The week passed without anything going wrong. Well, actually, I didn't sleep, but that was starting to be the norm. I spent less and less time with Annabeth so she wouldn't notice how tired and out of it I was. Because I knew that once she dragged me to her house, I wouldn't be able to stay awake.

Whenever I was at my job, I would keep a constant lookout for anyone suspicious. I no longer overlooked a new customer when they walked in.

The weekend hit, and I spent it in my room, where I was huddled against my safe spot. I heard my phone buzz, but I knew it was Annabeth trying to get me to meet with her. I had texted her saying I was in bed sleeping, so she wouldn't worry if I didn't text back. Honestly, it was a lousy excuse but it kind of worked. There was no worried and angry Annabeth looking at me through the window.

Though every few seconds, I would check to make sure.

Sunday passed into darkness, and I was aware of the growling of my stomach. I really needed to go to that party. Stock up on some sandwiches for the week. I took a deep breath as I stood from my safe place.

My instincts and signals went off in my brain as I walked towards my window. I sucked in a breath as fear and anticipation gripped me like a vise. I struggled to breathe as my heart rate picked up.

I looked over my shoulder as I exited my room through the window. Then as soon as I could, I ran—full speed down streets and blocks. Crossing and running, I made it to the party in record time. I walked in, being assaulted by familiar party smells, and went straight to the refreshment table.

Grabbing a few sandwiches and chips, I walked to the hiding place I found a few weeks ago when I helped Annabeth take her drunk friends to her car. Sitting down, I munched hungrily on the sandwich. Since there was a wall behind me and I had a full view of the yard, my racing heart calmed a bit, but not completely. I didn't relax as I watched teenagers kiss, dance, eat and drink.

I sat there, eating my sandwich. When I figured I'd been sitting there for long enough, I went to leave and sneak a few sandwiches when someone popped in front of me. Giving me a heart attack, I sat back down and held my chest.

"Didn't mean to scare you. I figured you'd be here" I looked up slowly and groaned internally. Annabeth.

She sat next to me and leaned into my shoulder. " What's wrong?" she asked after a few minutes.

"What do you mean?"

"You're starting to avoid me again. Did Gabe come back?" she bit her lip as she tried to meet my eyes. I looked away, ashamed.

I gulped as I heard her voice break a bit. "Um, no, Gabe's not back."

"Then what is it?"

"I can't tell you," I said simply. I really couldn't. I already had the debt collectors coming for me. I didn't need to give them a reason to hurt Annabeth.

She didn't seem happy with my answer but nodded anyway. Then she abruptly stood up as a softer song came on. She dusted herself off and stuck her hand out. I looked up at her, confused.

"Take it, Percy," I warily took her hand and felt the familiar flips of my stomach when I gripped her hand.

Then not letting go, she dragged me out of my hiding place and out where a bunch of teenagers were dancing. Oh no, no, no, no. I do not dance. I let my hand slip from her grasp, and she turned towards me.

"What's wrong, Perce?"

"I don't dance."

She grinned at me, and I was soon aware that it didn't matter if I wanted to dance or not. She grabbed my hand again and walked a bit further onto the dance floor before adjusting our hands. She placed one of my hands on her waist, which made my face heat up. Then she put her hand on my shoulder and intertwined our remaining hands. I didn't feel the redness leave my face as I felt our close proximity.

She chuckled a bit. "You should see your face. You look terrified," honestly, probably for more than one reason. But right now, I was slowly losing my sanity.

Annabeth was wearing what she always wore, blue jeans, black converse, and hair in a ponytail. Except this time, she was still wearing my hoodie. I wondered if she ever took it off or if it had merged with her and became her second skin.

I shook my head as Annabeth giggled as I tripped over my feet. "Well, that's good. I was worried you were losing your touch, Rusticitas."

I scowled playfully at her as we danced. I looked at her stormy gray eyes and couldn't help but feel the fear that was clutching me so tightly loosen. My mind, which was always in hyperdrive, slowly returned to normal speed. I shook my head and closed my eyes tightly, making spots dance across my closed eyes.

