A/N

So I know that the last chapter was kinda dark and I want to know if you all would like more of that. I normally try write my books with a sense of realism and I thought that this abusive Annabeth idea would be a great way to do it. It give a different spin on the classic trope. But I really need to know if you guys like it cause I'm writing this book for you all as well as myself. So I am literally begging you all to give me feedback. I rarely get it, if at all. So please tell me what you guys think. I want to know. Whether you liked it or not please tell me so I can make the proper adjustments to the story. I guess that all I have for you so let's get into the story.
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Clarisse 1st POV

As I woke up in my bunk, I had a sense of sorrow cover over me. I remembered all the things that happened yesterday. Chris' funeral, Percy helping me through it all, Annabeth dragging him away, and... the screams... from the Poseidon cabin. The screams of pain from the cabin had become a normal thing. The entire camp could hear them, and who was making the horrible noises. There had been many times where people thought about storming the cabin but no one ever got the courage to do it. No one wanted to see the hero of Olympus twice over like that.

"Percy..." I shook my head. If Percy needed help he'd tell us, wouldn't he?

I shook my head again and came up with a plan. The next time I heard screams, I'd go over to that cabin and save the hero of Olympus. I nodded to myself and climbed out of my bulk. I tiptoed through the cabin avoiding swords, shields, spears, and other dangerous objects until I reached the front door. I slipped out of the cabin and headed toward the arena with my spear. As usual, Percy was there.

Sparing before the day started was a usual thing for us now a days. Ever since Gaia, the two of us had grown closer. Chris' death really messed me up and the only one who was really there for me was the supreme lord of the bathroom.

"Hey there toilet king." I tried to sound at least some sort of upbeat... it didn't really work.

"Hey." Percy's eyes never left the dummy he was attacking.

I noticed a bruise along his left cheek. I thought about questioning him but I knew he wouldn't tell me the full truth... He rarely does to anyone these days.

"So did you only set up a dummy for you? Or do I get one?"

This time Percy said nothing and just gestured to a dummy sitting 10 feet away.

"Ahh. I'll take my leave then." Again, without a word, Percy went back to slashing at his dummy as I made my way over to mine.

I pulled out my spear and got into a readied stance. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. When I closed my eyes, I thought of all the terrible things that had been happening for the past few years. The Titan war, the Giant war, Chris' death, all of it. Then I imagined that I could slash it all away. Make it disappear with the flick of my spear.

When I opened my eyes my body moved exactly the way it was supposed to. A slash followed by another and another and another until I plunged the spear straight into the dummy's chest. I sat there breathing for a minute. I pulled my spear out and looked over at Percy. When I looked over I saw him leaning on his sword watching me. His dummy was hacked to pieces on the ground behind him. Clearly something was bothering him, he just wouldn't open up. I decided to try and start a conversation.

"So, where's Mrs. O'Leary?" I placed the butt of my spear on the ground and leaned up against it.

"Staying with Nico. After everything that happened I thought it would be better if she stayed somewhere else for awhile." The hero twirled his blade a couple of times before capping it and putting it in his pocket.

"And how's Tyson?"

"He's fine. I think he really enjoys his position. Ya know, leader of the cyclops' and all that."

"Did he finish the new shield"

"Not quite. Said he would be done with it soon though."

"Well that's good."

"Yeah, I guess it would be nice to have one back."

Percy rubbed the back of his neck as we both went to sit on one of the area benches.

"Hey Perce?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For being there. It really means a lot."

"Of course Clarisse. That's what friends do, they help each other through things. No matter how difficult."

"You're such a dork Jackson. But thank you."

We both sat there in silence until the horn rang. We both headed in for breakfast and sat down at our respective tables.

Percy 1st POV

As I sat at the Poseidon table my mind kept going back to last night and this morning. Clarisse is clearly worried about me but I couldn't tell her what's going on. Annabeth told me if I ever said anything she'd leave, and I can't be alone. Who would help me get stronger? Who would make me feel loved? (Yes, people actually do think like this in these situations. I know from personal experience) All these thoughts continued until breakfast ended. When the horn sounded I sighed and went to teach a class on warfare at sea. When I arrived at the shore I saw quite a few young kids with a few older stragglers.

"It's gonna be a long day." I whispered to myself. Now don't get me wrong, I love kids. Just look at my little sister for example. But teaching them to fight on boats was definitely not one of my favorite classes.

"Alright everyone! My name is Percy and I'll be you instructor today. Quick question, has anyone taken this class before." No one raised their hands. " Shoulda figured. Well congrats, you're learning today. First I want everyone to line up so we can pick tea-" I was cut off by the sound of Annabeth's voice.

"Hi everyone! Sorry I'm late!'' she ran down the hill with her face all red and her hair a mess. I thought nothing of it as she came to stand next to me.

''You really should be on time. I'm gonna need your help with these kids.'' Annabeth turned her head and glared at me. I shiver went down my spine because I knew I'd get punished for speaking out.

"What's wrong Percy?'' One of the little kids asked. "You look really pale.''

"Oh it's nothing, Just got sick to my stomach for a sec." I rubbed the back of my neck and smiled, trying to hide the fact that I was terrified for tonight. "Anyway, as I was saying I want you all to line up so we can make two teams."

The class continued from there without a hitch. The students surprised me at how good they were at sea combat. I was surprised at how fast the were picking up the normally hard sports. By the end of class the two teams were both joking around and having a blast. A couple of the kids were laughing with a Demeter camper who had fallen off halfway into the mock battle. The group kept taking turns impersonating the camper as he fell off. The Demeter camper was laughing too and generally having a good time. It brought a smile to my face seeing these kids having so much fun. I looked back over to Annabeth who was looking into a mirror and reapplying her makeup. She had gotten a bit of sea spray splashed onto her in the battle and was currently complaining about how it made the eyeliner run. I tried to help her when she got sprayed but she swatted at me when I tried to get close... another thing I'd have to pay for tonight.

"Hey fish breath!" I heard a voice call out. "The class give you any trouble?''

"Not at all boar face!'' I called back to Clarisse. "They were better at fighting on a boat then you are." Clarisse walked up and threw her arm around me while the two of us just laughed.

"Is that so Prissy?" She gave me a noogie as the two of us walked away from the beach.

"Yeah. But seriously I'm really proud of these new kids. They're doing much better than we did when we were their age."

"Speak for yourself Jackson, I was the best!" Clarisse gave a confident grin while she recalled her younger years.

"I beat you my first game of Capture the Flag." I pointed out jokingly.

"That was a total fluke."

"Yeah right." The two of us laughed. It felt nice to laugh with someone.

I was about to continue the conversation but someone behind us cleared their throat.

"Ahem, Percy. Last time o checked you were my boyfriend, not hers." It was Annabeth. I had completely forgotten her, just another thing I'd be paying for.

"R-right. Sorry." I slipped out of Clarisse's grasp and went to stand by Annabeth. Clarisse only gave me a reassuring look before walking off. I gave a small wave in response but she didn't see me.

"So." I knew Annabeth was pissed. I could hear it in her voice. "You already have three strikes. Pray you don't get anymore today."

"Yes ma'am."

Hello all of my wonderful readers. I hope you enjoyed this quite honestly shorter chapter f Dancing in the Moonlight. I know the rewrite is tough but please just bear with me and we'll get through this together. With all that said I'll see you in the next chapter.

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