The Earthly Olympians: LOST

By Porter Weeks

Henry and Paul are just a couple of normal teenagers. You know, your average godly, monster-fighting, life-risking guys. Although they believe they have their new lifestyle all figured out, they will soon discover that everything is not what it seems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Porter Weeks
• Release date: Aug 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452438627

Porter Weeks

My name is Porter Weeks. I am 18 years old and will be a freshman at The College of the Holy Cross this coming year (2011). Up until this point, writing has just been a hobby of mine and it is something I will always enjoy.

Book preview

PART ONE

Chapter 1

Distractions and Debates

I looked into the bright sun that had intrigued me for as long as I could remember. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that I was different from most seventeen year olds. Almost all of the teenagers that I knew spent their free time watching TV or playing videogames, a concept that that I simply could not comprehend.

For a reason that I could never accurately pinpoint, I couldn’t stand being indoors for longer than just a couple of hours during the day. I, therefore, had problems at school around 11:00 AM, when I lost concentration almost daily. Why this happened, no one really knew. It was almost like an impulse; I couldn’t control it.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care or didn’t want to pay attention during class. I simply lost focus. The doctors labeled it as ADD and left it at that, even though I assured them that it was not anything as clear-cut as Attention Deficit Disorder. They prescribed me medication that I no longer even bothered to take. The school eventually got used to it and stopped sending me to the principal’s office every day for dozing off.

On this particular day, I was sitting on my front porch after school with my best friend of many years, Paul, at my side. Paul had always been there for me and I had always been there for him. Paul and I met each other in kindergarten and had been friends ever since. There was a connection between us that neither of us could explain. It was just there. There were many things described as just there in the lives of both Paul and me, alike. There were occurrences neither of us could understand and feelings neither of us could describe.

While I was unusually attracted to the sun, Paul couldn’t stay out of the water for more than a day or so without becoming a mad man.

Dude, came a faint noise from beside me.

Yo, Henry, the same voice called. I still gazed directly into the sun, shimmering in the bright blue sky.

Henry! Finally, I was jolted out of my thoughts by a solid punch in the side.

What? I moaned, aloof and unaware of what was going on.

Man, you really scare me sometimes, Paul laughed, shaking his head from side to side.

Why?

You know they tell you never to stare directly into the sun, right? It’ll make you blind, dude.

Says who? I asked.

Well…says THEM, he replied.

Who’s ‘THEM’? Society? People? I inquired. Dude, since when have the two of us even come close to abiding by their standards?

Very true, Paul nodded. Well, you look fine to me. Can you see me?

No, I replied sarcastically. I’ve got no idea where you are. I’m just talking to the darkness.

Hey, man, no reason for sarcasm, he smiled. I’m just a little worried about you. You just seem to go to another place when you stare at the sun like that.

Well, I shrugged. If it hasn’t hurt me yet, after all these years, I doubt it ever will.

Good point. And, sorry about that little nudge in the side, Paul replied, a smile inching across his face. It’s the only way I’ve found to pull you out of those goddamn trances.

Dude, I replied, looking him in the eyes. If you had a choice, you would be living in the fucking ocean.

Damn right, he nodded. And, if you had a choice, you would be living on the surface of the sun, even if it did burn your ass.

The two of us laughed and went back into the house to start on our homework. Paul got his science out of his backpack while I started on calculus, my least favorite subject by far.

Man, Paul muttered and shook his head. This is some fucked up shit.

Dude, I replied, breaking into laughter yet again. I’m in your science class and it’s not that bad.

Bull-Shit! he announced, emphasizing each syllable. I don’t need some quack trying to teach me about the ocean. I bet I know more about the water than all of these assholes combined.

You know, I replied, shaking my finger at him. Modesty is a virtue that you may want to work on a little.

Oh, shut up, he went back to his work. You would do the same damn thing if someone was trying to teach you about the sun.

Not really, I laughed. I would be interested in learning more about that which intrigues me.

Paul slowly lowered his textbook and stared at me over the top. What the fuck has this school done to you? ‘That which intrigues you’? Come on man, give me a break.

All right, all right, I nodded, pulling my head out of my calculus notebook. Point taken. But, you get what I mean.

Yeah, man, but I got a question for you.

Shoot.

Do you ever think that maybe we’re meant to do something other than homework all the time?

