Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews. I appreciate the support. Warning: any mention of the abuse that Percy received will try to be kept to a minimum to keep the T rating. If I feel there is a more graphic scene, I will post a warning just before and after and do a sum up.
I need input. I'm not completely sure where I am going with this. I need a bad guy… any ideas. I do take suggestions but will not promise that all will be used.
Chapter 4 – I'm Not Mad!
The day passed fairly uneventful for Percy. He was thrilled that Nico and Grover had learned sign language for him. It was a breath of fresh air to be around people who actually wanted him around. The hunters were always so cold to him, that Percy didn't even realize he had lost his smile. But being around the campers he found himself grinning for the first time in over a month. It was great to see the Stolls goofing off and Katie yelling at them. Even Clarisse was a sight for sore eyes. She actually hugged him, and whispered in his ear "not bad prissy. We missed you, but if you dare tell a soul you will regret it." Percy just laughed, and then froze. They had been near the archery range when it happened. The hunters all looked up perplexed. Thalia was shocked. Percy hadn't laughed since the war. Aware of the stares directed at him he shook it off and the group continued on with the day; Percy's smile never left his mouth.
Then in the evening, just after dinner Artemis came up to him. "Perseus, we would like for you to have a meeting with Mr. D tonight." Percy raised an eyebrow in question "it is to make sure that your stay in Tartarus did not leave any adverse effects." Artemis watched in surprise as Percy's eye turned dark, his face turning from carefree curiosity to quiet rage. However, Artemis thought for a moment she had seen terror.
"I'm not mad." He signed firmly and turned and walked away. Artemis sighed. This is not going to be easy.
As he walked away Percy was fuming. They wanted him to talk to the god of Madness. He wasn't crazy; He was just distraught. But he didn't want to talk to Mr. D for another reason. He looked too much like Gabe, both in likeness and to some extent attitude. Mr. D would have to delve into Percy's thoughts also. He couldn't let anyone know he had been abused… or about the mark. No, they couldn't know what Gabe and his friends did.
Percy took some time to calm down and make a plan before he went to the campfire. When he sat down, Grover asked if anything was wrong. Percy told them that he was just tired. Toward the end of the campfire, Artemis spoke in Percy's mind. Come to the big house now. Her voice left no room for an argument. Percy excused himself and left. When he got to the big house he found Mr. D, Chiron, and Lady Artemis waiting for him. He took a deep breath and signed, "If I must do this then I am only talking to Mr. D." Percy saw the anger flare up in his charge's eyes, but he refused to back down. Chiron looked resigned, almost like he had expected this. Chiron put a hand on the moon goddess's shoulder. Finally, she nodded. Percy followed Mr. D into the house. They went to a back room so they could have some privacy. Percy was shaking. Maybe being alone with the god had been a bad idea. Finally, Mr. D spoke, "are you ready? This may hurt a little."
"No," Percy signed. "First you must swear on the river Styx not to share what you learn with anyone."
The god regarded him for a moment with cold eyes then took the oath. "Let's begin." It took Mr. D very little time to sort through his time in Tartarus. There was little there that needed fixing. He and Annabeth had been able to hold their own very well throughout the experience. Percy knew the moment that the god discovered his secret. Even Mr. D couldn't stop himself from flinching at seeing such a young child beaten by an adult. Then when he saw the first rape he began cursing rapidly in ancient Greek. Percy flinched away from him in clear terror. He apologized and continued through Percy's memories. He saw everything including the night of the mark. At the end the god informed Percy that he was not insane, but that he would have to work to overcome his fear. He also strongly recommended that Percy tell someone. Percy nodded his thanks and left.
Percy slept in the Poseidon cabin so that he didn't bother the hunters. The rest of the week Percy put his meeting with Mr. D out of his mind. He just tried to enjoy being among friends. He found that he wouldn't dwell on it as much when he was doing things with people as opposed to alone like he had been for the past month. Then the week vacation was over and the hunt returned to the wild. That's when things began to go downhill.