Walking Curiously

The Meeting

I have a few one-shots I thought I would introduce to you while I piece together the main stories. So, here you are, my lovely readers. Short and sweet.

Point of View: Third Person

Perseus Jackson is thrown to the floor in front of someone he is deathly afraid of by Porphyrion, landing on his hands and knees. "..."

"Welcome, King Porphyrion. To what do I owe this visit?" The familiar man raises an eyebrow, not even paying attention to the demigod at his feet shaking.

"We have come so close yet cannot get him to break, but he gave us what we wanted." Porphyrion chuckles.

"And what did you want from the boy?" The man inquires.

"His hardened will cracked of course. We wish it were all gone, but look at him, the poor child is frightened to death. His mind has all but collapsed." Porphyrion grins. "Not to mention Polybotes had his fun with him."

Perseus flinches noticeably, attracting the man's attention.

"Lycaon, he is officially yours now. We have no use for him but entertainment. We want any information from him you can get, that he will not give up." Porphyrion explains.

"Oh?" Lycaon looks at Perseus curiously before returning his gaze to the Giant King. "Why did you carry him in?"

Porphyrion snickers. "Why not ask him? I'm sure he'd love to tell you."

Perseus looks more than upset and ashamed, he radiates guilt and fear, the anger he once had at himself gone forever.

"Interesting. Very well. Thank you, Porphyrion. Safe journey to you." Lycaon rises from his throne and Porphyrion vanishes into lightning. "Now to this intriguing piece of today. Greetings, boy, will you answer my question?"

Perseus remains silent, his hand still on his outer leg where he sits with them to the side. He pulls them closer to his body as he looks more pointedly away and off to the side, down at the crack in the cave floor.

"No?" Lycaon asks and then crouches before Pereus. "Then I shall ask once more. Why did that Giant have to carry you?" Lycaon glances at Perseus' legs where the demigod holds them and moves his own hand to them. "Your legs are perfectly fine, healthy and strong in every way. Why do you not use them?" Lycaon scowls like the rest of the Pack that have turned to their human forms out of curiosity. The Werewolf King puts a finger under the young immortal's chin and makes the demigod look at him. "I will not ask again, child. Why were you carried?"

Perseus shakes his head and moves Lycaon's hand away, covering his mouth.

"Is that supposed to mean something?" Lycaon demands.

Perseus' eyes widen and he takes his hand away from his mouth in an instant.

"Answer me." Lycaon growls.

"..." Perseus breathes.

"Say something. Speak, I will not punish you. I am not so cruel as that." Lycaon tells him and stares as it gets the boy's eyes to flit to his own.

Perseus shakes his head again.

"They trained you, didn't they?" Lycaon frowns. "They could not break you, but they trained your habits. What did Polybotes do to you? What did the others do to you?"

Perseus has an unbidden tear falling down his face at the mention of what was done to him.

Lycaon huffs. "Don't make me guess. I will allow you to speak your mind, it will never get you in trouble with me. I find it amusing, not angering."