Heavens fallen to the sea

Chapter Four: Shadows in the Forest

The forest was cold, the air thick with moisture as Brandon ran, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The trees blurred past him as he sprinted deeper into the woods, desperate to put as much distance between himself and Camp Half-Blood as possible. His mind was racing, spiraling out of control with everything that had just happened.

*Son of Hera*. The words echoed in his head like a curse.

He had fought so hard to keep it hidden, to stay under the radar, and now, thanks to that damn campfire, everything was out in the open. Everyone knew. And worst of all, Percy knew.

Brandon's chest tightened, his breath catching as he thought about the look on Percy's face when the truth had been revealed. The shock. The confusion. And the hurt—Brandon had seen it, just for a second, before he bolted. Percy had trusted him, had been kind to him, and Brandon had thrown that trust back in his face by keeping such a massive secret.

He didn't deserve Percy's friendship. He didn't deserve to be at camp. All he had done since arriving was lie and hide, pretending to be someone he wasn't. And now it had all blown up in his face.

Finally, Brandon's legs gave out, and he collapsed against a tree, sliding down to the ground. He buried his face in his hands, fighting to breathe through the panic that was threatening to overwhelm him.

He had to leave. He couldn't stay at camp after this. Not after everyone knew the truth. No one would want him around—not as a son of *Hera*. She wasn't exactly the most beloved goddess among demigods. Not after everything she had done, especially during the war with Gaea.

Brandon pressed his palms into his eyes, trying to block out the world, trying to block out the shame that was clawing at him from the inside.

"Brandon!"

The voice cut through the darkness like a beacon, and Brandon stiffened. Percy's voice. He could hear him crashing through the trees, his footfalls heavy on the forest floor. Panic flared in Brandon's chest. He couldn't face Percy right now. Not after everything.

He scrambled to his feet, preparing to run again, but before he could move, Percy burst into view, his sea-green eyes wide with concern.

"There you are," Percy said, breathing hard as he approached. "Gods, I've been looking everywhere for you."

Brandon took a step back, his heart racing. "I don't want to talk about it, okay? Just... leave me alone."

Percy frowned, taking a cautious step forward. "I'm not going anywhere, Brandon. You don't have to do this alone."

Brandon clenched his fists, trying to hold himself together. "You don't get it, Percy. You don't *understand*. You're the hero, the guy everyone looks up to. You *belong* at camp. Me? I don't. Not anymore."

"Brandon, that's not true," Percy said firmly. "You *do* belong here. You're a demigod, just like the rest of us."

"A *son of Hera*," Brandon spat, his voice filled with bitterness. "The one goddess who no one wants anything to do with. Do you know what it's like? Do you know what people will say now?"

Percy took another step closer, his expression softening. "Yeah, Hera's done some messed up stuff. But that's not on you, man. It doesn't change who *you* are."

Brandon shook his head, his chest tight with frustration and fear. "I didn't tell you. I've been lying this whole time, pretending like I didn't know. And you—" His voice cracked. "You trusted me."

Percy's gaze softened further, and he sighed. "I won't lie, it stung that you didn't tell me. But I get it. I've had my fair share of secrets. I know how hard it is to trust people when you've been hurt."

Brandon looked away, unable to meet Percy's eyes. "You don't get it. You don't know what it's like."

"Then tell me," Percy urged gently. "Help me understand."

Brandon swallowed hard, his throat tight. For a moment, he considered running again, disappearing into the woods and never looking back. But something in Percy's voice stopped him. There was no judgment there, no anger—just concern. Just the same warmth Percy had shown him from the start, when he didn't have to.

Brandon's resolve broke, and he collapsed back against the tree, his legs trembling. "It's not just about Hera," he said quietly, his voice barely audible. "It's everything. I've been on the run for years. My whole life, it's been one disaster after another. Monsters, gods, everything falling apart. And I couldn't handle it. I couldn't handle *her*."

Percy listened intently, taking a seat on a nearby log, giving Brandon space but staying close enough to offer comfort. "Hera?"

Brandon nodded, his hands gripping his knees as he stared at the ground. "She's not like the other gods. She didn't just ignore me like some of them do. She... she *wanted* me to be something. To prove something. I was never enough for her, and when I tried to live up to it, everything got worse. Monsters started coming after me harder than ever. It was like they *knew* who I was, like it was a challenge."

Percy was silent for a moment, processing what Brandon had said. "That's why you've been running," he said quietly. "Not just from the monsters, but from *her*."

Brandon nodded, his throat tight. "I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't live with her expectations. And now? Now everyone at camp knows. They're going to see me the same way I see myself. A failure. A disappointment."

Percy's eyes softened, and he stood, walking over to kneel in front of Brandon. "You're not a failure, Brandon. And you're not a disappointment. Whatever Hera wanted you to be, that's not who you *have* to be. You get to decide that."

Brandon looked up at Percy, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. "But how? How am I supposed to move past everything? How do I just... live with this?"

Percy gave him a small, encouraging smile. "You don't have to figure it out all at once. It takes time. Believe me, I know what it's like to feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. But you don't have to carry it alone."

Brandon's breath hitched as Percy's words sank in. He'd been alone for so long, convinced that no one would ever understand what he'd been through. But here was Percy, offering to stand by him, offering friendship without conditions.

Brandon wiped at his eyes, embarrassed but grateful. "I don't know if I can do this," he whispered.

"You can," Percy said firmly, his voice full of conviction. "And I'll be right there with you. Every step of the way."

Something in Percy's tone—something in his eyes—gave Brandon the strength to believe him, if only for a moment. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as alone as he thought.

Percy stood up and offered his hand to Brandon, a grin tugging at his lips. "Come on. Let's get back to camp before everyone sends out a search party. They probably think we're off fighting monsters or something."

Brandon stared at Percy's outstretched hand for a moment, then took it, allowing Percy to pull him to his feet. As they walked back toward camp, side by side, Brandon felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. The truth was out, and somehow, Percy was still there. Still by his side.

Maybe there was hope for him after all.