“You’re not escaping this time, demigod.” the man said, pulling out a gleaming knife, as Percy wheezed slightly, paralysed with fear. The man’s parched lips spread into a wide, evil grin that Percy was sure would even scare Thanatos to the bones. Percy started to back away instinctively, but his eyes never leaving the dark red eyes of his host, suddenly realising he himself has fallen for the man’s trap. That man was playing a game with Percy. And the worst part was, the party’s just started. 

“You don’t have to do this.” Percy said, his voice trembling slightly. Percy couldn’t help it. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead, as his breathing quickened, hands shaking insignificantly. Percy could feel the crimson bloodshot eyes focusing on himself, searching him blindly, but knowingly, into the darkness which Percy hid, trembling. As if he was searching the right place to tear Percy apart, bit by bit… 

Percy’s heart rate quickened with every passing moment. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the worst. 

The man's footsteps and Percy's heart pounding were intermingled as one...

Percy’s heartbeat almost stopped when a loud screeching noise was produced, like metal-scratching-on-metal sounds, giving Percy she shivers as he opened his eyes. 

Unexpectedly, the man was gone. He disappeared. Bewildered, Percy looked around, only to find nothing. A cold feeling ran down his spine as he turned his head… 

A pair of mad crimson eyes were staring back at him, with a pale face, the scar running down the corner of his right eye and ending right before the ear was glowing red. Percy backed up immediately, as the man moved closer and closer, his hand clenched tightly at the black handle of the knife, the bloodthirsty tip pointed towards Percy.

“I guess you didn’t notice that blood really suits that handsome face of yours, would you like me to add some more?”

Percy saw a bright sliver light pierce into the darkness, and the last thing Percy saw was the barbarous smile of the man before the blood smeared knife obscured Percy's vision.