"She says nothing at all, but simply stares upward into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars." I whispered. "Neil Gaiman wrote that. I can't see them anymore, Percy. Only darkness."
"Shh, Annabeth. Everything's okay. We are together." He whispered back, his sea green eyes the only light here.
"You're wrong. Nothing is okay. We fell into Tartarus and we can't use our weapons to see where we are going because they attract monsters. We are out of food, and now we can't even see the stars." I whisper back, resting my head on his chest, our arms wrapping around each other. Tears steadily roll down my face.
He surprises me by saying, not whispering, "'There's always going to be bad stuff out there. But here's the amazing thing - light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can't stick the dark into the light.' Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart. Ella likes to say her favorite quotes for the world to hear."
"Like you're saying now for all Tartarus to hear?" I say harshly. "Please keep your voice down. I want to get out of this Hades-hole. I want to see the stars. I want to see your face. I want to see again." The tears flow faster now.
"We will, Annabeth. We will reach the doors soon." Percy tries to comfort, wiping away the tears.
"You might, or I might, but not both of us Percy." I say, pulling out of his arms, ignoring that I just reprimanded him for talking quieter than this. "Someone has to stay behind. I… I don't think I can do this anymore." My voice drops off to a whisper at the end, and I gaze back up at the only light in this place.
Percy's glowing eyes show his concern for me, as he struggles to respond. "Annabeth, you are the strongest woman I know. If anyone can get through Tartarus, it's you. Annabeth, don't give up on me." He grips my arms as he talks. "I can't lose you again."
"I won't." I murmur after a while. He closes his eyes in relief, and I mirror him.
"I won't."