charm(less)

duo

——        d u o        ——

OVER THE YEARS, Park had improved considerably in the control and precision of his shadowtravel. He remembered the first time he had travelled through the shadows, a complete accident that had quite possibly been the most terrifying experience his ten-year-old self had faced. His mother knew a lot about the mythological world but she didn't know everything, and their isolation from other demigods meant neither of them knew about shadowtravel. Back in those days, Park had known little to nothing about the abilities he had - they manifested throughout his teenage years, growing stronger with time.

It had been the middle of the night, the two of them racing through deserted streets of the suburban town they believed they would be safe in. A flock of harpies had hunted them down and were out for blood. The two of them had gotten cornered down a dead end street, and as the monsters could fly, there was no way out. Park could vividly remember his mother pushing him behind her back as he gripped her sleeve, as if to protect him even though she was the mortal. So certain they would die, he prayed to his father for the first time in desperation, begging him to save them.

The shadows had closed in on him so fast he thought he had blacked out. The world was a tumbleturn with no direction, no colour or sense, and the only thing he knew for certain was he was still gripping his mother's sleeve. He could feel the darkness responding to the blind panic of his body as it tried to follow orders he couldn't give and it finally spit them out on a street down from their house, miles away from the harpies. Park had been so disorientated he was barely conscious when he threw up, splattering carefully trimmed rose bushes. It left him drained for days after and his mother refused to let him try it again for another year.

But Park had been burning with curiosity to learn more about this gift his father had given him. He hated Hades, that was unquestionable, but this had been the biggest link he had to his Godly abilities. He would sneak off on his own as his mother slept and practice shadowtravel, only short distances at first which he slowly expanded. It was still tiring but practice built up his strength and gave him tolerance.

This was the first time he had shadowtravelled with another person since his mother died, and the other boy didn't make it easy. He was flailing uncontrollably as the shadows ripped at their clothes and tugged them through dimensions. Park was so busy trying to control their trajectory it took all of his focus to hold on to him and even then he nearly slipped away countless times. The world slid back into focus as they hurtled through the air, straight towards the Hudson River. Park was too exhausted to even keep his eyes open, forget redirecting towards the bank, and barely had time to prepare himself before they plunged into the icy water.

Park found himself sinking even as he urged his body to move. He felt sluggish and lethargic as he made an effort to kick his legs, but it was nowhere strong enough to swim to the surface. His lungs were seconds from giving out when hands curled around his arm and began tugging him. It was the boy, swimming upwards with Park in tow. He forced himself to move and then they both managed to collapse onto the bank, shivering and soaking wet. Park pushed himself onto all fours as he coughed up the filthy water that he had swallowed.

"Oh my god," the other boy gasped, scrambling to his feet. "Oh my god. Is this a nightmare? Why haven't I woken up yet? Or have I already died?"

Park was too drained to even consider replying as he rolled onto his back, taking a moment to close his eyes. Even though the high summer sun was beating down on him he was so cold, his blood turning to ice and his skin freezing over. Dropping into the Hudson  straight after shadowtravelling had no doubt dropped his core temperature. When he was certain he wasn't about to pass out, he forced his eyes open and struggled into a sitting position, leaning back against a thick oak tree.