CHAPTER TWO - I MAKE A DEAL

As soon as we got off of the bus, Curly-Hair - no, Grover - pulled me to the side. Percy just kept walking, keeping his head down like he didn't want to be seen, not even noticing that we weren't following him anymore.

"Who are you?" Grover demanded. He tried to look nonchalant, but I could hear the quiver in his voice.

"My name is Avalon Green. And you're Grover Underwood." He took a step back. I raised my hands in an I surrender gesture. "I'm not a monster, I swear. I just woke up here."

Grover took a deep breath, and then another. I could tell he was trying to stay calm. "Okay, if you're not a monster, then what are you? Are you," he looked around nervously, and then lowered his voice to a whisper, "are you like Percy?"

"N -" my voice shut off. I tried again, but I couldn't talk. I tried to shake my head, but it wouldn't move. I knew what I wanted, what I needed to say: that no, I wasn't a demigod, I was a twenty-year-old college student that got trapped in her twelve-year-old self's body and flung into her favorite book as if it were real. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't say anything. It was like my body was refusing to let me tell the truth.

Grover shook his head and ran his hand over his face. "Okay, I don't know what's going on here, but you need to talk to Chi...Mr. Brunner."

"I know who Mr. Brunner is, Grover. I know everything, everything that is going to happen. But for some reason, I can't say it." I ran my hands through my hair, that hasn't felt this healthy in eight years. But, I suppose those eight years haven't happened yet.

"What do you mean, 'you know everything?' What do you know?"

"I know about the Winter Solstice, I know about the deadline, about camp, everything," I said, in one huge rush. I was afraid that I would be stopped from saying anything again. It was like in The Little Mermaid, when Ursula stole Ariel's voice.

"The Winter Solstice...were you there? Do you know what was taken?" Grover asked.

I nodded. "I wasn't there, no, but I know what was stolen. And I know who took it too. It was -" there it was again. My voice had been ripped away from me. Someone, or something, didn't want me to spill the beans.

"Who? Who was it?" Grover grabbed my upper arms, but not in a threatening way. He was pleading with me, the same way I was pleading with myself to let me speak.

"I...I can't. Someone isn't letting me say the words. I know everything that is going to happen, exactly how and when it is going to happen, and I can't tell you, or Percy, or anyone. It's like one big trick," I said helplessly. There could be a number of people behind this. The Fates, Kronos, even Gaea, though that threat is years away. I felt so frustrated, I wanted to tear my hair out, one brunette strand at a time.

"But how - "

"Mr. Underwood, Miss Green, if you could kindly join the rest of the class inside the museum." A sharp voice sounded behind us. I froze. That voice sounded just like I had imagined it, since I first read the book. Smooth, yet icy, like a glacier scraping against snow.

Grover and I turned towards the teacher, a little lady in a black leather jacket. Her face twisted into even more of a scowl when her cold eyes met mine.

I cleared my throat and placed a hand on Grover's forearm. "Yes, Mrs. Dodds."

*

Mr. Brunner led the tour.

I stuck to Grover, knowing that if I let myself get separated from the group, Mrs. Dodds would tear me to shreds. We followed Mr. Brunner's wheelchair and the twenty-something other students through the Metropolitan. By the time we got to the Greek and Roman section, I was trembling.

Percy was towards the front. I knew what he was thinking, I knew exactly what he was thinking, but my arm couldn't reach out and grab his hand, nor could my mouth whisper his name to get his attention. I was powerless, and it was terrifying. It's like I knew the outcome of World War II, and yet all I could do was sit on the sidelines and watch people destroy each other. Except, if I couldn't help this, I would be dooming the fate of the entire human race.

If I could somehow manage to speak to Percy about what is going to happen, I'll be able to save so many lives. We could stop this war before it even starts. But, somehow, I knew that I couldn't. What is meant to happen, has to happen. All I can do is go along for the ride.

For years, I had dreamed of this story being real. I had dreamed of being like Percy. But now that I was there, I saw that it was a very, very foolish thing to wish for. People die in this story, people get hurt. I wasn't ready for that.

While I was contemplating the reasoning behind bringing me here, Mr. Brunner was talking about the stele on display. Nancy Bobofit made a snide comment about the nude sculpture, and Percy wheeled on her. Uh-oh.

