Hello, hello, hello!

THIS IS A SEQUEL TO THE FIRST STORY, MISSING. Although you don't have to read Missing first, it'd be nice :)

Now that we've got that out of the way:

*insert trumpet fanfare here*

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the exciting sequel to the hit story, Missing! Your author, littlebitclever, invites you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the prologue! Put up your feet and drink some soda or V8! Let the fanfiction begin!

*crowd cheering*

The boy entered a murky tunnel, robes swishing against his legs. He was nervous to meet his patron, but he made sure his face didn't show it.

Gripping his knife tightly in his hands, he peeked around a corner, making sure no monsters were in sight. Letting out a sigh of relief, he took one step before being shoved against a wall.

A vice-like hand gripped his shoulder with surprising strength. He struggled against it, but the squirming made it tighter. Shadows obscured its face, so the boy could not see what it was.

"Where do you think you're going?" a voice hissed. It's hot breath smelled disgusting, and the boy resisted his gag reflex.

"I-I-"

"Spit it out, boy."

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"I-I'm here to meet my patron."

"You?" The thing threw back its head and laughed. "Why would she want someone with the likes of you?"

Anger flashed through the boy. All his life he'd been underestimated because of his appearance. Too long had he stood for it. Too long had he put up with the ridiculing and the judging. He was done. The patron saw his worth, more than anyone else ever had.

The thing hadn't pinned down his hand with the knife. With incredible speed, he slashed the knife upwards, piercing the thing straight through heart.

The hand jumped away from his shoulder, clutching its chest, and the thing toppled backwards, crumbling to dust.

Straightening his robe, a smirk on his face, and confidence built, he continued onward, leaving behind a pile of sand.

Soon, he approached an old rusted door. Two figures swathed in shadow flanked the door.

"What business do you have here?" the first whispered.

Tightening his hold on his knife, he said, "My patron has summoned me."

The second chuckled. "Let's hope you are right."

The door swung silently inward, and the boy walked purposefully in between the figures. They turned their heads, silently watching him before the door shut behind him.

The room was entirely empty besides torches flickering on the slimy walls.

The boy stood there, patiently waiting.

Dirt churned and bubbled, and soon there was a face of a sleeping woman engraven in the stone floor.

You have come.

Pushing aside his nervousness, he asked, "What would you have me do?"

A sigh whispered through his mind. The boy, Perseus Jackson, is coming ever nearer to destroying me and my plan. I need you to...delay him, so I can carry out restoring the giants.

"How will I accomplish this?"

You need to break him. Put him in a position that hurts the most.

The stone bubbled once more, and a small vial appeared at the boy's feet. He bent and picked it up. Inside the vial was a milky substance.

"Lethe?"

Think, boy! I believe you know what to do with it.

He stared at the vial, mind churning. Suddenly, it dawned on him.

"I understand," he said, a small smile appearing on his face.

Go, now. And please, while you're leaving, refrain from killing my sentries.

He smirked and did a small bow.

"You will not be disappointed."

Wow. How's that for kicking of the second in a series? That was super fun to write. I can't wait for you guys to get into the story! I feel like I've developed this story a bit more, and I know where I'm going with it. In Missing, I just basically improv-ed the whole thing and went with it. The first chapter should be up soon. I've already written it, so it may come up today or tomorrow. Thanks guys!

~littlebitclever