A/N: Hi guys. Sorry, I know I said that I will be updating twice a month and I apologize that this chapter took long but with the holiday, I was busy catching up with my family and what not that I didn't really have time to write.

How was your holiday? I would love to here about it. Tell me through the reviews. :D

In this chapter, I introduced Luke. I accidentally wrote his name on the second chapter but this has been my plan for him all along. Most of fanfictions I've read pictured look as the bad guy most of the time. I wanted to explore his other side, the part we got to see in The Demigod Diaries.

ProdigiXvX:Maybe because I'm only an amateur? Haha. Don't worry, writing here and having amazing readers like you is more than enough. As for your question, I was supposed to include Reyna's back story here but I thought that it will be better to keep you guys in the dark longer. (I know, I'm evil) and there will definitely be flashbacks for Percy's childhood. :D

panda-l0ver728:I sincerely thank you for not getting tired of reading this story. :D

MidnightBoredom:Oh, my. But I trust you're okay?

purpleorchid25:I did do some research. :D

Tina-Daughter-Of-Poseidon-23:Well, I hope you're back to life now. Kidding. Anyway, what i can tell you is that she did kill someone, not just figuratively. And those feelings? Yeah. Man, they were heavy. Will you share what happened? Or is it too personal? (Don't mean to sound intrusive here) Peace. :D

bobiskewl:I honestly don't know. Let's figure it out in the end together. :D

randombabeLOL:And I'm glad you like it. Thank you for giving this story a shot.

FanFicCriTicTheThird:That's okay. I kind of understand you. As a reader, I hate cliffhangers but as a writer, I just adore them so much! :D

WisegirlAnnabethChase:Here it is, no need for violence. :D

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NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 20: IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS

PERCY

My Dad's idea of helping me blew.

It blew because I ended breaking lots of things up. It blew because I never lost control like that before. It blew because my Dad knew the words that could make me snap; it blew because even though she tried so hard to hide it, I knew Reyna was scared of me now, after witnessing what happened. She sat beside me at the back of my Dad's car and although her hands were enclosed around mine, she was sitting a little far from me.

But most of all, it blew because I think it actually helped me. I didn't have the need to bawl my eyes out every few minutes whenever I think of my son's condition. I felt somewhat more whole, more grounded. I stopped feeling like my whole existence was helium inside a balloon, like with one snip of a string, I would float away and never had the strength to come back.

I shook my head and told myself to deal with it later. What I have to focus right now was where Dad was taking us. He said it was a support group, where people who have cancer, and their love ones meet to share experiences and provide encouragement to each other. I had no idea how Dad knew them, but I was thinking he didn't really know them personally but from someone.

Dad parked the car and I immediately got out. The air inside was too stuffy and I stayed another second, I'm afraid I would've lost what little grip of reality I had managed to establish. I had no idea if it really was fragile, or what, but I didn't dare test it. For what it's worth, I was glad for it.

Reyna got out of the car, followed by Dad. She rounded the car and hesitantly took my hand. I squeezed hers in return. I knew she understood what I was asking for and she was giving it to me.

"Come on," said Dad, gesturing for us to follow him inside.

It was an old church located at the end of the city. I didn't such thing could exist so close to New York. Whereas every building in the city were competing on its high-tech facilities and futuristic designs, the one in front of me was old – a thing of beauty from the time way before me. Despite of its undeniable impressive structure, I could tell that time had took its toll on the building – there were cracks on the wall, one of the windows was broken and the left side of the roof was sagging, like the church was tired of all the things it had witnessed throughout the years.

Dad left himself inside, and after a moment of uncertainty, I did, as well. The light was dimmed, only sufficient for everyone to keep from stumbling on the pews that were pushed off the back to provide room for a circle of chairs right up front, where a small group of people were gathered. Everyone seemed to have signs of illness – there was a young woman who still had an IV drip attached to her arm; there was a guy who I thought was the same age as I was who had his leg propped on a chair, the limb ending just above his knee.

I faltered on my steps. I can't do this. Will Noah end up like that boy who had a severed leg? Or that guy whose face was half-covered in bandages? Only Reyna's steady warmth kept me going.

