Grim Rocker

 

Tablo reader up chevron

Meet Healthcliff Grimsley

His double life intersects, when he accidentally gives the kiss of death to a girl who wasn’t supposed to die. He is forced to enlist the help of the beautiful Persephone, queen of the underworld. He must get her to convince her husband, Hades to make a deal, but everyone knows a making a deal with the king of the underworld comes with a deadly price. But then again, what more does he have to lose? He's already dead...well,sort of.

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

Grim Rocker

“Come on!” I screamed, mashing in the buzzer as if my life depended on it. Quite possibly it did. My job without question depended on it. I had royally screwed up this time, and my ass was riding on someone answering that damn buzzer. I didn’t care if I woke the whole building up.

A cloud of smoke issued forth from between my chapped lips, a harsh reminder that I was still half-human. Tugging my leather coat tighter, I struggled not to think about the very real image of my ass roasted and skewered if I didn’t fix this. Holding on to all the hope I could muster, I continued pushing in the worn button for the twentieth floor. If any of the gods up there liked me, at least, a little bit, I wouldn’t be too late. She would still be home.

I moved away from the intercom, back out to the edge of the stoop. Cupping my hands around my mouth I called out, my voice raspy with desperation “Seph!” She was the only person that could save my job, and maybe my life. “Persephone!”

“What are you doing here? Are you trying to wake the dead?” her voice crackled out through the intercom, rife with irritation. I took a few slow breaths as I moved over to the intercom, trying to calm my still pounding heart, almost wanting to laugh at the irony of the question. Steadying myself, I pressed the button on the intercom “Um…Good evening your Majesty, um…H-Heathcliff Grimsley.” I ran my tongue over my chapped lips, clearing my throat nervously. “Might I have a word with you? Please?”

“You are having a word with me now! What is it?” She snapped.

I let out a frustrated sigh, letting out another billow of smoke. This was no doubt the Queen of the underworld and was notorious for her utter lack of patience. She wasn’t prone to fooling around, so I chose the direct approach. “I need a favor, Seph.”

“What kind of favor?”

“The kind I don’t need to talk about standing outside in the cold, your Majesty.” It was bad enough I was calling her ‘your Majesty, and screaming out ‘Persephone’ at dusk on a crowded street, I didn’t need to be airing dirty laundry on her front stoop. Then again it was New York, the neighbors would just think I was crazy. They might be right.

There was a sound of sharp annoyance as the intercom cut off. The buzzer sounded and I ran to the door as if my life depended on it, which as I mentioned might very well be the case.

Blowing past the lobby, I caught the elevator pushing down the 20 button that lit up against my fingertip. The large metal doors slid closed. I noticed my disheveled composure through the reflection. Running my tongue over my fingers, I used my saliva as a make-shift gel to slick down my unruly ink-black hair. Not the most sanitary thing in the world but, it is not every day you begged a goddess for your life.

When I was satisfied, I slid my fingers across my wrinkled shirt, and carefully creased the collar on my jacket. I gave the hem a few tugs, brushed off some lint, and took a deep breath when I heard the final ding telling me I'd reached my destination.

I shot out of the elevator and through the hallway like a bullet. Her red door was at the end of the dimly lit breezeway Grinding my teeth I fought the urge to bang frantically, instead I tapped ever so lightly. I paused a moment and hit the door, this time, louder and more incessant I knew from the intercom she was already ticked, but soon after I considered that fact the door flew open.

A muscular dark haired shirtless guy answered. His deep brown eyes squinted like he had just woke up and then widened in recognition. I knew I was in trouble when it took me a moment to recognize him as well, it typically wasn’t hard to recognize Adonis himself. I let out a breath as he offered a hand and a smile. “Grim?” He stepped back and I followed him into the apartment

“Hey Donnie, How’s life?”

He poked his lip out and shrugged. “No complaints. How death?”

“I’m makin’ a killin’” I quipped back, knowing Adonis was one of the few men.. Immortals... Alive that could appreciate a good pun.

We shared a chuckle at our joint bad humor, further easing the tension in my shoulders. It had already been assuaged somewhat thanks to Donnie having been the one to answer the door. I don’t think I had quite realized just how nervous I was about the meeting with Seph. That relief was conjoined with a bit of disappointment, and I’d had been a liar if I’d attempted to say otherwise.

I had crossed paths with Adonis, or Donnie as he liked to be called, at a few bars in the past. He was always in between heartaches with his on and off again girlfriend. What can you really expect when you are dating the most promiscuous and flirtatious of all the goddesses? It was actually kind of funny, especially because she knew as well as everyone else did that he'd take her back. He was actually pretty cool when he wasn’t griping about his love life

As I walked in the apartment I noticed it was lined with windows, the bright colors oranges, and pinks of the skyline decorated the apartment, even the all-white couches that matched the walls reflected the colors of the sunset. I could see why this place had become her safe haven when she wasn't with her douchebag of a husband in the Underworld. I saw why she was so upset to have to leave this place.

Truthfully, I'd spent a night here once, and couldn't believe I never noticed the view. Then again I had spent a majority of my time in her guest bed, hanging on to life. I had woken up on the first day of my new existence soaking wet in my own blood and in excruciating pain. Seph had been the first friendly face I had seen. She’d nursed me back to health and explained, why I was 'created'. Apparently, there were others before me and she'd helped them too.

She’d never know that her last words still haunt my dreams. She said. “This will be our secret.” Oddly enough, it gave me some type of rush that Seph and I shared a ‘secret’. I guess she wasn’t supposed to help, but the fact that she did it anyway, I felt eternally in debt to her.

“Make yourself at home man.” I nodded as Donnie crossed the living room with his leisurely stroll, and sank on the couch, clicking on the television as he settled.

