The coming days passed quickly and easily. Music was still insane; kids were picking on each other and working feverishly on their songs. I had memorized and mastered most of Your Graduation by the end of Tuesday. I signed up that period so I couldn't back out, using my alias that Annabeth had texted me during the first period of the same day, Caesitas.

Since Annabeth didn't need to tutor me in math, she instead took me to her house after school, where she met up with her friend group, and they would listen to me practice. At first, it was nerve-wracking, and I was nervous and stiff, even though Annabeth had given me my mask and bandana to hide under. Every time I played, I could feel their eyes. It caused my stomach to clench and my fingers to get clammy, effectively messing up the song, making everything ten times worse.

But after the first two hours on Tuesday, I had begun to get better. By Wednesday, my fingers didn't clam up as much, and I learned to keep playing even if I made a mistake. I found out that if I closed my eyes and went through the notes and music in my head like I do in Music class, I played much smoother and confidently.

Through the days, Gabe continued with the beatings. They weren't bone-breaking or as bloody as before, so I didn't need much patching up. I could actually feel myself acting and being happier.

Annabeth would wave when we passed in the hallways, and that made my heart soar. It didn't matter how tightly I tried to tie it down; I couldn't control the want to hope and feel happy. I felt my guard slowly fall farther when I was with her.

Friday was upon me, and I tried to settle my nerves. Annabeth had continued to meet up with me before zero period. She told me that it sounded perfect and I had nothing to worry about. The school day was over, I couldn't walk into sixth period with a mask on, and people not notice that that one loner kid was missing.

I took a deep breath. My hood was up, my mask in place, and my bandana that Piper had bought was pulled up under the mask. The bandana had a tye dye pattern of black, blue, gray, and white.

I pushed the door of the Music room and walked in. The teacher was standing there going through the music as a few kids sat in chairs, looking bored. I walked up to the desk and saw a small sign-in sheet. I quickly wrote my alias down and walked to the back. Sitting down at a desk, I tried to do some homework.

I soon became deaf to the world and tried to finish math, one of my ears had my playlist on shuffle, and the other was open, waiting for my name to be called. Then I heard it.

"Oh dear, how do I pronounce this? Um, Casitas? Cersita? I know I'm butchering your name, but could you come up here, please?" she mumbled the first part and spoke loudly when she tried pronouncing my fake name. I sighed and stood.

"Um, you can just call me Ky. It's much easier" I walked over to her, and she looked relieved at the nickname. I wondered why I even had to put down such a confusing alias when I could've just put Ky. But Annabeth wanted to have some fun with making up my fake name, so I guess it's fine.

"Alright, Ky, I'll take you into this back room, and then we can start your audition" She led me to a back door behind her desk. The room was small. Two chairs were facing each other about tenish feet apart. She gestured for me to take the one on the left.

"On your sign-up sheet, it said you wanted the guitar Riptide and that you would be playing Your Graduation by Modern Baseball. Is that correct?" she read off a piece of paper while closing the door. I nodded, and she brought out Riptide from under a table that I hadn't noticed before. She handed me the guitar and sat across from me.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. My anxiety was spiking to new heights. You're going to fail. Quit while you're ahead. No, think of Annabeth. She spent so much thought and time helping you. She even got her friends to listen to you play for hours. Do this for her and mom! Letting out a breath, I went over the memorized music in my head.

I picked Riptide off its stationary position on my lap and pulled the strap over my head. Then feeling the strings under my fingers, I picked up a guitar chip I brought with me. Taking in a breath, I started the song in my head. My hands followed obediently as I played the strings. My hand kept the rhythm as my brain continued playing the song's sheet music behind my eyes.

I knew that I was humming, but I hoped it wouldn't change or affect my score. I let my hands take over, and I strummed the guitar. Each time a technique came up in the song, my hands didn't hesitate; they played it through and through. I was grateful to find when I replayed my performance in my head afterward that there were no mistakes. I slowly brought my hands to a stop as I finished the song.

