Percy's POV

I got into my apartment and went to my room, glad the Gabe was sleeping. Today, things weren't good. At lunch, Jared tripped me, while I had a food tray in my hands, then Jason slammed my face into my food. It was a horrible idea to get spaghetti. I ditched two classes, one getting the food off my face and clothes, and the other one to go to the weight room in the school. It had a ton of weights, treadmills, and stuff like that. It was stress relief, pushing my body more than what it should handle.

Just when I thought school wouldn't be bad, 3 weeks in, I thought the bullies were bored of me after day one, but no, 3 weeks later, they decided to torment me. I decided to press charges against the guy from 3 weeks ago, and it was decided that I would get the money, not Gabe. I had gotten about 2000 from the charges, so I decided to join the swim team! I split it, and decided to get a weekend job. I'm still searching for a Friday and Saturday night thing, but I'm getting close.

I started flipping through magazines, sighing in annoyance, if only I had a phone. I jumped, realizing something, I had the money! I grabbed a lot of money, hid the rest of it where Gabe wouldn't find it, and hopped out my window. I carried my skateboard and put my money in my wallet and shoved it in my pocket. I continued to ride as fast as I could to the apple store. I suddenly realized that I forgot to grab a hoodie, showing my scars that I forgot to wrap up. I had ended up using a butter knife during lunch in the bathroom while I was hiding and cut my wrists, if I moved my arms too much, they would bleed. They were obviously new, and self inflicted.

I doubted I would see anyone I knew, so I assumed I would be fine. No one cares for a scarred boy anymore, everyone assumes we just want attention, no! We need to escape from the reality we live in. I grabbed a lighter and a cigar, from the pack I bought myself 3 weeks ago. I don't often smoke, but the events of today were to stressful. I sat on a bench, deciding that I could sit down for a little while. It's going to be winter soon, and it won't be warm. So might as well embrace the warmth. I grabbed my iPod, grinned and smashed it against the wall, sending glass into my hand, it didn't hurt much.

"Oh my goodness Percy! You idiot!" I heard a familiar voice shout at me. I looked at the face and saw Hazel. I met her once or twice, she was Nico's sister, and she hung out with the 'cool kids'.

"I hated the iPod." I shrugged casually. I tossed it into the garbage and picked out the glass, piece by piece. Suddenly Hazel brought out a pair of tweezers and started picking at my hand. "I don't need help, I'm fine." I grumbled, shoving her away lightly.

"Say that to your bloody hand, your scarred wrists, sprained ankle, and a slightly bruised nose." Hazel growled, continuing to pick at my hand. I growled, but allowed her to help anyways.

"I'm alive, ain't I? That should be good enough." I said and stood up, continuing on my way to the store. I walked in, Hazel still following me. I got all the stuff done, after about an hour, I got a #, but no data. I had unlimited messaging and calling. I walked out with my new phone, Hazel remained by my side.

"What happened to your wrists anyway?" She asked curiously. How did she not notice they were self inflicted? Anyone could tell at first glance, but I believe her question ran deeper than what the question itself was asking. She was asking why I did it.

"I cut them, and before you ask why, because I felt like it. Had a small panic attack, ended up cutting myself." I shrugged casually. It wasn't a lie, but I have to say, the guy's washroom was a bloody mess. Gabe was going to get a call, and he would scream at me and beat me up.

"Why did you have a panic attack? Shouldn't you be going to the councillor or something? This is serious business Percy! Why don't you get yourself help?" She asked, yelling slightly at the end.

"I don't need help from anyone! I've been doing well by myself, and I don't need anyone pretending they care anymore! I don't need a councillor, and I don't need help." I growled dangerously before skating away.

I walked into the apartment, only to be shoved against the wall, Gabes alcoholic breath close to my face. I could already feel the pain that will be inflicted, and I could tell that I will need a lot more makeup.

"Your school called Jackson! Why the fuck did your school call? Why are you trying to be an attention whore, just like your mother!" Gabe growled dangerously. I wanted to say something, I truly did, but I was frozen in fear. I couldn't move, he was going to rape me, he was going to freaking rape me. Usually when he calls me a whore, he rapes me. It isn't often, only ever happened twice, once when I was thirteen, after he got out of jail from drunk driving, and when I was 6.

It's 11 at night, and I'm to afraid to close my eyes. I was right, in assuming what Gabe would do to me, fuck, it was worse than I remember. Why do I have to be gay? Why do I have to live with Gabe? I do I feel so trapped? I suddenly couldn't breathe, I felt like I was being suffocated, like someone was drowning me in a muskeg. I was suddenly confused, muskeg? That's a weird example, just water would drown me. I shook my thoughts. I was exhausted, and I wanted to sleep, so, so badly, but I was trembling so badly, but the second I close my eyes, all I see is Gabes horrible face looming over mine, smirking at my weak form. All I hear are my protests, my begs.

I decided that I could no longer stay here, not right now at least. I climbed the fire escape, all the way to the roof. No one from school lived in this building, and no one lived on the top floor area, so no one could ever hear me if I shouted at the top of my lungs. I sat at the edge of the building. I felt comfort, being to high in the air, knowing that at this height, I could die! I could die, all I had to do was jump. But I knew I wouldn't. I couldn't do that to my mom.

"Why can't I just die?" I asked, but I didn't cry, I didn't scream, I didn't shout. I just asked. I looked up at the moon, I remember stories my mom use to tell me, about the Greek gods. Artemis, goddess of the moon and hunt, I think she would be able to help me, if she didn't hate men so much. I wasn't a man though, I was a boy, a helpless, weak, pathetic boy.

I could lightly feel the wind caress my face, sometimes, when I am here, I imagine my mom, lightly running her hand on my cheek, and asking 'why you? Why my sweet baby?' I know, it sounds childish, but she treated me as if I were a hero, no, not a hero, but her hero. She said that the best people have the worst luck, but why do I feel so horrible? So hopeless? Mom use to say, 'the moment you give up hope, is the moment you have to prove to yourself that there is still a reason to live.' Gods how wrong she was. I lost all my hope the minute I found out she was dead.

"Cause you aren't suppose to be dead." I heard a mother voice reply, but no one was around. At that moment, I felt a small amount of Hope course through me. I sat down where it was safe, and fell asleep. I didn't have nightmares, I only dreamt of the sea, Montuak beach, where my mom and I use to stay for the summer.

When I woke up, it was still dark, so I checked my new phone, it was about three, and I have work today. I yawned and stretched, my back was disagreeing with me, maybe sleeping on the roof was a horrible idea. I silently got into the apartment and showered, got dressed, and rushed out. It was Friday, pay check! I was happy. I had plans tonight, all I needed to do was to get Cassidy to agree. This will piss Gabe off so much!

I ran to the gas station, and I was there earlier than usual, 3:30. I felt like I slept for 12 hours, although I only slept for four hours. I felt like life was finally on my side.