Nobody Said It Was Easy

Chapter 3

Persephone shot up in the bed she had claimed as her own for the night. Tears streamed down her face, and her chest heaved as uneven breaths were sporadically dragged into her lungs.

She hugged her knees to her chest, and didn't even try to stop the sobs from ripping past her lips.

Her nails frantically scratched at her arms and legs, desperate to feel any sort of sensation that wasn't the immense pain that rocked through her mind and heart every time she closed her eyes. Her skin became raw and red, but in a strange way, it helped to calm her down. It reminded her that she was still here, that she had gone through all the challenges the Fates had forced her through and made it out the other side.

The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon when she had finally calmed down enough to climb out of bed. Usually when this happened she could just go down to the beach and go for a swim. But she was in New Jersey now, there was no beach here. Just the cold, lonely dark that her mother's light used to keep at bay.

Her mother. Her sweet, kind mother. She really was Percy's light. The person who she thought of when she thought she couldn't go on. Everything she'd ever done had been for her. And then later on, for her and Paul. So they could have a better life. Start a family, have kids that weren't as messed up and wrong as she was. But they'd never get to do that now.

Who was left to remember her? Who was left to remember Sally Jackson but her? Nobody. Because they were gone now... all of them. And there was nothing she could do about it but remember. Remember, and grieve, and mourn all on her own. Because there was nobody else left to do it with her.

It was morning, and she knew she wasn't going to be getting anymore sleep. There was no way she could. Percy felt like she was stuck in a daze. Conscious, alive, but not really. Drifting through the world, completely indifferent about wherever it may chose to take her. Nothing could be worse than the suffering she'd already been forced to endure.

As if by their own accord, her feet swung over the edge of the bed to land on the floor. The wood felt old, and it was clear this room hadn't been used in a long while.

It was only September, but there was still a certain chill in the air when she finally managed to find her way outside. She hadn't managed to see much of her new home last night. But in the light of day, it was clear that the place was massive. Not only was the manor itself huge, but also the grounds it happened to be sitting on. There were acres and acres of nothing but peaceful grass and hills. Even a small forest in the distance if her eyes didn't deceive her.

Nobody was up yet. And they probably wouldn't be for a long time, yet. So she decided to take this time all on her own to explore. And maybe sort out her emotions that were currently running rampant inside her brain. It wouldn't do to completely break down in front of the new people she was staying with.

Bare feet crunched over stiff grass as she began to make her way over to the forest in the distance that she now realised was an orchard. As she walked, she couldn't help but wish that she had taken the time to dress more properly before she had come out here. After all, a tank top and a ratty pair of sweatpants that were too short were hardly appropriate clothes, even if these people were her family.

Family.

She scoffed at the thought.

It was such an interesting word. Immediately drawing on thoughts of comfort and love and protection. As it should. Because you should always be able to rely on family.

It was funny, really. Because Percy's family had grown so large over the years. And she'd never even noticed.

That was... until they were taken away.