Hades and Persephone (Part 2)

Gripping Hades’ cloak, the monstrous being stomps forward picking up speed, emerging from the shadows looming its large body over the both of us. My legs go numb, folding into my silky summer dress, falling onto the rough ground. My ocean blue eyes lock onto six feral bloodshot eyes. Eyes swirling with hatred and hunger, a hunger, I never knew could be so frightening. The monstrous beast grows, drool spills out of its three mouths lined with razor-sharp teeth. I open my mouth to let the scream rip out from the chasm of my lungs- but nothing escapes. 

“Cerberus SIT!” Hades bellows, not a moment after the words leave Hades’ mouth does the creature’s ass slams against the ground. The beast’s eyes and demeanor change instantly, bowing all three heads towards Hades’ approaching hand. Hades runs his hand through the fine black coat of hair.

“Aww did someone miss me, Cerberus?” 

Cerberus, Cerberus... where have I heard that name before. W-wait, three heads, six bloodshot eyes, black coat that blends into the shadows. Bones littering the ground causing a trail to anyone unfortunate to come face to face with Hades’... three-headed dog. A ferocious beast guarding the only exit out of this hell hole. Oh, I’m not getting out of here easily.

“What the hell are you doing on the ground?” Hades walks towards me, his cape fluttering behind him, making him look like Hercules. This causes Cerberus to glare directly into my soul. Note to self: don’t be alone with Cerberus. Stretching out his hand to help me stand back up. His green eyes seem to be glowing, his smile stretching across his face turning the feared boogie-man- into a handsome Greek god. 

“Were you scared?” I don’t realize my hand rising and settling onto his warm, soft palm. Pulling me close to his chest he whispers into my ear, even though the only person around is Cerberus. “Don’t worry Persephone, I promise you as long as you stand by my side, I won’t let any harm come to you.” 

His words don’t help my numb legs recover, and something tells me he knows. Sliding his arm to wrap around my waist, he lets his body support mine. Damn. This smug, charming god.

Shrugging away against his chest. Cerberus shifts in my peripheral vision, stumbling back, I regain what little composure I have left. Hades glances over his shoulder at the sound of his guards rushing over in perfect sync, something seems off with the way they stop just a few feet from us. Hades’ charming stature vanishes with every step he takes away from me. A frozen emptiness swells in the pit of my head, watching the back of his blonde curls bouncing. As if an invisible rope was tied around my waist pulling me to his side, I shift forward to follow beside him. Cerberus' six menacing eyes shoot invisible daggers rooting every nerve in my body in place. 

Crap this beastly dog needs a new distraction. Somehow I need to sneak past Hades, his guards, devilish soul-eating beings, and this mutt. Oh and not to mention, I need to find the exit, so far every little “landmark” looks alike. I need to try and find a map, or a way to get in contact with the surface world. It's a wishful thought but anything at this point would be a step in getting out of this dark abyss. I need to find a way to explore-

“-they couldn’t have gotten THAT FAR!” demanded Hades. “How would they KNOW she’s down here! That's-well that puts a damper on things, never mind, just send more guards patrolling the grounds.” Hades' words cut through my scurrying thoughts. Combining his fingers through his untamed curls he lets out a deep-throated growl. Hades turns around abruptly, clapping his hands in front of his face as he speaks walking over to me. “Okay! Looks like this little tour will have to be cut short. Such a pity I know, but I promise to show you more later.” Hades says cupping my hands before lifting my right hand, brushing a light kiss against my knuckles. His green eyes lock onto mine and for a second everything around us disappears. I forget where we are, I forget someone wants me dead, most importantly I forget the man behind these hypnotizing emerald green eyes. 

“My guards will be showing you to your chambers, and once I settle this little… matter we can eat and continue the tour.”

That chastise grin settles once again on his features causing my stomach to buzz alive, moving my hands back to my sides he winks. Spinning on his heels he walks away from me again. 

No.

Before I know it my body feels hot, too hot, shaking awake I leap forward reaching my fingers out to grip onto his fluttering black clock. It seems to beckon me to safety. Wrapping my fingers tightly around the fabric a low growl emits somewhere on my left, ignoring it, ignoring everything. I focus on the blackness enveloping me. Wrapping me in comfort like a child, I wrap my arms tightly around the source. Like a mother bird leaving behind its baby, I couldn’t pull myself to part with Hades. Wicked thoughts clouded my mind causing my arms to squeeze tighter. Even if the threat is him, which something in my heart tells me it's not, I feel safer if I knew where he was at all times.  

