TW: Child abuse. Bastard child?

Ink- Idk if the bastard is a trigger but I don't want to fuck this up so. If this is somehow offensive I'm sorry, also only blame me not, scenario.

"HEY GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!"

That was Percy Jackson's abusive stepfather, Gabriel Ugliano, who was currently yelling at young 7-year old Percy. Gabe lurched forward, but since he was closer to weighing as much as a polar bear than Percy himself, he tripped and crashed into a nearby dresser. Percy jumped over Gabe and sprinted into the kitchen, but he managed to get up and dangerously walk over to Percy who was trembling.

"Get away from me Smelly Gabe!" Percy cried. He's been in this situation before, in fact, many times. Just do as you always do. Insult him and dodge till he passes out.

"You think you're stronger than me boy? You are just like your mother, weak and a bitch." Gabe sneered.

"Don't call my mother a bitch! You're the one that killed her anyway!" Percy screamed. Gabe narrowed his eyes and then roared in a drunken rage. He chucked the bottle that he was holding at Percy, who tried to avoid it, but his weakened reflexes and the fact that he had many injuries prevented him from dodging. The glass bottle collided with Percy's mauled back as the shards began to slice into his back, causing him to wail loudly.

"Huh. Not so brave now. One bottle. Looks like you are getting weaker. I guess it's time to end this," Gabe said menacingly.

Percy knew he had to get out of there fast or else he was gonna die. He owed it to his mom to make a life out there in the world. Percy thought of insulting Gabe once again to buy time, but then suddenly, everything became focused and he could think clearly. His vision was still fringed red but at least could see clearly.

You see, Percy was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, whom he had always been yelled at by Gabe, who called him mentally slow and a retard. But now his ADHD finally kicked in and he saw everything clearly and his target: the door.

There was only one problem, a big problem. Oddly this problem looked like a hippo and smelled like a monkey. Wonder what this problem is. Percy hastily examined the area until he found his key: beer bottles.

"Hey Gabe, I bet you can't hit another bottle. Fat hippo!" Percy taunted as he mentally crossed his fingers and prayed to every god that he could think of that Gabe would fall for his trap.

"You're just asking for a beating now, Perseus," Gabe said.

He turned around and the second that he did, Percy bolted, well really hobbled, at lightning speed to the door as Gabe reared back in surprise and began pursuing him. Once Percy cleared the door he jumped off the balcony.

Now you may be thinking: holy bananas, Percy can jump off a balcony?

To answer that question, Percy has done it so many times, he was practically a master at it. Plus, it was only a 15-foot jump.

This gave him an extra 20 seconds as he darted toward nearby woods. Now, Percy wasn't a good runner, but compared to what he usually does, he was somehow doing a full Olympic pace. Could it possibly be because he prayed to the gods? Percy risked a couple of seconds by looking behind him. Gabe was at least a quarter-mile away. The adrenaline really kicked in as he approached the woods.

Immediately when he arrived at the woods, he climbed one of the farther trees to spy and survey the area. Percy picked the 4th or 5th tree in and scampered up.

"Ohhh," Percy quietly exclaimed. Gabe was walking away. Apparently, Gabe just gave up when he got to the woods since it would be virtually impossible to find him in the vast forest. Percy leaned onto the trunk of the tree, exhausted. He finally did it, all this time he was afraid he would get caught by Gabe if he ever attempted to escape his Tartarus, but he didn't. Not that he was free, he just didn't know what to do. There was chatter beneath him.

"Milady, did you hear those screams? A person could be in trouble!"

Percy looked down and squinted and saw a camouflaged camp as he navigated through the branches, attempting to get a better view of the camp. Percy's ears perked up, as he heard a muffled conversation. Percy knew it was bad to spy, but he was curious. He scanned the tree line to find a better tree and panned until he found one, a tall maple. The only way to get there was to jump off the branch he was kneeling on, which would probably snap if he launched himself to the tree.

He counted from 10 to calm himself since this action was a total risk. If he fell or got caught, he would probably be sent straight back to Gabe.

Ten, nine, eight…

Why is the whole world so red?

Seven, six, five…

Wait, is the tree really that far?

Four, three, two…

Damnit! I got glass in my back!

One.

He jumped.

A second later, an arrow whistled in the spot where Percy was crouching and landed with a "Thunk!"

Mid-air, Percy extended his arms as he landed quite painfully, square on the trunk while producing no sound. Now, he could hear all that was being said.

"Phoebe, why would you fire that!" A feminine voice said.

"I don't know, I swear to Zeus that I heard something," another female said.

Thunder rolled in the background, scaring the living daylight out of young Percy. But he did not make a sound.

Two people were having a conversation, one seemed to be higher up than the other, Percy observed. They are talking so weirdly though.

A new voice emerged, "Phoebe, you know you shouldn't swear like that."

'Phoebe' responded, "Gods, I know I heard something up there!"

Percy silently gulped and cursed himself. What did Mom tell you? Control your curiosity and what did you do, the exact opposite of it.

Now that he could get a better look, Percy peered down and saw something peculiar. The camp he saw was full of silver tents, a weird color for them. He suddenly winced as his adrenaline wore off and all his pain bounced back. Percy didn't want to risk another look, in fear of being revealed. So he just observed the arrow and listened.

"Just next time, tell us or signal it. Don't go firing random arrows. Alright?" The superior one said.

Phoebe looked annoyed.

"Fine, but don't yell at me when something falls from the tree."

Percy gulped, they were talking about him. Well, not directly but you know what I mean.

Percy gazed off at the arrow. It, like the camp, was weird. The tip and ends were silver and it was thin. The arrow had small details of the moon and other crescent shapes.

This arrow... is... distinct.

Was it…? No, it couldn't be. Greek myths aren't real, they are, as it says in the name, myths.

For a second Percy thought he was spying over the Greek goddess, Artemis's, hunt. This was a group of maidens that followed and worshipped her, while also swearing off men/boys and hunting random monsters. His mother made him explore Greek mythology and her three favorite gods/goddesses, Hestia, Artemis, and Apollo.

When he was younger, he wanted to join the hunters when his mom explained it to him. Once he was told that he couldn't, he had a 'mild' temper tantrum. As Sally told him all these stories about these gods, it almost felt like she knew them personally.

Percy softly sniffled, as these memories were precious, and his time with his mother was brief.

Now Percy really wanted to know more about this odd specific camp. He went to take another step but the branch was very brittle, which he was unknowing of.

Oblivious to this fact, Percy stepped forward and the branch snapped, causing the seven-year-old to fall.

There were three sounds that filled the air. The branch snapping, Percy yelling, and the sound of arrows being notched in their bows.

Unfortunately, he landed perfectly on his back, his slashed back. You know, the one covered in glass shards by his abusive stepdad.

Percy felt tears beginning to well up in his eyes by the immense amount of pain he was trying to endure. He barely managed to look up as he saw twenty silver bows gleaming in the moonlight aiming at him.

Oh shit.

Young Percy gathered up his final energy and used it to wing it. He looked towards the superior looking one and uttered, "M-miss Artemis, p-please h-h-help me."

Then he promptly passed out.

(1452 words)