I don’t know, I shrugged.

I mean, think about it, Paul continued. Have you ever met anyone like us…ever?

No, I agreed. But, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that we’re not the most socially apt guys on the planet.

Nah, man, Paul replied. I mean deeper down. No one else feels a calling as strongly as we do this early in life. I always hear the water beckoning me to come, and even if I was in a fucking desert, I’m sure I’d be able to find it.

Yeah, yeah, I nodded. I know what you mean. When I’m outside, I always have to be looking at the sun and I want to know where it is at all times. Dude, we probably ARE destined for something more. But, let’s get back to what we’re actually supposed to be doing right NOW…homework.

All right, Paul replied reluctantly as he returned to his science.

After a few minutes of silence, he lifted his head. Hey, Henry?

Yeah, I replied without looking up from my calculus.

Promise me one thing, man.

This caught my attention and I looked up. Anything.

Promise me that if we’re destined for something more…we’ll do it together…for better or worse.

I wouldn’t have it any other way, I smiled, patting him on the shoulder.

Thanks.

Jesus! I exclaimed.

What’s wrong? Paul asked with a look that voiced, WTF?

Dude, it’s already six o’clock!

Paul laughed. So much for getting any homework done.

Paul, when was the last time we did homework when we spend time together? I smiled. It’s a pointless goal.

Yet another good point, my friend, he pointed at me as he grabbed his bag and headed for the door. I’ll see you tomorrow, dude.

Yeah. See you in the morning. Paul lived just down the street, which I think made both of us feel more secure since we were basically each other’s only friends. I was perfectly happy, though. I only needed one friend and Paul seemed satisfied as well.

My mom came home only minutes after Paul left. Hey, sweetie, she greeted me as she opened the door.

Hi, mom, I audibly replied, as I was now trying to make up for the time I had lost with Paul.

I saw Paul walking down the street, she said as she entered the kitchen.

Yeah? I said. What’s new? Don’t you normally see him on your way home?

Yeah, I guess, she replied after a short pause. Is something wrong?

No, mom, I rolled my eyes. Everything’s fine, as always.

Okay, she sighed. Well, have your time now because tonight at dinner, we’re having an important conversation.

About what? I asked, looking up from my textbook.

You’ll see, she waved it off as she ascended the stairs to her room.

This better not be another one of those conversations about me not having enough friends, I thought to myself. I put it out of my mind for the moment, however, and continued working away.

These conversations always ended up going in that direction one way or another. We never got to talk about what I wanted to talk about…my dad. You see, I never knew my father. Every once in a while, I would ask my mom about him and she would respond the same way every time: I’ll tell you when you’re older. I could always imagine myself lying on my deathbed when I finally found out who my real father is…or was.

I say real father because my mother had taken the liberty to marry Dave, my stepdad, when I was about seven. Ever since then, Dave and I have had our issues, to say the least. Most of the tension between us is due to the fact that he always called himself my father. Dave is not, never was, and never will be my father…I simply refer to him as Dave.

At some point or another, Dave got home, but I would never know due to the fact that he’d learned to act like I don’t exist.

It seemed like forever until dinner started. When it finally did, I was actually in a better mood and had in fact forgotten about the whole thing because I had finally finished my calculus homework…for once. Dave cleared his throat.

Son, he began slowly. I almost punched him in the fucking face right there. I was NOT his son. Your mother and I are afraid that you don’t have enough friends and that you aren’t social enough.

Can we please talk about this later? I asked. The cold stare on both of their faces told me that the answer was most definitely ‘NO!’

This has to be fixed, Henry, my mother exclaimed. You need to be more social. You need to hang out with friends more often.

Mom, I threw my hands up. I hang out with friends every fucking day!

First of all, Dave put one finger up. Watch your language. And second of all, he continued putting up another finger, You hang out a FRIEND every day. Singular!

First of all, I put a finger up, mocking him. Don’t tell me what the fuck to do. You’re not my dad and you never will be. And second of all, I put a second finger up, just as he had. So what? I’m happy. Isn’t that all that matters?

That’s the point, Henry, my mother explained. We don’t believe that you ARE happy. Neither your father nor I can see how anyone can be happy with just one friend.

He is NOT my father! I yelled. And, believe it, because that’s the way it is! If you don’t want to believe me, fine! I can’t make you! But, please don’t lecture me about something that is none of your goddamn business!

