The bus driver suddenly slammed the brakes just as Sophie stood up to use the restroom in the back of the bus. “Ugh! Not again!” The mortal driver moaned as he slowly stood up. “Sorry for the break, but I need to go out and repair part of the engine. Since we’re near a McDonald’s, anyone’s welcome to walk over there and use the restroom or eat. Just be back in half an hour.” He opened the bus door, and Sophie motioned for Denise and Blake to follow her out.
The three stood out in the daylight, and Sophie observed that they were in a very rundown town. Even the local McDonald’s could use a paint job and a handyman. All the trees were bare because of the cold, and a light dusting of snow was already leaving the road slick.
“Let’s get some food.” Denise suggested, through her shattering teeth. The only one out of the three that seemed unaffected by the cold was Blake. His hands were at his side, exposed to the wind, and his shoulders seemed relaxed, even while carrying his backpack. Meanwhile, Sophie and Denise’s hands were jammed into their pockets, and their shoulders were hunched over, bearing the weight of their bags.
They headed towards the fast food joint, and Sophie was quivering the entire time. Why couldn’t they have gone to Hawaii? Blake swung open the door, and Sophie greeted the warm air with relief. Most of the other passengers on the bus had already formed a line, but Sophie didn’t care. She just wanted to sit somewhere where she wouldn’t get bumped around every five seconds.
Denise plopped into the seat next to Sophie. “Ugh. Why is it so cold?”
“I know! It’s like Alaska.” Sophie complained, agreeing with Denise.
Blake laughed. “Seriously? You think this is cold?”
Both girls glared daggers at him. “Blake,” Sophie snapped, “I grew up at camp most of my life, so the borders kept me warm.”
Denise nodded. “I’ve lived in California all my life. The coldest it gets is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Blake rolled his eyes. “Wow.” He sarcastically muttered to himself. “It’s like, 30 degrees out. Barely cold. I grew up in Alaska.”
Sophie’s brow furrowed. “Alaska? How did your dad get there?”
“I was born in Canada. My mom moved to Alaska for her job, much to my dad’s protests, but my mom’s tough. She survives out there.”
“Wait,” Denise’s eyes were filled with confusion. “What’s so bad about Alaska?”
Sophie stared at her. “It’s the land beyond the gods.” She explained in a flat tone.
“Oh.”
Blake nodded. “Yeah. My dad is one of the few gods that gets around. Frank Zhang, my Roman half brother, is also Canadian.”
“Alright,” Sophie stood up. “I’m warmed up. Let’s get back to the bus before we have to buy something here.”

The three headed out, only to be greeted by their mortal bus driver wrestling with an seven foot long snake.
They stood there for a moment, simply gaping. What was a huge bright orange and black striped snake doing in the United States?
“Ack!” The driver struggled, and Denise was the first to notice.
She took out her knife, and rushed forward. Though, something was off with the snake. Denise concentrated, and peered through the thick layers of Mist. The snake was three headed.
Denise wracked her brain for legends about three headed snakes. With no idea, she decided to ask the other two who were still gawking.
“Uh, Sophie? Blake?” She snapped them out of their trances. “What is it?”
Blake simply shrugged, but Sophie had a look of recognition. She gulped and stared at the monster. “Runespoor.” She uttered.
Denise and Blake glanced at her quizzically. Sophie was still standing, frozen. “Avoid the right head’s fangs.” She advised, staying in the same spot. As if on cue, all three of the snakes’ heads turned to the three, hissing.

Notes

Okay, I didn't go to school on Monday or Tuesday, since I was still in Hawaii. But now, we had Wednesday and Thursday off because of the cold weather, so the only day I get to go to school is tomorrow. I feel bad for the people who never get a snow day.