Percy Jackson: Hardened

Chapter 1

I lay wide awake, dreading what is to come when my eyes close.

More than anything, I want comfort. I want shelter from the harsh cold torture of my nightmares.

But I lay completely alone in the empty apartment.

I don't blame my mom, she did what she thought was best for her, Paul, and the baby. She would never have meant to hurt me. It's selfish of me to put her in danger just for my own sake.

She's providing me somewhere to live, and beggars can't be choosers. But if I could choose, I'd want my family home with me. I want to meet my new baby sister, but I can't. I could never forgive myself if they got in danger because of me.

I guess I'll have to look for a job tomorrow to support myself and the apartment.

If you asked me a couple months ago, where I thought I would be now, I can promise you it wouldn't be laying in my vacant childhood apartment, dreading sleep and thinking finances. I would have said in college, with my wise girl, finally taking a break after two wars.

I feel my heart ache just thinking about her. She is, was, my everything.

I let down my friends, I let down Annabeth. And they are all dead now. Because of me. I failed them. What's the point of winning a war if you've nothing to fight for.

And I appreciate everyone doing what they think is right to help me, like my mom. She's moved the family away from me for now, but I know she's trying her hardest to support me and the newborn at the same time. And then the gods. They thought they were doing what was best for me, but they've sentenced me. Against my will the council blessed me for defeating Gaia, giving me immortality along with their blessing. But they've sentenced me, to an eternity without my Wise Girl, and an eternity of torture.

Tarturas did not take me killing his spouse too kindly, and has branded me his torture toy, a rag doll for him to take out his anger on. He can usually only reach me while I am asleep, but he has sometimes been able to render me unconscious. Of course, it is only my spirit that is dragged to the depths of his pit every night, but everything transfers over to my physical body. And I feel helpless.

The great 'Hero of Olympus' laying in self pity and fear on his cold apartment floor.

As I succumb to the darkness I can feel his burning chains on my soul as he drags me down the darkest corners of the pit's depth.