Oh, what the fuck?!
I drive on, heading for La. Why La, you ask? Cause, uhhh...
E:Hey, why La?
A: Entrance to the underworld. Hey, can we stop here?
Gas station. Ohh, candy. And toilets. I pull in, hooking the gas pump into the truck, and we go in. I ignore Annabeth filling her pockets with candy, and use the bathroom. Yeeesss, running water.
I pick Snickers, Hershey, and M&Ms. And then remember I'm the fucking grown-up. Sooo, sandwiches and chips? Well I know Annabeth will eat anything I give her, but I don't know if the other kids are allergic to anything. Maybe just... pizza and sandwiches. Not meat for Grover, but anything else? I get chips and sodas for the road, and another coffee for me. Lots of milk and sugar.
Putting everything on the counter, I realize I don't have my wallet. Uuhhh. Ok. Maybe the Lotus card will work? Holy shit, I'm rich. Wait-I'm already rich. Whatever.
E:Ok, empty your pockets.
A:I don't know what you mean. I'm innocent.
She empties her pockets. Eh, nothing worth punishing. Just candy and a knife. No, I don't care that she has a knife. I'm only, like, 2 years older. If I'm being honest, I'm glad she thought to grab one. I'm not always there with her, so I'm happy she's got it.
Percy and Grover both got sodas and pizza. I just give my pizza to Nico and Bianca. They're still not sure they can trust me, which is understandable. We all pile in, driving. As we ride, I think about Thalia. Of course.
I met them when I was 9. Turned 10 a few months after we got to camp. She was -is- 3 years older. I think I've always loved her, just didn't have the words to understand it. She was always nice. When we stopped for camp, she'd do my hair. One time, she cut it like hers. That was my favorite. As we camped those few weeks, my feelings shifted. What started as childish adoration, became something akin to love. I never told her. I knew how she felt, I was just a kid. It would've been wrong.
When she was a tree, I finally told her. It felt silly, telling a tree I loved it. But now, she couldn't laugh, or say it's just a kids crush.
I zone out, driving. Next thing I know, nighttime. Snores from the back, Annabeth and Bianca sleeping in the front.
I zone back out. Entering LA. It's still nighttime, so I pull over. I get out, jogging into the woods. I run around, trying to clear my head. Can't keep thinking about her, she's not coming back. I need to stop.
I head back to the truck, climbing on the roof. I lay down, hands crossed behind my head, and watch the stars. I fall asleep, and have a nightmare.
I'm 5 again. The assault just happened, and I'm hurting really bad. There's so much blood, and I can't stop crying. I run into the woods, and cry in a tree. My mother appears, seeing my pain. She climbs up with me, holding me in her lap. She cries into my hair, and I cling to her, the only comfort I was given. I cry until I pass out, her never leaving.
When I wake up, I'm in her tent and she's outside, humming as she makes some stone arrows. There's something bloody hanging from a tree, and she keeps scowling at it, her face angry. I try to climb and see it, but she grabs me by the waist, pulling me into her lap.
Mother: He'll never hurt you again. I took care of it.
She kisses my head, guiding my hands to sharpen the arrows. We sit there for hours. She taught me how to set a snare next. When it finally caught something, I couldn't kill it. I just kept crying. I ran to the tent, hiding my eyes. She comes in a few minutes later, her hands wet from skinning the rabbit. I never wear the hat she made, knowing I was responsible. She delivers me to the new foster family herself, some old friends of her's.
Mother:You'll be safe here, Eun-ji. They're my friends.
I was safe, and kinda loved. They put me in gymnastics, perfect for little monkeys who like to climb. And it's perfect, cause my hips were never right after the incident. Through physical therapy, I'm walking sorta normal now, but you can still tell.
I wonder where Mom is.
I wake up when the truck shifts. Looking down, it's police.
Po:Why are you stopped here? This is illegal.
E:Sorry, ma'am, I just needed to sleep.
She shines her light in my eyes, blinding. Something feels....off.
I spin around, entering the window feet first. I'm driving away in less than a second, shuddering from the encounter. Looking back, it's obvious it was actually just the police, but can you blame me?
