A/N: I am so sorry! I honestly don't know why it took me so long to update this story. I've been working on it almost exclusively for the past few months, but it took so much longer than I expected to get this chapter done. I hope you find it worth the wait.
Chapter Four
Anger
Hermes soon found himself at another farmhouse, this one tucked away in a stand of trees. It was a cozy looking place with a white picket fence and a big red barn in the back. Two young girls were chasing each other around the yard as Hermes approached the gate.
"Excuse me," he called, "is your mother home?"
The girls stopped running and stared at him for a moment before dashing inside. Shrugging his shoulders, Hermes walked through the gate and up the path leading to the house. He had just reached the door when a harried looking woman opened it.
"May I help you?" she asked.
"No ma'am," Hermes answered. "But I may be able to help you."
"With what, exactly?" she asked.
"Archie," Hermes replied.
Archie's mother looked at Hermes for a long moment before gesturing to the open door behind her.
"Please come in," she said.
A few minutes later, Hermes was seated on the couch in Archie's living room with a cup of coffee listening to Archie's mother explain her situation. She'd sent the two girls he'd seen earlier upstairs to play, so they would have some privacy.
"Archie's always had problems dealing with his anger," she explained. "It started when he was a child. He came home from his first day of kindergarten in tears because some kids teased him about his brace. The next day I got a call saying he'd been in a fight with the same kids."
She paused, sighing heavily before continuing, "His father and I tried various things to help him channel his anger, but nothing seemed to work. Then, his dad decided to have him try writing poetry."
"Poetry?" Hermes queried.
"Archie's father is…was an English teacher. He thought that maybe if Archie had a creative way of writing down his feelings it might help and it did for a while."
"So when you say was…" Hermes began.
"My husband passed away last year," Archie's mother explained. "Cancer. It took a toll on our entire family, of course, but it hit Archie especially hard. He and his father were very close and since his death, Archie's been nearly impossible to manage. I just don't know what to do with him anymore."
Hermes nodded. He'd known all of this already, of course, but he didn't see any harm in letting Archie's mother explain things from her perspective.
"I'm sorry," he sympathized. "I didn't mean to dredge up painful memories."
"It's all right," she assured him. "I just wish I knew what to do."
"That's why I'm here," Hermes explained. "I represent an organization dedicated to helping individuals like Archie manage their anger issues."
"What kind of programs does your organization offer?" Archie's mother inquired.
Hermes took a moment to collect his thoughts before answering.
"First," he began, "our counselors believe in treating the root cause of a person's anger, not just treating the anger itself. They feel that understanding why a person feels great anger and helping them deal with those issues in a more constructive way will allow them to leave their anger behind them."
"What will that mean for Archie, specifically?" she probed.
"He'll talk to grief counselors who'll help him move on from the loss of his father," Hermes began.
"I've already tried that," Archie's mother interrupted, "unfortunately it didn't work as well as I'd hoped."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Hermes sympathized, "but our counselors have a…unique approach to helping young people cope with their grief."
"What does this unique approach involve?" Archie's mother inquired a little anxiously.
"In addition to talking about his feelings," Hermes explained, "Archie will also participate in vigorous physical activities designed to help him channel his anger and aggression in a more positive direction."
"Do you have a program to help Archie deal with the kids who tease him about his brace?" Archie's mother asked.
"That's the second time you've mentioned a brace," Hermes commented. "If you don't mind could you tell me more about it?"
"I've never completely understood Archie's difficulty," Archie's mother began, "although his doctor must have explained it to me a hundred times. All I really know is that Archie has some sort of weakness in his right leg and foot and that the brace helps him to get around like everyone else, at least, that's what it's supposed to do."
"What do you mean?" Hermes asked.
"Unfortunately," Archie's mother sighed, "the brace is clunky and a bit cumbersome, so instead of making things easier for Archie it seems to make things more difficult."
"I understand," Hermes reassured her, "but don't worry we have a zero tolerance policy for bullying. As long as Archie's enrolled in this program, he won't have to deal with any teasing and by the time he returns home, Archie will have learned to handle similar situations without resorting to physical violence."
"Wait," Archie's mother interrupted. "What do you mean 'by the time he returns home'?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hermes apologized. "I thought I'd mentioned that our facilities are out of town. I hope that won't be a problem."
"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with Archie being away from home for…" Archie's mother paused for a moment. "How long will Archie be gone?"
