Breaking
By: Writer-at-Heart01
Percy
Percy sat with Annabeth, Piper, Jason, Frank, and Hazel at Camp Half-Blood. They were at the campfire, singing along to silly songs and laughing together. It had been almost one year after the defeat of Gaea and it had been a hard one. They had searched for Leo, determined to find their missing companion, yet they still had not found him.
Annabeth and Percy were still working through Tartarus, which was becoming less of a burden as more time passed. Percy hoped that when he and Annabeth moved to New Rome for college that it would be completely better, but he couldn't deny that he would always be haunted by the dark place. He shuddered as a chill ran down his spine—no, he would definitely still be haunted by Tartarus, but he had Annabeth. That's all he needed.
Percy scanned the amphitheater and saw Nico sitting next to Will Solace, rolling his eyes as the son of Apollo desperately tried to get Nico to sing along. Percy wouldn't lie and say he hadn't been shocked that Nico had had a crush on him. He also wouldn't lie about how confused he was about not being Nico's type. But Percy was definitely happy to know his younger cousin was happy and enjoying life again.
Percy felt that everything was going well: camp was starting, Gaea had stayed gone, and he had his friends. Percy looked over his friends, playful throwing marshmallows at each other, and smiled. Life was good. Nothing could ruin this moment for him.
Until something did ruin the moment for him.
An Iris Message began appearing in the middle of the amphitheater. It was hazy and hard to make out. For a split second, Percy thought it was Leo finally contacting them to let everyone know he was safe, but that was crushed when Paul Blofis's face materialized.
Percy noticed a few scratches on Paul's face and his disheveled hair. Paul's eyes held a panicked look to them as he scanned the theater frantically looking for someone. Finally, Paul's eyes rested on Percy's and instantly Percy's stomach dropped. Something had happened, Percy was sure of it.
He stood up and approached the Iris Message quickly, maneuvering his way down the steps. He'd barely stopped moving when he asked, "What happened?"
Paul sighed and rubbed a hand down his face. "Your mom and I were driving out to Montauk when something slammed into the car. We spun a few times, I think and then were rammed again. I don't know what it was or what happened—I blacked out for a bit. The next time I woke up, I was in the hospital."
Percy's heart stopped. What about my mom?
"Percy, she's in surgery. She's critical, they don't…" Percy must have asked his question aloud and now it felt like his world was ending. Percy felt a pull in his gut and was vaguely aware of the ocean crashing against the shore more harshly.
"Where?"
"St. Joseph's on Long Island."
Percy didn't wait a second more before turning and bolting from the amphitheater. He heard his friends jumping up to follow and he thought he heard Chiron calling him to wait.
But Percy couldn't wait.
His mother may be dying, and here he was taking life for granted and enjoying the evening with his friends. He should have known better than to think tomorrow was guaranteed. Percy sucked in a breath and kept running. He was making his way down Half-Blood Hill when he felt someone grab his hand.
He stopped short and turned to see Annabeth staring at him with concerned eyes. His other friends were gathering around them, but he didn't break his gaze with Annabeth. He could see the thin film of tears coating her eyes, the slight tremble in her lip. She was as worried about Sally as he was, and he had run off without her. Percy felt his heart being strangled in his chest and it must have shown on his face because he felt hands on his shoulders and another hand slip into his.
Percy tried to stay strong, to not give in, but the son of Poseidon couldn't help himself. Tears began to fill his eyes and he ducked his head and took a shaky breath before exhaling in a soft sob. Percy felt Annabeth hug him and felt her tears on his shoulder. He felt his friends enveloping him.
Percy Jackson was afraid his mom was going to leave him, and he felt like drowning. Drowning in his tears, drowning in his fears. He couldn't handle the idea of his mom being gone.
