Dreams (A PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 1- Darkening Horizons

Evil lurks in places you would never imagine and tries to charm its way into your life.

— Unknown

Annabeth POV

Monday 5th October

Song Tribute: [To Build a Home – The Cinematic Orchestra]

The wind was howling as the heavy rainfall splashed onto the ground outside in thick droplets. I sat curled up in the bay window of the living room, staring into the blurry abyss. My mind was gone. It was as if nothing mattered anymore. Nothing in this world. I felt empty. I felt...nothing.

Time moved slowly. Each blink of my eyelid was long and weary. My breathing; so slow, there were moments where I was hardly breathing at all.

Cars would pass by on the rain-soaked streets, splashing up water onto the sidewalk as if to keep me aware of the moving world outside the window—of a life still going on out there despite all the chaos in here. It was a strange concept; my mind could hardly wrap itself around it.

I'd always been able to get through whatever life had thrown at me but this was different. This was something far worse.

"We're ruined." Helen said for the third time, pacing up and down the carpet. She didn't even care that he was gone. All she cared about was the money. She'd spent the whole morning organising the funeral, reluctantly might I add, and doing all the business calls. Apparently, dad owed money to a few people and Helen was crazy anxious about it all.

I sighed, resting my head back against the wall and closing my eyes to try and picture myself somewhere peaceful and quiet. Somehow, I pictured our place back in London, outside on the front porch with the flower beds surrounding me and the butterflies fluttering in the summer breeze. My mother sketching designs at the table and laughing at some remark my dad had made. She has bright red lipstick on and pearly teeth, a long white gown swimming over her long, slender figure. My dad is watching her with thoughtful eyes and only one thing can come of it: she looks beautiful.

"Don't look so calm, girl!" Helen snapped and my eyes shot open.

Did she really think I was calm about this?!

"You do realise that I'm not paying for your online college like your father did?" I gasped a little. "And I'm not wasting my money on your education at that stupid school." My heart stopped.

She wouldn't. She couldn't.

"This'll have to be your last semester at that place and then you can work for me from home. You can do files and database work I suppose." She said.

"No Helen, please!" I protested, leaping up from the bay window. She snarled at the sound of her name. "Ma'am, please." I begged. "Let me finish school at least. I'll never get anywhere in life if I drop out."

"You think I care?" She scoffed. "Besides, you're not going anywhere in life, you're staying right here." I gulped.

That's it...I was officially a prisoner in my own home. I wouldn't even have my education to keep me going anymore. I would be a failure. No architecture company will ever take me now. No one will.

"I suppose you can work longer hours at the Beach Cafe and you can clean for Mrs. Miller next door a few days a week." She frowned, pacing still as if she were already going through the details in her head. She was planning out my whole entire life and there was nothing I could do to stop her. I was a slave. A slave in my own home.

"I'll go give her a call now." She said turning and walking into her office without another word. I jumped, flinching as she slammed the door behind her and sunk back into the bay window seat.