"Well, it tends to vary from person to person, but if you decide to enroll Archie in this program, he would probably be gone for at least a year," Hermes explained.
"A year!" Archie's mother gasped.
"Or more," Hermes added apologetically, "as I said it's difficult to predict."
"I don't know that I'd want Archie to be away from home for that long," Archie's mother sighed.
"I have an idea," Hermes proposed after a moment's consideration. "Why don't I speak with Archie? I could explain things to him and find out if he's interested in enrolling in the program, then, if he is maybe we can work something out."
"I don't think that that would be a very good idea," Archie's mother explained. "I've tried broaching this subject with him before and he didn't respond well."
"I understand," Hermes responded, "but I can't say I'm surprised. In my experience, kids generally rebel against anything their parents think is a good idea. That's why I've perfected a technique that allows me to convince kids that joining this program is their idea."
"What does this technique entail?" Archie's mother inquired skeptically.
"Mostly reverse psychology with a few little white lies thrown in," Hermes replied nonchalantly. "It's actually much more effective than it sounds."
Archie's mother still looked extremely doubtful, but Hermes knew there was little he could do now except hope that she would allow him to speak privately with Archie.
"I suppose there's no harm in letting you speak with Archie," Archie's mother finally announced in the same tone she might have used to say it's your funeral.
There was no doubt in Hermes' mind that Archie's mother had no confidence at all in his ability to convince her son to enroll in any anger management program no matter what he said. Then again, she didn't know that Hermes had one very effective weapon in his arsenal…the truth. He knew he couldn't tell Archie's mother the truth because she would never believe it and even if she did, she would never allow him to travel hundreds of kilometers to battle a demented god. However, Hermes knew he could tell Archie the truth. Archie might not believe him, but if he could convince him to come with him willingly, that might be enough to persuade his mother. It was worth a try and besides Hermes didn't have any other options at this point.
"Where can I find Archie?" Hermes asked.
"He's probably in the barn," Archie's mother replied. "He likes to read poetry in the hayloft."
That statement raised a whole host of questions, but Hermes was on a schedule and he didn't have time to indulge his curiosity, so he simply said, "All right" and headed outside.
When Hermes arrived at the barn, he could tell that it saw little use these days. Rusted pieces of what might once have been farm equipment were scattered around the interior and, aside from a trail of footprints leading to the hayloft ladder, dust coated the floor.
Hermes made his way, quickly and quietly toward the ladder. As he got closer, he could hear the faint sounds of someone moving around above him. He climbed the ladder as quickly as he could, which wasn't easy since he was carrying a briefcase. Hermes had considered leaving it in Archie's living room, but it contained something he hoped would tip the balance in his favor if nothing else worked.
A moment later, Hermes' head poked up over the top of the ladder. He took a second to scan the hayloft to ensure that he and Archie would have some privacy before turning his attention to the boy he had come to find.
Archie sat in a corner of the loft, his head bent over a particularly thick book. When he raised it for an instant, possibly to get a closer look at some troublesome detail judging by the way his brow was furrowed, Hermes caught a glimpse of the title The Iliad, perhaps this would be easier than he thought.
"Excuse me," Hermes called politely as he pulled himself up into the hayloft itself. "I hate to pull you away from your study of the classics, but I wonder if I might have a few moments of your time?"
"Who are you?" Archie demanded irritably.
"My name is Hermes," Hermes answered deciding to start with the truth and save them both some time.
"Like the Greek god?" Archie asked.
"The one and only at your service," Hermes declared with a small bow.
"Oh please," Archie scoffed, "you don't really expect me to believe that you're the Hermes, Messenger of the Greek gods."
Hermes considered pointing out that he was more than just the gods' messenger, but now probably wasn't the best time for a laundry list of his responsibilities. He also decided to overlook Archie's obvious skepticism. After all, the others were skeptical too, at first. Archie would come around.
"I have a proposition for you," Hermes continued, "if you're willing to listen."
"Fine, whatever," Archie grumbled. "Just make it quick."
"As you've already guessed," Hermes began, "I'm here representing the gods of Olympus. There's a problem that they need your help to solve."
"Yeah, right," Archie snorted. "A bunch of all-powerful gods need my help."
"You'd be surprised," Hermes informed him, "and it won't be just you helping, there are six others on this team."
"If you've already got six other suckers lined up to help then what do you need me for?" Archie demanded.
