As the rain came down, the young woman dashed down the street. It was almost one in the morning. She should have been looking at the time during the study session/date. Finals were approaching, and every college student was cramming. But, this student was different. She was older than the subject.
Charlotte made it to her apartment. A mutt named Corday was waiting on the steps. She opened the door, which led to the stairway. The two had found a cheap apartment in Salem that had allowed pets. The only problem was the seven flights of stairs. And the people in the apartment were also a problem. Charlotte and Corday had a very colorful neighbors. End of sentence.
The landlords were also a pain. Charlotte's friends had named them the Thénardiers, while at her apartment to discuss Les Misérables. The landlords were con artists that tried to scam the tenants. They didn't bother Charlotte. She practically invented con artists.
They reached the top floor, and Charlotte put her key in the door. Of course, the key was on her lanyard, and she hadn't taken it of her neck. So, she was awkwardly trying to open the door. Then, she realized it was unlocked. There was only one other apartment of that floor. Charlotte rarely encounter the neighbors, but they didn't seem like criminals.
She opened the door, only to find four old friends waiting. She walked inside, and accidentally shut Corday in the hallway. He would be fine, for one night. Charlotte walked over to dining table, and placed her bag on it. Three of visitors acknowledged her. The other was glued the TV. The others glared at him. He waved them off, "Just minute. She recorded Class of the Titans. I love this show. I'm the best character."
On the TV, a small man was trying to answer five phones with a computer mouse.
Charlotte walked over a turned off the TV. The fourth complained, "Lottie, it's so funny."
He and Charlotte walked to the table. One of the men was looking out the window, another was reading her notebook, and the last was working on her stereo. Charlotte laughed, "You should come be more often. That stereo has been broken for nine years."
They all sat at the table; each one waiting for the others to start talking. Finally, the one that had been watching TV started, "I nominate Theo."
"What," one of the two blonds at the table asked. "Why me?"
"You're oldest," was the reply.
Theo sighed, "Charlotte, we need your help. You know Kate, right?"
Charlotte nodded, "Henry's new wife. Walter and Diana's demigod-born daughter. Stopped WWIII."
The mechanic smirked, "Word really gets around."
The one from the TV asked, "You know Ava died, right?"
Charlotte hissed, "James, I've been MIA, not stupid. Nicholas and Eric are sitting right here."
The last man interrupted, "Charlotte, Kate and I were tasked to find mother's replacement. But, in fifty years, nothing."
"What do you me to do? Love isn't my specialty; it's darkness and magic, usually together."
"But, Char, that could help. We need a goddess of love. You are one of the few people with the ability we need. You can't hide forever."
"I can try," Charlotte paused, "I'll think about it."
The men looked at each other. Nicholas nodded, "We'll give you some time."
One by one, they left, until Theo was the last with her. He stood up and walked over to her. She felt him brush her hair over her shoulder. He leaned to kiss her cheek. "I missed you."
She stood up and wrapped her armed around his neck. "Theo, is this why you came?"
The blond smiled, "I haven't seen you since the Civil War."
She laughed, "I only left because your sister scares me. Ella threatened me, her friend, leave you alone. She was pretty jealous."
He looked towards the window. "I remember when you started the witch hunt here. I should have looked sooner."
She buried her face in the crook of his neck, "You have two children and you're blamed for the Witch Trials."
He pulled to her room, and she laughed, "Theo, I have finals tomorrow."
He laughed, "James told me I had to convince you."