Incarnates Of Olympus

The Lament Of A Son

The faint chirping of birds could barely be heard from outside of the bedroom, where Corey was sound asleep. The rays of the Sun shined through and bathed his face in light, and it was just enough to stir him from his slumber. Corey briefly opened his eyes only to close them again, and then he quickly sat up in his bed and let loose a sudden breath of surprise. He felt like he was on the verge of a heart attack with all of the rapid exhalations leaving his lips, as though he'd only just awoken from a horrible nightmare. Corey was able to calm his nerves and steady his breathing over time, and he brushed his hand through his hair. Only then did he hear a rapid, frantic knock on his door. Soon after, Patricia entered the room seemingly in a panic.

"Corey, get dressed and come downstairs. We have to get going."

"Mom? Why? What happened?" Corey asked.

Patricia, still mildly out of sorts, replied, "Your father's in the hospital."

All the blood seemed to drain from Corey's face when he responded, "What did you say?"

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St. Clare's Hospital seemed busier than usual and with good reason. The unexpected attack from the night before led to a slight influx of patients, some civilians and some cops. The Mercer family were hastily pushing through the halls where medical staff and patients were going in multiple directions. It wasn't entirely chaotic but it was getting close enough to it. Corey was trailing behind his mother and sister, still desperately to piece together the events of the night prior.

It wasn't a bad dream, that was clear enough. He was there, fighting against a horned beast that nearly killed his father. He had supernatural powers and he apparently the reincarnation of a long dead Greek God now. Corey was so busy trying to process ever that he almost collided with doctors or patients. He was at least able to gather himself and pick up the pace to stay with Patricia and Maggie until they all reached the correct room. It was labeled as Room 117, and Patricia and Maggie were the first ones to enter. Corey stalled for a brief moment before he entered the room.

There was John, sitting upright in his hospital bed with a bandage on his head. Maggie was already in his arms, hugging him like her life depended on it. Patricia stood by the bed holding back the tears while also laying her other hand on John's shoulder. Corey seemed like a statue, not able to move an inch. He could only watch as his little sister hugged their father tighter.

"I'm so happy you're okay, Dad." Maggie said, clearly trying fighting the urge to cry.

"Easy there, baby girl. The doctors said I need to ease up on getting hugs." John replied jokingly.

"We only just heard about the incident this morning, rushed here as soon as we could." Patricia said.

John released Maggie and said to his wife, "I got lucky; only came away with a mild concussion. The doctors say I can leave today."

"Dad?" Corey finally said.

The Mercer's attention was drawn to Corey, and John responded, "Hey there, big man."

Corey had to fight back tears before he rushed forward and embraced his father. "I'm sorry, Dad."

John was surprised by the embrace but accepted it all the same. "Sorry for what?"

"Yesterday, when we argued. I was out of line," Corey said as he kept fighting the urge to break down. "I shouldn't have... I shouldn't..."

John pulled his son closer and said to him, "It's okay, son. It's okay."

Corey knew his father was trying to reassure him, even going so far as to pat him on the back. A sigh of relief left Corey's lungs as he further embraced his father. Looking out of the corner of his eye, Corey noticed that his mother was holding his little sister tightly close to her waist. Maggie was clearly weeping, and Corey was doing all he could to appear strong for her. John did the same thing, even go so far as to tighten his embrace on his son. Corey accepted it, but a sense of conflict weighed down on him like an anvil on a rope. The reasons for why that was the case were reasons Corey couldn't tell his family.