That sleep was one of the worst I had ever had

Living in the palace, as I said before, I grew up these rebel attacks. I saw people get hurt, killed and seen people cry over their loved ones dead bodies. I've seen the worst in the human species.

Selfish, greedy, power hungry, heartless people. These people come into my home, kill people I know and love and just go home at the end of the day. Not even caring about what they've done to that person, and their family and friends. Not to mention the country too

At least when I kill people, I think about them and have nightmares

I've had nightmares before. Like all people. The first I can remember was right after my mother's death. I woke up to my family, Percy and maids surrounding me. With tears streaming down my face and the bed sheets on the other side of the room.

Now, I've had worse than that one. As soon as I drifted off to sleep, the gunshots became louder. The screams filled my ears and chills made their way down my spine

It started at the party. Watching as Rebels surrounded us. They grabbed the Stoll brothers and shot a bullet straight through the back of their heads.

They pulled Juniper and Grover around the corner, their screams and cries echoing across the gardens.

I watched as Jason and Leo pulled out their swords and started dulling the rebels without guns

I backed away, looking at the Stolls dead on the ground, hearing Grover's last cry as he watched Juniper die.

Leo was down, blood pouring out of his ears with a nasty gash on his leg. Jason dived for his best friend and hugged him. He didn't see the sword connect with his neck

I watched horrified as Percy ran to me and pulled me inside. The Rebels followed suit, shooting at us and throwing their swords and knives

We turned a corner and I saw my little brothers leaning, dead, against the wall. They had their arms wrapped around each other, shielding each other from whatever or whoever killed them. Further down the hall, I saw my fathers body over my stepmothers. Both the life lost in their eyes

Turning another corner we ran into the back of my older brother. He had a gun pointed at five Rebels in front of us. Without warning, he shot the closest one. Immediately the other Rebels started shooting. Percy spun me around the corner to block ourselves. We went back around once the cost was clear. I looked down at Malcolm. Over 5 holes were in his torso, blood soaking his shirt

I screamed

My closest friends dead

My brothers and parents dead

I felt all the warmth disappear from me as I heard a slice of a knife and a thump as something hit the ground

With blurry vision from my tears, I looked around

Next, to me, a rebel stood, with a bloody knife

I looked down at the person he had killed

Percy. Percy, lying there with blood soaking his back. Right on the small of his back. A hole. With blood

I bent down. My breathing becoming strange. All the sounds, all the screams and gunshots could not be heard.

The only thing that mattered was Percy, here, dying in my arms.

I looked into my favourite persons face

His lips were parted, cracked. Short breaths coming from them. Blood was dripping from his nose, on his cheek he had cuts from falling on broken glass. His eyes were losing the brightness, the light, the life

His brightness, his light, his life

My brightness, my light, my life

All was slipping from him, from me, in my hands

"Wise Girl" He whispered

And that was it

In a haze, an angry and sadness haze, I picked up a gun on the ground

I stood up and pulled the trigger. Killing the rebel that had killed Percy

My Percy

I moved back down the hall to where my family had their last moments. Rebels were running in and out of rooms. Killing as they did so

I killed too

One after another, Rebels fell. They dropped their weapons, their hearts stopped beating, the life left their eyes

Just what happened to the people I love

I was about to kill more, more that were killing and torturing, but I was awoken with a familiar warmth

I opened my eyes, only to see black and smell sea salt

"Wise girl, you're okay, I'm okay. We're all okay"

Percy's voice calmed my irregular breathing

He pulled back from hugging me and wiped the tears that were streaming down my face with his thumb

He cupped my cheeks with both hands and sat down in front of me

"What happened?"

Before I answered the question I looked around

We were still in the safe room, I was still lying on the cot, with Piper resting next to me.

I could hear the normal breathing, of the girls sleeping, the gunshots and the screams from above.

Only a couple had I awoken. They were sleepily looking around for the cause of commotion

Tyson and Zoe were sleeping peacefully but Sally and Paul were standing behind Percy with worried faces.

"Nightmare" I whispered

Percy nodded and wrapped his arms around me. I put my head in the crook of his neck

"What happened?" He asked again

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I could feel the tears coming back to me as I remembered what Bobby and Matthew looked dead together, what Percy looked like with no life left in him

"Dead, everyone dead. Then I killed. Killed everyone"

I heard Percy sigh "You're not alone. There alive, I'm alive, your alive. It's okay, just breath. Hear my heartbeat. Focus on that"

And that's what I did until I fell asleep in his arms. Feeling the warmth and hearing his steady heartbeat

"Wise Girl, wakey wakey. It's over" Percy's voiced filled my ears

I opened one eye and saw him lying next to me, looking very awkward.

"Huh?"

