The Lightning Thief: Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Percy is used to weird experiences, but he’s disturbed that everyone at Yancy is convinced that Mrs. Kerr has been there since Christmas, when their last teacher left. They look at Percy oddly if he mentions Mrs. Dodds, but Grover can never convincingly tell Percy that Mrs. Dodds wasn’t real. The odd weather persists, and Percy begins to feel cranky most of the time. His grades slip, and finally, the headmaster sends Mom a letter saying that Percy can’t come back next year. Percy doesn’t care; he wants to go home and live with Mom. As finals approach, Percy only studies for Latin. He wants to please Mr. Brunner.

The night before his final, Percy gets so frustrated that he decides to ask for help. However, as he approaches Mr. Brunner’s office, he hears Grover telling Mr. Brunner that he’s worried about Percy. Grover mentions a “Kindly One” at school, a summer solstice deadline, Mist, and a failure on Grover’s part. Mr. Brunner reassures Grover and says that they just need to keep Percy alive until fall. At this, Percy drops his textbook. He hides in a classroom when he sees the shadow of something big with a bow coming out of Mr. Brunner’s office, and he hears a clopping sound in the hallway. Mr. Brunner calls to Grover that it’s nothing, and he sends Grover away. Percy slips back to his dorm, where he finds Grover studying for his exam.

After the Latin exam the next day, Mr. Brunner calls Percy aside and says that it’s for the best that Percy leaves Yancy. Percy is mortified and hurt; he feels like Mr. Brunner is saying that he can’t handle school. Mr. Brunner insists that he doesn’t mean it like that—Percy just isn’t normal. Even more embarrassed, Percy runs away. Percy packs his bags and joins Grover on the Greyhound to Manhattan. Grover seems nervous and fidgety. Finally, Percy asks if Grover is looking for Kindly Ones and admits that he eavesdropped. Grover insists that he was just concerned that Percy was hallucinating about demonic math teachers. Percy informs Grover that he’s a horrible liar and accepts Grover’s proffered business card with the address for his summer home. Percy shrinks: he didn’t realize Grover was wealthy.

Grover tells Percy to call if he needs him and admits that it’s his job to protect Percy. Percy stares; he’s been defending Grover from bullies all year. As Percy asks what he’s getting protection from, the bus grinds and smokes. The driver pulls over and everyone files out. Across the highway is a fruit stand manned by three old ladies knitting a massive pair of socks. They seem to be looking at Percy. Grover turns white and tries to lead Percy back onto the bus, but not before Percy sees one woman cut the yarn.

The bus roars back to life and resumes its journey. Grover looks ill and asks Percy what he saw. Percy says he saw one lady cut the yarn. He can tell this is a big deal. Grover says the woman “cut the cord,” crosses himself with an odd gesture, and moans that this can’t be happening. He says that “they” never get past sixth grade. Grover asks to walk Percy home from the bus station, and Percy asks if someone is going to die. Grover doesn’t answer.