Chapter 1: Framed

W
Yeah, it could be cool, sometimes. But when they start using you for jobs they're to lazy or in their case too 'important' to do, it's not that fun. It's more along the lines of: painful, hard, and somestimes suicidal.
I'm Ford Fletcher.
I am twelve years old. I will be thirteen in two weeks. My twin sister is Brooke Fletcher.
Oh, about the gods. Well up until a couple months ago, I was a normal kid, with a normal family, with normal friends, going to a normal public school. That was until. . . the incident.
What incident, you ask? Well, if you really must know. . .
It was a couple weeks until school would end into summer break. I was outside for a lunch break with my friends Jake and Alex, when a mysterious stranger walked up to me and my friends. He looked like he was in his mid-forties, maybe more. I was a bit concerned I thought I had done something wrong, I thought he may be someone from the school board or something. Boy, I was wrong. It turned out he knew me and I was 'the one'. He kept rambeling on, and my friends got bored and probably a little creeped out so they left me. I didn't want them too, but I couldn't get this guy to leave. I tried giving him hints like: I think I need to go, my class starts soon. Or, my teacher's calling me.

[1]

But did he leave? No. He was like one of those crazy old guys who stood on the streets saying the world was going to end. He wore jogging pants with a baggy sweater. He wore a hood and I could only tell he had a scraggly beard that looked like it needed a cut and long dull brown hair. The wierd thing was, his stormy gray eyes.
I finally said, "Look! I don't know who you are, I don't know anything about 'the one' and I certainly have to go, so will you leave?", I know I sounded a bit rude but this guy was starting to get on my nerves.
When I told him to leave, his eyes. . . grew darker, and then I heard a storm rolling in. I looked up and that was all I remembered until I looked back down. The stranger was gone and the school was on fire.
I thought it was the freak storm. A lightning bolt that might've hit the school. Students came out of the school, in single file, as we were taught since Kindergarten, but I could see the terrified looks in most of the kid's eyes. Most of them were looking at me. Did they actually think I started the fire? I closed my eyes, hoping it was just my imagination. Reopening them, I saw Mrs. Blunt marching over to me.
"Ford Fletcher!" She yelled over the rain-I hadn't noticed it-, "What did you do?"
My eyes widened. She actually did think I started it! "N-nothing Mrs. Blunt. Honestly, I was outside when this stranger came up to me and. . . uh spoke to me, I told him to leave me alone and then he. . . just disappeared." I didn't want to tell her what the old man was rambling about, I could have been in worse trouble.
"I doubt that! You were the only one out-" She was cut off when sirens blared just down the streets; firetrucks racing to douse the raging flames.

[2]

"Ask my friends! Jake and Alex! They were with me, until they left." I persisted.
"I will." She stomped over to the two and asked. Alex looked at me in confusion while Jake shook his head, talking to Mrs. Blunt.
Why were they lying? They were there with me, I thought desperatly. But no use, Mrs. Blunt stormed over to me she grabbed me by the arm and dragged me over to the principal.
He was busy counting all the kids. Mrs. Blunt and I waited until he was done counting. "600. All here." He smiled with relief and turned to Mrs. Blunt. "What is it?" He asked.
"Ford, here, was the one who started the fire Mr. Jack." His eyes hardened while mine widened.
"I didn't!" I protested.
"He did, he said a stranger came to him and started it. But he also said his friends were with him, when they were not. Ford must be punished."
Mr. Jack looked at me. His eyes drilling into mine. I had to try and not to flinch away. "Fine, I tried, just punish me."
"Very well, since you have admitted in starting it you will not be alound to attend St. Price School anymore. Nor next year. Though your sister may." Oh no, I thought. My mom is going to kill me.
Just then, my sister ran over. "Ford! Are you okay?" She demanded as she stopped beside me, looking up at Mr. Jack and Mrs. Blunt.
"No," I muttered.
"Ms. Fletcher, please join your class, the firefighters have set up a tent for the kids to stay in until the fire can be distinguished." Mr. Jack said.

