Sugar and Spice is Not So Nice

Chapter 10

I blink, trying to process what he just said. "Heaven? As in that place in the sky?

You know, where some people go after they die...?"

Zeus laughs. "Yes that place. You'll like it there Rusalka."

"But people can only go there if they're, you know, dead... I'm not really in the mood for death at the moment..." I say, slowly backing away.

"You've forgotten who I am Rusalka." He says, moving closer. "Since I rule that place above, I'm able to get anyone inside, dead or alive. And you are my daughter after all."

Well, now I just feel stupid. "Right, yeah, I knew that. Just testing you." I clear my throat, trying to sound convincing.

He chuckles again. "Of course you were Rusalka." He replies, seemingly unconvinced.

"Anyway, I should get packing." I try to sneak around him out the door.

He holds out an arm and stops me. He stares down at me, looking into my eyes with such intensity that I can't move. "Just remember the rules. I don't wish to loose you twice." He drops his arm and moves to the side.

Lost for words, I nod and scurry out of the kitchen and flee to my room. Closing the door quietly behind me, I sit and lean against the door, letting out a sigh. I rub my eyes, just realizing how tired I am. I fish my phone out of my pocket and see a message left by Blaise.

Blaise: Morning sunshine.

Well, better let him know now before I forget.

Ruby: Morning.

B: She lives!

R: You're so funny. Can I be you?B

B: Nope.

R: Anyway, I have some news.

B: You're getting a dog? You've become an overnight popstar? You like candy? You had bacon for breakfast?

R: Oh hush you.

B: You like to tell people to be quiet...?

R: Im going on a mother daughter trip.

B: Oooo can I come?

R: I repeat, MOTHER DAUGHTER trip. As in, mother and daughter.

B: Is that a no?

R: Yes, that's a no.

B: Aww! No fair!

R: Anyway, I have to get packing. Bye bye

B: Bye :(

I close my phone, relieved that he didn't ask about the location. I wouldn't have known what to say. I sit silently for a few minutes, just wondering what other kind of crazy things could possibly happen. Unsure if I jinxed anything or not, I knock on wood three times, just to be sure. I pull my self up and look around my messy room, realizing I probably should be packing. Walking to my desk, I move around some books trying to find my all time favorite. It doesn't take me too long, as its near the top of the pile. I groan again, as I realize i don't even have a big enough bag to pack everything. Shuffling over to my bed, I carefully place my book down, not wanting to damage it in any way. I slowly walk back to my door and open it, listening for Dana's voice. She probably has a good packing bag somewhere. Since in a way, she is my mother, and mothers usually know where everything is. I don't hear any sign of her, so I decide to do the reasonable thing, shout.

"DANA! WHERE ARE YOU? I COULD USE SOME ASSISTANCE!" I scream, not caring if she gets mad.

"YOU DON'T NEED TO YELL, I'M IN THE LIVING ROOM!" She screams back.

'I'M NOT YELLING, IM SCREAMING, AND IF YOU CAN SCREAM, THEN I CAN TOO!" I retaliate .

As I walk towards the living room, I can hear Dana sigh, signaling my victory. Rounding the corner, Dana looks up, and gives me a deadly glare.

"Yes Ruby? What do you need? Shouldn't you be packing?" She asks tiredly.

"About that... I don't really have any packing bags, since you never really let me travel that far." I reply, mocking the tiredness in her voice.

"Check the back of the closet near the front door, it should be behind some of the coats." She replies as if it was programmed into her mind. "Theres a blue one that you'll like."

"Thanks! I knew you'd know where they are!" I shout over my back as I race to the closet at the front door. As I run to the closet, I can faintly hear Dana.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

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As I finish up my packing and zip up the blue bag (which is super cool by the way), I hear the doorbell ring.

"I'VE GOT IT!" I shout as I race out of my room to beat anyone else wanting to answer the door. I look out of the peephole, slightly expecting to see Blaise. But what I see startles me. Standing outside is a tall man in a suit. It looks like he's wearing a top hat, and his skin has a strange red tint to it. I shrug it off, thinking he's one of Zeus' friends, I mean, he couldn't possibly be human.

"ZEUS! IT'S ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS!" I shout.

"Oh? And why do you think that?" He asks, appearing behind me.

"Well, he doesn't look human, and Dana's been on Earth all this time." I reason.

Zeus nods his head in approval and turns to the door. He looks out the peephole and a frown crosses his face. Backing away from the door he looks at me. "Go get Dana. Now." he orders.

"Why? What's wrong?" I ponder.

"Hades." He utters.

As he says that one word, shock and terror fill my body. What makes it even worse is that after realization set in, I could hear laughter that filled me with dread coming from the other side of the door. Departure for vacation has arrived sooner than later, but this time, I wish it hadn't.