No, no, no, don't fall asleep, get a grip. You've got to stay vigilant. You've got to keep an eye out for those collectors.

I opened my eyes to see Annabeth looking at me curiously. " So, two weeks until the competition, are you feeling the heat yet?" she asked. Then I noticed that I wasn't really nervous. I was more in a Got-Nothing-To-Lose-Attitude since I didn't expect to make it this far in the competition.

"Not really. Honestly, I could care less about winning. I'm surprised I even made it in," I answered truthfully, and Annabeth nodded understanding. Eventually, the slowish song stopped, and a much higher BPM song came on, causing all the tipsy teenagers around us to yell in excitement.

"Um, I was going to head home after stealing some sandwiches, so I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" I let go of her waist and hands, immediately missing her touch but backing off. I needed to maintain distance, don't get too attached.

"Uh, yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything," I gave her an awkward wave and nodded my head in acknowledgment after walking swiftly through the house, grabbing a sandwich on the way out.

My mind was still mass-producing serotonin as I walked down the dark street. As I got into my more sketchy neighborhood, my normal edginess crept into my brain, but I couldn't hold it long. Thoughts of dancing with Annabeth plagued me.

Her hand intertwined with mine. Her other hand on my shoulder. My hand on her waist. Her swirling gray eyes-

BANG!

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard the sound, and my side screamed in pain. Breathing hurt, my brain was dazed as I touched where everything was not ok. My hands felt wet through my black hoodie.

It was dark, but I knew that the warm liquid was blood. I heard footsteps behind me, and I groggily turned around. I felt something cold and metallic hit me across the face, and I tasted blood. Then I fell onto the floor; my brain was failing to produce coherent thoughts.

"The trails' ran cold. I told my associate to warn you. Now tell me, Step-Son, do you have any more leads? Or should we just kill you now?" a man's voice spoke, but it wasn't the same from the convenience store. It sounded familiar. Then I placed it, the man that was sitting down when they captured me the first time.

I groaned in pain, and the man kicked me where the bullet had gone through. I yelped and tried to scramble away, causing more pain to my torso.

"So, do you have anything or no?" the man asked again, and I tried to remember. There was something, something I got for this situation. Something about a phone number. Gabe, debt collector, phone number. The puzzle clicked in my brain just as the man shot me in the shoulder.

I felt my body go into shock. I quickly tried to breathe through the fear, anxiety, stress, pain, and any other insane emotion running high right now.

I collected my thoughts and said slowly, "Phone number, here" ah yes, perfect, completely understandable, Percy. It's not like your life depends on the information you give or anything.

I shakily took my phone out of my hoodie and opened it. The man didn't seem to care if I called the cops or not, but it's not like I was going to. I pulled up my mom's text messages and copied the number before putting it in a note.

I handed my phone shakily up to the man who took a photo and growled, "If this isn't correct, we will be sure to finish the job," then he stalked off. I waited a few minutes before trying to get up. My shoulder and stomach were screaming as I tried to get up. I slipped, confused. I looked up. It wasn't raining? I looked down and saw a dark puddle. Oh, probably blood.

I touched my wounds, yup, still bleeding.

Then I realized, oh shit, that's my blood.

I needed help, fast. I wouldn't call 911, no way. Mom was out of the question. The only person left was Annabeth, but would she even know what to do?

It didn't matter. All I knew was that darkness was slowly filling my vision. I needed help now. My bloody fingers slipped along my phone screen as I pulled up Annabeth's contact.

She immediately picked up. Thank gods.

"Percy?"

"Heyyy, could you cooome over to my streeeet real quick?"

"Sure, Perce, what's wrong? Your words are slurring."

"Um, don't freak out. But I got shot, and I think my brain is malfunctioning."

"Oh shit. I'm coming now. Call 911!"

"Only had enough time for one............ call" was my weak excuse as my head dropped to the side as the darkness filled my vision. Closing my eyes, I heard Annabeth yell at me to stay awake as I drifted off.