The alarm went off, "Clario" by Sofia saturated Persephone's room with encouragements for her to open her eyes and welcome the day. She had been up since the first rays of sunlight slowly crept into her room. She couldn't explain exactly what it was, but her body had always been invigorated by warmth and light. She slid out of her silk bedding and twisted her waist length curls over her right shoulder. She stood with a long stretch and opened her window to rest against its vine covered edge.
Today was the last day of Summer and her mother was throwing a massive celebration. Every member of Olympus's high society was coming out to eat, drink, and gawk at the young girl who had been kept tucked away all her life.
She could see the city of Olympus outlined across the massive river that stood between her and everyone else. Tonight that all would change and she was disappointed by her lack of excitement. She left the window and walked to her desk, picking up her phone and scrolling through it. Reading the Olympus news, it seemed she was the hot topic.
Most daughters of the high elite came out together at a large event held once a year. They were escorted by their boyfriends and spoke about their ambitious dreams and glowing accomplishments. Though Persephone had a lot she was good at, she was raised in much secrecy. Her mother being her closest and only companion her entire life. Told that her banishment from others was for her own safety. Apparently, Olympus had a lot of dark creeping secrets upon it's beautiful faces and shimmering lights.
Her phone chimed with a text message from Adonis.
"I can't wait to finally meet you. Did you get the gift I sent you?"
She glanced at the large bouquet of flowers and box of chocolates. Adonis may be known for his looks, but not his originality. All she needed was a small teddy bear and she'd be the perfect teenage cliché.
Her mother had given Adonis her phone number few weeks ago. He was a close friend to Zeus, the mayor of the city and close family friend. She didn't mind Adonis much. It was nice to talk to someone, anyone her age. He was currently her only link into the real world. She liked to ask him what he did in a day. The people he met, food he ate and event he attended. And Adonis had zero problem talking about himself, so the association was a mutual success. But beyond all that, there was something about him that continued to give her pause. Like there was something dark he had become very good at hiding.
And no, she wasn't an idiot. She knew Adonis, Zeus and her mother's intentions. Many had called upon her for a date or some kind of chance of communication and she had refused them all. It annoyed and frustrated her that these men only wanted to be seen with her for what she would give to them. None of them had any interest in who she was or what she desire for her future.
The sound of her mother calling her name, pulled her from her thoughts. She sent a fast "Yes, thank you," reply to Adonis and left her room. She leaned over the stair rail and smiled down at her mother.
"Yes?" She asked.
Demeter looked like a small frantic animal rushing from one room to the next, speaking to waitstaff and florists, caterers, musicians and ariel silk artists. She stopped and looked up, smiling to her daughter.
"Good afternoon, my love. Guests will be arriving in a couple of hours. Will you be ready?"
Persephone responded with a nod and Demeter fell back into the rush of planning and showing where everything from plates to people, was meant to go.
Persephone returned to her room and kept to her word. Even though there was nothing much she had planned to do. She had a formfitting blue dress waiting for her, and she had been encouraged to put her hair in a chignon, allowing a couple of curls to frame her face. She also didn't fuss much with her make up. Applying nothing more than some mascara and lip gloss.
Ten minutes later, she was ready. She lay on her unmade bed, staring at the ceiling and clicking her tongue to pass time. She listened to a local podcast about mythology and eventually raised herself and looked out her window, where she saw a small armada of yachts came from the city approaching and anchoring to the island she called home.
The night rolled out in glitter and grandeur Persephone felt she wasn't able to enjoy at all. Instead, she was instructed to follow her mother like a dog on a leash. And like an obedient companion, she was polite and jovial as she met Olympus's socialites and their sons. Sons she realized were unique and yet all the same.
They played different sports but belonged to the same club. Were striving for varying degrees but attending the same groups and schools. When she went to grab a plate of food, a couple of guys she'd met earlier came over and started to bombard her with questions.
Before she could answer, Adonis broke through the middle of them, dawning a light blue suit and bow tie. His golden hair gleamed in the dim party lights and his smile radiated confidence.
"Gentlemen," he said with that smile plastered on his face. "Give the girl some space."
The others mumbled curses and looked defeated and annoyed, walking away.
"You're welcome," Adonis said, stepping closer to her. "You look lovely. It's so wonderful to finally meet you in person."
At that moment, with her small plate of golden chocolate covered strawberries held in her hand, Persephone was convinced that she could place a full-length mirror in her place, and he would be satisfied for the rest of the night.
To her merciful delight, the lights dimmed, signaling the entertainment to begin. Adonis looked away from her and she made a rush for the back patio. The music for the ariel silk artists began and the guests came close together to watch as three dancers spun down from the ceiling.
Persephone's heels clicked down the stone stairs toward the back garden and patio. The moon was full, and the stars lit up the night sky like a fire. She sat against a stone pillar and popped off her heels. She had about ten minutes before anyone cared where she was, and she intended to embrace every second.
Biting into the first of strawberry, she laughed to the sky.
What a horrendous night. Hours filled with her mother walking her around like a prized horse. She shook her head and bit into her second strawberry. It was heaven. Applause sounded from the house and Persephone twisted her head against the ivy consumed pillar, as if the plant would cover her and make her disappear.
When the first song for the silk artists ended, she heard someone approaching ahead of her on the grass. Narrowing her eyes to get a better look, the stranger came into vision. A man who looked much different than the others. Still polished and well dressed, but darker. He wore a fitted burgundy suit. His skin was pale, and his hair was a well-kept mess. It gave off the illusion of carelessness with wavy pieces going over his eye and grazing his cheek. But it was too well done to be an accident.
"Good Evening," the man said to her.
She couldn't help but sigh in a bit of frustration. She just wanted to be alone.
"Good evening, sir, the party guests are inside enjoying a dance performance. If you make your way up the steps right behind me, you'll be there."
He slid his hands casually in his pocket and dipped his head in appreciation. "Thank you, Miss. Are you not here for the celebration?"
Persephone shook her head. "I'm the caterer. Just thought I'd slip away for a small break while everyone was distracted."
The man cocked his head to the side, a small wry smile curved his lips. "The caterer?" he asked and then nodded again. He slipped a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and Persephone spied tattoos on both his hands. A rose on one and some kind of monster on the other. He offered her one, but she declined.
"Who are you?" she asked. Not really knowing where her interest came from.
"My name is Hades."
Persephone's stomach gave a small turn. She had been over the guest list a thousand times upon her mother's request. Never had she come across the name Hades and her mother was very strict on who attended. Whoever this man was, he wasn't meant to be here.
Now alert and feeling the push to go back upstairs, Persephone stood and grabbed her shoes. She deserted her plate on the ground and turned back toward the stone stairway.
In what felt like a flash, everything fell into absolute chaos at the exact same time. She heard the music come to an abrupt stop, confusion and concern rising. Then the sound of a sudden gunshot. Screams exploded and Persephone was in shock. Her eyes widened and she froze unsure of where to go or what to do until she heard her mother screaming her name.
"PERSEPHONE! PERSEPHONE!"
She yelled after her mother and started to sprint up the stairs. When she was at the top searching and screaming frantically, she ran into a massive, brick wall of a man, the collision alone was enough to make her head spin. She stumbled back and got a flashing glimpse of him before he lunged toward her, pressing a towel over her nose and mouth. She registered the smell of chloroform and then blacked out.