Second chapter! Hope y'all like it!

CHAPTER 2: DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ILLEGAL CHILD

Was Percy Jackson a troubled kid? He certainly wasn't a normal kid.

It was obvious. His eyes were a dark green, and if you stared into them, you'd notice there was no reflection. His skin sometimes burst into scaly rashes that wouldn't go away no matter how many ointments or lotions he tried. His features were sharp and oddly animalistic, with teeth that seemed too pointed for comfort. And his strength - well, that was another matter entirely. He'd never meant to hurt anyone, but the results were often unmistakable.

That much had been clear from the moment he was born, but as he got older, the differences became more apparent. For one, his eyes were a dark, almost forest-green color that seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. If you stared into them long enough, you'd notice there was no reflection staring back, just an endless depth that unnerved anyone who dared to look too closely.

Then there were the scales. They weren't always visible, but sometimes - especially when he was angry or stressed - Percy's skin would erupt into patches of scaly rashes that no amount of creams or ointments could soothe. They were more than just an odd skin condition; they were a constant reminder that something about him was fundamentally different.

Other kids noticed, of course. They weren't exactly subtle about it, either. Whispers followed him everywhere: "Freak," they'd say, passing by him in the halls. "Crocodile Boy," some would tease, referring to the jagged, sharp teeth that sometimes peeked out when he smiled - a smile that had grown more rare with each passing year.

He wasn't a normal kid, because Percy wasn't entirely human.

From a young age, Percy had known he was different. His mom had explained it to him as best she could when he was old enough to understand - or at least old enough to listen. His father, Sobek, was an Egyptian god, a god associated with the Nile, crocodiles, war, and strength. That's where Percy got his strange abilities from: the superhuman strength, the odd affinity with water, the occasional outburst of uncontrollable power, and, of course, the scales.

His mom was the daughter of Poseidon, making it even harder for him - the added water control was pretty sweet, to be fair.

But knowing the truth didn't make things any easier. If anything, it made them harder. Being a demigod came with its own set of challenges, and the fact that he was the only known Egyptian demigod only made it worse.

The Greek demigods had their own camp, a place where they could train and be safe from the monsters that hunted them. Percy? He had nowhere to go, nowhere to belong.

He wasn't meant to be alive. His mom would never say that - she was too kind. But he knew. Percy was an illegal child.

Sometimes, Percy wondered what it would be like to be normal, to go to school without worrying about monsters or magicians hunting him down. But that wasn't his life. He was the son of Sobek, the grandson of Poseidon, and that meant he was destined for something bigger—whether he wanted it or not.

And then there were the magicians. They were part of the Egyptian magical community, the House of Life a secret society that worshipped and served the Egyptian gods. The magicians weren't exactly friendly to demigods, especially not to someone like Percy. They saw him as an abomination, a threat to the balance of Ma'at, the order of the universe. More than once, Percy had narrowly escaped being hunted down by them. The fact that he couldn't always control his temper didn't help.

Today had been one of those days. Percy had tried to blend in, but it seemed like fate had other plans. At school, every day was a minefield. During gym class, a bully had shoved him too hard, and in a flash of anger, Percy's skin had burst into scales, his eyes flaring with an unnatural light. The kid had run off, screaming, and Percy had been left standing there, trying to hide the evidence before anyone else noticed. But the whispers had started, and by the end of the day, everyone was calling him 'Crocodile Boy' again. It was always like this - no matter how hard he tried to control it, his heritage would find a way to spill out.

Another school, another incident, another near disaster. Percy trudged home, shoulders hunched under the weight of his latest failure. He had tried so hard to fit in, to keep a low profile, but something always went wrong. His powers would flare up, his temper would snap, or some jerk would push him too far, and then it would be all over.

When he finally reached the apartment, he hesitated at the door, taking a deep breath before opening it and stepping inside. The familiar scent of home greeted him - his mom's cooking, the faint scent of her perfume, the comforting smell of a place that, despite everything, was still his refuge.

"Percy?" Sally's voice called from the kitchen. "Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me," Percy replied, trying to keep his voice steady as he walked into the kitchen, a sinking feeling in his gut. He hated disappointing his mom, and he had a feeling today was going to be another one of those days.

