The Long Way Home

Chapter Two

"Hello," he begins in a deep and low voice, his grey eyes gentle. It is when he speaks that I notice something.. off about him. Not his voice, not his face, but something about him. I just can't put my finger on it. "My name is Hades..."

Hades? I was thinking a name like James or Erik or Warren. Hades seems too intense to suit the carefully crafted features of his face. His jaw is sharp but soft all the same, lined with a hint of stubble as if he hadn't been home in weeks. His curly hair falling over his face sent an urge through me, making me want to run my fingers through each curl. His full lips look soft and kissable and I wondered if they felt that way against my lips. Oh, I could melt right where I sta-

I had to stop. His face is all reasons why I shouldn't trust him. My mother is the one who always tells me a pretty face is often the wall hiding deceit.

I swallow my attraction to him, suddenly cautious.

"I didn't mean to startle you." he continues. "I was wondering if.. Do you know where I can find.." he pauses, slipping a note from the folds of his cloak, his fingers grazing over the letters on the paper. "The village of Dover?"

Dover Village? I think to myself. Why on earth would he want to go to Dover?

Dover is no haven. It's a village roamed by thieves and gamblers. Lately murders have taken on a rise with no killers to be found. If I remember correctly, there was a total of five bodies found this past week. One of the bodies was of a young boy no older than ten, his body mutilated beyond recognition. There were so many recent murders that the people of Mellway now refer to Dover as the Land of The Wretched and Wicked. Why does he want to know where it is? He doesn't look like he belongs in such a place. He looks like he belongs in a castle in some kingdom far away.

"Yes." I say quickly, immediately regretting my answer. "I mean no.. Well, I know where it is, but I've never been there before." I'm lying. I've been there once, years ago. My friend, Elizabeth, and I snuck off and went there one day, acting on rebellion and recklessness. It's a few hours away from home and it isn't a beautiful place either. It was was the most wretched place I had ever been to. The smells lingering in the the village was repulsive. And the people there... I shudder at the thought of them. When I was younger, Mother had always warned me to stay away from the paths that led to Dover Village, which only intensified my desire to go.

"Can you show me where it is?" he asks. His hair blows lightly in the gust of wind. His grey eyes, pleading.

Oh, I want to help him only because it means I get to stay in his company. But the rational part of my brain is working fast.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you." I say, nervously tapping the shoes in my hands against my legs. "It's late and I've got to head back home now. My mother will start to worry." As if Mother would even notice. The sun is lower under the horizon, the sky darkening into twilight, a hazy dark blue. Almost gone now. I turn around not ready to go back home, but ready to leave away from him, the rational part of me is, at least. I came here to be alone, not to encounter a very handsome guy in a cloak.

I can't wait to tell Elizabeth about him. She's going to rattle my shoulders until my teeth chatter for walking away from him, but at least I had a story to tell.

"Wait. Please." he says, his voice rising slightly, sounding panicked. "It's for something really important. I have to get there before it's too late."

I turn back to look at him. There's a wildness in his eyes now. His face makes it easy to give in.

"It's almost dusk," he says. "And I'm sure you don't live close by. The most close village near is miles away."

I ponder what he's saying, trying to see where he's going.

"Ever heard the stories of Greenwood?" he says, quietly.

Greenwood. Right. I shudder and my fear returns again.

"So, let's make a deal," he suggests. "You show me Dover Village and I'll take you safely back home." he shrugs, making the idea sound simple.

"Dover Village is farther from here and it's not safe, you know," I say.

"We'll be safe." he says firmly.

"It's cold."

"You can wear my cloak."

"I'll get tired from the long walk."

"We'll rest whenever you need it."

I can't believe it. He's stomping every one of my excuses. I make a try for one more.

Before I can get out another excuse he says, "Please."

Those eyes.

And just like that I melt. My mother would be ashamed of me. I look into his eyes. They're pleading with mine. His face makes the deal so tempting.

"Okay." I say finally giving in.

His expression floods with relief.

"Promise me you'll bring me back safe." I say, pointing a firm finger at him.

"I'll bring you back in your current condition." he says so surely, looking me directly in the eyes.

His eyes are begging me to trust him, which makes me not want to trust him. There's something about him and I can't put my finger on it. My mind burns with curiosity. The desire of wanting to know what it is burrows deep inside of me. Maybe I can find out what it is on our way to Dover.

"Okay." I say taking a deep, deep breath, hoping I won't regret this. "We go this way." I start walking and he follows.

We walk off the shore. Farther away from the beach with its soothing sound of waves and towards the forest that is now dark. We stop where the forest begins and I remember Mother's warning. I've never been cautious about going before, even despite all of the warnings she gave me. Then I realize what's making me cautious. It's Hades.

I push the thought away. We begin our way into the dark forest where the trees are wide and stretch high. The light from the sun is now replaced by the moon. The only sound is the waves growing faint behind us and our footsteps as we walk deeper into the forest. Instead of thinking about what could be lurking in the trees above and behind thick trunks, I think of my deal with Hades. I remember what he said: "You'll be safe". My heart calms at the reminder.

I peek a look at him. His eyes are focused on the trees around us, scanning, and his shoulder squared tensely under the thickness of his cloak. His long black cloak drags on the forest's ground.