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DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS, OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS.

CHAPTER FIVE

BY: IRONCOW

The motel's name was Sunshine & Sunset, owned by a middle-aged entrepreneur. It wasn't small or dirty. The surroundings were simple yet elegant. The lobby was composed of couches and a table for reservation. There was a small café, with stools and tables, which were carved beautifully. I didn't know if they had a swimming pool, but I think I'll pass on that. It was storming, after all.

A lot of people were lined up, considering the casualty done by the storm. I felt my knees wobble. Annabeth seemed to notice that I was losing my balance, so she touched my arm. I leaned at her and gave her an apologetic smile.

The hotel's manager walked to the reservation table and cleared his throat. "Excuse me?" Everyone looked at him and he continued talking, "We would like to thank everyone for being patient, and for making us your first choice to stay in. And because of that, we are all going to give you some fresh clothes and toiletries." Everyone said "thank you" and went along.

"Good evening, what can I do for you?" The receptionist asked.

"Hi, one room with 2 beds please," Annabeth said.

I didn't exactly know what to feel when she said those words. I should have expected it. But, does she not trust me? I mean, we're just kids. I won't do anything to her. Let alone, do something that she wouldn't approve of. I respect her. I'm not saying that because I'm afraid of what my father, Poseidon, would say, or what Athena would do to me. But I don't want to turn into a pig. I have experienced being a guinea pig. And let me tell you, it wasn't nice. I felt weak and… small.

"Let me just check if there are more available rooms." The receptionist started to type on the computer and said, "Fortunately, there is a room, but I'm afraid that it has only one bed. There's a couch, though."

"We'll take it." I hastily said.

Before going up to our room, we went to the motel's payphone and called our parents. Normally, we would use our cellular phones, but unfortunately, because of the storm, there was no signal in all networks.

"Hi, mom. It's me, Percy." At first, there was a scream, and then there were a lot of words. "Stop, mom! First of all, I am fine. Annabeth and I are staying in a motel called Sunshine & Sunset."

"Sunshine & Sunset? I know who owns that! Remember when I used to work in a candy shop in Grand Central? Well, after helping him with a candy problem, he told me that he owed me one. Maybe I could contact him and tell him that you're there." Mom suggested.

"That would be great." I looked back and saw that Annabeth was examining the structure of the building, while waiting for me to finish. I moved the phone closer to my mouth and whispered, "Annabeth and I watched a movie, by the way."

"How was it?"

"It was okay. And we had dinner." I continued.

"I'm sure you had a blast." She said.

"Mom, I don't have enough money to cover the expenses that we might spend here at the motel. I don't even know how long we'll be here, considering the weather and the post that's blocking the way home." Even to my ears, I sounded desperate.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of your dilemma." I smiled and hung up the phone.

Annabeth talked to her parents a lot longer than I talked to my mom.

"I'll be fine. Before you know it, I'll be at home reading books." Annabeth muttered. "Yes, we have enough money for a room." She listened intently and glared at me. "Only one bed, dad. Don't worry. Percy will sleep on the couch." She hung up the phone and winked at me.

We got our keys and headed to our room. We took the elevator and clicked the button for 5th floor. Room 616 was our room and it looked decent. On top of the bed, fresh clothes were neatly folded. Annabeth changed in the bathroom first, then me. When I got out of the bathroom, I saw her sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Hey Percy," She said.

I nodded and sat down next to her. She was watching an educational channel. My head was throbbing. I shook my head sideways.

"You okay? Is Discovery Channel too much for your brain to handle? Do you want to watch cartoons instead?" She giggled and slapped my face teasingly.

I groaned. In normal circumstances, I would have slapped her back. But I wasn't feeling well. Instead, I closed my eyes and put my head back.

"Percy, are you okay?" I felt her hand on my forehead. It slowly went down to my neck and I whined. "You're burning! Lie down here." She gestured to her lap which had a pillow. I thought of protesting, but I knew she would win anyway. So I did what I was told.

She reached for the phone near the couch and dialed. She spoke softly on the phone and said that she needed medicines.

After a few minutes, someone knocked on the door. I started to get up, but Annabeth pushed me down. "Stay put. You need some rest." She ordered. "Come in." Annabeth shouted to the door.

The housekeeper opened the door and walked to us. "Our boss called us earlier and he told us that whatever you want or need, it's on the house." She said politely.

"What? Why?" Annabeth was confused.

"The owner of this motel is a friend of my mom." I said.

"Oh. Okay then." Annabeth said. "Well, as you can see, he's sick. Soup would be great."

"Okay. I will be back." The housekeeper smiled. Before leaving the room, she left the medicine on the table, next to the couch.

Annabeth helped me up. She gave me a glass of water and handed me the medicine that the housekeeper left on the table. I finished the whole glass in one gulp and I felt slightly better.

"That's what happens when you let yourself get wet." She scolded at me.

I stared at her and returned to my position awhile ago. I fell asleep on her lap, but got interrupted by the knock on the door. The housekeeper was back, and this time, instead of leaving medicines, she left a tray full of food. Annabeth helped me up, again, and spoon fed me with soup.

"Annabeth, I know I'm sick, but I can manage to lift the utensils."

"Just keep quiet and eat, okay?" She said irritably.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I questioned.

"I'm not hungry. I ate a lot of food when we ate awhile ago." She said, while holding up the spoon.

I nodded and opened my mouth. After eating, Annabeth insisted that I try to sleep.

"At 2:00 in the morning, I'll wake you up so you could drink your medicine." She slowly stroked my hair until I fell asleep. The last thing I remembered was Annabeth tucking me in a blanket.

I slowly opened my eyes and scanned the room. The clock read 1:45. My head still throbbed. Obviously, I'm really sick. I was still on the couch in Annabeth's arm. I was hugging her and she seemed to hug me back. Her hand was holding mine. She looked uncomfortable, just like yesterday, when we watched a movie. I stirred on the couch and she hugged me tighter. I smiled to myself and decided to stay put. I didn't realize that I was staring at her face for a long time, until the alarm went off and she groaned. I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to sleep. I think she might have realized that she was hugging me, so she removed her arms. But she didn't mind me hugging her by the waist.

"Percy," Annabeth said softly, "It's time to drink your medicine. Come on. Wake up, Seaweed Brain." She cupped my face and it tickled me.

I opened my eyes and realized that she had her face so near to my face. I started to feel uncomfortable, and she realized that too. I got up without her help and poured myself a glass of water. She handed me my medicine and I swallowed it.

"You can go back to sleep. At 6:00, you'll be drinking your medicine, again." She set me back to her lap.

Honestly, I didn't feel sleepy at all. I looked up and poked Annabeth. "May I watch TV?" I asked.

She deliberated for awhile, and then handed me the remote. I sat down and turned on the TV. Annabeth stood up and stretched. She walked to the window and sighed.

"The post is still blocking the road." She said.

"Maybe tomorrow, it will be gone." I said. But in the back of my mind, I didn't want it to go. Maybe a few more nights in this motel would be good for us.

FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER, PERCY AND ANNABETH ARE STILL AT THE MOTEL.

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-IRONCOW