“What is it?” She threw her hands on her hips. Her shirt barely touched the top of her jeans giving me a tease of the soft tanned skin of her stomach. The soft roll of her sensual curves left me in an enraptured silence, she was truly more stunning than I remembered.

I scratched the back of my neck as I approached. Her pink lips tightened and she crossed her arms over the swell of her breasts. She wore a pair of black jeans that hugged her tiny frame, a tight white shirt, with lacy accents around the neckline. I had forgotten just how easily this woman could make the simplest things look amazing. I wanted to picture her with a leather jacket, on the back of my Harley I shook off the image. “Uh.” I scratched my head. “You may not remember me—”

“I know who you are, Grimsley.” She snapped as she started toward the kitchen giving me a delicious view of her back side. I felt almost guilty for looking. Almost. “What I don’t know is why you are bothering me on my ‘me’ day of all days and at this time of night.”

My eyes trailed over at the large windows again, the sky was turning purple. Her last chance to see the sun, until she returned to her husband and the world of eternal darkness.

I pushed my lips together a swallowed the thick batch of saliva. I clamped my hands together. “I need a favor.”

“Of course, you need a favor. Everyone needs something.” She seethed. Then she let out a surrendering sigh. “What is it, Grim?”

My heart stuttered in my chest. “You see,” I swallowed nervously “I might have accidentally killed someone who wasn’t meant to die,” I admitted. “A young woman.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Do I look like Aphrodite?” She fussed. “Why don’t you go bother her, she likes that sappy, crap.” She huffed as she walked away.

“Wait!” I held up my hands. “I am no friend of Aphrodite.” My eyes went over to Donnie. “No offense.” Donnie just shrugged, his eyes hadn't left the television screen. He was engrossed in some reality television show.

“She must mean something to you,” She flung open a cabinet pulling out a glass, placing it forcefully on the counter. She then started toward the fridge. “If you’re going through all of this trouble.” She pulled out an ice tray and brought it over to the glass. Each ice cube came down into the glass with a clang. “You men are all alike.” She filled the glass with golden brown fluid, replaced the brandy bottle. “You say you're in love, but all you are doing a staking a claim to someone. Something you wish to possess. It’s sick.”

I ran my fingers through my hair and looked over at Donnie for some support. Maybe he could help me reason with her. He looked up and just gave a sympathetic shrug. I guess was on my own with this one.

I blew out a breath, secretly hoping she'd offer me a drink too. I needed it. “I don’t want to stake claims on her or anyone, Seph.” I came closer. Her head cocked and her gaze seared through me. I had to catch my breath. “All I did was screw up.” I held my palms out.

Her eyes narrowed as she brought the glass to her pink full lips, the look on her face said she was deciding whether I was speaking in earnest, or whether I’d be out on the street again in the most expedient way possible. Judging by the irritation glimmering behind her eyes that would likely be by way of the window.

“So what happen, Grim?” Donnie said without breaking line of sight with the TV, I silently thanked him for giving me the opening I needed.

I let out a sigh wondering where to even start. I leaned my back against the counter and thought about the trail of events that lead to my unique predicament.

“I usually don’t even talk to the souls I bring in,” I admitted. “But this guy just kept on. I mean, I’m used the whole begging for their life thing. That usually just amuses me, but this guy.” My eyes trailed as I thought about those haunting blue eyes on that guy’s face. There was a face that would haunt my nightmares. “He was begging to stay for his sister. He said he was all she had.”

She took another sip of her drink. “I never thought you were a softie, Grim.” I noticed a small twitch of… something... In her lip, I was genuinely surprised to find I couldn’t be certain if it was mirth or sarcasm.

I shrugged. “I’m not. I let Ron deal with him.” Ron, or Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, was my closest friend in my line of work. “I was late for a show. I didn’t have time to listen to some kid cry about his regrets. I didn’t even give it two thoughts until I actually ran into the girl backstage. I mean, he just gave me a name at first so I wasn’t sure, of course. I brought her to my hotel room, and I questioned her, you know, I was just curious about her.”

This was actually enough to tear Donnie away from the screen for the briefest of moments, he raised an eyebrow at me, chuckled disbelievingly, and said “Really?” before returning his attention to the TV.

“Well, she was exactly who I thought. Truthfully, she was just excited to be in the hotel room with me.”

Seph’s lips pursed with disapproval. She knew where this was going, but what could I say, beautiful women were always my weakness.

“One thing lead to another.” I sighed. “I usually don’t fall asleep. Not with groupies anyway. I didn’t even know… I didn’t even know I was dreaming until I felt her warm lips on mine.” I blew out a breath. “That’s when her body went limp, I heard a loud scream and her spirit flew out the window.”

She crossed her arms and cocked her head. “So you killed her with the kiss of death.”

“Look, in my defense, I warned her. Well, I didn’t out and tell her.” That would have been against the rules. “I told her that I don’t kiss on the mouth.”

“And now you feel responsible?” She said.

“Yeah,” I said.

She took another sip, apparently having come to a decision on the matter. “Well, I can’t help you, Grim. Sorry.”

“Seph, if Thanatos finds out that I can’t handle both jobs…” I trailed off. Remembering that my boss Thanatos took a risk on me with my job choice. All of our kind needed a day job, and this was really the only thing I was good at.

“Come on, Mom. Just this once.” It wasn’t enough to get Donnie to look away from the show again, but the petulant whine in his voice was pitched for maximum mock.

Her jaw tightened at Donnie. He was like a son to her and if anyone could reason with her it was him. It felt good to have him on my side.

“I was given a wish.” I blurted, I had really hoped it hadn’t come to this, but the alternative was far worse than just losing my ace in the hole.

