Of Ambrosia and Stone: Pandora's Curse

2

Today marks the 97th summer solstice since the abductions began. While 96 winter solstices have passed.

No one knows why the maidens are taken by Apollo. But once selected, they are never seen again. Then at the next solstice, another maiden is stolen from our world.

Another maiden who isn’t able to live out her natural life.

Yet another horror inflicted by the damned Olympians.

The taking of our women is a reminder of those savage gods who treat us mortals as pawns in their game.

A soft breeze pulls me from my dark thoughts. As though the natural world is giving me a reminder to live in the now and the present.

After all, our lives can be cut short at any time. Living in fear of the unknown is a great waste of a precious life.

Around me, I take in the summer woods.

The forest has become a labyrinth of brush, flowers, and knotty roots. Taking our time at each patch, we harvest mint and pink cyclamen for Agatha’s shop. Agatha has always been kind to our family and would offer us extraordinary prices for the herbs Dad and I collect. Medicinal herbs aren”t easy to find so we often get paid well for our efforts.

But even then, we were often paid too well.

I think Agatha takes pity on us though we aren”t in a place to call her out for doing such. Instead, we smile.

When I spot the vivid golden petals of daffodils, I nearly skip to the patch. “Look Dad! Daffodils!”

A small smile crests his face. Perhaps with a bit more pity than I would’ve cared to recognize but I decided to ignore him.

“I”m bringing some back home,” I state while plucking the blossoms and collecting the seeds. Though I know we can’t dedicate too much time or energy to the flowers, a promise is a promise. Arista wants the flowers and so she”ll get them.

Narcissus, also known as daffodils, has always been my favorite flower. Ari and I have long shared our love for all flowers, but daffodils hold a special place in Arista’s heart. Long ago she told me that they remind her of home. Therefore, today I”m determined to collect any seeds the patches of plants could offer. Perhaps like my old homes I”ll be able to grow some right outside for us.

A memory of her home.

Wrapping the seeds in a large leaf, I tuck the bundle of seeds into my pocket before we move along through the woods.

These woods are as familiar to me as my garden. While being about as comforting. The serenity which the forest offers is unlike what our city has. The streets feel suffocating. Like everyone and everything is pushing in at me. As though I don’t have enough space to even breathe.

As we check our snares, worry becomes all consuming.

Unfortunately, the traps aren”t doing so well. The woods are beautiful, but our traps are most certainly bare. Most look untouched since the day that we set them. With each barren trap, we reevaluate.

Pausing for several moments, we discuss the game trail lines in the clearing around us before coming to the same conclusion. Our traps appear to be in the optimal position, yet we’ve hardly anything. Only two small rabbits of our numerous traps. Not even a sighting of another animal.

Not even a damn squirrel.

While Dad leans down to harvest the herbs, I monitor the perimeter of the dewy grove with my bow ready. One can never be too sure or cautious when about in the woods. Hunger pushed us further into the forest, deeper than normally wise.

Guiltily, I debate on if I should even tell him. Should I come back in the morning?

“Pandy, I know that look. Memorized it early on with you because it’s never good. How far is the next trap?” His voice was full of concern. Gripping the arch of his nose, he looks like he is trying to stave off a migraine.

Turning, I look off toward my distant traps, gesturing toward the north.

Muttering under his breath, “We weren’t even supposed to be this far.”

Weren’t supposed to be this far.

But no risk means no more rabbits.

“Yes, but those two small rabbits won’t be able to hold us over for long. I”m not sure if it will even feed the five of us.” His eyes look down on me with trepidation. My eyes survey the mushroom boundary marking a barrier between our worlds.

A warning.

The land between two warring worlds. Where the mortal lands are blurred with the immortals’ realm. Each is different in every way. One of the mundane and one full of magic.

Dad coughs. “Where did you get that deer from a couple of weeks ago?” Skeptically, he turns to eye the misty woods beyond us. “Suddenly, I”m starting to think that you didn’t find it at the forest’s edge.”