Sally turned to greet him with a smile, but it faltered the moment she saw his expression. "What happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Percy couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. He simply shook his head. "Same old, same old," he muttered. "Another school, another near miss with magicians."

Sally's face softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Percy. I know how hard you try. But you have to remember, it's not your fault. You're dealing with things that most people can't even imagine."

"I know, Mom," Percy sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just… I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this. Everywhere I go, it's the same thing. I'm tired of running, of hiding who I am."

Sally reached out and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know it's tough, sweetheart. But you're not alone in this. We'll figure something out. There has to be a way for you to live your life without constantly looking over your shoulder."

"Yeah, I hope so," Percy said, though he wasn't entirely convinced. The world wasn't exactly welcoming to someone like him, and he had the scars to prove it.

Just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Percy frowned, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. It wasn't like they had a lot of visitors, especially ones who rang the doorbell.

Sally stood up and went to answer the door, leaving Percy to brood over his thoughts. When she opened it, Percy heard her greet someone warmly, her tone suddenly lighter and more cheerful. Curious, Percy got up to see who it was.

When he stepped into the hallway, he froze. Standing in the doorway was a woman he had only seen a few times before, but whom he knew quite well. She was tall and graceful, with long, dark hair that fell in waves down her back. Her eyes were the color of midnight, deep and mysterious, and she wore a flowing dress that looked like it belonged to another time.

"Nephthys," Percy breathed, recognizing the Egyptian goddess of mourning, rivers, and protection, also known as his godmother.

"Hello, Percy," Nephthys greeted him with a warm smile. "You've grown so much since the last time I saw you."

"Um, thanks?" Percy replied, still a little in awe. It wasn't every day that a goddess showed up at your front door.

Nephthys stepped inside, her presence filling the small apartment with an air of grace. She turned to Sally and gave her a gentle hug. "It's good to see you, Sally. Thank you for taking such good care of Percy."

"Of course," Sally replied, smiling warmly at the goddess. "He's my son. I'd do anything for him."

Percy watched the exchange with a mix of confusion and curiosity. He had always known his mom was… special, but seeing her interact with a goddess like it was no big deal was still a little mind-blowing.

Nephthys turned her attention back to Percy, her expression becoming more serious. "Percy, I know things have been difficult for you lately. Your powers are growing, and with them, the challenges you face. But you're not alone. You have your mother, and you have me. We'll help you through this."

"Yeah, I appreciate that," Percy said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "But what am I supposed to do? I can't keep getting kicked out of schools and running from magicians."

Nephthys nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "You're right. You can't keep running. It's time for you to learn how to control your abilities, to understand who you are and what you're capable of. There are places you can go, people who can help you. But first, you need to accept that you're not just a demigod - you're the first of your kind."

Percy swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. "The first Egyptian demigod," he echoed. "That's me. Big whoop."

"Big whoop indeed," Nephthys said. "And that makes you special, Percy. It also makes you a target. But you don't have to face it alone. We're here for you, every step of the way."

Percy looked between his mom and Nephthys. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing for sure - he was done hiding.

"Speaking of school," said Nephthys, with a wicked grin on her face. "I have what might be the perfect place for young Perseus over here."
Sally shook her head. "Nephthys…" she warned.

The goddess waved her off. "It's a boarding school. You'll be alright with that, won't you?"
Percy nodded slowly. "I suppose…"

"Perfect! I've already enrolled you, so you can start… next week!"

"Ok," Percy said, happy but slightly confused. "What's the name of this place?"
Nephthys had a devilish grin on her face. "Westover Hall."

THE SON OF SOBEK

Westover Hall was not sunshine and rainbows.

It was more… hurricanes and floods, Percy decided. As in, it was bad. Really bad.

From the moment he set foot in the place, Percy felt an uneasy, almost suffocating atmosphere. The Gothic architecture loomed over him, the dark stone walls seeming to absorb what little light filtered through the cloudy skies. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and decay, and the wind howled through the trees, creating an eerie, almost mournful sound.

It was a castle. He was going to school in a freaking castle. Percy wasn't sure whether to be amazed or terrified.