“I promise I will be back in a blink of an eye, this won’t take long, I just need to create a stronger defense. Don’t worry, I told you I won’t let any harm come to you and I meant it. Persephone, I-I care for you. You believe me, don’t you? I know of the rumors, I’ve probably started a few out of boredom but I swear to you I’m not such a beastly god.” 

W-what just came over me? I shouldn’t be hugging him, my captor! I should be quietly rejoicing in the fact I can search for a way out! Jez, just a few sly moves from this greek god and I’m acting like Aphrodites.

His warm large palms encase my petite hands, for a moment I feel I understand more about the god in front of me with a single touch than all the stories/rumors combined. I pull my arms back to my chest quickly, too quickly, my elbows come into contact with the god’s rib cage. 

“Umph, if you wanted a hug all you had to do was ask. I know I’m overly handsome with just a sprinkle of malice. Oh yes, I’m quite popular with the nymphs.” Hades brags while walking backward toward the path the guards had left. “I’m happy to see you’re warming up to me, my goddess. I won’t be long, for now, I leave you in the care of Cerburas and my loyal subject Actaeon.” Blowing a kiss on that smug grinning face he twirls around almost skipping off into the distance like a child. Popular with the nymphs. Ha please, there’s no one the nymphs like but themselves and Zeus. 

“Persephone, this way to your chambers.” I jump out of my skin, at the rough voice of Actaeon, standing just two feet behind me. Walking along the dark corridors with only a lit torch to guide us. I can’t help but notice the pieces of flesh dangling from his cheekbones. Wh-where did he come from? Eerie yellow, red, and white eyes peek out from the shadows.

I follow close behind him almost tripping on his heels while Cerburas’ thundering paws pound the ground close behind me, it’s three heads loom over me making any plans of escape futile.

Outcasts

~With her family dead, the sheriff's men after her, and a hefty bounty on her head -hope seems like a fantasy.~

The forest leaves crunch under my feet, I keep hearing his voice echoing in my ear, “just keep running, don’t stop till your safe, whatever you do, don’t ever stop running!” The last words my father ever said to me before they took him and my family away.

I don’t dare look behind my shoulder, I know they're right behind me. I can hear the dogs pounding paws against the forest floor and feel their drool at the nape of my neck. “Stop! Stop, in the name of King Richard surrender!” Tripping over crocked roots, slamming face-first into the base of an oak tree. Pushing up against the bark coughing, I struggle to catch my breath -a howl from the hounds propels my legs to move again. Reluctantly, my blistered feet protest as I push to move faster, a numbness begins to spread like fire through my body. Tears thread on my bottom lashes threatening to leave a path behind. Adrenaline courses through my body driving me forward.

Already regretting it, I glance back seeing the head of a big black beast of a dog. I swing my head just in the nick of time before running right into another tree. Stumbling over small rocks and roots scanning the forest ahead searching for a miracle -I just need a moment to breathe. A few branches above me snap, before I can see what large bird or arrows are souring toward me, the ground rushes to greet my beat red face. I stubble rolling a few feet down the steep incline. With the wind knocked out I lay motionless, the forest spins round and round, the fall amber leaves bleed together as I shut my eyes. Hunger claws at my stomach while my aching muscles scream out in pain to rest atop the moist loose, dirt.

I stumble to push myself up, my knees finally buckle. I’m forced to face the music; I can’t run anymore. I hear a soft thump echo from the ground, inches beside me, my mind races to figure out what animal could be barring its hungry curious eyes at my tiny fragile, figure. A brush of leaves alerts me to the pair of hands lifting me up onto what feels like a slate of flesh. Sweaty rough palms tug my arms against my body and the warm nap of a neck tickles against my cheek while strands of hair, brush against my radiating, beat red forehead. I grasp at any fleeting strength, to try prying my eyelids open, just long enough to focus on if I’m being saved. But it’s no use, my muscles start tingling as my limbs go numb.

A fire crackles and hisses, roasting meat penetrates my nostrils, a wool blanket itches against my bare arms. My senses slowly begin to creep upon me, cracking one eye open I can clearly make out, the insides of a cave. Holding my head in the palms of my hands, I’m alerted to a slight shuffle just a few feet to my right. I’m not alone.

