Please read the authors note!

Two days later it was Tuesday, the 4th of July.

"Wakey, wakey, Miss Elite!" Hazel shook my shoulders.

"If I'm an Elite," I grumbled unhappily into my soft pillow. "I should be able to sleep in."

Hazel laughed. "Sorry, not going to happen."

I sighed sitting up and rubbed my sleepy eyes. "It still hasn't sunk in yet."

"What?" Justine asked sticking her head out of the bathroom. "That you're an Elite?"

I shrugged slowly getting up and walking to the bathroom. I winced as my bare feet hit the cold tiles of the bathroom. "I guess. It's so crazy. When I entered this I didn't even think I would be Selected, let alone make it to the Elite."

"That's because Percy loves you!" Alicia yelled out in a sing-song voice from the walk-in robe.

I smiled bashfully shrugging her comment off, but inside I was freaking out. If I was an Elite, I had made it into the top ten. I actually had a chance, and Percy wasn't keeping me here just because we're friends. He actually likes me, and my nerves went crazy with the thought of Percy in love with me.

After a relaxing bath, the girls put me in a beautiful red dress with spaghetti straps. My hair had a small braid and the rest floated down my back in soft princess curls.

I smiled at the girls as I left the room, the door closing quietly behind me. I walked into the dining room and was surprised to see that the table had decreased in size. I counted the seats that were half filled and saw that there was ten. One for each of us. My nerves increased at the prospect of how everyone would be with each other over the fact that the competition was so close. I didn't care about the outcome as long as I didn't lose Percy. That's all that matters.

I sat down at the end of the table making small chat with Reyna whilst we waited for Piper. As everyone filed in I noticed how they were all wearing red, white and blue, the colours of the Americans before World War 3. Piper was wearing a white dress with long white sleeves that really made her darker skin tone pop. Thalia was wearing a simple navy blue dress and I suspected that she was barefoot underneath from the glimpse I got as her dress moved up as she walked. Reyna was wearing a dress that had a white top half and a blue bottom half and I was quite surprised to see that Drew was wearing a white unrevealing dress with red flowers around the waist and bottom of the dress.

The Royal family, too, were wearing a mixture of the three colours. Percy had a navy suit on with a white collar shirt and red tie. He smiled brightly at all of us as he sat down, seemingly happy that everyone had stuck to the dress code.

Breakfast was loud and delicious as usual but I felt some tension from further down the table. I looked over and found Rachel glaring at me, but I couldn't figure out why.

I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion but she just flickered her fiery red hair over her shoulder and went back to stabbing her piece of toast.

I was about to tell Piper about Rachel but Percy cut me off as he stood up from his seat.

"I just want to say congratulations again to you ladies on getting to the Elite. I know you think that this Selection is moving very fast, but an elimination won't be happening in the next two weeks, giving me time to spend some quality time with you all. I hope that's okay." He smiled bashfully.

"Aw," Piper cooed quietly next to me. "That is adorable."

I rolled my eyes but I couldn't stop the smile or blush creeping across my face.

Piper and I decided to walk around the gardens for a bit then go back to our maids for a touch up for the party.

As we rounded the corner of the vast gardens we bumped into Tyson.

"Oh, hey, Big Guy." I ruffled his hair.

He sighed and patted down his now messy hair. "Hello, Annabeth and Lady Piper."

Piper smiled at him too. "Out for a garden walk in the lovely sunshine?"

"Something like that. I'm trying to sneak out, but don't tell anyone."

"Can you repeat that please?" I rested my hands on my hips.

Tyson glared at me with his big brown eyes. "Don't get all big sister on me. I'm just sneaking out to-"

"To?"

"-meet a girl."

Piper groaned. "No, don't say that! Now she'll tell everyone!"

"Is it that Ella girl?" I asked.

He nodded. "We're meeting at her house and going to the local library. She loves books so she's going to read to me."

"And she knows who you are?"

Tyson clapped. "I told her last week. She was overwhelmed but doesn't really mind. She just wants to keep it a secret a bit longer because she doesn't want the attention. Anything for Ella."

"Holy Aphrodite," Piper shook her head. "These Jackson boys."

I ruffled Tyson's hair. "Have fun, Big Guy."

He hugged me quickly before sneaking off to the left.

