Chapter 2: My Work Is Never Done

I was wrong. Usually, I won't admit to being wrong, but this time I will. It was only the second day of living with the Jacksons, and already I was regretting it. Percy, even for a four-year-old, didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Though in all fairness, it took all my 16000 years of life and self-control to keep mine shut.

Gabe was horrible. I couldn't wrap my mind around how someone like Sally Jackson could marry him and stay with him. Yet she did, for four years she has married this man and lived with him. In my opinion, she could do so much better. But I know at the same time she stayed with him for Percy if only my godly mother loved me as much as Sally Jackson loves her son. But alas, she's a goddess and unfortunately doesn't show her love the same way mortal moms do. Though if she did, maybe I wouldn't be in the situation I am now?

The day started normal, minus the fact that Sally had to work, and we were stuck with Gabe. Now Sally is a sweetheart, as I've mentioned before. But Gabe is horrible. Gabe wouldn't know the first thing about raising a kid, which is obvious enough. Sadly his way of punishing kids involves beating them until they're black and blue, especially if they happen to be female or Percy. Gabe knows how to hide the bruises, though, which makes it even worse. But let me explain what happened.

"Percy, we shouldn't be doing this," I whispered, tugging on the back of his shirt.

"It's ok Lessy, we're helping Gabe stop smelling." He giggled, dumping another beer in the toilet.

"But Percy, Gabe won't-." I was cut off before I could finish my warning.

"What are you brats doing!" Gabe roared, slamming a fist against the door frame.

I flinched and stepped closer to Percy. I've never liked violence; you can thank my mortal life and Ares for that.

"What's it look like?" Percy pouted, continuing to dump the beer. "Getting rid of your smelly drinks!"

Gabe didn't like that comment. "What did you say, Brat?"

My hands fisted Percy's shirt. This situation wouldn't be occurring if it wasn't for our daycare being closed today and Sally not having a choice but to leave us with Gabe.

Percy didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. "I said, I'm getting rid of your smelly drinks. Maybe we can breathe then."

Gabe's face turned an impressive shade of red, almost purple. "C'mere brat." He reached for Percy.

"No!" I cried, pushing Percy behind me and slapping Gabe's hand.

Now that was a big mistake. Before I could react (very slowly mind you), Gabe's hand gripped my hair and started dragging me from the bathroom. Tears trickled from my eyes, and a sharp stinging pain was shooting from my skull. Gabe pulled the bathroom door shut and locked it from the outside. Percy was a little too short of reaching the handle, and Gabe knew this. The loud pounding was coming from the door, along with cries of my name. Gabe ignored them and continued dragging me by my hair.

"Let go!" I tried pulling his fingers off, but he wouldn't release my hair.

"Quiet!" Gabe hissed, his hand flying and connecting with my cheek.

My head flew to the side, and more tears slipped from my eyes. It's been so long since I've last felt pain like this.

"This is what you and the brat get for dumping my beer." Gabe didn't like my tears. Another slap happened, this time the opposite cheek and a backhand at that. When he realized slapping wasn't working, his hand formed a fist and pummeled it into my stomach. The beating continued until I couldn't move and slowly blacked out from the pain.

"Alessa, open your eyes, please." A melodic voice called.

With a groan, my eyes slowly fluttered open before wincing shut in pain. Trying again, I blinked and opened my eyes.

"There you go, Love." Hands were gently grabbing me behind the back and lifting me into a sitting position.

A small cry slipped from my lips when one particular bruise was brushed. My watery blue eyes looked at the person in front of me and seeing Apollo. A dark frown was on his face, and his eyes held a deep desire for something. Knowing him, it'd be murder.

"What happened, Alessa?" He asked, gently brushing hair from my face. "I haven't seen you this beat up in forever."

Shame filled my being, and I averted my eyes from Apollo's. "Nothing. I just fell and hurt myself. You know how clumsy I was as a mortal."

Apollo frowned before reaching towards me and humming a hymn. The pain I felt disappeared, and I could breathe again. "Now tell me the truth this time. You forget I'm the God of truth."