Students moved in tight groups, their faces set in grim, expressions as they navigated the maze-like hallways. The teachers were no better - strict, stern, and watching Percy with a kind of calculated intensity that made his skin crawl. He could feel their eyes on him, judging, evaluating, as if they knew there was something different about him. And they did, of course. They just didn't know how different.

His first class was a disaster. The moment he walked in, he felt the stares, heard the whispers. The teacher, a tall, thin man called Dr Thorn with sharp features, a French accent, and a voice like nails on a chalkboard, didn't bother to introduce him. Instead, he simply pointed to an empty desk in the back, as if Percy were an afterthought.

The other students barely acknowledged him, their expressions ranging from indifferent to outright hostile. Percy tried to ignore it, to focus on the lesson, but his mind kept wandering back to the warnings Nephthys had given him.

'Westover Hall is where you will learn to grow,' she had said, but she hadn't mentioned just how hostile the environment would be.

Percy walked into the classroom with a slight groan. The room was filled with the familiar scent of chalk and old books, and the desks were arranged in neat rows facing the front. At the center of the room was Mrs. Turner, the English teacher, who was arranging some papers on her desk. She had a kind face but a no-nonsense demeanor that Percy had come to expect from his teachers.

"Good morning, class," Mrs. Turner said with a bright smile as she turned to face them. "Today, we're going to dive into Shakespeare's Macbeth. I hope you all did the reading."

Percy took his usual seat in the middle of the room, sliding his backpack under his desk and pulling out his notebook. As he glanced around, he noticed the usual mix of students - some eager, some definitely not - settling in for the lesson.

Mrs. Turner began the lesson with a brief overview of the play. "Macbeth is a tragedy that explores themes of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural. It's one of Shakespeare's most famous plays and provides a lot of material for analysis."

She started by discussing the character of Macbeth, focusing on his ambition and the choices that lead him to become a tyrant. Percy tried to stay engaged, but the language was dense, and his mind occasionally wandered. The only thing that kept him focused was… well, nothing.

"Let's start with Act 1, Scene 3," Mrs. Turner said, turning to the board to write down some key lines. "Can anyone tell me what happens in this scene and how it foreshadows the events to come?"

A few hands went up, and Mrs. Turner called on a girl in the front row. "Yes, Emily?"

Emily spoke up. "In this scene, Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches who prophesy Macbeth's rise to power. This scene is important because it sets up Macbeth's ambition and foreshadows his eventual downfall."

"Exactly," Mrs. Turner said, nodding. "The witches' prophecy plants the seed of ambition in Macbeth's mind, which ultimately leads to his tragic downfall. This is a key theme throughout the play."

Percy scribbled some notes in his notebook, trying to keep up with the discussion. He glanced at his watch and sighed, noting that the class still had a long way to go. English had never been his favorite subject, but he tried to stay focused, knowing it was important for his overall grade.

After a while, Mrs. Turner assigned a group activity. "I want you to work in pairs to analyze a passage from Act 1, Scene 5. Look at how Shakespeare uses language to convey Macbeth's internal conflict and ambition. Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class."

Percy turned to the student sitting next to him, a guy named Grover who was sitting in the corner. "Hey, want to work together on this?"

"Sure," Grover said, smiling. "Let's take a look at the passage."

They spent the next few minutes discussing the passage and highlighting key lines. Percy tried to contribute, though he found Shakespeare's language a bit challenging. Grover was patient, helping him understand the nuances of the text.

"Okay, I think we've got a good analysis," Grover said after a while. "Let's get ready to present."

When it was their turn, Percy and Grover stood up in front of the class. Percy took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

When they were done, Mrs. Turner nodded approvingly. "Well done. You've captured the essence of Macbeth's internal conflict and how it foreshadows his actions later in the play."

Percy felt a sense of relief wash over him as they returned to their seats. The rest of the class passed in a blur of discussion and note-taking. Percy was glad when the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the period.

As he gathered his things, he overheard a couple of students talking about their plans for the weekend. Percy was about to head out when Mrs. Turner called out to him.

"Percy, can I see you for a moment?"

Percy approached her desk with a slight sense of dread. "Yes, Mrs. Turner?"

