What is home?

Home isn't a set house, or a single town 0n a map. It's wherever the people who love you are, whenever you're together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life wherever you may go.

Home is people not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more. Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.

Every minute of every day I was going further away from my home. From the people I loved. From the people who l0ved me.

For years I had tried to surpress my feelings. To seem ignorant because in the end that's when I got the respect and the love, well if you call it love, I wanted. You see, the world loves to feed off of guilt, remorse and grudges and I was one of it's victims.

My parents, the famous Athena and Frederick Chase were great people really. They were perfect in almost everything. Perfect personality, perfect looks, perfect parents, you name it. But of course that's the exterior part of it. Our family isn't as perfect as it looks. Then again nobody's perfect. The media doesn't get that latch on to the next juicy fact they can find out and broadcast it to the world. Hence the facade.

I was fifteen when I gave my first audition. It was a local movie, not much high on the budget but it gave me a chance in hollywood and so I grabbed onto it. That was about the time my mom was pregnant with the twins, Mathew and Bobby.

I remember rehearsing my heart out for the auditions. It wasn't easy, what with high school and everything but I did my best pulling out extra hours from the night or early mornings. Our family never had the tradition of having a meal together, so when I missed one of the meals of the day and soon all three of them no one really noticed. I didn't mind at the time. I was naive and more importantly I cared more about the audition.

One time I even asked mom to help me rehearse. Even though she was pregnant I don't think she even realized it because I didn't see her work load getting any less. Weren't pregnant women supposed to be relaxing at this time? Of course my mom wasn't among ordinary women. That would ruin her .

Anyways, I went up to my mom, my fifteen year old self, excited to see her reaction when I told her that I was going to audition. She was busy in a call, of course.

"Just a minute Annabeth." She said in her proffesional like voice as she paced through the room talking on the phone. I waited patiently by the side biting my lip, my palms sweating and I twisted the ring on my finger nervously. It was a habit of mine when I got nervous. It was an infinity ring I'd gotten from my parents on my tenth birthday. That was the last gift. Apparently I had enough pocket money to buy myself anything they didn't.

"Yes you were saying honey?" My mom finally turned towards me giving me a tired smile.

"Um I well...I'm trying out for a movie audition.." I said and glanced to look up at her expression. I could see her smile slowly melting off until it turned into a scowl.

"What movie audition?" She asked.

"Just a small movie." I said looking down. "Mom, they're even gonna pay me. I just wanted to act."

"Act!" My mom exclaimed throwing her hands up. "Annabeth, we've already been over this. I understand that it had been a childhood fantasy of yours but now you're fifteen!" She walked towards me placing her hands on my shoulders. "Annabeth, getting into acting is a dream of yours I understand but don't you think you should be a bit practical now? What about architecture? I thought you wanted to take up that area."

"I like acting better." I mumbled and my mom pulled away sharply.

"Acting is only a dream and that's all it'll ever be Annabeth. The sooner you understand that the better."

Yeah, that's how she totally shut me out. Crushed my dreams blah blah blah. Of course that didn't stop me. I have to admit I am pretty stubborn. So I snuck off at night and came back at around ten the next day after giving my auditions. The best part? No one even noticed I was gone. Again.

I was making my way up to my room and heard my parents arguing over something. That something being me. It wasn't unusual for them to do that. I always waved it off cause I'd gotten used to it. What caught my attention was my name and a certain word called 'boarding school' going together in the same sentence. Now that was something new. Since curiosity killed the cat and I wasn't much afraid of death I peeked inside.

Mom's face was red and she was wringing her hands in an aggravated gesture. "I think it has gone too far Frederick. You know we can't pay as much attention to Annabeth's life and not doing that has let it go out of hand."

My dad sighed seating himself on the bed. "I guess you're right. I mean she is fifteen. What with the twins on the way, it would be better if she went to boarding school."

That night I hurt myself.

Now you must be wondering I'm some crazy psycopath who likes to hurt herself and among the majority of depressed teenagers. The answer is, no I'm not. I just don't work that way.

That was the first and last time I hurt myself.

I learned to shut everyone out. I was happy in my own little world where everything worked my way. This was my life and I was in control of it. I guess that's why I liked acting so much. I was afraid of showing the world the real me. If they would like it or hate it. I couldn't rely on that little 'if'.So instead I settled for putting on different masks.

