Hey guys! Woah, thanks for all the reviews last chapter! I have to say that I'm extremely impressed that everyone (that guessed) got the movie reference right! It was indeed the Sorcerer's Apprentice, one of my all time favorites! :) I said that reference around some friends (not my best friends, just some regular friends) and none of them got it! It blew my mind, but then i figured that maybe it's not that popular after all. You guys proved me wrong! (Thanks for that.) Nick Cage is also one of my top few favorite actors. I really love his National Treasure movies, and his role as the Ghost Rider is pretty awesome. Of course, let's not forget Sorcerer's Apprentice! What about you guys? What's your favorite Nick Cage movie? Anyways, lets got on with the chapter! After all, you guys had to wait an extra day for it due to the football game! I own nothing, but please enjoy this chapter! :) You guys rock.
Percy's POV
I tried to listen intently to the sound of the shoes hitting the pavement. The footsteps sounded feminine, but I couldn't tell for certain.
At least, not until a beautiful noise filled the air. Was that... Singing?
Yes, yes it was.
In an obviously female voice, someone was singing a song I vaguely remembered. Eventually, the lyrics clicked with a distant memory in my mind. Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick. Both my mother and... Annabeth used to like this song. Both strong, independent women... Both taken from me with no warning.
In a melodious voice, the singer sang the lyrics so softly at first before gaining volume (and, seemingly, confidence as well).
"2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?,
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason
'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe
May he turned 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
"Just a day" he said down to the flask in his fist,
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.
Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe
There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you'd only try turning around.
2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to
But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
and breathe, just breathe
woah breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe."
The singing stopped, the last note echoing forlornly across the balcony. My back was still against the brick wall, but I realized with a start that I was no longer suppressing sobs and sniffles.
Slowly, i attempted to stand up, if only to simply learn the identity of the person that unknowingly helped me. However, my legs had fallen asleep, preventing me from being able to put weight on them.
Across the garden, the mysterious singer sighed heavily to herself. Through the trees, I saw her stand up, ready to walk away. I felt my breath catch in my throat; I'd be able to see her face above the bushes!
The breath left me in a whoosh as I realized that she was wearing a hood. Not uncommon, as many people wished to conceal their identity on a day-to-day basis. Even I wore a hood, to hide my previous life from the ignorant and forgetful.
Against all odds, I was hoping she wouldn't. Or at least that she wouldn't indoors. But my rotten luck prevailed.
She he was about to walk out the door. I couldn't even tell what color hair she had. I had to do something...
I was about to stand on wobbly legs by now. With my legs slightly apart, old man shoes on my feet, I held my hands out in front of me and concentrated on how I needed to do this in order to stop her. I had to do this. I had only one shot.
A sphere of energy began to grow grow between my outstretched hands. It glowed brightly, so brightly that I was shocked that she didn't notice it. However, not as shocked as I was at how bright I had made it glow.
In one smooth motion, the sphere of energy flew out of my hands and hit the wall right next to the door just as the girl opened it. Immediately, her head whipped around to look at me as her hand reached down to her waist, seemingly ready to grab a weapon. Apparently, she decided she didn't need the weapon upon seeing me.
"Raven? When did you get here?" She asked, trying to remain casual. Using my powers, however, I could sense her growing anxiety.
"Longer than you have," I supplied shortly. "Who are you?"
She gulped. "Cutting right to the chase, I see. My codename is Sunshine, but everyone calls me Sunny."
I frowned slightly underneath my hood. I didn't want her codename; I wanted her actual name! But I couldnt be pushy.
"Your song was beautiful," I told her. She tried to bat away the compliment. "No, I'm being honest. I came here to have a nervous breakdown, but then you started singing. As you can see, I'm no longer on the verge of a breakdown. Thank you for that."
Sunny stared at me for a moment. "I... You're welcome, Raven."
I paused, coming up with an idea. "No amount of thanks I give you can make up for what you unknowingly helped me with. In return, I can do you a favor or answer any question, as long as it doesn't break any rules, promises, or codes."
The girl seemed flustered. Perfect. "I don't know what to ask for!"
"I could always tell you my real name."
She stared at me. "You'd do that?" I nodded. "Ok then. Will you tell me your real name?"
I took a deep breath. "My real name is Perseus Jackson, but my friends called me Percy."
The girl gasped. "Percy...?"
With a flourish, she unveiled her face, one I remembered even after all the years. She hasn't changed one bit.
Hey guys! Don't worry; I'm not changing update days. I just wanted to wish everyone (especially my fellow Americans) a happy end of the world! After all, Tuesday (today) was Election Day! No matter who ends up winning the election, happy end of the world!