We were starving.

Since then, each morning I stowed away in the woods before the break of dawn. Wandering through the woods by torchlight.

Is entering the woods idiotic? Yes. Definitely. But what wouldn’t a person do to spare their family?

Hungry stomachs make people do irrational things. To make choices that push you out of your comfortable and safe zones to risk a chance of good fortune. I had planned on going out this morning, but Celeste was awake before me.

Typically, my sister sleeps like a ton of bricks. The whole building coming down wouldn’t even phase her. But last night, she can hardly close her eyes for longer than a couple of minutes.

“Pandora,” grimaces Dad as he rubs his temples. “How did you come across the deer?”

Gulping, I bit my lip. Dad could feel my lies before I could even come up with them. He always knew how to read people. Keep the lie simple. No crazy details. Only twist the truth. “Oh, you know, I happened upon it while gardening. It practically came up to the house.”

Since coming to Karpathos, I have never seen a deer that close to the house. They avoid our city as though we were the plague.

“I have never seen you bring your bow outside to garden with you,” he adds skeptically.

Shit.

He isn’t buying it.

Nodding, I sigh. I suppose he has a point there. As far as I recollect, I can’t think of a single instance of me bringing my bow to my garden. Honestly though, I should start. You never know when you’ll need to pierce an arrow through the heart of a god.

What Dad doesn’t know is how often I cross the boundary…. Or at least, I hope he doesn’t know. The murky woods don”t stay misty for long as one travels deeper. My mind’s eye can clearly see it even as he and I walk into the mists, I know the dew fades away into a beautiful forest. Full of the biggest trees, flowers, and small animals roaming around. Dad’s eyes narrow in my direction. He isn’t pleased with this realization but we both know that the deer was desperately needed.

If he’d known how close to the divide I was, he’d probably be pissed. But on my first voyage, I returned with a stag over my shoulders that was so large, I had to stop and take several breaks.

Since then, there are many days that I come out here with my field journal, sitting underneath the trees. The trees welcome me like an old friend, letting me sleep in the soft grass at their feet.

Hidden from the general commotion that comes from living in town. Diagramming my surroundings. Collecting various samples to identify with Agatha.

The forest is my happy place.

A bit of peace in my chaotic and lonely world. The woods don’t care who you’re. I can be.

Each morning, I would check my traps to supplement our stores slowly but surely. Occasionally, there would be the curious question about where the extra rabbit came from, but I continued. Praying that no one would ever question me.

Stepping toward the boundary, I could feel the tingle in the air as it prickles softly against my skin. All was quiet in the woods. like every morning when I passed through the Veil. Not yet crossing the boundary, I can almost feel the warning laid by divine.

A warning to all mortals to stay away… Or else.

The swirling interlinked pattern of mushrooms and moss make an odd design on the forest floor. Pattern or not, none of these mushrooms are worth eating, as likely to kill or curse you as nourish a hungry family and I do not need to worry about yet another curse.

“How often do you venture past the mushrooms?” His voice was stern and gruff as he trudged alongside me.

I bit my lip at his question. Bracing for a response that I know he”ll not like.

Smiling shyly, I reply, “Well… Every day or very nearly.” Dad gave me a pained look. Clutching his chest, he sways. Looking uneasy at my confirmation.

Meekly, I reply, “I know, but when the traps dried up this spring and with us not able to get much from the garden, which left me with no choices.” In these many weeks, these two rabbits are the first that I have seen in anything outside of the boundaries. We all knew it, but I knew that’s not my dad’s biggest fear.

His number one fear is the divine. Thankfully, since my morning excursions, I have never come across an immortal. “I laid some more traps and snares last evening. None of them are far into the woods. If we trek through here, they’re all right in the grove of trees beyond the mist.” Picking up my pace, I make for the clearing.