"Annabeth" I heard Nico say and was jarred out of my thoughts. I realized the truck had stopped and narrowed my eyes at the person standing in front of me.

Percy stood with his arms crossed and an ever present frown on his face. Gods, how could he could he look so hot even when he wasn't smiling? I totally did not think that.

"Why are we stopping?" I asked Nico ignoring Percy's stare.

"We're crossing states." Jason answered for me. "They need to check the truck so we have to get out."

"Here." Percy shoved me a hat and sunglasses. I gave him a look. "I'm so not ready to look like a circus freak."

That sneer was back again and he growled. "You don't have a choice. Now put them on and if there's any funny business you don't wanna know what could happen." With that being said he stomped out.

I snorted at that. As if I could. We were miles away from Los Angeles and god knows where. I put on the hat pulling my long now brown hair to the side and doing a quick messy braid. I got off the truck putting my sunglasses on and it felt so good to feel the sunlight streaming down my face. It had been exactly what? A day or two since I'd gotten out of that hell-hole.

I was wearing mens clothes and the rest stops where we'd stopped by had no convenience stores. To top that off I hadn't moisterized my skin in hours and I probably needed a bubble bath. I mean seriously! Didn't these guys think it through before kidnapping a damn actress?!

I saw Percy talking with one of the cops his eyebrows furrowed and I tried to decipher what he was saying by lip reading when Nico coughed out beside me. I turned to look at him and noticed him have a bought of coughs after which he straightened up. His face looked paler than usual.

"Hey you okay?" I asked him and he just nodded weakly and gave me a thumbs up. Percy walked up to us.

"There's something wrong with the paperwork." he muttered running a hand through his hair. " We need to step into their office." He looked pointedly at me but was talking to Nico. "Keep a close watch on her." He said 'her' like I was a pest he didn't want to bother with. Well I didn't want to be here either. He was the one who created this whole mess and as soon as I found my way out I would make a run for it. I just had to play along for now.

"What?" I laughed out. "Too afraid to do it yourself?" I taunted and he gave me a warning look but let it go. Probably so that the cops didn't suspect that I was a hostage.

I felt myself being pushed from behind and my arm was gripped by Ethan. "You heard him." He said gruffly. "Let's go." I wrinkled my nose at the stench coming from him.

I sneered at him and pulled my arm off his grip. I don't like to be manhandled. Especially by grumpy stinking drunkards. "I can walk by myself." Ethan grunted in return but didn't touch me again.

If the cops found anything wierd about my clothing or appearance they didn't mention it. The four of us sat in the front office, Nico and Jason on both of my sides, I guess they got the idea that I wasn't particularly fond of Ethan. Leo constantly kept shifting positions as he fiddled with an old rusty lighter. Jason sat still, body and mind alert like something could happen any minute and I let out a light giggle under my breath. He did look pretty funny. Ethan as usual was drowsing in his own personal heaven.

The television in the office was on but no one was interested. Until the dreadful news came up.

"And now we come to the topic of the unfortunate abduction of hollywood actress, Annabeth Chase." The reporter on the news channel said with her plastic fake smile. It was hilarious how all five heads turned up at the TV in an instant.

"- have not found any traces of the kidnappers. The entire state of Los Angeles shows it's concern for the lost actress." She said as they showed clips of twitter feeds of fans who were upset by the kidnapping and the wedding being interrupted.

"Annabeth's fiance Luke Castellan however had nothing much to say on the matter." Luke's face popped onto the screen with Thalia beside him and they both had miserable looks on their faces. I let out a light gasp as he spoke. His voice sounded so hollow. "I just want her to be okay. I just want my fiance back."

My heart broke at the sight as I saw my best friend and boyfriend try to hold it together in front of the camera. I took a sharp intake of breath as the screen changes and my family came into view.

My mom...oh gods my mom didn't look like herself at all. She looked broken. That's the exact word to describe her at the moment. She stayed silent and said nothing as the reporters bombarded her with questions. I had no idea she would be this affected. She never seemed to care before. Why would she now?

My dad yellled at the media trying to push them away. "Our daughter is kidnapped and all you people care about is running your channels?!" He yelled at the camera as it went off center and I noticed both my parents' eyes were rimmed red. They'd been...crying?