“What’s your name?” A boy says running a sharp pocketknife across the end of a stick, I can see the point getting sharper with each cut. A dry gulp crawls towards my grumbling stomach. Quickly my eyes scan around for anything that could be used as a weapon. What did father always say, “if you don't have a weapon look around for any object that can take your opponent down. Don’t underestimate anyone, hunger can be enough to kill.” I slowly pat down the ground around me, my fingers trailing through the dirt like snakes as I stare daggers at the boy. He gazes back at me, and for a few painfully awkward moments were locked in a stare-down. To create a more uncomfortable moment of silence he begins to study my petite figure up and down. My fingers stop dead in their tracks.

“I won’t hurt you I promise, just tell me what your name is.” 

“Why.” 

I snap back not believing him for a second. Why should I, everyone has motives, and the last person I trust, let me down. Another moment of silence as his eyes continue to trail up and down before he lets out a chuckle. “Well, I want to know who I just rescued. I risked my life to carry you in here if the sheriff and his men were to find out I could be sharing the same fate. What if you’re a thief or worse, a murder!” Letting out a loud sigh I try to keep an authoritative stance, but with every passing second, I can feel my energy dwindling again. “I’m not a thief or a murder, my father and I were falsely accused by some neighbors.” Tears well up along my bottom lashes, fighting to hold the tears back I glance away.

“Huh, interesting. Well, last time I checked the sheriff doesn’t send that many men for a false accusation. Well, whatever keeps your little dirty secret, the less I know the better. Oh, and your welcome for saving your life.” I squint my eyes at him, I suddenly have no desire to be in his company anymore. The noose looks better than being stuck in this cave-dwelling, with his pompous ass. I peel my eyes away from his plastered chastise, grin. Looking around me I mumble a “thank you” under my breath. I can hear his light chuckle as my eyes drift back over to him.

He sits with his right shoulder pointing in my direction. He looks to be the same age as me, about 10 or 11? “My name's Charlie, now your turn.” He says smiling, I can’t help but scrunch my face in disgust.

His smile only grows, “I like you, you're different from other girls.” He blurts out. I perk up hugging my knees closer to my chest and forcing a fake smile in return, before rolling my eyes again. He just laughs it off, it seems every rude gesture I throw at him he eats it up. This only fuels me to poke at him more.

To be continued...

No Place to Hide

 Spider Adrian: (This Piece is based on an incredible artist; check out his Insta: @art_the_f_up for the Spiderman AU Series that gave birth to this story) Thank you Art for the inspiration, enjoy!

    Adrian swung from building to building, the Elifle tower glittering in the background like a Christmas tree. Adrian stumbles, landing on his knees on a hotel roof. Couples, children, and loners mingling through the Bois de Boulogne park, just a few feet below him. Ripping off his mask he succumbed to the tears streaming down his face. A strangled cry ripped through his throat, throwing his head back he closed his eyes letting fear tremble through his body. Sweat glistened his messy golden locks. Opening his eyes slowly he moves to stand, his body numb to the world outside his suit. The breeze blew right through him, almost convincing his fuzzy brain that he was just as hallowed out as he felt.

    Slowly Adrian pulls out the hidden backpack, ripping off his suit and changing into a loose pair of school clothes he scales the drainage pipe on the side of the building. A few feet above the ground he drops down behind a rusty dumpster in the alley. Shuffling the backpack on his shoulders he makes his way through the park pulling up his hoodie and avoiding the smiling laughing faces passing by him. 

    A certain light catches his attention, causing his breath to catch in his throat. Marinette’s figure crosses past the open bakery window. Ducking behind the nearest tree he watches her step outside helping a customer carry a full package of pastries to their car. Her smile seems to permanently reside on her face. The ends of his lips draw upwards when she stumbles over the sidewalk waving a sweat, “see you soon” as the car drives away leaving her standing in a red halo. Adrian watched Marinette make her way back to the front door of her family’s bakery. 

    Just as her fingers brush the door handle, Adrain’s hand flinches upward catching a speeding, wet tennis ball. Thanking his spidey senses under his breath he stands up and examines the shadows for the culprit who unknowingly nearly sent him into a world of pain and quite possibly a few days out of modeling. The bush beside him rustles, before a giant brown lab pounces on top of Adrian’s chest sending him flat on his back while attacking his face with hot drooling, kisses. 

    “Hahahaaa, ahh stop STOP hahaha stop it, that tickles!” 

    “Dolly! Dolly! Where did you go? Come back!” A woman’s sweet but frantic voice floats across the busy park. Adrian struggles to push the dog off scrambling to stand and wave down the owner. A petit elderly woman hobbles quickly peering around the park’s trees, rocks, and structures before locking eyes on Adrains glistening red face. 