Whether he agreed with my actions or not, he follows close on my heels.

Gravely, Dad asks in a voice as soft as the wind. “Have you seen one?”

My stomach turned sour. He didn’t need to explain who he was talking about.

“Never.”

“Fine.” His voice is sprained. “But we will need to be in and out. Absolutely no time to delay. Then,” he adds, his eyes lock with. “We will be having a talk about your midnight ventures.”

“Not midnight. Also, early morning.” Instantly, I’m kicking myself. Why did I say that?

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Only the sun and moon immortals witness me at that hour. A time where Artemis hands off the skies to her twin brother, Apollo.

Dad gestures toward the woods ahead hesitantly and I move ahead of him. Stepping over the ring, I look back at my dad who is surveying the area. His face is as white as Winter Solstice snow. Finally gaining enough courage, he steps across the boundary. His legs are shaky and breathing heavily.

Trying to make conversation and ease his nerves, I return Dad’s question. “Have you seen a god or goddess?”

Taking several steps, Dad holds off on answers before grimly stating, “Too many to count. Let me tell you kid, they bring bad news.”

“Wait, WHAT?” I demand.

Since when?

How long has he been hiding that from me?

“Anyone who hunts long enough ends up meeting the occasional god and always regrets the meeting.” Trudging along, we check my traps. “Which is why after today you can’t be here.”

Ignoring him, I collect our game. Making a point to reset our traps.

This isn’t my last venture to the Veil.

Standing up, I turn my attention to the area around us.

Tensely, my fingers curl around the string to my bow. Seven more rabbits are in the snares. “What happened the last time you saw a god?”

The air between us is silent. Dad sighs. “When I was younger, I stole something in which the gods desired dearly from the immortal side of Veil. I was forced to cross back over the boundary and nearly died doing so. Take my warning, Pandy, do not mess around with the gods. They’re cruel and vindictive. They’re left with only time to plan how they’ll torture a whole lineage of descendants. Eternally bored. They took nearly all who I ever loved. Leaving you and me.”

Mom. He must be talking about her. Who else would he be talking about?

…But I thought her ailment was what did her in?

Gods above, I have so many questions and not enough time to ask them all.

“What did you steal?” I whisper, my voice only barely audible.

My chest tightens as I wait. What would be so valuable? What could he have taken that would make the immortals so upset?

“That’s for another time. You and I need to be focusing on these infernal woods,” Dad warns. Holding his weapon up, he continues to take silent steps forward as he slowly surveys the area.

Pushing onward, I know Dad is upset but I’m praying that our haul will placate the worst of his disappointment with me. “Want to stop at the pomegranate tree before leaving? We can pluck enough fruit for the whole family.”

Pursing his lips, he replies, “I don’t know kid. I think that we should get back to the safer side of the wood.”

Relative safety, that is.

“Please? I promise to be quick.” Looking up at him with big pleading eyes, I wait for him to cave. Knowing that he’d budge. I could see it.

He may look like a scary giant to those who don’t know him, but he is first and foremost a girl dad through and through.

“Fine, but quick,” he whispers as his eyes scan the bright woods. “The woods are giving me a bad feeling.”

Skipping toward the tree, a bright smile dawns on my face.

Pomegranates are a rare find, even this close to the Veil. The Pythian Priestesses swear that they only grow in the land of the dead.

Which obviously is a myth but they needed a way to justify how rare they’re. I ask Dad, “Want me to climb or stand guard?”

Dad narrows his eyes at me. “You want the pomegranates, then you’ll be the one climbing for them. Now hurry up.”

Smiling wide, I turn to scale the tree.

Touching the curly bark of the tree, I blink. Suddenly I”m not in this clearing but in a palace garden with cool black stone pavers lining the path. Colorful humanoid creatures dance around me. Dryads with their green hair coiled like leaves. Naiads and their ethereal pale blue skin. While half goat and half human creatures stomp with their two hooved feet as we dance around the tree. Horns curling at their temples like rams. The flower nymphs were my favorite. Each has hair as brightly colored as their flower. Violet, white, blue, yellow, and more. Their skin is pale green.

