Healing

Chapter One

I held my breath as I waited for my father to pass his verdict. My companion, Meg, stood behind me. I could feel my hairs stand on end as Zeus stood, staring down at me. I felt insignificant.
    "Son," Zeus's voice boomed forth, easily blocking out the white noise in my skull. Terror filled every fiber of my body and I dropped into a bow. Even as a god, I was afraid of him. I could distantly hear the other Olympians converse. I snapped back to attention as Zeus raised his hand, terror rooting me in place as a lightning bolt appeared in his hand.

    "What the-" Meg managed to say, just before a blinding flash filled the room. I screamed in agony, my ears ringing from the loud boom that erupted forth. I was flung back, my body slamming into the marble column. My vision dimmed, a dull pain making itself known in the back of my skull.

    BOOM. I screamed again as Zeus threw down another bolt. I could barely make out Meg's yells, or the deafening silence of my other peers beyond that. I didn't understand, was my punishment not enough? Did Zeus see it fit to punish me again? This time in front of all my comrades. Bile rose in my throat. The acrid scent of sulfur filled my nose.

    My vision whited out, and for a moment I was yanked into the past.

    I stilled as I felt scales creeping down my back. I had been sitting in the godly lounge room when Ares and Hermes saw fit to prank me. My conversation with Artemis stopped abruptly. I reached behind me, hands closing around a snake. I bit my tongue to silence the scream that had been building up in my throat.

I quickly threw it across the room, my eyes wide with fear. Ares and Hermes laughed behind me and I could see Artemis trying not to giggle. They didn't know the extent of my fear. They didn't know the voice of Python, they didn't know how taxing the fight had been. So for the sake of my pride, I had to pretend. I had to pretend that it didn't get to me, and I had to pretend that I never had nightmares.

So I forced a smile and sat, resuming my conversation with Artemis.

I opened my eyes just in time to get struck again. Another hoarse scream was ripped from my throat. Images filled my mind, my first failures, and the most hurtful heartbreaks. I sobbed as pain coursed through my body. I could barely see, the edges of my vision fading from black to white.

All I could hear was Zeus's voice echoing in my head.

YOUR FAULT. YOUR FAULT. YOUR FAULT.

Something inside me broke. My spirit shattered like a porcelain vase dropped from high altitudes. I just went still, squeezing my eyes shut and hoping that I could bear the pain. Everything faded to a distant ringing, my bruised and battered body lying still at the feet of Zeus. I didn't have it in me to fight back or even try to protect myself.

I think I'd be better off if I died, some part of me thought.
    I wasn't aware of when they left. Nor was I aware of Meg dragging my limp and freshly roasted body out of Olympus. Somehow, we made it down. Mortals looked at us in concern but made no move to interfere. I appreciated that.

Somehow, and I don't know how we made it to Camp Half-Blood. I remember a few fuzzy details of angry New Yorkers and the smell of burnt Me. I'm glad I don't remember this part much, because the pain would've been too much for me to bear. I knew I would be bedridden for days and in pain for weeks. Zeus's lightning bolts were always slow to heal, even for my godly body.

She continued toting my limp body up the hill. I noticed the fine details. Like how her rhinestone glasses were coated with soot and the bits of ash dusting her shirt. Funny how you notice small things when you're in pain. I watched through blurry vision as campers ran up the hill, managing to stagger upright. I gave them a pained smile, waving.

"Hey guys," and I fell face-first into the ground.

I opened my eyes and was greeted with the sight of my ancient nemesis, Python. My knees shook as serpentine laughter filled the cavern. The smell of rotting flesh filled my nostrils, making my head swim.

"You're dead, why are you still here?" My voice shook, coming out barely higher than a whisper. A low hiss filled the room, the thick coils of Python sliding smoothly on the dirt ground. We were in Delphi. I could see the craters and scratch marks from when Python and I had fought before.

Dread filled my body but I forced myself to meet his gaze.

"You think you've won. But so long as you bear this... this curse, I will always be by your side. I will be here to whisper in your ear, and you will succumb. You will suffocate under the pressure, and I will devour you whole. You will never be free of me!" Python opened his maw, rushing at me.

I barely had time to scream before I was awake. Voices swirled around me, the world a bright display of color. I recoiled instantly as hands tried to force me down. It took me a few moments to identify the voices as my own children.

I could hear my own harsh breathing, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. The haze cleared and I was greeted with the worried faces of Austin, Will, and Meg.

"Hi," I rasped, my voice hoarse from what I assumed to be screaming.

"Dad...?" I blinked, turning my attention to Will. All three of them looked unsure as to what they should say. I swallowed dryly, offering them a pained smile. I winced as all the pain rushed back. I grit my teeth as my body contorted, watching through a hazy gaze as Will barked orders at Austin and Meg.

I opened my mouth as ambrosia was offered, swallowing the small square as best I could. They continued fussing over me for the next five minutes, only stopping when my breathing finally evened out and my body stilled.

Will took a deep breath, at last, raising one eyebrow, "Meg refused to tell us what happened to you. So I'll ask you."

I opened and closed my mouth, trying to search for the right words. Will's tone was stern, leaving no room for argument. They looked on encouragingly, one of Austin's hand resting on my shoulder. A comfortable weight reminding me that I wasn't alone.

"It was-" I took a deep breath and bit back a sob. I had to pause for a moment, desperately trying not to cry. Austin's hand tightened, and I appreciated the reminder.

"Zeus. It was Zeus," I immediately burst into tears, hunching over and sobbing. Meg, bless her heart, wrapped her arms around me and patted my back awkwardly. I just sobbed harder, my tears soaking through her green dress. Eventually, Will and Austin joined in as well.

    I might've been embarrassed under other circumstances, but right now I felt like I needed the comfort. We stayed there for what seemed like hours, finally pulling away when Chiron entered the room. I blushed and hid my face as my old friend surveyed the scene with a raised eyebrow.

    "You have not been in that form in a long time. What troubles plague your mind?" His voice was just how I remembered. Kindly and wise. I was confused for a moment before I looked down at my hands. Huh. They were really small. Then the truth hit me. I looked like a nine year old boy. That was my default form when I was scared. No wonder why Chiron knew I was scared. Though I had the fleeting suspicion that my tear stained cheeks gave it away.

    I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Perhaps.. ah... Perhaps you could show me around camp? I'm eager to see what has changed." Maybe Chiron thought that I was truly interested. Maybe he thought that I just wanted to change the subject.

    "Of course. Will, Austin, why don't you two show Apollo what's changed? Meg, stay here, please. I'd like to talk to you."

    And on that happy note, Austin and Will managed to help me up and lug my sorry body across the room. They opened the door, and oh boy I was shocked. A lot changed

I'm really mad at wattpad because it won't indent properly and it's annoying. Like— how come you can indent like the first few and last few but not the middle?? Gosh darn.