Helga (unedited)

Chapter 20: No Way Out (II) : Hell's Gate and Hades

‘The Gates of Hell are gates of no exit,’ said Hades. He was a monster. He had broken black angel wings, talons, and the skin of a reptile. His head was that of a goat and his tail was that of a snake. He was quicker and larger than his usual self.

‘DID YOU NOT LISTEN!’ he said. His voice was sinister and revengeful.

It had been one of the children that had touched the gates. They did not mean to, but I know that Hades meant to decapitate the girl’s head. It was swift and the head just slid off her shoulders. The rest of us stood in awe. Hades then began to circle us in flight like an eagle picking its prey from the river. We looked like ants to him.

‘They must not scramble,’ said Helga. She knew that if we scrambled it would mean make it all the more easier for Hades to pick us up.

‘Everyone!-,’ said Calypso ‘stay in a bundle and fight him by swatting him away.’

At intervals Hades dove down and grabbed a child before releasing them mid-air. When they fell they died: broken spines etc.

‘We can’t just stand here and let him pick us off one by one,’ said Anastasia.

‘Can you light him up?’ I asked of Helga.

‘It’s worth a try,’ she returned.

Hades was deeply concerned with the children that he was so startled when Helga sent a stream of fire in the direction of the gates; melting them. The locks fell off and they were open.

‘Everyone run out!’ yelled Ngi.

There was a bit of a stampede that headed out. Hades now focused his attention on Helga.

‘You open the Gates’ said Hades ‘you DIE!’

Helga rose up into the air and Hades flew to lock arms with her. I remained on the ground so my view was limited. I can, however, tell you that they punched and kicked at each other. They flew east and west, north, and south, almost scrapping the ground; but never touching it. The fight was brutal. It got so intense that they lit up in the darkness of the night. A cloud formed around them as they headed for space. The higher the y went, the hotter and brighter the cloud became, until it started to fade as Helga was losing oxygen. Two objects fell from the cloud, which I identified as a burnt up and deceased Hades, and Helga. Their velocity was incredible and their impact as great. When Helga hit the ground, her paleness had become as white as snow. When I found her she was very pink, the gore just oozing from a few places. Her shoulder was dislocated and she lay in a star position.

‘Helga! Are you okay?’

There was no response. I jumped into the hole that she’d created and picked her up. Her body was lifeless and feather-like.

‘You’ll be fine,’ I assured. It felt like the right thing to say. I hoped that she would be, but then it looked improbable that she would be.

The atmosphere was cold. The walk that I took with Helga in my arms felt like the walk taken during burial. But, there was no coffin, no family, and no music. I only had my frosty tears to pull me down.

We walked from the place of her impact till the open gates where we found Calypso.

‘Is she fine?’ she asked.

‘You know the future and should say,’ I returned.

‘I don’t have to have my abilities to shown sympathy she returned. The children are coming with Anastasia and me. We’re going to a hideout.’

‘Your home?’ I asked.

‘Only until you come back for them.’

When she said ‘you’ did she mean me or the collective? 

‘When will I die?’ I asked.

‘We have to go now,’ interrupted Ngi.

‘I’ll take Helga,’ said Calypso.

Ngi and I found a truck that the rebels had left and headed for the town.

‘I want General Fin!’ she said.

‘That means that I get...’

‘Lerebs,’ she said ‘Satane is mine as well.’

I was driving and only rotated to give her the ‘it’s your funeral’ look.

It was quite a distance that I drove. It felt as if I was driving double the distance compared to when we were driven to.

‘Hey,’ I said. She looked at me. ‘No matter what happens,’ said I; now gaining strength from the power of her ‘know that I love you.’

‘I love you too.’

My character is not that of someone that says such, but I guess the right person can bring it out of you.

Before I finish telling this story, which I know she’ll one day read, I would like to take the time out to tell her how much I love her. I’m not going to delve into the poetics much, but in all honesty; she does give me the peace of water, the joy of spring, and the happiness of youth. She is unlike anyone that I’ve ever encountered and it kills me to write this because I don’t say it much. Mon amour, if you happen to be reading this, know that I love you tons and that my love for you is evergreen. Even when you don’t love me, I love you.

We drove until early morning, when the sun began pull us through. Finally, we were there.