"All of you are needed for this mission," Hermes explained. "Each of you will bring your own unique talents to the team; after all, you are all descendants of some of the greatest heroes ancient Greece has ever known."
"Wait a minute," Archie protested, "now you're telling me that I'm descended from an ancient Greek hero?"
"That's right," Hermes confirmed.
"Oh really?" Archie sneered. "Which one?"
"Why the great Achilles, of course," Hermes answered.
"As in…" Archie tapped the cover of his book meaningfully.
"The very same," Hermes acknowledged.
"Okay," Archie began, "let me see if I've got this straight. You're Hermes, the Greek god, and the other Greek gods sent you here to recruit me for a team you're forming to deal with a problem that all you gods can't deal with yourselves, and I'm a descendant of Achilles."
"That pretty much covers it," Hermes replied.
"So what exactly is this problem you need my help with?" Archie asked.
"Have you ever heard of Cronus?" Hermes inquired.
"You mean the Titan?" Archie queried. "The father of Zeus and all those other gods?"
"That's him," Hermes confirmed. "He's escaped from Tartarus prison and we need your help to stop him."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Archie protested holding up his hands defensively, "so now I'm supposed to fight a Titan?"
"Well, not just you," Hermes reminded him. "There will be six others on this team."
"And are any of these people gods?" Archie asked.
"Um no," Hermes answered. "They're all kids like you."
"Let me get this straight," Archie exclaimed. "You expect seven kids to take down a god?"
"Well, yes," Hermes responded.
"Are you crazy?" Archie all but shouted. "What makes you think we can do something so impossible?"
"There's a prophecy," Hermes began.
"A prophecy?" Archie sputtered.
"Yes," Hermes continued. "The Oracle predicted that when Cronus escaped you and six others would defeat him."
"How?" Archie demanded.
"The Oracle didn't say," Hermes answered. "He only told us who you were, where we could find you and that you would succeed."
"So you're pulling seven people away from their homes and families to fight a god based on what, the word of some so-called Oracle?" Archie snapped incredulously.
"He does boast an impressive reputation," Hermes responded, "over four thousand years without a mistake."
"And what role are you gods going to be playing in all this?" Archie inquired scornfully.
"We'll give you weapons, training, and protection," Hermes replied.
"That's it?" Archie exclaimed. "You expect seven mortals to fight your battles while you just sit back and watch?"
"Well, it's not quite as simple…" Hermes started to say, but Archie cut him off.
"I don't care!" he exploded. "I don't believe any of this! This is either a joke or some huge mistake and I think you should leave. Now!"
"I can't do that," Hermes responded. "I have strict instructions to bring you to New Olympia."
"You can't force me to go with you," Archie retorted hotly, "and there's nothing you can say that will make me change my mind."
"You're right," Hermes conceded affably, "I can't force you to come with me and I don't want to, but I am hoping I can convince you to change your mind."
"Fat chance," Archie huffed.
"What about your mother and sisters?" Hermes asked.
"What about them?" Archie countered.
"If you stay here you risk putting them in danger," Hermes explained. "Cronus wants to destroy all of you and he's already sent giants to try to eliminate three of your teammates. Sooner or later he'll come after you and when he does your family could end up caught in the middle."
"But I'm not joining your stupid team," Archie protested.
"It doesn't matter," Hermes informed him, "even if you could somehow explain that to Cronus he'd never risk you changing your mind. Coming with me is the only way to guarantee their safety."
"What if I decide to go off on my own?" Archie fired back.
"Then that's your choice," Hermes answered, "but we can't guarantee your safety if you do. Besides, if Cronus did succeed in destroying you it would break the prophecy, which would also put your family in jeopardy. If you're unwilling to join the team for the sake of the rest of the world won't you at least join for their sakes?"
"It doesn't sound like I have a choice," Archie grumbled.
"I know," Hermes sighed. "Unfortunately, there's no other way."
"Does my mother know about this?" Archie asked.
"Not the truth," Hermes confessed.
"Because she'd never believe it," Archie surmised.
"Exactly," Hermes acknowledged, "and even if she did…"
"She'd never let me leave with you," Archie concluded.
"Right," Hermes confirmed.
"So what did you tell her?" Archie questioned.
"That I wanted to enroll you in an anger management program," Hermes admitted reluctantly.
"And how do I know that's not the truth?" Archie huffed.
