Percy woke to Grover shaking his shoulder.

"Bianca and and I are going ahead to scout, keep an eye on Nico, will you?" Grover said.

Percy groaned and rolled over. That was his first night in the games, and all things considered, it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be.

"Yeah, sure," he murmured, "I'll even make breakfast."

Grover snorted. "You mean you'll open the bag of jerky? Good luck," Grover said, "We'll be back in a few minutes."

Percy stood and stretched, and opened a bag of jerky. He gently put his hand on Nico's shoulder.

"Nico, do you want to get up and eat some breakfast?" he asked.

Nico nodded and stood up, wrapping his blanket around his shoulder. He took the bag of jerky and sat cross legged on the hard ground. He looked so young, his face still soft with sleep, his dark hair sticking out in all directions. It hurt Percy's heart to know a kid that young had been sent to his death.

"Where's my sister?" asked Nico.

"She went to scout with Grover, she'll be back soon."

"She's scared you know," Nico said, eyes suddenly earnest, "she pretends she isn't but she is."

"Scared of what?" Percy asked gently.

"Dying," Nico said.

Percy stared down at his jerky, he didn't feel very hungry anymore. "Well, Nico, I will do my best to make sure she doesn't. Both of you."

"Promise."

"Promise what?" Percy asked.

"Promise me you'll protect Bianca. That she won't die."

Percy looked down. "Nico, I-I can't promise that."

"You have too!" he insisted.

"I promise I will do my best to make sure neither you or your sister die. That's the best I can do," Percy said.

Nico seemed satisfied with that answer because he went to eating his jerky.

Once Bianca and Grover got back, they made their day's plan.

"There's an exit to these tunnels about a half mile ahead," Bianca said, "I think we should take it."

"We're safe down here though, aren't we? I mean who knows what's up there," Grover said.

Bianca sighed, "but who knows what's down here, Grover, I think we should face our enemies with daylight at least."

Grover nodded. "What do you think, Percy?"

"I think we should get out of here. I feel trapped down here. And who knows who else is with us here. At least on the surface we can run in multiple directions," he said.

Whatever sense of security the tunnels brought last night was long gone, and Percy was feeling a little desperate to see daylight.

"Then let's go," said Grover, shouldering his pack.

They started out down the tunnels, Grover leading, followed by Bianca and Nico. Percy took up the rear, a long knife in hand. The lights seemed a little dimmer than they were last night, some flickered overhead. A faint breeze drifted drifted down the corridor, it made the hairs on Percy's neck stand up. He tried to concentrate in front of him, Nico's pale hand clutching Bianca's, the soft splash of Grover's shoe in a puddle, the swish of water in his bottle which each step. Suddenly Grover stopped, Percy almost ran right into Bianca.

"Everyone shut up," he hissed.

Then Percy heard it too. Very faint, but clear. Footsteps. Lots of them. Moving very quickly.

"Run!" yelled Percy, pushing Bianca forward, "run!"

They took off sprinting down the corridor, blindly trusting Grover to lead them out. Percy risked a look back and what he saw sent a new wave of adrenaline through him.

Mutts. They had to be mutts. No other creature moved like that, looked like that. Dozens of massive, thick-necked, dog-like mutts sprinted down the tunnel after them. Eyes too small, fur too white, teeth too long,

Percy was frozen, transfixed, when Bianca grabbed his arm and yanked him along.

"We won't reach the exit in time, we have to cause a distraction," she panted. Percy knew she was right, but every instinct told him to just run.

"Ok, ok you're right," he said. "Grover! Keep running with Nico! Find the exit and wait for us there," Percy called.

Grover half turned back to Percy, "what?!"

"Just do it!!"

Grover grabbed Nico and took off. Percy and Bianca turned a corner and caught their breath.

"What to you want to do?" Percy said, trying to hide his shaking hands.

"Percy, I need you to promise to protect Nico," Bianca said, suddenly deadly calm.

"Protect Nico? What-"

Bianca had a far-away look in her eyes.

"Just promise me. Promise you'll do everything you can to protect him."

"Fine. I promise."

"Good. Now you need to run. I'll buy you time, I don't think the mutts will follow you above ground."

"Wait, Bianca you're not going to-"

"Tell Nico I love him."

"Bianca!" yelled Percy as Bianca turned and sprinted down the tunnel towards the mutts. He watched in horror as the first mutt leapt on her, heard her scream. Then he turned and ran. Ran like he never had before. Ran through the tunnel, the cannon firing, then up the stairs. Grover and Nico were waiting at the top. Percy doubled over trying to breathe, to compose himself.

"Percy? Where's my sister?" asked Nico.