I shuddered as I felt Jason's hand on my shoulder. I realized my face was wet. I was thankful they couldn't see my eyes due to the sunglasses as I quickly wiped my face dry. Annabeth Chase couldn't be weak. She wasn't weak.

My mind started working wildly thinking possible ways to get out of here. I had to get home. I had to get out of here. I had to get home. My home. Where my family actually did love me. I had to get home.

I noticed Percy coming out from the office after resolving their problems. This was my chance.

I shot up as quick as a lightning bolt and before anyone could even register what was going on I ran towards the officer and yelled out. "I'm Annabeth Chase! I'm Annabeth Chase!"

The officer just looked at me confused and I could feel Percy's glare standing behind him. I hear the others shooting up from their seats and advancing towards me.

"Who?" The officer asked looking a little worried and confused.

"These men-they-they kidnapped me!" I yelled out and could see fear in their eyes. Honestly, I felt a little bad for doing this to them. Escpecially Leo, Nico and Jason. Of course I could care less what happened to Ethan or Percy. But I had to get out of here. For the sake of everyone I loved.

Percy smiled from behind his back as he let out a sigh. In that moment I imagined strangling him and beating the crap outta him. Of course I didn't do that. I may be crazy but even I'm not that ballistic to display violence in front of a cop.

"I'm sorry Mark." He said walking in front of the cop with his back faced towards me. "She's just got a little delusional from the heat. You know fans these days, all about imitating and stuff. She's a fan of a hollywood actress in Los Angeles." Percy explained and I guess my jaw had dropped to the ground. How dare he? Moreover how dare that cop not recognize me?! Didn't he know who Annabeth Chase was?

The cop's gaze lingered on me for a minute or two but then I saw sympathy in his eyes as he looked back at Percy. "It's okay Perce. You better be leaving though. You know, long journey ahead."

"But-wait a second- but-" I stuttered as Percy gave the man a clap on the shoulder and turned towards me with his hideous face. Okay he probably didn't look that bad but oh the little devil.

He grabbed me by the arm, a little tightly might I add and dragged me out of the office with the boys trailing behind.

"I think I told you no funny business." He growled in a low voice and I could see the familiar anger coming up again. His jaw was clenched and his grip on my arm tightened.

"Well I never said I take orders from you." I said hotly. We had almost reached the truck so Percy slammed me against the truck hiding me from the cops' view. Again, what's with the slamming? It's like he loved pushing people against walls or something.

All of a sudden I saw a change in his eyes. Like he had come to some conclusion. His grip on me slackened and almost in an animalistic voice he whispered. "Run."

At first I thought I hadn't heard right as I stared into his eyes confused. This time he didn't restrain his voice. "RUN!"

"Perc-" Leo started but Percy raised his hand to shut him up.

"GO! NOW!" Percy yelled in my face which jolted me out of my shock. I glanced one last time at the boys and made a run for it. I didn't even look back as I kept running to god knows where. Of course I wasn't going back to the cops. They didn't even know who the hell Annabeth Chase was plus Percy had them wrapped around his finger.

So I did the only logical thing I could think of. I ran like hell. I dodged a car on my way as I ran into the barren land. I could feel the wind cutting the tear tracks on my face but I didn't care. I just had to get away from them. I wanted to go back home.

I don't for how long I was running but by now I was a sweaty mess due to the heat. Where had they gotten me? This place was totally barren and empty.

I halted panting and placing my hands on my knees. Tears prickled at the corner of my eyes. I was never gonna get home. I would never see my brothers. My parents. Thalia. Luke. I missed them so much.

That being my last thought I collapsed down on the cold sandy groung as my eyes were barely open.

I don't know how long it had been with me laying there until I felt myself being lifted up and carried by someone. My eyes lazily looked up to see a defined jaw and the the same green eyes I had come to hate. It was Percy carrying me. Once again. My life seemed to be made of repeating moments like this.

I decided I quite liked being carried by him before I fell asleep in his arms.

I blinked a few times before completely opening my eyes. It was dark but the familiar truck in which I had been travelling for days.

I got up on the bed I was laying down. I looked around and gasped placing a hand on my chest when I looked at the black figure sitting opposite to me.

"God you scared me!" I breathed out squinting in the dark. The only light was through the half open door through which the lights from town tried to enter.

