I am the Heroes' Daughter- A Fan Fiction

Chapter Eight- Too bad for Hell

Shawn has had a worried frown on his face since we hopped a taxi. He searches Andy for physical harm and finds none while my shoulder still bleeds profusely, causing me a lot of pain since the adrenaline left my body. She got me pretty deep with her knife like nails but I told Shawn not to worry about it. We can't be slowed down. Limited time and being a demigod means you go as fast as you can. Monsters and detours make it so the deadline seems a way shorter distance away than it should be.

"At least let me wrap your arm. Blood is soaking your shirt." His eyes are soft as he looks at me with worry.

"I already ate a square of ambrosia. It'll heal. Worry about Andy."

The boy just passed out. Just like that. We can't explain why he did. There is no harm to him on the outside so it must be something on the inside. His skin feels like ice.

"Alright, this is as far as I go." The taxi man says pulling the car onto the side of the road and stopping.

"Thank you." Shawn hands him a wad of money and heaves Andy from the car.

The Hollywood sign stands threatening on the edge of the large California hill. I never did like it that much it's only now that I understand why. "This is the entrance to Hades?" Man what a doorway to your house.

"One of them, but yes. This one will suffice."

We climb the hill and cut our way into the security fence. They shouldn't mind. We are trying to save their butts. Shawn speaks Latin and the ground moves, forming stairs into pitch dark. A breeze colder than Andy's skin blows out making me hesitant to go in.

Shawn lifts an eyebrow. "What's wrong Graecus? Scared to walk down stairs?"

I scowl and lift my chin, starting into the dark. It is thicker than black and like walking through a meat locker. An unnerved shiver moves from my neck to my toes. He hates me. Oh he hates me so much. He's probably going to kill me. Who would want the child made by an affair? No one. My nails dig into my arms, scratching and scratching. Why? Why did I have to be born? Ah man... I have to see my dad.

We step into faded light, nails still digging at my skin. Why? Why why why...

"Um, Clover? Hey. Are you alright?"

My adopted fathers voice appears in my head, mocking. 'Do it. Go grab your little razor. Pretend your emo. Just know, I saved you from the system. I am your savior!' I'm sorry. I would always say I was sorry. I am. I burden him. I burden the gods.

"Clover." Shawn grabs my hands, Andy slumped on the rocky ground. "Stop. You're bleeding."

I glance down at my arms to see floods of fresh blood running over my irritated skin. "Oh, jeez, I'm sorry. I didn't- I wasn't thinking."

His forehead crinkles with frown lines as he lifts Andy back on to his shoulder. "It's the atmosphere. This place will put bad thoughts into your head if you let it." He passes over a small thing of nectar. "Drink it. You'll heal faster."

But even as I do what I'm told he takes an extra shirt from his bag and tears it in two to wrap around my arms.

"Please don't ever do that again."

I hang my head and walk towards a ghoulish looking man stands on a small raft holding a paddle. I go to climb on but he slams the paddle down blocking my path, not speaking a word.

"Hold on." Shawn digs in his pockets until he pulls out a palm full of drachmas and drops them into the silent mans hand. "You have to pay him for a ride."

"Oh... I'm sorry. I just... I don't know a lot. I'm still new to this."

We are allowed on to the raft and sit stiffly on the few benches available. Never in my old life would I have seen myself traveling through hell on a raft with two demigods to find my mother the goddess. Things like this just don't happen.