"I'll get out!"

"How?" Annabeth challenged.

"Somehow!" Tobias countered. Annabeth gave a dry laugh.

"Of course you will!"

"You're over-reacting!"

"You're an idiot!"

"Changing the topic again, are we Mom?"

"Tobias, not a good fight!" Percy warned. Tobias snatched the nearest thing- a book- and hurled it at the door. He had been locked in his room for three days now and was going mad. The door only opened for food and to let him go to the toilet. The stairs were guarded by Percy or Max and Alvie… or worse- Sage. There was really no escape. He couldn't even open the bloody window for fresh air because of those bloody bars.

"Don't start throwing things!" Annabeth demanded. Tobias made the point of chucking a tennis ball from under his bed at the door. It bounced back and he caught it. He knew it would annoy his mother if he kept up the game of Wall-Ball, so he played Wall-Ball. For a simple game, it was fun.

And it annoyed the hell out of Annabeth.

She sent in Alvie, of all people.

"Hi." Alvie smiled timidly.

"You alright, bro?"

"Max isn't that good at Black Ops Two."

"Course he ain't. Me and you, bro- Zombie killing team." Alvie nodded, but he looked nervous. "What's the matter, bro?"

"Mom's not happy."

"Sorry about that." Tobias got up and wrapped his brother in a reassuring hug. Alvie returned it.

"What did you do?" Tobias hesitated. Alvie was fourteen years old, but autistic. It wasn't his fault he was behind other kids of his age in most aspects of life, but he was really nice and knew a lot about animals.

Tobias felt Alvie's eyes on him and pulled himself into focus. "I'll try and understand." He promised, but his eyes held a glimmer of unease- worry that he wouldn't get it. Tobias curled his fingers under his brother's chin and titled his head back. It took Alvie a while to meet Tobias's gaze.

"You just called yourself stupid."

"I am."

"No you're not." Alvie nodded.

"I am. That's why they call me 'dumbass' at school."

"They're still doing that?" Alvie nodded. "Want me to go after them?"

"You're in enough trouble as it is. Just be good and stop throwing things at the door or Mom'll keep you in here longer."

"I'll get out."

"How?" Tobias tapped his nose.

"Secret." He smiled. Alvie returned it and hugged him again. Tobias returned it.

"You're a cool big brother. Max doesn't like hugs."

"Don't let Charlie hear you say that."

"He wouldn't let go." Alvie laughed softly.

"Alvie!"

"Got to go." He mumbled. "Can you tell me what you did later?"

"OK."

"Promise?" Tobias sighed.

"Promise." Alvie smiled at him before darting out of the room. Annabeth closed and locked the door before Tobias even had the chance to take one step towards the door. "Mom, come on!"

"You're staying in there."

"Until when?"

"Until I decide you can come out."

"But that's not fair."

"Life isn't."

"But-" He heard her footsteps on the stairs and knew it was pointless. "I don't like you!"

"Shame that!" She retorted.

Tobias was stupid.

He had totally forgotten he had kept his cell phone.

Soph, need your help! T xxx

What's the matter? S xxx

Mom's locked me in my room and put bars on the window. She's not letting me out! T xxx

Oh… oops…

Sympathy would be nice! T xx

I don't do sympathy ;) S xxx

Horrible girl. HELP PLEASE! T xxx

Tobias Jackson asking for help? Wow. Be over soon. S xxx

You're an angel! T xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yay! Lots of kisses.

Oh… no there…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Better :D