Chapter 16: The bed seemed comfortable

"AAHHHH" the petrified sceam of a woman tore through the silent night.

Lights flashed and flickered, heading straight for us,piercing my eyes. A body slammed into mine as the glass panels broke into a million pieces, raining down on us like snow. A warm wet liquid dripped down on me as I felt my body tire.My head slammed to the side of the car.

I woke up, stifling as gasp. Air. I needed air. Panting, trying to get oxygen into my lungs.

The walls were closing in on me. Suffocating me. A weight pressed against my throat.

It was that same dream again.It was a nightmare.Just a nightmare.Calm down Annabeth.

"This is all YOUR fault!" Malcolm's scream rang in my ears. ITS ALL YOUR FAULT.

The lights sprang on, burning my eyes.

"Annabeth?" Percy called, sprinting to where I was. He kneeled down at the heel of the couch, his face thick with worry, "What happened?! Are you alright?!"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I was still panting, "water," I managed to croak out. I shielded my eyes from the bright light.

He nodded and ran to the kitchen. I heard the tap turned on.

I focused on my breathing.Inhale Exhale Inhale Exhale

It was just a nightmare, Annabeth. You need to calm down. It's over. It's over. It's over.

"Here," Percy returned with a glass of cold water. I held in it my hands, trying to focus on it, trying to calm my rapid heartbeat.

Percy didn't move a muscle until I composed myself, taking a sip of water.Wordlessly, he brought me another one. I gulped it down aswell.

"Nightmare?" he asked gently, setting the glass down on the table, the silent clang reverberated through the room.

I nodded, "you too?" I asked, noticing the sheen of sweat that coated him. Then the bags under his eyes, that were rimmed red.

He nodded.

"Same one?" I asked. He nodded again.

He took a deep breath, focusing on the glass that sat on the table ,"Except this time, Tyson was there. And...he...he brought out the belt and-" his voice broke into a sob.

"It's okay. He's not here anymore Percy. He can't hurt you. Sally's safe. Tyson's safe. You're safe," I whispered, my own heart shattering like glass as I got down to the floor with him, wrapping my arms around his neck in an embrace out of pure muscle memory.

He buried his neck in the crook of my shoulder, breathing deeply. I pulled him closer, closing my eyes. ITS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

"Once upon a time," I whispered, "There were three brothers. Poseidon, Zeus and Hades."

Percy chocked out a laugh.

"Poseidon presided over the seas, Zeus ruled the heavens and Hades the underworld," I continued, calming myself down as well. I leaned into his warmth.

"Poor Hades always got the short end of the stick," Percy pulled back, wiping away the tears with the back of his hand.

"And Zeus sucks," I laughed softly, remembering that it was almost 3am.

"Thunderthighs does suck," he nodded.

Silence fell upon us, the orchestra of the night being the sound of crickets and toads.

"Can you finish the story?" he asked quietly.

"I will," I nodded, pushing his hair away from where it stuck to his forehead.

"In my room? It's cold in here," he said, looking at me with pleading eyes.

I smiled, "Of course."

I can put my own resentment on a backburner today. Right now, we both needed a distraction.

Percy got into his bed, patting the covers like a child. I got onto the bed too, wrapping my blanket around me like a shawl.

"And these three brothers-"I narrated the tale until I heard a familiar snore. Percy was fast sleep, drooling like he always did.

Giggling, I got out a tissue and wiped it away tossing it in the bin. My eyes felt heavy as I realised just how tired I was too.

Now that Percy was alseep, I should go back to the couch, I reasoned with myself.

But the bed is so comfortable, I also debated.And the room was so warm....and the hall was kinda cold.

I closed my eyes for a second, the heaviness wrapping around me like a thick wool blanket. I suppressed a yawn.

I didn't realise just how tired I was

Maybe If I just lie down for one second. I lay my head down on the mattress

The world faded into dreams.

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Sally woke up bright and early the next morning. She felt good today, 10 pounds lighter as even with the baby growing inside of her.

Last night she and Paul had a long talk. And even though this house didn't hold the best memories for her, he was determined to see her happy in it. It was her grandmother's house after all. She loved it as a child.

Paul was already up and ready, reading a book on history. He gave her a bright smile and a kiss on her forehead.

"Good morning, beautiful," he greeted her. Sally blushed. He always made her feel special. And made sure to do it every morning.

Paul brought out the breakfast he made for her. Only the best for his wife, he claimed. Spoiling her with eggs and bacon in bed. He also told her that Tyson had slept through the night without any issues and was still dead asleep.

Sally freshened up afterwards, and went downstairs to check on Annabeth. She was normally up by now. But that was years ago.

So she was surprised to find her not on the couch, even her blanket missing.

She made her way to Percy's room, pushing open the door and forgetting to knock again. Maybe he knew where Annabeth went?

Turns out he did know where Annabeth had gone as she was in his room, sleeping soundly.

She didn't have the heart to wake or separate them. She always secretly wanted them to get together.

So she shut the door quietly and made her way downstairs, where Paul was waiting for her. They had a morning crossword to do together. It was their own little tradition.

They laughed about how she caught the pair in Percy's room. Until they were interrupted by a cranky and hungry toddler.

Sally smiled at her baby boy. The day had just begun for her.

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I hope y'all enjoyed the Sally part in the end. I didn't know how else to add that picture.

I forgot I was supposed to post yesterday! Sorry bout that! I have the rona and I'm so mad about it!

Plus happy almost new year!!! —S