Her gorgeous hazel eyes narrowed suspiciously. “From who?”

“Athena,” I said. The cool thing about my gig is the special request. I was like the middle man when it came to them meddling in the lives of mortals.

“Why not use it to bring this girl back yourself?” Seph’s voice was veined with annoyance, and contempt.

“It can’t be used to bring people back from the dead,” I explained.

She studied me carefully. “What can it be used for?”

I looked at the roof, trying to keep my voice carefully free of judgment. “I heard you had a slip up of your own.”

Her eyes fell. I knew I had struck a nerve, and the irritated and somewhat contrite tone in her voice just verified it. “I figured word would get around.”

“I guess news travels,” I said, maintaining that neutral tone.

Her lips narrowed, the offer was obviously tempting. “I’ll bet,” She said. “People die every day Grim, why waste your wish? Really? Who is she to you?”

“Something I need to set right.” It was the closest to the truth.

She walked over to me then held her palm out.

“So it’s a yes?”

“I’m not making any promises, Grim,” She said coldly. “I’ll talk to him. The rest in is the fates hands.”

I took out the small glowing token Athena had given me to represent the wish and placed it in Seph’s hand.

She walked passed me to the spiral steps in the middle of the living room that ascended to the roof, where she had a greenhouse and there in the center was a statue of a man, his eyes wide with fear, and arms up in the air as if he was protecting himself from an unseen assailant.

The story went, he was once her neighbor and had taken an interest in her. He apparently just watched her from a distance at first, until he finally got up the nerve to talk to her. She turned him down at first, but eventually her loneliness got the better of her, and she started seeing him.

What stood before him was the result of Hades discovering his wife was having an affair, a statue created by one of his goons. Hades had sent him to steal Athena’s shield with Medusa’s face on it, and to use it to turn him to stone. This had been Seph’s one and only affairs.

A part of me envied him, though, not the eternity as a statue, but pleasing a goddess. I had to admit there was the world full of worse ways to go.

She rubbed the small stone in her palms and then set it next to the statue. It started to glow brighter until the stone melted away, and a man emerged.

He took a heavy gasping breath and shook loose shards of stone out of his hair. His eyes met Seph and instantly he went for her, but her hand went up.

“I’m leaving. I will be back in six months, that’s when I expect you to be gone.” She said, her voice cold but slightly strained.

He looked up at me with a confused look.

I just shrugged. He was looking at the wrong guy for answers. I watched him trail Seph back down the stairs. I followed.

“Persephone, will you talk to me?” He went for her, the tone of his voice matching the pathetic way he trailed after her. She just looked at him coldly.

Donnie blocked his path, protecting her as she went into the kitchen.

“You might as well let it go.” I warned the newly restored man, slumping on the couch. “You’re lucky to be alive.”

He looked at her for a moment, and then his expression showed a sort of lost surrender. After looking around the room again, he just headed out the door. Having been encased in stone for two years, he was in for a rude awakening. He’d probably come back after he figured out what happened, but it would be far too late.

“Poor guy.” I laughed shaking my head.

“Hello, sweetness.” I heard a familiar voice purr. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Damn.” I heard Adonis say next to me. This night just kept getting more and more interesting.

I chuckled again looking at Donnie and then Aphie, who appeared out of nothing, in true goddess fashion. “The ball and chain is here.” I grinned teasingly at him.

Donnie slapped my shoulder.

“Get the hell out!” Seph growled.

The two woman stood toe to toe with each other like they were going to claw each other’s faces off. Glancing over at Donnie on the other side of the couch. He looked at me and then back at the two hot feuding goddesses. I could tell he was thinking exactly what I was thinking. Where does Seph keep the beer and popcorn?

An eyeless Cyclops could see that these two would never agree on anything. The only thing they had in common was Donnie. Seph had raised Donnie from the time he was a baby though he wasn't her biological son, nothing could make them closer. Aphie was basically his eternal mate, despite all of the break-ups. Donnie would move back in with Seph, and swear off Goddesses, Aphie would find a way to wind him once again around her little finger. There was something vaguely ‘Greek tragedy’ about it all.

I was just glad I only had one love in my life, and she was music, so I couldn't quite relate to this trifecta. If they would have asked me, Aphie and Seph should just go ahead and buy a collar for him and sign a joint custody arrangement.

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I just came for what’s mine.” Aphie said.

“Well, he’s going with me.” Seph growled.

“Damn, do you two ever stop fighting?” Donnie stood up stalking toward his ol’ lady but remaining behind Seph. I was sure it was for protection. A woman scorned is one thing, but a goddess scorned is a crisis. “I’m going with Mom Aff.”

She sashayed over to him placing her hands on his chest. “But baby, I missed you.” She poked her cherry red lip out

He rolled his eyes. “Look, weren’t you busy?” He said. By busy, I knew he meant screwing other guys and gods....or girls she didn't discriminate.

“You knew what you were getting into, honey. Who do you think I am, Artemis?” She pressed her fingers to her healthy cleavage.

I had to admit, Aphie was a bombshell of a woman. Long red hair covered her head, her eyes were a bottomless emerald and she had the curves of…well, a Grecian goddess. Both women looked like they belonged on the cover of a magazine, or in a beauty pageant. But to my mind, Seph won hands down and she was far more subtle about it, which to me only added to her allure.

“I love you, Aph, I do.” He said with tenderness in his voice his hazel eyes trailed to Seph warmly. “Mom, needs me.”

“I need you!” She pouted like a child.

Donnie let out a sigh of surrender and walked away and plopped on the couch next to me again. “Bye. Aph!” He turned coldly toward the TV.

