Chapter 2

Percy woke up panting heavily, a thin sheen of sweat covered his body. He glanced down at his watch and realized how long he'd been asleep. Almost an hour and a half. Nearly the longest he slept in one go science returning from Tartarus. He looked longingly at the name engraved on the marble slab before standing. He touched the crimson-colored rose haltingly and made his way stiffly out of the graveyard. He traced the once-familiar path to his apartment. Memories of the war's aftermath flooded his mind. Percy left the infirmary and immediately began to throw himself into rebuilding Camp Half-Blood. He was a force to be reckoned with, he didn't sleep unless he passed out from exhaustion, and even then he was never out for long. He didn't eat unless someone forced him to. Even then, he would eat very little or just throw it up later on. He never showed any emotion-at all- even when they burned the shrouds of his loved ones. Days blurred into nights for Percy. Every waking moment was the same, trying to numb his grief and ignore his pain. He hid his anguish in his work, hid his brokenness in the rebuilding efforts. After two months the camp was nearly back in running order. The gods summoned their surviving children to the throne room to receive acknowledgment for the roles they played in the war.

All the campers, save Percy, rode the elevator to the 600th floor of the Empire Building. Percy refused to get in the elevator, so Posiden flashed him to the throne room. When Percy appeared in the throne room, the gods and goddesses were bickering amongst themselves. No big surprise there. The rest of the demigods filed out of the elevator. Zeus banged his master bolt against the ground to gain the attention of the throne room's inhabitants. Once order was established, Zeus began to begrudgingly thank the demigods, grant wishes, and give gifts. Percy was the last one to be called to the attention of the gods. Poseidon looked at his son and took in the broken eyes and the skinny frame. He was saddened by how the war had left his son. Zeus offered Percy godhood. Percy glared at the king of Olympus, a 'no' written clearly across his broken features. Zeus visibly recoiled at Percy's glare and moved on to the next subject.

"Perseus," He thundered, "Your valiant actions have won you three wishes. If they are within our power, we swear on the river Styx to fulfill them" Percy looked deep in thought for a moment before answering in an unused voice "I wish that you would fulfill the promise you made at the end of the last war, release Calypso and the other peaceful titans and giants." He glared at Zeus once more, a threat is hidden in his scowl, a promise if the gods fail once more. His second wish was for the gods to recognize all the minor gods and appoint a Pontifex Maximus at each camp to properly honor all minor deities. Nico had already wished for Hestia and Hades to have permanent thrones on Olympus so Percy made his third wish for himself. "I wish to be separated from the greek and roman gods until I am ready to return. Do not come to me unless the world is literally ending. I will let you know when I am ready to return to this life." With that, the demigods were released out of the throne room. When the last of the demigods had piled into the elevator only Percy was left standing at the foot of the thrones. Apollo looked at Percy knowingly and snapped his fingers, flashing Percy into Cabin three, where Percy packed his meager belongings and left before any campers arrived.

Percy was dragged back into reality by a blond-haired jogger rushing by his side, shouting a warning "On your left!" Percy did not acknowledge the man, save pulling his hoodie up further and studying the sidewalk more intensely. He continued his slow walk home. Percy was a little nervous and unsure about returning home. It had been eleven months since he'd last seen his mother. Nearly six scenes he'd last spoken to her. He finally made his way to the entrance of his apartment complex. He closed his eyes and took a calming breath before pushing the large double doors open. He walked about halfway to the elevators before turning and heading for the stairwell. He lived on the sixth floor, not far at all. He took the stairs three at a time to fight the claustrophobia that was setting in quickly. He could see the noxious hazy air of tartars, he could still taste the liquid fire that he drank.

He reached the sixth floor and burst out of the stairwell, eyes slightly wild as he took in his surroundings, subconsciously scanning for threats. Once he had his emotions firmly under control he walked to the Jackson-Blofis residence. He took another calming breath before rapping lightly on the door. "Hold on, I'm coming!" Called a cheerful, feminine voice somewhere beyond the door. Percy heard the quiet click of a deadbolt sliding back and saw the door handle turn to allow him entrance. Finally, he saw his mother standing in the doorway. She saw him and her jaw dropped, she choked back a sob and pulled her son tightly into her chest. Percy returned the embrace and rested his head on her smaller shoulder. She pulled him inside and led him to the couch, a plate of blue cookies within arm's reach. Sally sat on the couch, gently pulling Percy down with her. She put a finger under his chin and peered deeply into his shattered sea-green eyes.

