Why is Everything so Loud?! (Fem. Percy)

Darkness is Suffocating

My weight pulled at my arms, wrenching them against their sockets. Metal dug deep into my skin, far tighter than the bandages had been, and rusted edges scraped against my skin. Blood trickled down. The chill bit through my tank top. I couldn't see, I was cold, and I was bound. Nausea curled in my gut, slowly coiling up my esophagus. Panic would set in, making up for this moment of clarity with all the force of a giant's backhand. I needed to get out before that happened. 

I couldn't reach my powers. They were gone. Not an option. I swallowed and looked up. Darkness. My fingers trailed over the rough metal again. I could just barely scrape the tips of them over the cuffs. Chain rattled as I moved, and I froze. My heart stopped. Did- Did someone hear that?

Swallowing, I wrapped my hands in the chains as best I could. I pulled. Nothing happened. They were too solid, too strong for me to break free of. I stared at the floor, not taking anything in. I'm trapped. All I can do is wait. A prayer was on my lips, but something held me back. There was no guarantee he'd pay attention.

A door cracked open, letting light spill in. I grimaced and blinked. "Looks like our guest is awake," said the monster. Claws dragged against the cement floor. He swaggered in, a lumbering gait. Shadows hid his features from me, but it didn't make my terror lessen. One sharp claw dragged along my neck until resting under my chin. The jagged point pressed deep into my skin. "We're going to have quite the time entertaining you."

I bit down on my tongue. Sassing would do nothing but get me killed. The monster hummed and pulled out a bottle from a bag. The cork popped out. He dipped a single claw in the liquid. My breath caught. Any attempt to struggle was blocked by wrenching pain in my shoulders. The coated claw slipped easily into the flesh of my arm. 

"Don't mess her up too bad. We might need proof later," said the monster, calling over his shoulder. He walked out the door he came in through, letting three more monsters pass him. Two had a tail instead of legs, while the other was an empousa.  

The empousa wasted no time, quickly walking to me and grabbing my shoulders. She placed her mouth against my neck and bit down. I gasped, eyes widening and body spasming against her grip. I couldn't fight back. Not against the pain, not against her. 

"Dina, you're going-" The guy started to speak. Dina pulled away, wiped her mouth, and looked at him.

"I'm not gonna kill her, jeez. You think I don't know the plan?"

"Considering you don't remember whose food is in the fridge, it's pretty likely." He slithered forward and rose up on his tail. I hissed in pain as a knife buried in my arm. "Just in case." He grinned, showing off his fangs. "How long do you think it'll take for some other to come looking?" 

They- They're using me as bait. 

No. I didn't think it would be this bad. This is just going to get people killed. I can't- I can't pray now. I can't ask for help. A chill spread throughout my body, and darkness enshrouded the room once more. Pain burned in my gut, and I threw up at one point. But that didn't matter, those were all side notes in this horror. 

People would come looking for me, and they'd die. I'd have so much more blood on my hands. 

The days passed, and there wasn't much more they did. Nothing more than poison and dragging a knife across my skin. I'd strain my ears to hear anything happening in the outside world, listening for the shuffle of a fight or slamming doors. Each day that got harder and harder as my injuries piled up. My stomach rumbled and growled, chewing away at its own lining as my vision swam. Sips of water weren't enough. 

A soft laugh fell past my lips. I'd die from dehydration. That's how I'd go out, and it was one of the worst ways to die. 

"Do you want anything from the store," asked Julia. She laid on the ground reading a magazine, swishing her tail along the ground. One hand held a fork, and a piece of chicken dangled from it, taunting me.

"Why? Trying to fatten me up so you can eat me?" I narrowed my eyes. Nothing happened, so maybe I felt a little braver. Maybe I shouldn't have. The pain was manageable at the moment, nothing more than I was used to. I could deal with it, I was dealing with it. 

Didn't mean I should tempt the Fates.

"I have coupons."

Next thing I knew, she was gone. 

The cycle repeated. My arms burned and itched. My tank top had been torn away, leaving me in my sports-bra. Sometimes they'd give me a sheet. Drape it over me. Let me have a little more privacy before ripping it away again. I leaned forward. My arms protested the movement, but it was just enough to sip at the water. The rabbit bottle was at the edge of my reach, and after a few seconds I had to relax and fall back. Any tears I had, they had long since dried. Not enough fluids. 

Maybe I should just stop trying. If I'm dead, then they can't use me to hurt the others. A hand closed around my heart, stopping it. But what if I die, and then the others still get killed. Why would the monsters tell Camp or the demigods that I'm dead? They might brag about killing me, but that-

I can't. I have to wait. I have to keep waiting. It can't have been long. I swallowed, mouth dry. Not more than a few days. My sleep cycle was screwed up from all the times I'd passed out, and the lack of windows did nothing to help. The most I could do was base it on the blood coating the floor. 

I tried to ignore where that blood came from. 

Despite myself, a hiccup tore from my lips. No. No. But I couldn't stop. Dry sobs pulled from me. Each one was a painful plea. I wanted out. The godsdamned basement was going to be my grave and they were going to eat me and so many kids would get killed and-

It seemed like I was floating, like I was no longer in my body. Each breath came quick and fast. My heart seized. Not here. Why am I having one here? I shouldn't- I can't.Not here, gods please not here.

"Percy." Desperate, I shook my head and tried to force myself away. The cuffs dug deeper into my wrists. Julia sat beside me. She coiled her tail around my waist. The pressure around me shoved me back into my body, and I trailed my hands over her scales. "Sh." She hushed, running her fingers through my hair. "It's okay. You're okay. 

I shook my head, clenching my eyes shut. Julia continued to hush me, and I couldn't help how odd this was. She's a monster. A monster who helped kidnap me to use me as bait for other demigods. And she's better at this than Dad. I almost laughed. Almost. 

My powers came rushing back. I didn't even think to use them. Julia pulled me to lay with my head on her tail, keeping the end of it wrapped around my waist. Claws dragged against my scalp, but they were gentle. She wasn't trying to hurt me. 

So much better than Dad. 

I couldn't help the whine that slipped out, or the way I pressed into the touch. It felt so nice. 

"They've hurt you so much, haven't they?" mumbled Julia, "Just as much as some of us have been wronged. How have you not turned on them" The gentle hands continued. She cradled me against her, hushing me all the while. She gathered me into her arms. No protests left my lips. I buried my face in her shoulder when we passed through the door. Next thing I knew, I was placed on a foam mattress. Julia curled up beside me. 

She brushed her hand over my hair once more before sighed. She said, "I know you have no reason to trust me, but I'll watch over you."

"Thank you."

Not exactly my best work, but I have a headache and am very tired and very warm help me

But I hope you enjoyed this chapter

See yah