Chapter 11
Natasha POV
I didn't even know what to say, the whole room was still frozen in shock almost all of them were crying or at least had tears in their eyes. This was what Percy had to go through. I was also concerned about the things the monster or giant whatever the thing was saying about Percy. Percy clearly had survivor's guilt and I knew that it would never go away.
Percy also thought really low of himself. He didn't deny it when the giant said the he let his friends die. He didn't deny it when the giant said he should be dead too. After all today he almost died too.
I still hate to think about it. Knowing that Percy was so sad, so depressed that he'd almost ended his own life was a scary thought. But the most concerning thing was Percy didn't deny it when the giant called him a monster.
Percy thought of himself as a monster. He did. And I hated that. I knew the feeling but since I didn't know anything he had been through I couldn't comfort him. The man who was I guess Percy's father, though I'm still not sure how he just appeared or how he conjured the water and more importantly why and how did the water heal Percy like that?
I sighed putting away my questions. The day had been a mentally and emotionally exhausting one and I really wanted to catch up on some sleep although I knew it would be difficult considering the things I saw but still I somehow made my way to my room. I must have been much tired than I thought because I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Thankfully I had no dreams whatsoever and got a good nap before Clint woke me up for dinner.
Steve POV
I felt like throwing up all over the place after I saw Percy getting tortured. It made me sick that he's just 17 and is going through all this shit. This day has been a roller coaster start to finish. I need some time to cool off.
Firstly getting told off by Percy, then hearing his talk with his father then walking into his room only to find him almost dying after having killed himself to finding out he is being tortured in his dream was too much for me. I didn't allow myself to ponder on the mystery of Percy's father or how Percy got to that place and how did his injuries affect him in real life too and the water voodoo Percy's father pulled. I could already feel a headache coming on and if I saw anything else which was bizarre my head will just explode. I tossed and turned in my bed trying to sleep but ended up feeling even more restless so I decided to check in on Percy before heading to the training room.
On my way I heard the two kids and Percy's father talking in low voices. I slowed down eventually coming to a stop to hear them speak. Now, usually I don't eavesdrop but in this case I needed at least some answers otherwise it will drive me crazy.
I strained my ears to hear their conversation.
His dad was saying, "Did you two know that he did this?"
The girl then spoke up her voice slightly shaky, "No Uncle P he never told anybody. I wish he would've said something sooner but he was so busy helping others that he forgot to take care of himself. He'd almost bled out when we arrived. But there was something that didn't make any sense…the ambrosia which we fed him wasn't working properly. The cut wouldn't close and it continued to bleed although slower. Why did that happen?"
I then hear the teen boy answer, "Thals it was because his body and mind were resisting it. His will to die was so strong that the ambrosia could only do little when he didn't want it."
The silence which followed it was deafening and I opted that it would be the best for me to give them privacy. Although I couldn't stop thinking about Percy. I was worried out of my mind like the rest. I took a quick glance in the med bay and saw that Percy was still asleep.
The cuts had already healed and he had an almost peaceful expression as he slept. It made him look much younger. I squinted and saw that he was slightly drooling. Smiling slightly, I shook my head and continued on my way to the training room. At least he was safe. For now.
Thalia POV
I learnt all of their names at dinner that night. We told them that we were Percy's cousins and they let us crash here today. I was really grateful. It meant that I could keep an eye on Percy too. He still hadn't woken up but he wasn't in a coma more like his body was catching up on all the sleep he'd missed.
We took turns introducing ourselves. I could tell Percy hadn't told them the truth yet so I kept quiet about the other world.
The redhead was Natasha, she was an assassin and a super spy and I instantly hit it off with her. She didn't hate men, like me but was pretty cool.
Next was a man, I instantly disliked him, he looked the kind of person who flirted with everybody and was self-obsessed. I was sort of right. He was a genius too. Leo would've loved him.
Next was the doc. He seemed like a pretty chill guy so I couldn't believe it when he told us what happened when he was angry. He turned into a green rage monster. Tony to Bruce's utter embarrassment showed us a few clips of the Hulk. I wasn't scared. I knew what it was like to lose control so I simply gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled back although he still was a little embarrassed.