    “Oh I’m so sorry deary, I hope Dolly didn’t hurt you!” The elderly reaches out dabbing a fresh pink and white cloth across his cheeks. 

    “Ha oh, no ma’am just took me by surprise, thank you,” Adrian said pulling back his hoodie and running his fingers through his hair picking out the few twigs and leaf’s stuck between his golden locks. 

    The elderly woman smiles kindly at Adrain before furrowing her brow, her eyes moving over every inch of his face. 

    “Have we met before? You seem quite familiar.” She muttered tapping a boney finger against her chin. 

    Chuckling awkwardly Adrain cursed his popular features, quickly he pulled back his hoodie before anxiously drawing the black corded drawstrings against his chest. He needed to escape quickly before more people recognized and posted something alerting the Gorilla to his location. 

    “Ha, well I really should be going, hope you have a wonderful night-” 

    “YOUR that teen model! Oh, my niece loves your commercials!” Spinning on his heels he shields his eyes noticing a few pedestrians peering over at the sudden commotion. Not good. He needed to flee the scene before flashing lights blinded him. 

    “Sorry, you have the wrong person,” Adrian said over his shoulder, but the woman remained persistent. 

    “Adam Agrest, no that doesn’t sound right… Alan, no that’s not it either.” Her voice was rising with each word, her fingers reached out to grasp at the folds of his hoodie. A shriek erupted from a few feet away from the duo. 

    “ADRIAN AGREST!” A girl with braided pigtails and around the same height as Rose jumped high into the air. Her feet took off in Adrian’s direction before he could process the sudden silence that fell over the park, like a thick blanket. 

    Sprinting through the treelines, Adrian’s feet took over taking him to the nearest, darkest alleyway. Adrian switched to autopilot, jumping over any obstacles that stood in between his path. Zigzagging behind the many shops around the park he stole a glance over his shoulder certain he had lost the crazed crowd that seemed to be on top of his heels until he took a few quick turns leading him to circle back. He huffed a sigh of relief turning into another alleyway. Just before his feet could slow down a metal door swung out. Gritting his teeth knowing his spidey reflexes couldn’t help him out of this situation, his shoulder collides into the door. Vibrations shake from his head to his toes while he jumps back on his heels trying not to fall flat on his tailbone. A silent yet sharp yelp resounds from the other side of the door. The shadow moves forward away from the warm, bathing light of the shop’s interior. Adrian holds his shoulder wondering if he might have dislocated his left arm. The shadow reaches out and delicate fingers curl at the door’s frame. Ducking his head down and averting his eyes he steps over to continue his escape home.

    “I’m so sorry I should have been watching where I was going, I’m terribly sorry.” Adrian stammers stepping into the warm light, giving a courtesy bow before sprinting off again. 

    “Adrian?” A voice sweet like honey stops him dead in his tracks, his heart pounds against his rib cage as his cheeks heat up to a very rosy red. Grinning he turns and faces his crush, Marinette, standing in the doorway with flour smudges against her forehead and dragging a large black plastic trash bag. 

    “Hey Mari, fancy running into you,” Adrian says instantly knowing he would regret the choice of words later at 3 am. 

    “What are you doing running behind our shop so late at night?” Marinette said tilting her head to the side her brows knitting together scrunching up her nose in a heart-melting moment. Oh shit. Adrian’s heart raced away from him while he tried to spit out a coherent sentence, his tongue deciding to quit functioning halfway through. Luckily, hurried footsteps and shouting commands drew the pair’s attention to one of the cross alleyways. 

    “Down here! This way, he can’t be far!” 

    His brain switching back to autopilot, Adrian darted toward Marinette pulling her close letting the door swing shut just as footsteps rounded the corner. Leaning his ear against the door he listened to the stamped pass by.  Once the last footsteps faded, his muscles relaxed, his shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes momentarily processing everything. A curt cough cut his calming demeanor in half. Slowly, oh so painfully slowly, Adrian looked down, locking onto deep blue eyes staring doe-eyed up at him. 

    “Ah sorry Mari, I didn’t mean to, there was this whole crowd chasing me and well you know my dad, and if he ever found out I snuck out.” Marinette giggled her cheeks matching the same rosy shade as his. 

    “No need to explain, you can bunker down here till your crazed fans get tired and give up,” Marinette said, rolling her eyes waving her hand playfully in the air.

    Adrian chuckled, “you know if we weren’t such good friends, you would definitely be in the front of that crowd hunting me down.” 

