Hey readers, so this will be the rewrite of "Reopened Wounds" I will try to follow the old plot, but things are going to be different. It will still be a first person POV story through Meg starting immediately after the film, but I was very young when I wrote that story and naïve about a lot of things, especially relationships. Don't worry this story will still be PG-13, but just the pacing of their relationship will be very different. All your favorite characters will still be here, the dog (who may have a more Greek appropriate name) Jason, Alex, the psychotic Helen. Considering my increased knowledge of Greek mythology I will tweak Meg's past as I compulsively need to fit mythology in as best I can. However, I will try to stick to the original story as best I can I'm even rereading (and cringing…) the original version as I go.
What I would also like to do with this one, is let the readers take control of the reins. Is there something you want to see happen? Suggestions you'd want to make? Fire 'em off.
I will not delete the original story. As much as I dislike my own writing 1) it's actually a fun way to see how far my writing has come, and 2) I know too many people still enjoy the story. It will always stay on the site, I will never delete it.
I hope you guys enjoy!
This is just a working title, if you have suggestions for a better one feel free to share them.
A great celebration was being held to honor Wonderboy and his great deeds. The villa was full of people, and I milled my way through the crowds and vanished into the hallway putting the sounds of the great party behind me. I looked around, the walls covered with medals and tapestries. I couldn't help but smirk, he was always so humble about his achievements it was endearing to see him take pride in his work.
I made my way through the hallway and through the curtain at the end. I parted it, seeing a balcony that overlooked the city. I stepped out, glad for the fresh air after the stagnancy in the central room full to bursting with people.
My mind was swimming, drowning really. I was too tired to think very deep but I was struggling to come to terms with the events of the night before. Everything had worked out; it was time for Happily Ever After. But this wasn't a fairy tale, this was reality. But I couldn't shake the guilt of my actions. A part of me knows I had little choice, but why hadn't I defied Hades when it would have mattered?
I looked out at the city, laid before me like a painting. A final few fires were still burning, the thick smoke almost perfect black against the brightness of the day. The sky was a deep red, the air filled with dust and smoke. You could smell it from here at the villa. It would be days before the last of the fires went out, and the dust in the air settled. But from the way the entirety of the city-state was celebrating, you would never know that nearly half the city had been destroyed. A phantom twinge shot through my back and across my chest as looking at the wreckage of the lower city. You were willing to give your life to rescue this young woman. I pondered what exactly Hercules had done to rescue me.
"I thought I'd find you out here," A voice broke me from my thoughts and I turned to find a bashful Hercules hovering by the curtain. I found a smile tugging at my lips, and I leaned back against the stone rail.
"Was getting loud in there," I remarked, suddenly feeling ashamed for walking away from his party. It was to celebrate his great deeds, after everything he did for me I should be in there celebrating him as well.
"Yeah, I managed to sneak away. I don't think anyone will notice I'm gone for a bit," I smiled at that; glad that maybe I wasn't just being selfish. I had never been one for great gatherings. They reminded me too much of the parties my father would throw as a child. And suddenly, that felt like an entire lifetime ago. I can't recall the last time I thought about my family.
"It's no wonder you were always so vigilant. You can see the entire city from here," I gestured beyond the rail of the balcony.
"Heh… it's my duty," He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. I don't know why but I felt about as nervous as he was. After everything we did, everything we said, I still found my heart fluttered and my cheeks burned as he approached. I was itching to ask him what had happened when he went to the underworld. He was no musician like Orpheus to charm and woo Hades. And none had successfully brought a soul from the Underworld. How could he accomplish such an impossible feat?
"You a lot more than just doing your job," I smile, which quickly faded with a sigh, "Wonderboy… your mother said you were willing to give your life to rescue me. I knew you risked it going to the Underworld, but… just what did she mean?" I was surprised I managed to get the words out. "How did you?" he faltered, dropping his eyes as if he were ashamed of the answer.
"If I tell you, you have to promise to answer a question of mine," He responded, a guilty look crossing his features, like he was ashamed of asking for such a deal. I eyed him skeptically; a little worried about what his question might be.
