Percy tightened his grip on Annabeth's wrist. His face was grimy, scraped and covered in soot, his hair dusted with cobwebs, but when he locked eyes with her, she thought he had never looked more handsome.

Only then did she understand what would happen. A one way trip. A very hard fall.

"As long as we're together," she said. Percy's eyes turned dark.

"I'm sorry Annabeth," he whispered, and pushed her into the dumb waiter.

Before Annabeth could even register what was happening, the doors close and she plunged into darkness.

"Percy !!!!!" she screamed, banging against the door. She found the handle and managed to stumble out, falling onto a patch of grass.

She looked at the building and felt a sharp wretching pain in her gut. The building was halfway burnt at this point.

Annabeth's knees buckled and she fell to the floor. She let out a sob as her body shook uncontrollably. She escaped...but Percy.....what happened to him?

She felt the heat of the fire on her skin, but she didn't care. She cried, helplessly waiting for Percy to show any sign of himself. But he didn't.

All of a sudden, she heard a huge creak. The dumbwaiter door opened and Percy fell out, coughing. His shirt was burnt, but he seemed otherwise unharmed.

"Percy!" Annabeth screamed with joy. She managed to drag him away from the burning building, him still having fits of coughs.

Once they were out of trouble and Percy could breathe again, Annabeth launched herself at him. Her face was wet with tears, the soot on her face rubbed against his. But she didn't care. She kissed him. A good proper kiss. Percy's hands wound into her hair and he pulled her closer, kissing her back carefully. As if he was scared to break her.
They broke apart, gasping for air. Fresh oxygen entered their lungs.

"Be more careful, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said, holding back a sob. Percy didn't say anything. He held her. They stayed like that in silence and watched as the building burnt.

"Percy we need to get back to the palace," Annabeth said gently.

Percy nodded, immediately getting to his feet.He stumbled, steadying himself with Annabeth's help.

They sprinted to the palace, both relying on each other for support.

They walked for what felt like hours until Percy's feet gave out and his knees buckled. "I can't do this Annabeth. I need water," he croaked.

"Just a little further Percy, please," Annabeth begged. She wished she had water with her. She wished she could help Percy. She wished harder than she ever wished before.

Percy shook his head. "5 minutes please," he signed with his hand. He laid down on the path walk. Annabeth layed down next to him.

"You know, Annabeth..."

"Shhh Percy, save your energy."

"No. I want you to know this. When I was alone in the building, I thought I was going to die. But...but when my vision was blurred cause of the smoke, the only thing that forced me to get into the dumbwaiter was the thought of ...you."

"Idiot waiter," Annabeth smiled, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Idiot waiter," Percy nodded. He closed his eyes and layed down against the cool pavement.

Annabeth silently cried. So as to not wake him. She walked up and down the street, trying to find something or someone that could help them. She walked for a few minutes, glancing back every so often to check if Percy was still there.

She limped until he was just a small little figure on the pathway, like a doll someone left outside.

To her surprise, Annabeth saw a hut. It wasn't a hut exactly, but more of a house with just one room. She knocked on the door, hoping that someone was in there.

A man peered out the door, he was around 7 feet tall. Which left Annabeth feeling a little intimidated.

"Excuse me sir," she cried with relief. "Could you please give me some water for my friend over there?" she pointed into the distance.

Could the word friend even describe what Percy had meant to her? He had become a part of her.

The man nodded and closed the door. He returned a few seconds later with a plastic bowl with water in it.

"I do not have any cups," he said.

"That's alright...Thank you so much sir! I'll never forget this," Annabeth thanked. "What's your name?"

"Damasen," the man replied.

"Thank you Damasen," she said. He nodded and closed the door.

Annabeth sprinted carefully to where Percy was lying down, trying her hardest not to spill any water.

"Percy," Annabeth whispered, shaking his shoulder.

He made a weak sound and turned to his side. Annabeth rolled her eyes, but a smile played on her lips.

She gently touched the water with her hands and sprinkled some on Percy's face.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. She rested his head on her knees and offered him the water to drink. He drank it and she could practically see the color return fo his face.

He passed her the bowl as well, some water still left in it. She thanked him and drank it.
After he had some energy, Percy and Annabeth walked ahead. They came upon the house again, and this time, the man was standing in front of it.

"Come in, I shall give you some food," Damasen said to the couple, motioning them inside.

Percy looked at Annabeth, who nodded. They entered his house. He let Percy sleep on the straw bed.

"You are Prince Percy and Princess Annabeth, are you not?" he asked once they were settled in.

Annabeth nodded.

Damasen continued, "I shall call the guards. There is a reward for your safe return. I shall use the money and finally leave this dreadful place."

Suddenly, Annabeth heard a screech. She looked over to see if Percy had heard it too, but he was fast asleep.

"That is a rat. It's been perstering me for years. I've named it Drakon."

"Oh," Annabeth replied, unsure of what to say. Damasen gave her some food and more water, which she ate along with Percy. After she woke him up. And gave them some alovera gel for their burns. He also helped her make a makeshift cast for her foot, out of bubble wrap and a piece of wood.

Damasen left the hut to the couple's care and ventured out to go get the guards. He returned shortly, a limo following him.

"You're Majesties," one of the guards said, bowing down. "The car is ready."

Percy and Annabeth turned to Damasen, thanking him profusely.

"Make sure this man is handsomely rewarded," Annabeth told the guard, who nodded.

They got in the car. And arrived...at the Palace.
Percy and Annabeth sprinted up the stairs and ran to the main hall. Luckily, everyone was already gathered there for some reason.

They we two greeted with a flurry of hugs and tears. Tyson gave his brother a bone crushing hug, Rachel gave him a kiss on the cheek which Annabeth didn't seem to approve of and Thalia and Luke gave her a hug too.

"You!" Percy yelled, when he found Octavian in the crowd. "You and Drew! Trapped us in that building and burnt it down!"

"You're responsible for everything! All the deaths!" Annabeth glared at him, yelling as loudly as her dry throat would allow her.

Everyone turned to Octavian, extremely angry. They began yelling, words that should not be repeated. Hazel, surprisingly was the loudest. She cursed in Latin. Percy didn't understand all of it, but he got son of a gorgon,power-hungry snake, and a few suggestions about where Octavian could stick his knife.
She's scary.
And suddenly.....

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Cliffhanger again 😈😈.
Bahahahaha

(I miss you D!!! —-S)

Stay tuned !!!