To Hell With Us

Chapter 4

The faint whispers I heard earlier grew louder and louder. The darkness behind the door surrounded my body. The room was suffocatingly hot. I could feel my lungs grow tighter as my breathing grew heavier. Although the humid air burned my tender skin, I felt cold breezes pass over my body, sending shivers up my spine. I soon felt a swirling of air and voices around me as if I was Cinderella, being twirled into her ballgown. However, the circumstances seemed more and grim and taunting then magical.

A loud but gentle voice boomed, "Stop."

As if commanded the wind and murmurs came to a holt and fluttered back into their creases in the walls. My heart regained a steady pace and my breathing evened out until I heard pounding footsteps come from what seemed like the right of me. I jumped back in terror.

"I think this night has been full of enough surprises," I mumbled under my breath looking at my bloodied foot.

The footsteps grew louder and louder. With each step the light source radiating off the mysterious character increased, allowing me to become more aware of my surroundings. The walls were lined with a fiery, gold trimming. Two overwhelming black, pointed chandeliers covered in cobwebs hung in the middle of the room. Right under was a large cedar dining table set neatly with gold silverware, white napkins, and golden encrusted goblets. Behind me sat two concrete gargoyles, one on each side of the door. I deeply inhaled awaiting as I saw the stranger's silhouette enter from the hallway that connects to the extravagant room. I slowly took a step back until I was greeted not by a demon but a handsome young man. He pushed his black, curly hair off to one side to reveal, deep emerald eyes that could trap your soul. He stood tall and confident wearing what looked to be a denim jacket, a long black shirt, ripped jeans, and hightops. Not what I was expecting.

"Hello," he said in a deep, cheery voice.

"Hey," I replied, skeptical of the stranger.

"Come sit," he said pulling out a chair from the dining table.

I slowly approached the table and placed myself in the seat he just pulled out. I remained quiet anticipating what his next move was. He too carefully sat across from me and flashed me a welcoming smile.

"Hey, take a chill pill, I'm not gonna hurt you."

I let out a sigh of relief. That still didn't make him trustworthy but it lightened the mood. Along with that, his eyes gave off a comforting feel, causing me to relax my spine and sit back into the wooden chair.

"Where are you from?" he said, attempting to start a conversation.

I looked down at my lap and fiddled with the silver bracelet on my wrist. I didn't come from a bad place but I was ashamed to be associated with my mom.

"So, you're shy - aye?"

"When I want to be," I replied subconsciously.

The corner of his mouth turned up in response to my reply.

"Hm, you've got more to ya then I thought...uh?"

"Nephele."

"Beautiful name, Nephele. My name's Declan."

A devilish look grew in his eyes as he reached out to shake my hand. I placed my frail hand in his. Still, his presence, there was something about it. He was visibly there, but when I touched him he felt the slightest bit airier than human skin. When I regained eye contact I saw that he was just as confused as I was.

"Shit!"

"What?!" I replied in a panic.

" You can't be here! I thought you were dead, but you're, you're alive."

"What do you mean dead? Where am I?"

"You're in the underworld!

That's not good.

"How the hell did I get here?"

"You walked in. Nobody comes to this part of Olympus, that's why our portal's here."

"So you can just walk into the underworld?"

"Yes, but that's not my main focus. You've gotta leave."

"How?" I replied.

"Just go back the way you came and don't talk to the man in the boat." He sighed, "Do you need me to go with you?"

"I can take care of myself, thank you though."

His devilish smile returned once more. I smiled back and sent him a wave. I spun out of my chair and began to walk to the door.

"Nephele?"

"Yeah?"

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

"Alright, goodbye. Be safe"

"I'm not a fan of goodbyes, they're too permanent. So, see you later," with that I left.