My temper was starting to rise to an uncharacteristic level and I felt like hitting something. Son, Dave said. You need to calm down. We’re trying to have a rational conversation with you.

Calm down? I exclaimed. Don’t you DARE tell me to calm down, asshole! Rational, my ass! My parents sighed and looked at me with pity. Stop looking at me like that, I demanded.

Like what? my mother asked, although I knew she knew what I was talking about.

Like what? I repeated her question. Like you pity me like a puppy at the fucking SPCA! Cut it out! I don’t want your sympathy. In fact, I don’t want anything from you!

Sweetie, my mom said, her expression steely. Calm down. This isn’t even what the conversation was supposed to be about. What we really wanted to suggest was that you think about getting a girlfriend.

I froze. I had expected the normal conversation, but this was something new. We had never discussed this before…I had never even thought about it.

Mom, where the hell is this coming from? I demanded.

The same place where our views about you not having enough friends comes from…REALITY, smart ass! Dave spat back.

I could feel myself getting angry. Were they going to touch on every aspect of my social life in one night? That would set a new world record. Well, I’ve got a very simple answer for you, I replied in as calm of a tone as I could muster. I’m not getting a girlfriend.

Why the hell not? asked Dave. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s natural for guys to be attracted to…

Stop right there! I cut him off. Don’t even talk to me about this ‘cause it’s not going to get you anywhere.

Honey, my mom entered the conversation again. We just want a reason why. That’s all. Dave nodded in agreement.

You want a fucking reason? I asked, my voice quivering as I rose from the table. I don’t want a girlfriend right now for a very simple reason that you two don’t seem to understand. I don’t like…

Dave interrupted me, Son, are you trying to tell us that you’re…

NO, I screamed. I am not gay! He sank back, seemingly embarrassed. I mean, there was nothing wrong with it…just not my cup of tea. What I was GOING to say was that I don’t like any girls at the moment.

Why? my mom interjected.

There are no girls right now that are like me. There are no girls right now I can relate to, I yelled. I just don’t like anyone in that way right now. None of the girls I know have anything in common with me.

Henry, you’re a very good looking young man. I bet the girls are all over you at school, Dave said, a smile creeping across his face.

Dave, I don’t care if I’m a ‘good looking young man’ or if some of the girls like me at school. I don’t like them! They’re not like me! Every single one of them is normal and I’m…not.

My mom sighed as if this explained it all. Sweetie, why didn’t you just tell us you had a self-confidence problem?

What? I asked, confused. NO! No, you’re not listening. I didn’t say that. I just said I’m not normal…which is true…and I’m fine with it.

He’s in denial, I heard Dave whisper to my mother.

I am NOT in denial! Knock it the fuck off, asshole!

But they refused to stop looking at me like that abandoned and abused puppy. I’m going to bed, I gave up, having had enough. I rose and started to walk away. I’ll see you in the morning.

Wait, Dave ordered, moving to put his hand on my shoulder to pull me back. We’re not done here.

His touch seemed to anger me even more and make me react. Oh, yes we are! I exclaimed. And, if you don’t take your hands off of me, I’ll remove them for you.

He backed away, looking frightened and scared. I stormed up the stairs and slammed my bedroom door. I wasn’t normal. That was pretty clear. What was unclear, however, was how and why I was different than anyone else. I had never mentioned my obsession with the sun to my parents, seeing as it might start another debate about whether or not to send me to a mental asylum, which I wanted to avoid for the time being. But, WHY was I so obsessed with the sun? I didn’t know who made me the way I was, but, whoever they were, I didn’t think I would ever forgive them.

Chapter 2

I Ground Myself

I woke the next morning, as every morning, to the sound of a broomstick banging against the first floor ceiling…my floor. My parents apparently were too lazy to come and get me up like civilized human beings. However, their excuse for this method of waking was that they were too busy.

Henry! my mom screamed. Get up! Breakfast!

After the previous night, I felt like telling her to fuck off and going back to sleep. But, I somehow found the strength to arouse myself and stumble over to my closet to get dressed.

Henry! my mom screamed even louder.

I’m coming! I replied adding something along the lines of, Jesus Christ woman, get a fucking hearing aid under my breath.

