Maze of Memories

Mothers

As consciousness slowly returned to me, I found myself enveloped in warmth and softness, a stark contrast to the cold, harsh reality of the labyrinth. Blinking groggily, I tried to make sense of my surroundings, my mind still foggy from the ordeal I had just endured.

And then, as my vision cleared, I saw her – a woman with kind eyes and gentle hands, tending to my wounds with care and compassion. For a moment, confusion clouded my thoughts, and I could swear that I was back home, in the comforting embrace of my mother.

"Mom?" I murmured weakly, my voice barely a whisper as I reached out towards her, my fingers trembling with emotion. But as my eyes focused on her face, the illusion shattered, and I realized with a pang of disappointment that it wasn't her.

The woman smiled warmly at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners with a mixture of amusement and sympathy. "No, sweetheart, I'm not your mother," she said gently, her voice soft and soothing. "My name is Sally. You're safe now."

Safe. The word resonated within me, filling me with a sense of relief and gratitude. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to sink into the warmth of the bed, the pain of my wounds fading into the background as Sally continued her ministrations.

As Sally continued to tend to my wounds, her presence a comforting balm to my battered spirit, a flicker of recognition stirred within me. Percy. Percy Jackson. The name echoed in my mind, accompanied by vague memories of stories shared around campfires and battles fought side by side.

And then it hit me like a bolt of lightning – Sally Jackson, Percy's mother. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and I realized with a mixture of awe and gratitude that I was in the presence of a woman who had played a pivotal role in my friend's life.

"I... I remember now," I whispered hoarsely, my voice barely above a whisper as I turned to look at Sally with newfound clarity. "You're Percy's mom. Thank you... Thank you for everything."

Sally's smile widened at my words, her eyes sparkling with warmth and understanding. "You're welcome, sweetheart," she said softly, her hand squeezing mine in a gesture of reassurance. "Percy has told me so much about you. He'll be relieved to know that you're safe."

As the weight of her words settled over me, a sense of belonging washed over me like a gentle wave. Despite the pain and uncertainty that still lingered, I knew that I was among friends – friends who would stand by me through thick and thin.

As Sally continued to tend to my wounds with a gentle touch, a heavy weight settled in my chest, a nagging sense of guilt that refused to be ignored. Percy's fate remained uncertain, his whereabouts unknown in the wake of our harrowing ordeal.

"Sally," I began, my voice trembling slightly as I struggled to find the right words. "I... I don't know if Percy made it out of there alive."

The words hung in the air between us, thick with unspoken fear and anguish. Sally's expression softened, her eyes filled with empathy as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I understand," she said softly, her voice gentle yet reassuring. "But you mustn't blame yourself, Orion. You did everything you could to survive, and Percy... well, he's proven time and time again that he's a fighter."

Her words offered a sliver of comfort, but the guilt still gnawed at me, a constant reminder of the uncertainty that loomed over Percy's fate. Closing my eyes, I let out a shaky breath, willing myself to push aside the doubts and fears that threatened to overwhelm me.

"I just wish I knew," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I wish I knew if he's safe, if he's okay..."

Sally squeezed my shoulder gently, her touch a silent reassurance that I was not alone in my worry. "We'll find him, Orion," she said firmly, her tone filled with conviction. "We'll find Percy, and we'll bring him home."