Beside him was the Archer dude. Whose name I learnt was Clint Barton and his alias was Hawkeye. I have to admit they had pretty cool names. Nat was known as Black Widow, Bruce as the Hulk, Tony as Iron Man. It was pretty amazing.
In the end there were two people, one of them had a godly aura and then I learnt that he was Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. Great, just great, another set of stupid Gods. He seemed okay though but I couldn't look him in the eyes. He reminded me too much of Jason. What with his electricity powers and blond hair.
Next one again had a broad build. I had to look away from him otherwise I'd burst into tears. He was too much like Jason. Tall and powerful with cropped blond hair and blue eyes. He even gave the same aura of leadership my brother had.
He then introduced himself and told his story. He was from around Nico's time. He had been frozen in ice for 70 years. I could tell Nico was about to say me too but I shut him with a nudge muttering a quiet not now before he blabbed our secret to the mortals.
I spent the rest of the dinner avoiding Steve's eyes which was hard since he was frowning in my direction. Finally Nat asked him what his problem was, he looked at me before asking me, "Thalia what did I do to you? You're literally avoiding me."
I sighed and slouched down in my seat as Nico placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. I gave him a small smile which he returned and then answered Steve, "I'm sorry. I know it's weird but I just can't look at you. You look too much like my brother for a second I actually thought it was him. So sorry."
I sense Steve nodding and I guess he understood that Jason wasn't here anymore and stopped asking questions. The rest of the dinner was casual affair and everyone left early as I knew everybody was exhausted. Mentally and emotionally. Including me.
Before he left Tony told us where our bedrooms where and left bidding us goodnight. We found the way easily and saw that the rooms were across from each other. Calling it a night we left to our rooms.
I washed up and changed into the clothes Natasha had given to me earlier. The bed was really comfortable but I just couldn't sleep, I kept tossing and turning around. My mind refusing to shut down instead constantly going through the images from today.
Percy lying on the bed blood dripping down his arm. The scars which covered his body, him being tortured by Tartarus and Polybotes. Finally at about 12 I give up on sleep. I slip on my regular clothes and silently start retracing the path to infirmary. It's quiet as I walk my shoes slapping noiselessly on the floor, perks of being a huntress.
I find my way back to Percy. He looks really calm sleeping right now. No trace of worry or tension on his face and there's a small puddle of drool near his mouth. A small smile graces my face as I softly mutter, "Some things never change, eh Kelp Head?"
I gently take the hand which is not wrapped up in bandages and roll up the sleeve. Much like earlier the pale scars stand out contrasting on his tan skin.
I lightly trace them with my fingers across them counting the scars and trying to determine since how long he has been cutting himself. Tears brim to my eyes as I realize he has been doing it since years.
It is then that I realized that he wasn't oblivious or dumb but that was his defence mechanism and it was so good, so perfect that none of us ever managed to see it. I feel ashamed of all the times I told him that I had it much harder than him.
Then suddenly a bright light appeared and I saw Artemis' shimmering form in the mist. She saw me and gasped I quickly realized why and quickly pressed a finger to my lips silently whispering, "It's my cousin, Lady Artemis. Could I talk to you privately?"
She was about to argue but probably saw the look on my face and decided not to. She yelled something at the other Hunters and slashed through the connection.
Within the next minute she was sitting beside me and softly asked, "What happened Thalia?"
I replied, "It's Percy my Lady and he-he tried to ki-kill himself. He almost died before Nico and I found him bleeding on the floor." Even as I said this tears flowed down my face.
Lady Artemis looked stricken. I knew she respected Percy even though he was a man. He certainly had deserved it. She wiped away my tears and asked me to recall what all had happened today.
I told her everything, the scars, the torture, finding Percy. When I finished I was surprised to see that her eyes were glassy too.
She patted her hand on my back said, "I will bring this up to the Council. Percy has done a lot for us even if Zeus denies it, all the rest gods will support Percy. You can stay with him for a while Thalia help him heal. Come back whenever you wish."
With that she left but not before surprisingly brushing Percy's messy hair out of his eyes. She was almost glowing with motherly affection. I almost gasped at the scene but I knew she had grown to be somewhat fond of him in a motherly way. He just had that effect on everybody even if he was oblivious to it.