She blew out a breath.”Baby?” She whined She looked at me and her green eyes lit up. “Hey, Grim.”

I smiled. “Hey, Aphie.”

I then noticed the glare on Seph’s face and my face straightened. I wasn’t going to get in between these two.

“We’re leaving.” Seph announced.

With that, we all went outside where her black limo waited.

Donnie opened the door for his mother, she shot Aphie a conflicted look and slid in. Donnie looked up longingly at Aphie and shook it off. I started to slide in but Aphie grabbed my arm.

“Grim, can I talk to you?” She said sweetly, using her best ‘innocent little girl’ voice.

I looked in the limo at the look on Seph’s face. She was clearly pissed. “Give me a sec.”

“We have to go Grim.” Her voice was firm and veiled with threat.

“Five minutes.” I pleaded.

Her eyes narrowed. “Three.”

“Two.” I blurted.

She gave me a curt nod.

I knew I was taking a risk going with Aphie, I had that beautiful woman-slash-goddess complex. What could I do?

We walked toward the front of the limo. “What is it Aphie?” I crossed my arms calmly over my chest.

She drew her fingertips slowly up my bicep and slid them around my neck. I tilted my head over toward the limo but she held my face, her hands on my cheeks and kissed me, slipping her arms around my neck. Goddesses were the only ones who could get away with kissing me. Until now I hadn’t known from personal experience, I had just heard it was so. I sucked in my bottom lip savoring the feel of the epic kiss.

My head felt light. I shook it off. “Umm…thanks?”

“Why don’t you come see me when you’re back in my neck of the woods, Grim?” Her lip twitched into a devious smirk.

My eyebrows rose. “Yeah, sure.” I knew Donnie was ready to kill me. She was just trying to make him jealous so he’d stay, I couldn't help but feel a small stroke of my ego, being in the sights of the love goddess.

“You guys should learn to get along you know. Donnie loves both of you.” I said, almost kicking myself for bringing up Donnie knowing that he had just seen me make out with his ol' lady.

She jutted her lip out. “Well, she started it. She thinks that I caused the whole Hades thing.”

I smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair from her milky white cheek. “Aren’t you the love goddess?”

Her eyes fell, and my heart tensed. Was she showing emotion? I guessed it would stand to reason the goddess of love would have a heart. I caught her chin on my fingertips and brought her gaze back to mine. Her emerald eyes glittered into mine. “Hey.” I said softly.

“Grim, I’m good, but I’m not that good.” His voice strained. “Trust me, I have tried. That man is incapable of love.”

My eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

Her long lashes fell over her cheeks and then fluttered as if resetting themselves. Her gaze went back to her usual flirtatious glare. “Never mind.” She smiled. “Have a safe trip.”

“Grim.” I heard Seph call.

“You'd better get going.” Aphie said. I backed away confused, but she was right, I needed to go, I didn’t want Seph to back out of her deal. I watched her until she faded away before I slid into the limo, slamming the door behind me. Seph sat at the other end, Donnie’s arm draped around her. Noticing her reflection in the window, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She had 6 months of sunshine, in the big apple, now she was going to be locked away in her own personal prison for the next six months.

Seph was the nice girl in school, the one that dated the biggest, meanest jock. You knew that he couldn’t possible deserve a girl like that, and kept waiting for the day she’d kick him to the curb. Seph never did, but that didn’t keep me from wondering what it’d be like to rescue her. I was no knight in shining armor, but I was a far cry from being the jerk Hades was.

This was the hard part. Seph stared out the window, it was as if she was embracing it for the last time, it couldn't have been easy for her, even knowing she’d return. It was good that Donnie was going with her this time, but I knew as well as anyone it wouldn't be long before Aphie cuddled up to her dad and got Donnie, her favorite boy toy, his release papers.

I couldn’t stop thinking about that night she helped me. I wondered if she had ever seen a big apple winter. I had a feeling she would love it. Even the cold wouldn’t bother her too much. It would be better than where she was going.

Pitch black smoke slowly sheeted the windows, a loud rumble of thunder shook the car, and a strong force pushed me back pinning me to the seat. Just as the strange sensation came, it went and the dark cloud emerged. I recognized the dark shoreline of the river Styx

Rising out of the car I held the door for the other passengers. Seph stepped out. Her bright caramel eyes caught mine again and my heart submerged in my stomach causing a thick swallow. I shook off her effects on me.

I embraced her figure again as she approached the bank. I loved how her leather pants hugged her frame, and even a simple black t-shirt she made look delectable. Somehow, I knew that she preferred more color. It was a harsh reminder for what lied ahead for her.

I tried not to think about it. She was the queen of the underworld and she was doing me a solid.

A shadow approached in the distanced as a bell tolled. A swinging haunting glow caught my eyes. My lips twitched as Ron emerged from the dark shadows in his dark black hooded cape. The hood hung over his face. Even I had to admit if didn’t know him he would look off-putting, but I knew it was just Ron. Or Charon, the ferryman of the underworld.

His arm came up, and with a dramatic tug of his cape, he pulled down his hood. Revealing the fact that he wasn’t a skeleton or an old decrepit man like some thought. His skin had some wrinkles and his hair was salted with grays. He was even used to having some of the more inebriated female spirits flirt with him, a time or two. Yes, a spirit can be on spirits. Interestingly enough. If a spirit was drunk when they died it is possible they’d function down here with a delayed slur. I never understood why, but those were my more fun drop-offs.

“Your majesty, we’ve been expecting you.” He said with a short nod. He held a long metal stick with a lantern on the end digging it into the gravel to anchor the boat. The dark ferry slid against the dark gravel as we approached.

“Hey, Ron, what’s up man.” Donnie approached first, clapping his hand into Ron's.