"I just wanted to let you know that you're doing well in class," she said with a smile. "I know Shakespeare can be challenging, but you're making good progress. Keep up the good work."

"Thanks," Percy said, feeling a bit more at ease. "I appreciate that."

With a nod, Mrs. Turner sent him on his way. As Percy walked out of the classroom, he couldn't help but feel a bit better about the day. Despite the challenges, he was managing to keep up with his classes and even starting to appreciate the complexity of Shakespeare's work, if only a little.

The only problem was Grover kept giving him funny looks.

During lunch, he sat alone at a table near the back of the cafeteria, picking at his food while scanning the room. The other students kept their distance, and Percy couldn't shake the feeling that something was off - more than just the usual awkwardness of being the new kid. He was a graduate at being the new kid, practically had a bachelor's degree.
This wasn't how people acted. It was as if the entire school was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

He was halfway through a tasteless sandwich when he felt a presence looming over him. Looking up, he saw a girl with long black hair that fell in perfect waves down her back. Her eyes were black, and she had olive skin.

"Hi! I'm Bianca di Angelo. You must be the new kid."

"Yeah, that's me," Percy replied, a little surprised by her friendliness. "Percy Jackson."

Bianca nodded, her smile widening. "Nice to meet you, Percy. How are you finding Westover Hall so far?"

Percy shrugged, glancing around the cafeteria. "It's… different. I've been to a lot of schools, but this one feels… strange."

Bianca laughed softly. "Yeah, it can be. There's definitely something in the air here. You'll get used to it, though."

Percy wasn't so sure about that, but he appreciated her effort to make him feel welcome. "So, what's the deal with this place?" he asked, lowering his voice. "Why does everyone seem so… on edge?"

"Oh, you know, it's just the usual school stuff. New semester, new faces, lots of stress. But don't worry, you'll fit in soon enough."

Percy wasn't entirely convinced, but before he could press further, Bianca changed the subject. "So, where are you from?"

"Manhattan," Percy replied. "I've moved around a bit, though."

"New York, huh? Must be pretty different from here."

"You could say that," Percy said with a smirk. "A lot less… forest."

Bianca chuckled. "Yeah, Westover is definitely surrounded by nature. It's kind of nice, though, once you get used to it."

Percy nodded, though he wasn't sure he'd ever get used to it. Still, talking to Bianca made him feel a little better about being there. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.

Just then, a younger boy with shaggy black hair and a bunch of cards in his hands came up to the table.

"Bianca, who's this?" the boy asked.

"This is Percy Jackson, the new kid," Bianca said, turning to the boy with a reassuring smile. "Percy, this is my brother, Nico."

Nico's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed Percy, but he didn't say anything. Percy met his gaze evenly, trying to gauge whether Nico was a threat or just protective of his sister.

He looks ten, Percy assured himself. I'll be fine.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Percy," Nico said after a moment.

"You too," Percy replied, keeping his voice calm.

Bianca glanced between the two of them, sensing the tension. "Hey, why don't you join us, Nico? Percy was just telling me about New York."

Nico hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, why not?"

Percy couldn't help but wonder what he'd gotten himself into at Westover Hall, but at least he wasn't completely alone.

As lunch continued, Percy found himself actually enjoying the conversation, a rare occurrence for him at a new school. Bianca was easy to talk to, and despite Nico's initial wariness, he seemed to warm up as they discussed topics ranging from card games to mythology.

"So, Percy," Nico began as he shuffled his deck of cards absentmindedly. "What's your favorite Greek myth?"

Percy nearly choked on his drink. "Uh, I don't know. Maybe the story of Theseus? The whole labyrinth thing is pretty cool."

"Interesting choice," Nico said, eyes gleaming. "Theseus was brave, but a bit reckless, don't you think?"

"Dude, you're ten. How do you know so much about Greek myths?"

"I'm twelve!" Nico said, offended.

"Same thing."

Nico shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "I like reading. And Greek myths are way cooler than math homework."

Bianca laughed. "He's right, you know. Nico's always been a bit of a mythology buff. It's kind of his thing."

