Hades

Chapter six: The three fates

I sat at my desk scribbling notes into my geography book. Out of all my subjects, this was by far the hardest. I just could not remember where everything was. That still wasn't going to stop me from getting the highest marks in that class though.

Unlike other students, my teachers always called me an overachiever. This always made it difficult for me to make friends, but I didn't need them. I had my books and my books had me.

Class ended and I made my way to the cafeteria. I pulled out my book and began to read.

"I finished 'Little Women'," a voice said next to me.

Without looking up I acknowledged him. "Did you like it?"

"Yes," Hades replied. "I did."

I closed my book and looked at him. I didn't realize he had that many freckles before. I smiled and said, "Well then I guess we'll have to find you another book won't we?"

He smiled back. He looked nice when he smiled. I never realized that before. His freckles seemed to scatter to make way for his smile. His hair stuck up in all directions and I withheld the urge to pat it down like I always do for Ron and Jon. I snapped myself out of staring at him and reached into my bag. I pulled out 'To kill a Mockingbird' and handed it to him.

"It's a book about courtroom drama," I told him. "I just recently finished it, and I think you will like it."

"Thank you," he said and I had just realized how low and smooth his voice was.

I suddenly remembered the incident with the fury. The thought of her made me feel queasy. I wasn't scared in that moment, but now was feeling slightly scared. It was as though Hades' presence brought out that fear. He must know something about the winged lady.

I looked up at Hades to see that his smile had faded. He blinked then asked, "What did you see today?"

"What did I see?" I asked him back.

He stared deep into my eyes then pulled away. "No, no it couldn't be. No one can replace her."

"I beg your pardon?" I asked. "Hades, what's wrong?"

He shook his head and stood up. "I have to go."

I wanted to object, but in a blink of an eye, he disappeared.

***

I reached home to find my mother sitting at the dining table rubbing her temples. Her face was twisted in pain.

"Mum?" I asked gently. "Are you Ok?"

She looked up at me wearily and tried for a smile. "Of course darling, I just have a headache."

"Would you like to take a nap?" I asked. "I could make dinner."

"It's fine Clarice," she smiled. "I'll make dinner. Although, I wouldn't mind it if you took Jon and Ron to the park. They've been bugging me all week."

***

Taking Jon and Ron to any public place was the worst idea possible. They were both very mischievous and were like little robots on overdrive whenever they were at the park.

"Jon, don't you dare go near the water," I warned.

He decided to ignore me and ran straight to the frozen lake. I turned around and found Ron chasing after a duck. He tripped over a rock but got back up and continued following the poor bird.

"Ron, stop it!" I commanded, but I knew it was pointless.

All I could do was let them tire themselves out and make sure they didn't hurt themselves. I sighed as I sat down on the bench and watched my twin brothers run around like complete psychos.

I really should have brought a book. Or gloves. Gloves would have been good. My fingers felt like they were about to fall off. After about an hour of sitting in extremely cold weather, two encounters of Jon nearly falling into the lake, they had finally tired themselves out. I walked home carrying a very heavy Ron in my arms and a Jon walking behind me.

We had Sheppard's pie for dinner then I put Ron and Jon to bed early. They were very tired from the park.

"Read us a story," Jon said.

"No, I think you should go to bed," I said as I folded his duna over his chest.

"Please Clarice, pleaaasssee," Ron pleaded from the bed across the room.

I sighed. "Fine, which one would you like me to read?"

After a fifteen minute debate from the two boys, I ended up reading them sleeping Beauty. Both fell asleep before I was even half way through, so I flicked off the light to their ro and took a shower. I finished the rest of my maths homework and went straight to sleep.

That night, I dreamt the oddest dream. Three ladies sat knitting together. A basket with all the wool was situated in the lap of the woman in the middle. The woman on the left pulled out a string of wool and some scissors. Then, faster than the speed of light, she cut the string. The sound was so loud I ended up sitting straight up in my bed, panting. I realized that I was sweating.

I suddenly realized that I was holding my breath and with dread I knew why. In history, I once learned that the Greeks believed in the three fates. The three fates held the strings which represented how long someone was going to live. If that old lady cut the string, it meant someone was going to die. It meant I was going to die.