*Peers around a corner, and waves* Hi.

So, I have virtually no excuse for this very, very long hiatus, but I'm back. That's enough… right?

*whispers to herself* No, it's not.

Anyway, notes at the bottom of this chapter and DISCLAIMER TIME!

All characters belong to the Great and Powerful Rick Riordan and the Ancient Greeks and other people I'm probably forgetting. Plot belongs to me.

Kronos watched as Luke picked the boy up and carried him the steel door in front of the van. Kronos quickly locked the vehicle and briskly walked up to the door's keypad. Taking out a blank, white plastic card, he placed it above the scanner and waited for the beep to sound. A small ding rung out through the underground garage, which was quickly followed by the soft whispers of whirs and clicks. With a sharp snap, the door slid open allowing passage into the room hidden behind it. The buzzing of electric lights sounded from the room, flooding the garage with an artificial light and annoying noise. Kronos took a step into the room; arms folded behind his back, and looked back at Luke, motioning him to come inside. As soon as Luke has fully stepped into the room, the door slid and closed behind him, effectively locking him in the hospital white room. He looked around the small room and spotted a crack in the seemingly seamless walls. A door he thought. Almost as if he had read his mind, Kronos moved forward and pressed a small section next to the seam, making the door pop open. He turned his head slightly and looked back at Luke with a scowl pressed firm on his face. "Hurry up." He stated while he moved farther into the dark corridor that stretched before them. Luke readjusted his grip on the boy and sighed through his nose before moving forward. He walked farther and farther down the corridor until he reached an open elevator with an impatient looking man inside of it. Luke quickly stepped inside and silently stood next to Kronos, awaiting his orders. Kronos reached his hand forward and pressed a single button labeled B75, igniting it in a red hue. "You will take this boy up to his cell on floor B23." He stated quickly and quietly, as if he didn't want to be heard. "When you enter the room, place him on the metal table and tie his limbs down with the leather straps provided. Make sure to secure them tightly. Leave the room immediately after and head to floor B103. Find my office and wait there until I arrive." Kronos looked over at Luke and asked, "Do you understand your orders?" Luke nodded curtly, looking straight ahead. "Good," replied Kronos just as the elevator sounded their arrival at the previously chosen floor, "Get to my office as soon as possible. We have many things to discuss." With that, Kronos stalked out of the elevator and took a sharp right. The doors slid closed and Luke let go of a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. He looked down at the boy in his arms and sighed. The boy let out a long, quiet breath and snuggled closer to Luke and sighed contently. He certainly hoped this one would survive longer than the others. Luke tore his eyes away from the boy and pressed the button marked B23. He wouldn't be able to handle another death.