"Why do you guys call him Big Guy?"

"A couple of years ago, he won our annual capture the flag game," We started to walk again as I explained. "His prize was that we would stop calling him Little Guy and instead call him Big Guy. We've called him that ever since."

After my walk with Piper, I went back to my room where the girls tightened the braid in my hair.

I sat on the edge of the bed and took off my shoes, rubbing my heels. "Can I go barefoot?"

"No way!" Justine scolded.

"What?" I asked exasperatedly. "Thalia was barefoot this morning."

"So?" Justine replied. "Thalia is Thalia, you're Annabeth."

"Stupid answer," I mumbled under my breath.

I sighed and put my shoes back on and stood up. "What's the time?"

"Nearly three! You better head off," Hazel came and hugged me. "Tell us all about it tonight."

"Have fun," Alicia pointed at me. "But not to much fun,"

I smiled thankfully at them. "Thanks, girls. See you soon."

I followed the corridor to the stairs and made my way to the fourth floor. I was hit with the flashback of Percy and I's date on the rooftop as I walked the familiar path. I blushed remembering the feel of his lips on mine.

As I grew closer to the door I could hear music already on and when I opened the door, I was surprised.

Percy had strung fairy lights as a sort of roof, flashing red, white and blue. To the side was a large table with an assortment of food that included decorated cupcakes and of course, blue cookies. I could hear the music blasting through some speakers and watched as some of the girls danced in the middle of the rooftop, laughing and talking away as they bounced to the beat.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Percy's voice said from behind me.

I spun around grinning at him. "Definitely is. How are you?"

He smirked at me and instead of answering my question he grabbed my hand and started to pull me over to the other girls who were dancing.

"No, no, no!" I tried to plant my feet firmly on the ground. "I am not dancing."

"Aw, come on, Wise Girl." He brushed a hand through his jet black hair, his sea-green eyes twinkling from the fairy lights. "Dance!"

"Yeah, Annabeth!" Piper stood next to Percy swaying her hips to the beat. "You know you want to."

I looked at both of them and sighed, smiling slightly. "Fine."

"Yes!" Percy grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. Before we started dancing, he snuck a very hasty kiss on my lips. I rolled my eyes, but danced with the others, the vibrations shaking up my legs from the floor, happiness surging through me.

After a few songs of dancing, I was extremely dehydrated so I moved over to the table with food. There were bowls of chips. (crisps or potato chips for people who don't understand. Is that even a thing tho? I call fries, chips and crisps, chips so *shrugs*) The cupcakes that I had spotted from the door were piled on a series of tiers, the colours that were tonight's theme in stripes of icing on the top. There were a few choices of salads but also a plate of hot dogs, which I hadn't had since my sixth birthday. I poured myself a cup of water and quickly drowned it and poured another one.

"Nice moves," Silena plopped a chip in her mouth.

I groaned. "I was peer pressured into dancing. Please forget that ever happened."

She laughed. "I think it will stay in my memory for a long time."

I groaned again but smiled at her. "Have you danced?"

"Not yet," She winked. "But I will."

The song changed and I noticed the start of the next one.

"No!" Silena covered her ears. "I hate listening to myself."

I laughed as I bobbed my head to the catchy tune.

Silena rushed over to the speakers to try and turn her song down so she wouldn't have to listen to her voice.

As the night wore on, the sky grew darker, the food started to disappear and the atmosphere turned up a few notches.

"Is just like to make a toast," Percy turned down the music and raised his cup. "To the Elite!"

We all cheered and took a swing of our drinks.

"If everyone wants to move over to the railing for a better view. The fireworks are about to start!"

We all rushed over to the railing, holding on and looking up at the sky like children. A beam of light shot into the sky, exploding into colours and sparkles which was followed by a loud bang. The next one shot up and it exploded into a white star. The bang echoed off the walls. The next one followed after that, and then the next one. I watched up at the sky with wide eyes, the light reflecting off them. Another one exploded into a cloud of gold glitter that fell like a waterfall.

My blood turned cold at the sound of the next firework, but it didn't sound like a firework. I felt it before I saw it. Another shiver made its way down my spine and spread out to my toes, sending goosebumps to irrupted on my skin. I looked over at Percy worryingly. His face probably mirrored my own. Shock and a little fear. He had felt it too.

