'You don't know what you're doing,' a little girl warned. She wielded a large lollipop in one hand and a shiny black belt in the other. 'I -- I can make people hurt.'

I fumbled for my own weapon -- a tall stick I've spent hours upon hours sharpening, and pointed it threateningly to the girl. 'Get out of my area,' I spit. 'This is mine, you bitch.'

The little girl narrowed her eyes and charged towards me. I didn't expect her to fight. But, then again, it's New York City. Even an old lady can fight if she's got the drive.

I quickly spun around, causing the girl to lose balance and fall of her face. Her pink tights were ripped across the knees, her loose white shirt dirty from the ground.

'I'm gonna kill you!' she screamed, stomping her foot. 'I'm gonna nail your head to a wall for your mommy to weep!'

I rolled my eyes. 'You wish," I replied, gripping my stick tightly. 'You've got spirit, kid. Just not power.'

The little girl screeched as she ran towards me again. 'I'll show you who doesn't have --'

I cut her off my stabbing her chest. Blood began staining the white shirt, traveling down to the shaft of my spear.

'You killed me,' the girl whispered. 'That wasn't supposed to happen.'

I took my spear out of her chest hesitantly. I'm not a murderer -- I never wanted to kill anyone....

'Tough luck, kid,' I said. 'Happens to everyone.'

The girl collapsed when I had withdrawn my weapon. I took her lollipop and belt.

I ran away before anyone could find out. I'm still not sure if anyone had found her dead body in the back of a dumpster.

I woke up with a start, sitting up straight with my heart bursting.

"Y/N?" Percy immediately asked, waking up next to me. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head. "It's just a dream," I answered. "It's just a dream."

Percy nodded and held me closer in his arms. "I know what those are like," he whispered. "But it's still dark out, so just think about me shirtless. Maybe that'll make you feel better."

"You just keep getting cockier and cockier, don't you?" I said, placing a hand on his bare chest. He smelled like deodorant (ocean breeze) and salt.

"Matches my appearance, don't you think?" he replied, a hand itching up my shirt.

"Stop being so sexual," I whined. "You make me want to kiss you even when I just woke up from a nightmare."

Percy smirked. "Just go back to sleep," he said. "Maybe later..."

I punched his arm and fell asleep.

There's nothing more familiar than the smell of Percy Jackson, and his strong arms around me.

Don't leave me.

There's a war coming.