Coulro

Chapter 7: River of Cocytus

My worn feet, tired of all the running from today, decided to grant me a final burst of speed. Upon reaching the cave entrance, which was really made of hardened plastic, metal girders and polyester, I noticed something strange about the ferris wheel.

It seemed to be tipping over!? I cringed as the loud shockwave sounded out, followed by a strong gust of wind. Debris and trash floated up leaving the area completely destroyed. The hell is all of that about?

The more I walked into the cave, the more I started to think about my uncle. I had a memory of him taking me here before, but that could have also been fabricated for all I knew. But who was my uncle really? And did he even exist? If memories change and mean nothing, then I suppose there really isn't any truth. I decided that if there was any memory I chose to believe in, it was that my uncle had existed.

It would have been impossible for me to have taken care of myself if I was a toddler. Someone had to have done it. Which begged the question of when and how did I escape the underworld. Was I even born in the underworld? To be there, you have to be related to death.

Then, the thought clicked. I was forcibly taken there before. By a clown. Hades had killed me and brought me into this hell. Someone, maybe my uncle, had taken me out. Is that what he's going to do with Zachary? Fuck, I can't let him take him! I hope it's not too late!

My shoes slapped the floor harder; when I reached the fences made for lines to the ride, I spotted a familiar boy.

"Zach! I'm so glad you're okay!" I rushed forward to hug him.

"I'm so sleepy. Percy is that you? I'm tired," his fading voice said,

"No! No! Zach, stay with me buddy! I'm going to get you out of here, just give me a minute!"

"Hurry...before he comes back. My eyes are really heavy..."

I bit my anxious lips as I shuffled to bring him up. I struggled to lift him, since the pressure hurt my injured hand, but when I did, I moved him to an available seat on the ride. The River of Cocytus should keep him away from Hades for now. I don't know about the other monsters, but they haven't hurt him yet. If Hades really wants him, then I doubt he'll let them get a scratch on him!

"Stay here, okay Zach? I'll get you in a bit, but you just need to stay here okay?" he nodded and I went to look for the control panel.

I heard subtle noises emerging from the cave. Fuck, gotta be quick about this. If it's him, I won't have much time to get away with it.

Mazes of shelving units, fences and railings, broken down rooftops and crushed stone made it difficult to navigate. The cave was only lit up with few, tinkering lights, all of which glowed dull and without much color. The place seemed barren and with barely any light, it was difficult to find the control panel.

Amidst the various shelves lined with junk and metal parts, were also beakers and containers filled with strange liquids. Precious metals and ores were scrambled with the concoctions, all of them being labelled with different chemical symbols. Boxes, scrapped steel, rusted frameworks and more scrap lay around the place.

Faint footsteps sounded out from the cave entrance. He must be getting nearer. Where was he to begin with? Wouldn't he have been here yet? And why did he wait so long to kill Zach? Unless he wants both of us too.

Then, maybe he went to go order his minions to guard the gates while we're here, in case we try to escape. Even then...I have to at least try to get Zach away from him. The minions might find him, but at least they won't kill him yet.