We strolled down the path that lead to the cliff edge. This was a tradition of ours; every year in November we'd come here in celebration of the fact we'd defeated "him". The monsters of all monsters. Three years ago Zack and I had made a plan to kill "him" which included a lot of blood shed on both sides. It was close but in the end our side had won and ever since, Zack and I have been celebrating at the cliff where the final battle had been.

"Here," I said, handing Zack a coke bottle. He took it and cracked it open with a sharp "pop". A storm was brewing in the sky, dark, dense clouds rolling in like a pack of hungry wolves. "It's gonna rain," I noted, pulling out my leather umbrella from my bag. Zack copied, head down. "Zack?" He looked up, seeming distracted. "You okay?" I said slowly, confused. Quiet was not Zack's personality. He was the opposite. Loud, boisterous, jokey, sure. But not quiet. He shrugged, sitting back down on the carpet I'd laid out a few feet from the cliff edge.

"Yeah," he replied shortly.

"Yeah? Nah, somethin's up. What happened man?" I nudged his shoulder playfully, expecting him to return the gesture but he just looked blankly ahead at the turbulent waves. There was a moment of silence then Zack stood up suddenly.

"Come," he said softly, shuffling forward. I felt dizzy with bewilderment but followed anyway. Maybe he was just playing a prank on me. That was more up Zack's street. I trudged beside him closer toward the cliff edge and almost stumbled as Zack stopped. I was in front of him, the cliff edge inches from me. I turned to face Zack, laughing.

"Hey, what are you..." I froze. Zack was pointing a gun to my face, his expression hard

"Don't move," Zack said coldly. I didn't. I couldn't if I wanted to. I was too shocked to even think. The wind picked up a little, and the harsh waves roared behind me, crashing relentlessly against the cliffside. I stared into Zack's eyes which were blank, emotionless. "He's back Percy," Zack said loudly, almost drunkenly. "He's back, and he's stronger this time." Zack's eyes were wild with manic. He seemed possessed.

"Zack, why...."

"Shut up!" he screamed, holding the gun tighter, his hands pale-white. The wind caused his hair to flap violently around his face, making him look like one of those super villains you see on TV. But this was not the movies. This was the real thing. Thunder clapped loudly in the sky, sending bolts of lightening to scrape the clouds. The air felt electric and the wind and ocean was all the more fiercer. "He's back and I'm joining him, Percy," Zack cackled, his eyes rolling in their sockets.

"Why?" I managed to choke out, very aware of the edge just behind me.

"He's promised me things. Riches. Fame. Luxury. Things we never had," he shrieked over the noise of writhing nature.

"But he's bad!" I yelled back, my throat hoarse. Zack looked at me pityingly.

"You don't understand. Bad and good don't matter. It's about the winners and losers, Percy. I am on the winning side. You can join me." I couldn't speak. I was stunned. "Will you join me, Percy. Or do I have to kill you now?" He said, his eyes flashing. I looked at him for a moment, heart torn, then I shook my head.

"You leave me with no choice, Percy." Zack pushed me, and I went tumbling over the cliff edge.