A/N: Okay, so basically I promised my friend I would post this. This was a school assignment (yes, she did, in fact, turn this in), but it worked as a good start for our fanfictions of our Latin textbook XD (our class is very odd). Either way, enjoy!
August 24, 79 AD
Dear whomever it may concern,
I am writing to you in my last moments. Vesuvius has erupted. It all started this morning at around 8AM. My master and his family thought nothing of the tremors. They prayed at the household shrine and moved on with their day without worry. I went out. At around 1PM I saw a cloud form over the horrible mountain. It was then that I decided to bolt. I could not stay any longer. After deciding that, I quickly left to find Poppaea. It was difficult, outside was as dark as night, perhaps even darker. Then the tremors got slightly worse, but I forced myself to keep going. I wasn't planning on dying, but if I had to I was going to die with Poppaea. At around 3 PM the ash began to fall and the tremors got even worse. People began to scream, babies began to cry, dogs began to bark. But in that sea of voices, I heard Poppaea's. I ran towards the voice and found her. However, she betrayed me. She was holding hands with Quintus, of all people. My heart broke. I didn't have time to say anything to them before a building fell on top of Quintus. I don't like to admit it, but I was happy for a second. Then Poppaea screamed. "My love, my love, I will forever miss you! My love, my love, my gorgeous love!" She said. She probably would have continued had I not saved her from another falling building. Soon she was saying how much she loved me, how amazing and heroic I was, how I was her one true love. However, I knew better. I dropped her to the ground while saying "You are unfaithful. Take this ring. I was planning on proposing today, but apparently, Clemens and I will have to be single forever. Unless…" Hurriedly I ran. I had to find Clemens. It was difficult. Horrible fumes and sounds from the underworld came out of the volcano. The tremors continued on. Again there was a huge sea of voices. But I heard his voice. My true love. I ran to him. "Oh, Clemens," I said, "I was blinded by a rude girl, but now I realize that you are the right one for me. I love you!" As soon as I finished, he collapsed in my arms. Normally I would be able to carry him, but at this time I realized how weak I felt. My master has to escape. He was so good to me. I hope Metella and Lucia can escape as well. They were always so pleasant to me. Poppaea's master should get out as well, he was rude, but he was right to be. It must be incredibly difficult to have somebody such as Poppaea as a slave, so disrespectful and rude. But most of all, I want Cerberus to escape. He was so adorable and cute. For the first time in my life, I prayed. I wanted them to get out. They had to escape this horrible fate. Hercules, I want to escape. I want to live my life with Clemens and I want to have 2 children with him. We could rescue them. And Cerberus. He would live a wonderful life with us. But that would never happen. It was too late for me now. My breath is shortening. My heart is slowing. It is getting harder and harder to keep my eyes open. Oh how I shall miss wine. Perhaps in the underworld I will get to drink it all of the time. Promise me, dear reader, that you will never live near a suspicious mountain. And never ignore the warning signs as my master has done. Escape when you can.
Sincerely,
Grumio