It was pitch black dark. I moved my arms, but I couldn't even see them. I could feel the wind in my face and my shirt was shaking rapidly. I looked down to see the end, but all I could see is black. There was nothing here. Just darkness.

Percy

I looked to my left and I saw Annabeth floating right next to me. Lifeless, completely still.

I shouted, "Annabeth! Look at me Annabeth!"

There was no reaction from her. It's like she was in a deep sleep and couldn't hear me.

"ANNABETH!" I screamed. "I need you to wake up. Annabeth"

Still nothing. She just kept floating next to me. I reached out with my left hand and tried to grab her hand.

Thump

Suddenly, I got hit in the stomach and immediately got the air knocked out of me. I tried again, but I got the same result as I was getting punched in the stomach. She was within an arm's length, but I couldn't even touch her.

Percy

There was that voice again, but it obviously wasn't Annabeth. She's unconscious and I didn't see her lips move at all.

I whispered, "Annabeth?"

Percy

I could hear the voice, but this time the voice was louder and cleared. It was much deeper, so it couldn't have been Annabeth.

"Hello? Who's there?"

No response. I swear I heard something.

"Hello? Anybody? I know there is someone there?"

Still nothing. Just silence and pitch-black darkness. Then it just hit me. Pitch black darkness. Endless falling. Coldness. Utter helpless feeling. Tartarus.

This cannot be happening. I cannot be back in Tartarus. I swear to never go back there once I escaped months ago and left that life behind. There is no way I am back in Tartarus.

"Help. Please, help us."

Nothing.

"Somebody, help. Anybody. Help."

My vision was getting spotty. Everything was getting darker. I could tell I was about to pass out. If I did, I can't help save us again like last time with the river. I need Annabeth, I need her to stay with me.

I shouted weakly, "Help us."

It was getting darker and we were falling down faster.

"Please, help…"

Thud

I woke up and looked around. I was on the floor next to my bed. Blankets were half on me and half on the bed. My pillow was still on my bed, but my panda pillow pet was clenched tightly in my arms.

Ow, my head hurts.

I stood up and recognized my pile of clothes in the corner. My desk was filled with late homework due last week. I'm in my room in New York. Thank the gods that I'm at home and not in Tartarus.

"PERCY! Can you get out of bed already? I have to talk to my publisher this morning, so I need you to take Estelle to Grandma's," shouted my mom.

I yelled back, "Ya, mom. I'll be right there."

Sally Jackson is the best mom in the world. She is the one who helped me get through everything. And Estelle has been an angel and a great distraction. Honestly, every time I think everything is going wrong in my life, I just look at Estelle and everything changes. Her presence in general just makes me happy and enjoy my time with her. If I'm ever having a bad day, Estelle just knows what to do to make me happy.

I walked over to the kitchen to get some cereal from the cupboard. I got the milk from the fridge and saw Estelle sitting in her booster chair.

"UP!" she yelled with her tiny hands stretched out.

"Girl, can you wait a minute. Let me get some food," I responded.

I don't think she understood me because she repeated, "UP!"

"No, lemme eat," I answered.

"UP!"

I sighed. I can never say no to her. I walked over to her and picked her up. She squirmed out of her seat in excitement and gave me the biggest smile. I would do anything to make her smile.

My mom walked into the kitchen and saw me holding Estelle.

She commented, "Percy, you need to eat. And stop giving in. If you keep saying yes, then she will be spoiled and will never learn anything."

I smiled and held Estelle up to her. I said, "But how can you say no to this adorable face."

Estelle may have Paul as her father, but she has the same look as me and my mom. The look that got branded me as a troublemaker from the teachers.

She smiled and replied, "Simple. No."

I shook my head and smiled. I simply said, "Easier said than done mom. Anyways, I got to get to school. I'll see you after school."

I picked up my backpack and Estelle's bag stuffed with her toys and blanket. A lot of her stuff was at her grandmother's house.

My mom cut me off and asked, "Did you eat, Percy?"