[3]

"B-but what happened?" She turned her worried gaze to me.
I turned away, not wanting to upset her. "Go Brooke." I told her. As I tried to keep my voice level.
Brooke turned and ran over to the tent, though clearly not happy.
"Mr. Fletcher. Shall I call your mother or will you give her the news?" Mrs. Blunt asked coldly.
I scowled. "Do whatever." I stalked away into the tent, trying to sit on the opposite side of my sister. I didn't need her to be more upset then she needed too, but I figured one of her snooty friends ran and told her the way news spreads through my school and by the way kids stared at me. I could here some kid now: Did you here? I heard Ford did it, why do you think he started it?I rolled my eyes, I swear I didn't start the fire.

Could it have been the crazy old man? He disappeared fast enou-"It's all clear, only the gynasium was scorched." A firefighter told everyone, as my thoughts were interrupted. There were sighs of relief that there wouldn't be gym for awhile but quickly silenced by dread. Three more weeks of school. I could tell by some of the grade sixes, that they wanted an early summer vacation. Then I realized I would have mine.
My eyes quickly watered but I stopped myself. I would miss my friends.

[4]

I sighed. Knowing I would have to deal with my mom. I felt bad. She had to raise my sister and I by herself because my low-life father wasn't around. She shouldn't have to deal with a kid like me, I was always getting in trouble though most of the times weren't from me. I mean that one kid started it. He was picking on my sister, and I don't like bullies.
Just as I was remembering my old memories my mom pulled in, driving the orange Sunfire.
My mom was a nice lady, fair and caring. I loved her. Her name is Elaine Fletcher. She is in her mid-thirties and had a few gray hairs but I think that was caused by my sister and I. She had warm brown eyes. I guess my sister kind of looked like her, I was told once I looked like my father. . . I got mad. I didn't want anything to do with him.
Anyways, my mom stepped out of the car and ran to me. She called for my sister who came running. We both hugged my mom. Tears streamed down my mom's face. "I'm so gald you're both safe." She pulled away from us and stared at me. "Ford, did you start it?" She asked. Her face was serious but her eyes betrayed her worry.
Brooke's eyes got wide.
"Mom, I honestly didn't start it." I told her, confident she would be the one to believe in me.
My mom smiled and Brooke's eyes softened. "I know you wouldn't do that, Ford. But, I wonder who did it."
"I don't know. What do you think, mom?" I asked her. But when I looked at her, she was looking at the smokey school, deep in thought.
"Mom?" Asked Brooke.
My mom shook her head in confusion. "What?"
"What or who do you think started the fire if I didn't." I asked again.
"I don't know," her voice was still distant. "Let's get back home, I don't think everyone here is happy with you, Ford."
I sighed and climbed into the backseat with Brooke while my mom told my principal we were leaving and Brooke wouldn't go to school without me.

[5]

* * *

When we arrived at my house-a two story, normal house with a great neighbourhood-our dog Clifford leaped up onto me and almost knocked me off of me feet.
"Clifford, down." My mom told our dog as she grabbed him by his collar to pull him off of me. He is a big yellow lab cross with a bull mastif. He sort of looks like a regular lab but with a lot more wrinkles.
Brooke giggled and ran upstairs to her room, Clifford on her heels.
When I heard Brooke close her bedroom door, I turned to my mom, "I'm sorry I got expelled, I didn't mean to start the fire." I looked down. I know I didn't start the fire and my mom said she believed I didn't but, it just felt easier to accept it.
My mom lifted my chin with her hand so I stared at her, "You didn't start it, I believe you. But, please, tell me what exactly happened."
"Exactly?" I said.
My mom nodded.
"Well. . . I was at school, during our lunch break, with Jake and Alex when we saw this stranger with long dull brown hair and a scraggy beard, he was in jogging pants and a hoodie. He wore his hood over his head so I only saw his gray eyes. He walked over to us and was rambeling on with things that I couldn't understand. But Alex and Jake left because they were bored, and he said more things and I told him I had to leave and I think he may have tooken offence, because when I closed my eyes and reopened them he was gone