"Will you shut up?"

The students laughed. Mr. Brunner stopped mid-sentence and looked at Percy. "Mr. Jackson, did you have a comment?"

Percy's face flushed with embarrassment. "No, sir." I smacked the heel of my palm against my forehead. I knew exactly where this went, and, of course, the only thing I could do was watch this train-wreck unfold in front of me.

Mr. Brunner pointed to a carving towards the bottom of the stele. "Perhaps you'll tell us what this picture represents?"

Percy looked at the marker, and I saw his face relax with recognition. "That's Kronos eating his kids, right?"

"Yes," Mr. Brunner said, an unimpressed look adorning his weathered face. "And he did this because..."

Percy looked stuck. Come on, Percy, I know you know this! But he seemed ready to give up. Not knowing what came over me, I rushed forward until I was standing shoulder to shoulder with him. "Kronos was the king of the Titans, and he was afraid that one of his children was going to overthrow him. So Kronos ate them after they were born. But his wife, Rhea, hid Zeus when he was born and gave Kronos a rock to eat instead. And later, when Zeus grew up, he tricked his father into disgorging his siblings, and the war between the Titans and the gods started." I said, breathless. "And the gods won."

The group was silent. I glanced sideways at Percy, who looked thoroughly impressed. Mr. Brunner and Grover had looks of shock on their faces, but what worried me was Mrs. Dodds. She had a grin on her face, one that screamed victory. I gulped. Because of my impulse, I could have very well just changed the entire course of history, or rather, the storyline.

Nancy muttered to her friend behind me, "Like we're going to use this in real life. Like it's going to say on our job applications, 'Please explain why Kronos ate his kids.'"

"And why, Mr. Jackson," Mr. Brunner said, skipping over my interruption and following his script, "to paraphrase Miss Bobofit's excellent question, does this matter in real life?"

"Busted," Grover muttered, but he was still looking at me with wide eyes.

"Shut up."

Percy looked a little irritated, probably because he didn't want to answer the question when he didn't remember the story to begin with. Finally, he shrugged. "I don't know, sir. Why don't you ask Avalon? She seems to be the expert." I glared at him. Even though I knew the answer, throwing me under the bus like that when I just saved his sorry butt was just cruel. Percy smirked in response.

"I see," Mr. Brunner looked disappointed. "Well, half credit, Mr. Jackson. As Miss Green said, Zeus did indeed feed Kronos a mixture of mustard and wine, which made him disgorge his other five children, who, of course, being immortal gods, had been living and growing up completely undigested in the Titan's stomach. The gods defeated their father, sliced him to pieces with his own scythe, and scattered his remains in Tartarus, the darkest part of the Underworld. On that happy note, it's time for lunch. Mrs. Dodds, would you lead us back outside?"

The class was herded outside. Grover, Percy, and I were bringing up the rear, as how we...I mean they, were supposed to, when Mr. Brunner said, "Mr. Jackson."

Percy sighed, as though he knew what was coming. He turned towards the two of us. "You guys go ahead, I'll catch up."

Mr. Brunner stopped us once again. "Actually, I need to speak with Miss Green as well." My eyes widened, and I looked towards Grover for support. He nodded encouragingly, and then slipped out the door.

I stayed back next to the entrance of the Greco-Roman section of the museum while Percy and Mr. Brunner talked. I already knew what they were saying, I didn't need to hear it as well. After a few minutes, Percy left and brushed past me, whispering a "good luck" on his way out. I closed my eyes in anticipation.

I shuffled my feet and took a deep breath. When I opened my eyes, Mr. Brunner was in front of me. His face was stern, but his eyes showed kindness and understanding. He turned his motorized wheelchair towards the entrance of the museum. "Walk with me, Avalon."

I dragged my feet as I followed him through the exhibits. "I know what you're going to say," I began. Mr. Brunner raised an eyebrow, an invitation for me to keep going. "You're going to say that you've never seen me before today, that I somehow manipulated the Mist into having everyone think that they know me, especially Percy. He seems to think that I'm his friend. And I am, in a weird sort of way, I guess. Honestly, if I told you where I come from, you wouldn't believe me." I peeked at Mr. Brunner through my eyelashes. He seemed to be deep in thought.

