Chapter 2: Annabeth and I Are in a Dark Room

"Double great," Annabeth mumbled sarcastically while munching her pizza.

I grinned. "Gods, Wise Girl, where are your manners?"

I could feel she was giving me her so-called death glare, which I didn't mind at the moment. "Whatever, Seaweed Brain. Anyway, don't you have some candles or a flashlight?"

"Mom doesn't keep any candles here, but we have matches," I answered. "As for the flashlight, it's on the desk beside the front door. I'll get it."

Even without the lights, I'd already memorized the interior of my apartment and where the tables were, so it was impossible I'd trip or fall or something. What? You were hoping that I'd trip? Gods, what's with your imagination?

I reached the front door and used my hands to look for the flashlight. Within seconds I was already holding it, turning it on.

"ZZZZZZHHHHIIIINNNNGGGGGGG!"

"Percy, what are you doing?"

I jumped slightly, choking on air in the process.

Annabeth was standing five steps from me. I hadn't noticed her presence. Heck, I hadn't seen her coming, either! Oh, right. There was currently a blackout.

"Oh. Er, holding the flashlight like a lightsaber...? You know, from those Star Wars movies," I answered sheepishly. "ZZZZHHHHIIINNNGGGG!"

She rolled her eyes. "Your head is full of kelp, as usual."

We chortled at that.

"So," I said after the laughing had subsided, "you didn't do this stuff when you were little?"

"I wouldn't do something stupid like what you're doing right now. Though my dad is a Star Wars freak." Annabeth took the flashlight from me, pointing the beam at the clock near the television, making her eyes widen.

"Oh, my gods! It's near eight, and it's still raining hard! I was planning to continue my sketches this eve—"

"Hold it, Annabeth!" I put my arms around her, gazing down into her eyes. "Why don't you just chill for a while? You're doing that stuff 24/7 non-stop, I'm sure. You need to take a rest."

"But—"

"No buts," I cut her off gently. "And you can't go out in this kind of weather. You'll just end up with a fever if you do that, and then you can't continue doing your drawings. Do you want that to happen?" I reasoned.

Annabeth shook her head slightly, hating the moment that she couldn't argue with me, which rarely happened.

I smiled at her. "It's settled, then. You're free to sleep here if you want to."

She let out a sigh of defeat. "Since when did you become this sensitive?"

I gave her a look of mock surprise. "Annabeth, you're so cruel!"

She punched me in the arm, grinning. "But seriously, Percy, thanks."

"You're always welcome," I told her casually.

We sat again on the couch to finish eating our pizza. But after a few minutes the flashlight flickered.

"Triple great! This is sonot my day," Annabeth complained, clearly frustrated. "Percy, do you have extra batteries?"

"I think none. We don't really prepare for a blackout. Annabeth, you don't have to be scared, and there are no spide—"

"Just stop!" she cried. "And I'm not scared! I'm just not a fan of the dark, okay?"

"Hmmm-mmmm."

"Whatever, Seaweed Brain. I need to go to the bathroom. Where is it?" she asked in a hurry.

"On the left side; not too far from here," I answered, smiling wickedly.

Annabeth stood up and went into the given direction, but stopped. "Percy, come with me," she demanded.

Now, now, what was she saying? "But I thought you weren't afraid of the dark...?" I teased.

I was sure she turned to me. "Duh, Percy, that's not the reason! The batteries of the flashlight just died, and of course I can't see in this kind darkness," she urged. "And I need your help to guide me so that I wouldn't bump into any things here. Hurry!"

"Oh, right." Though I guessed she was just scared that maybe she'd step on any spiders along the way, which was possible. I went with her, then stopped when we were in front of the bathroom.

"Stay there." And then she went inside and locked the door. The rain was getting thinner by the second. Suddenly, I had an idea.

"Annabeth, let's go to the mini park now. It's just around the corner," I told her as she finished with whatever she'd been doing inside the bathroom.

She thought for a second, looking out the window. "Well, since it's not raining anymore, and the electricity isn't back yet, sure thing."

"Let me get you a jacket. Wait here. I'll be quick." I went to my bedroom, wore my jacket, and got another one for Annabeth. I also brought something that I was sure it would make her happy.