Lost Son

Chapter 2 (THALIA)

(Thalia)

Just to reiterate, I do not own anything. I do not own the characters, nor do I own the song Percy will supposedly "write" and "sing" in this chapter.

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Ugh. I have work today. Don't get me wrong. I love the money, but the place I work at is on the bad side of town which brings back memories of before my brother met his boyfriend.

The area the small café I work at is, for lack of a better word, crappy. I have a higher chance of getting mugged on the way to and from work than anyone would like. Luckily none of our new friends have found where I work at, else they probably would have made me quite my job, and I can't do that just yet.

Well, I guess that's not true. Annabeth found out. She understands why I can't leave my job. She feels the same way when it comes to him. Him being Percy Jackson. He is just someone you want to protect. My brother found our savior; I only wish Jason could have found Percy's savior too.

Percy is probably the nicest, sweetest guy you'll ever meet on this side of town. Unfortunately, his home life is even worse than Jason and mine was before we met the Di Angelos, and I can't leave him the way he is. Percy is suicidal on top of all the abuse. That makes for a bad combination. On top of that, everyone on this side of town thinks he's a freak.

See the problem with Percy is he doesn't speak. He has the job of singing in the café, but he will not say anything. The only time his vocal cords are in use is when he's singing. He has the most beautiful voice too, but when it comes time to function like a normal person, he just doesn't. He doesn't say a word.

I walk over to him and he simply smiles. Doesn't say anything as usual, all I get is that lopsided smile of his.

I on the other hand, act like a normal person and say hi. I get no response, but I also don't expect one. I've known Percy for six years. In those six years he's never said a word.

I look at Percy one more time, before I go get ready. Looks like last night was a bad one for him. His left eye is bruised and he has a cut above the right. His lip is split and it looks like he's putting all his weight on one side. He's putting cups in stacks on the counter, but his movements are slow and sluggish. It's as if every movement hurts him. I know it's because some of his ribs are probably bruised if not broken.

I walk away frowning, heading to the back to get my apron. I hate that he won't talk about it. I'm going to find him dead on the side of the street somewhere one day.

While I'm in the back, I take out my phone and call Annabeth. It rings for several moments before she picks up.

"Thalia, we have a family meeting at the Di Angelo's house in a little bit. Where are you?" I hear as soon as the line clicks in. "Well, hello to you to Annabeth. Why, my days been great thanks for asking. Oh, you want to know the reason I called earlier? I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you over someone telling me stuff I already know." I tell her as soon as she stops talking. "Sorry. I'm sorry, Thalia. Just you know how rare family meetings are." She states. I answer with a nod even though she can't see me.

"I already told Jason, but I can't make it to the meeting. I have work. I just arrived. I was wondering if you could stop by before the meeting." I continued, "There's a certain someone we both know that had a particularly hard night last night and we both know, you are better than I am at making things better for said person."

"You know I would sneak away anytime I could for Percy, Thalia, but Piper has a tight hold on me at the moment. It's nearing the 18th and everyone, besides you and me, is nervous about my disappearance. I don't think I'll be able to slip away today. It will be hard enough on the 18th,"Annabeth states from the phone.