The Ocean's Glare - The Lightning Thief

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Peyton

Today is the last day of school for Percy. I know because he went on a field trip about a week ago and got faced off by a monster thing. For some reason I knew exactly what it was. I was there because Percy had asked me to come along so when I went for my regular jog I jogged all the way to the museum where Percy was on a field trip.

When they got there Percy saw me and waved. Grover saw me a little later and tripped over his crutches. I think he likes me. I wonder why he wears pants when it is 70 degrees out though. Same reason as me probably.

I pulled the money out of my pocket. I still have quite a bit left over. I never said how I get my money. So, when I was seven and it was my first hour to wander outside of school I wandered around until I heard a man playing guitar on the street. He was singing a hippie song and tapping his foot. He was so lost in the music that it took him three days to notice that a seven year old girl was watching him from the same spot. At the same time. Every single day. I went there everyday because his guitar music was amazing! After about a week when I was about to leave the guy grabbed my arm.

"What is your name?" he asked me.

"Penelopee." I made up.

"You know I have a tip jar?" He asked me.

"Yes, but I have no money to give. Any money I get is going to a present I get my brother when I am allowed to go home," I told the man.

"Let me give you a tip. Playing music out on the street is a good way to earn money." And from that moment on he taught me how to play the guitar. I went to him every chance I could. And we raised money and he bought me a guitar. We played duets and split the money. And I always had a great time.

I soon learned that the man's name was Jonny Steppin.

Sadly, I had to leave my guitar in California. I still have a lot of the money though.

I am wearing the hat I got Percy and one of the few clothes I have that aren't military uniforms. My rank is Private because I haven't completed a mission yet.

Back to the museum. I was following Percy's class from a distance, especially this creepy teacher of Percy's that was helping chaperone. They were looking at the Roman and Greek exhibits which somehow I knew everything about, though I know I didn't learn the info voluntarily. It is hard for me to learn anything voluntarily.

I looked at a grave marker and somehow I could read what it said, it was depicting the death of a young girl. In latin.

The class kept walking though, and so did I. I watched as Percy answered a question and Kronos (or is it Saturn?) Eating his kids. His teacher Mr. Brunner is giving me strange vibes. Does that sound like California talk? I hung out with Jonny too much. He is a hippy.

When they went outside for lunch I left and jogged to a fast food place not far from the museum not wanting to leave him alone with his strange teachers for too long. You may think it is strange me, a twelve year old, running around on my own. Honestly though, I have been doing it since I was seven so I am fine!

When I got back I found Percy was nowhere to be seen and Grover was freaking out.

He ran up to me slightly faster than he should have been able to with crutches and siad, "She's got him. She's got him." over and over.

Then Mr. Brunner came up to me also and said, "Grover tells me you are Mr. Jackson's sister. My dear, have you heard of the Greek gods?"

"Yes, I have also heard of the roman ones too." I said. I was secretly referring to my strange knowledge of both mythologies.