Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Heroes of Olympus. They belong to Rick Riordan.

The chapter title seems to reflect my writing/updating progress. :/ Anyway...It's my one-year anniversary of making a Fanfiction account! To add to the joy, I finished The House of Hades! It was an amazing book, and I will try not to spoil it. So please, no spoilers for anyone else either.

Frank dreamed that he was in Alaska. He was getting tired of that place; he could only imagine how Hazel must feel about it.

He automatically entered a large tent and found Percy inside, slouched on a desk. Something strange happened then. As he walked closer, he ended up being surrounded by darkness, moving on top of a mud-like substance that seemed to stick to his shoes. A few feet away, Percy was in a pit, the dark sludge coming up to his torso. He was struggling to get free.

"Percy?" Frank asked, hurrying forward to help him out.

The trapped demigod gasped in surprise. "Frank, how are you here?"

He shrugged and grabbed Percy's flailing arms, attempting to pull him out. He figured that he had entered Percy's dream somehow. Maybe if he managed to free him in the dream, he could wake him up in reality.

They toiled and grunted, but Percy had only budged a few inches. He sighed and smiled dejectedly at Frank. "That was more than I could have gotten out by myself. Thanks."

Frank tightened his grip and pulled harder, only to almost get dragged in. Percy let go of his arms in alarm. "Don't fall in," he warned. "I don't know what will happen if you do."

"How long," he panted, "have you been here?"

Percy shrugged and moved, making the sludge shift. "I don't know. I should be out soon since I just need to free my legs, but that might take a while."

Frank glanced around; there was nothing but an expanse of dark colors. The place felt depressing and lonely.

As if reading his thoughts, Percy mumbled, "It's a pretty empty place, isn't it? I'm glad you appeared in time to help me at least a little. Being alone for all this time, not knowing how or where everyone is…" He shuddered and looked at Frank sadly. "I guess it's time for you to go."

He blinked, taking a small step back. The colors were getting brighter, and he felt like a light was being shined at his eyes. "Don't give up," he said, squinting, and his friend nodded.

"I…can't recall why I need to say this, but I just do."

As Frank rose out of the world of dreams, his friend's words rang in his mind.

"I'm sorry."

Thanks to everyone who favorited/reviewed/followed this story! I really loved whatever support I got. :) If I have time, I may go back to The Rising Ancients and this story to make revisions; perhaps doing so will make them more appealing. Anyway, the next story will be called The Hero's Return, and I will hopefully have it up around late October. Thank you again for reading! :)