Destroying Fate

Chapter 5

I use every ounce of strength I can muster, and force my eyelids to open. It’s too dark to be able to figure out where I am. My skin feels as if it is burning, yet I’m still slightly shivering. I’m firmly wrapped in about 50 blankets, and I can hear the hum of a heater. Waiting a few moments to regain my strength, I start wiggling my way out of the blankets. I get into a sitting position, trying to adjust my eyes. Looking around, I recognize the small pastel colored room to be my own. How did I get here?

I still can't see very well, but I stumble around my room in search of my phone to check the time. I bump into the leg of my bed and let a shriek pass my lips as I fall to the ground with a thud. Ow. I grumpily curse under my breath, and slowly recollect my composure. I hear Dad running up the stairs at a speed much faster than I thought he was possible of, and bursts into my room.

“Dammit! You scared the living daylights out of me. Are you okay honey? What happened?” He says.

“I only stubbed my toe and fell, I’m okay. I think I should be the one asking what happened, and how did I get back here?” I ask.

“Honey, I want you to rest before I tell you anything more. It appears to me that you didn’t handle my original news very well.” He says, trying to make himself sound reassuring.

“Why did I get so cold?”

“Go back to sleep, we’ll talk later.”

“How long have I been asleep? What time is it?”

“Damon brought you here around midnight, and it’s five in the morning. So, you’ve been asleep a little over five hours. Go to sleep, we will talk when you are well rested.”

“But Dad-”

“No buts. Go to bed, now.”

The firmness in his voice makes me scurry back to bed, but not before I spot my phone on my desk and pick it up without him noticing. When he is satisfied that I am going back to sleep, he shuts the door behind him with a pain-filled sigh.

I click the power button on the top of my IPhone and sweep my finger across the screen to unlock it. I pull up Damon’s name and type,

Wut happened2me??

Seph, get some sleep. Ur gona need it 2moro.

Why??? Can we meet up? Plz?

Plz go to sleep.

With a grunt, I throw my phone under my pillow in hopes he will text back saying he will meet up with me like he always did when I was younger and scared of the dark. I only assumed he wouldn’t text me back. The buzz of my phone under my pillow makes me jump.

Goodnight. Sweet dreams. Miss you.

I am exhausted. I still want answers, but I will get some tomorrow, so I let my eyelids close.

***

After being so cold for so long, I find it hard to walk. The stairs were the worst. I couldn’t get down the steps because I was too dizzy. I fell down on my first attempt. Dad and Desi were closest, so they both ran to help me down the steps. They tried making me go back to my room, and offered to bring breakfast up to my room for me, but I was determined to get down the steps with or without their help and get back into my regular routine.

"So, what's happening to me?" I say interrupting the silence.

"It’s Hades. The coldness that you were experiencing was him attempting to swallow your body, transferring you to hell. Your powers, although not totally pushed to the surface, allowed you to use some sort of resistance against him. A shield if you will. You're much stronger than you think if you can gather that type of strength untrained, and without you thinking of it."

He pauses, giving me well deserved time to comprehend his words.

"Damon makes you’re power much stronger, and without him, I'm fairly certain Hades would have gotten you last night." Dad says slowly.

"Isn’t hell supposed to be, you know, like, on fire? Like the expression burn in hell. So why am I getting cold? On top of that, I thought he couldn't touch me or Damon until my abilities are released on my birthday?"

"His power seems to be reversed in this world. I’m not sure; no one really seems to know.” He shrugs. “He won’t try again till your birthday."

“Will you guys be okay?” I ask.

His forehead wrinkles and his otherwise dull eyes sparkle, and for a second I think he is going to burst out crying. He nods his head that they will all be okay.

“I’m going to go see Damon. I’ll be back in a while.”

Dad doesn’t respond, so I assume I’m free to go. Plus Damon is apparently the only one that can protect me right now. The thought of seeing him makes my skin tingle, which hasn’t happened before. I am about to turn around to ask Dad about it, but I see movement coming from the den.

“Damon?” I feel my whole face scrunch up in confusion. They exchange a look, silently deciding who will talk to me. In their silent exchange, I guess it was decided that Damon would have the pleasure, and he reaches for my hands.

“I told my parents some of what is going on, and they insisted I stay, with the help of your dad.” He says.

“Oh.” I say, stupidly.

Not knowing what to do with the awkwardness that has settled around all of us, I speak up. “Um… So, did he have you stay in case Hades tries again?”

They nod their heads in unison.

Two days ago, I would have thought someone was crazy for asking such an absurd question. The worlds aren’t supposed to meddle with one another. Everyone knows that. And yet, this isn’t the only time it has happened. But how many other etairons have found each other only to be torn apart? How many have been able to survive it? All of a sudden a thought occurs to me.

“Why didn’t Hades try to get Damon too? Doesn’t he need both of us?”

“He is limited in what he can do in worlds outside of his own.” Dad answers.

“He would’ve eventually then?”

“Yea”

I have about a billion more questions buzzing around my mind, but I don’t think I can take any more information right now. This is all so overwhelming. I guess I have to call off my hiking trip. The thought in itself makes me pout. Damon eyes me questioningly, but remains silent. I catch sight of Dad fidgeting, uncertain as to what he should do. His hesitation subsides, a little, and reluctantly walks off to his study.

“C’mon Seph, we’re getting out of here for a little bit.” Damon demands with a smirk.

I try my best to look intimidating and tease, “What if I don’t want to?”

“I don’t care if you don’t want to.  We’re going, and that’s that.”

Folding my arms across my chest, I try looking extremely disappointed. I’m almost certain he can see me squirming.

“You know, when you are really trying to do something, such as holding back a laugh, you bite your bottom lip? You did that when you were little when we would do this same battle of listening to what I say.” Damon says.

This time I can't help laughing. I know this is going to be an ice cream run; it’s sort of a tradition of ours.

“Race ya to the car.” I say and turn around sprinting out of the room. I know Damon is in on the race, because I hear his heavy footsteps close behind.