Nobody Said It Was Easy

Chapter 2

Persephone Jackson sat still as a statue in the uncomfortable chair of the police station. She was tired, but she didn't dare close her eyes. Because she knew the second she did they would be there, staring up at her with their accusing dull eyes. All those she couldn't save.

The police woman who had brought her here was away, typing furiously on a nearby computer looking for any relatives of hers that would be willing to take her in. She knew they wouldn't find any. The only living relatives she had left were the gods, and they only know what their reaction to that proposition would be.

Hey Uncle Z, everybody I've ever loved is dead. Can I stay up there on Olympus with you?

She almost snorted out loud.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the return of the police woman. But instead of the resigned and apologetic look Percy was expecting her to have, she looked hopeful and kind of... awed?

Percy struggled not to let her confusion and hope show on her face.

"Looks like you're in luck, Persephone. Were you aware that your mother was adopted?".

At Percy's shake of the head she continued.

"Sally Jackson was originally Sarah Wayne. She went missing when she was about 9 years old and was presumed dead. But here she is! Or... was".

The officer winced slightly at her perceived insensitivity before continuing.

"Your uncle, Bruce Wayne is coming to pick you up".

She waited and studied her face for a moment, seemingly waiting for some sort of reaction to that name. But Percy hadn't the slightest clue who that was.

Not getting the reaction she was apparently looking for, the woman patted her knee once more before standing up and walking back over to sit behind her desk, leaving Persephone alone to her thoughts.

She didn't know who this 'Bruce Wayne' was or why she was supposed to know him, but what she did know was that whoever he was didn't deserve what was about to happen to him. Everybody who had ever loved and taken care of her was now dead. (Except for her father of course, but he was immortal, so she wasn't sure if he really counted).

It wasn't fair that he would have to take her in simply because they were related. He didn't even know her!

Everybody around Percy always got hurt, and she wasn't particularly looking forward to adding a new name to that list.

It would be better if she just ran away now, while she still could. Bruce Wayne, her supposed uncle, would keep living his life, blissfully unaware of all of the true evils that walked alongside him. The police would look for her because it's their job, but eventually they, too, would give up. After all, who was she but just another random girl?

The only person running away would really hurt was herself, and she deserved it. And yet, there was another part of herself deep inside that was just so tired. Tired of running and crying. All Persephone really wanted now was somewhere to go and call her own.

Both her homes had been destroyed as soon as her friends and family stopped living in them. She didn't belong anymore. And that part deep inside her was still searching for somewhere she truly belonged.

Maybe she could find one with her new Uncle Bruce?

As soon as that thought crossed her mind, the door opened, and she realized she was out of time to make her decision anyway.

The man that walked in was wearing a black suit. It wasn't too overly fancy, but she could tell it was expensive. He had rather short-cut black hair, and his hands were held calmly at his sides.