Chapter Text
Percy's POV
Can I just say, I really hate my birthday. I know that this isn't something many people say about their birthdays, but I truly, deep in my heart and soul, hate my birthday. It's been nothing but a source of trouble for me for many years. From sleeping with a snake in my day care to being followed by cyclops to just straight normal bullying. Without fail, my birthday was the shittiest day every year for me. So, let's just say, I was kinda surprised at how well it's been going so far.
It's been officially three months since the war with the giants and Gaea. Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood have been doing great with relations, figuring out a good export and import method to share secrets. I guess my man Grover felt the need to correct the way the fawns were acting and being treated at Camp Jupiter, so it's not surprising he was getting ready to head to California in a few days with Annabeth.
Thats right, Annabeth used to be my girlfriend, emphasis on 'used to be'. I guess we had a mutual understanding that the relationship we had between each other was geared more to siblings than to romantic given how often we bicker back and forth. And she was the one that suggested the breakup too, but she chose the worst day to do it; my birthday.
Needless to say, I was not expecting that type of conversation before I was headed to the city to see my family. But because it was mutual, it didn't sting so bad. But couldn't she have just said it last week before that date or after my birthday? But I figured this is the worst that would come about my birthday, so I didn't complain too much. Cause I had plans to get my drivers test done that day and I feel like I did a pretty good job.
But I'm rambling, sorry. My ADHD is getting the better of me. I should have introduced myself earlier. I'm Percy Jackson, 18 years old, senior high schooler, son of Poseidon, Champion of Olympus. Yeah, not exactly a normal introduction. Anyways, I was riding my skateboard home on a pleasant afternoon, single, free of responsibilities for the day and just enjoying the sun with a sense of accomplishment for passing my drivers test. I thought nothing could ruin today.
I should really learn to shut up.
I rounded the corner to the street that would lead to my house and was shocked by the sudden assault to three of my senses. The smell of smoke was thick in the air, the howling sound of sirens and screams filled the area and the blinding lights of emergency vehicles were everywhere as everyone was crowding around the burning apartment building. Then my blood ran cold, cause I realized that was my apartment.
Carelessly throwing my board to the side, I rush to the crowd and my apartment, frantically searching around for my mom, Paul or even my three-year-old sister, Estelle. I cried out their names desperately, being held back by police and the fire department as they tried to keep everything calm and orderly.
I guess that's why it was easy to finally see her. But I almost instantly regret that she was so easy to spot now, because paramedics were surrounding her and lifting her onto a gurney. I immediately shove the officer that was holding me back, rushing to her side.
"MOM!! Mom, I'm here, its Percy!" I ignore the pestering of the first responders as I look down at my mother, her head bleeding, a brace around her neck and there was a large piece of wood that was uncomfortably sticking from her abdomen. It made my body tremble but I shook the negative thoughts from my head and try to think positively. "Everything's going to be ok mom, they are gonna take care of you."
Sally Jackson's eyes flutter tiredly as she looks up at me and smiles sweetly. "My precious boy.........we need to hurry........Paul........and Estelle are waiting...........for us........."
"We'll get Paul and Estelle right after you rest mom. Its going to be ok", I quickly insisted, ignoring the pain in my heart from those words as they rushed my mom into an ambulance. Grateful to their understanding nature, I hop into the ambulance with them and quickly take my moms free hand, doing my best to stay out of the way and just talk to my mom to keep her awake.
"The......the driving test went really good mom, I think I passed it. Oh, Annabeth and I broke up, but its ok. We left off on a good note. Grover is planning on going to California before school starts, so that's gonna suck. Gonna miss my G-Man", I laugh nervously, my nerves completely amped up, so I just keep talking, not knowing where my mouth was going. My eyes were starting to sting.
"But you know, I think I'm going to miss camp. Even though it sucked with the wars, I have some amazing friends, new and old. I kinda wish I could have made Nico my friend, but I think I'll be happy with tolerable acquaintance. But at least its better than full blown hate. Kinda like how Clarisse hates my guts sometimes but, that's how it is. Even if everyone hates me, I think I'll be ok, cause I'll be with yo--......" The words got caught in my throat as it tightens harshly, my mother's gentle hand having found its way to my face while I was rambling. My eyes were hot and wide as I look at her in shock, not sure what to say or do now.
"My gentle boy.........you are so strong..........so understanding.........I hope..........you stay like this...........afterwards........" Each word was painful for her to say and her breathing grew labored. My body shook as I quickly take her hand and press it firmly to my face.
"Don't.......don't talk like that mom. You're not dying. You are fine. Just like Paul and Estelle. You are all going to be fine!" I bury my face into her soft hand and start to cry at how cold it felt compared to the last time she held me.
