Chapter 37: Bugs Don’t TalkRyderBefore I could open my eyes, I felt something land on my chest and straddle my neck. The weight of it nearly knocked the breath from my lungs. I had no time to cough or complain because a tiny scaly hand smacked the actual shit out of me. “What the fuck!” Now I’m pissed. On instinct, my body jolted upright, reacting to my anger. I’m about to kill whoever it was that hit me. My eyes are open now, but my vision is foggy. I grabbed hold of the weight around my neck. Grasping it, I yanked it off me and pulled back to throw the thing. Only whatever it was also had ahold of me too. My vision began to clear, and the damn thing started crawling up my arm like a fucking spider. I bounced, and hopped, and bucked as the thing straddled my shoulders. I reached up and placed both my hands on each side of the scaly object. I tugged and tugged, but whatever the thing was now had hold of my ears! “ya, ya! Giddy up little doggie!” It spoke!
Chapter 38: Drake CinderRyderI lay on the cot style bed that the little devil imp set up in my cell. I guess I should be thankful that I am not sleeping on the cold slate floor. With my left arm tucked under my head I stare up at the coal black ceiling reflecting back on everything that happened before I let myself fall into hell. Could I have fought harder? Is there something I should have done differently? The guilt I felt at the thought of letting Demi down was sickening. I fight to keep the thought of Ares having her out of my mind. I have to keep a clear head if I am going to find a way out of here. I entertain myself by imagining all the ways I am going to torture that motherfucker when I am finally able to get my hands on him. I haven’t been able to eat for the last three days, give or take a day or two. It feels like I have been here a lot longer than three days though. I’m not so sure if it’s safe to eat the food the pudgy little imp provides, but if I want to keep my stren
Chapter 39: She’s a LadyRyderThree days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months and months turned into two years. I am twenty-one now and my hope of ever leaving this place faded a while ago. That doesn’t stop me from looking for ways out of here though. Drake and I don’t get out of our cells much, but when we do, we explore exits as best as we can. We are supervised and all the exits are guarded by titans. So far, we have met dead ends at every turn. Dreams of Demi is the only thing that keeps me hanging on. I sleep a lot. If I could stay asleep for the rest of my days, I would. If I can’t be with her in reality, then I will have her anyway that I can. I sat near a lava pit and watched as young fire imps hopped along the rough jagged stones that were protruding out from the bubbling heat. They are mischievous little creatures and I often got amusement out of witnessing the sheer naughtiness of their daily antics. Unlike the older and grouchier imp that tends to Drak
Chapter 40: Mind’s EyeRyderShortly after realizing that I had Thomas’s ability to manipulate water I found that I had also taken a little supernatural power from Ares. I hadn’t noticed it myself but during a workout one day, Drake commented that my strength, speed, quick reflexes, and stamina were still well above that of a human or Lycan. Ares was known for all these traits which made him a feared battle god. After Zeus bound my own powers, it took me a while to recuperate from the damage my body took, but once I did, I felt physically stronger than I had before everything happened with Zeus. After a long day, I finally let myself relax in bed. I shut my eyes and my thoughts drift to Demi. She’s constantly on my mind. I wonder what she’s doing right now. Is she thinking about me like I am her? Is she asleep? As I let my mind wonder, something occurred to me. When I was inside Demi’s head watching her memories unfold, Ares confronted me. He spoke about how some gifted be
Chapter 41: GhostDemi “Come Demi, my lovely girl. You know you have no need to ask if you can stay in Ryder’s room. He would prefer to know you were here and safe. If I had my way you would never leave to return to Olympus” Ryder’s mother, Willow was on my right and his grandmother, Harper was on my left. Harper held my hand up in hers and patted the back of it softly. “Don’t you worry my beautiful girl. One day Ryder will make his way home and when he does, you’ll be the first person he will seek out.” I smiled. Ryder’s grandmother was a wonderful person and a strong Lycan queen to the werewolf race. She’s humble and kind, but she also has a fiery side. There’s no doubt she is where Willow gets her temper. “Tell me honey, does moon goddess Selene have any idea yet how we are going to break my grandson out of hell?” I shook my head. “Selene and Typhon are trying hard to make a way to release him. Even Zeus can’t make an exception to rules put in pl
Chapter 42: It Was MeDemi “Demi...” That voice…. It was only a whisper, but the sound of it could awaken me from death. I longed to hear him speak. I craved so much to hear him call out to me. So much that now I am imagining him saying my name. The voice was faint but sounded as if he were right here in this room with me. It’s the first time I have ever been here, in his room, near his things and surrounded by his scent. It’s all just a silly coincidence. I take a step towards his bed and pull the covers back, eager to slide back into its warm embrace. It’s the closest I have been to him since he has been gone. “Demi, baby! I have missed you so much.” I turned. Spinning on my heels. “Who’s there?” Tears fell and my heart squeezed in my chest as I pressed my palm over it to attempt to slow the beat. Again, I had heard his voice, but no one’s here. I am alone here. “I swear Luca if this is you, it isn’t funny!” Ryder’s room seemed to get darker as I spun aro
Chapter 43: Vibrating SoulRyder I was elated. Demi’s hair just moved when my hand passed through it. My heart was racing with excitement. I looked down at my hand and I could slightly make out the outline of my silhouette. I looked back up at Demi, meeting her beautiful eyes. “I can see you…” She jumped up and circled around me. “Ryder, I can see you.” “You can… see me?” “Yes! Yes, I can. Not good but… You’re really there! Here! You’re really here!” Tears streamed down her beautiful face, but this time it wasn’t from sadness or heartache. She’s smiling. She is smiling because she can see me. We both stopped and stood still in front of each other. Silently taking in each other’s appearances and speaking with only our eyes. I could feel that my racing heart was also in tune with the thumping of hers, both drumming rapidly. Was it our confusion, sadness, happiness, shock, love, lust, agony, pain, or pure excitement that held us in our places? Yes,
Chapter 44: You Do NowNarratorDrake’s eyes followed Ryder’s form out of the cell room door. Once he couldn’t see Ryder any longer, he turned his cold gaze towards his mother, then to Priscilla. Priscilla’s body language immediately changed. Her confidence melted away with the heat of Drake’s judging and suspicious gaze that burnt into her. With his eyes still blazing into Priscilla, Drake spoke to his mother.“Are you going to tell me what this is about? I know there isn’t a nice bone in your body, mother. You didn’t offer this girl up to Ryder on a silver platter for nothing. What’s in it for you?” “Ah, Drake. You were always smarter than your father liked to give you credit for. Ryder didn’t have any interest in me, things could have gone a lot smoother around here for him if he were willing to have a little fun.” “Let’s skip the part where you want to fuck my friend and get to the part where you get something out of this.” Drake cut her off. He