"Fair enough," Percy said, still a bit surprised by Nico's knowledge. "I guess I could've used someone like you in some of my old schools. Might've made things a bit more interesting."

Nico's grin widened, and for a moment, he looked every bit the mischievous little brother. "Well, now you've got me here. Things are about to get a lot more interesting, trust me."

Percy chuckled, shaking his head. He couldn't deny it - the kid was definitely something else.

"So…" Nico said. "Do you agree though?"

"Yeah, I guess," Percy agreed, feeling like he was being tested. "But he did what he had to do."

Bianca smiled at the exchange, but Percy couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this conversation than met the eye. He decided to keep things light. "What about you, Nico? What's your favorite myth?"

Nico leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "I like the story of Hades and Persephone. It's tragic, but there's something about the idea of a god willing to bend the rules of the Underworld for someone he loves that's kind of… cool."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure a story about kidnapping and forced marriage isn't appropriate for a twelve year old."

"Maybe I'm just too smart for you," Nico said, sticking out his tongue.

"You're right, I'm an idiot," Percy said sarcastically.

"If you want me to argue, you're in for a long ride. It's a bit of a talent of mine to let people stew in their own doubts for a while."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Lot of talk from Mr 'I like to read stories about kidnapping'."

Bianca shot her brother a quick look before adding, "He's always been a bit of a Hades fan. But don't worry, he's not planning to drag anyone to the Underworld."

Nico grinned. "Yet."

Percy couldn't help but chuckle, even though there was a part of him that wasn't entirely sure Nico was joking. Still, the siblings were clearly close, and it was nice to see that kind of bond.

Before long, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. The cafeteria buzzed with activity as students gathered their things and headed to their next classes.

"Guess it's time for round two," Percy muttered, standing up and grabbing his backpack.

"Don't worry," Bianca said as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "Westover might be strange, but it's not all bad. Just keep your head down, and you'll be fine."

"Easier said than done," Percy replied, but he appreciated the advice.

"See you around, Percy," Nico said with a wave before heading off to his next class.

"Yeah, see you," Percy replied, watching the siblings walk away. He couldn't help but feel like he was being drawn into something much bigger than just a new school, but he wasn't sure what that was yet.

As he made his way to his next class, Percy tried to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in his gut. Westover Hall was definitely not what he'd expected, but then again, nothing in his life ever was.

"Stay under the radar, don't stand out," Percy reminded himself as he walked down the hallway. But deep down, he knew that was easier said than done, especially when you were the son of a powerful god, and the grandson of one. No matter how hard he tried to blend in, trouble always seemed to find him.

And it appeared that trouble had found him, because across the hall was a figure standing by the classroom door, eyes hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses. The figure wore a crisp black suit, and despite the fact that it was a warm day, the suit seemed oddly out of place in the school's casual setting.

Percy's instincts went on high alert. The figure was watching him, and something about their presence made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He felt hot, not in the attractive sense, but literally hot, like the sun.

As Percy tried to peer through the sunglasses to get a better look, the figure slowly turned their head, locking eyes with him. The intensity of the gaze made Percy's heart skip a beat. The figure's lips curled into a thin smile.

His mind raced with possibilities. Who was this person?

Perc could feel the aura of the sun. He couldn't explain it, but it was like the sun itself was there in the room.

Before he could react, the figure raised a hand in a slow, deliberate wave. The gesture was almost casual, but it carried an unmistakable warning.

"See you soon, Percy Jackson," the figure said. "Let's see how you do."

Chapter over! Not my best, but it'll do. The next will be better.

So, Percy's freakishly strong, has some level of water control, is hated by magicians, and has weird rashes. What a day for him.

Review responses:

fugy: I'm glad you like it! Percy's powers will be showcased a lot next chapter!

The ultimate deity: This will most definitely be a smarter Percy. Greek and Egyptian magic? Hundred percent! The Manhattan school plus CHB will both be in this fic.

Anaklusmos404: Percy has inherited Sobek's strength. More on that next chapter though... Of course Sally tells Percy about the mythological world, she's a demigod. Thank you so much for your review!

: I appreciate it!

Please review, I will always respond! And if you liked this, check out my other fics!

Over and out!