Percy's POV:
I know them, I know that I know them, but that's it. Their names keep slipping away. Yet, it feels natural talking and acting like my old self. I want to trust them, I want to take the blind leap of faith. I just... can't. What if I'm wrong? I remember making a deal with a man as tall and sturdy as a statue. I remember choosing that damn ultimatum because he knows. That damn freak knows where my family resides, where my friends live. He has eyes everywhere. Until I remember them, I remember only one friend that is still alive outside of my mother's territory. The others... are dead.
I can't lose anymore. I want to make sure everything is alright. Until I have it all back. Water, my dad's domain - my brother's home, helps. Being home helps. The invisible walls in my head are cracking. Just a little more and I think it will crumble. I think I need one last push. One big thing that dominoes into the others. I feel the edge. I feel things beginning to slip through the cracks; smiles, memories, places... those that I wanted to help.
I'm not lying, yet I need to be careful. I'm also very sorry for hitting the two ladies. However, they hurt the family that I do know and I will not let that slide. I need to know. I can see how they look at me like I'm some caged animal ready to break out at any moment. They are not sure about me. Well the same goes for me about them.
I stood waist deep in my home, "I'm sorry mom. Please tell the other's I will be back soon. I swear it. I just need-" Nasaea placed her hand on my thigh stopping me.
"I know. We're not going anywhere." Nasaea smiled. And I wanted to cry. I don't deserve them. Not the way they listened to me to stay hidden, nor how mom just held me as I let it out. I know I should be protecting them, but honestly? That feels like a two way path at this point. I protect them from the physical and they... From the mental. I have a lot of mental trauma. Even if they are kept at bay for the moment. Maybe it is best if I don't remember.
I nodded at her and clapped my hands together, drawing strength from the water. I extended my self grabbing hold of Wise girl and Zoe. Wise Girl... Zoe... Hmm, that's nice.
I let myself dissolve, ignoring their pleas. Maybe it's rude, yet I can't find it in myself to care. I am also not letting them stay. They are going to be coming with me. To me, it is nearly instantaneous. The shift from solid to liquid and back to solid. For those not from the same domain, it is extremely uncomfortable. If I could change it then, I would.
Out of all the outcomes, out of all my memories, it is sad that I haven't been able to properly stay in touch with the one normal person in my life. Well normal compared to my life. You know, where she only has normal mortal problems. None of this mystical crap, where there is only nightmarish realities targeting those special few. It makes me kind of jealous.
From the outside her house looks stylish. Even I know that this is far from a normal home. But it is her normal. It has been built with cypress wood and has neat stone decorations touching up places all around the place. Small, rounded windows add to the overall style of the house and have been added to the house in a very asymmetric way. That just shows the many levels.
The house is equipped with a fully redesigned kitchen that I know barely sees any usage. With at least four spacious bathrooms, it also has a warm living room with a real fire place, and a mounted TV thingy. Which I was told is top of the line, three bedrooms, a spacious dining room, an office and a spacious garage with vehicular machines that I am completely lost on. Oh and one more open fire-oven-type thing with its own chimney in the kitchen. If my memory serves correctly.
The building is shaped like a squared S. The two extensions extend into overgrown wooden overhanging panels circling around half the house right next to a green wooded area. The first place we actually met. And hit me completely off guard. It through me for a loop cause she was the first one to... *Cough* Anyway, I definitely remember this place.
The second floor is the same size as the first, which has been built exactly on top of the floor below it. This floor follows the same style as the floor below. But with the change of only having one bedroom and bathroom while the rest were situated on the first. The extra rooms were converted to an extra storage room for all her pop's various gizmos and gadgets. As well as a game room, or as she liked to call it, depression hall because it's no fun when you're the only one ever doing anything in there.
The roof is flat and is covered with grayish stone slabs. Two large chimneys sit at the side of the house. Many smaller windows let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof. The house itself is surrounded by a well kept garden. Grass, flower patches and trees have been placed in a stylish way. Overall it was not directly on the road that led to the big city. A little more out of the way, just for that extra sense of privacy. Not that it helped keep the crazies away... I'm not a crazy; right place right time type of deal. I think.
"Percy?" I think Wise Girl just now healed up from that little jump. By little, I don't mean so little. "Where are we?" I think this place is called Okleehomie? Maybe. I'm still not good at the whole geography thing. Too many names.
"I don't know the name." That seemed to satisfy her for the second, "Stay here."
"No, no way. I'm not letting you out of my sight until I'm done with this mission." Zoe downright denied me this.
"I don't care. I'm going there alone. This is not a request. If not then next time we jump, I'll drop you off somewhere and you'll never see me again." I threatened looking into each of their eyes. "You know I can. I've been running this long, what's a little longer?" Zoe glared, but didn't say anything else. So I left them, walking right up to the front door.
I knocked, once, twice, three times, then stepped back. The same way I've grown accustomed to. A minute passed and a shadow passed by the front door. I held my breath. The door unlatched, slowing swinging open. The light shining through dispersing the shadows of the night. Just the shape of a human outlined, "Perseus? Is that really you?" I guess I have changed quite a bit. "My my my, you've grown up so much!" I guess the mist is doing it's duty. I doubt she'd recognize the real me. I hardly recognize myself.
