Accidentally in Love

Haunted

I woke with teary eyes. The nightmares hit me where it hurt. I got to my feet my heart aching. I grabbed black leather pants and a white tank top pulling them on. I looked into the mirror. My reflection showed how this battle weighed on me. My under eyes had turned a deep purple from stress. My blue gaze no longer sparkled with life but dulled with each battle. I stepped out of my room and onto the balcony. My eyes widened as I spotted Hades and Zeus in the garden talking. Why would Zeus talk to him? I rushed outside and into the garden to listen. I needed to hear what they were saying. Zeus was hiding something from me. I stayed hidden as Zeus laughed with Hades.

"Glad we have an understanding about our little issue," Hades said as Zeus pulled him into a hug.

"I could never stay mad at you," Zeus smiled as I gasped. Could Zeus be assisting Hades?

"She's strong," Hades said after a moment. "Stronger than I have seen in a long time."

"That's what makes her so dangerous," Zeus said softly. My heart pounded with fear. I couldn't trust anyone here. The immortals' fear of me put me at risk with them. Even Zeus who I began to care about feared me. I made my way back inside before they realized my presence. I took a shaky breath once inside the palace. My hand pulsed with electricity as my anxiety continued to fill me. I tried desperately to control the power but the electricity became more unstable along with my emotions. I glanced at my ring hoping Derek could pull me out of my dark spiral. As I pictured his eyes my heart slowed and so did my anxiety. Derek kept me balanced.

"Clarissa," Derek's voice said in my head. My lips parted slightly. "You are what's best for me."

"Just as you are what's best for me," I spoke softly. I walked to my room grabbing my sword. I couldn't stay here with the secrets and the deceit. I had to leave. I ran to the arena grabbing five throwing stars and two daggers before I teleported to the last place I thought I would go, home. I stood at the door for a few minutes. I didn't want to put my mother in danger but I didn't see another option. I knocked on the door. The door swung open slowly. The door hadn't been latched. Instantly my anxiety spiked. My mom never left the door open. I pulled out a dagger as I stepped slowly into the quiet house. I placed my foot carefully on the floor avoiding the squeaky spots. I went upstairs first. I opened the first door then second until I cleared every room on the second floor. I walked back down the stairs freezing as I caught a glimpse of the living room. The lamp lay shattered on the grey carpet. I stepped into the living room my heart sinking. My mom stared blankly at the ceiling the phone charger wrapped around her throat. My lip trembled as tears gushed down my cheeks. "Mommy." I put the dagger away as I ran to her. I unwrapped the cord unable to stand the sight of the cord twisted around her neck. Her skin cold to the touch. She had been dead for a while and I knew I caused this. I sobbed on her cold body wishing I could have talked to her one last time. Pain flooded my system as I looked at my mother. The mother who had done nothing but love and protect me. "I'm so sorry!"

"You should be," my father's voice snapped. I faced him but saw dried blood across his neck. "Derek and Hades came for us because of you!" He growled rushing toward me. I stood frozen in front of my father. He tackled me to the ground his hands wrapping around my neck. I kicked him off me sprinting toward the kitchen. My father's shoved me into the corner of the counter. I whimpered in pain as my rip cracked. I tumbled to the floor as my dad grabbed a carving knife.

"Daddy, please. Fight him," I sobbed as he laughed.

"Why fight him when he can give me power?!" My father spat as he straddled me. The hard blade rested against my neck as I looked up at my father. Memories flashed through my mind as I gazed at my dad.

"Princess," he smirked scooping me into his arms. "You ready for candy?"

"Yeah," I giggled as he put me down. I twirled in my pink glittery costume as he smiled.

"Daddy, I love you. You can resist his influence. For me I want you to fight him," I cried as his eyes filled with conflicting emotions. I gripped a dagger slipping it out. I didn't want to hurt him but I saw his eyes hardening.

"I will follow Hades until my last..." I brought the dagger up slicing his throat ending his rant. Tears spilled down my face as he faded from view. He took everything from me; my mom, my dad, Derek. I had nothing left. I got to my feet my body aching with the loss. I looked around the messy house. The broken lamp, the over turned table were dark reminders that Hades wouldn't stop there. I walked to the door the silence ripping into me. I grabbed my mom's keys giving her one last glance.

"I'm sorry," I whispered before leaving behind my final tie to my human life. I got into her white car driving aimlessly. My heart broke and now I had nothing to fight for. Zeus betrayed me and Derek remained under the Sirens' control. The agony filled me as I realized I was completely alone. Tears continued to pour down my cheeks as I drove as far from my old life as I could get. In this moment I promised myself that I would find Hades and I would kill Hades no matter the cost, even if it killed me.