Broken Together [Perlypso] - Completed {Book 1 of 2}

III- We Meet Again

Percy

It seemed like Calypso almost smiled, but she quickly changed her expression into grim. "How did you..."

She didn't need to finish. I knew exactly what she meant.

"I, uh..." I didn't know how to explain. Magic compass leads to thing I desire the most, gets on boat, big ocean monster attacks, suddenly I'm here? I looked around, and blinked a few more times. "This must be a dream."

"Let me get you inside," Calypso said. "I gave you some nectar. Can you walk?" She offered me a hand, and I took it graciously. I looked down to see my clothes in tatters, and my body still cloaked in blood and mud. I didn't have any shoes, and I'm not sure where they went. Washed away at sea? Dang, how long was I out? I stumbled up, and fell into her accidentally. She caught me, and our eyes met, our faces only inches apart. I caught my breath, and my eyes drifted to the ground. She blinked, and quickly turned, hiding her expression. "You'll need a lot of rest. Don't worry, I'll take care of you and send you off."

"Well," I managed, "I..." I stopped. How the heck was I supposed to tell this girl that I'd torn apart and left alone that I was led by magic to the place I desired the most? It seemed so cruel of me to do that to anybody. I hobbled to her cave, stumbling, and tripping. Finally, we got inside, and I collapsed on the floor beside the bed.

Ω Ω Ω

I awoke to sun streaming onto my face. In the cave entrance, pulling back the curtain, was the silhouette of Calypso. "How'd you sleep, Percy?" I noted the bitterness in her tone.

"How long was I out?" I asked. "I mean... I know time is different, but... how many days here?"

Calypso pursed her lips. "About a week, you were out on and off again. Do you remember waking up?"

A week? The last time I was here, I was here for 3 or 4 days, and it was 2 weeks in mortal time. I thought hard, attempting to remember, and then shook my head. "A week?"

Calypso nodded slowly. "I fed you some ambrosia and nectar the few times you woke up. Can you sit up?"

I lifted myself up with ease. I felt weak, but good nonetheless.

"Can you walk?" She asked. I swung my legs over the bed, and stood. I was a little wobbly, but I walked up to her with little effort. "You seem good to go." She then turned and walked away to tend to her garden.

Huh, I thought. Well that was short.

I couldn't blame her though, I had ditched her and then gotten together with somebody else and forgot about her. I stepped out of the cave and into the light. I leaned on the side of the cave as my eyes adjusted to the sunlight. When the spots in my eyes finally cleared, I turned to find Calypso. I spotted her easily, hovering over her garden. I watched her fix her plants with care, and then turn and walk out on the beach.

"Hey," I called after her, but she ignored me. I walked after her as fast as I could, but my legs were still stiff. "Calypso!" I said as I reached the sands of the beach. She turned to face me. My expression softened. "I..."

Calypso walked up to me, a strand of her auburn hair falling out of her braid. "You're good to go now, Percy." She said. "You're healthy."

"Go?" I asked.

Calypso raised her eyebrow. "Whenever you'd like."

I looked down, and then looked at the surf. "Where's my boat?"

Calypso turned and looked at the water, that was calmly lapping the shore. "I'm... not sure." Calypso said slowly. I began walking quickly down to the surf.

"Where's my boat?" I yelled. I didn't see anything but horizon spanning out in the distance. The water lapped my ankles. I stared at the gleaming water in the distance. In every direction, all I saw was emptiness.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "You can rest for another day or 2, and stay here to regain your strength. I can help you pack for your journey the day after that, and send you off." Her words sounded hollow and empty, as if she was prepared for the worse. I wouldn't blame her. Her guard was up. I had crushed her. I had given her hope, and then left her alone with her broken heart without a second thought.

I didn't reply, and there was a long silence. "Okay." I finally said.

Calypso turned, and walked away, leaving me alone on the beach, just like I'd done her all those years ago. I was 18 now. It had been 3 years.

"My boat?" I asked the sky. Thunder rumbled. "Zeus you little fucker."