A Forgotten Maiden

Chapter 19

The morning after the storm, Calypso woke to the faint sounds of rainwater dripping from the eaves. The apartment was unusually quiet, save for the occasional clink of plates from the kitchen. She stretched, her mind lingering on the warmth of Percy's arm from the night before. Pushing the thought aside, she quickly got ready and joined Sally, who was bustling around preparing breakfast.

Percy stumbled out of his room moments later, his hair a disheveled mess. He muttered a groggy "Morning," and grabbed a seat at the table, shooting a quick glance at Calypso, who met his gaze with a soft smile. Sally placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him, her motherly intuition clearly sensing something.

"You two seem closer," Sally said casually as she poured coffee, her tone light but laced with curiosity. 

Percy nearly choked on his toast, sputtering, "What? No, we just... uh... talked during the storm." 

Calypso flushed slightly and focused on her tea. "It was a long night," she added quickly, not meeting Sally's knowing eyes.

Eve shuffled in then, her expression still shadowed with the weight of the past days. She quietly slid into the seat across from Percy, offering a faint smile to Sally in thanks for her plate. Calypso studied her carefully, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. 

"Sleep okay?" Calypso asked softly, trying not to push. 

Eve shrugged, poking at her food. "Better than I thought I would." 

Percy, ever blunt, piped up. "Well, you're stuck with us now, so get used to it. Don't worry—we're only mildly annoying." 

Eve's lips twitched, a tiny smile escaping before she quickly hid it behind her fork. Calypso shot Percy a grateful look as he smirked. The table fell into a comfortable rhythm, with Sally chatting about her plans for the day and Percy tossing in sarcastic quips that occasionally made Eve snicker.

Halfway through breakfast, Eve shifted to grab her glass of water, and her wrist brushed against Percy's arm. She immediately flinched, pulling her hand back so quickly that it tipped her glass. Percy caught it before it spilled, but his face had already darkened with concern. 

"Eve," he said gently, his tone a sharp contrast to his usual humor. "You okay?" 

"Yeah, fine," she muttered, keeping her eyes on her plate. 

Calypso and Percy exchanged a glance. Something wasn't fine, but pushing her wouldn't help. 

After breakfast, Percy suggested, "Let's get out of here. Fresh air might do us some good." 

"Where would we even go?" Eve asked, her voice skeptical but not dismissive. 

"There's a park not far from here," Percy said. "It's got everything—trees, grass, benches, other boring stuff. You might like it." 

Eve hesitated, but Calypso jumped in. "I think it's a great idea. Let's go." 

With some reluctance, Eve agreed, and the trio set out into the bustling city streets. Calypso found herself in awe of the vibrant energy around her. The sheer number of cars, people, and shops was overwhelming but exhilarating. Every corner seemed to hum with life, a stark contrast to the stillness of Ogygia. 

When they reached the park, the scene was lively. Street performers juggled flaming batons while children shrieked with laughter, chasing each other across the grassy fields. Calypso's attention was drawn to a small garden filled with bright flowers, their colors popping against the gray sky. She knelt to touch a petal, marveling at its softness. 

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, half to herself. 

Eve stood nearby, her hands in her pockets, watching the kids play. Slowly, she began to relax. "Yeah... it is."