At least thirty of us are lost in the rhythm of the drums and pan flutes. Focused on the music, each other, and the moment.

Bright and happy memories. Swirling around, I join their dance around and around the tree. A celebration of the summer solstice. Turning, I catch my reflection in the pool of the fountain. Older than I”m now.

“Hurry up Pandy,” Dad warns. Jolting, I rub my eyes. The fruit tree stands tall before me as though nothing was wrong. “If you”re going to pick the fruit, do so now.”

Blinking, my vision swirls back into the present moment. “Will do. Sorry. I forgot where I was for a moment.”

Gingerly touching the tree, I wait to be overtaken by the memory or vision or whatever it was, but nothing came.

Scurrying up the sheer face, I rest on some branches. My legs swing underneath me as I fill my bag as full as I can manage. Picking the ripest pomegranates. Their decedent red colors starkly juxtaposed against the verdant green leaves. Wrapping my legs tightly around the tree, I held on with one hand and started dropping pomegranates down into Dad’s open bag.

As I’m preparing to hop down, my eyes happen to scan our surroundings. I notice a figure in the distance— the shadows appear human. “Dad, look over there. I see someone.” Pointing in the direction of where my gaze is fixed.

Pushing off from the tree I plop down with a less than graceful thud.

Slender fingers wrap around my lips.

The pale hands of my misty friend.

Damn medicine. Every time that I take it, the less clear Ari becomes.

“Don’t move,” whispers Arista. Her voice is like my own, soft, and hesitant. I peek out the corner of my eye at my friend”s flaming locks of red hair that are in stark contrast to her bright green eyes. Dressed in her typical outfit of varying shades of black. Arista pulls me back closer to Dad. At her touch, my arm zings with an electric thrill. The tingles of magic quaking through the clearing. Turning fully toward her, my friend is gone.

Absent.

To my dismay, the shadow’s gaze falls upon our direction.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Dad pushes me behind him swiftly. Pinning me between him in the tree. Had he been given a choice at this moment; I would have become a tree nymph.

No amount of preparation would have prepared me for his next words. Words that will haunt my nightmares from here on out.

His voice drops low. “A god.”

The dark shadowy figure turns toward us. Like he can feel our presence. From this distance, he shouldn’t have been able to hear us. Dad shoves me behind him and frantically whispers, “Do not say a word or make a single noise. You”re glamoured. He”ll not be able to see you but he could still hear you.”

Glamour?

How in the name of Hades himself can Dad use glamour?

The gods aren”t what I expected. The cruel and deadly gods and goddesses were supposed to be grotesque creatures as I imagined. They were supposed to look like some gnarled goblin with leathery skin and red eyes. This god looks nearly normal.

The forest held its breath. Waiting for battle. Dark shadows cut through the wood. A warning.

“Who—” I started but Dad’s low guttural growl cut me off.

I have never heard him make such an animal-like noise. To say it put the fear of the gods in me would be an understatement.

Across the clearing, the god snaps his head back in the direction of the pomegranate tree. Air leaves our lungs. Blue eyes remind me of the sky, his hair as pale as lightning.

This is bad.

This is so bad.

Those eyes bore into our souls, like he can peer into every fiber of our being. My body shakes. Please, please don’t see us. Throwing a hood as dark as charcoal over his face, he stormed toward us. Our surroundings feel like the clearing is in the middle of an electric storm. Small sparks seem to randomly snap from leaves and the tips of the stranger’s fingers, yet oddly Dad and I aren’t touched by the sudden static in the air.

Dad steps in front of me, blocking me entirely from the god’s view.

“Pan,” faintly he whispers. “Do not make a sound. Do not move a muscle. Do not fight no matter what happens to me. He”ll not be able to see you if you follow my orders.”