I sat down at the table to have a plate of pure black toast thrown in front of me…nothing new. I sighed, "Again, mom? Maybe you should give up on cooking…your attempts are simply pathetic."

Shut up and eat, she growled.

Well, I continued. By the looks of it, this thing is going to crumble as soon as I pick it up, so that might slightly complicate the process of eating it.

Her temper was clearly rising, but I didn’t really give a shit following her performance the previous night combined with the fact that I was tired and cranky.

Henry Los! she finally exploded. Eat your damn breakfast and get a shower!

Don’t I every morning? I rolled my eyes. And, I don’t know why you’re yelling at me. I’m not in the wrong, here!

What’s going on? Dave burst into the kitchen in his suit and tie, ready to leave for work.

Your son is what’s going on in here! my mother revealed.

I am NOT his son! I screamed. How many times do I have to tell you guys that? Jesus, you have thick skulls.

You could never really see Dave for who he really was until he put on his work attire. His stout build along with the beer belly and moustache, reminded me greatly of a leprechaun.

Henry, what the hell did you do? he scowled.

Nothing, I threw my hands up. I never do. I’m just here eating my breakfast. I picked up a piece of the so-called toast and, as I suspected, it crumbled and fell to the plate. Or TRYING to eat my breakfast, that is. It seems, however, that this particular breakfast crumbles at the sheer power…of gravity.

I stared at my mom, who glared right back. When I turned back to Dave, however, he looked completely different and this was my favorite thing to watch in the morning. His face was red and it looked as if smoke could billow out of his ears at any moment.

Apologize! bellowed Dave. …Now!

You know, I said, trying to get the next piece of bread off of the plate without it turning into a pile of ashes…unsuccessfully. You’re not very good at being angry. I would think that you would know that by now.

Boy… he fumed. Keep pushing me…I dare you! See what fucking happens!

I pulled out my cell phone and put up a finger to indicate that I needed a minute. What the fuck are you doing? he investigated, still fuming.

Just hang on a second, Dave, I’ve got to call child protective services.

That’s it! he exclaimed and started to stomp towards me. He was now right in my face.

Dave, I replied, refusing to blink or back down. I’ve already told you, you’re not very good at being angry. It’s actually quite humorous. I began to laugh as I gingerly pulled a piece of toast between our faces. And, I’ve got to tell you, this is one of the best shows I’ve gotten in a long time.

He simply stared into my eyes. You will apologize RIGHT NOW for all that you have said to your mother and me this morning…or face the consequences.

Ohhh, I said. You know, if I had boots on right now, I’d be shaking in them.

You have never seen me truly angry, Henry, and you are about to!

I kicked back and pretended to be eating popcorn. Oh, SWEET! The ANGRY leprechaun: my favorite by far!

He was so angry he looked as if he could kick something…or someone. I realized that last option just in time to jump up onto the table as the chair I was sitting on wobbled a little and then fell over.

Son of a BITCH! Dave screamed, holding his toe.

I started to laugh. You know, Dave, only you could pull off being seriously injured by an inanimate object!

That’s the last straw, he exclaimed, my mother now hovering in the corner of the room. You’re grounded! His finger was pointing at me, inches from my face.

I now rose to my full height, about a foot taller than him, and allowed a smile to creep across my face. From what, Dave? Tell me, really, because I can’t think of anything!

Trust me, he huffed. I can. You’re grounded from…

He froze in place. That’s right, I said. I only use my cell phone for emergencies so you can’t take that, I don’t watch TV and I don’t play videogames. But, if we don’t wrap this up pretty soon, I’m going to be late for the bus, so hurry up.

He thought for a moment. You’re grounded to your room for a month! He smiled, assuming victory.

Really, Dave? I retorted. That’s the best you can come up with? That’s supposed to be a PUNISHMENT? Being banned from the company of you two assholes? Can’t think of anything I’d want more. When do I start?

You’re banned from seeing Paul for three months! he exclaimed, and this time, it really did seem as if he had won.

I’m impressed, I gave the asshole credit. That’s low even for you.

I started to walk out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get a shower. He clearly had expected me to be more upset than I was.

He stormed to the bottom of the staircase. Did you hear me correctly?

Oh yeah, I replied, grinning. I’m not allowed to see Paul for three months.

Damn right, he put his hands on his hips, as if victorious.

I entered my room, rolling my eyes. How naïve he truly was to think that I