Chapter 1: Beauty Kills

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Neil's blond head bobbed back and forth, in and out of sleep, his mouth hanging open. Odie nudged him in the stomach, making him snap his head back to focus. The seven teenagers sat cramped on the couches in front of Hera's wooden desk, waiting for her to say something. Anything, of why they were there. Herry's loud yawn echoed through the room, causing a chain reaction to Archie, who yawned back in response.

"Tell me again why we are up so early?" Neil whispered loudly to Odie, who shrugged and continued to stare at his flannel pajama pants. Most of them were still in there sleeping wear. Herry with a white muscle shirt and duckie boxer shorts. Neil in his silk green pajama's with the gold 'N' embroided on it. Atlanta wearing an old pair of blue short-shorts and a pink long sleeve shirt with the words 'This Girl Can Snowboard' written across the front in black lettering. Theresa had managed to quickly grab a sweater to throw over her thin pink negligee. Archie wore a dirty green shirt with a number of stains over a pair of gray basketball shorts. Since Jay got the message first, he was the only one dressed. In a blue and white polo shirt and faded jeans, he was the only one who looked awake.

"I am sorry to call you up this early, but the matter is quite serious," Hera said, moving slowly to the front of the desk. Neil scoffed slightly, but Hera continued. "Cronus has awoken yet another creature. Her name is Synara."

"I've never heard of a Synara, are you sure she's in the greek legends?" Odie said, looking confused.

"She may not be in written documents, but that hardly matters," the Goddess said, nodding sincerly at Odie. "The legend of Synara is centuries old. She was said to be the most beautiful girl in her village, and she kept that title to herself like her own child. Synara fell in love with a delivery boy, Leonidas, from the neighbouring village, and was intent on marrying him. But her love was already engaged to another woman, and Synara was determined to change that. Jealousy was already taking over her body and mind when she entered the village and planned to kill this other woman. She murdered the innocent woman in her sleep, hoping that it would change the mind of Leonidas. Of course, Leonidas was furious at her, and Synara was arrested. She spent her punishment in solitude, but the jeoulousy still remained inside her, and turned her into something else."

The seven teenagers stared blankly at Hera, still taking in the story. Hera folded her hands in front of her, staring at each of the faces.

"Harsh," Herry finally muttered, running a hand through his dark brown hair, making it stick up more. Hera nodded at him, the corners of her mouth twitching up into a very small smile. The smile quickly disapeared and turned into a straight line as Atlanta spoke up.

"So, what does Cronus want with her?" She tugged at the pink collar around her neck nervously.

"That's just it, we don't know," Hera said sadly. "The only thing I know, is that her victims tend to be young woman. Taking their beauty away for herself and leaving them near death." Theresa's eyes widened, and Atlanta's mouth dropped.

"What do you mean, 'near death'?" Jay sat up, his voice clear. His fingers clenched into fists on his legs.

"Again, I'm not sure." Hera shook her head. "All we know is that she is currently somewhere in Mexico. And that's where you are headed tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright, Mexico!" This news seemed to wake Neil up, who bounced in his seat, bumping Odie between him and Herry.

"What does Synara look like?" Archie asked, scratching the back of his neck.

"The color of jealousy is green, so that should help you. Just, keep your eyes on the sky," Hera said, waving her hand, signaling that they were free to go. She turned and fell into the chair behind the desk, watching the heroes stand up, some of them stretching and yawning.

The rest of the day was dedicated to packing for their trip, grabbing the summer clothes and bathing suits for the suitcases. Herry had a remarkable one bag, saying "It'll do" before settling onto the couch to watch more television. The others had more bags, thankfully, and put more effort into packing, grabbing the necessary items. Neil insisted on going to the mall before the night was over, convinced that he needed a special sun lotion that would "bronze, rather than broil." By the time Neil returned to the brownstone, everyone was seated around the television, packed and finished.

"Don't forget the bathroom sink!" Atlanta called after him as Neil stomped up the stairs to his room.

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Well, I know it's a little short, okay, a LOT short. But..it's the introduction. This is my first entry with I started on and I got some good response there, so I decided to try here. If you look up Beauty Kills on (which I really hope you don't!), you'll notice that this first chapter is VERY different from that one. My writing skills have improved dramatically from then...and please, don't read ahead! I think that would break my heart.

Anyway, chapter two will be coming soon.

Christina!