Frozen in place, I can’t even huff out a short reply.

Is this Apollo?

Gods, he is far more terrifying than I expected. Older than I imagined.

Shoving me flush against the tree, my father presses me behind him as I gasp for breath. “Dad, we need to run.” Pinned between the tree and him, I tried to squirm out from my trapped position.

“There’s no running.” He grits. “Take your elixir. Every morning on the dot. But for now, not a single word. He”ll find you if you don’t listen,” Gripping his fists into tight pale balls as a metallic scent spread across the clearing.

A claustrophobic sensation floods through the air, the entire area reeking of iron.

Someone was coming. Something was wrong.

This was never how it was supposed to be. We were supposed to get in and leave. Check the traps and go home with our arms full of food.

Tonight we were going to have full bellies and a happy family. Two events which hardly, if ever happen.

Pushing myself on to my tiptoes, I peer over his shoulder at the god approaching us. Territorially he sprang forward, my eyes are hardly able to track his rapid pace through the forest. The same forest that we were forced to cross slowly, lest we risk shattering an ankle.

Those eyes were anything but friendly. I suddenly wanted nothing more than to crumble to the ground.

But he looked normal. Like any other person that I walk past on the street.

Dad reaches his shaking hand out and squeezes my hand before releasing it.

Trying to silently comfort me in an uncomfortable situation.

The stranger’s eyes are full of venom. Especially the closer that he gets to us. Now only feet away.

Holding my breath, I watch with my vision locked on the god.

“Prometheus,” rasps the low voice of the god is even more unnerving than I imagined. This must be a misunderstanding. “You took something from me, my old friend.”

Prometheus?

Who the heck is that?

My dad would never be his friend. If he’drecognized him, Dad wouldn’t be acting like this. This must be a case for mistaken identity.

Maybe he”ll let’s go once we get this all cleared up. The god’s face is shrouded by shadows but those darkness filled eyes will haunt me for the rest of my days. “What a lovely surprise. I hadn’t expected to see you in these woods at such an hour. It has been a long time.”

“Not long enough by my book,” the dark and low voice of Dad warns the god.

There are two of us. We can take him, I think hopefully. Though I know that this is hopeless.

Pissing off a god then shooting him with an arrow sounds like a painful way to die to me. He’d likely tear us apart, limb by limb.

Towering above us, he is easily seven feet tall. “Hiding in amongst the mortals, I see?” the god states with a tone of distain.

Dad remains silent. Ignoring the taunts. Instead, he chooses to make jabs of his own. “I thought the twelve locked you up years ago.”

The god stalks Dad, each of his movements were as smooth as silk. His darkness laced voice is even smoother than his movements. “Ah yes. At one time, I was, but I suppose that they’re preoccupied with everything going on in their world. When you only have time, it makes it easier to plot your escape. At least I didn’t hide myself away, wasting my time in the human world picking pomegranates while our world goes to shit.”

Raising his voice, Dad warns, “If you think that’s all I have been doing, you”re in for a rude awakening.”

Wait, the god knows Dad and Dad knows the god.

Watching skeptically, the god looks right through me. His lips pressed into a thin line.

“Now hurry off and return to your prison. Your cell is getting cold.” Playing with the flower pinned to his jacket.The one I gave to him over a year ago.

It was odd. Even though it was plucked so long ago, it looked as vibrant and alive as it once was still in the ground, ready to be plucked. One would have thought it would have withered a way to dust by now. When I had asked Dad about it a couple of months ago, he said he wasn’t sure, but it’s now his ‘lucky flower.’

I feel powerless. Forced to sit silently and watch as the god toys with an object that Dad cares so much about. I want to scream, to weep. Anything to keep us safe, to have the god leave us alone. Let’s go along with our lives. “Pretty little flower on your coat. Who gave it to you?”

Silence.

“Your wife?”