My heart fell down to the pit of my stomach when I realized who it was. Percy got up from the bed walking towards me. I did the same backing up from him resulting in him cornering me against the wall.

W-what are you going to do?" I stuttered because this situation looked all to familiar of which I wasn't fond of. My hands started getting clammy and shaking but I hid them behind my back so that he couldn't see.

He looked up at me, his green eyes burning with rage. "You think this is all a game don't you? What do I say to get it through you're thick head that you're petty life is in my hands and you can do nothing about it?" He spat.

I folded my arms and glared at him. "Are you calling me dumb?"

Percy led out a yell as he strode towards me in three long strides and slammed his fist against the metal wall beside my head. I winced wondering whether there were bruises forming on his knuckles now as I probably heard a crack or two.

"Why are you always so angry?" I whispered lightly touching his jaw. His eyes didn't waver as my hand fell to his chest just above his heart. I felt it beating rapidly.

He immediately grabbed my wrist yanking it away. "Exactly what I was talking about." He gritted his teeth. "You have absolutely no class, trying to seduce me are you?"

What? I shook my head rapidly. "No no I wasn't trying to-"

"Shut up!" he yelled in my face again which made me close my mouth. "You are just an actress Miss Chase." Percy whispered furiously. "Do you think the world really cares about what happens to you? No. They only care about what happens to hollywood star Annabeth Chase."

My breathing choked and my eyes stung. As much as I hated him for saying that I knew deep in my heart all that was true. Who cared about the real me? Who even knew the real me? All my life, I've been living a facade.

"Your little stunt back there?" Percy continued. "It could have gotten us arrested."

I looked down and muttered. "That was kind of the point."

He slammed the wall beside me again. God, he really did have some serious anger issues. "You don't understand! I kidnapped you okay? Not Leo! Not Nico! Not Jason! Not Ethan! They don't deserve that!"

To say I was shocked was an understatement. So underneath the cold and dark facade of his he actually did care for people.

"They didn't even know about the abduction." He seemed to have calmed down but still had anger underneath his tone. "Jason? He has a fiance waiting for him back home. As soon as he gets enough money he's going to settle down and have a family. Nico? His parents died when he was three. His sister is suffering from leukemia and there's only so much he can afford for her treatment. You really want to punish them for some crime I did?"

I felt guilt seep through me. "I picked up Leo from the streets." Percy continued. "He was only a boy when he became homeless. He-"

"Stop." I choked out. "I don't want to hear it."

"Why not?" He gave me a sardonic smile. "And here I was thinking you were so tough."

My fists clenched but I kept my mouth shut. "I'll do it. I'll keep my mouth shut. I'll do whatever you want." I looked up at him. "Please just let me family know I'm okay. Please." I begged and although I sounded weak I didn't care. I just wanted them to stop suffering for me.

Percy took a deep intake of breath and there was an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't decipher. "Okay." He said so softly that I had to strain my ears to hear.

"Okay?" I echoed disbelief clear in my eyes.

"Okay."

I woke up to Nico coughing for the millionth time. I looked over at his bunk worriedly.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I questioned.

Nico nodded at me. "I'm fi-" He couldn't complete the sentence as a series of coughs followed.

I got up and sat on the edge of his bunk placing my palm on his forehead. It was burning. "Uh huh. You aren't fine buddy. You have a fever." Nico coughed again proving my point.

Soon I woke up the rest of the boys asking for ibuprofen pills. One glance at Nico and they got to work. Percy must have heard or felt the commotion since the truck suddenly came to a halt.

The back door opened just as Nico gulped down the pills. Percy's brows were pulled together. "What's wrong?"

"Nico's sick." Jason informed while searching the drawers for a thermometer. Percy walked over to where I was sitting beside Nico giving me a glance and then looking back at Nico.

He placed a hand on Nico's shoulder. "How are you doing champ?" Percy's voice was so soft I almost couldn't recognize it was him.

Nico gave him a lazy grin. "I'm fine man. You guys are worrying too much." But it really looked ironic at the amount he was sweating and burning up.

"We'll see about that." Leo grunted as he shoved a thermometer in Nico's mouth who weakly glared at him.

After a moment Percy pulled it out of his mouth and stood up looking at it. He shared a worried look with Jason and mouthed what seemed like one hundred and three.

So my assumptions were right. He did have a high fever. Nico must have noticed my face because he spoke up. "What? How high is it?"