Sitting in the middle was a tan blonde guy who seemed to be a few years younger than my Dad. He was wearing a huge grin as he shared stories with the people around him. He seemed to be the most normal of the lot – by that I meant he didn't seem to be sick. That was until he turned his head to greet my Dad that I saw the scar on his right eyelids, the skin sewn together. Even with that thing marring his face, I couldn't help but think that he looked familiar.

"Hey, look who decided to pay a visit," he said, standing up and grabbing my Dad's hand. "Poseidon. It's been a long time."

Dad smiled. It was the very first time that I actually saw my father that way. He seemed to be more relaxed, more like the person I always wanted him to be. "Apollo," he greeted back. "How are you these days?"

Poseidon and Apollo? Great, who were those other people – Artemis and Hermes and all those characters from Greek mythology?

The guy seemed to read my expression for he chuckled. "My real name's Anthony Polo Solace, but everyone here calls me Apollo. Don't ask me why."

I frowned. "Solace?" I found myself asking. I looked at Dad, who nodded at me. "As in . . ."

He gave a slight nod. "As in William James Solace, your father's executive secretary. He's my boy." Apollo tapped my father's shoulder. "Your Dad here is one of our major sponsors. We've been friends for almost eight years now and when he found out about my condition six years ago, he offered to send my son to college. I couldn't refuse because it had always been Will's dream to attend a university."

I glanced at my Dad, who was looking intently at Apollo. "It was such a shame to waste a very sharp mind," he stated. I never knew that it was the reason why he sent Will to college. What he told me was that Will was working for him in exchange of him being my Dad's secretary. I never knew that it had something to do with Will's Dad.

"Come, please sit," said Apollo, leading us to the small group of people. He sat in the middle while Dad, Reyna and I took seats together. "Everyone," he said, calling everyone's attention. "Joining us for today is someone whom I knew quiet well." He held out his hand towards my Dad, who gave a somewhat shy nod. "This is Poseidon Jackson, one of the major sponsors of our charity. Come now and let's show him some love," Apollo said enthusiastically, clapping his hand. The group followed suit, smiling at my Dad. He held up his hand and gestured good naturedly back at Apollo. "There is a different reason why he's with us today, though," said Apollo, turning a bit serious. "His son, Percy, is going through something." Apollo gave me a look. "Percy, please go ahead and share."

I looked around, uncertain. What good would it do to share with these people who were going through the same thing as my family? It's not like they could do something about it. I glanced beside and saw Reyna staring at me. She gave a slight nod and from her expression, I got what sharing would do: it would lessen what I was carrying. These people, with their amputated limbs, falling hair and unhealthy skins would understand what it's really like to go through a situation like this.

"It's not me," I began. "It's my son." There were scattered murmurings around. Even here, the idea of someone young fathering a child caused some talk but I didn't let that deter me. As I noticed a guy who was probably a few years older than I was looking at me, who looked so frail he might fall down any second, I went ahead and talked. "Noah's five and he's been diagnosed with APL. Acute promyelocytic leukemia. I – " I faltered, suddenly finding something in my throat that seemed to stop my voice from working properly. I had to swallow a few times before it went away but when I began, my voice sounded hoarse. "It's bad. It's like for every passing second he's slipping farther and farther from my grasp and I couldn't even do something to ease his pain."

There was silence as everyone around me digest my words. I could tell by the look in their eyes that they did understand what I was feeling, only they didn't know what to say. I was grateful for it, in a way, because I didn't need anyone telling me that it's going to be okay, that everything would turn out fine, because in reality, none would be okay.

"We face reality here," said the guy who had been staring at me the whole time I was speaking. From what little hair remain on his head, I could tell he was once sandy-haired. There was a little scar under his right eye. His smile was big, although I could tell that he was in a lot of pain. He was very thing, his cheekbones very prominent on his face. His skin was so pale it looked like all the colors had been drained from it. Even sitting, he looked so fragile, like one slight push of a finger will cause him to fall down.

"What do you mean, Luke?" Apollo asked.

