To Hell With Us

Untitled Part 14

"Nephele? Get up, get up."

I sprung awake, "Declan, is that you?"

"No, it's Kendra."

I looked around at my surroundings, the door to the portal was closed, I was missing my shirt and shoes, I was laying on the concrete ground, and my face was stained from tears.

"What happened to you?"

"He's gone Kendra, he's gone!"

"What do you mean he's gone?"

"Declan, the guy I've been seeing. Hades took him away."

"Wait are you dating a ghost?"

"Kind of, it's a long story. But, he got caught sneaking out and, the portal closed and, now I don't know what to do."

Tears started to form in the corners of my eyes. Kendra knelt on the ground and wrapped her arms around me trying to be a supportive friend.

"We'll figure it out but, for right now we have to get you home."

Kendra walked me back to the mansion and helped me regain myself a little bit. I washed my face, took a hot shower, got some clothes on, and bandaged up the cuts and bruises I obtained from the night before.

"Alright, why don't you get some rest."

"No Kendra I'm not going to rest until I find him safe."

"Are sure you don't want to start tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Then where do we start?" She asked.

"That's the problem I have no idea."

"Could we begin by going back to where I found you?"

"It's worth a shot," I said halfheartedly

On the way out the door, I was stopped by my mother who had just returned from her trip.

"Where do you think you're going."

"Mom I'll back just give me a few minutes," I said pushing past her.

"No. You know the new rules. You're grounded, no leaving the realm."

"Mom I promise I'll be right back."

"Where could you possibly be going that is this important?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"How come?" She asked.

"Because Mom, you don't fall in love. Do you know what it's like to be ripped away from the one person that means everything to you?"

She looked at her feet and hesitated before responding,

"Yes I do, I was in love with your father. He was a lawyer from Tuscaloosa, best man in the world. He was so intelligent and treated me like his everything. He was murdered when I was 7 months pregnant with you." She said with a tear running down her face.

"Oh Mom I'm so sorry, I just figured.."

"No, it's fine. That's why I'm so hard on you all the time. You're so much like him. You're so stubborn but have so much passion for what you enjoy. That doesn't matter right now though. If he means that much to you then I trust you. Just please be safe."

"I will. Thank you, Mom."

The walk there was silent. I scuffed my boots against the ground with each step. My eyes stayed glued to the ground, I didn't know what else to do, I was at loss of words from the heartache and mention of my father.