes. "I will not help you torture yourself."

For a few moments, there was only silence. Then, I broke it. "Okay."

That one word seemed to crush the females' worlds. "Okay? What do you mean by 'okay'?" They demanded.

Meeting each of their gazes, I said, "I mean that I'm not doing to make you do anything. Besides, I don't need your help. I can torture myself alone if that's better for you. In fact, I should thank you. That's always the worst kind of torture."

With that lovely thought, I curled back into my ball and whispered my morbid thoughts to my knees.

Thalia's POV

I'm really worried now. Percy is going mad. I think it was something I said that set him off.

"No. You aren't my cousin. You aren't my brother. You aren't the hero I know and love. You aren't Percy Jackson."

In retrospect, maybe j should've used other terms, but it just popped out!

After that though, Percy stared off into space. He was probably thinking, but I can't be positive. Not anymore. He's crazy. He's insane.

I didn't know he could be like this. Yes, he does suffer from guilt occasionally, but nothing like this. This almost reminds me of the house elves from Harry Potter after Annabeth made me read it. They would hurt themselves if they said or did something wrong.

Maybe Percy is part elf... Nah. But-

"Hey Perce!" I exclaimed loudly enough for Percy to raise his head from the tangle of limbs.

"What?" He asked in a flat voice.

"Are you part elf?"

Frowning, Percy cocked his head to the side. "What?"

"I said, are you part elf?" I repeated to him, adding, "I didn't know you were deaf," just loud enough for him to hear.

That made him sit up straighter. "I'm not deaf," he protested. "I've got nothing against people that are deaf, but I'm not myself! And why would you think I'm part elf?!"

I smiled to see my cousin sit up straighter and speak louder, with a tone of anger and confusion to his voice. He's getting a little better it seems.

Keeping up with my story, I replied, "Well, in Harry Potter, they had house elves that would hurt themselves if they said or did something they shouldn't've. That reminded me of you recently, with the slapping and the hiding and all."

"You read Harry Potter?!" The incredulous tone was not quite what I was aiming for, but it was still better than nothing.

I stared long and hard at my cousin. "Did you read it?!"

Avoiding my gaze, Percy said, "Possibly. I mean, wizards and magic... Plus, he kinda reminded me of myself. So I read the last one before my 16th birthday. It was really good."

I nodded. "So are you part elf then?"

"Um, no." Anne laughed from behind me, and I saw Percy's eyes dart around. "Hey, what're we still doing in here? Let's get going!"

Smiling, I walked with Artemis through the doors of the room to the hallway, led along by Percy and Anne. We're finally going back home.

Im coming for you Nicky.