Luke gave him a shy smile. "I mean that we don't try and fool ourselves with meaningless words – words we all know are empty. We accept what really is happening with us and live with that everyday." Luke glanced at me and smiled. His words . . . I don't know but there was something in them that made me return that smile. "It's easier that way, isn't it? Easier than wondering why of all the people in the planet, why us? Why do we have what we have? It's better if we just accept it, and believe that there's a reason, that there is an answer to the question why.

"But in line with that, we also look forward to being cured," he said. The way everyone around him looked at Luke, I could tell that they adored him, looked up to him even. "Because, in reality, we will be, isn't that right, buddy?" he asked the boy sitting beside him, the one without his left arm. The boy gave a loud "Yeah!" and everyone cheered. "Because we are strong enough for it," Luke added.

"We are bad-asses," agreed the boy.

"The baddest," Luke said, ruffling the boy's hair.

I watched them with fascination. Despite of what state they were in, they still looked happy. I wonder how they could feel that way when they could be on the twilight of their lives. Acceptance, I thought. Just what like Luke said.

"I think it would be a good idea for Luke and Percy to have a private talk," Dad suddenly suggested. I gave him a curious look but he just gave me back a stare. We didn't need to talk – that few seconds of eye contact was enough for me to understand what Dad meant. "Will that be okay, Luke?" he asked.

Luke smiled. "Of course. Although Percy here will need to wheel me to the back of the church."

"Sure," I answered simply as I stood up and went behind him. Then I remembered Reyna. I looked at her and she gave me a small smile, mouthing It's okay. "You need to show me where," I murmured to Luke.

"Never fear, my friend. I will lead the way."

Luke led me to a backyard with a tall mahogany tree providing a shade. I parked his wheelchair just under the rustling leaves. I sat down on one of the rocks surrounding the tree's roots. For a while, neither Luke and I spoke, we just looked up and watched the blue sky, the clouds rolling by. The sun shone down and provided us with warmth.

"It's a beautiful day," I commented.

"When you're in a situation such as me, every day is as beautiful as this one," he said. "More, actually." He glanced sideways at me. "Is it because that my days are counted? Probably. But it's more than that. It's because each day is a new beginning, a start for me. I start each day with thanks, grateful that I was given another chance to live. That I'm given another day to spend with the people I love."

I swallowed thickly. "I'm not sure I see the days that way," I said. "Each morning, I start with fear in my heart. What if this it? What if before this day ends . . . they take my son away? I can't bear to see it in a different light."

"You have to see it the right way, Percy," Luke said softly.

I looked at him, unsure. "Is there a way to see it right, Luke? How can I, when every time I look at my son, all I see is how much pain he is in? I don't know, but I don't think there's a right way to see that."

Luke gave me a kind smile. "I understand your point, Percy, I really do, but you also have to understand that seeing a painful situation as painful will only make matters worse. It will just weaken you." He reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it softly. "You know, I was very much like you when I first found out. I was furious; I kept asking why me? Why am I in pain? But you know what happened? I got worse. It was like jumping from the pan straight into the fire. I got weaker; not only me, Percy, but my family, my world, that was barely keeping together, started to fall apart. I stopped it. I changed because I knew I had to.

"Being sick – it's not an excuse to hate the world. I thought that being angry would at least help me distract myself from everything that's happening but you know what it did? It almost killed what little light was left. I knew it was all about me, the fall started with me and I had to stop it. I had to keep my family in one piece."

"So you did it for them?" I asked him. "What about you? They should be the one to try and keep it together for you, not the other way around – " I stopped short, suddenly getting what he's been trying to say all these time.

Luke smiled. "Now I think you understand," he said. He looked up and closed his eyes. "I couldn't just let it get the best of me. My disease is already sucking my life away, I wasn't going to let it suck the happiness out of my family, too. They must've seen my effort for they, too, changed. My mother and younger brother." He opened his eyes and gazed down at me. "I know I don't have to say a lot of things to make you understand, Percy. That's something I noticed about you. You don't like hearing people say words because you know more than enough. You get what's happening and what has to be done."

