The Hero Gone Wrong

Chapter 2

I learned Mrs. Dodds was fast. Very fast.

I managed to dodge her first strike. Her claws raked the air next to my ear.

I had no idea what to do. My teacher had suddenly turned into some creepy flying demon creature thing.

Then a voice yelled from outside, "What ho, Percy!" And a pen flew through the air.

Why Mr. Brunner threw a pen at me so I could fight Mrs. Dodds, I had no idea. All I knew was that my life was getting weirder and weirder.

And then I was holding a sword. I didn't have time to register where the pen went, or why the sword felt perfect in my hand.

Mrs. Dodds lunged at me again, her claws out as she screeched. So I did what came naturally, I swung the sword.

Don't ask me why that came naturally, I really don't know.

She dissolved into golden dust. I felt like someone was watching me, but when I turned there was no one there.

I looked down and found a ballpoint pen in my hand. What had happened to the sword?

I stood alone in the middle of the museum, a ballpoint pen in my hand. My math teacher had turned into some creepy demon creature thing and tried to kill me.

Yep, a normal day in the life of Percy Jackson.

I walked out of the room, finding everything as it was before.

"Ah Percy." A voice said, "There you are. May I have my pen back, remember to bring your own next time."

I tried to speak, to ask him about Mrs. Dodds, but my voice wouldn't work. I handed him the pen.

I walked away, still confused.

"I hope Mrs. Kerr whipped your butt." Nancy said.

"Who?" I asked.

Nancy rolled her eyes,  Mrs. Kerr. Our math teacher." She pointed at some young blonde women I had never seen before.

I walked over to Grover, "Where's Mrs. Dodds?"

He hesitated, "Who?"

"Mrs. Dodds. Our math teacher."

He shook his head, "I don't know a Mrs. Dodds, are you okay Percy?"

I shook my head and walked over to Mr. Brunner.

"Mr. Brunner, where is Mrs. Dodds?"

He didn't miss a beat, "Who?"

"Mrs. Dodds!" I said, getting slightky annoyed. What happened in the museum could not have been my imagination.

"I'm not sure who you're talking about Percy. There has never been a Mrs. Dodds and Yancy Academy."

***

After that day, life went on. Mrs. Kerr was our math teacher, but Mrs. Dodds never left my mind. When I tried to sleep at night all I could see was her eyes glowing as her talons extended to slice me in half.

I was almost convinced she wasn't real, but Grover ruined it. Whenever I mentioned Mrs. Dodds he always hesitated. I knew something was up.

Now, if only I knew what.

***

I was not ready for my Latin test. Mr. Brunner had told us about it two weeks before, but of course, I chose the night before to study.

I had never asked a teacher for help before, but Mr. Brunner was different. He seemed to understand.

I looked at the Latin textbook, my kind swimming with all the names.

I shut the book and walked out of the dorm I shared with Grover.

I walked down the silent hallway, not liking how my footsteps echoed across the hall. I walked up to the Latin classroom when I heard voices.

"...worried about Percy."

I stopped and pressed myself against the wall. Straining myself to listen.

"We have until the summer solstice deadline." Mr. Brunner said, like he was reminding Grover of something.

"But Chiron!" Grover sounded nervous, "He saw a kindly one!"

I didn't have time to process the words when the textbook slipped out of my hands.

Thud.

I picked up the textbook and dove into the nearest place I found, the Janitors closet.

There was a slop clip-clop like a horse, and a huge shadow, way too big to be Mr. Brunner. The shadow seemed to have a bow, with an arrow notched, ready for fire.

My heart pounded, I was surprised it couldn't be heard through the wall.

The shadow passed and I heard the voices again.

"Must've been nothing."

"I've been nervous since the Winter Solstice." Grover agreed.

"Go to bed, Grover, you have exams tomorrow."

"Don't remind me! That's the worst part about being a keeper."

Mr. Brunner laughed, "Good night, Grover."

Then they were gone.

I waited a few more minutes then slowly came out of the closet and walked down the hallway.

So much for asking for help.

***

I walked back into the room. Grover was sitting on the bed, reading as if he had been here all night.

He studied me for a moment, "What's wrong, Percy?"

"Nothing." I muttered, climbing into the bed.

Thunder boomed outside as rain battered the windows.

I sighed and fell asleep to the sound of rain against the window.

Is it bad that I can sing this song with no lyrics?