Hades

bullies

Hades

Stella seemed to be okay.

I went to work before the sun was up the following morning. Some trouble had caused Charon to call me.

Aethon was my horse of choice. I rode him, without the chariot, and was present two minutes later.

"Hey!" I thundered.

Quiet settled over the crowd.

I marched through them, to the front of them where my working station was. "Right, what's the cause for all this noise?"

A young man, probably only a little older than Stella. He seemed rougher, and a quick glance at the globe told me, he was a bully who'd been in a car crash after a car chase.

"Who the fuck are you, and why do you think, you have any authority?" he asked.

I smiled. "Brian, my name is Hades. This is the Underworld, my realm, where my words are law. And you are?"

He fisted his hands. "Hades? That's funny. What kind of fucked up dressing up party is this?!"

I looked at Charon. He was in his suit, leaning against the side of the fence outlining the building. He walked to my side.

"Will you please escort this young man to Erebos? He needs to be taught a little lesson." I said.

"Oh fuck you, man," Brian said. "You have no right to tell me where to go. How do I go home?"

"This is your new home," I said. "This is what happens when you die, you come to the Underworld. To me. And I decide where you live, work, eat and sleep. So follow Charon, he'll show you your residence for the next, I think decade will be fitting. Maybe two decades."

Charon grabbed Brian and dragged him, causing Brian to curse and swear until he was out of sight.

"Right, anyone else who'd like to express their feelings?" I asked, feeling beyond annoyed.

Two of Brian's fellow bullies stepped forth.

I sighed. "Jacob and Tyler. Yes, of course. Charon will be right back, and you'll be escorted to Erebos."

"You have no right to do this," Jacob said. He had a buzz cut.

"Oh, I must have mistaken myself for being Zeus. I have every right to do this. So shut up, don't cause more trouble, and follow Charon."

Charon came back and forced Jacob and Tyler to Erebos. A faint scream was heard, causing a little kid to shake.

Tears welled up into his eyes.

I kneeled in front of him, causing us to make eye contact. "Hey buddy, you're a little young to be down here, aren't you?"

He sniveled.

"I'm Hades." I said. "And I know, that your grandmother is waiting."

The kid lived up. "She is?"

I smiled. "Yeah. Once everyone here is settled, you'll be going to the town, Morning Sun it's called, and there your grandmother is, and she'll look after you."

The kid smiled.

That kid was the only one smiling that day. Everyone else was pissed or frustrated or didn't believe me to be Hades. These days were the worst.

I rode Aethon back to the castle, led him to the stables and took care of him by myself.

"Hades?" a timid voice asked.