I rolled my eyes and answered, "Mom, I gotta go. I'll eat at Grandma Blofis place. She always has food. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me"

She sighed and responded, "Percy, I'll always worry about you."

"I know," I replied.

"I love you, Percy. I love you, Estelle," my mom stated and waved good-bye.

I waved back and said, "I love you too, Mom. Good-bye."

"See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me

And no one knows, how far it goes

If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me

One day I'll know if I go there's just no telling how far I'll go"

Estelle was clapping to my singing of Moana. She absolutely loves this movie and would watch it nonstop. It is one of the few songs that I like and I am allowed to play in front of her. Mom is always playing kidz bop and other songs that involve the ABC. I'm 18 years old. Songs about ABC? Ya, that's definitely my taste of music.

Estelle is a little over a year old and has been talking for a few months. She nonstop talks and always has this excitement in her voice. However, getting her to stop is not easy.

Estelle talks about her grandmother, "Gammy is the best. She let me eat cookies all day. She is funny. She sings a lot. She says I'm a cutie. She says I look like you. She thinks you're handsome. She likes your girl. Who is your girl?"

Wow, ok. That took a wide turn.

I stammered, "Um, what do you mean?"

She looked at me through the mirror and explained, "Gammy said a girl was blonde. She told me she was hugging you. She said she was pretty. Who's pretty, Percy."

I was sweating profusely and answered, "Oh, um. Well, she is my girlfriend. Her name is, um… Oh, look. We are at Grandmas."

She got excited and was jumping up and down in her car seat. She yelled, "Yay, Gammy."

Since Estelle has been born, I have just kept everything from my Camp Half-Blood life private. I am not ashamed of my girlfriend, I just don't want to show it to Estelle. I am afraid if I do, her life would be put in danger for knowing about my life. I just want to wait until she is ready.

We walked up the steps and there was Grandma Blofis waiting at the door.

She said sweetly, "There is my sweetie. Let me hold you."

She took Estelle from my arms and carried her inside.

She looked at me and commented, "Hello Percy. Have you eaten yet? I have pancakes. They are dyed blue, just the way you like it."

Estelle's eyes lit up and she exploded, "Blue pancakes!? Those are my favorite Gammy! Gimme have some!"

She gave Estelle a stern look and said, "Excuse me, young lady. Gimme? That is not how you talk. Has my son not taught you how to speak properly? And where are your manners? Tsk tsk."

Estelle gave her a sad look and puppy eyes. I couldn't contain my laughter and cracked up.

Grandma shook her head and stated, "Those poor eyes will not work on me. What do you say?"

Estelle looked down and said, "Can I please have some blue pancakes?"

Grandma did not falter and repeated, "Can I? No, do it again. And this time, look at me."

Estelle looked up and asked, "May I please have some blue pancakes?"

Grandma smiled and answered, "Much better. Yes, you may."

I shook my head. How could she stand her ground? Maybe mom was right.

Grandma released Estelle who ran off into the dining room. Grandma looked at me and asked, "Percy, you did not answer me. Would you like some breakfast?"

I shook my head and replied, "No, it's okay Grandma Blofis. I'll be fine. I'm not really hungry."

She frowned and repeated, "Are you rejecting your grandmother's cooking? You know it is disrespectful to not eat a grandmother's food."

I laughed awkwardly and shifted uncomfortably. I answered, "I mean no respect Grandma Blofis. I'm just not really hungry. Besides, I need to get to school."

She sighed and said, "Okay, Percy. Next time, you need to eat. You can be late for school. Paul would just have to understand. Now let me give you a kiss good-bye."

I smiled and said, "Okay, I'll let him know when I get to school."

She kissed me good-bye and yelled good-bye to Estelle. I walked back into the car to drive to school.

Percy

I know that voice.

"Hey, who are you?"

Percy

I recognize it, but I can't remember where.

"Answer me. I know you. Who are you?"

Silence.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

I know that voice. I know it. But from where and who is it?