With that, I told him everything. Knowing Apollo, like I do though, he probably knew the truth the whole time and had been watching me like the creeper he is. "Please don't do anything, Apollo," I begged. My hands clasped tightly in front of me, and tear's pricking my eyes. "He may be horrible, but he's helping protect Percy and me."

"But he hurt you Ambrose, and even though your a goddess no mortal should ever lay a hand on you like that." His fingers brushed gently against my cheek, I knew it was the same spot Gabe had backhanded me.

"Please Apollo." My eyes bore into his. "I can handle it. I've been through this cycle before." A shuddering breath left my lips as I repressed the memories of my first mortal life. "What about Percy? Is he ok?"

"He's fine, I made him fall asleep." Apollo sat back, eyes flickering with a million emotions. "I also made Gabe think he was still beating you when I took you from there. Mortals can be so stupid when the Mist gets manipulated even the slightest bit."

A small smile twitched on my lips. "I know, but if it also wasn't for them we wouldn't be where we are today." My small four-year-old hands grabbed his. "But I need you to promise me you won't do anything to this particular mortal that will kill him. Percy and I need him alive. Otherwise, I don't think Uncle will care if I die." Which can still happen to me went unsaid.

With a frown on his face and hard eyes, Apollo replied. "Fine, but if he hurts you again I will heal you. Just like I do every time." His lips pressed a kiss to the crown of my head. "Please be safe Ambrose."

"I will, Apollo." My eyes closed and a shuddering breath left my mouth. "Now please send me back. Gabe should be done thinking he has beaten me."

Apollo snapped his fingers and my vision went black.

"Lessy! Lessy are you ok?" A high pitched voice called.

My eyes blinked open and connected with Percy's water-filled eyes. Tears flowed down his cheeks and his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug when he saw I was awake.

"I'm ok Percy," I murmur. Arms wrapped tightly to my sides. "You're ok Percy. We're both ok."

His body wracked with sobs and snot was smeared across my shirt. Rocking us back and forth slowly calming him down.

"Sally." I shuffled nervously, hands wringing together. "Can I ask a favor?"

Sally turned from the sink with a hum. Her hands grabbing the dishtowel and wiping them in it. "What is it Alessa?"

Quickly glancing off to the side I brought up what has been on my mind. "So you know how Father said that I was here to watch over Percy?" Sally nodded. "Well, the deal was that I'd go in check-in at Olympus once every two weeks. I was wondering if it's possible for you to take me to the Empire State Building? And of course, if anyone asks where I am since I'll probably be gone for more than a day always use the excuse that I was in the hospital. The mist will help to alter the memories…" Before I could continue rambling on Sally walked over and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"Of course I'll take you to the Empire State Building." She brushed my hair behind my ears. "When do you need to go?"

Grinning I threw my hands around Sally in a hug. "Later today if possible!"

Sally giggled and told me she'd finish up the dishes then take me to where I asked. Percy thankfully was gone at a friend's house for the weekend.

Thanking Sally for the ride I got out of the car and shuffled into the building. People jostled me from side to side and I calmly weaved my way through them. If only Uncle hadn't turned me human again. Then I'd be able to just zap myself onto Olympus, but noooooo, instead he's so scared of what Percy could do and sent me here to spy!

Grumbling angry threats under my breath I walked to the desk and stared into the eyes of the guard to Olympus. "600th floor please and so help me Zeus if you say to me that doesn't exist I will castrate you in the name of the goddess Ambrosine."

The guard stared at me and shakily handed me the card. "He-here you are Miss."

Giving a sweet deadly smile I thanked him and went to the elevator. Though I forgot how crappy the music was and again cursed my uncle out. Thankfully no one decided to join me on the elevator so the ride was relatively peaceful to reach the 600th floor.

The elevator doors opened with a light ding and I gracefully stepped out.

"Glad you could finally join us Alessa. It took you forever though!" A harmonious voice whined grabbing me into a big hug.

"Apollo! Let me go!" I cried, trying to pry myself out of his arms.

The god only laughed and proceeded to transport us into the throne room.