Ron smirked. “Trouble in paradise?” He said slowly.

I stifled a laugh and Donnie’s nostrils flared as he jerked his hand away. “Keeping my mother company.” He growled. “Mind your business old man.”

Seph curled her hand into the crook of his arm smoothing over the tension with a sweet smile at Ron. “Hello, Ron.” She nodded gracefully.

He nodded deeper. As he looked up he noticed me and gave a sideways smile. “Grim, what do we owe this visit?”

I grit my teeth, scratching the back of my neck.

“You mean Mister ‘kiss of death’ over here.” Donnie teased.

I smack Donnie's free arm and he smack me back. We would have continued smacking each other like two immature brothers until Seph spoke in her maternal tone. “Boys. Behave.”

Huffed and looked up at Ron, who had an ingrained smirk on his face for me. I knew he had gotten the gist of the trouble I was in. I couldn't blame him, it was the kind of occurrence that would be funnier if it were happening to someone else.

Seph, then Donnie and I, loaded onto the ferry grumbling curses.

I had never seen this side. It was everything they said it was. The cold outside had nothing on the cold in the underworld. I felt gooseflesh rise on my back and arms even under my jacket, it did nothing for this type of cold. I didn't know who could endure six months of this, how Seph and Donnie did it was beyond me. I felt claustrophobic already. The smell, if hopelessness had a smell that's what it was, rotting flesh, stale water, and mildew. My stomach twitched. “You okay man, you look like you're going to blow chunks in the river.” Ron chuckled.

My eyes went down noticing the dark ripples in the dark water with what looked like small puffs of smoke flowing by. Spirits. Every so often a small wave would form a face in agony. So this is what happens after you die.I thought.

I swallowed.

“You can't hang hot shot?” Donnie smacked my back, tempting my last meal upward.

I took in a breath trying to hold face, at least in front of Seph, but I didn’t know how long I could. “I don’t know how you do it.” I said through a raspy cough.

Catching my breath I looked up and saw Donnie's eyes trail over to Seph's lovingly. “It has its good points. Who else is going to look out for you?”

She smiled. “I’m a big girl, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“Somebody has to, Ma.” He argued.

Seph’s lip narrowed as she slid her fingers in his.

“After being forced to marry that…monster.” He was telling the truth.

“Don't call him that.” I opened my mouth to protest but decided to stay out of it. Still my mind trailed back to my heartfelt conversation with Aphie. If Seph's relationship upset Aphie there had to be something unnatural about it.

“Considering where you are, I wouldn't revert to name calling.” Warned Ron.

“Somebody has to tell him the truth.” Countered Donnie.

“Don, enough.” Seph chided.

We rode in silence the rest of the ride. I decided to focus on Seph, to distract from the sickness I felt. From a distance, she had the presence of a queen. Being so close I couldn’t help but notice the glassed over longing in her eyes.

If I learned anything in the death business it was that the eyes told the truth. That was what truly made them the windows to the soul. Seph's were a deep ocean, that I knew I could get lost in and not mind it at all.

I watched as a gentle wind tossed her hair, sweeping her scent toward me, carrying her silent pain with it. I didn’t want to think of it. It was like grieving for the moon. It was one of the universal truths one had to accept. That it was destined for an endless night. In her case a long dark and cruel winter.

When the ferry came to a halt, Donnie, helped Seph out of the ferry, then, I stepped out and Ron grabbed my shoulder. “Word of advice Grim. If you want to get out of this place, I would keep my hands and eyes away from the big guy’s wife.”

I just smirked and took another step, and it caused my boot to catch the side of the boat and I came crashing face first into the dark wet sand.

I heard Don’s raspy chuckle. “And watch that last step.” His chuckle faded into a high pitched on that fluttered off, echoing down the river.

Shuffling to my feet, I sat up spitting out the gritty sand and dusting myself off. “Very funny.”

That was when I realized it was too quiet. Even the moaning ended and I was all alone.

“Ron?” I called out walking forward. “Seph, Donnie?” I walked more. As strange as it seemed I hated the quiet darkness. “Seph? Donnie?” I called out. “This isn’t funny.”

“Guys seriously, this isn’t funny!” I started to walk into the unknown. There was nothing more gut-wrenching than the idea of being lost in the Underworld. It was a place a person could get lost and never find their way out.

An echo through bounced off the walls of the cave but it wasn’t from me, it was more of a deep growl.

My steps grew more tedious, and then I heard something move stopping me in my tracks. The sound of something crashing against stone. My breath hitched and I swallowed a thick lump. Looking to each side that was covered in darkness.

“Seph?” I said from the back of my throat.

I felt a warm wet breath on the back of my neck that smelled of decaying flesh and wet dog.

I was almost too afraid to turn around that I did carefully. The large opal-eyed beast glared at me with all six of its eyes. I opened my mouth to scream but I caught myself.

A thick goop fell from his mouth and my arm before I could move. The black monster emerged from the shadows, with three heads, each face more menacing and bloodthirsty than the next. A hardness caught in the back of my throat. I backed away slowly until I felt the blood rush to my feet. Turning on my heels I sprinted through the cave, still feeling his hot breath on me, as well as the sound screeching clatter of its claws on rock.

One of the heads nipped my in the arm, that was when I maneuvered my arms out of my jacket and continued to run through the cave. At was a small distraction. That was my favorite one, but a small price to pay to give them a chew toy, so I could get away.

“Seph!” I let out a strained scream. “Seph!”

That was when I hit a wall, literally. My hands smashed into it. Easing over to the wall of the cave, I could still hear the deep cadence of the growling breathing of three heads. I felt against the side of the cave when my fingers found something too smooth to be a rock. At first, I was thinking “just throw the damn thing at it”, but I recognized the feel. I slid my fingers along the strings and then down to the base.