"Get to the safe rooms!" He yelled, moving is arms around widely indicating at everyone to move.

Some stood there shocked but I gently pushed their shoulders, moving them towards the door.

Percy ushered us out the door and I, at the front of the group, picked up my dress and started to run towards the stairs.

"What's happening?" Drew asked panicked.

"Rebel attack," I glanced behind me and made sure that everyone was following me. Percy was at the back, but he was quickly taking over the girls at the back. We all held up our dress to make it easier to run, the sound of our heels clicking on the floor and the distant sound of shouts.

The sirens blared as we raced towards the safe room. We all quickly stepped down the stairs and I turned the corner first.

"Take cover!" Percy yelled from beside me. The wall exploded on our right, debris flying everywhere.

Guards were all rushing towards the direction of the main doors, guns and swords out ready to protect everyone in this palace with their lives. I admired their bravery for running into battle.

"Quick," Percy grabbed my forearm, and all of us crouching, we went down another flight of stairs.

This level was even more hectic. The group was split up as people ran in different ways and were cut off by a guard pushing them away. Was it just me or was this Rebel attack much more violent than previous ones? Were they planning to do something?

Percy stuck by my side and we tried to rush to the hidden door that was further down the hallway.

"Annabeth!" I heard my name over the chaos of the attack. I looked behind me and saw Luke jogging towards me. He had a gun in his hand and was shooting Rebels that attacked him from left, right and centre.

Dazed and dizzy Percy and I moved closer to Luke.

Percy pushed me into Luke's arm. "Get her to the safe room. I don't care what it takes. She lives."

"What?" I asked struggling against Luke's tight grip. "What about you?"

He shook his head and kissed me on the lips. In that moment, where walls were exploding, screams filled the air and gunshots fired left and right, all I could concentrate on was Percy. He reassured me that it would be okay but I couldn't help that feel that maybe this was going to be the last kiss we'd share.

He lingered there for a moment before pulling back.

"My home, family, friends and country is being attacked. I can't run." He looked me straight in the eyes.

"And that's exactly why I should be fighting with you!" I said exasperatedly.

He rested his forehead on mine, closing his eyes and inhaling through his nose. "I won't lose you".

Percy bent down to a fallen Rebel and pulled the gun out of his hand. "Go."

Luke nodded and grabbed my arm pulling me down the hallway, away from Percy.

"Luke let go of me. I not leaving him. Give me your gun. I'll fight too." I protested.

"Just follow me," His grip on my hand tightened.

Realising his tone, I knew he wouldn't budge. I did what I was told and took another turn with Luke's grip leaving my hand feeling numb. I pointed down the other way, where I could see the Selection girls bolting down towards the safe room. "Isn't that the way to the safe room?" I asked.

I knew it was the way to the safe room. I've lived here my whole like. The question was why aren't we going to the safe room.

Luke shook his head and kept moving, "We're not going there."

Now on high alert, I removed my arm from his cutting grip. "Why not?"

"Don't ask questions that you won't like the answers too."

What does he mean? Why wasn't he taking me to the safe room, just like Percy ordered? Did he not care about my safety? His number one priority was to keep the royal family and guests safe, that meant taking them to the safe room. Wouldn't I, one of his closest friends, be even more of a priority? I would do anything to keep him safe, I want him in a safe room and me fighting out against the rebels. Not the other way around. Did this have something to do with what he said earlier? About committing more crimes than I know? Ridiculous but possible ideas came to my head, putting me on guard. Years of training with the guards told me that if I had any suspicions, put up a defence. I stopped walking and put my fist in front of my face, ready to attack and defend myself if I must.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked again, this time in a more cold and demanding tone.

"I don't want to hurt you, just follow me." Luke's voice was commanding, just like the time he kissed me and wanted more.

"Luke?"

He snarled at me and even before I could react, he had reached for a knife scratched to his thigh. He pulled it out and flicked his wrist, cutting my side.

I stumbled back shocked, pain clearing through my side. I blinked back tears, my hands flying to cover my open and bleeding wound. I looked up at Luke's face and moved back in fear. His eyes had turned the same gold as before, and it scared the living daylights out of me.

