The Story of Paul Cooper: Book Two

John Blackbird

“I’m John,” said John Blackbird, with the awesome last name. Like I said, he reminded me of that ‘Across the Universe’ guy, Jim Sturgess, and sure enough, J.B (John Blackbird) was British, too.

                “I could tell,” Jack sighed. “Jack.” And so, Jack stuck out a hand to, well, shake hands with J.B.

                Suddenly, Arlia spoke.

                “Why do all of you live here?” she asked, and looked from Calypso, to John Blackbird, and others. Funny, I was thinking the same thing. “I mean, it’s not like you’re gods or anything.”

                John and Calypso glanced at each other.

                “You aren’t gods, right?” Arlia repeated, her voice faltering.

                Calypso and John changed the subject.

                “You’re here for a reason,” John said, with the super cool British accent. “All of you. Until a few moments ago, none of you-” he gestured to Emily, Zoë, Kate, Zach and Arlia, “-were supposed to be here. However, with certain…circumstances, you’ve appeared, and we’ve had instructions.”

                I saw Zach’s eyes narrow, and he looked nervous, since Calypso was staring at him. A sort of….creepy stare, if you know what I mean.

                “Instructions?” Zach asked. “What kind?”

                Calypso put a hand on John’s shoulder.

                “We’ve been told to take care of you all, I guess you could say. All seven of you need to find something out- of course, only you can figure out yourself, and none of us can help you. As to why you’re here? I suggest you talk to the Council if you really want to know,” Calypso said calmly, her eyes flitting around.

                “Until each of you passes the test,” John continued, “you’ll be under out supervision. You two- come with me. The rest of you, you can go with Cal.”

                John Blackbird gestured to Jack and myself, and we followed him out of the garden. Like I said, he was British, and reminded me of Jim Sturgess, from the movie. The three of us walked in an awkward silence.

                “So, J.B,” Jack began, and I laughed to myself. “Why exactly are you here?”

                J.B shrugged.

                “I’ve lived here my whole life.  My parents are both mortal, and since they deserted me as a kid, Hermes found me on the side of a road in London and took me to the Hall. Hera decided to let me live here, and she’s been a mother to me. If you’re asking if I’m a demigod or not, then I don’t think so,” J.B said. “And stop calling me J.B, it’s John.”

                “All right, then, John,” Jack snickered.

                “So you two- you’re the Sons of Olympus, yeah?” John asked. I couldn’t help but laugh slightly at the awesome accent. Hey, I’m American. (Or is it Greek because of my parents?) I like that kind of thing.

                “Yeah,” I said. “I’ve only been around since way before you were born.” That didn’t come across the right way, I don’t think. Stupidly, I continued. “So where are we going?”

                John shrugged.

                “I was told to take you two to Lady Aphrodite and Lady Athena. Not sure what they want, though,” John replied, as we rounded a corner. Everything was made of white marble, around here. No wonder some people went crazy, it was almost like an asylum. Don’t tell Zeus I said/thought that.