A Light In The Dark

A Light in the Dark - Part Three

The next day dawned bright and clear, but the sun's warmth did little to ease Posidon Blue's anxiety. After the whirlwind of the previous night, he felt an urgent need to support his son, even if they were still strangers to each other. He packed a small bag for himself and set off to Percy's apartment, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

As he arrived at the building, he was surprised to find a slight sense of familiarity in the surroundings. He hadn't visited many places in the neighborhood since Sally left, but the worn front steps and faded hallway felt eerily nostalgic.

Posidon knocked gently on the door, and moments later, it swung open to reveal Percy. Today, he looked different—his expression brighter, his posture a bit straighter. Maybe it was the knowledge that he wouldn't be alone anymore, but Podidon hoped it signaled a positive change in his son's spirit.

"Hey, Dad," Percy greeted, a tentative smile breaking through his usual stoicism.

"Hey, buddy. Ready to pack up?" Posidon asked, forcing his voice to sound more confident than he felt.

"Yeah, I guess," Percy replied, glancing back into the small apartment.

They stepped inside, and Poseidon was immediately struck by how lived-in and colorful the space was. The walls were adorned with posters of superheroes and abstract artwork that Percy had created himself, each piece telling a story of its own.

As they began sorting through Percy's things, Posidon stumbled upon a stack of photographs neatly organized in a small box. Curiosity piqued, he pulled out the first one, and his breath caught in his throat.

In the photo, a vibrant young boy—about fourteen—beamed at the camera, wearing swim trunks, his hair slicked back with water droplets glistening in the sunlight. He was standing with a group of teammates, all proudly holding up a trophy. The back of the picture was labeled: "Percy, age 14: Our team won the school swim meet!"

Podidon's heart raced. The boy in the photo looked so full of life and energy, with strong, healthy legs that seemed to hint at an athletic prowess that he hadn't expected. A thousand questions flooded his mind—had his son once been an athlete? What had happened to him?

He quickly glanced at another picture: this one showed Percy diving into the water, a look of determination etched on his face. He could hardly reconcile the boy in the images with the young man in the wheelchair sitting nearby. It made him reconsider everything he thought he knew.

"Wow, you did well in swimming," Posidon said, keeping his tone light, hoping to gauge Percy's reaction.

Percy shrugged, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Yeah, that was a long time ago." There was a hint of sadness in his voice, a flicker of something that told Podidon there was more beneath the surface.

Not wanting to pry, Posidon decided against asking why Percy had been in a wheelchair since he was fifteen. He wanted to tread carefully, to create a space where Percy felt comfortable sharing when he was ready.

"Do you want to keep these pictures?" Podidon asked, gesturing to the photos in his hand.

"Yeah, definitely," Percy replied, his eyes lighting up at the thought. "I always kept them close. They remind me of... who I was."

Posidon nodded, tucking the photos back into the box. "We can find a nice spot in my house to display them. I want you to feel at home."

"Thanks," Percy said softly, and for the first time, Posidon saw a glimmer of trust forming in his son's eyes.

They continued packing, with Posidon carefully lifting items while Percy sorted through his belongings. Despite the physical limitations imposed by his wheelchair, Percy showed a surprising amount of determination, focusing intently on selecting what he wanted to bring with him.

"Let me help you with that," Podidon offered, noticing Percy struggle with a heavy book.

"I can manage," Percy insisted, his voice firm but respectful. "I just need a little time."

Posidon stepped back, respecting Percy's independence. He admired his son's resolve, understanding that it was part of who he was. It was just another reminder that they had a long way to go in understanding each other.

As they filled boxes with clothes, books, and knickknacks, Podidon found himself stealing glances at the photographs again, pondering the life Percy had lived before their paths had crossed again. The boy in those images felt like a ghost, a figure from another world that Posidon longed to know better.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they finished packing. Posidon could see a sense of accomplishment in Percy's demeanor, and he felt a swell of pride for the young man he was getting to know.

"Ready to head out?" Posidon asked, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"Yeah," Percy replied, a faint smile creeping onto his face.

As they made their way to the car, Posidon felt a weight lift from his chest. Despite the unknowns that lay ahead, there was something undeniably hopeful about this moment. The journey would be challenging, but perhaps together, they could create a new beginning—one where Percy could thrive, not just as his son, but as the individual he was meant to be.

With one last glance at the apartment, Percy took a deep breath and rolled forward, ready to embrace the new chapter waiting for him. And beside him, Poseidon was determined to be the father Percy needed, no matter the obstacles they would face together.