When Death Comes to Visit |ONC 2021

Epilogue

I'd survived the underworld, I'd met Isabella the most badass woman in the world and I felt more alive than ever.  Time in the underworld would do that to you I guess. 

I sat in the kitchen with my mother who hummed to herself as she prepared dinner. She was somehow more understanding about everything that happened. When I'd arrived home in singed clothing, hair poking up at all directions and a sword strapped to my back she'd just wrapped me up in her arms. 

When I explained to her what happened from start to finish she just listened in the way that she always did. Eyes closed and head tilted forward as she imaged all the scenarios I'd found myself in over the last two days. She was just happy that the secret was out, that I finally knew who my father was and I'd been strong enough to save the world. That's what I did, with the help of Isabella. 

My mother teased me relentlessly at the prospect of me having a girlfriend. I'd firmly halted her ideas and told her exactly how it was. That didn't stop me from imagining being the boyfriend of a gorgeous, courageous woman and demigod. 

I'd gone through the portal a day ago, well, I ran through it like my life depended on it really. I'd come out back at the Colosseum, in that maze that'd brought me here. The sun shone so brightly it almost blinded me after spending so much time in the dark and dingy underworld.

Isabella had been leaning on the opposite wall, eyes glued to her phone when I'd appeared. She grinned at me, actually grinned at me the moment our eyes met. Unable to control myself I hugged her, my body sagging into hers both out of joy and relief. She was alive and well. We'd walked back together to the bus stand as she explained what she'd been doing for Lethe. Apparently, the goddess needed some girl advice on what to wear to her date with a mortal, it had been so long since she'd been on the surface that the fashion had changed so much. I snorted in disbelief but Isabella swore that's all it was. 

As I boarded my bus back to my home town, Isabella wrote down her number on the edge of a newspaper. She'd torn that piece off and handed it to me, making me promise to call her if I needed anything. I'd kept her number on my nightstand before I had a new phone replacement, checking every night to make sure it was real. I'd vowed to myself to keep it in the nightstand, her handwriting and that sword was all I had of her that made it all real. Surrounded by my mum and neighbours and normality pushed the events so far back in my mind I questioned if any of it happened. 

"Breaking news," the news anchor said from the television in the living room, "We are now officially in a pandemic and people are urged to stay at home. I repeat stay at home, keep your distance and wash your hands." 

A jolt of shock ran through me, that can't be. 

My phone rang and I answered it, a soft female voice said quietly, "Hades will have his army now."