I felt a pull.

Not like someone physically grabbing me, no one could do that except Annabeth. It was more of a feeling, think someone trying to pull your mind out if your head, but less painful. I followed the feeling, the pull, I already knew what this was. It was the same thing I always got dragged into.

The scene swirled around me violently and the forceful colored movements made my head swarm. When the images stabilized, I didn't know what to think. It was dark, to dark. The only light came from the partially covered windows, bathing the room and a dull yellow glow.

The room itself was strange, no not the room, the room was a normal broken down apartment. It had a sickly shade of green peeling paint and a brown rugged floor that looked so filthy that it may have previously white. A normal Gotham apartment, but not a normal Gotham resident inside.

In the image a tall man stood facing the window with a ridged controlled posture. He wore a golden cloak, not yellow, golden and it reflected the filtered light coming through to where it shined in the darkness, glowing. His face was concealed by a hood that made shadows dance around the bottom half of his features.

He looked like he should be in a castle and ruling a country with that outfit, yet he was in a crummy apartment in an unnamed place. The man continued to stare at the curtained window as I observed him, his posture a practiced ridged stance like he never relaxed.

The unnamed man slowly turned his form around in my direction, he stared at me like he knew I was there. It was a bit unnerving, and by I 'a bit' I mean a crap ton. The man had golden eyes, not light brown, but golden with flakes of a darker gold. It was as if someone had melted down the metal and poured them into molds, the golden eyes. These eyes were strange indeed, but unnerving. His gazed pierced through you, evil eyes that seemed to hold malicious intent. They held a sadistic gleam like he was waiting for me to arrive, it chilled me to the bone.

My breath quickened and you could see the fear in my wide eyes. This guy was looking me right in the eye, he knew I was there. He smirked almost as sadisticly as his eyes when I my face morphed into panic.

"I know your there Perseus." He mused and his smile widened as I gulped. His voice was deep almost like Batman's but less gravelly, I was smooth and held a twinge of amusement from my state. It may have held amusement but it also streamed dark intent and had a creepy tint. His voice sent shivers down my spine.

I was frozen for a second before my brilliant mind broke out of its frozen state and resorted to mean remarks and snarky comebacks.

"Get the dip Asslock." I replied sending the man a glare. He chuckled darkly and I froze at the sound, he knew that he was getting to me. I wouldn't let him.

"You are a lot like your father." The man inquired with the same twisted humor. "Always fought with his words, all bark and no bite." Anger boiled inside me the longer he taunted me, but that just made him grin wider. "Good thing he was muzzled when I killed the bitch." He smirked widely at my shocked expression.

I-it was this man who killed my father. He was standing in front of me.... coming closer. He walked to the place in front of where I stood and loomed over my form that was frozen in fear with glee. I tensed even more as he leaned down my level on the left side of my face.

"We would sure hate it if history repeated itself." He spoke the warning in my ear and I shivered in fear as his foul breath hit my neck. I only let out one snarky snarky comment before high tailing it out of my mind.

"I would hate it if you were to not get a breath mint, I guess we're even." I retorted spitting in his face. "See you never creepy bastard, now go crawl in a ditch and die." Totally PG.

---FLASHBACK---

"Percy." Bruce called to me as I was climbing the spiral staircase with exhaustion. I turn my head and gave him a pleading 'what' look, he was interrupted my internal rant about rich people parties. "I need to talk to you." He continued and I shot him an uneasy glance.

"What's up." I asked popping the 'p', making my way down the stairs. Bruce sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly, I got the feeling that this was going to be awkward.

"Look." he closed his eyes than glanced up in almost nervousness. "I was investigating your mothers murder." I fought back a wince. "and I found a money trail of 15000 $ form an unknown source given to your stepdad." My breath hitched and I stared at him lost in thought for a for moments, he was not suggesting what I thought he was suggesting.