"I guess you don't," Hermes conceded, "but do you really think someone running a program like that would take the time to construct a story as elaborate as the one I've told you?"
"I suppose not," Archie muttered.
"If you still need an incentive to come with me," Hermes added, "I do have one more thing to offer you."
"What's that?" Archie asked.
"This," Hermes answered reaching into his briefcase.
He pulled out something that looked like it was made of gold. It glittered in the shafts of sunlight that poked through the cracks in the barn's weather beaten walls. Smooth and streamlined it was clearly the work of a master craftsman.
"Is that..?" Archie began.
"A new leg brace," Hermes acknowledged, "forged by Hephaestus himself. It's yours if you want it."
As Hermes handed the brace to Archie he couldn't help noticing the desperation in his eyes or the joy that replaced it once Archie held the brace in his hands. He wanted this brace. He needed this brace. Hermes knew he'd been right in thinking that this little gift would be the tipping point. He had Archie right where he wanted him.
"Go ahead, try it on," Hermes invited.
Cautiously, as though he were afraid that Hermes might change his mind, Archie removed his old cumbersome, clunky brace and replaced it with the new one. It fit perfectly.
"So what do you think?" Hermes asked once Archie had walked around for a few minutes.
"It's amazing," Archie responded. "It's so light I barely notice it."
"That's the idea," Hermes explained. "Hephaestus designed it to be as comfortable as possible. As I'm sure you've learned from your reading he has a certain…understanding of your situation."
"The lame blacksmith of the gods," Archie murmured.
Hermes said nothing, preferring to watch Archie enjoy his new brace for a few more minutes before breaking the silence.
"Have you made up your mind?" he asked quietly. "Are you willing to join the team?"
"All right," Archie agreed, "but only on one condition."
"Name it," Hermes invited.
"When all this is over, however long it takes I get to keep this," he said gesturing to the brace.
"Of course," Hermes agreed readily. "I told you Hephaestus forged it for you, but for the moment you will need to switch back to your old one."
"Why?" Archie demanded hotly.
"Your mother doesn't know I brought it," Hermes explained patiently. "She thinks I didn't know about your brace until she told me about it and we need to maintain that illusion."
"Fine," Archie grumbled, "just as long as I get it back."
"You will," Hermes hastened to assure him, "I promise."
Once Archie had removed his new brace, with more than a little grumbling and muttering, Hermes tucked it safely away in his briefcase and they headed back to the house.
They found Archie's mother waiting for them in the living room.
"Ma'am I have good news," Hermes announced. "Archie has decided to enroll in the program we discussed."
"Archie, honey is that true?" she asked coming over to put her hands on his shoulders.
"Yeah, mom," Archie confirmed, "I really think this program could help me."
"So does he have your permission to take part in it?" Hermes asked.
The expression on Archie's mother's face was a mixture of disbelief and uncertainty. While she wanted Archie to receive counselling and eventually learn to control his anger, she wasn't sure about letting him leave home for a year or more. Still…
"Are you sure this is what you want?" she asked Archie worriedly.
"Yeah, mom," Archie responded, "I'm sure."
"Well, if this is what you want," she said, "then I guess it's all right with me."
Hermes breathed a silent sigh of relief. Thank Zeus, he thought.
"But," Archie's mother went on, "I expect you to call me and to visit as often as you can."
"Of course, mom," Archie agreed rolling his eyes.
"Go pack your stuff," his mother sighed.
Archie took a moment to toss off a mock salute before heading upstairs.
"So how did you convince him to go with you?" Archie's mother asked the moment her son was out of earshot.
"The truth is," Hermes began, "I have absolutely no idea."
"I don't suppose it matters now anyway," she sighed.
"No, I don't suppose it does," Hermes agreed quietly.
A few minutes later, Archie came downstairs with a duffle bag slung over one shoulder.
"I'm all set," he announced.
His mother walked over and wrapped him in a hug.
"Take care of yourself, sweetheart," she said.
"Don't worry, mom," he responded, "I will."
"Time to go," Hermes said.
"Bye, mom," Archie called as he and Hermes headed out the door.
"Good-bye, sweetheart," she called back.
Four down, three to go, Hermes thought. I just hope the next one isn't quite so challenging.
A/N: There you have it folks and once again I apologize for the long wait. I will definitely try to get the next chapter posted sooner, but I'm not making any promises. It depends on my schedule and when I get inspired. Stay tuned.