[6]

and the school was on fire. But the wierdest thing was, a freak storm was heading towards me.
My mom closed her eyes, I had a feeling she didn't believe me. When she opened them, her brown eyes were soft, not angry.
"Ford, I have some things to tell you. . ." She grabbed my hand and brought me towards the sofa. We sat down and she didn't let go of my hand. "Do you know your father?" She asked.
I stiffened. I hated talking about my dad. He was never there for me. I was told he left and would never come back, but I nodded.
"Well, he didn't leave," she said, "he was a very important man, and he worked for very important people, but during his job, he died."
"What was he?" I asked, never knowing anything about him.
"He. . ." She tried to get her words right. "He never wanted you to grow up this way, he hoped that when he died, he would take it away from you. I guess he was wrong." She looked down and added more quietly, "How much do you know about Ancient Greek?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked, a little mad to know I was angry with my father who had mysteriously died for me.
"A lot. How much do you know about Ancient Greek mythology?" She pressed.
"I don't know. I know about some monsters and legends and the Greek gods, why?"
"Well, your father was a messenger."
"A messenger?"
"Yes, for the gods. They are not legends, Ford. They are real. He died when Zeus sent your father to the Underworld to. . . discuss about a future battle plan incase the Titans ever rose from Tartarus."
I could not believe my ears.
"What?" I asked.
"You are next in line as a messenger." My mother told me, though she didn't look quite happy.
"Wha-what do you mean?" I said.

[7]

"You are going to have to go to Olympus and do 'special' jobs for the gods. Since you were born before Brooke you are next, though it's not rare for girls to become messengers." She told me.
I guess I should believe her because, she was my mom and she has never lied to me. Then again she never told me my father was actually... dead.
"I don't want to work with people who took away my father. I wanted to know him for so long!" I said.
"I know, Ford, but that's what it has to be." My mom told me, trying to calm me down.
"No, it doesn't. Besides, I can't just fly to Greece. We live in Canada. That's to far." I told her.
"No, you don't have to fly to Greece. Mount Olympus is still in Greece, but the gods moved. They live in Canada. In Niagra Falls. In Ontario." She said.
I thought I must've bumped my head or something, "What?" I asked in confusion. "Ancient Greek gods, who are real live in Niagra Falls?"
My mom nodded, placed her hand on my shoulder. By the way she comforted me I could tell she saw the look of confusion on my face.
"What am I supposed to do?" I asked her.
"Well, I will by a ticket for you to fly to Ontario. You and Brooke, since you are twins you should be equally important. I have been with your father to visit the gods. I was pregnant with Brooke and you and the gods asked me to go with him, I remember it like yesterday, you have to go on the trolley cart down where the tourists stop to see the view. Barely anyone knows about the carts, mostly the gods. It will take you down, through the Falls. There, you will find a lightning bolt symbol, you have to press it." My mother told me.
"What happens when I press it?" I asked.
"A door will open, no human knows about it unless you are a messenger. Anyways, after the doors open there's a corridor that'll lead you into a throne room, where the Olympians are. You need to talk to Zeus, please, try not to make him angry."
"Why would I do that?" I said.

[8]

My mom sighed, "Because, he was the one. . . who killed your father." She said.
I clenched my fist, first letting go of my mother's hand, but I was sure she could feel me tense under her hand. "He was the one who never let me meet my dad?" I asked.
"Please, Ford. It's dangerous to confront a god. Stay on his good side, you may find other messengers along the way. But, look after your sister." She said.
"I will."
"And please, please, come back in time for your birthday." My mom pleaded. "Oh, you also need to fill in your sister, now go upstairs and pack a backpack for atleast a weeks worth of clothes and toiletries." She reminded me.
"Okay," I ran upstairs and grabbed my clothes and ran for the bathroom to grab my toothbrush, a bar of soap-you never know where the next shower could be-. and a few other things I might've needed.
I ran into my sisters room. She had Clifford on her bed, her headphones plugged into her ear and a teen magazine open. She hummed along to one of her favourite songs.
"Brooke," I said.
She couldn't hear me.
"Brooke," I said again. A little more louder.
She still couldn't hear me.
I walked over and pulled a headphone out of her. "Brooke!" I said.
"What?" She asked with a little anger.
"You need to get ready, we're going for atleast a weeks trip to Ontario. Hurry." I said and went back into my bedroom.