Dad’s gaze is fixed on the ground.

The unnamed god pauses, before asking, “Your daughter?”

Quietly, Dad keeps his stare fixed straight down. Rigidly so. Almost appearing to be more of a statue than a man.

The god is so close that I can smell the stench of rotten and burning leaves. Almost like a tree was caught on fire by a stroke of lightning. “I feel your pulse quicken. You can”t deceive me, Prometheus. How old is your daughter now?”

How can someone make such a normally innocent question, so monstrous?

Gulping, Dad shakes his head. Gripping down on my fingers so tightly, that his nails dig into my palms. Blood collecting in my hands. “I don’t know what you mean. I don’t have any children.”

“Mhmm.” Skeptically, the god affirms as he stalks around the pomegranate tree. Dad shakes. He knows what gods are capable of. Knowing someone’s power capabilities can be a blessing and a curse all wrapped into one.

The god circles us.

One.

Two.

Three.

Circle after circle.

Pretty soon the path will be etched in the grass around us.

“I”m looking forward to your face when I bring you back to Tartarus–” Pausing in front of us, he eyed the grass. “Where’s your hunting partner?”

Dad goes rigid. Pushing harder against the tree, almost like he is trying to push me inside the tree. “It was a large haul.” He states nonchalantly, “I carried two separate bags so that I could bring more back with me.”

The god was not buying it.

Hades, I wouldn’t buy it if I was in his shoes. Those packs were huge and heavy. There’s no way my dad could’ve been able to carry them both and be able to navigate the unlevel floor of the woods.

Standing in front of us, he pauses, looking off past the densely packed trees. Almost like he couldn’t decide on his next move. Giving us the metaphorical cold shoulder.

“You know what I think?”

Shrugging, Dad doesn’t answer.

“No? Not even a guess?” Nothing. “Fine. I believe that your wife or daughter who gave you that flower, is here with us in the woods.”

My heart fell, and I could see from the way Dad’s hands twitched he was suddenly more nervous too. The stranger knew. Could he see me?

Launching his hand out, the god grips Dad’s throat while Dad tries desperately to peel the foreign fingers from his neck. The world spins around me like a gyroscope. Sounds appear distant, like they’re miles away.

My bloody hands dig into the tree bark behind me. Without it, I think I would have fainted.

“Please,” Dad begs. His voice sounds weak and raspy.

“Do not move,” Ari whispers into my mind. “Not a word. Your Dad can defend himself. But if the god finds you, it will only force your dad to divide his attention and we both know who he’d protect.”

Me.

Dad would protect me.

Please, Gaia. Anyone, help Dad.

Don’t say a word. Do not move. No matter what they do to me. Though, I don’t want to listen to him.

Did he know what was going to happen? Was he the reason why we couldn’t venture into the Veil?

This is all my fault.

Hurling Dad down to the ground, I flinch.A yelp almost escapes my lips, only shuttered by my hand smacking my mouth closed.

The cracking of branches under Dad’s prone form ripples through the clearing.

The hooded god watches the tree, stepping closely, he analyzes my location. I’m nose to nose with pure evil. With someone who was capable of death. I hold my breath. Scared that my breath on his skin would give me away.

Turning away, he once again focuses on Dad. I sink down onto my bum. My eyes can hardly leave my dad’s limp form.

Tears rolled down my face.

Smothering my tears before they dropped, I don’t risk letting the god hear them crash against the ground.

Snagging the narcissus on Dad’s cloak, the god pins it to his own. “Thank you for your gift. I would say thank you to your daughter, but I feel like I”ll be the next one of us to see her.”

He can”t see me. The god is bluffing.

My thoughts are cut short by Dad’s yelps. Over and over, the mysterious male kicks him. Hitting his guts, ribs, head, everywhere. Dad let out a grunt after each harsh blow.

Over and over and over.

My fingers itch to cover my eyes but I can’t move them. Like if I leave his form, it will be the last time I see him. Like I”ll be missing our last chance at safety.