"Everyone's awake and leaving. We're safe. We're all having dinner in our rooms"

I closed my eye again and sighed happily. I can get out of this claustrophobic room, see my friends and eat food

I'm hungry

I felt Percy move off the bed and I followed suit. Girls were being wakened by each other and slowly getting up and moving out with the guards

I couldn't see Piper anywhere

"She left, she wanted to write to her dad as quickly as possible" Percy answered my question, reading my mind

I nodded and found my shoes next to the bed and put them on

Sally, Paul, Tyson and Zoe were in front of us as we climbed the stairs up into the hallway.

As soon as we got out, both Percy and I were jumped on and pinned to the ground

"Percy! Annabeth!" Grover cried

"What the hell happened?" Leo yelled in our face

"Where did you go?" Travis asked

"We ran the other way," Conner told us

"Are you hurt?" Juniper, always caring about our wellbeing

"Get off of them" Jason scolded the others as they slowly got up. Jason stuck out his hand for me to grab and pulled me up

"We've been waiting. What happened? Where did you go?" He asked us

"We lost you. We found the safe room though" We started to walk down the hall as Percy explained what happened

"We had to kill" I whispered

Juniper gasped and put an arm around my shoulder, so did Grover

"It wasn't pretty" Percy agreed as we turned the corner "But we had to do it, Wise Girl. I couldn't have let you die"

Leo's hand immediately went up to his mouth and started to fake vomit

Jason glared at him as the Stolls laughed

"It's so cheesy," Leo told us and the Stolls nodded in agreement

"Well, I'm glad everyone's safe. We better get to the common room. Sleep well everyone" Jason hugged us both and he and Leo went the opposite direction, towards the guard's headquarters

"Yeah, We better get home too," We said goodbye to the Stolls and Juniper as they moved their way to the front door

"I'll go check on my plants. I may have to regrow them" Grover hugged us

"I'm sorry G-Man. Awesome Birthday huh?"

"It's okay Perce. As long as everyone's safe and alive, plus my plants, then we're all good" Grover laughed

"Happy Birthday!" I yelled at him as he turned the corner

"Come on. I'll walk you to your room" Percy grabbed a hold of my hand and led me up the closets staircase

I slapped my forehead with my free hand and groaned

"What? Whats wrong?" Percy asked

"Its Franks birthday today too! I didn't send him a card. I totally forgot!"

Frank Zhang is the New Asian Prince. It's his birthday too, he and Grover are birthday buddies. Franks a big Chinese guy, a year younger than Percy and I. He's really cute and clumsy. He blushes all the time and is quiet but when addressing important matters he's confident and commanding.

Percy chuckled "Its okay. I sent him one. From both of us"

I sighed in relief "How can you remember these things. I totally forgot about Frank and Grovers birthday and I've had a normal week compared to yours"

"It's better if you have a mother that can remember things and remind you of them" And he poked my nose

"Sally's the best"

Percy nodded "She makes great cookies"

I laughed and we continued down the second-floor hallway in comfortable silence

We reached my door and I opened it, Percy followed

As soon as I stepped in I was pinned to the ground once again

By three girls

Thank the gods three

"Annabeth!" Hazel and Alicia squealed

"My lady!" Justine squealed as well. Always proper

"Girls. Thank the gods. I was so worried about you!"

We slowly got up and group hugged again

We heard a chuckle and all turned around. Remembering Percy was there

Alisha and Justine immediately went into bows but Hazel ran and jumped onto him squealing his name

"Hazel, calm down. Everyone safe. Jason and Leo too" Percy laughed

Hazel sighed and climbed off of Percy

"Good. I was worried"

Hazel turned back around towards us. I had an amused expression on my face from her always excitement. Alicia had one too but she wasn't amused by Hazel, but Justine

She looked like she might faint

"Y-you just j-jumped on top of him" She stuttered out

"Don't worry" Hazel said "I do this all the time"

Justine looked over at me for confirmation. I nodded my head yes

"Yeah. I think I'm going to have a bad back" Percy rubbed his back, to which Hazel slapped him on the arm

"Well, I best be on Wise Girl. Got to check the hospital wing and make sure Mum and Paul are all good. Got things to do. See you at breakfast. If you have another nightmare. Come see me. Okay?" I nodded as he kissed my cheek.

"Night girls" He greeted my maids as he closed the door behind him

"Wise Girl?" Alicia asked

"Just a nickname he came up with when we were little. It was meant to be insulting but really it's a compliment"

I made my way over to my wardrobe as Justine followed me

"Anything you need my lady?" She asked

"Justine, Annabeth. And just a jacket, please. I'm still feeling the cold from the safe room"

She nodded and found a nice jacket for me

"I'm just going up to the third floor. Need to get something from my room"

My girls nodded and I closed the door behind me

Slowly I made my way up to the third floor. I wanted to assess the damage done to my home.