Someone paid Gabe to do the deed. It was so much harder to understand why he would just kill her without motive, other than her screaming at him. I could never get over the fact that he did it without hesitation, with precision, like it was planned, but not by Gabe, that drunk couldn't plan out eating a taco. Now my uncle was telling me that someone else was paying Gabe to do it, to kill her, to break me. I didn't feel any real justice when Gabe went to prison, it just brushed passed me, like it didnt even matter if he was in prison or not, I didn't feel any Justice. All I felt was unease and empty, like I was duller, forced to mature in mourning. Maybe if I could get revenge, I had to get revenge.

"Was there any tips offs?" I questioned, my voice suddenly horse. He nodded a reached into his pocket, pulling out a piece of paper that had instructions. There was a name signed at the bottom, only one word.

"Kronos?"

---FLASHBACK OVER---

Bolting up in bed, my breath came on short pants, gasping for air. I tried to comprehend what just happened, what happened?

Spots danced in my vision from my panting as I tried to form any coherent thought. I tried to remember where I was, what happened, WHAT IN THE CUMQUAT JUST HAPPENED. Collapsing back on to the mattress, I breathed deeply, not fully comprehending my surroundings.

When I finally looked around the room, it remembered where I was, and I almost burst out in tears. Everything was coming to fast, it was hit after hit, and right when you think your going to wake up the nightmare drags you back. Was it really to much to ask for one fluid dream?

I made a mask of a face void of emotion, I couldn't let anyone see I was this weak. I just layed there for what had to be almost 3 hours, to afraid to think. If I thought, feelings would compromise my impeccable logic, the thoughts would turn destructive. So unable to sleep, unable to think, I layed there for a while.

"Would you like some breakfast?" A voice suddenly echoed through the room. I jumped a bit at the sudden sound after hours of silence, and chided myself, I should have seen her come in. She looked at me expectantly and I felt my cheeks burn in slight embarrassment.

"Um-m sure I guess... but you don't have to... I-i wouldn't want to intrude." I stuttered nervously, my mask that was void of emotion broke as my quivering voice answered. She motioned for me to follow her and I got off slowly from the bed. My muscles ached sorely from my running, but I ignored the burn as much as I could as I followed the woman out the door.

I huddled into myself making me as small as possible when I realised I was still in a unrecognizable suit that was torn to shreds, claw marks all over my body. I tried to cover up the holes in my, what used to be white shirt. St least they didn't change me, that would be worse.

When the smell of bacon and eggs wafted into my nostrils my stomach growled involuntary. My cheeks burned once more as the woman looked back at me with a smile.

I sat down as the woman put a plate in front of me, looking her for permission to eat, because I have manners like a normal person. She nodded and smiled, I dug in quite literally.

"Artemis, breakfast is ready." The woman called, startling me for a second but I brushed it off.

"So...." I drawed out. We sat in awkward silence for a moment until her daughter walked in from the living room.

"Lets start it off with names, I guess." The blond suggested and stretched her hand out. "I'm Artemis Crock." I shook her hand hesitantly.

I had an internal battle. On one hand I could tell them who I was and risk them finding out about my other life. But shouldn't they have earned my trust when they saved me? And could they really trace my normal self back to Batman?

"Percy, Percy jackson." I replied still shaking her hand. Crock. I knew that name, a file off of bats computer, one of the people a was going to 'watch'. I continued to pick at my eggs hungrily. We sat in awkward silence for a moment before the blond cleared her throat.

"When's the last time you ate?" she asked with emotion that was almost like worry, but more defensive and rude, like a teenager should be. I shrugged in response, how long had it been? The last time I ate was 2 hours before the party which was at least a day ago.

"Depends on what day it is."I answered avoiding eye contact. They would probably be staring at me awkwardly, i don't like awkwardness.

"it's the 17th of August." the mom clarified, oh, that means i have not eaten in 2 days. We went silent again before they started to drill me with questions, practically interrogating me but in a more gentle fashion.