    Marinette laughed tilting her head upward toward him, “Ha and you wouldn’t get a chance to escape me, in fact, I would outrun you.” Marinette playfully jabbed her pointer finger in his chest. Adrian couldn’t help the chastise grin from stretching across his features, at her playful open attitude with him. 

    “Now now Mari, that was one unfortunate incident my shoelaces were undone. I totally would have won if it wasn’t for my laces.” 

    “Sure, sure blame your shoelaces, you do know Alya gave me a copy of the race, and I could have sworn your new ladybug shoelaces were perfectly intact.” 

    Adrian opened his mouth to fire back when her father Mr. Dupain-Chain rounded the corner whistling a catchy tune. Eyes widening at the pair’s presence in front of the back door. His tune died down while he slowly whisked tomorrow’s batch of pastries. 

    “Well hello, my boy, I didn’t know you were coming over so late. But I suppose y’all have some homework to finish up. Marinette you can leave the trash by the door, I’ll take it out. You two run along, oh have you eaten dinner yet Adrian? We have some leftover Ossobuco Alla Milanese, that Marinette made for dinner.” 

    Adrian didn’t have a chance to respond back a timer rings and Mr. Dupain-chain rushes away into the kitchen. Marinette ushers Adrian to go upstairs saying she would be right behind him, opening the door she heaves the trash up. Adrian offers to help, insisting he’s to blame for crashing into the door. Marinette waves him off, pushing him away from the door. 

    “We don’t want those crazed fans storming the bakery when we just closed,” Marinette says giggling letting the door swing shut in his face. Adrian chuckles tossing his head up before reluctantly making his way up the stairs to their little apartment.

Villain Protagonist (Jack the Ripper story)

Remaining patient, Jack squats behind trash, roaches, and rat feces. Craning his head, he hears an unfortunate soul walk down the alley- his ally. High-heeled shoes reverberate off the buildings looming over the stranger. Cheap perfume encloses around Jack’s shadowed body. Extracting his handkerchief and holding his breath, he watches her shadow shrinking against the opposite wall. Once her calf comes into view, Jack lunges out from the shadows covering her muffled screams with a handkerchief dipped in ether. The women’s body goes limp in Jack's arms in a matter of seconds, glancing around the corner he quickly carries her body back home. 

Roaming the world at night like a masked vampire, Jack dashes under London’s streetlights- under a bright full moon. Approaching the front door, he tosses the girl’s body over his left shoulder. Fiddling with the keys in the lock, while hastily glancing around for any wandering eyes. Flinging the door on its creaking hinges he steps through the doorway, silently praying the rusty hinges didn’t alert any police officials. Upon entering, his foot catches on something sending the girl’s body flying across his little apartment with a sickening thud. Throwing his hands out at the last minute he braces the fall, nose hovering above the broken dingy slates- marking up the floor.   

Slowly getting up he brushes off the dirt and dust from his tattered work pants. Glancing over at the booby trap that sent him tumbling down, eyes wide, he leans forward snatching the newspaper off the wooden floor. Any trace of a smile fading. While the recognition of his studies is delightful, he notices the black-inked words sting. “Jack the Ripper has struck again!” Rolling his eyes, he closes the door behind him walking forward still reading the newspaper. “Another dead body! Who is the murderous Jack the Ripper?” The words float off the pages, swirling viciously around him, like sharks eyeing their prey. Sighing he drops the paper on the dining room table, covered in sketches of the body or medicine prescriptions. Pills lay spilled out on the floor or crushed on the table, faded letters from loved ones and old friends sit on the floor unopened with dirty footprints trampled upon them. 

“They just don’t understand what I’m trying to do for the good of humankind. They want us to die young, killing us with poisons! I will show them, all these studies will show them. I WILL be known—" He collapses on the floor in a coughing fit that lasts a little longer than the last one. Pulling out his stained handkerchief, he covers his mouth catching the dots of blood spilling out. Retrieving his breath, he lies on the ground by the prostitute’s body. Gazing at the women’s body; strength and determination propel him to keep fighting. Pushing up from the musty ground, he lifts and carries her warm body into the back room. Rinsing his hands and throwing on surgical clothes, he takes a deep breath. Raising his head, closing his eyes, and whispering into the silent damp air, “Let this body hold the answers, to a remedy we desperately need. Please let me save the human race from these treacherous diseases.” 

