Defeat of Sybaris

The Treehouse

The Gods were real. It could not be true. It would explain a lot, but it could not be true.

All my life I have lived in a world where Gods don't exist. Especially the Greek Gods. They should have been forgotten already, but their stories have carried on, like ships on the sea. Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn't. Who could tell me?

That night I prayed. I prayed for hours. I did research into how to sacrifice, into what kind of items were sacrificed. It didn't help.

I prayed to Apollo. No answer.

I prayed to Demeter. No luck.

I did not know what to do.

Sleep did not come to me that night. The only thing I could think of was to run to Cassiopeia for help, but I could not ask her. She was still angry with me.

I kept thinking about how she screamed at me, yelled to my face to get out of her house. It was strange that she yelled at me, because she had only known me for one day. It was strange that I, for some reason, did not mind. Something about her refrained me from becoming angry.

Not that I usually get angry fast. My anger often stays burrowed deep inside of me. A coal that is hot enough to keep glowing, but not so hot that it creates a fire.

I can not remember the time when I last became angry with someone. I do remember being yelled at. A lot.

The next day I went about my day. And the next. And the next.

Weeks went by and we had not spoken. She was still on my mind the whole time.

Then finally, after a month, the day came that we spoke again.

It was on Tuesday that we spoke. She said hello to me in the hallway and she asked me how my day was and how I was.

Hesitant to answer at first, I fumbled with my bag. And then I told her that I have been better.

She nodded. "That's good. Can you meet with me this afternoon?"

Was she seriously asking if I could meet with her after last time? I looked her in the eyes. Cassie looked as if something of great concern had happened and she needed help.

"Please?" she asked, desperation in her voice. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"Fine." I said, not sure about the meeting.

I was such a pushover. I could never say no to someone. Not even when my brother tried to get me to jump in the pond. I could never say no to someone I cared for.

I know I've known her for just a few weeks, but I feel like I've known her enough to say I care about her. In the weeks she didn't speak with me I've observed her from a distance, intrigued by her obscurity.

I trust people too fast, but I think everyone deserves a chance. After all, most people are of good nature.

That afternoon the door opened before I could ring her doorbell. Cassiopeia stood in the doorway, her hair in a messy bun and a messenger bag slung over her shoulder.

"Follow me." She commanded, expecting me to trust her. I did.

She led me through the garden filled with magnolia's. She opened a gate that led to a big field of crops. We crossed the field to reach an unpaved road. I followed her blindly, into the hills and into the forest.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice croaking.

"Relax, you'll find out." Cassiopeia replied, reassurance resting in her voice. Cassie nodded to me to follow her again.