Dying Anyway: Repercussions

One year later…

Percy lay on the bed, dazed. As much as he tried concentrating, the names were disappearing. The people around the bed listened to his mantra. Every day the list grew smaller. "Annabeth, Mom, Dad, Paul, Nico, Thalia. Wait. Who's Thalia? Do I know her?"

Thalia turned to sob into Artemis's shoulder. She and Percy had grown closer over the past year, so it hurt even more. She didn't regret the time she got to spend with her cousin though. Nothing could change that. She had been allowed by Artemis to stay with Percy until he died as long as she stayed true to her vows. Even the goddess of maidens herself had come to be quite taken with the young hero, so she had made an exception. "Annabeth, Mom, Dad, Paul. I think I'm missing someone…"

He had. No one dared tell him that he had forgotten the names of his two favorite cousins. Said people were thrown glances of sympathy. Most knew what it was like to have Percy forget you. First it was just random people at camp. Then he started to forget the Romans and the newer cabin occupants. The result was heartbreaking. Both camps emanated a sort of sad aura. They didn't need the mortal shield[P1] to keep them away.

Hades laid a hand on Percy's shoulder. He knew his son once loved the sea spawn- no, Perseus Jackson. Although the lord of the dead was also aware Nico was happy with his new boyfriend, Jackson would always his first crush. It made him glad when his son leaned into his touch. They had gotten off to a rough start, but now they might get to spend more time together. Just that thought reminded him of the day Poseidon heard of his own son's fate. Now, his brother sat in the corner, keeping alert for when the boy forgot him. The fates were cruel, he silently agreed.

The gods and goddesses around him murmured to themselves. Praying to any higher power they could think of. Percy had been right. There had been nothing even they could do for the dying hero. All they could do to help him was slightly ease his pain and be there for him during this difficult time.

Sally and Paul Blofis were also crowded around the bed. Percy's mother had already broken down three times and had to be escorted out of the room. She kept coming back because she wanted to be there for her son. Paul wasn't well acquainted with his stepson, but he knew that he was a good kid and it was a near tragedy for this world to lose him. Even if she didn't mention it, Paul knew Sally though herself to blame for Percy's impending death. So he just whispered sweet nothings into her ear, hoping things would turn out alright for her. Her life had been so full of hurt and sadness. As Percy would often say, 'The best people have the worst luck.' The fates were cruel.

It was a mother's worst nightmare to have her child die before herself. Even worse, to have there be nothing she could do about it. Except there was something she could have done about it. If she hadn't married Gabe. If she hadn't been away all the time. If she had gone to the appointment. If, if, if, IF! However, she had left her one and only son with that monster, and this was the result. Sally wished with all her heart that the hurt in her life would stop. Often she wondered what she had done to deserve this. The fates were cruel.

Although Poseidon had had numerous children over the thousands of years, Percy was by far his most treasured. The child had proved himself to be loyal, caring, and loving. He'd earned the respect of all the gods- even those against them and ones that were against their very gender *cough cough* Artemis *cough cough*. He felt as though his own heart was being torn from his chest when he heard the news of his son's approaching doom. He didn't deserve it. Especially after all he had done for them.

*bonus* Percy POV

I struggled through the fog that clouded my mind. "Annabeth, Mom, Dad. Annabeth, Mom, Dad." I chanted to myself. Other people I didn't recognize floated around me. Why were they there? Why were they crying? Was someone dying? I hoped that wasn't the case. I don't like when others are hurt.

"Annabeth. Mom. Don't hurt Mom. Please don't!" Unbeknownst to me, others were crying too; weeping because even in his last hours he wanted to protect his mother. I felt the rolling fog begin to take over my mind. I clung to the one name I could remember, like a light from a lighthouse in the middle of a storm. Annabeth.

I don't know why she is so important to me. All I know is I love her. I need to tell her that. Wait, who? Annabeth. That's right, Annabeth. "Annabeth, I love you." Then I surrendered to the darkness, sobs echoing in my mind.