Mystery Iris Messenger

Twenty One

Over the past two months, Percy has been healing phenomenally. With the help of Apollo, they've making slow but steady process in helping Percy get over everything that's happened.

They were sitting on the sofa, Percy pulled securely to Apollo's chest. His mind had been drifting off to one idea lately. Though Apollo could tell something was on his mind, he never asked, deciding Percy would bring it up when he was ready.

"Hey Apollo," Percy pulled away from his boyfriend so they could be face to face. "I want to go see my mom. I haven't talked to her since. . . that day, but I need to. She's still my mom."

"Okay," Apollo nodded. "Do you want to see her right now?"

"Please," Percy nodded. Apollo smiled and grabbed Percy's hand and teleported them into an alleyway not too far away from the Jackson-Blofis household.

They walked for about five minutes before a familiar house came into view. Percy sped up his walk just a bit, working up the confidence. He didn't know how his mom would react. What if she had forgotten about him? What if she turns him away for the baby?

Percy didn't feel himself stop, but apparently he did. He didn't feel a tear run down his cheek until Apollo wiped it away. "What's wrong, Percy?" Apollo asked, his voice soft. He tilted Percy's head up and kissed him softly.

"I just . . ." Percy began, but stopped himself. "What if she doesn't want to see me?"

"She'll want to see you, Percy," Apollo assured him. "Like you said, she's still your mom." Percy nodded, still having some doubts, but he knew this would have to happen someday.

They walked the rest of the way to the house at a slower pace. Percy took a deep breath before knocking when they reached the front door. He wasn't sure if he had to do that, but at the moment, it felt like he was at a stranger's house.

The door was opened by Paul. He was wearing a light gray shirt that had an obvious vomit stain on the shoulder. His hair was ratted and he looked like he hasn't slept in ages. "Percy?" he asked like he couldn't believe it.

"Yeah," Percy said shyly, looking down. "Is my mom here?"

"Oh, um, yes," Paul nodded, then turned toward the kitchen. "SALLY, YOUR SON IS HERE!" Footsteps could be heard and pretty soon Sally was in view. Her eyes landed on Percy and she pulled him in for a hug. Percy felt himself tense which caused alarm to Sally.

"What happened?" Sally asked, looking her son up and down. "I haven't talked to you since the end of the war."

Paul led them into the living room when Apollo mentioned that they probably shouldn't talk about this stuff so carelessly out in the open. During the walk, Percy wasn't sure if he wanted to explain everything or just yell.

They sat down and Percy wanted to cry again. Something was pulling at the back of his mind. He could tell it was the voice. That same voice he's worked so hard on getting rid of. He tried to force it away, but it wouldn't cooperate.

She chose the baby over you, the voice said. Not once after that day did she try to Iris Message you. And yet, here you are, about ready to forgive her. Remember where forgiveness got you last time?

The words sunk into Percy and he ran out of the house, not really caring where he ended up.

~~~

Apollo watched as Percy ran out of the house. He got worried, but knew he had to be the one to explain to Sally and Paul what was going on.

"So I'm just going to put everything out bluntly so that I can go after him," Apollo announced. "Basically most of the demigods were blaming Percy for the deaths of those who had died in the war. Percy tried to kill himself. He lived, though. Then we started dating. Annabeth Chase did some horrible things to him, so I killed her. Now we've been working on helping him get better. Earlier today he said he wanted to come see you guys. But then he started wondering if you would push him away like you-Sally-did when he tried to Iris Message him, but you cut the call to go to the baby."

Not letting them respond, as they should talk to Percy, Apollo ran out, trying to sense where Percy went.