I opened my eyes and looked at my teacher. She was smiling at me, and I took that as a good thing.

"Thank you, Ky, that was beautiful. Please wait till Monday for the results of the auditions; they'll be stuck to the whiteboard behind my desk." With that, she shuffled me out of the room and took Riptide from me. I felt so light on my feet; I felt like I would be blown away in the wind.

She said my performance was beautiful. Did that mean I passed? There was no limit to the number of kids that could get through the auditions, but they tried to at least widdle the auditioner's number by half.

I headed to the library after checking the time. It was a quarter to 5, so Annabeth should still be there. I almost skipped to the library. I had taken my bandana and mask off and stored them in my locker as I made my way to the other side of the school.

Suddenly I was thrown against a locker. Dammit, just when things were going semi-good.

But I was confused, Annabeth's friends were well known, and ever since she started hanging out with me after school, I figured they were too scared of bullying me. Not that I wanted to use Annabeth's influence to get me out of trouble, I would never do that. Just after a few jocks saw Annabeth and me in the library, tutoring me, they had basically stopped all physical bullying in the school. I knew my peace wouldn't last, but I expected it to be broken by Gabe, not highschoolers my age.

Of course, I didn't say anything to the two jocks in front of me. They weren't Jock #1 and #2, so I guess they were #3 and #4. In my mind, the three newbie jocks that #1 and #2 brought with them were dubbed; the trio. These guys aren't my usual regulars; they were completely new.

The pummelling wasn't anything remarkable. The jocks hit my face and punched my stomach, and when I fell to my knees, trying to catch my breath from a well-placed punch, they kicked me until they were satisfied. Nothing I hadn't dealt with before, and honestly, it was kind of boring. Not that I was complaining, I'd take punching and kicking over carving me like a pumpkin any day.

Unfortunately, when I looked at the time, I saw it was 5:34 pm. Annabeth had left roughly half an hour ago, and the jocks had been beating me up for around fifty minutes. I groaned as I stood up and made my way out of school. I was walking from one beating to another, and honestly, it didn't really matter to me. I was texting Annabeth about my audition.

Me: Hey, I finished, sorry I couldn't meet up, the line to start was long

Annabeth: No worries. How'd it go?

Me: The teacher said that my performance was beautiful if that counts and the results will be up Monday.

Annabeth: That's great! I'm sure you got in.

Me: How's Architecture going? Build anything cool out of weird items recently?

Annabeth: It's going good and that was one time! One time that we built something out of pasta!

Me: Sure

Annabeth: Oh be quiet Rusticitas

Me: I still have no idea what that means and I'm kind of scared to look it up

Annabeth: Good, if your scared don't look it up, just know it's one of your redeeming qualities

Me: Ok, I'll take your word for it, I've got to go, see you Monday!

I felt a buzz as I placed my phone into my hoodie pocket. I quickly unlocked the front door and entered the house. I shut the door and waited for the starting punch, shove, kick, slap, anything. But nothing came.

My paranoia spiked as I walked warily down the hallway. I looked over my shoulder constantly. Where was Gabe? Maybe he was at one of his friends' houses. Or sleeping in his room.

I carefully walked to my bedroom, don't make assumptions. Gabe'll pop out of nowhere and start a beating you won't forget. I held my arms out in front of me, terrified as I walked down the hall. I don't know if I can take this. My dread and anticipation added to my gut as it became the size of a small dodgeball.

Not being able to stand it, I ran into my room and locked the door behind me. I felt a bit of my anticipation and fear fade as I was in my safe place. Still, as I sat on my bed, I was clutched with paranoia as my eyes flickered from the door to the window. I pushed myself against the wall that my bed was pushed against and kept my eye on my empty room.

I felt my breath and heartbeat quicken when I thought I saw something move. I was terrified as I looked from each shadow to the next. I felt as if the wall was going to swallow me, so I made a bit of space between the wall and me.

But then I thought, what if something could get behind me? Sure it was improbable but possible. All my mind latched onto was the possibility of each situation.