Watching the hooded male attack Dad felt surreal. Like what I was seeing couldn’t possibly be what’s happening.

It can’t be.

Please.

“How about a bargain now,” he questions Dad. His voice sounded lethal, like a sickly-sweet venom. “A deal between us noblemen. Men of our word.” Toeing Dad’s bruised chest softly, Dad recoils at the touch. “Give me your daughter. Let her take your place. In exchange for her, I”ll grant your release. You’ll continue to be able the rest of your family.”

Part of me imagines stepping forward. Taking my dad’s place.

But Ari’s words hold me still as though she has woven a spell gluing me in place.

I need him, I plead with the universe. Please, don’t separate us.

Please Gaia, please let him come away from this unharmed. Let’s return home together. Otherwise, I don’t think I”ll be able to forgive myself. He is only here because of me.

I would take his place in a heartbeat. Just as I know that he would for me.

But can we trust a god? If I reveal I”m here, there’s no guarantee that he’d leave us both alone.

Spitting bright blood at the stranger’s feet, Dad glowers up at his attacker. “I don’t have a daughter.” Gritting his teeth, he restrains himself as he bites down the pain.

“You”re disgusting. Pathetic babbling old man,” the god sneers at Dad. The attacker’s face forced his lips into a thin pressed line. “Do not lie to me.”

The words stabbed into my soul.

A barrage of furious kicks connects with my dad. Instinctively, I flinch at each strike. With each blow, I take a step farther from the god. Putting only feet of distance between me and the pomegranate tree. My steps are soft, feeling first for branches before shifting my weight.

Six.

Step.

Seven.

Step.

Eight.

Step.

The god’s voice is icy. Like the coldest winter solstice night that I have ever experienced. “Now, let’s try this again. What do you’ve to say about my most generous offer?”

“By Jove,” Dad gasps in pain.

“Keep her, and I”ll destroy everything that you’ve ever loved.” The god spat. “Return her and I”ll permit you to continue living your pathetic life as a mortal. I”ll even consider becoming the patron and protector of your next child.”

The way the god inflected his tone, I knew nothing good would come from him. I doubt that he could be trusted to uphold his word even.

The god’s voice was calm. Terrifying me down to the darkest depths of my soul. “I”m forced to decline your very, very gracious offer.” Fear clenches my chest. This clearing didn’t feel large enough. Like the woods were squeezing in on me. The supposed gratitude didn’t stretch to his eyes.

Dark.

Constricted.

Suffocating.

Laughing maniacally, the god replies, “Fine. Then back to our world we will go. Perhaps, I should send Oneiroi to your home.”

“Go ahead,” bluffs Dad. “Send them to my home. Your minions will be sorely disappointed with what they find.”

Lies. All lies.

No one will come.

Gaia, please. Any god or goddess. Help us.

By Tartarus, I would take a Titan at this point.

Do I say his name? Call Hades to the forest? No. That would be idiotic. Then we’d all surely be dead.

“Come on, time to face your judgment at the mountain.” Spat the god at Dad. Eyes full of pure vitriol.

The mountain? What’s the mountain? I watched him from my sunken position. Praying to anyone to help us. Fading in and out of consciousness, Dad’s eyes flickered between understanding and lost in memories. Almost like someone hit his head and caused a concussion. Knocking memories right out of him.

Throwing Dad over his shoulder, he watched dazed from his position. dropping in and out of consciousness. Wandering between the plane of what’s reality and what’s fiction.

His dangerous eyes watch my dad. “If we wait here, will your hunting partner return?”

Even through all the terror that he stirs in me, there’s something regal about him. The way he holds his head, his gait, like people are meant to be seen. Meant to strike fear into all our hearts. Like we should regret not giving him all the duly earned respect.

“I don’t know how many times that I need to tell you this, but I came here alone.” He spits blood in the direction of the god.