"Deal," I answered hesitantly, hoping I wouldn't regret this decision.
"I…" he paused, kneading his fingers. "After I came back and… well I went to the Underworld, Hades was on his throne. Well then I… well I offered to take your place," He spoke quickly, and was refusing to make eye contact with me. I think he was worried I would be angry by his answer.
"You…?" I looked at him, startled by his answer. He was willing to make such a great sacrifice for me? After all I had done. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, overwhelmed by everything. By the knowledge of what he was willing to do for me, what he did do for me, of what he gave up for me. He returned my gesture, his arms wound around me tight. I was glad we were away from the party, away from anyone. We needed this moment alone. For one goddamn time we would be uninterrupted. I wanted this to last forever, to just sit in this moment of utter contentment; to forget the rest of the world, or anyone else, a moment where it was simply about us. We reluctantly broke the kiss, but his arms remained curled around me.
"Your turn," Herc smiled weakly and a sense of dread trickled over my brief moment of happiness. I remained silent, worried about what his question would be about. Although I had a strong feeling I knew what he was about to ask. "When… when Hades said you were working for him the entire time…" He trailed off, but he didn't need to finish his question. I sighed; I was not ready to tell him this story yet. I wasn't ready to tell anyone. But I had made a deal, and was not about to go back on my word.
"It wasn't exactly… voluntary," I stressed the last word, wanting him to understand I hadn't tried to hurt him out of intent
"What…?" he didn't have to elaborate.
"Years ago I made a similar deal that you made; my soul in exchange for someone else's. Only there was no divine intervention to protect me when Hades came to collect his debt." I hoped he would leave it at that, and drop the subject. Regardless, he had only made me promise to answer one question. As deep as my feelings for him went, I was still not ready to tell him that full story yet.
"Who?"
"You only made me promise one question," I smirked. "It's not important anyway," I deflected. Don't pry in to this Wonderboy. This is a story for another day. We've been through so much in the last twelve hours already don't make me do this. He seemed to sense my reluctance to probe in to the subject; either that or he believed my 'not important' lie. And I felt ashamed. Why was my first instinct to lie to him? Why hadn't I just been honest and told him it was something I was not yet ready to discus.
"Hercules!" We both turned to the source of the overzealous voice to find a tall thin blonde woman standing by the balcony curtain. "Our hero," She smiled, and looked at me with an expression that could only be read as contempt. "And who are you?" She huffed,
"Who are you?"
"None of your business! This is between me and Herc! Tell me who you are," I could smell the wine from here and figured this must be another drunk fan.
"Umm this is Meg," Hercules interjected, seeming to snap out of his daze. "And Meg this… this is Helen…"
"Hmm… scrawny thing isn't she? Don't you prefer a real woman? You deserve a real reward for your actions. I'm named for the famous Helen of Troy" She sauntered over, sashaying her hips. I actually managed a short laugh at how absurd she looked.
"I guess the sea of raging hormones hasn't ebbed afterall," I did feel bad, noting how uncomfortable Hercules looked. He put his hands up defensively, and backed up until he collided with the rail of the balcony. Meanwhile, the strange blonde continued to approach him. "And oh, by the way, how are you named after someone who is quite possibly the same age as you?" this stopped her awkward flirting.
"Okay Meg. Care to explain who you are? Just another mindless fan stalking the hero of Greece?"
"Seems to me that you're guilty of your own crime," She made a growl similar to that of a dog.
"Okay miss… umm… Helen, you need to leave. Please. This is getting out of hand…"
"Why doesn't she have to leave?"
"Helen." He dodged the question, and I was glad for it. I wasn't yet ready for the world to know who I was.
"No! This isn't fair!" She pouted, and it wasn't until then I realized how young this girl was. She couldn't have been older than sixteen.
"I could use a drink anyways," I stated, looking at Herc sympathetically. I moved past Helen and through the curtain, back to the loud sounds of the party. In truth I was glad for the interrupted; it stopped Hercules from probing further into my enslavement. And a few glasses of wine were exactly what I needed. My head was pounding.
Well… I hope this was satisfactory! Please tell me what you think