Arriving at DOA recording studios. The entrance to the underworld. I park, getting the kids up. Before I can open the door, my phone rings. Dad. I answer, still kinda tired.
E:Yeaaah? Wassup, dad?
T:You're not drunk, are you? Please say no.
E:No, jus haven shlep in few days.
T:Ok, well just checking in, making sure you're alive. Have fun questing. Come back alive. Love ya, kiddo.
He hangs up. It sounds like he was crying.
We enter the building, with it's blinding bright lights. We pass...spirits? They're almost transparent, but I could sorta see them. We walk past them all, to a podium. At it, I talk to the man, Charon.
Charon:What do you kids think you're doin' here? Isn't it past your bedtime?
Me:We need to go to the underworld, sir. Urgent business. Chop chop, let's go. Delivery for Lord Hades himself.
He chuckles darkly, and is about to say something, when he sees Nico and Bianca.
Charon: Is that- are they
Me:Yeah, that's why we need to get there.
He practically throws his book down, hurrying to get us in the elevator. He rows us across the river, apologizing profusely.
That's something my dad taught me. "You have power, kid! You have authority! Learn to use it, throw names around! If you act brave and important, people really will treat you like it. Just say, I'm Tony Stark's kid! Don't be afraid to be pushy, people will walk right over you. Someone gives you trouble, you yell, fight, anything but be a rug. Don't let people push you around. Take up space, eat like a hog, I don't care! Just do what makes you, you! I'm always in your corner, kid. Ready to back you up."
I didn't want to when I was younger, thought it would make people hate me. Now, it's my lifeline, talking with mortals.
Annabeth grabs my hand, questioning my plan. I squeeze, mouthing " just trust me". We arrive at the Erebus gate, and my plan falters. I wasn't expecting this. I thought it would be easy, just sneaking in. I hesitate, before just shouting.
Me:LADY PERSEPHONE. WE HAVE A GIFT FOR YOOUUU!!!
She appears, flowers in her wake. She looks at us curiously, one eyebrow raised.
Persephone:What is it, child? Are you ill?
I shake my head, not expecting it to work. Annabeth speaks up
Annabeth:We need to see your husband, my Lady. We have an inquiry.
Persephone walks closer, listening. I speak up
Me: Ma'am, does Hades have the master bolt? It's urgent that we return it. Please, take us to him.
She teleports us to Hades's palace. Percy falls as we land, I pick him up. She takes us to his throne, and he looks pissed.
Me:Sir, did you take Zeus's lightning bolt? He's starting a war, thinking you took it.
Hades:Dear child, why would I take Thunderpants bolt? I have my own powers.
Me:So, do you know who did? It's really urgent, Uncle.
He smiles genuinely, pleased about my use of uncle.
Hades:Who would benefit from war, Dearest? Think. Who?
I realize suddenly. Who else could it be, if not Athena? It all makes sense.
Just kidding, I know it's Ares. Fucking bastard.
Hades laughs, hearing my thoughts. A cackle, just like mine. Persephone laughs too, a sound like bells, all bright and joyous. We laugh too, it's almost contagious.
Hades sees Bianca and Nico, his expression hardening.
Hades:What are they doing here, Eun-ji? They were put there for their safety, why did you take them?
Me: Great-uncle, I wanted them to grow up happy. Not stuck forever. I'm sorry, but they're staying.
Hades: Not here, they're not. If Zeus finds out, he'll kill them. Here, take this.
He gives me some kind of... pill? At my questioning look, he explains.
Hades:It will give you magic. Extraordinary magic. You'll be unstoppable, impervious to pain, free to explore anywhere your heart desires. And....you can teleport. Through shadows. Because it's my magic. Just- just be responsible, dearest. We wouldn't want to lose you.
As he speaks, he gets closer and closer, until he's touching my face. He smells like flowers, and also death, but mostly flowers.
Without thinking, I fling myself into his arms, hugging tightly. He sighs, content, and hugs back. Lady Persephone clears her throat, reminding us of the time. I look at the pill, it's black and kinda oily. I swallow it, and the pAIN! I'M BURNING! I fall to the ground, writhing in pain. There's a noise, a buzzing? No, it's screaming. Is it- it's me! I'm screaming, burning, DYING. AW, SHIT. SHITFUCKSHITBITCHGODDAMN!!!!
