What Happened After Happily Ever After

#11 - To Be So Selfish

Chapter 11 - To Be So Selfish
published: Thursday, 27 May 2021

Whatever she held against Percy, Annabeth had to admit that he was a really good driver. He slotted them into a narrow lot between two huge cars that stuck out and sheltered them slightly.

Annabeth shimmied out of her seat and into the narrow space between the car door and the neighbouring car. She opened the trunk, yanking their duffel bags out as Percy grabbed their wallets and phones from the front seat.

He took one of the bags from her, stuffing their things inside. Annabeth pulled the gun out from his belt loop and shoved it to the bottom of the bag she was clutching.

The sound of wheels against concrete caught their attention. Annabeth exchanged a panicked glance with Percy that lasted a split second before he grabbed her hand and dragged off to the side of the car park.

"What are we going to do?" Annabeth hissed, the pursuers' car headlights the only source of illumination in the dark building.

"The lift's that way," Percy whispered. Together, they sprinted towards the metal doors.

There was an echo of low voices from behind them, and Annabeth was about fifty percent sure she was about to pass out from fear. If they caught them...

"Damn it," Percy muttered, jabbing the lift button again. All it did was flash red, but there was no way the elevator would get here in time.

The footsteps were getting louder.

"Shit," Annabeth gasped. "This is it. We're actually going to die."

Percy's eyes flashed, even in the dark. "No," he whispered. Before Annabeth could comprehend what he was doing, Percy was pulling her bag away from her and throwing the duffel bags into the supply closet beside the lift.

He shucked off his zip-up hoodies and wrapped it around her. "Put it on." Annabeth fumbled for the sleeves as he pulled the hood over her head and tucked her hair into the jacket, the curls pressing against her back.

Their pursuers were getting closer; Annabeth could see their phone flashlights on and hear their voices getting louder.

"What are you doing?" Annabeth whisper-shouted as Percy shuffled forward, forcing her to retreat. Her back hit the cold wall behind her, knocking the breath right of her.

Percy braced his hands on the wall, caging her in. His eyes were wide, pupils splayed with panic. "A blonde woman is easier to spot than some guy with black hair," he breathed. "If they see you, they'll know it's us."

Annabeth gulped. Her eyelids fluttered as she leaned over, seeing the two pursuers approaching them now. Their faces were clear, eyes trained on them.

"They're still coming here," she said nervously. Annabeth looked up at Percy. He was practically towering over her.

"Percy," Annabeth whispered. "Have you seen Captain America?"

He frowned. "As in the actor or the movie?"

"The movie. The second one."

Percy's breath stuttered. "Public displays of affection make people uncomfortable."  

When Percy kissed her, Annabeth wasn't ready for it. They kissed all the time — it was kind of the deal that came with marriage. But those were stiff pecks, done for the benefit of other people or out of habit.

This was...Annabeth couldn't remember the last time she kissed him like this. Maybe it was the feeling of being on the run, or maybe it was the adrenaline.