Finally, he spoke. "It is odd that a twelve year old has the power to alter so many minds at once. You must be very powerful. Do you know your parentage, child?"

I stopped. He thought that I was a demigod? I tried to correct him, but my voice was taken from me again. All I could do was shake my head. Somehow, words flowed from me, words that I did mean to not say. "How do you know what I am?"

Mr. Brunner chuckled. "Your aura is strong, my dear. Perhaps not as strong as Mr. Jackson's, but it is there. Tell me, what is your story?"

I hesitated. How can I tell the greatest teacher in the history of time that he's just a story, a character from a book? But then I looked into his three-thousand year old eyes, and I knew that he would know if I was lying to him. So I told him the truth as best as I could. It proved difficult. My tongue would twist up and my voice would fail me if I got too close to revealing the plot. But I managed to tell him where I was from, how I was a mortal twenty-year-old reading a book about Greek Mythology in modern times, and then I was transplanted on the bus, next to a boy that I had looked up to for eight years.

Mr. Brunner was a good listener. By the time I finished my story, we were outside of the museum, in the courtyard. I saw Percy and Grover sitting on the ledge of a fountain, far away from everyone else.

My teacher regarded me with those old eyes. "I sense no false words in your statement. It seems to me that the Fates have chosen you for a particular task, though I know not what that task might be. But you know the outcome of this...problem. I cannot ask you to reveal it to me, as I know that your words will lock up, the same way they did when you spoke to Grover earlier." He looked at me expectantly, as though he thought I would be surprised to hear that he overheard our conversation. But I was used to him knowing things he shouldn't. Mr. Brunner continued, "You obviously have an important role to play in young Mr. Jackson's life. We will know more when we get the both of you to safety."

I looked up, my mouth agape. Safety. Does this mean that I'll get to see the camp, with my own eyes? "You mean...?"

Mr. Brunner nodded, though his expression was grim. "Yes, child. You must go to camp with Percy. Only with Percy, do you understand? Your fates are intertwined, that much is certain. Stay with him, keep him safe with your knowledge of the future, but let it run its course. Messing with fate is a dangerous thing," he warned. "Trying to interpret the future and knowing exactly what will happen are only divided by a very thin line. I trust you know about what happens when someone tries to make a prophecy work for them." He gave me a grave look. I was trembling again. Yes, I know exactly what happens.

But I rolled my shoulders back and stood up tall. "Don't worry, Mr. Brunner. I won't tell Percy, or Grover, a thing until we're safe at camp. I'll let nature run its course. I swear it on the River Styx." Thunder rumbled loudly, and a few students from Yancy looked up at the sky nervously, thinking that it might rain. Black clouds drifted inland from the east. I knew why the sky was boiling, and I had to keep it a secret.

Mr. Brunner nodded, though that grave look was still on his face. We both knew the consequences of breaking that oath. He waved his hand towards the fountain. "Go, join your friends Miss Green. They are waiting for you."

I nodded, and then ran to the fountain. Percy regarded me, "What did Brunner want? You guys were talking for a long time." I spared a fleeting glance towards Grover, who subtly shook his head.

"He wants me to do some sort of extra credit project on Greek Mythology. I guess reading all those books when I was younger paid off. Do you still have your apple?"

*

I kept quiet during lunch. My stomach was still flip-flopping, so I didn't have much of an appetite. I just nibbled half-heartedly on Percy's apple.

I watched Percy's face change as he looked out over Fifth Avenue. He was thinking about his mom, I knew he was. Then he sighed, hung his head, and grabbed his sandwich out of his brown bag lunch. My shoulders tensed. I had read the book enough to know what was going to happen after this.

But, like always, I couldn't do anything. I saw Nancy Bobofit saunter up to the three of us, her friends in tow, and dump her lunch into Grover's lap. "Oops."

Percy's face went red with rage. He was trying to keep his cool, but he exploded. Well, not him, necessarily. The fountain we were sitting on the edge of suddenly burst, water flying out of the faucets and grabbing Nancy, sucking her into the pool at the bottom. For half of a second, her face had a look of pure shock. And then she opened her mouth. "Percy pushed me!" Nancy wailed.

Mrs. Dodds materialized next to us. I always thought Percy was exaggerating that part, but she literally shimmered into existence, three feet away from where we sat. The kids around us were whispering to each other, trying to explain how the water suddenly got a mind of its own.

