Disclaimer: I don't own PJ or any of R.E.M.'s songs.
Percy POV
A soft knock comes from the door. My head comes up. No one had visited me ever since I had screamed at Luke, and I guess I deserved that. But I was still too upset about Annabeth to apologize properly.
I trudge slowly to the door, and cautiously open it. No one is there. Was I just so lonely that I imagined it? I was about to shut it, when a small box caught my eye.
I picked it up, then went inside. The package was perfectly wrapped in blue paper, and I immediately thought, 'Piper."
Paper landed on the floor as I tore it open, not really caring what was inside of it. Gods, I missed Annabeth so much. She haunted my vision every day. All I could think about was her, her smile, her blond hair, her tears that fell down her cheeks when I yelled at her before she died- The paper was all torn off, and a smooth CD was in its place. I sighed and put it inside my speaker. You could imagine my surprise when I heard the soft strumming of a guitar. (Everybody Hurts, by R.E.M.)
When your day is long
And the night, the night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life
I cringed at the truth the words had on me. It did feel like my days would never end, and everyday was spent alone because I didn't want anyone near me. And I did have enough of this awful life. What was the point? Everyone was going to die one day, and I could already list some who already had. Tyson, my brother, had died of viral pneumonia. Silena and Beckendorf had both died of a tragic car accident. The list goes on.
Well, hang on.
I felt like I was dangling on a jagged cliff, and I couldn't hang on for much longer.
Don't let yourself go
Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes.
I had done enough hurting and crying for ten lifetimes. I just wanted this all to end. I just wanted to let go.
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (Hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (Hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on
Hang on? I didn't want to hang on. I never did. The edge of that cliff hurt too much, and I wouldn't feel anymore pain if I let go. Everything felt wrong.
Everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no
That reminded me of the day I had burst out to Luke. I sighed and pulled my hair in frustration. He didn't deserve that. I didn't deserve to get their comfort.
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone
Gods, it sure felt like it. I just wanted to punch something right now.
If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
Everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes
They had been crying, they had been hurting too. They just stayed strong for me.
So hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
I sighed as I heard the plucks of the guitar, then I plunged into my couch. I listened to the song over and over again. But as I was about to close my eyes, I felt a small card I hadn't noticed on the cushion.
The writer made this to reach out to those with no hope. That's what we wanted to do for you. We're here for you, Percy.
-Your friends,
Leo, Calypso, Piper, Jason, Rachel, and Luke :)
All of a sudden, Luke's voice came to my mind.
"Percy, do you really think Annabeth would have wanted you to live like this?"
I left the CD running in the player, and stored the note in my pocket. I would never, I could never get over Annabeth. That was a pure fact. But, I guess I still needed to hold on, for my friends, for Mom, and most importantly, for Annabeth.