”Percy.” Annabeth murmured into his chest. “How are we going to kill these people?”

    They were lying on the bed in Percy’s room at the tribute center. Annabeth curled up and burying her head in Percy’s chest, listening to his heartbeat. He took a deep breath, and his arms wrapped around her shoulders, comforting her.

    ”I don’t know.” He muttered, sighing. “This is worse than Tartarus.” It was. Maybe they were given a proper place to rest and awesome food, but instead of just the two of them in a hellhole filled with heartless monsters set on destroying the world, this time they were trapped with other people their ages, who had families and friends, that Percy was certain that were his friends that he could not kill either. On top of that, this would be the third time he was used to fight for someone’s entertainment. He hated being used as a pawn.

    ”Maybe Sadie can magic us out.” Annabeth said, smiling halfheartedly.

    Suddenly, there were few quiet raps on the door. Annabeth glanced at the clock, raising her eyebrows at Percy. He shook his head. Who would be knocking at 2 in the morning? “Come in.” Percy called out warily, reaching for Riptide.

   A small head poked through the door.”Hi.” Percy’s eyes widened in surprise, and Annabeth’s mouth opened and closed in surprise. “Tris?”

   A second head poked through. “We need to talk. I heard that the roof is a great place.” Tobias tilted his head slightly. “You coming?” We need to discuss a quick alliance without any cameras looking over us. You want to come?

  Percy glanced uncertainly at Annabeth, and she nodded. “Alright.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     “I thought we were done.” Teresa sat at the foot of Thomas’ bed, picking absentmindedly at her nails. “The maze. The desert.”

     Thomas snorted. “They’re probably going to have more in store for us.” He leaned back on his bed. “Typical of W.I.C.K.E.D.”

     Teresa shot a quick look at him. “We have to trust them, Thomas. W.I.C.K.E.D. is good.”

    He sat up abruptly. “Good.” He said quietly. “How do you define ‘good’? As in, sending children to their deaths, while just sitting comfortably behind sterile lab walls? Throwing them into pits of hell, giving them the most horrible ways to die, without telling them who they are, or even giving them a family?” His voice was rising. Teresa opened her mouth, but he cut her off. “I don’t know, Teresa! In this place, the capital, it seems like nobody has been affected by the flare. Everybody’s fine. Twisted, but fine!” He took a shaky breath, lowering his voice. “But of course, W.I.C.K.E.D. is good. Sure they are.”

   “Thomas…” Teresa had tears in her eyes. “I-” She was cut off again-this time by a sharp rap on the door. She took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes, glancing at the clock, then raising an eyebrow in surprise. “Um… come on in.”

  The door opened by a crack and Percy looked in. “Is everything alright?” he asked. “I heard shouting.”

   Thomas could feel his face burning. “Sorry. Go back to sleep. I’ll be quiet.”

   Annabeth peeped in also. Thomas felt his entire body heat up. Had he woken up the entire building with his shouting? “We’re going to the roof to…talk.” She noted his embarrassment with a small smile. “Don’t worry, we were just outside the door when we heard you. You want to come?”

  Teresa nodded. “Is there anyone else with you?”

  As if right on cue, Tobias and Tris peeked in.”Yeah?” They asked simultaneously.

Chapter to be continued...