As I walked I could feel the broken pieces of the wall and glass under my feet. All around me the walls had fallen apart, windows were smashed and broken pieces of art, sculptures and the floor were scattered around. The roof had some splotches of blood, as did the walls and floor

Maids, doctors and guards were taking bodies down to the hospital wing

Seeing more dead bodies only brought back the bad memories

This group of Rebels had gone all gun ho on us

I moved up the stairs to the third floor, sliding my hand on the chipped bannister

I nodded to the guards at the entrance to the third floor, thankful to get into my very own bedroom. I hadn't been in here for three days, which wasn't very long, but after seeing my home damaged, I need a bit of familiarity. As I was about to open the door to my bedroom, the door opposite me opened. Out came the one and only Percy Jackson in a very nice looking tux. He had obviously changed from his blood stains and tattered clothed from earlier today. He had changed his tie to red and I could tell he attempted to brush his hair

I turned around and raised an eyebrow at him

"Where are you going?"

"Date"

"With who?"

"Drew"

"Drew Tanaka?"

"Yes, Drew Tanaka. You're like my mum interrogating me"

"I'm your best friend interrogating you"

He rolled his eyes

"You know she can be a-"

"I know"

"Why then?"

"Press"

"They'll be there?"

"Yeah"

"You know she'll wear-"

"I know"

"And she'll try and make a mov-"

"I know"

"Well, Mr I Know. Have a good night. Don't get too kissy"

"I never will with her"

I tried to hide my emotions as he walked over and kissed my forehead "Get some rest. You'll need it"

And then he walked out to go on a date with Drew Tanaka and not me

I opened my door to my bedroom and was greeted with a mess

Obviously, Rebels had come in looking for someone or something

The bed had been unmade, my beautiful poster of my dream house had been ripped off my wall

My broken lamp lay on the floor with my blueprints scattered across the room

Broken pencils and rulers were on my desk and pictures of my mum, family and Percy were smashed on the floor

I walked straight over to my blueprints, hoping they hadn't been destroyed. I worked so hard on these, hours cooped up in my room, drawing and ruling only for Rebels to come in and destroy them

Not many had been ripped, thank the gods, so I moved over to my desk to clean.

Once finished putting away all of my stationary and putting the broken things in the bin I moved to my large dream house blueprint on the floor

I had drawn this when I was 14. I had had an amazing idea for a beautiful house, so I just drew. And it's been the perfect house for me ever since. I've lived in and visited the best and most astounding architectural buildings in the world, and this house showed it

If this Selection thing didn't work out, I'll build and move into this house

Once the blueprint had been sticky taped back together (I'll redraw it soon) I moved to the bed and remade it

Looking around my now almost fixed room I spotted the broken and smashed pictures on the ground

The first one was a picture of my mum, smiling at the camera her intelligent and bright eyes looking back to my own. She had rosy cheeks from being out in the sun too long, and her brown long hair done into a braid. Dad said this photo was taken after they found out they were pregnant with me.

I carefully removed the broken glass and stuck the picture on my bed head

I moved to the next photo, a picture of my mum and dad holding me, a tiny little newborn me. They were both wearing the biggest smiles, happy to have their second born

Looking at my mother, brought tears to my eyes. This wasn't a nightmare. She really was gone

Moving on to the next, it was a family shot on my father and step mums wedding day

My dad had his hands on Malcolm's shoulders, who was sporting a tux, and Helen (my step mum) hand an arm around my waist, pulling me in closer

Dad and Helen looked happy. Malcolm looked happy. I didn't.

Helens an okay step mum, not like my real mother or Sally. She says she loves me, but deep down I know that she reminds her of my mum, a woman she didn't like. She's kind to me when others are around but she can be a pain in the butt other times

Like recently, she didn't invite me on the holiday the rest of my family are on right now.

I stuck the picture on my bed head

There were a few photos of my younger brothers, their first birthday and a baseball match we went too. Next were some photos of the gang. We were out in the gardens playing when we were little, a picture of us at the beach. I'm so glad, that no one I love got hurt today.

The last picture was of Percy and me at the beach for his 16th birthday. He had his arms wrapped around my waist smiling at the camera whilst I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Looking at Percy reminded me how he was on a date with Drew right now, getting sucked into her charm and beauty

Why her? Why of all people in the Selection, did he have to have a date with her before me?

I know Percy likes me, romantically and friendly. He's admitted his feeling to his mum as have I. We're a stage ahead of everyone. We know everything about each other, it's not awkward with the awkward question and awkward answers. We've even kissed before!

