Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
A/N: So Malcolm doesn't have a last name that I know of so it's going to remain as a question mark... Same with any other characters with last names yet to be revealed.
Also, I need help. What's Nyssa's personality like in the Heroes of Olympus? The next chapter is about her and I have an idea but I need her personality so I can write about it. Thanks!
Chapter 12: Malcolm ?
It was library day again. That day which Malcolm both relished and hated at the same time because his father always kept him under strict instruction of what to read and what not to read.
Not to read, of course, being one of those gory horror books with lots of psychological killings with rampaging monsters with some ulterior motive.
Strangely though, Malcolm realized that his father never minded him reading one of the Greek mythology books- no matter how much blood and gore there was.
He was picking up one of those books, the one with Athena, because she was respectable in her own way. Sitting down, he looked across the chair to see his father who was busy staring at a lady that looked strangely like the comic lady in his book.
Hmm.
It was peculiar, Malcolm realized. Especially since his father was a man who was strict and always kept him under close watch to make sure that he was growing up to be a respectable boy who didn't swear or stare at ladies butts.
He had an overprotective father, who was turning out to be hypocritical. Malcolm watched as the lady stared at the grownup before turning away, because hey, not every lady was flirt and wink and 'well hello there sexy.'
Malcolm hesitantly returned to scanning and stumbling over the lines under his father's usual watchful gaze. He didn't know what OWP was before realizing that it read POW as Athena punched Medusa in the face.
And then he could feel at least two pair of eyes staring at the comic, even though that only his father was reading over his shoulder.
"That's not right," his father muttered. "She didn't punch her. She just cursed her."
Because that's so much better, Malcolm thought. Minding his own business, he continued the intriguing, inaccurate story of what happened between Athena and Medusa.
He glanced up, and saw that his father was staring at the lady. Again. He tapped the older man at the shoulder, and was met by a disapproving stare.
"Father... Why don't you go for her?" Malcolm asked, taking a chance because he knew that his father still held a special connection with his mother... Wherever she was.
"Malcolm!" His father reprimanded shortly.
"Mother's not here," he retorted, albeit bitterly. "She never was. And you never tell me where she is!"
There was a sigh and a quick 'hush!' before he leaned closer to his son. "Your mother is a very independent woman, Malcolm... She didn't exactly like the fact that someone else was... Important in her life. So when she got a grand job of teaching in a country far, far away, she took it and never returned."
"So... Why am I in the picture?" He asked in confusion.
"Ah. Well, don't get me wrong Malcolm. Your mother is an incredible woman. She chose what was right-"
Malcolm stared at his father. "So leaving us was right?"
"Loved ones can sometimes be a burden," his father said shortly. "If we do everything for them- then how can we do anything for ourselves?"
"Is that why you drop me off at the neighbors nearly everyday?" He asked. "To not be burdened?"
He didn't even check out the book, he threw it on the shelving cart and sprinted out of there, ignoring the lady's tutting noises of disapproval of his father's actions.
Malcolm could hear quiet footsteps in staccato beats, rhythmic and fast as they quickly caught up to him. "Let me go!"
"You have a week more to go Malcolm," his father said firmly. "If you never want to see me again, at least wait a week."
Malcolm stopped struggling. "Why a week?"
"Time will tell, son."
"No, tell me why!"
"Stop whining, and let's go home."
Malcolm sullenly got in the car and looked outside at the drab houses and the dreary weather. When they finally got home, he sprinted to the house, and opening the door with his keys, ran to his room where his collection of books and a radio awaited him.
When he selected a book, he ran his fingers through the bumpy CD cases. Even his music selection was limited. All there was, was classical and some conservative singers. He knew there was more to the music industry than those- it wasn't possible that there were only that few people singing that didn't include parties or inappropriate stuff or profanity.
He would've scoured the Internet, but there wasn't any wifi connection that belonged to his house. Even if he did own a computer, all parental restrictions would be turned on.
Malcolm wondered if anything would be different if his mother was living with them.
A/N: This one is hopefully better than the other one... Or worse, I don't know... Anyways, keep the requests coming in, and please, help me with my question from above. Thanks for all the support!
bubble4life: Thank you so much for the suggestions!
percabethlethan4ever: Hmmm... I don't know about Nico and Bianca because Hades was there with them when they were growing up... Maybe Reyna and Hylla, possibly... And I did do a sibling one shot with Jason and Thalia. But still, thanks for the suggestions!
HoOisawesome: Thank you! And thanks for the requests as well!