What Happened After Happily Ever After

#6 - On The Run

Chapter 5 - On The Run
published: Wednesday, 6 January 2021

"We're turning onto our street," Annabeth snapped as she began to recognise the headlights and trees. "Percy, if someone's trying to kill us, don't you think they'd already know where we live?"

"Stop!" he said, panicked. "I-I just need to think, okay?"

"If you just told me what was going on, maybe I could help!" Annabeth growled.

Percy pushed their car into park. He spun around to face her, eyes pleading. "If I tell you, then you'll be liable for all the things I've done."

Annabeth remained speechless for a whole of two seconds. Percy was—he was Perfect Percy. He opened the car door for her and cooked her dinner and worked in a well-paying, safe job. He didn't...

Except she wouldn't know, would she?

"We need to go now," Percy said, voice low and urgent. Annabeth believed him. She nodded slowly, trying to unfreeze her limbs as Percy leaped out on his side.

Annabeth knew she was freaking out. She had a right to — she'd just been shot at — but this was an incredibly bad time for that.

There was a click as the door on her side was flung open, Percy standing there looking like he'd aged ten years based on just the worry in his expression.

"I'll explain," he finally said. "Just, please. I need you to trust me on this." Percy offered a hand, his eyes dark — and Percy never, ever begged.

"Okay," she said, taking his hand. They ran to the front door, slamming the car door behind them. Annabeth shoved her keys in the long and twisted until the front door clicked open.

As they stepped through the door, Percy shut it behind them and closed all its locks.

"That's not gonna do anything," Annabeth told him. "We need to barricade it. Look, drag that couch over."

As they amassed furniture behind the door, Annabeth did a quick sweep of the floor plan. "That's the only entrance, except it's also our only exit."

"It's okay, I have a plan," Percy promised.

Annabeth arched an eyebrow. "Really. Like the alarm system that's turned out to be so handy?"

Percy flushed. "Shut up."

"We should call the police—"

"No!" Percy interjected, eyes splayed open. "No, no, not the police. Not anyone in law enforcement. We can't trust them — they're the reason we're here."

"What?" Annabeth demanded. "So what's your brilliant plan? Because you get scared when we watch 3D movies so don't blame me for not thinking we can actually defend ourselves."

He rolled his eyes. "Of course, not. We're leaving." That simple answer prompted a billion more questions in Annabeth's head.

"Leaving?" she asked. "What—the house?"

"The state," Percy corrected. He shook his head as he started up the stairs, Annabeth at his heels. "Pack anything essential. We aren't gonna be back here for a while."

"Percy," Annabeth emphasised.

He stopped in his tracks.

"Explanation."

Percy ran a hand over his face. "It's a long story. We don't have time."

Annabeth crossed her arms. "I'm not moving until I get an explanation."