So I leaned back against the wall and clutched my knees to my chest. My eyes swiveled as I surveyed the empty room. I quietly cursed myself when my clothes thrown across the room made new and unwanted shadows. But it's not like I was going to leave my safe place to clean. So I sat there, gripped in terror, unable to move an inch without more panic clutching my heart and constricting me.

I was aware of the shadows elongating and shrinking as the sunset and rose. But I didn't move. I wouldn't move, not until the familiar slam of the front door or pounding on the door happened.

So I sat there, feeling hunger gnaw at my stomach as I watched the shadows fearfully. I knew I should get up; Gabe wasn't here. Or was he? No, he wasn't here. I could go eat leftover enchilada and a blue cookie. But what if right as I'm eating, he walks through the door? What if, right, as I step off the bed, his hand snatches me from under the bed? What if he's quietly waiting for me to step out of my room? What if he breaks down the door because I moved a foot off the bed?

So I made a truce. Don't move until I know for sure Gabe is home, no matter how hungry, or thirsty, or bad I need to use the restroom. Of course, that meant sleep was vetoed, I had to keep watch of the shadows, and I had to make sure nothing happened that was out of the ordinary.

I kept my breathing to a minimum, not wanting to alert anything that I was alive and on the bed. I saw the shadows grow and shrink another time. It didn't matter. What mattered was that I hadn't heard the usual pounding of Gabe's footsteps, and I hadn't heard the slamming of a door. I stayed there stock still, not moving as the shadows grew and shrank. I was aware that today was Monday, but it didn't matter. Nothing did.

The shadows had begun growing again, and my eyes flickered to each one and made sure it wasn't growing at an abnormal rate. Suddenly a buzz in my hoodie pocket made fear crawl up my throat. The shadows didn't hear or feel that, right? I shakily breathed out as I felt another buzz. And another, And another, and another.

Panic spread through my body as I realized the only way to stop the messages was to answer. I slowly, quietly, and carefully lifted my arm. I paused when I felt something shift. Then I realized it was my body weight as I raised my arm to my hoodie.

But what if that's what the shadows wanted me to think? I mentally shook my head; no I needed to answer this person. I slowly took my phone out of its hiding place and almost dropped it when it buzzed again. I looked at the texter, Annabeth.

Annabeth: Hey where are you?

Annabeth: Are we not meeting at the library today?

Annabeth: Your Music teacher said you weren't in class today. Are you ok?

Annabeth: Percy are you there?

Annabeth: Percy answer me!

Annabeth: Percy!

Annabeth: If you don't answer I'm going to go to your house

Annabeth: I'm coming over

I immediately started panicking. Annabeth was coming. She was coming now. I wasn't sure if Gabe was home, and if she started knocking, I wasn't sure if he would answer. But I knew that she wouldn't just turn her car around now that she was on her way. I won't leave my bed. I can't. How is she going to come in? I locked my door, and I couldn't let her come in the usual way. The window, I guess, but that would require moving off the bed, and towards the window, across the room, without the wall behind me.

Wait how did she know where the house was? Oh shit, I must've forgotten to turn off sharing my location. Fuck.

Ok Percy, stop being selfish, text her to come around the back, jump up, open the window, come back, no big deal.

I quickly typed a message to Annabeth.

Me: If you are actually coming, park your car down the street and come to the back of the house, don't come through the front

Annabeth: Ok parking now

I let out a sigh of relief, glad I had caught her before she got too close. Now I had to steel myself to open the window. Ok, ok, we can do this. Slip away from the wall, get off the bed, open the window, come back to the bed, and lay against the wall. Easy. This is not hard. I swallowed.

Alright, nothing will attack you. Just go up, open the window, and wait for Annabeth.

I snapped my head towards the window as I saw a flicker of movement. My mind went through the possibilities; Gabe, stalker, murderer, Annabeth, robber, danger, then I saw the face of Annabeth peeking through the glass. She seemed almost relieved when she saw me. Then she tapped on the glass, and I nodded to her.

