Do Not Go Gentle

Another Day in Paradise

My day was just like any other day in the world of demigods and monsters. Naturally, I, a demigod, was being chased by a monster. In Manhattan, New York, of all places. I was on my way to a meeting.

"Uh-excuse me... Oops... Sorry, ma'am!"

I was running late, as usual.

But unfortunately, if I were to get to the meeting at all, I was going to have to slay this monster first. I took a quick look over my shoulder at the Empousa that was following me at a deadly pace. The creature looked like a woman on the top half, but that was distracted from the bottom half where she had a bronze leg and a donkey leg.

I think her name was Kelly, but I could be wrong.

"Perrrrrsephone Jackson, you will meet your death!" she hissed, her words reaching me through the crowds of people on the streets.

Sometimes it astounded me how well the mist could keep mortals from seeing these things.

"Sorry, I've got plans!" I called back over my shoulder, reaching for the pen in my pocket- one of my favorite things of all time.

My blue converse slapped against the pavement below me as I shoved through the crowds of people.

"Hey! Watch it!"

"Sorry!" Mortals.

I quickly made my way into an alley that was hidden away from any onlookers, save for the drug dealers and other shady people who were probably used to stuff like this. They wouldn't really care if I were to slay a monster in front of them, because the gods only know what kind of violence they are used to seeing.

"Perrsssie Jackssson.... I've been waiting for this moment since I crawled out of the pit," the Empousa's voice hissed through the alleyway.

I let out a dramatic sigh. "Look, Kelly, I don't know what to say. Things just won't work out between us, sweetheart."

The creature looked at me with its large eyes that turned I violent blood red and let out a cackle that sounded more like nails on a chalkboard. Most of the time this would be enough to give someone nightmares. However, I had worse things that crossed my mind during the night hours.

Her nails started to grow into talons, and her hair became a wild red that reminded me of the fires of the Underworld. "You must think you're hilarious, demigod. Too bad you won't be alive for much longer."

She started stalking forward, a menacing scowl painted on her face.

I quickly took out the pen I had been fingering and uncapped it, revealing my sword that I always kept with me. Anaklusmos. Riptide. I couldn't lose the thing if I tried.

Really, if I lost it the pen would just return automatically into my pocket. Trust me, I've experienced this many, many times. I lose things rather easily.

She leaped at me, her claws heading straight for my face. I immediately deflected her blow with my sword and kicked her in the stomach to stop her momentum and create space. My sword had a larger reach than her talons, which was something to use to my advantage.

It was like a game, to be honest. The adrenaline rushing through my veins slowed time down, and I could see things happening far quicker than anyone usually could. The perks of being half-god, I suppose.

She lunged, I parried. She lunged again, I parried once more. It was like a dance that I have done for many years, now.

"Stop-" lunge, "Messing-" a swipe of the talons, "With me!"

I laughed.

"Sorry, I can't help but play with your stupidity," I taunted, twirling around with grace that astounded even me. "I suppose I should end this, though."