"What happened Percy?" She questioned her emancipated son. He looked into the distance and replied, "A lot mom, a lot happened." His mother looked at him to elaborate. Percy began to retell a watered-down version of the latest war. "When I disappeared last year, Hera switched me, the leader of the Greeks, with Jason Grace, leader of the Romans. Some friends and I retrieved the legions eagle. Afterward, the Romans elected me as Preitor and the Greeks showed up. The Greeks and Romans have had a longtime feud and didn't know about each other. One of the people on board the Argo II, the ship the Greeks came on, was possessed by an eliodon and fired on New Rome. Later we made friends with the Romans, defeated Geia and all lived happily ever after. The end." Percy smiled weakly in conclusion. Sally frowned at the battle-weary soldier in front of her. It was obvious that he did not give her the whole story. But, she knew now wasn't the time to push it.

Suddenly the door unlocked and creaked open. Percy slid fluidly into a battle stance, sally safely behind him. He held a capped riptide in his hand. Sally was saying something to her son, but he didn't register the words, battle was the only thing on his mind. A middle-aged man walked through the door, arms piled high with groceries. Percy immediately recognized Paul and put riptide back in his pocket. He felt the warm hand of his mother on his shoulder and relaxed out of his fighting stance. As soon as Paul caught sight of Percy, he dropped the groceries he'd been holding and rushed to Percy, enveloping him in a hug. Percy hugged him weakly back and went up to his room.

Paul shot a questioning glance at sally. Sally and Paul sat on the couch and she told him all that Percy had said and voiced her own doubts about the completeness of the story. Paul caught sight of the still full cookie tray, "Why are there still cookies?" He pondered, mostly talking to himself. "When Percy was telling his story," Sally informed him, "he nibbled on one, but he didn't even finish it." Paul looked worried and thoughtful before adding, "That's unlike him before there wouldn't have been a single cookie left on the tray" "I know" Sally replied, "something terrible must have happened, did you notice how thin he was?" Paul nodded in acknowledgment and asked if she'd noticed his quietness and broken eyes. Both spoke for hours about what could have changed the scarred boy.

A routine was soon established in the Jackson-Blowfis household, with the school year starting soon Paul would head off to Goode at about 8 am. Sally woke up about 8:30 and went running daily errands. Percy was always gone before either of them got up. Neither knew exactly what time Percy left the house. They'd woken up as early as 4 am, but he was gone even then. He always returned home at 10 am on the dot. He would shower and stay in his room until 6:30. He would help prepare supper, and sit with them to eat. Both adults had noticed how little Percy would eat, they were worried about him. Percy would go back to his room at about 9 o'clock, presumably to go to bed. His parents didn't know that Percy rarely ever slept, although they had guessed it. After so many times of the boy passing out from exhaustion. He spent the time in his room sketching or just staring at the walls. He left the house at about 3:15 every morning to run around the city and slay any monster he could find.

Percy could tell that Sally and Paul were worried for him. Between his nearly constant panic attacks and flashbacks, combined with his barely eating, he knew they had a valid reason to be worried for their son. Percy's panic attacks were getting better though, he was able to hide them most of the time from his parents. The flashbacks were slightly more difficult to hide. He still visited Annabeth every day, although his parents didn't know it. He climbed out of his window at about 12 every night, so as not to worry them.

One day, the routine broke. Sally walked into Percy's room after supper and sat on the edge of his bed. She had a pensive look on her face and Percy eyed her warily. "Percy," she began, "you know the school year is starting up again." She paused. Percy made a vague hand motion for her to continue speaking. "Anyways, I was hoping you would be willing to do your senior year…" Percy looked at the floor before nodding slowly at the wall. Sally's face brightened considerably, she smiled and patted her son on the shoulder. "One more thing is that Goode won't take you back this year due to your disappearance last year." Sally looked at Paul, who had appeared in the doorway at some point of their conversation, for support. Paul spoke, "I spoke to one of my friends who works at Midtown High and he was able to convince the school to accept you if you're willing." Percy looked at his parents and smiled wanly. "Thanks, paul, that sounds good," he thanked his stepfather. Sally and Paul filed out of Percy's room. Sally called over her shoulder "School starts on Monday, but we have plenty of supplies for you."

Monday rolled around and Percy left for the school. It was a long trip and Paul had offered the night before to drive him, but he preferred to walk. He left the house at his normal time and arrived about half an hour before school officially began. He walked into the office and was given a schedule. He had English first hour, Economics second hour, PE third hour, and lunch fourth. After lunch, He had math, science, and electives. For electives, he had chosen classes where he could just sit in the back and not be noticed too much. He went with personal finance and ag.

He managed to find his way to his first classes, with little incident. He had Will write him up a fake doctor's note ahead of time to excuse him from the gym. His scars would raise too many questions. His day had gone ok. Only a minor flashback in English and no one seemed to notice. He was headed to lunch now. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a large blond-haired boy pin a skinny brown-haired kid against a locker.