A/N It's been awhile FanFiction! I just wanted to tell you my last story, The Trials of Artemis, will most likely will never be finished like many of the pieces of writing on this website. But if anyone is interested in taking up the challenge and making it better (it's hideous at the moment, I know), I'd love to tell you the meaning of the prophecy and the story line I had in store. I'm much better at writing emotional one shots and short chaptered stories like this one. Just wanted to tell you that if you really have been waiting a year or more for that next chapter, it's not coming. But you don't have to worry about this one not being finished, I'm half way done and I am NOT GIVING UP.
Disclaimer: Percy Jackson & the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus (c) Rick Riordan
Percy hesitated.
As Percy stood alone in front of the small apartment in which him, his mother, and his step father resided. Anxiousness was overwhelming for the sight of his mother once more and he wanted nothing but to wrap his arms around his mother and warmly embrace her but . . . he couldn't yet. After Hera had removed Percy from his situation at the Greek training camp, Camp Half-Blood, to situate him with the camp's Roman counterpart in order to unite the two previously rivaling demigods so Gaea could be stopped from destroying the Olympians, he yearned for his mother. Everything he wanted was right in front of him, only a wooden door separating him from his goal, yet Percy couldn't do it.
Inching closer and closer to the knob, Percy's hand trembled and then drew back. Glancing down at his hand, he realized the obvious yet again. He could have talked to Sally Jackson sooner, but instead, he left it off to the last minute without giving her a moments notice. Images flashed in his mind as Percy remembered all the opportunities which presented themselves in the past few weeks. When Percy was in Alaska on a quest to free Death, he had contacted his mother over the phone but never got the chance to talk to her. Instead he left a message of a mere ten measly sentences which he deeply regretted saying. The dialogue may have given his mother a heart attack since after six months of silence, she would discover her son is on a life threatening quest on the other side of the country. But before he could say any more, the train which he was supposed to board was departing in a few minutes.
Even worse, when Percy set off on the Argo II, he mostly spent his time checking on Annabeth, polishing the weapons, exploring the interior of the ship, or contemplating what should be the next pointless task to fill his time. He could have Iris messaged his mother at any time but he still just milled around until the next attack. Percy didn't have a drachma he could utilized as an offering to the messenger goddess, but that was just an excuse. Annabeth had emergency drachmas in case of the sudden need to contact any of the people at Camp Half-Blood. She would've understood and could spare one for Percy.
After the war, Percy waited for Chiron to give him the affirmation he could return home but the camp needed to be resurrected from the chaos and destruction left behind by the recent battle. Percy attended meeting after meeting with the his fellow cabin counselors around the ping pong table recounting what exactly happened on the quest in Europe. After the shocked faces and uncomfortable glances were just a thing of the past, Percy grew increasingly anxious. In all that spare time, he never even thought twice about speaking to his mother. Why had he never thought of that?
Then again, Percy's girlfriend, Annabeth, had been in danger along with him for the past month so all he could seem to focus on was her well being. Annabeth's safety was consuming all his thoughts but he still couldn't shake the guilt due to the fact he had pushed his mother almost completely out of his mind. He tried to convince himself that it was top priority to keep Annabeth safe at the time, but he would always confront his feelings and know he was being careless with his familial relationships.
He had changed massively. He wasn't the same anymore, not after what he survived. But he still owed it to his mom to say hi in the very least.
A chill ran down his spine and Percy turned instinctively. This was usually a bad sign from his experience but he couldn't let it get to him at the moment. Gaea was defeated by the demigods, at least for now so Percy knew he could be at rest. Still, he gripped Riptide inside the pocket of his black summer shorts. He shoved his left hand into his jacket pocket as he opened the door, Anaklusmos still in hand.