Genevieve

Chapter Six

Fire clouds my vision as I push through walls of thick smoke, burying it deep in my lungs, making it harder and harder to breathe. I barely notice the throbbing from the hot, sharp rocks scratching at my bare feet as I will myself to keep pushing forward, looking for a way out of this hell.

"Genevieve." A voice comes through the smoke, faint and garbled over the roar of the flames.

"Over here Genevieve. Follow my voice." The voice becomes louder as I battle my way through never ending smoke. A figure appears a few metres from my face and I can no longer move, I will my feet, my legs, anything to move but nothing does; I'm stuck, and the flames wrap around my body, scratching at my skin.

"You didn't really believe you were safe did you?" The figure says as it moves closer, and that's when I notice his eyes, those same, piercing red eyes from the book. I force my legs to move, my mouth to scream but nothing happens, I am helpless and he is smiling.

"Now, now Genevieve, don't panic. I don't need you yet. But mark my words, I am coming." And with that he reaches out and grabs my arm, and a searing pain rushes through my skin.

I awaken with a jolt, my whole body sticky with sweat. I run my fingers up my arm and wince when I reach the top. Lifting up my sleeve I gasp at the sight of the red, blistered mark left on my arm. I sit on the edge of my bed, when I hear a knock on the door and I stand up. I open the door to find Alyssa standing there with a smile on her face, which immediately drops when she sees my face.

"Are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost." She says, raising her eyebrows at me.

"I'm, just a weird dream. You look overly happy," I say and she lets out a small laugh, the concern wiped from her face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, I am always this happy," she says and I smile slightly."Come on, you'll need shoes and a jacket," she says and I narrow my eyes slightly, but slip my shoes on and grab my jacket anyway.

"Where are we going?" I say, as we walk down the stairs.

"I'll tell you when we're all together," she says and I carry on walking, till we're finally in the living room. I stand by the door and watch as Alyssa walks towards the TV and turns it off.

"What the hell did you do that for?" Layna shouts.

"Just hear me out okay, we need a break, we need to get out of this house, and we need to relax, have some fun, we have all put our lives on hold for this whole situation with Hades, and I personally think we could do with a night to unwind," Alyssa says and I walk further into the living room.

"And exactly what is it you have in mind?" Alex says looking at Alyssa and then over to me.

"Bowling," she says innocently and I smile slightly at Layna's facial expression.

"No way, I am not doing this!" she says and I take a deep breath.

"I think it's a good idea," I say and Alyssa smiles.

"Come on Layna, stop being such a downer!" Elijah says and she climbs from off of the sofa.

"Fine, I'll come, but I just want you to know I hate you all," she says and I gasp.

"Wow, she's mean," I say and Alex laughs.

"Don't worry, she isn't always that bad," he says as Alyssa walks towards us."So I've been told," I say and Caleb grabs hold of my arm and pulls me towards the door.

"You are so coming on my team," he says and I pull my arm away from him.

"A little less grabbing please," I say and I hear both Alyssa and Alex laugh from behind me."Sorry," he says walking out of the door and I shake my head.