Maybe he's just scared that it will ruin our amazing relationship we have now, maybe he's scared that it will be awkward with awkward questions and awkward answers.

Finishing cleaning up my room I made my way over to my overfilling bookcase next to my desk

Tyson had asked earlier today for some books, and I never forget anything to do with books

Grabbing 3 different titles to keep him busy I closed my bedroom door behind me and went next door. Knocking before I heard a come in, I opened the door

All of our rooms, apart from Paul and Sally's, are basically the same. We all have the same windows and the same bed

Our walls and floors are painted different colours and each of our rooms are decorated to fit us

In mine, I have books and blueprints all over the place. Zoe has dolls and unicorns spread across her room. Percy had surfing and marine animal posters up on his walls and Tyson has weapons and books hanging up on his

I walked into his room and close it behind me. Tyson was sitting at his desk, in his pj's writing something on paper

I walked over and dumped, nicely who hurts books?!, the books onto his desk

Starlet by the sound he jumped and looked up at me

"What are you doing?"

"Dropping off the books you wanted"

Excited he dives for the books and checked out the covers and blurbs while I looked at what he was doing at his desk

"Oooo, who you writing?"

"Just a girl named Ella. I meet her at the bookstore. Her family owns the place. She knows every single book word for word!" He turned to look at me with big eyes

"Cool, Does she know who you are?"

He shook his head "No"

"What were you wearing?"

"Glasses and a wig"

"Maybe you should get some less expensive paper and not close the envelope with that royal seal you guys use" I pointed to the paper he was using and the seal ready next to it

"That might be smart"

I nodded and kissed him on top of his head goodnight, leaving the room quietly

I made my way back down to my other room, how many do I have? and opened the door to see my maids still working on my room

"Guys, seriously? When are you having dinner? Are you not hungry?"

"We have to wait until you're done. So hurry up, I'm starving" Alicia pushed me towards my desk where roast chicken was cooling on a fancy dish

"Justine" I spoke once I had taken a few bites "Why don't you go and get your food sent up here. We can all eat together and then go to bed"

She hesitates but went anyway.

She soon returned with another maid carrying three plates between them

"Thank you," I said to both

All four of us sat crossed legged on the floor and ate together. Talking and gossiping like friends, forgetting about the people hurt and killed today

Forgetting about Percy and my heart

"I'll take the plates down to the kitchen. Call us if you need anything Annabeth. Good night" Hazel wished me as they all left the room

I got myself ready for bed. Grateful for the time alone. Left with my thoughts, and thoughts, about Percy and me killing people today

Nightmares haunted me throughout the night

Ciao my lovelies!

You guys have been absolutely amazing while I've been away!

That's right, I'm back! I've been in Italy for the past three weeks (It was amazing!) and now I'm back! I just flew in last night and didn't get to bed until 1:00am but slept in till 11:30. So I'm all good (you probably don't care about my sleeping patten lol)

I've actually been thinking about you guys a lot. Whilst I've been on the plane (30 hour transit to Rome. Argh) and on the busses and trains I've been writing future chapters and coming up with ideas and plot twists. One heartbreaking part of a chapter I started tearing up (you probably won't but I'll cry whilst writing it) so now you know something that's going to happen

Are you happy? This chapter is over 3,500 words! How's that for a come back!

Now, I've noticed we've gotten up to 2K reads. I'm not going to do this every 1K but because you've been amazing whilst I've been out I'm giving you a special

You can only have one and I'm not going to give you a straight answer. You'll have a clue and whoever is the first to work it out you'll get a shout out on the next chapter!

Only one, remember no straight answers. Only a clue on the next chapter to whatever is the winner

1) Find out what city in Australia I live in (The main capital of the state, not the suburb)

Or

2) My real name (Only first, plus you'll have to work it out from the clue)

So there! Hope your happy. Another thing. I just wanted to do a poll.

If the Seven were a band, what instruments would they play?

I've always like this idea. I don't know why though

Percy: Guitar and Vocals (cause siren and stuff)

Annabeth: Vocals

Jason: Piano

Piper: Back up vocals (Tambourine and flute when needed)

Frank: Drums

Hazel: Back up vocals (Violin when needed)

Leo: The Valdezanatior (Is that how you spell it?)

Please comment what your think. I have some ideas floating around in my head at the moment

How did you like the nightmare? What about learning about Annabeths real room? Drew Tanaka? Why her? Whys Percy holding back? How do you think their first date will go? If they have one. How about some Tysella! Excited for that?

I want to thank you all again for being such amazing readers! You don't know how much it means to me to know that you support me and still do after I've been absent for three weeks!

Please vote, comment, share and follow. Vote above about your special and tell me what you think of the seven in a band.

Happy Easter!

Love you all so so so so much

-Squirrel