Tidal Queen

Chapter Two

Percy POV

"Your mom is alive!" Grover bleated. He was panting and sweat was dripping on his face. He had probably ran all the way from the big house. 

I lifted my head with a scowl on my face. "Don't kid with me, Grover! It isn't helping." I mumbled, my voice was scratchy and cracked. 

Grover shook my arm. "But I'm not kidding! Hades let your mom out! Just look!" He insisted as he shoved a piece of paper into my face. 

I took the paper from his hands. I wiped my eyes so that the smudges would be able to turn into writing. After letting my eyes focus I read the letter aloud. 

"Dear Percy, I have decided to let your mother live after having heard about the deaths of your other family members. I hope you will forgive my brother for his mistakes. -Hades" 

I read it again, trying to make sure that I read it correctly. I looked at Grover, smiling for the first time in days. "I-my mom is alive! Grover! My mom is alive! She's alive...alive!" I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight.

 A wide grin painted Grover's face as he pulled away. "Your mom is alive Percy, you get to go home..." 

I wiped my tear-stained cheeks. "Thank you, Lord Hades." I said, "thank you..." 

I jumped up with excitement. "I need to go home! Today, right now!" 

Grover nodded. "So you're not going to be year-round camper then, just a summer camper?" He confirmed. 

"Yeah, I can't leave my mom alone....with Oliver and dad gone...we need each other." I grabbed my bag to pack a few things. 

"Make sure you take a few Drachmas so that you can IM me or Annabeth!" Grover reminded as he handed me a brown pouch. 

I smiled. "Thanks," 

~~~~

The door swung open smoothly, the keys in my hand jingling. The house was large and empty. A Somber silence hung in the air, giving the house an eerie sense of loneliness. 

My feet clicked against the polished wood. I easily guided myself through the empty hallways. 

I stopped in front of a wooden door. A small chalkboard was hung on a nail with my name written in blue. 

I opened the door, the hinges squeaking slightly, and dropped my bag onto the blue carpet under my feet. The air was musty, and a layer of dust coated all of my belongings. 

I heard a shuffle come from the door, and I turned my head to find my mother dressed in a black dress. Her eyes were red and puffy, but her hair was as perfectly styled as ever. 

I ran to her, my arms enveloping her in a hug.

"Mom!" I mumbled into her shoulder. 

"Percy....thank you for coming back." She said, her arms falling limp at her side. 

I swallowed and nodded.

"I thought you had died!" I blurted, tears streaming down my face. "I thought that I was alone..." 

Mother smiled down at me. "I'm alive. We have each other." She reassured as she smiled down at me. Her hand cupped my cheek, her thumb lightly brushing away the tears. 

"Is it-is it true? Are they really gone?" I asked, my eyes wide as I stared at my mother for an answer. 

She shook, tears falling down like a rainstorm.

I felt my knees hit the ground. My mom's arms hung onto me as our bodies shook, the sound of sobs clear in my ears. I clung to her afraid to let go, to lose her too.