All Will Be Well

~1~

Percy

It had started as a magnificent day, the kind that made you feel invincible. I had finally found some peace at my family's private stretch of beach, lounging on our dock, basking in the sun after a refreshing swim.

But then I noticed something that sent a chill down my spine—a police cruiser emerging from the bend of my driveway. Visits from law enforcement had become disturbingly routine, with officers dropping by weekly to discuss our family's safety and urging my father to hire bodyguards. It was unsettling, but I was used to it. What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that my father was away on a business trip, and they knew it too.

With a knot of unease tightening in my stomach, I maneuvered my way to the house, through the open back doors where the sheer white curtains danced in the breeze. Five minutes later, I finally approached the living room, and what I saw struck me like a bolt of lightning.

My mom sat on the couch, a police officer beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. Another officer loomed behind them, his back turned as if to shield the grim reality from me. The soft, muffled sounds of my mother's sobs echoed in the air, and panic surged through me.

Logan, the officer I recognized as a frequent visitor in our lives, turned slowly to face me. He looked different today—his usually confident demeanor replaced with an unnerving sadness. "Hey, Perce, we need to talk," he said, lowering his voice. "I think you should sit down."

I moved to a chair at the table, my hands trembling as I pulled it nearer, my heart racing as I braced myself for whatever news was coming. "It's about your father," Logan said gently, and my heart plummeted. "He was murdered, shot multiple times in the chest. I'm so sorry. I wish there was a better way to tell you."

Time unraveled; the world around me froze. Logan's voice faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heart in my ears. I staggered back, disbelief wrapping around me like a suffocating fog. "They're lying to you, Percy. This can't be real!" screamed the voices in my head. I just wanted to escape, to wake up from this nightmare.

Logan knelt next to me, his hand still on my shoulder, trying to offer comfort. I pushed myself upright, my breaths ragged as I wiped my eyes in futile attempts to regain composure. I glanced out the window at the fountain my father had built in honor of Poseidon, the god he shared a name with—both majestic and cruel, the stinging voices in my mind echoed.

"I know this is hard," Logan said softly, careful with his words. "There's a program for families of homicide victims that offers counseling. If you're interested, I can help you connect with someone who can really help."

All I could muster was a slight nod, my gaze lost in the distance as I hoped this was all just a terrible dream.

With shaky hands, I made my way to the kitchen, snatching my keys from the table. I felt the weight of my wallet in my back pocket, a small comfort. Without uttering a word, I walked out the door, drawn to the second garage.

Inside, I flicked on the lights, revealing my collection of cars—a sanctuary of freedom amidst chaos. I moved to the back of the third row and unlocked my Mazda Miata, a baby blue beauty with an illegal tint and sleek black rims. I slid into the driver's seat, feeling a rush of control wash over me. With the key in the ignition, I shifted into reverse and backed out, the garage door opening to greet me with the outside world.

Once on the open road, I felt the thrill of speed surge through my veins. I pushed the pedal down, the turbo whistle singing its familiar tune as I hit eighty miles per hour, racing towards nothing but the horizon. The winding country road was second nature to me; I navigated through its every curve and crater, fully aware of the risks. I was chasing adrenaline to drown out the pain—no room for mistakes, just the rush of the wind and the roar of the engine.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the speedway, I pulled up to the entrance where Hank, the security guard, stood watch. Hank was a gem of a guy—an older gentleman with a deep-seated passion for cars and racing, though life had never really given him the chance to dive into building his dream project cars. He smiled at me and hit the button to open the gate, the mechanical whirring echoing as I rolled into the parking lot. I navigated through the tunnel leading toward the various tracks, taking a quick right to the drift course, anticipation bubbling inside me.

Emerging from the tunnel, I spotted Leo Valdez, one of my closest friends, stepping out of the main building. His signature goofy grin was instantly infectious, and I couldn't help but return the smile. Slowing the car to a gentle stop, I rolled down the window.

"Hey man, I thought I caught a glimpse of your Miata! I was worried she'd turned into a garage queen. What's up with the late-night drive?" Leo called out, leaning in.

"Just... some heavy stuff on my mind," I admitted, feeling the weight of my thoughts settle in.

"Damn, I'm sorry to hear that. Remember, I'm here if you want to talk," he replied, a genuine look of concern in his eyes.

"Thanks, but I think I just need to hit the pavement for a bit," I said, giving a slight nod as he stepped back, waving goodbye.

~{●○●}~

I shifted up, relishing the thrilling growl of the turbos each time I pressed the clutch. Hours melted away as I drifted through the course, my thoughts swirling like smoke from the tires, lost in memories of what had unfolded at the house. I only realized how late it had gotten when the speedway lights dimmed around me, leaving me relying solely on my headlights. It amazed me how skilled I had become—I could navigate the track almost instinctively, my mind wrestling with its own turmoil.

A sudden buzz from my phone broke my concentration, and I saw missed calls from both Leo and my mom. I instinctively went for my mom's message first.

"Hey, Percy! Not sure where you are, but please be careful and don't stay out too late. Love you, Mom."

The timestamp read 10:30 PM. Great, just what I needed. I hesitated before opening Leo's text next.

"Is it that bad? The speedway shut down two hours ago. According to your Snap map, you're still out there. Wanna talk?"

With a sigh, I replied, fingers flying over the screen.

"I'm okay, but I won't be at school for a few days. I just need time to sort things out. Much love, bro."

I set my phone down, heart heavy, and embarked on the long drive home. Only when I spotted the familiar dip in the trees did I ease off the accelerator, turning onto my long, winding driveway. I slowed significantly, hoping the sound of my exhaust wouldn't reach my mom's ears.

After a moment's wait, the garage door slid open, and I carefully steered the Miata into its parking spot. With a turn of the key, the engine died, leaving an eerie quiet. I sat there for what felt like an eternity, my mind racing with thoughts, drowning out the patter of rain beginning to fall outside. Slowly, my eyes grew heavy, and the next thing I knew, I had drifted off, lost in dreams as the rain danced against the car's roof.