"You need.........to remember.........that you.........are not........alone, Perseus......." her ragged breaths grew shallower and I was starting to panic.
"I know I'm not alone. You're right here! So don't start talking like you're going to leave me, Mom!!" I was frantic to deny the truth and was almost relieved when we finally reached the hospital. I ran with the paramedics down the halls with my mom's hand in my own. "I'll be here, waiting for you mom. You are strong!!"
My mom just looks at me sadly, like she knows how this will end. She just strokes my face sadly and whispers the five words that would make my body run ice cold. "Stay strong........I love you........" With those words out of her mouth, a nurse stopped me from following the team as they head in for surgery.
I stood outside the door, staring for a long while, my mother's words ringing in my head like a haunting song. I don't remember how long I was there. Five minutes, twenty minutes, an hour. I couldn't be sure. I also don't remember starting to pace, my mind was just racing too fast for me to keep up and comprehend. I grip my hair and keep pacing, waiting for a sound, a voice, an update. Anything.
The hour stretched into two by the time anyone had anything to say. I had finally sat down, my head was resting on my hands as I impatiently bounced my foot, waiting for any form of news to reach me.
"Sally Jackson?" a doctor called out.
Without skipping a beat, I ran to his side, looking at him hopefully. "Yes, is she ok? I'm her son." I almost regret opening my mouth.
The Doctor looked at me sadly, and I felt like my world was starting to shatter. My body shook and trembled as I grabbed his shirt and shook him slightly. "No.......no, no please don't say it. Don't say it..........It can't be true, don't say it!!"
My head slowly sagged between my arms as I desperately cling to the lie that I hoped was on the doctor's shirt, but his calm, clear voice knocked my hopes for delusions away. "I am terribly sorry to say this, but unfortunately, Sally Jackson has passed away. She lost too much blood, and her brain had swollen too much to ensure enough oxygen got to her. Even if we managed to revive her, she would essentially be brain dead at this point. I'm sorry, son."
The doctor was firm but nice. Yet there was nothing more in this world I wanted more than to strangle him. But I just let my hands fall to my sides as strangled gasps of pain leave my body. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't see. I couldn't hear. I couldn't feel. But suddenly, I could think, feel, breathe, see and hear. And it was too much.
I think I was about to black out when I saw something silver catch my eye between two doctors that were talking about the influx of patients. They were intensely talking about the new patients when I walk up to them.
"Yes, can we help you sir?" They tried to be polite but they started to move the silver item away, but I caught their hand and stared at the item with a horrifying chill running down my spine. I slowly point at the item, recognizing the pendent I had given my baby sister for her second birthday.
"Wh.......where did you........get that.........?" I feared what he would say, what either would say.
"We got it off a patient that was brought in a bit ago. We were gonna use this item to help identify the patient. She was too young to be in many records, and we don't have her dental. So we hoped that people would recognize this and report her identity. I'm assuming you recognize this?" the doctor asks while slowly offering the pendant to me. My hands were trembling as I grasp the item. I was scared to ask, to know.
"H-how........." I had to swallow a thick lump in my throat before I croak out. "How is the patient......?"
The two doctors could easily see the panic and fear in my eyes, I knew they did because they were quick to not answer right away. "We want to make it clear that this patient was not alone before they brought her in. There was a man with her in similar condition. Do you know who these two are?"
I take shaky, deep breaths, gripping the pendant tightly. "The.......the patient who's pendant this is, is my baby half sister, Estelle. She's three. If there was a man with her, it was my stepdad, Paul. Paul Blofis.......Where are they? Are they ok? I......I need to let them know mom is dead.........I need........"
The words got caught in my throat as the doctors shared a look. I shook my head, rooted in my spot. "Don't.........don't you dare......." The look of sympathy just shattered me. Shattered what was left in my mind.
I think I was on autopilot from there, my emotions and proper consciousness were locked away. I remember talking to the two doctors. I think I was talking to other doctors and a few nurses for a few hours. It all just became a blur. By the time I realized what was happening again, feeling something again, I was walking on a beach, the sun was already setting.
Well, that's not good. It was a little after 2 pm when I was going home and if the sun is setting, it must be after 8 pm. But that didn't matter anymore..........
I was taking stock on where I was, trying to remember what happened. I look down at my hands and saw some folded paperwork and in the other.......was the pendant. And now that I could see it clearly, it was charred from the fire. And the last six hours rushed back into my mind like a ton of bricks, my legs collapsing under me. Paperwork and the pendant fell from my hands, forgotten as I grip my face and hair as a horrible realization flooded my mind.
My family was dead.
I was alone.
I was in pain.