Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Chapter 25
They were all grateful for the cop when they heard him say that. Percy managed a small smile.
"He'll have a trial of course," the cop said, sighing. "But I'm sure that the judge will sentence him to prison for a long time. Maybe even forever. You'll all have to be there as well."
"We will," Thalia confirmed. "We'll definitely will be there."
The others nodded, agreeing with Thalia's statement.
"So do you have any other family to stay with?" The cop asked another question.
Percy shook his head, refusing to let anyone see his face, as he thought of his dead mother. Dead rang out in his mind and the night of the death replayed in his mind, like Gabe could control images in people's minds, and placed the scene in his head repeatedly.
"He'll stay with us," Nico said, speaking for both him and Thalia. "We're his cousins."
Now the cop looked interested. "On your mom or dad's side?"
"Dad I think."
"Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon. One of them could be Percy's father."
A long silence held in the room. Percy had never thought of it that way before. He was hopeful, but at the same time, angry, because his father had never visited or sent anything to help them.
Thalia rummaged in her pockets and got out a picture. In the picture, there were three brothers. She pointed at each one, her gaze lingering on every single one until she caught sight of Poseidon. Her breath stopped for one second as she looked at him, and then at Percy.
"I think Poseidon's your father Percy," Thalia said as she handed the picture over to him. "You look almost exactly like him."
Percy felt anger inside of him. Poseidon was the richest business man for the fishing industries, owning ever fishing and ocean land there was. His father was rich. Very rich. He owned dozens of oceans and lots of fishing industries, and yet, here he was, being abused by Gabe, living in the apartment.
Percy gave the picture back to Thalia, making sure he didn't rip the picture in half. Making sure he didn't rip Poseidon's smiling face in half.
"We see our dads once a year," Nico spoke, a tiny bit of bitterness in it. "We could arrange a meeting for you and Poseidon to come as well if you want."
Another silence. And then-
"No," Percy decided. "I don't want to meet him."
While Annabeth was surprised, Thalia and Nico weren't. They understood how he felt.
"Why not?" Annabeth asked curiously.
"It's been a few years Annabeth," Percy responded, looking her straight in the eyes. "No contact, no support, nothing to help me, or my dead mom. And now that I know who he is, that he's really rich, I don't want to meet him."
Annabeth had to nod at that speech. It made sense. She felt a twinge of bitterness to Poseidon as well, she couldn't help it. All those years and he didn't do a single thing to help Percy at all.
"And are you sure you want to live with your cousins?" The cop asked.
Percy nodded, a bit of enthusiasm spreading. "Yes I do."
"Ok," the cop sighed before continuing. "You'll have to say that to the court as well then."
"That's fine."
"I'm done here then. Don't worry; I'm sure the court will let you do what you want."
And with those words spoken, the cop left, leaving a reassuring smile as he closed the door.
"Are you prepared for court then Percy?" Annabeth asked, once the cop left.
"Yup."
And before Annabeth could reply, Frederic Chase barged through the door. And he looked mad. She closed her eyes, sighing as she reopened them.
"You are not going to court Annabeth," Mr. Chase said. "We're going home. Come on."
"No," Annabeth replied fiercely. "I'm going to court with my friends, whether you like it or not."
"Annabeth," now Mr. Chase was being more cold and serious. "Come back home. Now."
"No."
"Mr. Chase," Thalia spoke coldly, gritting her teeth. "I suggest you leave. This is a police ward. If Percy presses this button, then two cops will come. So I suggest you take my suggestion and leave."
"I have done no harm, and I have done nothing wrong to Annabeth or any of you. I have given my daughter a home. Food. Safety. What can the cops do about that? Nothing. What have you done for her then?"
By now, everyone was glaring at Mr. Chase. He found himself looking at four different colors of eyes: Green, blue, black, and grey. It was intimidating, but he held his ground.
"They gave me a sense of belonging," Annabeth spoke sharply, breaking the long more than awkward silence. "A sense that you can never give me."
By now, Mr. Chase was lost for words, and furious. "Well if you feel that way then don't come back."
And without any second thoughts, Mr. Chase stormed out of the room. Annabeth tried to keep her cool, putting up a mask of monotone. But even masks can break. Five seconds was all it took before her mask broke. She didn't cry, she hadn't cried since her real mother left. But she let all of her masks break. And for once, all of the cousins could see the truth in her grey eyes.
"Let's just go ask the people when we're going to court," Annabeth muttered before going through the already opened door and closing it behind her.
"I'll go with her," Thalia added, and ran after Annabeth quickly.
That only left the two cousins in the infirmary.
"What do you do when you see them anyway?" Percy asked Nico.
"We eat and talk," Nico shrugged.
"Talk about what?"
"Random stuff. It always ends up awkward though. I'm glad it's only once a year."
Percy nodded, resisting the urge to ask 'how awkward?' He looked out the window and saw that it was getting dark.
"Nico what would you do if I died?" Percy blurted out randomly.
Nico stared at Percy, alarm in his eyes. "No comment. Just try not to die, or else I'll put cameras in your room."
Percy laughed. "That sounds like you're a stalker."
"As long as you don't die, or even commit suicide, I don't care what people call me."
Nico regretted the words out of his mouth the instant he saw a gleam in Percy's eyes. "I was kidding about the cameras. That would be disgusting."
Percy nodded, agreeing. "Yes it would be."
The cousins both ended up with Nico trying to help Percy breath again as they laughed too hard.
"I'll get a nurse, wait here," Nico said in a rush, as he ran off to find someone.
Percy had time to nod, before he coughed again, louder this time. A few minutes had passed. And then suddenly, Gabe was in front of him, smiling maniacally. He stared at his stepfather in fear as he raised a gun and shot it...
It was a hallucination. That's what Percy realized as he saw a nurse and Nico running towards him. He sighed in relief, and coughed again. He looked down at the white sheets he was laying in. A hint of blood was sprayed on it like a graffiti circle colored in with red spray-paints.
"You're going to be fine alright?" The nurse spoke gently. "Just drink some water, and you'll be fine. It's nothing too serious."
But Percy could see the nurse look at the blood. She was just trying to reassure him. He nodded, pretending he didn't see the look she was sending him.
Footsteps and the sound of the door opening and closing prevented anyone from saying something. Annabeth and Thalia had returned.
"I asked the person when we're going to court," Annabeth said, tired from running so fast. "And we're going to court tomorrow."
"That quick?" Nico asked, surprised.
Annabeth nodded. "That was the only available time. Unless you want to wait two weeks till the next one...?"
"No," Percy spoke for the first time since his coins and friend came in the room. "Tomorrow's fine. We'll just have to be prepared. We can't let Gabe get away with this."
A/N: Sorry for the late update, it ended up with one other story being late to update, and then I had to do it in order, so this ended up being late as well. I know Annabeth's dad was OOC, so I'm sorry about that. Thanks for all the support!
to lazy to login (Guest): I am really sorry, even though I published it, I really am. I forgot to put on the author's note 'no offense to any cop or police.' I don't have any reason to tell you why I put that part up there. I'm really sorry if I offended anyone, I really am.
Semperfi1: Thanks for that information.