Reanimated

Chapter 8: Desire

We managed to finish our visit to the park and walk back home without anything else happening—which was nothing short of a miracle considering what had just happened with Paul. Though I said he wouldn’t tell anyone about me, I was lying. He would definitely tell everybody about me.

Despite spending so much time there, the shack never got boring.
It might have been because of the chaotic people within, or just that the shack clearly had so much life put in it throughout the years.
But I always felt happy going back to it.

Inside, Dain and Tori were waiting for us with a small meal ready—just enough for all of us. Dinner with everyone felt so bright and cheerful. We were all laughing and playing cards, just enjoying spending time together. It was the closest thing I’ve ever felt to having a family.

Randomly, I remembered what the goddess had told me to tell everyone. My heart sank. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to ruin this joyful night, but I was scared as to what the goddess would do if I didn’t. “Hey, guys?” I stuttered.
“Yeah, Finn?” Dain looked at me curiously.
“Uhm,” I didn’t know how to phrase it, “Has the, uh, goddess lady ever told you something in your dreams?”
They all stared at me for a moment, before Tori shrugged, “Not in a long while. Why do you ask?”
I was kind of shocked by how calm she seemed when she said that.

“Uhm-” I stammered, “Well, that goddess lady told me something, like, two days ago. She said something about you guys not doing what she wanted or whatever—I assume it’s about the whole ‘kill and eat mortals’ thing. She seemed pretty mad.” I figured it was better to just say it all. It was easier that way.
Everybody looked at me for a moment, before Dain let out a laugh—which startled me. “Oh, yeah, she’s been pretty mad for years!” He spoke jokingly, “Especially at me. I’m pretty sure she hates me, actually.”
“Yeah, don’t worry, Findley,” Ace chimed in, “She always says ‘there will be consequences’ but she really can’t do much!”
“Oh, so, it’s all alright?” I felt a little relieved by everybody’s reactions.
“Yeah! She acts all tough but she’s just a whiny baby!” Liz laughed.

The rest of the afternoon was peaceful.
It was later that night where I had another dream.
I was in a large, fancy room with candles lit along black brick walls. There was fancy black, leather furniture and long black bookshelves. Instead of books on the bookshelves, there were potion-like bottles, bedazzled skulls, and wilting roses in white ceramic pots.
I had a feeling I knew whose house I was in.

On the left of the room, sitting on one of the chairs, was the goddess.
What shocked me, though, was that she wasn’t the only one in the room. Standing over her, was a tall dude I had never seen before.
He looked like one of those models from some magazine that a teen girl would obsess over. He was slim, with strawberry blonde hair and pale pink eyes. He wore fancy pink and white clothing that just made me feel confused. The model dude looked pretty upset and seemed to be in the middle of an argument with the goddess.

“Eros,” The goddess sighed, “I have no care for your pitiful fights with other gods and I will not be assisting you in this matter!” She looked almost as exhausted with Eros as she was with me and the others.
“Ugh!” Eros looked offended, “Love is not pitiful! I am in dire need of assistance and have come to you, admitting your worth, and this is how I am treated? Unexceptable!”
“Uhm?” I interrupted, “Why am I here? Also, you’re not the only god?”
The two gods stopped arguing and stared at me. “Why are you here?” The goddess asked as she turned to Eros, “Did you summon him?”
“No,” Eros looked puzzled, “Did you?”
“No.”
“Uh, sorry for intruding. What’s going on?” I felt awkward.
“None of your business, Mortal!” Eros stood straight, “You even are you?”
“He’s one of mine,” The goddess sighed.
“Really, Frey, another one?” Eros looked annoyed. I was just shocked that the goddess’ name was Frey.

Eros walked over to me, studying and most likely judging me.
“I really hate how you give them these face markings; it makes them look like clowns. And, dear, that mask and ripped jeans are hideous-”
“Eros!” Frey groaned, “Shut up! Nobody asked for your mediocre fashion statements!” For the first time, I found myself agreeing with Frey.
“Okay,” Eros turned to Frey, “Maybe you should learn to fix yourself before commenting on my skills! You look like a trainwreck!”
I was suddenly glad I was summoned here randomly—this stuff was really fun to watch.

Eros stormed towards a large wooden door. “Oh, and fix up your domain! It’s almost as filthy as you!” He said before leaving and slamming the door.

Frey and I stood there in silence for a moment.
“So, what was that about?” I asked, genuinely intrigued.
“Nothing. Just Eros being his immature self.” Frey looked at me, and I could feel her gaze through her flower wreath. “You truly don’t know how you're here?”
“Yeah, I have no idea.”
“Me neither.” Frey leaned back in her chair. Despite all that just happened, she still had a menacing aura to her—though I was starting to feel less and less scared. “I supposed I could just send you back…”
“You say that like you don’t want to.” I muttered.
“No, trust me, I do. I like my alone time. Though, I’m just confused on how you got here. Could be another god? No, but that wouldn’t make sense.” She began talking to herself.
I stood awkwardly as she muttered things to herself and tried to figure out how I was here.
“I give up,” She announced, “I do have one thing to ask of you before I send you back.”
I braced myself for her to start fuming with rage. I had told the others what she had said, but their reactions must’ve made her even more upset. Right?
“The mortals down there have begun to take notice of your group. Please, try not to be captured or whatever. I really don’t want to have to worry about that.”
I was kind of stunned, “You actually care about that?”
“No,” She shrugged, “I just like having you all for bragging rights.”
“Oh, nice. Thanks.” I said, sarcastically.
“Anywho, go away now. I’m done with people for today.”

Frey flicked her wrist and, in that same old “Everything is spinning and warping” fashion, I was sent back down and woke up in my bed.

When I got up, I noticed that almost everybody was gone.
The only person inside the shack was Alon, who was sitting at the table and drawing.

I went over and sat next to him.
“What time is it?” I asked, drowsy, “And where is everybody?”
“It’s the afternoon and everybody went out for some air.” Alon answered, not looking up from his sketchbook.
“Why didn’t you go with them?”
“I didn’t want to.”
“Fair enough.” I sighed. I glanced at his sketchbook, and this time he was drawing what looked to be the inside of a hospital room. “You’re good at drawing,” I said.
“Thanks,” He seemed sad, “I used to do it with my mom. She was an amazing artist before…” He trailed off.
“Before what?” I asked, which I probably shouldn’t have.
Alon glanced at me, his gray eyes filled with pain, “She got sick.”
I stared at Alon, who turned back to his sketchbook. I felt horrible.
“I’m sorry-”
“Don’t,” Alon stopped me, “I don’t need your apologies.”
I understood him acting that way—I felt the same when I was upset. So, I just decided to leave that topic.

“Tori left you a sandwich, by the way,” Alon told me, “It’s on the counter.”
“Oh, okay!” I went over to the counter and found a sandwich with a note that read:
For Findley! P.S, if Findley doesn’t wake up, Alon has permission to throw water at him! -Tori
I took the sandwich, and felt glad that I woke up.