Don't be a scaredy-cat; just open the dam window.

Nodding to myself, I moved away from the wall. Instantly regretting it, I stood feeling intense fear grip me. I ran along the floor, hopping and trying to stay off the floor as much as possible. I got to the window and felt fear well up in me as I was forced to keep both feet on the ground. I constantly looked over my shoulder as I opened it. Half-expecting Gabe to burst through the door. I finally got the window open and sprinted back to the bed. I turned my back to the wall as I got on the bed and settled myself into the same position I was before I got up.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and my breathing was coming in short bursts. My eyes didn't stop moving as I inspected every shadow at least three times. I was aware of Annabeth coming in through the window and continuously checked to make sure it was her and not a complete stranger.

"Hey Percy, what wrong?" my breath hitched, and I forgot to breathe as she talked.

My existence had been so quiet for so long, the sudden volume of her voice made me squeeze my knees tighter into my chest, making my bruises scream in pain I didn't care to acknowledge. I watched her fearfully as she moved about the space with ease. When she sat on the other side of the bed, it creaked, and I flinched. I didn't dare talk; any sort of noise would alert them of my presence.

"Percy, it's ok, I'm here" she must've noticed that her voice scared me and now spoke in a whisper. It helped calm me down a bit. Her presence made me feel safe by itself, and her soft voice helped me trust her. I kept my eyes on the shadows of the room, making sure they kept in place. Suddenly I felt a buzz and looked at the phone that was next to me on the bed.

Annabeth: What's wrong?

I shakily grabbed my phone. Slow and steady as the bed moved as I shifted. I paused at every creak and movement. I felt Annabeth watching me, but I didn't care. I felt like anything I did attracted unwanted attention from the shadows. I felt another buzz as I returned to my safe position after grabbing my phone.

Annabeth: What are you scared of?

I was glad that she could pick up on that. I already felt stupid being scared of something like a What If. I breathed in slowly and quietly as I type an answer, not wanting to make too much movement.

Me: Gabe wasn't home on Friday.

I wasn't sure if that answered her question, but it was the reason I was sitting here, unable to move.

Annabeth: Have you left your room since you got home?

Me: No

Annabeth: Ok, I'll stay here with you until you get comfortable enough to come with me.

Me: Go with you? Also, won't your parents be mad about being home late?

Annabeth: I'll just text them and yes, go with me, you haven't eaten since Friday!

Annabeth: Also, I don't think staying in the house will help you get over your fear.

I nodded to myself, it made sense, but I knew that getting anywhere away from the wall would make me clench in fear, and I didn't want to feel that terrible feeling again. The constant pricking up of my neck hairs, the sense of dread and anticipation, my imagination running wild, and the fear of everything. I knew Annabeth was watching me, and I was grateful for her presence, but I knew that we would be here for a while. I've been sitting here for over 48 hours already.

I jumped when my phone buzzed, and I looked at the message.

Annabeth: Can I hold your hand? Maybe human contact will make your fear fall away a bit.

I was surprised she offered. I didn't think that she would want to do anything but wait for me to suck it up and take me to eat something. I nodded, knowing she was watching my reaction.

Slowly I felt the bed shift, and I stiffened, trying to mentally tell the shadows that it wasn't me moving and that I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. I felt one of my arms being softly pulled away, and I allowed it to happen.

My eyes darted around the room, watching for any irregular movements. Then I felt a warm touch on my shoulder, and I flinched. My head whipped to see Annabeth sitting next to me with her shoulder touching mine. My arm was in her lap as she drew soothing circles on my palm.

I felt the past 48 hours of sleep deprivation hit me like a truck. I felt my mind numb as I looked groggily at Annabeth. She smiled as if she knew this would happen and helped me off the bed to the window. I felt fear stiffen my limbs as I left the safety of the wall, but Annabeth whispered encouraging words to me as she got me to the window. By now, I didn't stop looking over my shoulder. All drowsiness gone as I surveyed the room, waiting for something to jump out at me.