Annabeth

My dress is the color of Percy's eyes.

I'm on the same stage where I sat with Luke three months ago. It seems like forever. I am A different person than I was then. Also - I am carrying more weight.

A silver crown sits on my head - a crown symbolizing that I have won this disgusting game. I don't feel like a winner.

Caesar is smiling at me, and I can see how fake it is. Oh how I'm dreading the next minutes.

"Congratulations on your victory, Annabeth. How does it feel to be the newest Victor of the Fandom Games?"

Worse than anything I've ever felt. But I can't tell the truth. Chiron has reminded me more times than I can count that these people only want me to be their puppet. To tell the world that I am happy with this outcome. If I step out of line, they won't hesitate to strike.

"It feels like I'm on top of the world. I can't wait to go home and share this victory with my friends and family." I smile, mine just as fake as the man's opposite me.

"Wonderful. We're all dying to know... what went on between you and Luke? Were you in love with him?"

"No, I was never in love with Luke. It was a battle strategy, and it worked well. I mourned his death, but I wouldn't have changed it."

Caesar raises his eyebrows. "Why didn't you wear your engagement ring in the arena?"

"I wanted Luke to trust me. If I had continued to wear it, he wouldn't have. I left it in safekeeping with my stylist, and I'm glad to have it back now." I twist the silver ring on my finger, wishing this was over.

He continues to ask the expected questions, and I answer them as Chiron has instructed. One catches me offguard.

"What went through your head during the final moments of your battle with Peter?"

"I... I wasn't really thinking, I guess. I just attacked. I was angry and wounded. I did what needed to be done."

"Now. We've all noticed that something has... changed since you entered the arena." He motions at my stomach. "How long have you known?" ( A/N A month or so... You should have told me.)

"I honestly didn't know until I came out of the arena. The logic behind that is complicated, but it does make sense considering the circumstances."

"The baby is Percy's, of course?"

"Yes."

"Did you let him know before today?"

"I sent a message home."

"Do you know how he reacted?"

I doubt the message ever reached him. Thalia said she'd try, but... you know. I'll have to deal with that when I go back. "I don't, but I'm sure he's happy. He'll make a wonderful father." I don't know if I believe what I'm saying.

Caesar asks a few more questions, then he tells me they're going to play some highlights from the Games.

I pray to my mother that I'll make it through this.

Tobias Eaton

I'm pretty sure we're in some kind of underground tunnel. I don't know where we're going or why. But hey, it's better than what I was doing a few hours ago.

I hear whispering behind me, and strain my ears to hear what my captors are saying.

"You think we can trust him?" The first voice is male.

"Yeah, but we'd better keep the blindfold on until he's initiated." A girl.

"Piper..."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think you might want to... hang out sometime?"

The grip on my arm tightens. "Are you asking me out, Carter?" her voice is cold.

"No! I know you don't want that. I just... I thought you might wanna talk. I know it's hard not to have your friends around."

Piper sighs. "I'll think about it, C."

Seriously? What are they, fifteen? This sounds like a cliche sitcom.

Carter speaks again. "What do you think of Jaron?"

"He's... impressive. You've known him for awhile, right?"

"Since I was fourteen. The House of Life was taken and the Nomes were destroyed.  Sadie and I were among the few survivors. We were approached... by Lucy, actually. She was only twenty-seven then. A young widow. Anyway, she brought us to Fifteen, and we've been there ever since." I

"Speaking of Fifteen... we're here."

I hear a harsh voice call out, "Who goes there?" 

Piper answers with a question of her own. "You will let us in, won't you?" she asks, her voice soft yet commanding. "It would make me so happy if you would just use your key to open the gate. And then forget this happened."

I hear a key turning in a lock, followed by a creaking sound, then we're moving forward again. We go down a short flight of stairs, then I'm pretty sure we pass through another gate before stepping onto what I think is an elevator.

We're going down.

After about forty seconds, the elevator stops and we step out. We walk another twenty yards or so, taking a few turns, before we halt and I hear Piper whisper, "Open."

They push me forward, and I hear her say, "Close."

I hear Carter's voice, slightly muffled. "Lucy! Good. You want this one?"

A new voice - Lucy's, I suppose, says, "Yes. But you two can stay." Then she says, "Take off the blindfold, Tobias." She has a strange accent; something like those witch people. And she doesn't sound more than thirty, but there's something decidedly weary in her voice. This woman, whoever she is, is not a stranger to sorrow.

I untie the cloth covering my eyes, and blink as they adjust to the bright lighting of the room. I realize with a start that it's actually something of a cell.

I'm in a room with thick glass walls in all four sides. The only furniture it holds is a chair and a small table with a pitcher of water and a glass sitting on it.

I take in my surroundings; afraid. Have I walked right into a trap?

Ew I need to stop with these filler chapters. Next one will be better, I promise. And Lockwood and Co fans out there? Cuz Tobias is about to meet a rather iconic character ;-) Thanks for reading; please vote!