"Project M.A.N.T.I.C.O.R.E is back." I said flopping a folder in the middle of the circle, in the folder where pictures upon pictures, "All of these were taken less than 24 hours all heading toward one state. New York City."

"Are you positive." One of the members of the circle asked, there were murmurs around the table, everyone knew of the M.A.N.T.I.C.O.R.E project and have known that the day would come when we would pay for our mistakes.

"Positive." I said and the volume increased and shifting of bodies increased as well, everyone knew what this meant.

"Doctor Thorn is coming home." I said getting everyone's attention.

"What do you have planned?" One of the scientist who worked with Doctor Thorn asked nervously cleaning his glasses.

"We don't do anything, I will monitor how fast he is coming home. When he is, I'll be his welcoming committee and we will handle things. He has caused too much damaged. It's time for it to end." I said showing authority and that I know what I'm doing when I have zero, to zip no clue what I'm gonna really do.

"Would you like us to create that special jail then sir?" One of the many scientists asked in the room.

"Yes." I said a bit relieved, I almost forgot about that part, "Have it created soon, I am sorry but you might not be home until then." I said awkwardly but they gave me soft smiles.

"That'll be okay son, our families may question but you have been great with scheduling throughout the year, and we have been satisfied. It won't be a problem." one of the leader scientists said and the others murmured in agreement.

"After this, remind me to give you guys a bonus." I joked with a smile, they didn't have to remind me. Once Dr.Thorn is locked away and the cage works they are all getting a bonus no matter what.

"Anyone want to bring up anything else?" I asked.

A newbie scientist raised her hands, "You have in the file the code name and the details, but what exactly does Project  M.A.N.T.I.C.O.R.E stand for?" she asked her voice shy but strong.

"Project  M.A.N.T.I.C.O.R.E, aka Massive Alien Nebula Thorn In Complex Octave Reading Earnings, as it is stated in the file Doctor Thorn had found an alien cube and was experimenting on it when it released gas, or dust from outer space which in terms creates Nebula in the title. That nebula made Dr.Thorn not at all human, he has a face and intelligence of a human. However, his body is that of a lion, and he has a scorpion tail. Do not engage." I said making the last bit clear, "Everyone has their instructions, get to it."

"Yes sir." They announced and all started to head different ways, some grouping together to discuss the cage others are going to make the equipment to track the beast.

"Percy." Katie popped into the room after some of the scientists left.

"Yeah?" I asked rubbing my eyes to try and not fall asleep.

"Your Aunt May would like you home. It's almost ten o'clock and she says it's a school night, she's not home yet but will be around eleven." Katie said handing me a small bag of chips for food.

"Thanks, can Leo drive or has he already gone home?" I asked trying to focus from the sudden exhaustion I felt, I let a yawn loose.

"He never left." Katie teased as she escorted me downstairs where I was practically dead on my feet, the excitement from the last few hours and being knocked out from my powers were catching up to me.

"Come on." Leo muttered and I could hear the grin in his voice as he took my shoulders and practically kept me upright until we got into a car where I practically fell asleep, "Thanks." I muttered to him.

"Don't thank me yet, with the traffic I'm sure your Aunt May is going to kill you and then me." Leo joked

"I could use the sleep." I muttered jokingly going in and out of existence.

"Sleep is for the dead." Leo declared grinning in a bundle of energy that made his existence.

"Lucky them." I said and yawned again, "Now onward Steed, I have an Aunt who is going to slaughter me."

Leo snorted and we started to move much easier in traffic....like he was, "Are you using your elector-thingy powers?" I asked my vision focusing a bit as the traffic lights in front of us coincidentally started to switch to green so we could keep going.

"That doesn't matter." Leo said dismissively as I shook my head, "Stop every few seconds otherwise you're going to get noticed." I said feeling a bit of relief when we stopped at the next light, it was somewhat a pattern but less noticeable from then on out.

We arrived at Aunt May's house in no time and I shook my head to try and get it to wake up before opening the door before Leo could, "Not tonight." I joked and started to walk toward the house.

"Percy!" Leo yelled making me turn around just in time to catch a backpack, "Don't forget that." Leo smirked and zoomed off in the car leaving me in the dust.

I shook my head and started back toward the house.

As soon as I got in the house I ducked and overhead a lamp was thrown out of the house. I looked at Ana like she was crazy, she didn't look too sorry if anything was sorry she got caught. I looked around the house, all of Peter's friends were there and I held in a sigh.

