The Death of Flowers

The Underworld's Inhabitants

     For years Hades had tried to forget about Persephone, but he found he could not. She invaded his mind all the time, and he missed her so. And now he finally had her with him, he would do anything for her; he would give her better jewels than even Aphrodite had, he would destroy whole cities, and bring down countries for her -his little flower.

     He snapped out of his reverie as he came to his throne room; to judge souls. He opened the doors and strode in. Then he plopped onto his throne and sighed. "Another day of boring work."

     He looked down on the souls, there were children, men, and women. Many of them were crying, others murmured; worried, while some just stood there like statues; unable to except the fact that they were dead.

     "It is funny how most cannot accept death, while very few greet him like an old friend."

     A little girl walked up to Hades, she couldn't have been more than eight or nine. He looked away, and started to seep into her mind searching for her true heart.

     She shivered as she felt something cold searching through her thoughts.

     She was a very brave girl, and very kind. She had died to save her little brother's life. He turned back to her, she looked frightened; and he was surprised she had not started to cry.

     "You shall go to the Elysian Fields." he said.

     She smiled, and ran to the throne. "Thank you, My Lord." she said. She grabbed him and hugged him tightly. He sat her down on the ground.

     "Go on now child, before I change my mind." he said grinning.

     His servants came and to the girl away and he sat back down.

     After the child he sent one thousand to the Fields of Asphodel, five more to the Elysian Fields, and twenty to Tartarus.

     Persephone wiped her eyes. "I told myself I was going to be brave," she whispered. "So that's exactly what I'm going to do."

     She walked slowly to the door and carefully opened it. She peeked out and saw no one, so she quickly went into to the hall.

     "Please don't hear, please don't hear." she whispered, then turned around and closed the door.

     "Don't hear what?" he whispered behind her.

     She whirled around and he caught her wrists.

     "Let go of me Hades!" she shouted.

     He dropped her hands.

     "Why are you following me?" she questioned lowering her voice.

     "It's my palace, I can do whatever I want. And anyway I was coming to check on you." he answered.

     "Hades..." she said looking up at him. "Can you please take me home? Please?" She grasped his forearms and stared at him pleadingly.

     Hades looked at her sadly. "I-I can't." he said his voice faltering.

     Persephone dropped his arms.

     "Persephone..." Hades started. He lifted his hand to caress her face.

     "No please... don't touch me." she whimpered, tears threatening to fall.

     "Don't cry, I'm not going to hurt you. Please, please don't cry." he whispered grasping her hand; his heart aching painfully at hurting his dear Persephone.

     "Please, let me go."

     He backed away dropping her arm. She glanced to the side and ran down the hall away from anger and confusion.

     Persephone came to the end of the hallway, and turned left. She was so frightened and confused.

     How can you kidnap someone if you love them?

     Persephone ran faster and picked up her dress, to her thighs, so she wouldn't trip.

     "Persephone!" she heard him shout.

     "No, no he can't find me." she whispered tears now streaming down her face.

     She rounded a corner and nearly fell. Then she ran forward till she came to a stop at two big doors. She looked around desperately.

     "There's no way out." she whispered. "I'll have to go through."

     She burst through the doors and they slammed shut behind her. She was in a room full of souls. Persephone turned around, ran to the doors, and pulled at the handles. They were stuck. "Great." she murmured, then turned back round. She stood there out of breath looking around the room at the souls.

     What are they doing in here? This surely isn't the throne room.

     Suddenly they all surrounded her and she screamed at the top of her lungs.

     Hades was chasing after Persephone, when he felt something touch his shoulder. He whirled around, but there was nothing there. He quickly turned back, she had disappeared. "Persephone!" he shouted.

     He ran to the end of the hall and turned right. He continued running then he heard her scream. Hades turned to the sound, and ran for her.

     "I'm coming Persephone!" he screamed.