Ship in a Bottle

Arising from the Dead (Or was she?)

Thanks for sticking with it, everyone. I know it can be a pain in the ass to wait for an author to post but I kinda forgot about this. Sorry.  

@berney333 and @Daughter-of-Pan are my lifesavers thank you guys so much for keeping me in line <3

Anyway, on to the story. Sorry for this.

The next day, Percy arrived back at his house. It was just as he had left it when his stepfather had been arrested, but it felt different somehow. Silent and distant and so, so lonely. He felt sorrow when he spotted Estelle's toys, toys he wouldn't have the heart to get rid of. 

He sat on the couch, feeling the couch cushions fold beneath him. He stared at the TV, a blank expression written on his face. Now that he was alone, there was nothing to live for, nothing to think about. His brain was empty and so was his tongue. And if his words came back, what would he say? 

Percy's skin trembled, but not because he was cold. He felt nothing inside but anxiety and melancholy. And so he sat on the couch for hours and hours, unable to speak or even move. His body wouldn't allow him to. 

Time seemed to stop as he sat. He heard no voices, no noises, only the sound of blood in his ears. Life went on and on but Percy wasn't a part of that. It was a strange feeling. 

When will this end? He thought to himself. All this pain? I just wish it would stop.

"Stop," He mumbled. "I can make it all stop."

It's sad to think about, suicide. One part of you wants it to all be over with, no questions asked. Percy's body wanted to rest. Forever. But his heart and soul refused. They cried out, Don't do this! You're making a huge mistake! And he was. 

But there was a third part to him, and everyone else, really. Every person on Earth is made up of physical, mental, and social traits. The social side of Percy wasn't a clear message, more like white noise buzzing in his head. It was so loud he could barely think. 

Then he heard Jason's voice in the back of his mind. He clamped his eyes shut, hearing nothing but static and a gentle whisper from his best friend. 

 "Don't do anything you'll regret, alright?"  When Estelle died, Jason made sure he would be alright. That's what he thought about. "You're just as important as the rest of us. Hang in there, alright?

Percy sighed aloud, making the first noise in a while. "Shut up, Jason."

He abruptly stood from the couch, throwing a pillow across the living room in frustration. "Agh, shut up, shut up, shut up! I just want it to be quiet!"

He ran his hands through his dark hair, intertwining his fingers in the locks. He held his head and felt tears emerge in his eyes. Still, the voices didn't seem to go away. Of course, he heard ringing. Always the ringing, and a new voice as well. 

 "That's amazing, Percy! I'm so happy for you."

Annabeth?

Why did he hear Annabeth?

Percy paused amidst his breakdown, holding his hands out in front of him, staring deep into his palms and looking for a meaning. A message. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," He softly cried, his voice no louder than a whisper. 

"Our friend group isn't just shits and giggles, you know. We're some pretty broken people."

"I know, Annabeth," Percy snapped, attempting to slow his breathing. "I'll fit right in. I have to. I need to."

And suddenly Percy was in his stepfather's bedroom, admiring his gun trophy case. Not admiring, more like envisioning. He studied the variety of guns, fighting the temptation to reach in and grab one. He didn't even realize he was already holding one. 

You have to fight this!

"I can't," Percy breathed, loading the gun with a few bullets. "I can't take it anymore. I've lost everything."

What would Estelle think?

Percy paused, taking in the question. What would Estelle think about Percy threatening to kill himself? 

"It doesn't matter what she would think," He decided, cocking the gun. "She's dead, remember? She's gone, just like mom. I have nothing left to live for. It's best to just end it all now before it can get any worse."

There was a brief moment when Percy lifted the gun to his forehead and he felt a small feeling of regret pooling in his stomach. The noise came back, the voices came back. His mind almost buzzed back to life before Percy dared to pull the trigger. 

Then he did. It didn't shoot. It was jammed because Percy didn't know how to load a gun. 

"Dammit!" He shouted, throwing the gun through the glass trophy case. Glass littered everywhere, including on his skin, but he didn't care. He leaned against the wall and fell into a fetal position. Then, softer, he muttered "Dammit."

You can't do anything right. You can't even manage to kill yourself. You really are a screw-up. No wonder your dad left you. And your mom. And your sister. You deserve it.

"You're right," Percy cried, wiping his tears with his long sleeve vigorously. "I am a screw-up."

Suddenly, amidst his mental breakdown, he heard a scream outside his home. It was high and feminine, most likely a young girl. It almost reminded Percy of Estelle. 

His big brother instincts kicked in as he dashed downstairs, running through the kitchen to see a little girl on the sidewalk, bleeding out of her leg. Percy didn't even know who it was and failed to recognize her because she was so dirty. Her hair was filthy and covering her face as she screamed for help. 

What really sent him over the top was the shrill "PERCY!"

Percy sprinted outside and grabbed the little girl's arm, helping her to her feet. He brushed her hair behind her shoulders and looked into her eyes. They matched Estelle's. 

"Estelle?" He whispered breathlessly. "I can't believe you're alive. I thought you were dead."

"Gabe took me," Estelle cried, falling into Percy's arms. "His friends held me hostage."

Percy closed his eyes tightly, shame and regret stinging his soul. If he had actually managed to kill himself, he would've left Estelle without anyone. He had almost ruined her life. "I'm so sorry."

"No, I'm sorry," Estelle apologized. "I left you alone."

"Don't apologize," Percy pulled away from the embrace, holding his face in his gentle hands. "You didn't deserve that. Come inside. I'll get you wrapped up. How long have you been hurt?"

"Since they shot me," Estelle explained slowly. "It wasn't enough to kill me."

"Good, good," Percy whispered, leading her inside. "Sit on the couch, I'll get the supplies."

Percy wrapped up her wounds and treated them accordingly as he explained what happened to Gabe. After what Estelle had said about his little plan, he was suddenly glad you advocated for himself. Nobody in his family had to be in danger ever again. 

"Where's mom?" Estelle asked innocently. "Is she okay? Did she make it?"

"She's in a coma," Percy said softly. "She should wake up soon, hopefully. I don't really know yet, but she'll be glad to see you when she wakes up."

"And you," Estelle added. "She'll be glad to see you, too."

Percy faintly smiled. "Yeah. She will."

I'm sorry!