The Mariana Trench (Arc One: The Rise of Aero Jackson)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Warmth of the family hearth

Percy waved goodbye to Grover, lugging a half awake Aero behind as he called in a cab, waving his arm like a madman before finally getting a cab to stop for them, shrugging at the driver as he plopped Aero into the cab.

"East One-hundred-and-fourth and First," Percy mumbled as he threw down a few coins into a box the driver used to collect pennies.

"Aight," the cab driver shook her head as she stepped on the pedal, "so how's the day, lad?"

"Pretty well, but please keep it down, my twin's sleeping," Percy stroked the forehead of Aero, pushing away stray strands of his black hair before looking out of the window, anxious for the arrival of another storm brewing in the distance.

After fifteen minutes, the dead air was getting too much, so the driver spoke first.

"Laddie, you're worried about the weather? Ain't you going to worry about getting a wifey?" The girl grinned, her country accent shining through.

"No, it's just that, every time we go to someplace, it somehow manages to get some strange weather phenomenon no one can explain," answered Percy.

"Ah, it must be the great lad up in the sky!" The girl exclaimed, "he's been pretty angry lately."

"I suppose so, thanks for the ride anyways," Percy waved goodbye as he woke Aero up, dragging him across the pavement to reach their mother's apartment.

As the two struggled to reach the apartment, one still extremely drowsy while the second tired from all the heavy lifting they were doing, Percy thought back to the moment their mother became somewhat of a role model, an actual one, one that deserved to be followed.

It was two years ago, Gabe, now ex-husband of Sally Jackson, had decided to physically abuse his step-children was the day he had faced the full wrath of Sally Jackson.

Suffice to say, that day completely opened up the twins eyes on self defense, and how vicious mothers could be when they are protecting their children.

Seeing the door with the white chipping paint, both pairs of eyes lit up to greet their mother, who swung open the door, a mother's instincts never failed her after all.

"Hello boys! I'm so glad to see you home-" Sally stopped herself when she saw Aero dozing off again, "and I take that your brother's pretty tired, let's get on in, I'll handle the luggage, thanks, Percy."

Carrying up the luggage, Percy asked his mother the same question he did since eight, "mom, when did you meet dad?"

Chuckling, Sally replied, "the same question again dewdrop?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I met him in Montauk after my uncle died, as you know, we fell in love, and then we had both of you, you and Aero, though you take after me more, and Aero takes after his biological father more with his temper, am I right?" Sally patted the head of Percy before leaving for the kitchen.

"Mother, where is he now? Hasn't he be proclaimed missing yet?" Percy asked, the question bothering him since he was eleven.

A sharp inhale of breath.

It was a lie, Percy realized.

"Dewdrop," Sally turned around, her eyes meeting Percy's, "some things are better left unsaid."

"I understand."

"Well, would you like some blue gummies I got from the store? They're near expiration so finish them in this week." Sally grinned as she held up a packet of blue gummy bears.