9/11 tribute. This day was on my mind today, even though it isn't 9/11. Sorry, I know I'm a little late, and I know it isn't 9/11, but I just found this in my computer.
Song: In The Arms of an Angel by: Sarah McLachlan
Don't own Percy Jackson.
You're in the Arms of an Angel
Percy POV
Spend all your time waiting for that second chance For the break that will make it ok
I walked nervously towards the Twin Towers. Annabeth, my wife, has been getting on my back about not having a job. So I found this Insurance company that was more then happy to hire me, but I didn't feel like myself.
There's always some reason to feel not good enough?
And it's hard at the end of the day
I didn't feel like myself because I wasn't meant to be stuck in a suit and tie while being caged in an office. The sun was blocked from my vision as I walked into the tower. Annabeth told me this was a great architectural feat, but to me it seemed stuffy and crowded.
"Name?" The women behind the desk asked.
"Percy Jackson?" My voice formed into a question. She skimmed through her computer files and recognition filled her eyes.
"Ah, yes. Fiftieth floor, office 549." She gave me some papers and shooed me away.
I walked warily to the elevator and pressed the button that said 50. My ears popped as I climbed higher and higher up the tower. The elevator shot up floor after floor. A ding sounded and I was there.
I casually made my way to my office, seeing a small cubicle made shivers go up my spin. I looked depressingly over to the calendar. 9/11 at 7:30 A.M. This date marked history in my life because today was the day I found the worst possible job for an ADHD man.
I need some distraction, oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
They may be empty and weightless, and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
I sighed as I sat heavily in my chair under my small little desk. I opened my simple briefcase and took out my picture of Annabeth and already the room seemed to brighten itself. The corners of my mouth slowly lifted into a smile as I laid the picture next to my ancient computer.
"Hey, you're the new guy, right?" A man entered the small entrance of my cubicle.
"Yup." I said, my lips popping on the "p". My ears suddenly popped again. That would take a while to get used to.
"I'm Nico di Angelo." He swished his bangs to one side and made motion to take my hand. I shook is hand and replied. "Percy Jackson." I gave a toothy smile.
He let go of my hand and pointed to the picture. "That your girl?" He asked, rotating his ring that was located on his finger on his left hand.
"Yeah. That's Annabeth, she's…amazing." I smiled in the memory of her. I was already ready to go home and wrap my arms around her.
"Thalia, she's my girl. Love her to death." I knew how he felt. It was the same for Annabeth. He cleared his throat. "I'm glad we finally have someone new here. It was getting boring!" He shouted loud enough for people in other cubicles to lift their heads.
Nico grabbed something from a nearby cart. "Here's your file that will help you start up your computer and crap. I'm in the next cubicle over, so if ya need anything just yell." He waved and went right next door.
In the arms of an Angel, fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here
The clock struck 8 as I turned on my computer. Insurance, ha! How did I get myself into this mess. The paper in the file read "Turn on computer, go to file, see if clients need help." great. Brilliant explanations.
"Hey Nico!" I whispered screamed. Nico's head popped up. That's when I noticed if you stood up, you can see everyone.
"Yea man?" He asked, his head sticking just above the small wall.
"Why'd you get this job anyways?" I asked. Nico didn't look like the insurance type.
"I needed a job." I vaguely saw his shoulders shrug. "It's hard getting an ok paying job around here." I nodded. "Same as you?"
I chuckled slightly. "My wife made me get a job. I got laid off the last one." A flash of sympathy passed through his eyes. "Can you help me out with this?" I asked, gesturing to the computer.
"Ha! Sure. First day is always the that hardest." He pulled up a plastic chair and typed random words that my dyslexic mind couldn't compute.
So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack -
"Di Angelo! Jackson!" We both heard the unmistakably loud yell of our boss.
"Yes?" We said simultaneously while looking up innocently from the computer.
"Get to work!" He spat and started pursing other workers.
We both looked at each other, and burst into laughter. What did it look we were doing, baking cookies? It's not my fault these instructions to 'start work' was really crappy. I whipped my head over to look at the clock. It read 8:30.
"Do we even have any clients right now?" I asked. Nico scrunched his eyebrows.
"Doubt it." He said, flipping a pencil from hand to hand. "Today is sloooooow." He drew out the word.
