Reading With The Past

The Gathering

*Before the Gathering at Camp Half-Blood*

It was the marking of it being 3 years since the Second Titan War, two years since the Second Giant War, and one whole year since the Trials of Apollo incident. The demigods were all feeling down in the dumps, but non-other than Percy Jackson. Percy still blamed himself for all of the demigods who lost their lives in all of the wars. Every single death was like a dagger being plunged into him, even if he barely knew them or not at all. He felt the pain of every single death that had occurred in his lifetime. It seemed to him that all he ever did was endanger his friends and family.

When Percy found out Jason died he swore his heart shattered. He felt as if he was in Tartarus once again. He felt as if he had lost a part of himself. He knew he lost apart of himself. He lost his fellow leader, one of his best friends, his brother. He knew the feeling of this pain. He's dealt with this type of pain before, but it's still painful every time and day. 

He felt this way when Beckendorf had passed away when Lee and Micheal passed, he even felt this way when Luke had passed. The pain is unbearable. He couldn't believe he had lost someone else. Percy felt he needed space and he believed the only way he'll get that is by locking himself away. 

So, that's what he did. He locked himself away for almost two weeks. He didn't eat, sleep, smile, or speak to anyone during that time. The only thing he did was cry and lose part of his sanity. Voices and thoughts were attacking his brain and heart. When he finally had the courage to leave his cabin, the only thing he did was eat or train. He couldn't risk losing someone else.

So, he decided to do the thing he believed would help him most, he trained. He pushed away from the ones he held close. Did it pain him to push away his friends and family? Gods, yes. But it seemed like the only possible way to keep them all alive. 

He never spoke to Grover. Never spoke to Chiron. Never listened to Will's advice. Will would always tell him what he was doing was unhealthy and could cause serious issues. Both mentally and physically, but Percy didn't care. He had to keep everyone safe, even if his health was in jeopardy. So, he always declined to pull pranks with the Stoll's and Hermes' Cabin. He barely spoke to his mother and Paul. He didn't even speak to his baby sister, Estelle. 

Then his break-up with Annabeth happened. Annabeth broke up with him claiming he wasn't the same seaweed brain she fell for. He knew he wasn't the same. If he was the same, Jason would still be here. Breathing and spending time with the seven, spending time with the love of his life, Piper. 

But losing Annabeth made him feel like he was better off being in Tarturas. Though instead of lashing out at her, he understood her reasoning and left her in peace. He kept his distance from Calypso and Leo. Hazel and Frank were in New Rome most of the time, so he knew how to avoid them. The only thing keeping Percy from hugging and speaking to them was the thoughts of them dying. 

If another person he loved died, he wouldn't be able to handle it. The thoughts of his friends and family living, smiling, laughing, and just being there almost made him smile in pride for himself. He finally felt he was doing something right.

*The beginning at Camp Half-Blood*

All of the campers from both Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter were at the camp-fire. They were all smiling and laughing, but not like they used to. They were all having a good time it seemed even Nico was there having a good time, smiling and holding Will's hand. 

But, what Percy didn't know is that his absence was draining the energy out of them. They all missed him. They all wanted to hang out and laugh with him, but he was never around and would push them away. Instead of Nico, this time it was Percy in the shadows behind everyone with the barest trace of a smile on his face. Proud he has kept them alive this long. He knows they can take care of themselves, but that doesn't mean they couldn't die or get seriously injured.