AN: Before I start, I just want to explain a few things. The most important thing is that I have not finished The Lost Oracle, or whatever the Trials of Apollo book is called, so Percy does not have a younger sibling in this story. I'm sorry.

Also, many of the characters may or may not seem OOC. I promise you, there's a reason for that, and all will be explained (Assuming I actually finish this story that is.)

Thank you, and enjoy.

Percy Jackson: What Lurks In The Dark

Chapter 1

Percy was tired. No, scratch that, exhausted. Every single night since the summer had begun, the seventeen year old Son of Poseidon had woken up from nightmares, breathing heavily, and covered in sweat. But these nightmares weren't Tartarus nightmares, which had finally stopped a few weeks before. These nightmares involved something much darker, and much more threatening. The worst part for Percy was that he never woke up feeling alone. He always had the unnerving sensation that someone was watching him, but when he turned the light on, Cabin Three was empty, save for himself.

At first he'd been under the impression that maybe it was Nico who kept waking him up. But those impressions didn't hold water for very long, after he confronted the Son of Hades.

"Hey, Nico!" Percy called, running up to the Son of Hades, who was sitting with his boyfriend, Will Solace, Son of Apollo. Nico glanced at Will for a second, before looking back to Percy, and raising a dark eyebrow.

"Hey Percy," Nico responded casually, as Percy approached him. "What's up?"

"Nothing, nothing," Percy answered, shaking his head. "Hey, have you been in my cabin at all for the last few weeks?"

Nico frowned, but before he could say anything, Will elbowed him, and pointed at Percy.

"I thought he wasn't your type," Apollo's son pouted. Nico rolled his eyes, giving Will a quick kiss.

"He's not my type Will," Nico assured, before turning back to the Son of Poseidon. "And no, I haven't been in your cabin. Why are you asking?"

Percy sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair, before shaking his head.

"Nothing," he said. "It's nothing, don't worry about it. Sorry to bother you."

"Okay," Nico said slowly. "Have a good day!" he called, as Percy jogged away, though he wasn't sure if Sally's son had heard him.

Percy sighed and sat up in bed, pulling his legs to his chest, and wrapping his arms around his knees. It was three o'clock in the morning, and he knew there was no chance he was going to fall asleep again. Percy closed his eyes for a few seconds, only to open them with a shudder, as a short flash from his nightmare came back to his mind's eye.

Shaking his head, Percy stood, pulling on a pair of jeans that were laying in the middle of the floor, and a green hoody, grabbing Riptide from his bedside table, and leaving the cabin, making his way towards the beach.

For ten minutes, he stood in the surf, the water washing over his bare feet in a comforting manner, and Percy could have almost fooled himself into believing he was safe, and just dreaming, if not for the fact that every muscle in his body was screaming from exhaustion. Sighing, Percy pulled out Riptide, staring at the sword in its pen form, before letting out a cry of anger, and throwing it into the ocean as hard as he could.

Once it landed with a splash, Percy dropped roughly onto the sand, and laid back on his back, throwing his arm over his eyes, and letting out an annoyed huff.

After a few minutes, he heard the sound of footsteps, but didn't bother to say anything, until the person placed a hand on his shoulder, and broke the silence.

"Are you alright, Percy?"

Percy sighed, removing his arm, and opening his eyes to gaze up at his father. After a few seconds, he shook his head shortly.

"I can't sleep," he said simply. Poseidon nodded.

"I see," he was quiet, as he looked out towards the ocean, before continuing. "How long has this been going on?"

Percy gave a noncommittal shrug. "Since I came to camp."

"When you were twelve?" Poseidon asked, slight fear in his voice. Percy gave a quiet laugh, that so resembled his mothers, that Poseidon felt his heart ache.

"No," Percy said, still laughing slightly. "When I came this summer. I keep waking up from nightmares-"

Poseidon cut him off, without really meaning to. "Nightmares?" he asked. "Surely your nightmares of Tartarus should have ended by now."

"They have," Percy said quickly, pushing himself up so that he was sitting, and facing his father. "My nightmares for the past few weeks have been...something else."

"Have you told Chiron?" Poseidon asked, forcing himself not to push Percy about the topic of the nightmares. Percy shook his head, and spoke in a whisper.

"I thought they would have ended by now."

"Perhaps it would be wise to tell Chiron-"

"I'm fine, dad!" Percy cut the God off harshly, his tired state of mind weighing on him. "I don't need to tell Chiron."

"Have you told Annabeth?"

"I haven't told anyone," Percy admitted quietly.

"Except me," Poseidon confirmed. Percy nodded. "Do you not trust Annabeth?"

"No!" Percy cried, eyes going wide. "I do! I just...I feel like she won't-"

"Understand,"

Percy nodded, sea green eyes filling with tears.

"I'll make a deal with you, Percy," Poseidon said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "I won't say anything to Chiron, as long as you promise to tell him, or Annabeth. I'll give you one week."

"And if I don't tell either of them?" Percy asked. Poseidon gave a heavy sigh.

"Then I will. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes," Percy agreed quietly, dropping his gaze. Poseidon raised an eyebrow.

"Swear it on the River Styx."

"What!? Why?!" Percy cried, staring at his father in shock, but Poseidon refused to give in.

"I know how you are, Perseus," Poseidon said, using Percy's full name. "If you don't swear on the River Styx, you won't tell anyone. So swear on the Styx. Please."

Percy sighed. "I swear on the River Styx that I'll tell someone," he muttered. There was a light rumble of thunder, and Poseidon smiled, squeezing his son's shoulder.

"Thank you," he said quietly. Percy nodded mutely, and the two sat in comfortable silence, until Percy spoke quietly.

"Why are you here?"

Poseidon chuckled, and handed Percy Riptide. "I came to give you this."

Percy blushed, accepting the pen, and speaking a quiet thanks.

After a few seconds, he took a shuddering breath, and stood.

"I guess I should try to get some sleep," he muttered. Poseidon nodded, and stood as well, wrapping an arm around his son's shoulders. He was slightly alarmed, at how Percy instantly leaned into him, closing his eyes. Poseidon stared down at the demi-god for a few seconds, before quickly lifting Percy bridal style into his arms. Percy's eyes flew open, and he fought against the king of the ocean, but his struggles were weak.

"You're tired," Poseidon said, carrying Percy back to his cabin. "You can sleep, Percy."

"But the nightmare," Percy mumbled, dropping his head to Poseidon's shoulder, as the young boy's exhaustion finally won out. Poseidon shushed his son.

"Just sleep, Percy. Just try, please."

When Percy didn't answer, Poseidon glanced down, to find his son's eyes closed, and breathing soft and even. Smiling, Poseidon carefully made his way back to Cabin Three, placing Percy gently on his bed, and running a hand through the boy's thick hair, before quietly leaving the cabin.

As soon as he was gone, the nightmares began again.

Please REVIEW and tell me what you think!

I love this story, and I hope to be able to update it very often.

HOWEVER, Hell Week for my school's fall play is coming up, and I'll be stuck there, until at least 9 PM, and so I can't make any promises as to whether there will be updates next week or not.