It don't make no difference, escaping one last time
It's easier to believe In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees -
I wish I could just…leave. This job wasn't worth the trouble or boredom, though Nico wasn't bad at all. Annabeth's picture seemed to mock me. I wish I could just get lost in that simple picture.
I was messing around with a slinky when BOOM!
The whole place shook, and the screams of people filled the room. I stood up and grabbed the wall for support. Vibrations still running up my body. What the heck is going on? Someone rushed past me, running towards the stairs and almost knocking me over.
"NICO!" I screamed over the mess. His black head popped up from where he was squatting on the floor.
"What's happenin'? !" He screamed. I pressed myself up against the wall so I wouldn't get killed by screaming people.
"A PLANE HIT US!" A women screamed while ripping off her high heels and running full speed towards the already crowded stairs.
Oh my Jesus, a plane has hit the North Tower.
"Nico…" My voice sounded grave. "we gotta help those people." Nico shook his head furiously.
"No, no, NO! We gotta get out!" He screamed pulling me towards the stairs. I pulled back, dragging my fingers through my hair.
"I'm going to see if anyone is hurt, I'm going to help." Nico started to drag me anyways.
"NICO!" I screamed. I took him by the shoulders and made him look me in the eyes. "Get out, get as far away from here as possible. I have a bad feeling that something else is going to happen." Nico started to shake his head again. "If, by some chance, I don't live. Call Annabeth. Tell her I love her." I ran back to my cubicle and grabbed her picture and gave it to Nico. "Give this to her. Tell her she's my everything."
Nico, once again, tried to pull me down the stairs. I ripped myself out of his grasp and started bounding up the stairs, dodging people and jumping two steps at a time. Some people called me crazy for going up there. I have another name for it though. It's called being heroic.
"IS ANYBODY HERE? !" I bellowed out. I yelled that on each floor I went to. Slowly climbing higher and higher to the burning point.
BOOM! The building shook again and I was wondering if the North Tower was struck again. I started running up the stair frantically, hoping to find someone.
"Help, please." A women said as she slid down the stairs slower. A large gash was above her right eye and a long gash on her leg. I hoisted her up bridal style and started running down the stairs.
"What happened?" I asked, slightly out of breath.
"Glass," She panted. "so much." She took in a deep breath. "Other tower hit." This was news.
I ran as hard as possible and soon I was on the fifth floor. I laid her down gently.
"Can you make it from here?" I asked, and gestured to the stairs. "I need to try to find more people." I started to make my way up the stairs when she shouted.
"Wait! What's your name?" I smiled.
"Percy Jackson, and yours?" I might as well know it.
"Katie Gardener." She smiled through her pain. I turned back around and started running up that stairs.
In the arms of an Angel, far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
The section of stairs seemed like an impossible maze. Crumpled rubble was dispersed around. It was almost impossible to get anywhere without tripping. People were still running past me, fighting for a chance for life. Me? Well, I just wanted to save some lives.
The building almost seemed to shift. Felt like it was falling, but it wasn't. I ran to a window that wasn't shattered and saw the most horrendous sight. The South Tower has just collapsed. My time was limited. Wait, scratch that. I had no time.
A firefighter approached me and grabbed onto my arm.
"What the hell are you still doing in here?" He shouted above the noise that was threatening to deafen everyone.
"Trying to save some lives." I shouted back. He gave me a look of surprise and started to drag me down the stairs.
"We have people on the job for that. Now its my turn to save your life." He said. We broke out into a run, but unfortunately we weren't fast enough.
A scream ripped through my body as the building shook. Each floor crushing itself. We were so close, we were on the forth floor. So close that it was tormenting. We tried, dear god we tried.
The firefighter grabbed me in his arms, trying to shield my body from falling debris, but that's impossible. A whole floor collapsed. I was lying on my stomach, the weight of the world was on my shoulders and back, pinning me to the ash covered floor.
"Help…" I tried to croak out, but my lungs were soon filled with smoke and foreign substances. My breath knocked out of me from the weight.
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
In the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here
I took the deepest breath I could muster and mentally thanked the firefighter in my mind.
"I love you Annabeth." I croaked out. "Always and forever."
I gave a small smile, hoping for heaven. I let unconsciousness take me in, carry me in his arms, and take me away from here.
Will be updated every 9/11 (not including first chapter). This day was on my mind. We shall never forget. Stay safe, God Bless.