"Ok i have to know what happened, because you look like you were mauled by a bear." Artemis questioned. i found myself having an internal battle again, ok i could under no circumstances tell them about my powers, or the monster. time to make up a feasible story.

"I ran away." My quiet voice broke through the silence, but It sounded strained. " I don't really know what happened after that, probably several things."My voice quivered slightly and I tried desperately to keep my composure. "The streets of Gotham don't exactly leave much to imagination." Artemis snorted softly at my failed attempt at humor.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes with my hands knowing where I could go next. The question is will these very nice, but nosy, people let me leave.

"I need to leave." I stated, looking up to the 2 woman who wore shocked expressions.

"Like hell we're going to let you leave after the condition you came in here with." The mother nearly shouted. I looked at them worriedly, if I stayed any longer they would be in danger.

"If I stay here for too long I would be putting you in danger." I gushed with as much force that an 8 year old can muster.

"Danger from what?"Artemis questioned.

"I can't tell you." I gritted my teeth in something like annoyance mixed with panic. "I know that I'll be fine, I have a friend that will let me crash at his place."

"Then wouldn't you be putting your friend in danger?" The blonde shot back.

"My friend can take care of himself." I nearly shouted, not able to contain my annoyance. I didn't want to argue with her, they did save my life after all, but I had to get them to let me leave.

"Oh so your saying that I can't take care of myself?" I breathed in deeply trying to regain my composure.

"I did not mean those words in that fashion, though you can interpret it in anyway you want. I don't wish to intrude in your life any further so I must thank you and take my leave." I got up off the stool and made a beeline for the window.

Still in my clothes torn to shreds I opened it quickly to find myself 3 stories up, this should be fun. Before jumping out of it I turned back to the 2 and gave them brief hugs.

"I must thank you for saving me, I am forever in your gratitude." I turned to the mother and looked her in the eye with as much sincerity as I could muster. "And you Paula Crock can do better, don't let your past taint you future Huntress."

With that I ran to the ledge and jumped, flipping mid air 2 times before landing with a well placed roll. As soon as my feet hit the ground I took off down the alleyway, making a beeline for Nico's 'house', leaving 2 gapping females in my wake.

---FLASHBACK---

I sat despondent on the couch, it was way pass the time I intended to go to sleep, but sleep now evaded me like the plague. How could one sleep when they receive information on if the world really does hate you. No I couldn't sleep if I was forcefully knocked out by my own powers, I refused.

I called it a sleepless night, others would call it being in shock. I was in shock then, that might fit better. How was one not to be in shock when your uncle tells you that your psychopathic asshat of a stepfather who killed your mom, was paid off to do so.

With my mind running a marathon, trying to actually comprehend the information. Just one name, Kronos. In the Greek myths he was the king Titan, Lord of time and the ultimate evil monarch. What message was he trying to write with that name? Oh hey look at me i'm evil, or... no never mind.

I was getting nowhere, we had a name, but it led us down a field of Greek myths and tales. Sighing I ran my fingers through my hair, maybe tomorrow I could get insight from Annabeth, who now wants to be called Grey Owl for some reason, but I doubt she would know much. I could ask Luke about my theory about ti.... never mind he probably won't know anything.

It was almost morning when my eyes finally felt heavy like a large comforter was settled atop them. My system was heavily protesting on staying up so long. My mind was dulled and my vision was darkening as I slowly closed my eyes and slumped against the leather.

It was only moments later when the smell hit my nostrils. It was a pungent odor that smelled like a mixture iron and burning flesh. My eyes instantly shot open when a large crash echoed through the manor.

With my adrenaline suddenly pumping through my system I shot up off the couch while the first beams of sunlight burst through the windows. My muscles ached in protest, as I had not used them in hours, and I looked around franticly. Running to the kitchen door I looked inside to see a sight that could make someone go insane.

I knew what this was, and my heart pounded against my chest in denial. I front of me was the stuff of nightmares.