Jack begins to cut into the body scanning over to his journals, notes, and books every few moments inspecting each new body part from the original studies of the last patients before this one. After hours he collapses to the ground, letting tears streak down his face as his hands tremble in rage, fear, doubt, and guilt. Covering his sweety beat red face with bloody palms, he pulls a journal off the table, scanning the pages in vain for an answer. Time was running out, the police were looking for him and the last time they almost caught him. Eventually, luck will run out and they will find him. Time was not on his side, his heart drummed at the thought of their fists hammering against his front door. What if they find him before he finds an antidote? Would they listen and believe his research was purely for humanity?

Pushing up off the ground and cleaning up in the large rusty basin, Jack splashes water against his face, gulping down the surge of defeat- before going out into his bedroom. Under the blankets barely moving is his sick daughter. Stepping lightly on the creaky boards he checks on her temperature. Pulling his hand back abruptly at the sudden heat radiating from his 8-year-old daughters’ clammy forehead. 

“Elizabeth? Elizabeth can you hear me?” She makes no sound, quickly he throws the blankets off her and rushes to the bathroom. Soaking a dingy cloth in water, he rubs it across her chest and neck. 

“I will find a cure for us, I promise, no one will ever have to die like this again. I will save you, but you have to be strong for me. Can you do that? Please stay with me, please I can’t live without you!” Sobbing he clutches her closer to his chest, after a few minutes her temperature lowers, he places her back in bed. Walking into the kitchen he grabs a pewter filling it to the rim with water before scavenging for a stall loaf of bread. Returning to the bedside he tries to get her to drink and nibble some of the bread. To no avail, he sets the food next to her bedside. “I will be back soon.” 

Exiting the room, he makes his way back into the back room. Wrapping up the women’s body he takes her to a large barrel. Heaving the bloodied body into the wooden barrel he shuts it before opening the front door and checking for onlookers. No one was up and around. The sun was just about to come up, painting the sky in a light-dark tone. He knew he didn’t have much time left, he rolled the barrel out and around a corner before checking a few alleyways. Stopping in front of a familiar building he had previously been watching for days, he rolled the barrel inside. Pulling out the wrapped body he began laying her down and positioning her. He spread parts of her insides around her body. Wrapping her intestines around her neck like the feathered boas. “There a woman must always look presentable even in death.” 

Picking up the barrel he quickly and swiftly makes his way to the desolate canal. Smashing and tumbling, the barrel lands loudly against the water's edge, bobbing in the water causing his heart to sink deeper into his twisted gut. Scanning the area, flickers of paranoia rise behind every flickering lamp post, horse-drawn carriage, or drunken bellow. No one, yet goosebumps prickled atop his filthy skin. Watching the wooden parts of the bloodied barrel sink in the dark waters below him. He sighed feeling the weight of his actions leaving his body. Closing his eyes and tilting his head back he enjoys the morning rays touching his pale boney skin. Breathing in the air around him, his ears continue to burn scanning every noise of the city coming to life once again. His city. Glancing back down at the murky depths a thought pestered its way to the front of his brain, what if the illness was being spread by water. Could someone be poisoning everyone through the water? 

“Hey what are you doing so close to the water?” Jack freezes noticing the familiar authoritative note in the sudden stranger. Slowly turning he faces the policeman, trying to steady his breathing he gives a weak smile before tugging out his bloodied handkerchief. 

“I-I am just enjoying the sunrise.” Jack dabs at the sweat accumulating atop his brow before stuffing the handkerchief back in his pants pocket. The policeman furrows his brows before slowly turning back around and walking away. Calling out over his shoulder, “watch out there’s a manic loose cutting up woman, who knows when he might change his target. It’d be best to hide out till we catch the psycho.” 

Jack’s blood boiled at the comment but biting his tongue, he remained calm. Soon they will be thanking him for finding a cure for everyone, soon they would praise his hard work and dedication to save their flickering lives. Besides he didn’t disrespect the women, he dressed them up for death. Glancing back at the rising sun he made his way back home to tend to his daughter before picking out the next patient. Opening his front door he wondered for the millionth time that night- if time would ever be on anyone's side. Would a day come where no one perished by the hands of a disease? 

A bell tolled off in the distance marking another day for the survivors to continue "living" to continue mourning those that were left to walk alongside the reaper. 

Tears threatened to spill over his bottom lashes making his way to the little shared bedroom in the back. A small frail body awaited him buried under the covers, the covers rose slower than before. When would it be his daughter's last time looking at the sunrise? 

When would it be his last?

Hades and Persephone (Part 1)

(This Piece is based on an incredible artist; check out his Insta: @art_the_f_up for the Spidrien Series that gave birth to this story) Thank you Art for the inspiration, enjoy!