"Uh, hey Percy. You remember my friends, well they're staying the night." Peter said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

"I thought you were too old for sleepovers?" I asked raising an eyebrow and slide my backpack off my shoulder and closer to my chest.

"This is not a sleepover kid." Sam said looking like I insulted his grandma

"Could've fooled me." I said blankly and started toward the stairs but stopped short when Sam pulled my backpack, which was a bit unzipped, and I jumped to reach for it but he held it out of my reach, "Give that back." I said trying to jump again but fell short.

"Hey Luke, catch." Sam said grinning and threw my backpack to Luke who grinned and I looked desperately at him, there was no way I would get it, it was taller than the other kids even if I tried to jump there was no chance.

"I gotta give it to the kid." Luke said giving me a smile and moved to hand me the bag before it was ripped from his hands, "You don't have to." Ana said a joking smile was playing her lips.

"Give it back." I said and stomped my foot for emphasis.

"Aww, is the little kid have a temper tantrum?" Sam taunted.

"Give it back." I said glaring at Sam with all I got, I could see him wince but his taunting smile was still on his lips.

"Guys." Peter said desperately and went to grab my back from Ana.

They pulled on it for a second and my eyes widen when it started to open more, Ana finally got it free and tossed it too Sam but the damage was done.

Files spilled out of my bag, and most important Project  M.A.N.T.I.C.O.R.E right there in red headings.

"Stop." died on my throat as I practically raced to the files and held back tears, they were out of organizations and it would take me all of lunch period to put them back in order, time that I didn't have right now.

"Look Percy-" Peter started but my anger was rising and without even knowing, a glass of water broke into million of pieces on the table.

"Go away!" I shouted tears were streaming down my face as I held the files to my chest but I knew they saw some of it, I could see the questions in their eyes, "I hate you all!" I shouted before storming up the stairs.

I closed the door behind me and locked it, tears were streaming down my face as I laid the damage done on my bed.

A drip.

Then another.

Then another before I stuffed my face in my pillow, I hated it here!

Why did Chiron have to get in that accident?

Why did my mom have to leave me?

Why did my family hate me?

Before I knew it I was hiccuping and there was an insistent knocking at my door, "Go away!" I shouted my voice hoarse from crying.

"Please Percy." Peter asked desperately but the knocking stopped.

"I just want to be alone." I said my heart not meaning any or it and I really just wanted my mother's cuddle and her soothing voice.

"I doubt that. Please Percy." Peter tried again.

I sniffed and wiped my eyes, I looked over at the files and shoved them in my backpack before turning my pillow over so the wet spot wasn't showing.

It was like he could hear me as I finally moved to the door and unlocked it. I left it at the and went back toward my bed and cradled my legs.

I faced the wall as Peter slowly came into my room, shutting the door behind him, "The others left." he commented and it made my heart sink.

"They didn't have to." I mumbled feeling bad that I was the reason Peter didn't hang out with his friends.

"They were being jerks, I'm sorry about that." Peter said slowly moving to sit on my bed. I tried to stifle my tears but the words still kinda echoed in my mind.

Finally Peter sat on my bed and it was like a damn broke, I turned toward him and it was like he was somewhat expecting it because he opened his arms just enough time before I crashed into him and let tears slide down.

Peter started to rub my back, it was like he didn't know what to do but at the same time did, like he knew how I felt, "Do you wanna talk about it?" Peter asked after a few seconds of my sniffling, tears not coming out as my eyes were stinging.

"It's not the fact they were being mean, it just reminded me of something else." I said closing my eyes trying to picture happy thoughts instead of the dark ones that were invading my mind.

"What?" Peter asked gently and I felt myself relax in his arms. I rubbed my face trying to get rid of the tear stains that were probably there.

"My stepfather." I said quietly and clutched Peters shirt, "he wasn't exactly nice and...the teasing just....it hurts." I said rubbing my chest but mostly where my heart was as it squeezed painfully as I remembered some of the things my stepfather has once upon a time told me.

Peters just clutched me closer and rubbed my back, I knew he didn't get it, not truely anyway. I was just thankful that he was there and he wasn't pushing.

"Come on, it's late. I think we're both spent." Peter said after a bit, I couldn't help but agree with him. I was exhausted from the day and was ready to pass out.

"I think that's a good idea." I mumbled and distantly felt Peter pulling the sheets back and then back over me, or the fact that he turned off the light.

"Night Peter. Thanks." I mumbled turning to face the wall.

"Goodnight Percy." Peter said his voice made me think he was smiling softly which in turn made me smile softly, that was my last thought before I passed out.