It had red skin that seemed to be severely damaged and burnt like it had just walked straight out of a burning building, still on fire. It toward over me with its slightly feminine form, eyes like a scope locking on it target. The odor got stronger as 'she' hissed at me, fangs dripping down shaper than knife below her bottom lip. Her severely scarred face twisted in what could be called a grin, or it could be called an attempt at looking very terrifying. Did I say attempt? Sorry that is a mistake, she was very terrifying, she took home all the awards.

Suddenly the creature lunged at me full force, I barely had time to scramble away before she hit the ground where I was a millisecond before. I backed away slowly and defensively, and discretely pull the bronze pen out of my pocket. The creature dropped down into a crouch and growled at me from the other side of the marble counter top.

At this point I was almost shaking, I didn't know what to do. Sure I trained with Luke on how to defend myself, but I didn't know what kind of creature this was, and it was a lot different than being there.

My gut twisted, almost gagging at the putrid smell emanating off the creature, then she spoke. All the creature made was noises like scratching and gurgling, it some what resembled a scream, but I could understand what it was saying.

"Ha, descendant filth, this will be almost too easy." The creature screeched, taking a leap and landing in the place I had once more just moved from.

"You know, I take offense to that." I replied in the same tongue, surprising myself. The creature halted in her next attack, but only for a second, before vaulting up at crashing down and punching a hole in the floor of where I just dodged. Finally uncapping riptide, the double sided blade appeared my hands taking the creature by surprise.

She just seemed to get angry that I was dodging all of her previous attacks and lunged at me, retracting long vicious claws that bit me in the stomach. I rolled out of the way and dubbed over in pain. The creature took this opportunities to rake her claws harshly against my back.

I screamed in pain as the cuts burned, bleeding like crazy. I turned to the creature with a harsh pained glare, and through gritted teeth came up with a retort.

"You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." I know unoriginal to every hulk fan out there, but it was an alien, I only got this card a couple of times in my life.

Holding my bleeding stomach in pain I charged her with my sword yelling out a cry and charged her with my sword. She dodged the blow and twisted behind me, proceeding to claw me in the lower back. She let out something like a laugh before I twirled around furiously slashing at her with my sword. I caught her once in the arm, but didn't get much time to celebrate as I found myself flying back into wall.

I groaned in pain as I slid down the wall, collapsing on the the ground. It grabbed me by my neck and slammed me against the wall once more, my boned exploded with pain and spots danced along my vision. After slamming into the wall again and punching me full force in the gut she let me collapse back to the ground looming over me.

She dropped down to my level and pulled her hand back to stab me in the chest with her claws and I closed my eyes in fear. I let out some sort of a whimper waiting for the blow that never came.

I opened my eyes after a few seconds to see a batarang stick out of the creature right shoulder, the one it was about to stab me with. I could have cried in relief as Batman dropped down from...somewhere and walked over to me.

He punched the creature in the face and knocked it to the floor before coming over to me and check over my form with anger. He growled under his breath when he examined my cuts. I was a little unsure of what was going to happen, was he mad at me for bringing the creature here, he was going to ship me off to the next foster home as soon as possible, I was sure.

Suddenly a moment caught my eye of the creature moving its arm to a remote..... oh crap

"Bats!" I yelled out in warning jumping up as it pressed a cliché red button. There was only so many things that could be and I doubt it was the TV remote.

All I remembered was expanding my arms and jumping in front of Batman, then a tug in my gut. Everything happened so fast, I didn't realise what happened until I was sitting up dazed 20 feet away from the burned remains of the kitchen. Everything else was burning on the side that the creatures charred remains laid. Then there was a sphere of water blocking the rest of the manor from the explosion.

Bats was crouched in a defensive stance next to wear I leaped in front of him. He looked confused at most but it quickly turned to shock a he saw the water force field. He looked around almost panicking until he set his gaze upon me, fire burning in his eyes.

I didn't give him a chance to catch up and interrogate me. I turned tail and ran. Not looking back once.

I wanted to run away and never look back.

But we all know that running is never the answer.