The animal let out a deafening howl that shook the cave, sending boulders crashing down. I jumped out of the way of one that nearly impaled me.

I carefully slid the Fender guitar over my chest.I cradled the instrument in my hands and let my fingers traced the strings. I’ve played for rougher crowds. I almost wanted to take a request, but I didn’t know what to sing to a three-headed monster. I knew someone was looking out for me, because, it was common knowledge that there was only one thing that could soothe this beast. The first song that came to me was ‘Cryin’ by Aerosmith. I didn’t know why I just started my chords. That was when a pole glimmered out of the ground. I lip twitched until I realized it was closer to the snarling predator.

While playing, the drums came in on their own. I turned around and noticed the faded silhouettes. A drummer, a keyboard player, and a bass player. This was a set up if I ever saw one. I closed my eyes and instead of picturing a screaming crowd, there was a silhouette of a woman, I started to put together her face in my mind.

When the song was over a crackle came out of the darkness, and it was as if I had made a wish because she was right there before me. The beast ran over to her each fought for the chance to lick her face. There was never another time I had ever wished I was a three-headed dog, this was it.

“Did you miss me.” She coddled. It was actually sweet seeing Seph with her 'pet'. Another thing in this dark world that made her happy.

I took a step toward her and then turned and noticed the shadow figures vanished.

I chuckled brushing my fingers over my mane. “Couldn’t wait to stick your beast on me?”

She giggled scratching one of the heads behind the ears he seemed to be enjoying in dispute being nudged away. “Fluffy’s harmless.”

I chuckled at the name. I had heard she's only called Cerberus 'Fluffy', to piss off Hades. A reminder, that she was his prisoner, but he would never take her rebellious spirit. Even if it was a small gesture.

I studied her change in wardrobe. It was a far cry from the street clothes she had warned before. I had never seen her in her royal garbs. As beautiful and as extravagant as it was, there was hardly any fabric on it. Gold plates covered her breast and torso, leaving enough room to reveal her ample cleavage, she had a thin white skirt with chains that hung down. The dress was covered with golden chains, would have been blinding in normal light but there was just the dim glow of the candelabra in her hand. My eyes then trailed the sheer fabric came from the dress that went to her gold wrist cuffs. A crown brought her long brown hair into a ponytail. The crown connected a long shear black veil. Everything put her beautiful assets on display, but there was something I didn’t like about it.

She approached me with a kind smile. Her chains clamoring as she moved. There was no point in the queen sneaking around here.

“Do you do that to all the people you help?” I smirked scratching the back of my neck.

I loved how she smelled of spring time. It was like fresh honey suckle, I could smell as she approached and it didn’t even mix with the repugnant smell of the underworld. It was like her aura neutralized the scent.

She giggled. “I guess I couldn’t help myself.” She shrugged. “It’s been so long since we’ve had decent music down here.”

I chuckled. “Just say the word, and we’ll book a gig down here.” I was only half kidding. It was the least I could do. The woman had helped me more than I think even she realized.

“If only that were possible.” Her eyes trailed as she let out a sigh.

“What no electricity?” I quipped. I looked down the cave toward the direction we were walking and then behind us. There was no hint of light other than from the candles.

She turned to face me, her eyes wide with sorrow-filled seriousness. My chest tightened. “Grim he barely lets people leave here, and it is rare he will let them come back twice to leave again.”

It clicked that this ‘request’ was what few had ever accomplished, and those that had, the cost was very high. I had no payment, but Seph’s persuasion. I was hoping it was enough. She was taking that steep price on to herself, once again putting herself on the line for me. That realization was unsettling.

She turned with her candelabra guiding me down the dark tunnels of the underworld.

“You ever think about getting lighting down here.” I joked trying to lighten the mood. “With all that underworld magic.”

“Let’s just say my husband is old school.” She let out a breathy laugh.

“He likes things the way he likes it.” I said scrolling her figure once more realizing what I hated about the dress. It was the chains and the cuffs, even the crown part was a bar that locked around her hair. She wasn’t here to be his queen, she was his prisoner down here. I thought about what Aphie said. It had nothing to do with love. It was that a power trip. Just a way to get back at Zeus.

“I never thanked you for helping me that night.”

“Don’t mention it.” She said,”Thanatos's big initiation. Nothing makes you lose your memory and tests how strong you are like throwing a man off of Mount Olympus.” She let out a single stale titter.

“I don’t know if I could have survived without your kindness.” I said. “I feel like I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me anything Grim.” She said as she continued into the cave. “But,” she paused, “there was always something I wanted to know about that night.”

There were a million things I wanted to know about that night. “What’s that?” I asked trying to guide through the darkness with Seph, with tripping over a rock and falling into her.

“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

I chuckled. “I didn’t know you had a sense of humor, your majesty. That was a good one.”

“Don't call me your majesty.” She turned the candle glow made her eyes sparkle. “I like when you call me Seph.” She said. “Just Seph.”

“Seph.” I repeated with a slow smirk.

She pivoted on her foot to turn around but I guessed her heel caught on a rock and she plummeted. I caught her as the candles toppled to the ground with a loud resounding clank. Her mouth opened like she was going to scream, but was muffled by my lips.

If there was a list of stupid things to do in the underworld that would lead to ultimate and irreversible death, this would sit right there at the pinnacle, but there was no going back now. It just felt too damn right.

Circling my hands around her waist, hating the feel of the cold metal against my skin. I wanted to rip it away and free her and the feel of her soft skin against mine, but her delicious lips would have to suffice my hunger. I gently slid my fingers down the goose bumps on her arm and she moaned in agreement only encouraging me. I groaned as her hand clenched my shirt and then slid up my bare chest. I wanted to return the gesture but I carefully backed her into the wall, lowering my kiss assault to the column of her delicious neck.

