Chapter two is up! What does Wednesday want with Fenny? Disclaimer- I do not own American Gods or Norse Mythology. If I did, I'd probably be either very rich or long dead.

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"I'm 'Fenny'," he said, mouthing the word like it tasted sour "And you, old man, have no right to be here." The boy leveled a shadowy gaze at Wednesday, his meaning more than clear. Leave, his body language said. Leave and never come back, because you make me scared and I don't like being scared.

Wednesday just smiled.

--

It was clear that the boy who called himself Fenny knew Wednesday, and it was also clear that Wednesday knew him, though it was also clear that there was no lost love between them. A lot of things were made clear by that gaze, things that had not been clear before. Shadow said nothing, merely watching the two stare at each other. Then Wednesday set down his cup.

"You know why I'm here." He said it like he didnt need confirmation, but was just trying to breach a subject.

Fenny nodded. He sat down opposite the two, his body still coiled and looking ready to spring. Closer up, Shadow could see what looked akin to rope burns around his wrist and face, and he had the feeling that perhaps there were some more, hidden under the long coat and jeans he wore. "Yes," said Fenny. "I know why your here, and you know what my answer will be. I have no reason to help you."

Wednesday took another sip of coffee. He suddenly looked more serious. "So you'll stay here? In this shithole? I know what you want. I know you want to run free, like you used to. Why would you stay here when you can join us?"

"I live out my life, wherever it takes me. Apparently thats here." There was something left unsaid. "My own father spent a stint in the humans prison, didnt he?" Wednesday shrugged. "I still see no reason to help you. No reason to stir up old enemies."

Wednesday stared at Fenny, and Fenny stared at Wednesday. It was a battle of wills.

Fenny broke eye contact first, staring at the table like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Wednesday chuckled, standing. "Where can one find the john?" He questioned. Fenny mumbled something, pointing down the hallway to the left without looking up. Wednesday left, leaving Shadow alone with the odd teenager.

"So you two know each other," he ventured, finishing his coffee with one last sip. It was good coffee.

Fenny shook his head, relaxing somewhat with Wednesday gone from the room. Shadow noted that with interest. "Used to know each other, long long time ago. He's different now. Don't know who he is anymore."

He glanced up, the shadowy eyes meeting Shadows dark ones. Closer up, Shadow realized that they seemed unfocused, as if he were here and somewhere else at the same time. "Dont know who you are, either. But I've heard of you."

"Shadow," said Shadow. He held out a hand. Fenny didnt take it.

"'M Fenny. That's what most people call me here." Fenny snatched Wednesdays coffee and took a sip. Almost immediately he spit it out, wiping at his mouth with the sleeve of his coat. "Coffees shit," Fenny muttered. Shadow didnt comment.

"So you wont come with us? Wednesday wouldn't of come here if he didnt think you wanted to."

Fenny glared at the table like it had done something personal to him, flicking a stray drop of coffee of his sleeve. He didnt answer

"You should at least give him a chance. Perhaps he's changed." Fenny snorted. "You really think so?" It wasnt a serious question. Shadow shrugged. "He is complex, but not cruel. Come with us. You can leave i f you decide to. No one will stop you."

Fenny looked like he was going to say something, then closed his mouth when Wednesday walked back in. The old man was splattered with mud, and Shadow got the feeling that he hadn't gone to the bathroom at all. "So," he said, taking a look at his coffee before setting it back down. "You coming?"

Fenny glanced at Shadow. "I'm coming."

Wednesday smirked, as if to say 'I told you so.' "Well come on then. Times waisting."

--

The first few miles on the road were ridden in uncomfortable silence. Shadow drove, Wednesday rode shotgun, and Fenny lounged in the back, once again reminding Shadow more of a wolf than a human.

Then Shadow turned on the radio and the cheery sound of Ragtime played out of the crappy speakers. Wednesday frowned at the stereo and then turned it off, going back to his maps. In the back, Fenny stirred. It was only when he woke up that Shadow realized the teen had been asleep in the first place, which surprised him since he had been keeping one eye on on the back of the car the whole time. Odd. Though by now, Shadows whole life was one big blaring 'odd.'

"I like that song," Fenny mumbled. Wednesday sent a glance over his shoulder, seemingly as surprised as Shadow was that Fenny had woken up, or been asleep in the first place. The old mans brow furrowed, and then he went back to his map.

"So," Shadow began, "where are we going?" He had instructions to drive strait until told otherwise, but that didnt give him a clue on where the group was headed. Wednesday gave an irritated huff. "You're going to Lakeside." He said simply. Shadow couldn't help feeling just a little disappointed. "And youre taking Fenny with you."

The teen made a protesting noise from the back. "But-"

Wednesday cut him off. "Its only for a few days. Ill contact you when I'm through." He said it like that was final.

"Fine. At least silent type here is more fun than you are." Fenny muttered, so low that Shadow could barely hear. He turned his head for a quick glance to see the teen once again sprawled out on the seats. He considered suggesting he put on a seat belt, but then decided that he shouldn't worry about anyone but himself.

Wednesday didnt look up. "You say that like you didn't enjoy my parties when you were younger." He traced a line on the map. Shadow took a left turn, riding by a sign that proclaimed 'Lakeside, next five miles.' The sign made it look like a grand place, though from experience Shadow knew it wasnt really.

"Haven't really been anyway for the past thousand year." Shadow raised a eyebrow. "But who's fault is that?"

It seemed like a rhetorical question, and the awkward silence that followed suggested that perhaps there was an answer, but nobody waned to say it. The rest of the car ride was ridden in quietness.