[9]

"What? Right now? Why?" She asked. Her face showed only confusion.
"We are going on a trip. Now. I'll fill you in once we are on the airplane." I said as I walked back into her room with an extra backpack. I tossed it towards her and she started to pack her clothes.
"I'll be a sec," She told me and raced to the bathroom to get her things. "Is mom coming?" She asked as she looked over her shoulder.
"No," I said. "We're going to. . . I'll tell you soon, now hurry."
"Why?"
"Because, we need to go." I said. I rarely got mad at my sister but her questions were irritating.
"Brooke?" A call came from downstairs.
Brooke poked her head out from the bathroom door. "Yes mom?"
"Please, hurry. Ford, bring your things downstairs and put them into the car."
I bounded down the stairs, nervous, excited, and frightened. I was about to go on a dangerous trip to Ontario where I just found out my father was killed by mythological, no, real living gods from Ancient Greek.
As I was thinking about that, something clicked in my head. If the gods are real, would the monsters they fought be real too?
"Mom, what about the Ancient Greek monst-"
"I'm ready," Brooke called as she walked outside towards the car.
"Okay, Brooke, C'mon Ford," My mom said.

[10]

"But. . ." I couldn't say more, my mom was already outside. I dragged my bag to the car and put it in the truck with Brooke's bag.
I sighed and sat down in the front seat and buckled up. Brooke jumped into the back seat, her Ipod in her hand and her headphones on. I could hear her music so I thought it would be okay if I asked my question.
"Mom, are the monsters real if the gods are?" I asked a little cautiously.
She looked as if she'd seen a ghost and pretended not to hear.
Since she ignored my question I just looked forward. I noticed the sky was clear, the storm had passed over while I was talking to my mom about Zeus. Zeus the Lord of the Sky. The dude who killed my dad. The guy who set my school on fire and made me get the blame. I was starting to really dislike this god. But, I remembered what my mother had said: 'It's dangerous to confront a god. Stay on his good side.' She has said his good side. Had she ment Zeus?
As I thought about it, I felt my eyes getting heavier. It was 4:00pm. I would have just gotten out of school, and after today I was getting tired. I closed my eyes and soon found myself dreaming.

I was on a plane, but the storm was back. Passengers were wide-eyed and I could see my sister sitting beside me. An announcement was made by a flight attendent, telling that we were flying through a storm-not like that wasn't obvious-and there was going to be terbulance for about fifteen minutes. Most of the passengers looked reassured but, a little boy sitting across from me with stormy gray eyes stared at me. He waved hi, or good-bye to me and I looked at the boy in confusion.

[11]

Why was he waving to me. I tried to forget the weird action by looking outside the window but that made it worse: the plane was going down. The clouds disappeared and an ocean came into focus. We were going to crash.
"Ford," the boy called.
Then I felt someone shaking me. I opened my eyes and my sister was calling to me and shaking my shoulder to wake me up. We are at the airport and my mom told me where we were going exactly and why.
I smiled, happy to be off the stormy plane ride, and alive. "Okay, so we need to get on the plane flying to Ontario. The closest flight that goes near Niagra Falls."
Brooke nodded and grabbed her bag from the car. She kissed my mom on the cheek good-bye and walked into the airport. I hugged my mom and grabbed my bag, following my sister. We waved bye to my mom and bought our tickets. We sat down and waited for our plane.
We were in time to grab something to eat. As we bought our food the plane pulled in and we were rushed into the terminal and boarded the plane.
"Are the gods actually real?" Brooke asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know, I guess they are. I've never actually met one." Which wasn't actually true since I met Zeus at school, but I wasn't ready to discuss that with my sister.
"Oh, right." She said, "I hope their nice."
"Yeah, me too," I said.

[12]

We found our seats and I looked across from me. No little boy. That was a good sign. I looked outside. No storm clouds. Another good sign. I smiled and shifted in my seat until I was comfortable. I yawned, still tired. I didn't have the best sleep on the way to the airport.
"Ford, I slept on the way here. Mom told me you weren't sleeping good, she said you might've had a bad dream. You can sleep and I'll wake you when we get into Ontario." She said.
I smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Brooke." I yawned once more and fell fast asleep.

[13]

hat would you say if you really got to know the Ancient Greek gods. The ones from Mount Olympus.