“You’re. So. Beautiful. Seph.” I told her between kisses. “When I kissed her, I was dreaming of kissing you, Seph.” I confessed.

“Grim?” She breathed into my lips. “We can’t.”

She clawed into my hair just as my lips touched the curve of her breast. It was probably meant to stop me, but it only urged me to continue.

“We could get caught.”

“I hope I get caught.” I smirked against her chest.

I leaned in again but this time, she pushed against my chest.

“Seph,” I murmured, “don’t deny yourself. You want this as much as I do.”

I felt her body shudder. “Grim.”

I cradled her face carefully looking into her wide eyes that even sparkled in darkness. “Seph, I can’t tell you how many nights I dreamed of this. Having you.”

Her eyes fell but I caught her chin in the crook of my finger. “Just say the word and I'll stay.”

She shook her head. “Grim, it would never work between us, not here.”

“I hate that you're his prisoner. I wish there was something I could do.”

“I'm his, Grim. There's nothing you or anyone can do about it. You just need to save yourself.”

I shook my head. I didn't want to accept it. God or not, Seph didn't deserve this. God or not someone needed to take that jerk Hades down a peg. I clenched my fist together, wondering if I could take him on. It was a long shot, but who else was going to do it?

“Grim, I don’t want to see you get hurt.” She slid her hand against my face, soothing my frustration, but images of destroying Hades once and for all didn't stop circulating through my thoughts.

I looked at her, her big glimmering amber orbs, filled with pain and torment that I wanted to end once and for all. I gently kissed her hand that rested against my face, cupping it gently.

“I don't want to see you get hurt, Grim.” Her voice low and shaky.

“I’m already hurt.” I slid her hand over my heart that played a cadence that would only play for her. “Kiss me, Seph.” I urged with a hand on each side of her. Pinning her to me. “I don’t want to force you like him. I want it to be because it’s what you want Seph.” I looked into her hooded eyes. I leaned into her lips once more. “Kiss me, Seph. Please. No matter what happens to me, all I ever ask for is this. You don't even have to help me. ” I leaned into her lips. “Let me die here, but give me this.”

“You took this job to save your brother, Grim.” She said in one exasperated breath into my lips.

I almost wanted to ignore what she said. Then it registered. I pulled back looking at the desperation in her glassy eyes. “What?” I didn’t know she knew about my life before the fall.

“He was selling his soul, and you stepped in for him. To save him.” She said. “He married your wife.”

My heart fell. I shook my head “I don't...”

Her lips thinned. “Grim your daughter calls him 'Daddy'.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I closed my eyes and shook my head trying to piece my mind around what she was telling me.

“So you know,” His voice shook. “You've always sacrificed yourself for others, and you always end up hurt and betrayed by those you sacrifice for. ” Her head fell again, but I caught her chin again. “Break the cycle Grim, you're going to get hurt again.”

She walked away and I let her. I was stuck in a pool of my own thoughts and that may have been her intention. As I started to follow behind her, there was a relentless ache in my chest. I didn’t know if it was what she said about my past or the coldness that set in when I had lost her body heat. Either way, it seemed I was used to heartache maybe that was why I liked to write music. I followed her through the tunnels in the dark, as an emptiness enveloped me

Maybe she was right I needed to get what I came here for and leave. Stop trying to play hero.

* * * * *

The throne room in the palace was massive, covered in dark marble. Each step made a loud resounding echo. I turned back and looked into the shadowy hallway.

“Heathcliff Grimsley” The deep voice shook me out of my thoughts. I didn’t know what I thought of when I thought of Hades but what I saw was far from it. A tall seemingly middle-aged man with long raven hair with two long white streaks his eyes looked dark, if I didn’t know any better I would have said, he had large pupils and no irises, but he lived in darkness. He stood in front of his throne tall. He would have thought he was Zeus himself.

Swallowing a thick lump, I approached the bottom of the steps of the platform he stood on.

And then I heard the chattering chains. My eyes found hers. Her neck elongated

I guided my attention back to the high and mighty joke that thought the woman I was in love with was his property.

A curt sound of Hades' throat clearing was the only thing that could tear my eyes away. Reluctantly, I brought my attention back to the Hades. “You do not bow before a king?” He spread his arms out with thick gold cuffs around his wrist that matched Seph's only thicker, to make a point. It made me sick to my stomach.

I urged my legs to bend slowly, still holding eye contact. Bold, I guess I was as egotistical as he was. I wrapped my hand around my wrist and stood there flexing my biceps and matching his gaze.

His arms crossed over his massive chest and he cocked his head. Finally, he strolled down the stairs and stood next me, he would have forced me to crane my neck too far up ward, so I decided to find a marble step to focus on. “My wife tells me you're looking to release someone, from the underworld.”

I bit down on my lip. “Yes your majesty,” I said tightly, resisting the urge to look at her, it even caused my chest to tighten. “I made a mistake...” I confessed.

“I’ll say you did.” He interrupted.

“I need to set this right.”

He rested his dry hand on my bare sweaty shoulder. “She is only a human, she is of no significance to us.” His lips twitched. “Or Thanatos for that matter. It’s a lot of trouble to go through for nothing. What’s your real reasoning?”

I thought. Was he right? Was it all for nothing? She was a human after all. What was it that made me think that one human life could be any conciliation to anyone. So what happened now? Did I leave with nothing? Would he even let me? At least, Heather could be with her brother. What about Seph, and it may have sounded selfish but what about me?

