Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

A/N: I know almost nothing about court cases, so some information will probably not be true- but this is Fanfiction so bear with me. In other words, this chapter is completely fictional from actual court cases.

Chapter 39

It was to be said, when both men, well, a vile creature and a teenager with a life experience of fourteen years, stared at each other from across the court, a 'war' between two people broke out. The pudgy creature gave a roaring, booming yell that soon became hoarse as he pounded his fist on the wooden patterned railing in front of him.

At about the same time, the teenager with a life experience of being physically and mentally abused drew back, clutching onto the person behind him. His fists were clenched tightly, his gritty fingernails digging into his skin- causing even more blood to come out.

"Hey," a female voice called out, even though she had been with him the entire time- before they entered and the time before that. Technically the 'hey' was unnecessary. Still. "Stop hurting yourself."

The response was digging them even further as if offering it to 'the dude who could sniff money like a bloodhound.' The girl with the cascading blonde curls nudged him, almost hissing in his ear as she spoke another warning.

"I WARNED YOU JACKSON!" Gabe roared, finally bellowing something clearly.

The judge banged his small mallet as if a little toddler in a temper tantrum. It did little effect as Gabe continued his fatuous empty threats towards his stepson who did little to prevent it- instead taking them and nearly tripping over the feet of his female companion.

She understood. Carefully, she unclenched his hand, taking out a band aid from her jean pocket and placing it in his hand. They stared; the sea green looked grateful and extremely worried while the stormy grey ones were confident yet concerned.

"ORDER!" The judge finally managed to howl out. Somehow, he managed to have a little accent in there, sounding like a pirate ambushing the ship. "Thank you."

The man with the wig continued his short intro, handing it over to the lawyers. Usually, she would be focusing on every single word they spoke, but her mind wasn't exactly keen on listening to the people drone on and on.

Concentrating, she scanned the scenery around her, watching Gabe and the people she knew carefully. Currently the abuser was sitting on the stand, his shoulders slightly hunched and his facial expression furious with the slightest hint of unease. Good for him.

Two teenagers who slightly resembled Percy and his hair shuffled awkwardly as they stared ahead- trying to make eye contact with their cousin. Their eyes showed confidence as if they had no doubt that the green eyed teenager would win the case.

"- punk deserved what he got Mr. Judge," Gabe spoke through gritted teeth- attempting to act respectful.

A snort could be heard in the silent courtroom. Gabe glared at the direction of the sound, his two eyes narrowed as he snarled. The judge cleared his throat, calling for the people's attention. His eyebrows were raised at the 'Mr. Judge' part.

"Right," Hermes, the lawyer for Percy spoke, sounding doubtful. "So..."

The talking continued and Annabeth stopped listening, gripping Percy's hand tightly as support.

"I didn't know you had a lawyer," she whispered in his ear.

He jumped slightly, calming down when he figured out it was only his companion. "I... I didn't know either actually... I'm guessing it has something to do with Poseidon."

"You still haven't accepted the fact that Poseidon is your father have you?"

He shook his head sorrowfully, looking down at the floor. "If he was there from the start..."

"My mom wasn't there from the-"

"And now, my client will prove you, the evidence which will prove to you that Mr. Ugliano is guilty of child abuse," Hermes concluded, gesturing towards Percy.

Murmurs in the small crowd increased the tension. She could feel her hand being squeezed to an extent of pain.

"You have to do this Percy," she encouraged, though understood his fear. "After this, Gabe could go to jail. Do it for yourself."

It was the opposite of what Gabe had told him in the past year, but he figured that things were changing. He gulped, taking a short glance at his companion beside him before standing up hesitantly.

Hermes gave a small encouraging smile, before dropping it after he looked at the abuser.

"Why, you little shi-" Gabe spoke out, watching with a cold heart.

The judge banged his gavel, getting frustrated at the outbursts at random intervals. Surprisingly, no words had to be spoken to quiet the tubby man, who simply sneered in response, cracking his knuckles.

Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him, wondering how he could just act so uncaring about it. He had absolutely no tactic at all to defend his case, instead choosing to take the stupid way and basically indirectly admitting that he had abused his stepson without any remorse.

"JACKSON-"

"SILENCE!"

She refused to watch the nauseous sight, instead choosing to watch her shoes. The laces were almost symmetric, nearly identical, but the thin rope sagged and drooped once she moved slightly. She breathed in deeply and exhaled, averting her eyes to anywhere but her companion.

"Alright Percy, that's... enough," Hermes spoke, trailing off at the end.

Curiosity would be her downfall, and she knew it. Her eyes scanned over every detail and as much as she wanted to turn away, she didn't. She was one of the few whose eyes remained, shellshocked as she watched the bruises- both old and new- on the pale skin.

The sound of squeaking on the sparkly clean floor could be heard throughout the large room. It was his sneakers which caused the sound as he hastily hurried back to his seat.

The judge cleared his throat awkwardly, an excellent pokerface expression as he stared at Gabe. He stared at the spot next to the criminal. Empty.

"Do you have any lawyers at all?"

"No."

"We have all the evidence you need, if this man is not sentenced-"

Percy stared at his father, surprised he was even there. Sure, pretend you care... He continued looking at the floor, his pokerface on neutral- the facade an excellent mask to cover up his unhappiness and fear. The element of emotion still remained, even when he was at least more than ten meters away from his real boogeyman.

Threats danced around his head as reality finally sank in. To him, it had felt like he was daydreaming- and when he stared in those heartless brown eyes of his stepfather, the inner self consciousness awakened.

"Trying to snitch on me boy?" Gabe asked, his pupils looking dilated.

In response, the twelve year old whimpered, cowering back in fear. His fists were clutching onto the worn out sofa which had sagged when the man had sat on it.

"I asked you a question," he jeered, his booze breath emitting from his opened mouth.

Still- no reply came except for the violent shivering as Gabe swung a lazy punch. He staggered backwards, falling on his backside with a small thump. Being too skinny didn't have any perks- which was part of the reason he winced when he heard a crack.

"If you ever snitch again or get home late boy," Gabe slurred, nodding his head as if reassuring himself. "I'll make sure it backfires... I'll make sure you get your ass kicked before you even go to jail... Now that... That is a promise I will keep..."

The sound of maniacal laughter before he began to attempt to sit up. He blacked out when he found a foul smelling foot to his nose.

Don't... Don't get home late...

He was okay. Blinking, he saw that nothing seemed to have changed. Gabe was still intent on killing him, and the judge still seemed to have an excellent pokerface on.

"Y-You- Damn you boy," Gabe yelled angrily. "Screw you- you bastard, no good piece of shit! I hate you, you know that? And when I go to court, I'm going to kill you, you hear me? I'm. Going. To. Kill. You!"

The recording of Gabe's voice was distorted. Poseidon fast forwarded it, and the angry voice was heard once again.

"You had to get me arrested didn't you boy?" Gabe hissed. "Let me tell you something Jackson, when I get out of these damn cuffs, I'm going to kill you. Slowly. Painfully. Harsher than any other beating I've ever given you."

The businessman was about to press the button again when someone stopped him.

"Enough Poseidon," the judge spoke. His eyes met with the criminal's before banging his gavel. "I hereby decree Gabriel Ugliano guilty of first degree murder and child abuse, sentencing a lifelong time in prison."

A/N: First off, I apologize for not updating for (about) two months, I still had school, so it was only a few days ago, when I started the summer holidays. I'm also sorry for any OOCness and the short length. Other than that, thanks for all the support!