Mrs. Dodds hauled Nancy out of the pool, cooing at her and making promises of getting her a new shirt from the gift shop. Then she turned on her heel, and glared at Percy. And, not surprisingly, me. Her eyes were dancing. She had what she came here for. "Now, honey-"

"I know," Percy grumbled. I shook my head at him, trying to make him stop, but he was already saying the words. "A month erasing workbooks."

If it were at all possible, Mrs. Dodds face got even crueler. "Come with me," she demanded. "Both of you."

"Wait!" Grover yelped. "It was me. I pushed her."

Percy stared at him. I glanced towards Mr. Brunner, who was trying hard not to look at us. He needed to see how this would play out.

Mrs. Dodds shot daggers out of her eyes. "I don't think so, Mr. Underwood," she said.

"But-"

"You-will-stay-here."

Grover looked at Percy, and then at me. I nodded reassuringly. This had to happen. What I didn't understand was why I was being pulled along in it.

"It's okay, man," Percy told him, though his voice was tight. "Thanks for trying."

"Honey," Mrs. Dodds said. "Now."

Percy glared at Nancy Bobofit, and I shuddered. I hoped to never be on the receiving side of that glare, and I knew that it wasn't even perfected yet. He turned back to face Mrs. Dodds, but she was already on the steps of the museum entrance. Percy did a double take, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him along gently. "Come on," I said. "Let's just get this over with."

Halfway up the steps, we both slowed and looked back at Grover. He was glancing back and forth, between us and Mr. Brunner, trying to get him to notice what was going on. But Mr. Brunner looked absorbed in his novel.

Percy turned back and steered me into the museum. "We don't need to be in any more trouble than we already are," he whispered.

We kept following Mrs. Dodds through museum. By the time she stopped, we were back in the Greco-Roman exhibit. It was empty, except for the three of us.

Mrs. Dodds glared up at a marble frieze of the gods. I don't know if she meant to, or not, but she was growling, the sound rumbling through her chest and echoing throughout the museum.

"You've been giving us problems, honey," she said. She was ignoring me, staring at Percy like a piece of meat. While I was grateful her attention wasn't on me, I wished that I could've done something to keep Percy safe.

He gulped. "Yes, ma'am."

Mrs. Dodds fiddled with her jacket. "Did you really think you could get away with it?"

Percy looked extremely nervous. He took a step back, his eyes wide with fear. "I'll-I'll try harder, ma'am."

"We are not fools, Percy Jackson," Mrs. Dodds said. "It was only a matter of time before we found you out. Confess, and you will suffer less pain." She rounded on me, like she had just noticed that I was there. "And you, Avalon Green," she spit out my name, like it was poison. "I'm not sure where you came from, but you are expendable. You'll be an excellent treat."

My heart was pounding. This wasn't in the book, I didn't know how to react. Thankfully, or maybe not so, Mrs. Dodds didn't give me a chance to answer.

She turned back to Percy. "Well?"

Percy shook his head slightly. "Ma'am, I don't..."

"Your time is up," she hissed.

Her eyes burst into flames. Her leather jacket melted into bat wings, and she bared her fangs at us, ready to rip us to shreds.

Mr. Brunner wheeled through the entrance of the gallery. "What ho, Percy!" he shouted, and tossed a ballpoint pen through the air.

Mrs. Dodds took that as her cue and lunged towards Percy.

"No!" I yelled, and tackled Percy around the waist, sending us both crashing to the floor. His instincts took over and he snatched the pen out of the air. It grew until he was holding a familiar bronze sword.

Mrs. Dodds wheeled around towards us again. Percy looked scared out of his wits, but he managed to keep his grip on the sword, and he swept me behind him with his other arm.

Mrs. Dodds snarled, "Die, honey!"

I had read this part lots of times. I knew what she was, but standing here, living it, paralyzed me with fear. I had always downplayed Percy's heroics in my head, but now I see why they were praised so highly. Mrs. Dodds was terrifying.

The demon beat her wings and she flew towards us. I closed my eyes, cowering behind Percy. Not very heroic, but at this moment, I was just a twelve-year-old girl. My instincts that I had developed over time were gone, my defense skills had abandoned me.

Percy swung the sword. It passed right through her shoulder.