I wake up, not feeling different, feeling nothing is as it was. Persephone is above me, wiping my face with a wet cloth, humming. It's a tune my mother sang, when I was young. Something about running into nature, something about being free.
Me:That's a nice song. Mama used to sing it. What is it?
She cradles my face, answering. Earth song, by Michael Jackson. Her touch is warm, like springtime. She ruffles my hair, lightly pulling on the purple and pink tips. She chuckles, holding them in her fingers. She kisses my forehead. She smells like Mom.
Me: Where is everyone, did they leave?
Persephone:Yes, darling. They went to confront Ares.
I bolt up, needing to stop him. I start to run, but...I'm there. Wait, did Hades say teleport? Is that what that feels like? Huh. Ok.
Ares and Percy are fighting, Annabeth and Grover off to the side. They're...cheering? Nico and Bianca are nowhere to be seen, probably for the better. Ares stabs at Percy, knocking him down. His sword falling away. He raises his sword to Percy, straight at his neck.
I scream, and jump on him. I jab my elbows into his neck, pull his hair, bite, scratch, anything to get his attention on me. He won't kill Percy. Not if he's fighting me. He swings a punch, and I dodge, rolling under his legs. He stomps back, I pull my axes out. He laughs, cold and barking. I throw the first axe, cutting his thigh. Golden ichor flowing out. The second axe catches his shoulder, more golden ichor. Third axe, his stomach. More golden ichor. Fourth ax- SHIT! He catches it, and stalks towards me. I- I don't know. I turn to run, only for him to throw it at me. It lands in my leg, and I fall. He's on top of me, hands around my neck.
Ares:BEEN ALIVE TOO LONG, PUNK! THINK YER MOMMY'S GONNA HELP YOU, NOW?!NO!! DIE, FUCKING BRAT. NO ONE'S COMIN' TA SAVE YA! YOU'RE DYIN' ALONE, LITTLE BITCH!!!
I can't breathe, his hands, choking. My vision goes black. I'm dead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oohhh. This's the other gift. I don't stay dead. Ares killed me.
I'm in Hades' palace, in the room he and Persephone set up for me.
This is normal. Die, wake up here. I walk to Persephone, not able to talk.
Persephone: How'd it happen this time, love?
I rasp out, Ares. She finally looks up, noticing my face. My neck is all red and purple. She shouts, THAT BASTARD!! HUSBAND, WE'RE KILLING YOUR NEPHEW!! NOW!!!
I flinch, she doesn't EVER yell. This is seriously bad. What did I do?
Hades comes running, knowing Persephone is serious.
I teleport us back to Ares. I hide behind Persephone, clutching her dress. Hades doesn't do anything. He doesn't need to. Percy defeated Ares, and now he's hugging Annabeth and Grover. Annabeth doesn't cry when she sees me, she's used to me dying.
The first time she saw, it was a quest gone bad. A cyclops smashed me with her club. I died instantly. I was 11, Annabeth 9. The cyclops took my body somewhere, and I woke up in a fire. I escaped, running back to where Annabeth was. I couldn't find her, so I whistled. She jumped out from the dirt tunnel she made, and ran into my arms. She's crying.
I take Percy's bag, confirming my theory. I show Hades, and he teleports us to Olympus. Zeus is angry, shouting at Poseidon. Mother is fighting with Ares, snarling and stabbing.
Hades: Brother, there's been a development.
He holds up the lightning bolt, giving me a questioning look.
Me:Uummm, yeah. I think I know who took it, but, can we ask his reasoning?
They all look at me. Ares punches Mother in the silence.
Me:It's Luke. Son of Hermes. He- he's...
I trail off, not sure how I can tell his own father that he's evil. I start crying, afraid that the brother I know and love is a traitor. Hera breaks the silence
Hera:Are you sure, deerest? That's a very serious accusation. You must be 100% certain.
