The Story of Paul Cooper: Book Two

Leaving Olympus?

“So,” Zach asked me, as the two of us were walking along a path in some garden. Believe me, Olympus had a ton of those.

                “What?” I asked. Zach nodded, and his curly black hair bobbed up and down.

                “What happened last night? I know you were out of bed.”

                “How’d you know that?” I laughed, but Zach looked at me and rolled his eyes.

                “Remember? Son of Zeus, knows where people- gods- are on Olympus?” he suggested, running his hands through his hair. Then, he laughed, and sighed. “I bet I can guess what you were doing.”

                “Alright,” I rolled my eyes, “take a guess.”

                “You were with that Alex?”

                Darn, he guessed right. Why did he have to do that?

                “Maybe.”

                “You were!” Zach laughed giddily. “You don’t have to go into details, I was just wondering.”

                “You’re always wondering,” I replied. We then walked on in silence for a while, as Zach twirled the comb (it was his sword that turned into a comb when he wasn’t using it) in his hands.

                We, as in Zach, Kate, Arlia, Jack, Emily, Zoë, and I were still made to wear the traditional Greek clothing: togas. And although they were a little too loose, I was beginning to get used to them. Hey, I guess if you’re a god, you sort of have to.

                Soon, Zach and I came to a part of the garden where we found a bench. I pressed on my sun-emblem, and my bow and quiver appeared. Zach somehow managed to change his comb into his sword, and the two of us began practicing against a few trees. I was just about to do my customary six-arrows-at-once shot, when I heard footsteps from behind. Whoever it was, they were running fast.

                Zach and I turned around quickly, our weapons at the ready. However, we lowered our weapons when we saw who it was.

                “Hey, put those down,” Hailey said. She glanced quickly from me, to Zach, to me, and then to Zach again.

                “What’s wrong?” I asked. Don’t ask me why I always assume something’s wrong, but when you’re a god, you sort of have to. Just like wearing togas.

                Hailey sighed, and then bent down to tie the lace on her Grecian sandal.

                “Lord Poseidon sent me to find you two. There’s going to be a Council meeting now. Apparently, they’re waiting for you,” she said, standing up again. Before either Zach or I could reply, she set off at a run again, and we had no choice but to follow. Eventually, the three of us stood in the huge doorway to the council room.

                The gods were arranged in their customary seating order, and they sat waiting. Zeus looked very professional, while Hera, who sat to his right, looked completely bored. I saw my friends standing in a line before all of the Olympians, looking nervous as heck. With a final nod, Hailey gave Zach and I the signal to walk up with the rest of our friends, and then she left. Once Zach and I were in place, Zeus cleared his throat.

                “Well,” he said, his voice deep and booming. “You’re probably wondering why you’re all here-” Zeus began, but with a snort, Ares interrupted him.