There was no spring breeze to dance between my long dark blue hair, yet my fingers couldn’t stop combing through the ends. Biting the corner of my lip gazing around the large living room, well at least I believe it's a living room. 

A fire-crackled filling the stiff silence, pastries delicately enticing my cotton dry mouth. Reaching over to inspect the delicate treats on the glittering silver tray I can’t help notice the guard shift by the large golden crested doors. 

Funny, up until now I was sure the guard was a statue. 

The doors swing open hastily and in strolls, my captor, Hades'. Slamming a slim black book closed between his hands. His green eyes gleam brighter than the raging fire held in the hearth.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, oh NO don’t eat that!” Hades leaps forward slapping the tiny cupcake from my delicate fingers. A tattoo swirls across his skin, like a fish beneath clear calming waves, on his upper right bicep. Stepping back it’s hidden beneath his soulless pitch black cloak. Snapping back in an instant, his eyes roam the room, muttering an apology beneath his breath. “I wouldn’t eat anything from down here unless you plan on staying down here forever.” Hades gives a signal to the guard by the door, without a word the guard comes alive. Giving a salute the armored guard marches off, the large doors shutting in his wake. 

A brow raised, eyes narrowed, and arms crossed I study my captor in all his glory. The infamous rumors of Hades' circled the townspeople like fire, everyone seemed to have an unpleasant experience with the Greek god. If the rumors proved to be true there may not be an easy way to escape. If it came down to it, him vs. me, I might have to fight dirty, luckily Ares’s last visit taught me a thing or two. Hades flops down on a large velvet chair across from the large sofa engulfing me. Setting his slim black book on the coffee table beside him, he sinks back sighing a hefty breath in relief. His black cape obscures his shoulders and arms, swaddling his body in a way that looks oddly comforting -like a human child wearing adult size clothing.

“I sent my guard to fetch you some water and food from above the surface. If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask me, or anyone down here. You are our guest and well we don’t get too many lively ones around here.” A low chuckle escapes his lips, his eyes roaming over every inch of my body. An uneasy shiver scales down my spine, his eyes seem to burn a hole through my chest. Glancing away, I choose to study the intricate details of the floorboards surrounding me. A short cough alerts me he is just as uncomfortable, good. 

“I bet you’re wondering why I brought you down here,” Hades' says in a soft low voice, a voice that doesn’t quite suit his reputation. Glancing back at those burning green eyes he takes my silence as a cue to continue. 

“Well-ugh,” clearing his throat he pushes through. “I occasionally visit the surface world to collect debts from those humans that choose to sell their souls, or to piss off my brothers.” Again a chuckle resonates deep within his chest bellowing out between his teeth. Is this greek God really trying to crack jokes at a time like this?! Pursing my lips together, I lean back against the fluffy cushions. I’m never getting out of The Underworld, I’ll be lucky if I get out of this conversation!

“Sorry sorry, not the time to be joking around,” he throws up his hands in defense, a sly grin creeping across his features completely unapologetic. “I brought you down here because your life is in danger, someone is trying to kill you.” The words echo off the walls, a loud silence drapes over the two. “Someone is trying to kill you.” The words bounced around my skull on repeat. My arms slide down to rest in my lap, leaning forward I open my mouth to spew a million questions- but nothing comes out. Instead, I sit there frozen mouth hanging open like a damn trout. How do you know this? Who would want to kill me? Who could kill a greek Goddess anyways, how do I know the person isn’t you? Say something, anything. 

“Aa-how- how...” I stutter.

The double doors swing back open and in strolls a cart filled with food, wine, and water. Great perfect timing! Oh wow, that’s a lot of food, are we having a feast to celebrate my supposed assassination? Or, how long does he expect me to stay down here?

“Oh great the food is here, lets get you something to drink, hell only knows you need one right now!” With that Hades' stands up and begins to make himself a poisonous concoction for himself, while the guard pours a glass of wine and hands it to me, without a single word.

After a few hours of drilling questions only to get laid-back replies, I’m ready to scream and punch Hades'’ smug face, but the guard watching my every move holds me back. That and the fact Hades'’ is most likely the only person I can trust right now.

“I need some air.” I blurt out. Choking on his drink he leans forward running a hand through his golden locks while his eyes dart around the room searching for an answer. 