I nod, still crying. Aphrodite hugs me
Aphrodite:Poor sweetie, she's traumatized. Must we question her? She's been through enough. Come along, baby, we'll get you food.
The other Gods snap out of it, rushing around.
Godly servants set up a long table, piling it high with food. Steak, chicken, veal, and more that I can't name. There's even kimchi, tteotbokki, bulgogi, and bibimbap.
I eat anything I can reach, not knowing I could've ever been this hungry. I don't bother praying, I just eat.
Mother sits to my left, Annabeth on my right. Annabeth tries for manners, using fork and knife. Artemis using chopsticks like mine. I take tteotbokki from her plate, she takes venison from mine.
There's hundreds of conversations happening around me. I can't keep up.
Full of good food, I'm very tired. At some point, over the food and the fighting, I rest on mother's shoulder. I feel her pet my head, talking to Apollo on her left. Annabeth is sleeping in her seat, curled up. Percy talks to his father, laughing and catching up.
I wake up in Artemis's lap. She's on her throne, sitting on a wolf skin. One of her hands rests on my back, preventing me from falling. The other is angrily pointing at Ares, and she's shouting. HE KILLED MY BABY, FATHER, YOU CANT SERIOUSLY FORGIVE HIM! She stands up, still yelling. She holds me like a baby, hand under my butt, my head on her shoulder. She's her full God height, 20 feet tall.
Apollo is by her side, agreeing with her. I don't want to see any of this. I teleport to Camp Half-blood, to my cabin.
And I fall on my face, missing all of the soft beds, of course. I walk to the mirror, examining my face. My eyes are still dark from dying. My hair is sticking up all over, and my neck is a mess of blue and black finger marks. It hurts to swallow, and I grimace at the thought of covering it with makeup. I'll just go to Selena, she's always gentle. I go to the calendar, it's only been 10 days?! This quest shit is exhausting. I leave the cabin, and bump into Clarisse again.
Clarisse:What happened to your neck, Eun-ji?
Me:Your bastard of a father. Where's Selena?
She chuckles and points to the Aphrodite cabin. I walk in.
Me:Hey, Selena, could you do my makeup? I got fucked up, bad.
She gasps at the sight, and pulls me into a hug, saying
Selena:Oh, baby, no. What happened to you?
I explain the whole thing, hugging her. She smells like roses and...love? She takes me to the Aphrodite cabin, sitting me on her bed. She asks me to take my jacket off, she needs to see my neck. I do, leaving me in just a sports bra. She blushes, and leans close to do my neck. She's so soft, I barely notice. I look at her face as she does the makeup, her eyes focused and her lips parted slightly. Her breath is warm on my face.
When she's done, I don't notice, still admiring her. She shakes my shoulder, jolting me out of the trance. She leads me to a mirror, and I do look better.
Me:At least Dad won't freak out, now. Thanks, Sel. You're the best.
She hugs me from behind, and rests her head on my shoulder. She smiles and lets go. I go back to my cabin, packing for home. My phone rings, Dad. I don't know if I should answer, my voice is still raw and rasping. I answer anyway.
Me:Hello?
Dad:Good God, what happened? Do I need to come get you?
Me:No, I'm fine. Just, I got strangled on the quest. Still kinda can't talk.
Dad:Ok. Well, remember, you're going to Korea for school, so pack your uniform. Happy's gonna take you to the airport, I'm gonna pick up Annabeth. And please, no more fighting. Hyosan High School barely agreed to take you. So, be on your best behavior.
I sigh and hang up. It's not my fault I was fighting, he was hitting a girl. Just cause he's the principal's favorite, doesn't give him the right to be an ass.
I finish packing, looking around if I missed anything. No. I head out, already dreading the school year. As I get to Thalia's tree, I hug her
Me: See ya, Thals.
I run to the road, bag rolling behind me. Gods, I hate leaving.
Percy got his mom back, Hades is hiding Nico and Bianca, and I'm being sent away, again. By my own father, godsdamnit.
I think about Thalia. How she would look in my school uniform. How she would laugh at me and Gyeong-su fighting, with On-jo and Cheong-san trying to stop us. How I could teach her to use chopsticks. I tear up as I wait. It's not fair.