Chapter two:
When I enter the dining room the next morning, I find my dad sitting there waiting for me. What's for breakfast? I ask, sliding into one of the many chairs.
Waffles sound good to you? he asks, amusement shining in his blue eyes as he looks up from his writing. Of course, I respond. He knows I would never turn down waffles. Curious at what's he's doing, I pull the papers away from him and then turn them to me. I look down at them and chuckle. They were all contracts. I push the papers back to him. He produces his pen that he uses to sign the contracts, making them unbreakable, as servants walk in with plates piled high with waffles and a jug full of blood from the souls. Once the jug and waffles are placed in the middle of the table, the servants bow their heads and walk out of the room. I reach for the jug and pour myself a glass as my dad spears a couple of waffles from the plate in the middle, having signed the contracts.
So, what do you have planned for today? he asks, making conversation as I reach for my own waffles.
I'm thinking about repainting the message, I joke but quickly amend my statement when I see his furious look. I actually don't have a lot planned. I was going to start packing, as I've decided that I want to go up to Earth in the next couple of days. I cut a triangle of the waffles topped with cream and chocolate sauce and shove it eagerly into my mouth.
I'll sort that out when I'm up there today, disturbing these. Where do you want to go? he asks.
There are so many places on Earth that I want to go to. I think back to the servant at the stable. Miami Florida, USA, I tell him. Whenever I visited my dad, America was my favorite destination.
Okay, as I'm not here, I need you to go to the Styx Lake and supervise, he requests.
I swallow my mouthful before groaning playfully. Ugh. Fine, if I have to. But you have to get me a car and motorbike when I go up, I negotiate.
He ponders it for a moment and then adds onto my cause. Yes, but you also have to help at the lake tomorrow.
I grin, extending my hand to him, Deal, but only if they are both day shifts.
He takes my hand in his and gives it a firm shake. We finish the rest of our breakfast in silence, and while the plates are being cleared, I got back upstairs to get dressed, I open the door to my room and look around this familiar room that I love. My big comfy bed sits against the wall to the right of the door. I walk into my walk- in closet and flick the switch. Fire lights up inches in the closet's walls. I decide to wear all black to look intimidating pick out a pair of black ripped pants jeans, and throw them onto the cushioned stool behind me. I walk further into the closet, past another door, hunting down a black vest. Once I find it and my leather jacket, I move to my shoe collection and grab a pair of boots. After finding all my clothes, I step out of the closet, turning the fire off as I go, and step into my bathroom.
I am instantly met with hundreds of reflections of myself looking back at me all from angles. I move past the sunken bath and put my clothes on the counter next to the sink. I then take my pajamas off as I walk into the shower. Once I am cleaned and dressed, I walk back into the main room. Being the daughter of the lord of the underworld as it perks, like inheriting some of his powers, as is expected. Along with superhuman senses, strength, and speed that all demons have, and the power over storms, I have also gained the ability to teleport in the blink of an eye and compel any human, dead or alive. I usually use teleportation to get around, and today, I also decide to use my power over thunder for extra effect. I picture the Styx Lake with my eyes closed, visualizing myself standing there. I feel my feet hit the ground, which is softer than the one in Hell, and summon thunder and lightning. I survey the familiar terrain. The actual lake is massive, you won't see the other where the lake meets the dark sky because it is blurred by fog.
The ornate gate where all the souls enter the afterlife and all the demons and angels enter the human world is far from the hubbub where the boat's pull up at the docks to pick the souls up. The demons must have permission to move from the lake to the human world. Someone works at the gate constantly to allow people through. Souls are physically unable to leave once they come through the gate. I don't know how the demons and angels come back though the gates once they are out, but I believe it as something to do with a certain grave in every graveyard. They need a way of coming back, otherwise, Earth would be overrun with them. I turn my attention back to the souls standing like statues on the dark sand, waiting to be taken to their different designations, watching me in fear. You can officially start the party now I'm here, I tell them with a grin. When they continue to stare at me, I sigh. Take a picture. It lasts longer. Oh wait, you can't! Hearing me, Dad? You should have looked at that!
I wait for a moment for my dad to reply. I don't know if he has left yet. I get my answer when thunder reverberates through the place. I smile.
Always know how to make a entrance, don't you, Scarlet? someone says behind me.
I spin around, my eyes turning sarcastic. A boy my age meets my eyes. His blonde hair is almost luminescent even though we are standing in the dark. His hazel eyes look down at me as he stands tall above me. I feel even more dwarfed by his strong build.
Jack! What a lovely surprise! My sarcasm leaks into my tone as I look for a way out.
I hear Hell's still Hell, probably because you're still there.
My mind goes to what my dad said.
Hell is meant to be scary, but I was going to ask you whether Uncle P, you're dad, has had enough of you let. Is he sending you back with me? Is that why you are here? Oh, wait, I would probably kill you before the first day is over, so it looks like your dad is stuck with you, unfortunately. Now, if you excuse me, I have souls to sort.
I turn on my heels and walk towards the gates where the lines of souls are waiting to be sorted. I turn back before I get to far and call back to Jack, So hey to the Olympus family for me.
As you have probably guessed, Jack, Poseidon's son, and I don't get along. It's not that I don't like my family, it's Jack's personality. I turn back and approach the guards who are sorting the souls. I walk to the closet and tap him on the shoulder. When I recognize him, I address him by name. Brian, I greet him with a nod. My hands extend for the only device that works down here. It's a sort of electronic tablet which as an ever- updating list of the dead souls that have not been sorted. Once you have a name, the device shows you information about the soul and tells you whether they should be in Olympus or the Underworld. It's only programmed to do that and nothing else. I turn on the device once Brian passes me one. A message pops up asking for authorization and proof that I'm not a soul. I type in my unique password- my mother's name, Candice - before pricking my finger. The device scans my blood for demon or angel qualities and any signs of duress, souls heading toward Hell will do anything to get on the other boat.
After the device is happy that I'm rightfully in charge of the tablet, a list of dead souls appears on the screen, my name in the upper corner. Being the daughter of one of the many gods, I have administrative access. Now logged in, I move to the end of the line of waiting souls.
Next! I command.
A kind- looking old lady toddles towards me, a smile on her face even though she is dead.
Excuse me, dear, would you mind telling me where I am? she asks. This explains why she's happy. The after life, the promise land, whatever you want to call it. I try to be gentle as I can, after all, I'm telling her she's dead.