I found myself smiling. "You know, ever since we found out about my son's condition, everyone's been talking to me about how everything's going to be okay and how it's all going to work out in the end. There are too many words. It's surprising that someone I just met today was the one who saw that. What gave it away?" I asked curiously.

"When Apollo was talking earlier, you had this distracted look, like you're just hearing what he's saying and not really listening to any word of it," he answered. "I knew because I'm just like you."

"You don't like hearing sympathetic words, too?"

Luke shook his head. "Never have, never will. You know when people say those words, I don't think that they know what it's all about – they just want to be there beside you. What they don't know is that being there physically is more than enough. They don't have to say anything. Besides, the more words, the more painful it is. It's like rubbing salt in a wound."

I scoffed. "Perfect representation."

"What I'm trying to say," he paused, looking at me. "What we're trying to say is that it doesn't matter if they don't say anything. They just have to be there and we'll be okay."He paused. "I guess that's what your son will tell you if he has the chance." I bit my lower lip, not really sure if what Luke is going to say would help, but it proved that everything he just did kind of helped me in a way that I didn't anticipate. "You know, all of this is leading to something, Percy. Everything I said leads to this: do not let this destroy you. It's not about what you feel; it's about how much your son is depending on you. What I can tell you from the end of the sick is that we try to keep it together, not for ourselves but for the people that we care about. Because the physical pain is nothing if we see the ones that we care about hurting because of us – that's a whole lot worse."

I took in a deep breath. "I know that, Luke. I know that Noah is being strong for me, but each time I see him in pain, I can't help but think that the world is just messing with me. That maybe it's just pushing me again and again to see how much it will take to break me. Shoves that don't really have any reason."

"There is a reason, Percy," Luke replied. "This sickness I have, I get now why I was chosen to have it, of all the people."

"Do you really believe in that crap?" I asked.

Luke chuckled. "I do believe in that crap, Percy, because I've seen it. I've witnessed the reason," he said.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Apollo said that the reason for me is so that people can see someone fighting their fights," said Luke. "Apollo said that through me, they came to know strength. He said that when others who are on the same situation as me that having this kind of illness doesn't mean that it's going to end. It just means that we're the strongest amongst the strongest why we're chosen to have it."

"And you really do believe it?"

"I do, Percy," he said. "Maybe you don't see it now, but I'm sure you'll see it soon. You'll understand why."

I wanted to ask him a question but the door opened and came out was my Dad and Reyna. "Perce," Rey said. "We have to go back to the hospital."

I shot up to my feet, terrible ideas running in my head. "W-why? What happened?"

"Relax," said Dad. "Noah's okay. It's Annabeth," he informed me. "It's seemed that Josiah Hudson found out where she is and went there."

"What did he do?" I asked, remembering the last time that we had an encounter. Josiah Hudson didn't give a second thought and hurt my son. "I swear, if he hurt Noah again – "

"He didn't," said Dad. "Annabeth said that much, but she sounds quiet distressed and we all know you're the only one who can really calm her down."

"All right, let's go," I said, then looked down at Luke. He gave me a kind smile. "Thank you, Luke. I'm hoping we can have another talk again," I said as I held out my hand. "It was nice meeting you."

He reached up and took my hand. "The pleasure's mine, Percy. And if you ever need a friend to talk to, I'll be here," he promised.

Annabeth was sitting outside Noah's room when we arrived. She looked unhurt but her eyes were red and there were dried tracks of tears on her face. She stood up when she saw us and wiped her face.

"Hey," she greeted.

"What happened?" I asked, taking a peek inside my son's room. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that he was okay, asleep on his bed. "Where's Josiah? What was he doing here?"

"He came to apologize," she answered. "I told him I wasn't ready and he got upset."

"Did he hurt you? Was that the reason why you called? Did he hurt you?" I asked again, looking at her up and down.

"No," she answered, her voice shaking. "That's not the reason why I called, Seaweed Brain." She looked down and I saw tears running down her face.

"What?" I asked in exasperation. "What is it?"

She looked up, her expression pained. "Percy, I told Noah the truth."

[Next - Chapter 21: ON MY WAY]