A/N Guys, I'm sorry. I'm such a bad writer! I can't believe I went so long without updating AGAIN. I really am sorry, because I find it annoying when people do that, and here I am, doing the same! You must find me so annoying...
Before you kill me at the end of this chapter, I'll warn you, it's super short and awful. I found it really hard to write and truly cannot find a good way to introduce any fighting. I'm utterly stuck!
I really hope to update soon, if not then it will be during my Easter holidays, in around two weeks time.
Please enjoy what there is of this chapter even though it may be hard to enjoy something so badddd.

Annabeth POV

The door creaks slightly as I push it open. I hold my breath as it drags across the floor, and pause. The midday sunlight shines through the open door, filtering through the half-drawn blinds, and my heart thuds in apprehension. I spot the stairs twisting upwards, rickety and dusty, leading up to the attic room and disappearing into darkness. But all I think is: not today, dear old Oracle.

I start forwards, straining my ears, listening for anything out of the ordinary. Frank Sinatra's soft voice floats through the air, and I can hear the faint sounds of a TV – but that's it.

Could it really be this easy?

I quietly edge through the door, looking behind furtively. Why can't I shake off the feeling of being watched? The back of my neck prickles uncomfortably; a cold draught wafts across my face, a gentle caress from ghostly fingers, and I shudder. Something feels… wrong.

I take a deep breath and move my hand, resting it lightly on the golden dagger concealed in my pocket. The smooth, cool metal of the blade calms me, and I trace my finger over the letters engraved on the handle. Their almost rough texture grazes my fingertips, and my thoughts drift towards the hands which made this sword.

No. I can't think about that now.

I slowly walk forwards, closer to the sound of 50s music. Approaching the door to his room, I raise my hand to knock. But I stop, my hands inches from the scuffed wood. What will I do if he's not there? What will I do? My heart thumps painfully in my chest, fighting to escape, and the voices in my head swirl uncontrollably, whispering, taunting.

Will I really be able to solve it? Whatever 'it' is? An image of that snow white flower blooms in my mind, almost obscuring my vision, and I stumble backwards, my fingers trembling, my legs unable to take my weight.

I close my eyes for a second, my eyelids fluttering closed, and count to ten. I clench my fist around the blade, relishing in the feel of the cold biting my palm. I stop for a moment, wondering when the old Annabeth had so suddenly disappeared – wistfully thinking about the times I could solve any problem.

When did I become so weak?

I finally open my eyes and exhale, a long breath of air escaping my body. My fist clenches around the blade, and somehow, I feel better.

And then I step forwards and shove the door as hard as I can.

Percy POV

"Percy? Percy, what are we going to do?" Nico asks urgently.

I turn to stare at him.

"We fight, of course." I move away from the window, already halfway to the door before I realise Nico is not with me. Something knocks into the cabin, causing the ceiling to shake and the wooden walls to creak ominously; a crack appears in the window, inching downward, a fractured map spreading across the glass.

"Nico?"

He's staring at me impassively, rooted to the spot, not moving at all.

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

He marches forwards, grabbing my arm. He has a surprising amount of strength for such a small guy, and I find myself wincing from the death grip he has on my forearm. His dark eyes are blazing onyx, flaming with an emotion I've never seen before.

"I mean that you can't just stalk outside and start fighting! He'll know who you are! They always know! And once they find out, you have no chance. None."

"Who'll find out?" I ask, frowning at him. He suddenly looks so… terrified.

"The Minotaur," he hisses. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Well, what's your plan, Master Nico?"

His jaw clenches in anger, and I can see he's trying to keep his temper under control. He closes his eyes for a moment, as if in defeat, and when he opens them, he meets my eyes with a hard glare.

"Fine. Go." His voice is flat, emotionless.

I falter, stepping backwards slightly. "A-Aren't you coming?"

He releases my arm and steps away from me, avoiding eye contact. I can see the indecision on his face, the anger in his eyes. A flurry of emotions crosses his face but I am too slow to identify any of them – he reverts to his emotionless mask within a second. Finally, he raises his eyes, letting out a long sigh as he runs his pale, slender hands through his hair. He faces me and smiles grimly.

"Lead the way."

A/N So... hope you maybe liked it? Please leave a review if you can be bothered, and don't forget to favourite and follow!

QOTD (because why not?): What is your favourite TV show at the moment? (I feel like I've asked this before but I have a new one, so yeah.)

AOTD: Game of Thrones! I've started the book and everything, it's soooooo goooodddd :)