Percy smiled lightly and clapped him in the shoulder. "Not much high. You were right buddy. You're fine." But no one could miss the worry lines on his face.

Leo and I stayed at Nico's side while Percy and Jason drifted off to the corner furiously whispering about something. I heard a grunt from behind but I didn't need confirmation it was Ethan. He was a walking garbage bag if you know what I mean.

"Just sweat it off man." He said and Leo and I gave him a glare. I sighed loudly and got up towards Percy and Jason.

"...miles away. We're in the middle of nowhere!" Jason said.

"Then what do we do? He needs a doctor!" Percy argued.

"Jason's right. It'll be too late until we find a doctor." I said and Percy glared at me. "Do you remember me asking for your opinion? Cause I clearly don't."

I rolled my eyes and looked at Jason. "You guys have a hand towel somewhere? Get me one please."

"What does-" Percy started saying but I ignored him walking back towards Nico. I looked at Leo. "Make him strip."

"Wha...?" I heard Nico groggily say.

"I know they usually say you have to sweat out a fever but trust me it doesn't help. It makes it worse." I looked at Leo again. "Make sure he's wearing less layers and give him a thin blanket."

"But Annabeth" Leo started protesting but I placed a hand on his arm. "Trust me. I know what I'm doing." He seemed reluctant but nodded anyway.

"Annabeth." Jason called handing me a blue hand towel. I walked over to the litte somewhat kitchen we had and grabbed a bowl pouring water in it. I doused the towel in it walking towards Nico. Squeezing out the water out of the towel I folded it twice so it was rectangular and place it over Nico's forehead.

"This should reduce the fever at least." I mumbled switching the towel again. I looked at Ethan seated at the end of Nico's bed. "You could rub his legs." I told him to which he raised an eyebrow. "You know keep them warm." I tried to hide my smile. Althought it wasn't really needed I wanted to torture the guy. I could safely say that our dislike was purely mutual.

"What do I do?" Percy asked beside me and my body jerked my the calm tone in his voice. He was asking me?

"Uh you-you could do this?" I said gesturing to the towel in my hand. "I want to see if there's some ginger in the kitchen." Percy nodded taking my place and I walked away Jason following me.

"He really appreciates it you know." Jason told me as I brew the same ginger tea my mum used to make me when I fell sick. I looked up at his blue orbs. "We all do of course."

I stayed quiet while Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "I know Percy may come off as rude and arrogant but he's...he's really a nice guy Annabeth. He cares a lot."

"Yeah. I can see that." I said softly looking over at Nico who was weakly smiling at something Percy said. But that doesn't change the fact about what he did to me. At the end of the day I was still and always would be a hostage. A source of money, although I didn't know yet what he wanted from me but I'm sure it was something related.

I poured the liquid into a cup and gave it to Nico. He took a sip and made a face which caused me to chuckle.

"Ugh." He spluttered. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"I kill enemies in a much more painful way buddy not by serving them tea." At their horrified looks I quickly shook my head. "Of course not! You guys really think that?!"

Nico gave me a toothy grin. "Just kidding."

I smiled. "I know it tastes like mud but it works wonders really. My mum used to-" I stopped abruptly not wanting to be reminded of the pain. I hate the look I saw on my parents' faces when they were being shown on the news. I should try to avoid thinking about them to make this less harder.

I looked up to see Nico, Jason and Leo giving me sad smiles while Percy avoided my gaze. Yeah, he deserved that.

After an hour or so we checked Nico's temperature again and it was down to a ninety nine!

"See I told you it would work." I said grinning and felt Nico grab my hand and give a squeeze as he was in and out of sleep.

"Well no that that's over I'm gonna go sleep." Leo yawned and climbed over Nico's bunk one of his legs dangling from the roof as he instantly started snoring.

I shook my head and walked over to my own bed plopping down on it. My bones were aching and if anyone tried waking me up early next morning I would bite their head off.

All of a sudden my nostrils were filled with a scent which I quite liked. Not necessarily the person though. I kept my eyes clothes pretending I was asleep.

"Thank you." I heard the person whisper and after a few second the scent was gone. I peeked from underneath my eyelashes and looked at his retreated figure. So the green eyes monster did have a heart after all.

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Stay tuned! Until next time!-RacheChaseJackson