The Underworld

Another day has gone by of this dreadful existence. I hope to see my sister soon, though I know it is unlikely. Thinking about her is the only reason I have the will to live.

The day my parents sold me is forever embedded in my memories. It was late at night, and I woke up hearing voices in the living room. The only thing I heard was "So, I will pick them up tomorrow, in the morning," I heard sniffling, which I assumed was my mother's, and I heard my dad firmly saying "Yes, tomorrow", and I heard the door slam.

The next day, I and my sister have been whisked away from my parents and my old life. I saw my dad take a pouch of gold coins from the strange man. I realized that he was being paid to give me to the man. I did all that I could to suppress the tears that sprung to my eyes. I had to stay strong for my sister.

***

It is nearing midnight, so it would be best if I extinguish the candle, and go to sleep

That night, I dreamt of my dad's long nose, almost like a beak, my mom's small delicate features, like a rabbit's. I saw my parents morph into the very animals their features - at least to me- matched. Then, It took a strange turn. All the people in our village had turned into animals, yet they still reminded me of the people that I knew-Old Mr. McGreagor, for instance, was a turtle, or Ms. Smith was a woodpecker.

The strange people who imprisoned me turned into demons. However, they were not physical, and more like wisps of smoke. They began to poses the other children they imprisoned. They said one word "Kronos". A shiver went through me. Even though I didn't know who he was, I knew he was an incredibly evil foe. The children began to attack me, their eyes glowing red. A bearded man with a black crown went past me, and a three-headed dog was nest to him. "Come home, child," he said to me. I smiled and said "Yes".

***

I sat up in my bed, still smiling. The sun had just begun to emerge from the darkness. I decided to do something calming and repetitive by scratching out another tally mark on the wall until I realized they were all gone. Suddenly, the room began to spin, and I was blinded by all the light until I saw I was falling into a huge crack in the floor that leads only to darkness. My sister was falling next to me, and I reached out to grab her hand, both of us knowing that without a doubt, we were going to a better place. We didn't have to say anything, we just knew what the other was thinking, and we both knew there was afraid.

The realization was I dead didn't come crashing down as I thought it would but came more like the realization that this was all one phase of our lives, and there would be many more phases to come. The light we were flying to made me feel incredibly safe, and I knew I would be taken care of wonderfully there, and be loved. I let go of the bitterness I was harboring towards my parents and accepted this new phase of my life.

***

"Hello", I say to the figure in front of me. "My name is Melody, and this is Mia," my sister said to the person. He had wild, unkempt hair was dressed in reddish-brown, and was holding a ferryman's pole. "My name is Charon," he said back. He grinned "The one and only". His voice was husky and dry. "Umm...who," I asked Charon. "You know, Charon. Ferryman of Hades?" he said, sounding desperate. "I still don't know who you are talking about," I said, as Charon looked increasingly annoyed. "Don't you ever read Greek mythology, child" he muttered, half hurt that I hadn't heard of him, and half annoyed.

***

A black boat with a lantern on the front of it was floating on the murky river. "It's so...polluted," I said, looking at the chunks of things floating in the river. "Yep, the river Acheron is very polluted with everyone's hopes, dreams, and other things," Charon said grimly. Suddenly, another question came to mind "Why was I imprisoned in the first place?" I asked Charon. Melody was strangely silent as we crossed the river. He too ignored my question but gave me a sad look.

***

When we reached the end of the river, I saw many people in robes, their eyes glossed over, and their faces seemed blurred. "Shades" Charon whispered to me "Shadowy versions they had when they were alive. They are cursed to spend eternity there, in the Fields of Asphodel. It's where most dead people go. Over there, to the left is Tartarus. You guys are going to The Elysian Fields, which is over there. It's for people who have lead an exceptionally good life on earth." "Oh, thanks," I said, happy to learn new information. "Umm, you never told me why I was imprisoned," I said hesitantly to Charon. "Fine," said Charon "You are the daughter of Hades and your mother so...I really shouldn't be telling you this, but...that means you are a demigod. However, the greeks really don't like Hades, and they were afraid that Hades would somehow cause harm to them, and they were scared. That is what most mortals do when they are scared. Your "sister" is only the daughter of your parents, but your dad would be willing to lie about that for the money. Your family was struggling with money, and they were desperate.". It was A LOT to take in, and I didn't notice the large, black castle that we were going to. We entered the gate, and into the castle.

***

When I entered, I saw a man that looked like the man in my dream-the one telling me to come home. He had the same beard, crown, and staff. "My daughter" he exclaimed, as he leaped off his throne "Or, rather a half daughter. I just wanted to see you before you went off on your way to the afterlife, dear." "Thank you," I said, and bowed. "Goodbye", and I went off The Elysian Fields, ready to have a calm and peaceful life, though I didn't know what would greet me there.