“Do not lie to me.” A fire blazed in his eyes. “Fine. Maybe you’ll come to your senses after some time to think about your decisions on who is truly worthy of your protection.” Everything feels like a game to this stranger.

Vivid blue eyes pour into my spot. As though he knows where I”m standing. “Come with me,” commands the god.

If I go, Dad and I will be together.

“No.” Dad slurs. Hardly conscious. His eyes appear to stare forward in a daze. Head bowing from the left to the right like he is struggling to hold himself open.

Freezing, I don’t dare breathe.

Waiting several moments, the god grew impatient. “Fine, the Lord will find her anyway.”

My fingers dig into the ground at my feet as though I”m trying to grow roots. Anything to stabilize me.

Pale eyes stare directly through me. Frozen, I hardly dared to breathe. My body begins to shake out of fear. Please, what god do we need to plead to be turned into trees.

He saunters to me, bending over slightly to look at the tree.

Blood.

My blood rests on the tree.

Dragging a long finger up the length of the tree, he dampens his finger in my blood. Coyly the god asked, “Now how would your blood get all the way over here? Perhaps I”ll give this to the hounds. They’d be able to assist me with matching the blood to the mortal.”

Spitting a large gob of blood in his direction, I can’t help but be proud of Dad’s bravery. “Blood spatters. Not sure what to tell you.” Cringing, I see one of his eyes is nearly swollen shut, his mouth red from blood. “Probably from your bad aim.”

The god ignores his mumbling. Focused instead on the clearing. Scanning once more, he finds me. “Oh, child of woe, return to your home, Miss Bringer of Destruction.” He sticks out his hand in my direction. Scary how closely he knew where I was. Only slightly off to one side of me. “One day, you’ll be mine.”

Shuddering, I stay put. Not moving. This was a trap. I could see it plainly in his face.

The god wants me to run. Then he’d have something to chase.

A cat and mouse game between an immortal and mortal was not the kind of game I would play.

I refuse to take his bait.

Standing so still and rigid, I feel my muscles scream from exhaustion. Threatening to call it in if the deity doesn’t leave soon.

A person can only remain so still for so long.

After what felt like a century of waiting, I knew that the god has nothing but time to wait. He refuses to leave until I move first.

Surveying the ground, I knew I needed to think quickly.

Locking my hands around a rock, I skip it across the ground. Two eagles bolt from the trees above in the direction of the rock. After much circling and searching, the eagles return to the god’s side.

“She’s a quick one, Prometheus. You’ve raised her well.”

Appearing satisfied, the god turns back to Dad. Gripping Dad’s shoulder, the god steps into a shimmering rainbow of light. Electricity and the metal scent of magic is emitted from the small burst of light. Dad’s eyes fixate on mine. Terror. Pure fear pours into my soul. Both are gone before my eyes. Leaving our packs, the bag of pomegranates, and me.

Leaning forward, my head is pressed into the dirt, my arms tightly wrapped around me.

“What’ll I tell the town?” I sob between stretches of violent shaking.

Not a soul would be able to find them. A search party would be useless. By now, he has been drugged to wherever the god wished him to be.

Spotting Dad’s cloak, I bury my face in the fabric. The smoky smell of Dad hits me.

I should leave it here. But I can’t.

I need this piece of him.

Tucking it in my bag, I contemplate my story.

In my mind, I created a fictitious story about the events of the day. A wolf attack. So quick that we didn’t have a chance to respond. run. Dad shoved me out of the way when the foul beast lunged and told me to run and not look back. No matter the noises that I hear. I did so. Running as fast as I could manage away from the Veil.

Away from the god.

Away from Dad.

Thorns rip at my skin, cutting the clothing on my body. Leaping past brambles, my feet slap against the streams.

Gods, I just hope that he won’t hear me.

Painting, the muggy air clings to my skin. Threatening to smother me.

Tears rolling down my face.