(Annabeth's POV)

He… He hit me.

He'd done it a million times in battle, when it was all for survival… But now, this was out of anger.

I didn't notice it until now, but I was crying; tears slowly making an escape from my skin.

"P-Percy…" I stumbled, stepping back as he came towards me once more; I pulled out my blade.

"Annabet-th. I didn't…" He paused but didn't start again as I shakily held out the knife. His eyes flitted towards the door.

He backed away slowly, opening the pale door into the entrance of my house, and ran away. All I could hear was the tap of his shoes on the asphalt as he tore down the street. I fell to my knees, putting my hands over my eyes and cried.

"Annabef?" Our newest addition to the Chase family, Kara, called walking into the living room.

"Hi Kara." I stopped sobbing and held strong for my little sister; she WAS only three.

"What's wong, Annabef?"

"Um, nothing."

"Don't wie." She scolded, walking towards me, her dirty-blonde ringlets bobbing with every step, her usually intense grey eyes filled with concern.

"He… He hit me?" I mumbled, pulling a strand of blonde hair out of my face. I heard her quiet footsteps approach me, and I felt her hug me tightly.

"Its okay, Annabef! You deswerve bettew!" Man, it's not a surprise that she was also a daughter of Athena… She hugged me tighter and pulled my chin up so we were face to face. "I'w go get my twik and beat him up fow yew!"

"It-its okay, Kara." I pushed a weak smile to my lips and she looked sad.

"Bu… No one huts my Annabef!"

"Well…" I started, "he didn't hurt me… He was angry?" I threw out the excuse and hoped she took it.

"Shuw, Befy. Fow now." She kept hugging me and I lifted her into my arms.

"You're amazing, Kara. Don't let anyone tell you different." I smiled, kissing her forehead.

"Awh! Fanks Annabef!" She giggled, and smiled at me. Finally, I smiled back. A real smile.

I still couldn't get HIM out of my mind. He was in my dreams threatening to hurt me, or trying to kill me. He was everywhere I looked; the water, food, a couch! It was insane. I needed to get this pain gone.

I walked across the living room after Kara had left. I picked my cell phone off the marble table and dialed ten numbers.

"Hello? Chiron? Yeah… It's Annabeth. I'm coming back to Camp."