"It never was hard sneaking around as a child.
I knew exactly when new souls would enter Tartarus, and exactly when Mom and Dad would be choosing their path for the afterlife. Times like those I would run as fast as my legs could carry me, careful n...
"Behind the most beautiful eyes lay secrets deeper than the mysterious sea." ***
Antheia:
It never was hard sneaking around as a child.
I knew exactly when new souls would enter Tartarus, and exactly when Mom and Dad would be choosing their path for the afterlife. Times like those I would run as fast as my legs could carry me, careful not to be seen by anyone. The hardest struggle was passing Cerberus, a three-headed dog which had been around for as long as time itself.
Humming a soft tune I would make Cerberus would grow tired. His eyes slumped and all three heads fell to the floor with a bang, followed along with the rhythmic sound of his snores.
My feet could be heard echoing throughout the cave, as I would rush to the exit of Tartarus, praying to the Gods that I wouldn't be found.
By the time I exited I could see, if I stood on my tippy toes, colors I wouldn't be able to normally view. I never dared go further than that, knowing I would be caught. I was satisfied at the top of the stairs leading to Earth, and just seeing those few colors. My, I wished I could see those inside Tartarus.
There was nothing there worth seeing. No purple, reds, oranges, or pinks of the sunset. Just black and white. You couldn't hear the seagulls' squacks or the sound of the waves crashing across the beach. You heard screams of agony and tears of delight when finding out how the rest of your afterlife would be spent. Never was there peace. Never could you rest knowing things would be okay.
The only things I would look forward to was Mom's tree. Somehow she had been able to grow life down here. Most of her time she spent in that very room until six months where she would leave to stay with her mother Demeter.
Those six months were even more lonely than anything. Dad would be even more angry and more rough with the poor souls. He loved her so much he went to extremes to keep her.
By the time I was born I was aware of their love story. My Dad, Hades, had seen Mom, who went by the name Persephone, and he immediately fell in love. He kidnapped her because Demeter wouldn't allow them to be married. In time Mom had the choice to leave, but Dad tricked her. He had fed her food from the underground, six pomegranate seeds. She would have to stay with him for half the year, Winter, until she returned to Earth for the rest of the year.
That tree of Mom's is one of the most beautiful things I've seen from inside. Light green leaves, so delicate they would fall off by touching them. The red fruit on it was what had forced Mom to stay here in the first place. A pomegranate. It was gorgeous. Bright red and plump, filling its aroma throughout the entire room. Although I had always wanted to eat one of its fruits, I was never permitted. Every year I would ask, and every year Mom said no.
I can tell she's unhappy here. She has to stay here, without a choice. I don't, but I do. I'm not sure why.
For years I planned an escape by age eighteen. It was so thoroughly planned I could actually do it. Issue is I'd have to disguise myself for years so I wouldn't be found. If I were I could be punished horribly. Uncle Zeus has been known to do horrible things to demigods, Gods, humans, and basically everyone.
But through the years I found myself seeking comfort with the outside world coming to dread the underworld. I wished freedom, to live on Earth. To be able to run through the thick, green grass, and climb trees carrying luscious fruit. I longed to be able to see those wonderful colors and wade through the ocean, feeling it's cool blanket of water wrap around me.
And through those years coming closer to eighteen, I grew closer to the idea of running away. It wouldn't be impossible, I knew, and I would have a six month head start if I left during Winter. Everything could work out.
But if it didn't, I would have to live with that mistake for the rest of my life. But it could be worth it.
I knew in a few weeks time I would be forced to make up my mind, to stay or leave. I knew my heart was in leaving, but I also knew the consequences of following your heart. That leaves room for weakness, something to destroy you.
I stood once more on my toes, staring into the sunset earnestly. I pulled a strand of dark raven hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. I wish I had more carefree days like this, just staring into the colors and hearing the sounds of freedom. But the moment the sun's gone I know I'll be gone and this wouldn't have ever happened. I'd have to go back to my life as I always did.
Being the daughter of Hades wasn't what I wanted to be.
*** A/N: Sorry for the short chapter! This was a pilot episode and the rest will be MUCH LONGER. This is my first story so don't judge too much!
If you send me a cover for the story I'll give you a shout out here.
Please share, share, and share! The more reads, the more I write!
-sarahv
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