A Light In The Dark

A Light in the Dark - Part Five

A week had passed since Percy's appointment, and it felt as if the world had shifted beneath them. The initial shock of learning about his condition had settled into a heavy sense of reality, and with it came the weight of daily challenges that were becoming increasingly difficult for Percy to bear.

Posidon watched with growing concern as he observed his son in their shared living space. Percy, once filled with a youthful vigor, now struggled with even the simplest tasks. The tremors that had begun in his hands as minor disturbances now racked his body with alarming frequency, causing him to spill water as he attempted to fill a glass or drop his utensils mid-meal.

"Percy, you okay?" Posidon asked one evening, finding Percy in the kitchen, his leg braces clinking softly against the leg rests on his chair. He had been trying to prepare a snack, but the sight of the half-assembled sandwich and the scattered crumbs tugged at Podidon's heart.

Percy sighed, his eyes momentarily flaring with frustration. "Yeah, just... having a hard time," he admitted, his voice strained as he fought against another tremor that threatened to overtake him. "It's just getting worse, you know?"

Posidon stepped closer, his heart aching as he watched Percy struggle. "You don't have to do this alone. Let me help."

Percy glanced at his dad, and for a moment, vulnerability flashed across his face. "I don't want to be a burden," he muttered, looking down at his hands as they trembled slightly, making the sandwich-making impossible.

"You're not a burden, Percy. You're my son," Poseidon said firmly, moving in to help. "Let me take care of this."

With a reluctant nod, Percy let his Father quickly finish making the sandwich, but as he worked, he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that clung to him. Each tremor, each struggle, felt like a reminder of how little control they had over the situation.

As the days wore on, Podidon noticed more changes in Percy. He seemed to tire more quickly, his cheeks pale against the backdrop of their home. The once bright spark in his eyes was dimmed by the fatigue that loomed over him like a dark cloud.

One afternoon, while Percy rested in his room, Posidon quietly entered to check on him. The sight was heartbreaking. Percy lay on his bed, his manual wheelchair parked nearby. The tremors were more pronounced now, causing his body to twitch involuntarily. His breathing was shallow, and he seemed to be fighting against the exhaustion that threatened to pull him under.

"Hey, kiddo," Poseidon said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Percy opened his eyes, struggling to focus. "Tired. It's like my body is turning against me," he whispered, the tremors subsiding momentarily as he spoke.

"I know this is hard," Poseidon said, brushing a hand through Percy's hair, comforting him as he would have done when he was younger. "But we'll figure it out together. You're not alone in this."

Percy's gaze dropped to the blanket, and a single tear escaped his eye. "I just wish things could go back to how they were before. I miss feeling normal."

Posidon felt a lump form in his throat. Though things are different now, we'll take it one day at a time. We'll find the right doctors, the right care... whatever you need."

Percy turned his head slightly, looking at his dad with a mixture of hope and fear. "What if I get worse? What if I can't even walk anymore?"

"That's a possibility we have to consider," Poseidon said gently. "But it doesn't change who you are, Percy. You're still an amazing kid. And I'll be right by your side, no matter what happens."

"Promise?" Percy asked a quiver in his voice.

"I promise," Posidon replied, leaning in to embrace him. Percy melted against him, the tension in his body softening for just a moment.

Days turned into nights, and despite Posidon's promises, Percy continued to decline. The tremors became more frequent, and he often found himself too exhausted to get out of bed. Poseidon did his best to manage everything, but he could see the toll it was taking on them both.

One evening, while they sat together on the couch watching a movie, Percy suddenly stiffened, his body convulsing as tremors coursed through him. Posidon immediately reached out, instinctively supporting him.

"Percy! Breathe. Just breathe," Poseidon said urgently, his heart racing as he held Percy steady.

"I can't—" Percy gasped, his eyes wide with fear.

"Focus on me. Just look at me. You're okay, Percy. I'm right here," Posidon urged, willing his son to find solace in his presence.

As the tremors gradually subsided, Percy slumped back against the couch, panting. "It's getting worse, Dad. I don't know how much more I can take," he admitted, the fear palpable in his voice.

Posidon took a deep breath, steadying himself. "We'll talk to the doctor again. Maybe there's something we can do to help you. I won't let you go through this alone."

Percy nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. "Promise?"

"Absolutely," Posidon said firmly, wrapping an arm around Percy, and pulling him close.

As they sat there in the fading light of the evening, Posidon silently vowed to do everything in his power to help Percy fight against the darkness that threatened to engulf them. They were in this together, and together, they would face whatever came next.