“Ugh, well I can’t take you up to the surface right now but I can show you around the Palace or I can show you your chambers?” The air in the room feels stifling I push off the sinking cushions in frustration, I stumble forward crashing into his broad chest. Ahh I did not just stumble into Hades'. No no, -wait is he sporting an eight-pack beneath his clothes? Is the God of the underworld ripped? Leaping back arms outstretch yet centimeter from his chest I can’t help but feel heat soar to my face. He sports a puzzled expression before that chastise grin settles back into place. The fire’s flames engulf me, heat escapes my pores. I need to get out of this room, I need to get away from him! 

The underground palace was something out of a child’s nightmare. Beings of destruction walked, slithered, crawled, hopped, clawed across the grounds. Hades glides beside me occasionally pointing out The Underworld’s “amenities”. Glancing behind my shoulder after every corner we pass, I can’t help shake the eerie feeling that something is lurking in the shadows following close behind us. From the corner of my eye, I catch a shadow dart across the black column. 

Spinning on my heels, fear propelling invincible thoughts on repeat, You got this, you got this. I shift into a fighting stance. Narrowing my eyes, I brace my body. The shadow moves like water, using the columns it slinks its way towards us. In a blink of an eye, we are only a few feet apart. The column separates us, raising my arms toward my face, I’m ready for the first blow. 

Hades whispers behind me causing my hair to brush against my left cheek. “Are you attempting to battle against an underling? Let me spoil the ending for you my goddess, you won’t win, EVER! They’re already dead so you’re wasting your energy.” Hades shuffles shielding his body in front of me. Bellowing out in a voice that sends me on edge, “Halt, introduce yourself before I send you to the Malice Pit.” His words hang heavy in the prolonged silence. A shuffling noise followed by a beastly growl rumbles the floating pillars, keeping us suspended over the vast ocean of molten lava. 

{Stay tuned for part 2}

Road Trips

My fingers glide over last names and colored bindings enticing me with splendid images, the words begin to float off the shelves and wrap around my dress. I pick a few thick books underneath a bright yellow book fair sign. Sliding them across the check-out counter, a withered Liberian sends a questioning look at the older books in front of a small brunette child. I smile impatiently my toes tapping against the dirty worn-out carpeted floor, my mother passes through the double doors kicking on the overhead ac to rattle like chains dragging against a concrete floor. My mother rolls her eyes scolding me, “Viv, I can’t buy you any more books these have to last the rest of the vacation!” She slips out a wadded ball of cash, giddy I twirl around snatching the pillar of Stephen King books, rushing out the double doors. I’m met with the heat rising off the gooey Arizona asphalt causing sweat to drip down my back. Making a dash for our packed van, my worn-out sandals slap against the road shaking loose grains of sand that trail behind me- like tiny breadcrumbs.

I see your chubby red grin from the tinted window, letting out your infectious giggle from the inside you stick out your tongue pushing a podgy tiny finger against the black pop-up lock.

I rap my foot against the door leaning my back against the hot metal bindings of the car behind me. I give you a look that plays all too familiar across my features since the start of our adventure to Santa Monica. Tumbleweeds graze past a stranded rusty automobile just a few yards away, sweat drips off my brow. My begging voice echoes off the desolate town in between nowhere and somewhere. “LET ME IN!” With a hesitated smirk and a knowing of payback in the near future, you lean forward unlocking and swinging open the door. Jumping straight in I place the books in piles around our “cabin” for the next few days. Leaning into a small vent my brunette curls bounce behind my ears in the wisp of the cool air. After a few minutes of pure bliss, my fingers fiddle impatiently in my lap scrunching up my floral pink summer dress. Peering out the window I watch the two familiar figures walk back to our car sharing a brief kiss before parting to get on either side. My mother shifts in her seat pulling out her navy-blue neck pillow, covering her features, I watch her thin fingers comb through the console searching for the half-empty bottle of colorful Tums. The turning keys bring forth the infuriating beeps of seatbelt warnings before settling down letting the slight hum of the engine find a rhythm with the radio. You turn your attention knowing it won’t be long till my head is lodged into another book and you become an only child again. “Sissy please can we play for the rest of today and tomorrow, I pinky promise I will leave you alone and play on my PS4 quietly until lunch dinner time.”

Wrapped sweaters hang from the back windows blocking out the falling sun letting our imagination take fold. Stuffed animals come to life between our youthful wide eyes, forgetting the world around us we leap to adventures filled with fire breathing dragons, superheroes vs supervillains, pirates lost on an unforgivingly harsh sea. We play endlessly until we pull into a brightly light Marriott hotel for the night. You look up with droopy eyes as we interlace pinkies promising to pick up again tomorrow.