He grabbed my shoulder with his strong iron grip, spinning me around so I was facing the opposite direction to the safe room. I felt a bit of pressure at the bottom of my back and came to the realisation that there was a gun being pressed onto my body. Something that I thought Luke would use to protect me but instead kill me.

He started to walk down the corridor. "Don't make a sound," He breathed in my ear. "Or a bullet goes straight through your head and then through Percy's head."

I nodded weakly still shocked. My brain started to work overdrive on trying to figure out a way out of this. I thought of possible moves I could try but all of them had a bad outcome. The odds were not in my favour.

Nobody even glanced my way as Luke pushed me down the hallway. I guess no one could see the blood blossoming on my red dress.

"Luke," I whispered tears filling my eyes. "Please don't do this."

"It's too late for that now, Annie."

We came to a door, and using the hand that was gripping my shoulder he opened the door, not very gently pushing me through. I turned around defensively and was about to rush out of the room but Luke closed it shut, locking the lock. Quickly I scanned my soundings. We were in a small room, with a table pushed up against the back wall, two chairs on top. There were no windows and the only door that I knew of was the one that was currently locked and being guarded by my former friend.

Very quickly I swung my fist at his face, using my training. Apparently, he had even better training than I did, he had quick reflexes and caught my fist before it could hit his face. His hand held my fist in a tight grip, cutting off circulation.

"Annabeth, stop. You can't fight me."

I shook my head and tried to kick him where the sun does not shine. He grabbed my foot before it connected and pushed me back against the wall. Pain shot through the back of my head and down my back. I could feel blood dripping from the spot where I hit my head. Why was I even in this situation? What in Olympus was Luke doing? Was he serious? With a massive headache coming I quickly grabbed the chair that was next to me and smashed it on his shoulder. He cursed loudly and staggered backwards, the broken bits of the chair scattered on the ground. With one hand on his new wound, he used the other to grab his fallen gun and aim it at my forehead.

I paused for a moment to think. If the person in front of me was the Luke I knew, he wouldn't shoot me. He wouldn't be able to do it, he wouldn't even think about shooting me. But in the last ten minutes, I realised that this isn't the Luke I know. This isn't the Luke that looked after me and loved me. This isn't Luke. This isn't my Luke Castellan.

I ran into him and twisted his arm with the gun behind his back. Not being able to hold it any longer he dropped the gun.

"What are you doing?!" I screamed.

"Saving the world, saving me, saving you!" He screamed back.

"What is with you? I've never seen this side of you!" I yelled back.

"Maybe you don't know me Annabeth. Maybe you have no idea who I am." He snarled.

There was a loud explosion outside of the room and further down the hall.

Shocked at what he said and the noise of the explosion I let my hold on him loosen. He took the opportunity to stand up and pull a dagger out of his boot.

"It would just be a lot easier if you just did what I told you too,"

"Never!" I yelled. I barrelled into him and threw a punch at his face. It connected with a loud crack and blood started to ooze out of his mouth. This didn't seem to faze him.

What happened next, shocked and terrified me.

He stabbed me.

I fell back to the fall from the impact. I could feel the blood pouring out of the stab wound. The screams, gunshots and explosions of the attack were muffled, I only heard the blood pounding in my ears.

With all the strength I could muster I looked up at Luke, who was towering over me.

"Who are you?"

I had known this boy since I was seven years old. He looked after me and had been the big brother I had needed. He gave me food, water and shelter. Gave me company and so many happy memories. He was my hero. And now I'm here, lying on the floor in a palace that's under attack, away from the people I love, bleeding out with that said hero holding a bloody knife in his hand.

A smirk grew on his handsome, devilish face. "I'm a rebel, Annie."

Then everything went black.

Hey oh! Plot twist *dramatic music*

What did you think?

So, in the next week I'm going to be trying to go back a fix stupid spelling mistakes through out the chapters of this fic. I'm also thinking of adding title names like: 'Chapter 32- "Please don't do this"' Cause the numbers are boring! What do you think? Also I'm adding a Part 1 and Part 2, so you should read those small chapters. Basically if you get an update before next weekend it's just me changing chapter titles and doing grammar editing

Sorry for the short chapter. Life is pretty bad at the moment. Got some personal issues at the moment. I was crying most of the time writing this but, it's just another mountain I must climb and conquer!

Thanks for the support. Please leave a comment or vote!

-Squirrel