"I thought I said to call me Percy ma'am." It's the same conversation I've had before.
"Only if you start calling me Jane." She stated smiling slightly. Yea, the nostalgia is real. "Come on in, please. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you." She stepped to the side of the doorway to let me through, but I hesitated. As much as I would love to go back to the way things were and just act normal; I can't. There is a looming threat just waiting to drag me away and I don't want them to get caught up in any of it.
"Apologies, I can't." I drop my head in shame. If I wasn't like this then perhaps.
"Is everything alright?" She bent down to my level. If it were anyone else I'd probably be a little insulted. I'm big for the age I think I am and fitter. And yet, still a child.
"I'd be lying if I said it was. I've just got caught up in something and just want to make sure-" She cut me off.
"Hey, it's okay... You're a good kid Percy. I'll call her down." Jane is a secretary, the best one I've ever got the pleasure to meet. I was so sure she would have kicked me out the first, but... How in the hell am I so lucky to find all these understanding people? I mean I look like a delinquent. I'm a wanted child for goodness sake. And who knows what the hell I did between back then and now! I could be a felon for all I know!
I heard her before I even saw her. The thumping of feet smacking the stairs in a rush and without delay my hand subconsciously raised to the necklace around my throat. The pipe that I used to play for the hell of it. Probably most precious possession. I sensed it when I first woke, I couldn't lose it again. So now it's back with me. It's reassuring knowing I have it back.
She jumped down the last few set of stairs and flew out of the door launching across the threshold with a full blown hug in tow. "Percy! OH my god! Oh my god! What the hell happened!? I thought you died!" She crushed me in an overwhelming hug and almost toppled me over. Almost. "You just stopped visiting! And even writing! I thought the worst happened! You can never do that again!" The words just flowed right out of her mouth. She dug her head into my shoulder, her tears soaking the side of my neck.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Pipes." I whispered hugging her back even tighter. When Piper takes a back she kept her arms around my neck, poor girl kept sniffling. I realized it's been even longer than I first thought. She's on her tippy toes trying to match my height, yet is still almost an inch too short. Her voice is the same, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is her. Her hair has grown longer with a more natural look to it, one braid down the left side of her face. She wore a purple knitted long sleeve and tight jeans. She must have noticed something because she thrust me back into a hug.
In that split second she mumbled, "Percy what the hell happened to you? You're looking even worse." Right, my hair, the scars. A lot has happened. I know if I let this continue I'd spill everything I could, but I can't. If I take a step back and look once more into her kaleidoscope eyes, it's over for me. I take in a shuddering breath, keen on making it through this. After seeing her and making sure she is real, things are beginning to come back to me. I don't want to let go fearing that if I do then I won't remember anymore.
"A lot has happened. I promise I'll tell you everything... Just not right now." Psyche was right. I cannot keep bottling everything up. But now is not the time to spill my guts out. When I try to speak again my voice falters into unintelligible croaks, I want to tell her just how bad things have gotten, but I don't think that'll be enough and I'm afraid it will sound hollow. Maybe she's disappointed in me, she doesn't know how I chose prison in order to keep her and everyone safe, nor that my journey does have an expiration date. I just don't know when that is.
Then I move a bit back, "Please don't. Percy please. Please don't scare me like this again." She's so close that I can feel her breathing hitch. Her eyes are the same, still that vulnerable girl from the listening to me sing - the one who the horses all followed like she had pockets of sugar. Then her hand raises, silently despite the fact I'm watching it happen and she runs her fingers through my hair.
"Listen Pipes, I swear I'll be back and tell you everything. And I mean everything, but the longer I stay the more likely it becomes you're danger... Do you trust me?" I wish I could just tell her right now, wish I tried a little bit harder to stay in touch, but Piper doesn't seem to mind the tired eyes. I feel her head nod against my shoulder and a little part of me breaks. I know that I probably won't be back a for a little while.
Then she says "Goodbye." and I snap inside, snap like brittle glass and feel the shards tearing at my guts. I can't speak, the blood leaves my face and I grip just a little tighter. She stops. I let her go and Piper wipes away at her eyes and turns away running back into her house shutting the door behind her.
I sigh ushering back my loose emotions and turn away. Annabeth and Zoe met me halfway. "Who was she?" I know just how curious and knowledge seeking Athena's kids can be.
"She was my first, I guess you could call it normal, friend." I gulped a little. This is strange.
"That was pretty intimate for a friend." Annabeth's voice was quiet. I guess it is strange talking about this with someone that actually liked me. Or still does. I'm not sure anymore.
"Yea, I guess I thought she was more than that at one point."
"What do you mean?"
"My first love if you will. I doubt she felt the same way though." I could only hope.
"*Cough* Okay... While you were busy, I secured us a ride. Anyone have their drivers license?" Zoe forced us away from that awkward moment. Well, it wasn't awkward for me. I don't really get awkward. The air shifted though.
"The f is a drivers license?" I have literally never heard of such a thing. And I'm being completely serious.
"You know the thing adults carry to legally drive." Annabeth answered.
"You need one of those? I just get behind the wheel thingy and go. It's not that hard." I shrugged walking over to the driver's seat.
"Oh no you don't. I'm driving." Zoe pushed me back. I simply shrugged and got into the backseat. It's going to be a long drive back to camp.
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