~P R O L O G U E~

Before I start the story,

Some basic information:

name: Cordelia

translation: 'Daughter of the Sea'

Basic I know, but whatever for now.)

nickname(s): Cory; Lia

That is all of the necessary info that comes to mind for now.

(: Hope You Like The Story :)

"Percy!" I could hear my mom hollering from downstairs.

Something unintelligible fell out of my mouth and I rolled out of bed, hitting the floor with a thump. I could hear my moms laughter echoing up the stairs.

I stumbled to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I was met with a pair of lackluster green eyes complimented by dark circles and matted black hair. Another normal day, I guess.

After a quick shower, I picked up a shirt from some basket in my closet. I don't know what supposed to be in there, honestly. But it smells clean enough and there wasn't a single mark on it. good enough for me. I got some jeans from my closet and put on my favorite chucks and that was as good as it was getting on a school morning.

I could hear pancakes sizzling in the kitchen as I jogged downstairs. The smell wafted throughout the entire floor and I inhaled it greedily. Even my current morning grumpiness couldn't smother the fond smile gracing my lips. my mother was the best.

speak of the devil, there she was. standing in the doorway with a warm smile lighting up her features.

My mom is the best person I know. her brown locks curl softly to her shoulders. crows feet at the corner of her eyes only serve to accentuate the laughter and smiles that have filled her life. It seemed as if she didn't know the meaning of the word frown, for she was never seen doing it. She has a tendency to smile through the pain in her life, a trait which I inherited. if there is one thing I seem to exceed in at life, it is humor. I have never struggled to roll a joke, or a quick remark, off the tip of my tongue.

Our moment of peace is ruined, however, because I can see that there is a bruise forming on her face. its light and she probably hasn't had it for long. But it covers her entire left cheek and I've gotten into enough fights to know it was from a fist. I set my jaw so hard I knew it would be sore later today. Gabe, that no good piece of—

"Hey, Brain Boy. Got any cash on ya'?" And there he was. Gabe, my insolent, deadbeat of a stepdad, lounging on the couch in a pile of his own filth as he paid for it (He hasn't paid for a thing since he moved in with us).

I could feel my fist clenching as I took a step towards him. I pointed an accusing finger at him, my voice seething, "How dare you lay your grubby hands on her. I will—"

"Percy, " my mom pleaded, " just leave it. Please."

Now, normally I would try to calm down and leave it. For my mom's sake, at least. But today something just snapped. He had always been a leering, manipulative jerk. But he had never put his hands on her. Me, maybe, but I had done whatever I could to prevent him from ever touching her.

And he had broken the unspoken rule, and I wasn't just going to sit back and just observe.

"No!" I barked, "No. he doesn't get to get away with hitting you, mom." I flicked my eyes to my mother for a moment. She was still in the doorway, her face shocked. For good reason, too. I try my hardest not to snap at my mom, she has enough problems without worrying about her moody 16-year-old son. I'd have to apologize to her later.

But not now.

in three quick steps in was in Gabe's face, trying not to let my eyes water from his pure stench. the last thing I needed was him thinking I was crying. "If I ever, " I snapped, jabbing him in his chest, "find out you so much as breath on her the wrong way again, you will regret it. Got it?"

You could hear a pin drop. I briefly registered that my mom was still standing, stunned, in the doorway entering the living room.

But I was only focused on Gabe at the moment. it was a stalemate, our eyes glaring holes into each other. after a second or two, he blinked. I fought the juvenile urge to laugh and yell, ".You lose!". No. This is serious.

After an eternity, Gave looked away and sat back down on the filthy sofa, muttering something about an afternoon poker game.

I may have won this time, but I wasn't stupid. This would probably hold him off for a month. Maybe two. Gabe never knew when to stop.

I took a deep and turned on my heels. I grabbed my moms hand and slammed the front door behind us. We walked a couple of blocks before my mom blew up at me, spinning me around. I knew she would. she hates it when I confront Gabe like that. Seems to think one day it'll scare him off for good and he'll leave. Good riddance, then.

"You can't just do that, Percy!" she whispered worriedly, "What if he decides he's had enough and just goes?"

I clenched my jaw and tried to keep my voice down, neighbors were already glancing curiously. "Then. Let. Him." I spat, "You know, I can't believe you just let him push you around like that. he hit you, mom. That's called abuse."

a fire spurred in my mom's eyes, aided by determination, 'i know exactly what its called. I also know that I have my reasons and it's my life, Perseus,"

I hate it when she uses my full name. she knows that.

"Yeah, well," I snapped, "Sometimes you have to do what's best for people because they can't do it for themselves." I should have stopped, but I had been holding this in forever, "Because they refuse to help themselves."

hurt flashed in her eyes and I sighed sadly, running a hand through my already messy hair, "Look, ma, I've got to go. School, you know ?" Not even I was convinced by my half-hearted smile. I swiftly kissed her forehead and muttered a bye.

a couple blocks later I checked my watch and cursed loudly. class started in 10 minutes.

I sprinted the rest of the way.

This isn't exactly prologue material. But this is not where the first book started and I had just always thought Percy would have reacted differently to Gabe.