A Light In The Dark

Percy Jackson lay in bed, the soft hum of the evening filtering through the curtains, casting gentle shadows across his small bedroom. At sixteen, he had grown into a tall, lanky figure, standing at six feet two inches, but his body felt like a stranger to him. The undiagnosed illness that plagued him was a relentless thief, stealing away his strength day by day. His self-propelled wheelchair sat by the bed, a reminder of the world he could no longer navigate as easily as he once had. Thick leg braces supported his weak limbs, but they felt like chains binding him to the wheelchair.

Tonight was like any other, with the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the faint rustle of leaves outside. Percy tried to drift back to sleep, but the world outside interrupted his quiet solitude with a sharp knock on the front door. He blinked, confusion filling his mind as he stared at the clock. It was late, far later than any of his friends would come knocking.

Another knock, louder this time, echoed through the apartment, jolting him fully awake. With a soft groan, he pushed himself into a sitting position, the sheets slipping from his shoulders. The knocks came again, more insistent. Percy's heart raced as he wheeled himself closer to the door, the wooden frame seeming to loom larger than life.

"Who is it?" he called, his voice barely more than a whisper. He didn't expect an answer, but the urgency of the knocks sent a shiver down his spine.

"Percy Jackson? Open the door, please," a firm voice replied. There was something serious in the officer's tone that made Percy's stomach twist.

Reluctantly, he rolled his wheelchair up to the door, struggling to find the strength to pull himself up to unlock it. His heart raced as he fumbled with the latch, finally managing to swing the door open, revealing two police officers standing under the dim light of the hallway.

"Mr. Jackson," one officer began, his expression grave, "we need to talk to you."

"Is something wrong? Is it my mom?" Panic flooded Percy's voice, a knot tightening in his throat. Sally Jackson was his everything—his anchor in this storm of uncertainty.

The second officer exchanged a glance with his partner, his face etched with sympathy. "We're very sorry, but there's been an accident."

"An accident?" Percy echoed, confusion clouding his mind. He couldn't process the words. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

"Percy," the first officer said gently, kneeling to meet his gaze. "Your mother... she didn't make it."

The world around Percy shattered into a thousand pieces. The walls felt like they were closing in, and the air turned thick and suffocating. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. "No," he whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks. "No, no, no."

"We're so sorry," the officer continued, his voice fading into the background as Percy's heart shattered. His mother had always been his greatest support, the one person who believed in him even when the doctors had given up hope. The thought of losing her was unfathomable.

"I need to see her," he choked out, desperate. "Where is she? I need to... to say goodbye."

The officers exchanged another look, and Percy could see the pity in their eyes. "We're taking care of everything, Percy. But you need to stay strong right now."

"Stay strong?" he scoffed bitterly, his voice rising. "How can I stay strong when she's gone?"

"We need to get you some help," the second officer said, standing back up. "Can you call a family member or a friend?"

Percy felt lost in a haze of grief, and shook his head, having no one to call who lived close by. He had no one who could help him navigate this storm. His heart ached with the realization that he had no one else. His friends were far away, and his family had been small to begin with.

He looked up at the officers, who were still standing at the door, concern etched on their faces. "I'm... I'm going to need help. I don't want to be alone right now."

"Of course," the first officer replied. 

As he sat in his wheelchair, surrounded by the shadows of grief, Percy clung to that flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to navigate this new darkness.