Insomnia
Part One
The sun shined brightly over New York city. While its warm light would normally bring a sense of calm to the start of the day, people would run or walk to catch the bus, walk their dog or even go for a nice cup of coffee at the local café. But today the sun didn't hold its normal influence, for anyone was anything but content.
Because of the insomnia outbreak, sirens scorched the skies as police were breaking up fights left and right. Coffee shops were filled with men and women ordering the strongest drinks they could in hopes it could shake this. Pharmacy was flooded with people as well seeking any pill that could put an end to this torture.
From cashers' forgetting to close their drawers leading to many customers pocketing the cash and barely keeping an eye on the road resulting in crashes, even restaurants catching fire because of their chief not pay attention to the girl
Soon cries of anguish mixed in with the sirens as they reached skies of mount Olympus. Looking upon the chaos, Zeus slammed his hand on his chair. As he shook his head within moments, Hera stood by his side and shook her head as she looked at what angered her husband.
"There sleep deprived, oh such savagery,"
"Hypnos…." Zeus muttered.
"Is missing." A voice said.
The two gods looked up to see none other than Hermes standing there. Yet he seemed different. His skin looked pale along with heavy bags under his eyes as he struggled to remain upright.
"Hermes…" Zeus said with a hint of worry.
"It appears even we are not immune," Hermes mumbled, followed with a yawn.
Zeus looked confused. He felt but a yawn escape Hera's lips caused him great concern. Perhaps only gods can fight it off. Pushing only gods can fight it off. Pushing that aside for the moment, his eyes fell upon Hermes, who let out a loud yawn.
"Is there anyone searching for him?"
Hermes stood there for a moment as titled his head. His eyes widen when his mind gave him the answer.
"Hi son Morpheus, Selene and Percy are on it, sir," Hermes said.
Zeus nodded as he laid back in his chair. While it wouldn't be his first choice, he was glad someone was on the case. Yet, after taking a deep breath, he rose to his feet as a thought ran through his head.
"She doesn't know about this, does she?" Zeus asked.
At first Hermes nor Hera knew who he was talking about, but the moment his question sunk in, Hera's eyes widen as she placed her hand over her heart while Hermes swallowed hard.
"To my knowledge, no, she doesn't," Hermes replied.
Zeus sat back down in his chair, nodding. A wave of calm washed over him as it did for the others as well. For even they knew what trouble this could bring. For now, all they could do is hope that Morpheus, Percy and Selene find Hypnos as soon as possible.
Back in New York down in the alley between two restaurants, a light flashed as a mist rolled in. Once it disappeared, there stood Morpheus, Percy, and Selene stood.
Coughing, Percy dusted himself off with the help of Selene. While Morpheus was peeking out the corner, nodding, he waved his hand, motioning for them to come over. By the time they reached him, he dipped his head back into the alley. Many police cars zoomed by with an ambulance bring up the rear.
"This is getting worse by the minute," Percy said.
"The sooner we find Hypnos, the better," Selene said.
Nodding, Percy followed behind them. As they wandered the street, Percy's eyes wandered over people hunched over as they walked by. One person even stare back at them with a grin that sent a shiver down his spine. His eyes, they wandered to two people who were shoving each other. They were both wearing business suits, yet they were disheveled, as was their hair. Soon, yelling erupted from the both of them. Morpheus shook his head as he tapped Percy's shoulder, who nodded and continued following them.
Seeing that caused Percy's heart ached. This was happening to everyone. He wanted to check in on his mom, but that would only slow them down.
Who would do such a thing to the world? Shaking his head, Percy forced himself to remain on task, but it wouldn't be easy.
"This city is where I last sensed him?" Morpheus said.
"New York is a vast city. It won't be easy tracking him down," Percy said.
"Look at the sidewalk," Selene said.
Looking down, Percy's eyes widen spotting a strange sparkling tan dust.
"Hypnos is the sandman?" Percy blurted out.
"Its one of his many nicknames." Selene said, followed by a smile.
Morpheus signed loudly, which caused Selene to chuckle.
"Anyway, we can track Hypnos by this and don't worry, only demigods and gods can see it," Selene said reassuring.
Percy nodded. He was learning much more than has had in history class.
The three continued walking, following a trail of sand. Yet as Percy kept starting at the trail, he noticed it growing thin, and soon it disappeared completely.
Percy looked up, only to crash into Selene. He step back from behind her to see Morpheus looking under cars examining the street.
"Lets split up and look for clues," Percy said.
Selene nodded. "Don't wander too far."
Percy nodded he wandered into the alley but would glance back now and then to keep the others in sight. Percy needed some time to think. If the trail stopped around here, it meant that he was taken or worst. But he ponder who would know about all of this.
As his mind continued thinking about it his eyes found more of the sand, but this time it was a small pile. Before looking up, he jumped out of the way as something in the shadows took a swing at him. Slipping out his pen, Percy taps the top as a sword formed in his hand. Searing the area closely tighten his grip on the hilt of the sword. The moment he took a step forward, the shadow swooped down from above. Percy slashed the away hearing a hissing when he hit it.
The shadow came down once more, but this time it over power Percy, knocking him into a few trash cans. Percy stood up, but before he could move the shadow wrap his body around Percy steadily squeezed him.
"You will not find him." The shadow whispered as it wrapped around Percy tighter.
"Percy!" a voice screamed.
A light engulf Percy and the shadow. The shadow screeched, unwrapping Percy and phasing away. Percy dropped to his knees.
Selene and Morpheus approached Percy only to have Percy point to the small pile of small sand in the alleyway. Morpheus ran over, touching the dust. He looked around the area.
"He was here , but for his trail to end here." Morpheus railed off.
"He would of have to been taken." Selene said as she helped Percy on to his feet.
Dusting himself off, Percy tap the bottom of his sword, which grew smaller and smaller until it was open again. Slipping back in his pocket, he spotted a black feather on the ground. Bending down, he picked it up and showed it to the others.
Both Selene and Morpheus stared at the feather, then back at each other, which only left Percy confused.
"What is it?" Percy asked, looking at the both of them.
"It means things have just gotten much more complicated."