“You know, Thanatos has been doing quite some raving about you, Grim.” Now I looked, he had to be kidding.

My eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Really.” He stepped back. “You can get up, I'm just joshin' you.” He chuckled deeply.

I did as I was told. My knees were hurting anyway. “W-what did he say?”

“That you were, obedient, brave, and that you had the voice of a siren.” He smirked dropping his arm around me. He smelled of pure brimstone and hate. “I could use a guy like you down here.”

I blinked hard. I didn't know what to say.

He looked at the top of the stairs where Seph was looking down at us. “Kitten? Will you excuse us, big boys can have a conversation?”

My eyes flicked toward Seph, she stared at him blankly, and caught a quick longing gaze at me before she walked into a tall dark opening, I continued to watch her as she disappeared into the darkness.

He pulled away and strode toward two pillars that made an arch and stopped resting his hands on his sides. “I'm sure you heard about that unfortunate soul that thought he could seduce, my sweet Persephone.” He let out a long sigh. “I just get so tired of these handsy punks that think they can touch, what's mine.” He growled, his biceps flexed as he tugged the window seal. “Is it so, much to ask?” He started to scratch his light stubble. He jerked back around to me, made me jump. His lips curved into a slow smile. “How would you like to work for me, as a guard down here?”

My eyes widened. “Me?”

“Why not?” He spread his arms out.

My mouth dribbled. “Um....well,” I hummed nervously, “I'll pass.”

He patted my back with a wink. “You think about it.” He started toward another cave, next to the one I came in. I swallowed before I follow, trying to wrap my mind about what just happen. Was it a trick? Was it real? At least, I could be close to her. I shook it off. I needed to focus on guiding through the gray light of the cave. Images went through my head, of Hades killing me in this dark cave. I was ready for it. That is when I heard a familiar growl. My heart stopped and I took in a deep breath opening my eyes. It was a shiny new Harley, like the one I left in front of Seph's apartment and there she was already sitting on the back of it, like cargo ready for me to return to the land of the living. This was way too easy.

I looked at him. His face was too calm as he circled the bike, he picked up a helmet and walked back in my direction not even acknowledging the girl on the bike.

I brushed my fingers through my hair. “So that’s it? No hoops to jump through. No, contract to sign in blood.”

His lip twitched. “Well, I’m not a total buzz kill as you young people say.”

I studied him and as I did my stomach flipped “It’s just that everyone I talked to said that you are a stickler for a deal.” Maybe I was putting my foot in my mouth, I needed to just take my prize and just leave. “Not that I’m complaining.” I added. I needed to just go before he changed his mind.

I started to walk toward the shiny black motorcycle.

“And Heathcliff.”

Shit! I turned to find him dangerously close, he crashed the helmet to my stomach so hard it pulled out a grunt pushing all of the air out of me.

“I would appreciate if you never saw my wife again.” His gave me a slow tight mass murderer smile. Then his black eyes started to glow with red irises.

I took in a sharp breath when. I could feel the heat radiating from him. Then he just turned and walked away.

Watching for a moment as he stormed into the cave, my teeth started to clinch together. “Hades!” I growled. I had never been too good with not having the last word.

He turned around and shot me a bone chilling glare.

I curved my lips into a tight smile trying to mimic his. “Have a nice day.”

His nostrils blew out and he turned sharply.

I smiled feeling a small amount of satisfaction.

Climbing on my bike, I tossed on my helmet, shut the visor and kicked on the ignition. “Hold on,” I urged. It sounded muffled through the helmet and over the engine but I assumed she heard me when her arms wrapped around my waist. I hit the throttle and gunned through the cave until I saw the sunlight in the other end.

This was the infamous Orpheus cave. Where he had lost Eurydice. Lucky for me we weren’t in the same boat, but I didn’t want to take my chances. I didn’t want to say or do anything until I was safe in the meadow just outside the cave. I had to admit there was the desire to look back. I didn’t know why, but I resisted.

The sun beamed hard down on me. I heard the loud roar of the ground collapsing behind me. I kept riding until I could hear nothing but chirping birds and the sound of the cool breeze.

When we finally came to a stop, I took a slow breath through my nose, throwing off my helmet. I then took in the warm sun rays. Closing my eyes and embracing it. Taking in the smell of the trees, feeling the soft breeze against my skin. It is funny the things you appreciate when they are taken away, and you don’t think you’ll ever see it again.

I turned back to the girl. She threw off her helmet and shook out her red ringlets that started to fade into a fiery brown, and her green eyes went to a deep chestnut with honey flecks. My heart warmed in my chest.

I let out a deep chuckle. “I don’t know how you do it, babe.”

She giggled tossing her head back letting her brown locks spill over her back. “You learn to appreciate the little things.” She slid her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder. I took in her honey suckle scent in her hair and placed a kiss on her temple.

“I think I can do that.” I smiled. I chuckled replacing my helmet and watched her replace hers. Then I revved and we took off into the sun.

It was possible that Hades would track us down, figure out about the decoy. It was possible he could care less. As long as he had a prisoner. It was possible that the very next moment she could be taken away from me. I couldn’t allow myself to care, what happened next. I had what I wanted.

Maybe it was a trick of Aphie, maybe I was as selfish as Hades, but I couldn’t allow myself to care. This moment with this woman holding me it was right, unlike anything I'd ever felt before. This precious moment was my life. That was enough happily ever after for me. Then again what is a happily ever after but a story that ends too soon. An inescapable truth, that death was as unavoidable as darkness. The best thing you can do is enjoy the sun while you have it.

You never know what lurks in the darkness.

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

More Coming Soon....

More of the saga of Grim and Seph, coming soon.

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...
~

You might like L.A. Bridges's other books...