=Chapter three=
•*•
A Sunday evening
=

The shop was closed on Sunday evenings. It was nice as I got to have a second to myself and read.

You might be asking, "Percy, don't you have dyslexia?"

And yeah, of course I do. However when Hephaestus and Apollo discovered I'd be working in a book store, they teamed up to create dyslexia glasses that convert all text into Ancient Greek.

Last I heard, they'd been making them in bulk to distribute to any demigod who might want them.

Which is pretty cool. And.. like why didn't this happen earlier?

Anyways, I've come to realize how much I actually like reading, now that words weren't swimming, I could sedate my ADHD long enough to read a few chapters at a time.

I didn't really have much else to do. Electronics should technically be safe to use in moderation here, so I plan to buy a phone sometime soon, but just because monsters were rare, didn't mean they didn't exist.

Sometimes only the stronger ones managed to break through the "Barrier". And yeah, that was mostly due to my intense delicious sent. Yippee!

I've been working at Mays books for about a month now, building a small routine. I'd wake up, get ready, eat some breakfast, go down stairs to open the shop and stock.

In my spare time I've learned to accept the little things in life.

Everything was so quiet, and in a good way. I felt comfortable and happy.
I started relaxing, dropping my guard.

Sure outside was dangerous and slightly scary, but inside was a fairy tale that I didn't even know could exist for me.

I poured my love into decorating the store, even became a plant person, when previously I couldn't keep anything alive.

We've accumulated a small group of people who came in regularly to use the shop as a study center, to which I accommodated and set up couches and tables.

I even started baking blue cookies and selling them, although they never tasted quite like moms.

And speaking of mom, she and Paul and little Estelle were doing great. They'd send mail, nag me to get a phone, and send me tons of pictures.

Today I decided I needed to go shopping. After my second pay check, I now could afford a phone. Probably an old one, but still one nonetheless.

"Percy, dear?" May knocked on my apartment door.

I got up, putting my book aside and opened the door. "Hey May. Can I help you with something?"

May shook her head with a smile.
"No, no. I just remembered you said you'd go to the store today.."

I nodded along with her words.

"Well dear, it's already 7 o'clock.. I'd wait until tomorrow.. it gets dangerous these nights.. and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." May said kindly.

I looked at the clock on the wall.

"Of course. You're right May. I wasn't watching the time." I shook my head.

Some days I still forgot to watch the time. "I'll go tomorrow evening.." I continued, but May disagreed.

"No, Percy Dear, take the day off. I refuse to let you go out in the evenings. This isn't a good part of town late at night." She stopped and smiled.
"Ha, what am I saying. Nowhere is really safe late at night."

I cracked a smile along with her.
"That's true enough." But I eventually complied. "I'll take most of the day off, okay? Shopping won't take all day."

May nodded, pleased with the compromise. "I'm just worried about you, you know. I still don't quite understand why you chose to come here of all places. You're too nice for a mean city like this.."

"I know, May. But it's not so bad here. You're here after all, aren't you." I smiled cheekily.

May laughed, her cheeks turning a bit pink, and her wrinkles showing a life full of smiles, and minimal worries.
"Alright, dear. Go to bed early.. you poor thing has circles under your eyes.."

I hesitated, not really wanting to delve into the topic of my sleep schedule.. "alright.. good night May." I said softly.

"Alright, alright. Good night Percy. Sweet dreams." May turned and walked down the stairs, and I closed the door behind her, sighing.

May was so wonderful. And I hated to crash her world with knowledge of wars, Greek gods.. nightmares etc.

At her age I'd probably want to stay away from any dangerous topics to make sure I don't accidentally send her into a heart attack.

But anyone could tell she only wanted to take care of the people she felt responsible for.

My nightmares, of course, stem directly from my time in Tartarus, and the battle after.

Even though we won, my mind twists situations and makes me believe that we didn't win, that everyone died, and somehow.. it was my fault.

And then Tartarus, was just.. painful.
Once again, my mind would trick me, often sending me awake in a panic, tears and all.

Even though it's been a little more than a year, I just have trouble shaking all of these nightmares.
I just hope someday the peace I feel awake will find me when I'm asleep too.

I cuddle back up into my bed, staring at the glow in the dark stars on my ceiling, and my sea blue walls and ocean themed decorations. All things that bring me joy. And yes, of course I have a whale plushie. Who wouldn't!

"You stay soft, Mr kelp." I said to my whale.

Hey, he's cuddly!
Admit it. You talk to your stuffed animals too.

Mr Kale didn't say anything back.
That is okay.

I went back to reading my book, reading for some time before my eyes drifted over to my window and I stared out at the clouds and skyline for what seemed like hours.

I clicked off my lights and continued looking out the window.

The clouds moved slowly, and the moon poked out only slightly every once in a while.

Right as I drifted off, a few figures seemed to jump across buildings in the distance.

It snapped me out of my drowsiness and I looked harder, but I didn't see it again, and in the end chalking it up to me seeing things.

I drifted off again, and this time, fell asleep.

•*•

Yay that's another chapter :D

Trying not to move things fast so bear with me.