Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Rosetta Stone

Chapter 13

Annabeth's POV

We ended up watching Madagascar 2, which was hilarious, because Percy kept on trying to imitate King Julian (that really annoying Lemur), and epically failed at it. He was still really jumpy though, especially when the plane dipped frighteningly, and we had bad turbulence. Grover, however, didn't even budge. He must have been so tired, poor guy, travelling around the States.

The credits rolled up, playing 'The Travelling Song'. I turned to see Percy asleep in his seat, finally at peace after worrying so much. I watched his chest rise and fall. I guessed I should catch a few Z's myself, and put my seat back. I tucked my blanket around me, and buried my head in my pillow.

As I slowly slipped into unconsciousness, I felt Percy take my hand and hold it close to his body. In my dreams I remembered a song I had heard long ago.

I hear in my mind, all of these voices,
I hear in my mind, all of these words,
I hear in my mind, all of this music,
and it breaks my heart,
and it breaks my heart

Third Person POV, London Comprehensive, the week before Christmas

Laura sat down. New day, new school- but end of the term. Great timing. A blank canvas, as her mother would say. She snorted. For her schools were a place you visited for 3 months, 5 months tops, and then moved on. This time didn't look to be any different. Around her teenagers gathered in small groups, sitting on tables with their bags slung over their shoulders. Laura got out a note pad and started to doodle, to while away the five minutes before the lesson started. Some girls in a group right next to Laura started pointing and whispering. Sensing a change in atmosphere, she looked up to see what the commotion was about. Oh, just another boy. But as he walked past the groups, they went silent, and then started whispering again. He walked to sit next to Laura who gave a shy smile, and then started doodling again.

"That's really good," he said, pointing at Laura's sketch of a tree outside the window. "No it's not," she scoffed, and stuffed the pad back in her bag. She pulled out a brand new chemistry book and her pencil case. The pencil case was green and shaggy, with silver bangles on the zip. She opened it, making the bangles tinkle, and got out a fountain pen to name and label her book. She paused, then got out a time table to find the name of the teacher the set and her class. The boy next to her got out a book as well, but it was already named. He was called Theodore Stivanski. He had extraordinarily bad handwriting. So bad in fact, that Laura could only just make out his name. "So, Theodore. How is our Chemistry teacher?" she asked him. He shrugged. "I've never had her before. Please call me Theo," he said. Laura looked at her time table. Her teacher was called Dr. Kendell, it turned out, and she had been put in for higher chemistry. Everyone in the room stood up, including Laura, as Dr. Kendell came in.

"Welcome to higher Chemistry," she said. "I'm Dr. Kendell. Please be seated." There were squeaks and scratches as chairs were pulled back and sat on. "Today we will be studying alloys and their properties..."Dr. Kendell explained. Laura didn't listen. She had done this before. She took a piece of scrap paper out of her Blazer.

Theo,
Is it always this dull?
I'm Laura by the way.

She shoved the paper in his direction. He glanced at it. Laura saw his eyes go wild; skimming the text, then shook his head and faced the front. Laura was confused. Didn't he like her? What was his problem? Laura saw the teacher write notes on the board. She copied them down, and looked to see what Theo was doing. He just sat there at stared at the teacher intently.

At the end of the lesson Laura stopped him before he could go. "Why didn't you answer my note?" she asked Theo. He shrugged and bolted for the door. She picked up her bags, headed the same way as him. But by the time she had reached the door he was out of sight. Later, she thought, and tried to find L3, where ever that was/

In all of her lessons Laura looked out for Theo, but couldn't find him. By lunch she had pretty much given up hope. A girl standing next to her in the Lunch queue said, "Don't get your hopes up. Theo is totally gorgeous, is a rebel and never turns up." Laura looked at her, trying to decide whether she liked this girl or not. "I'm Cathy," she said and smiled. "Laura," Laura said extending a hand that Cathy readily shook. "Where are you from?" Cathy asked Laura. Always the same question. But it was human nature, she figured. "The world is my home," Laura replied, realising this was true. Yes, she thought, the world is my home.

Chapter 14

Percy's POV

Heathrow was like Camp during capture the flag. Everyone was busy and rushing around. It didn't help that Annabeth and I, being light sleepers due to ADHD hardly slept. We were bleary eyed, and it took us a while to find our way. It was well sign posted, so by the time we had gotten to the sign saying "Welcome to England" we had only been off the plane for ten minutes. Passport control, however, was a completely different matter.

Annabeth's POV

"Oh gods," I said quietly as I saw the huge room and the even huger queue. "Ok..." Grover said, awed. "We won't get any where just standing here peoples," Percy said, and made for the end of a queue. "Hey Seaweed Brain! Since when do you have a European passport? Wrong queue!" I called to him, pointing at the even longer queue for International passports. He looked down at his sea-green converse and drew something on the floor with his shoe. "Coming?" I asked him. He quickly looked up and took his place beside me in the long queue. Grover was in front of us, listening to his iPod again.

Percy held my hand and I rested my head on his shoulder. I jumped suddenly as my cell vibrated in my pocket. I got it out with my spare hand and opened the message.

From: Chiron
To: Annabeth Chase
I hope you had a good flight. I've made arrangements for you to stay in a flat near the British Museum. Click on the link below to find it. You will attend the local High School. Just say who you are, and no questions will be asked. Don't bother with homework, just find out about the stone. Someone there knows something, so snuffle around and see what you can find.
Enjoy England,
Chiron

Well that was great, just great. I sighed. "What?" Percy asked me. I handed him my cell, and he read the message. If you're wondering how I could read it, the message was in Ancient Greek. Google translate works wonders. "That's just amazing," Percy said sarcastically. I guessed he was just as impressed as I was. Going to school in England during my Christmas holiday was not top of my list. The queue moved a meter, and we shuffled forward.

And waited.

And waited

And waited.