The Running of Persephone

Hades

I didn't plan on finding her again. OK. Total lie. But that's besides the point. I was drawn to her from the moment I set eyes on her and I couldn't stop thinking about her. I didn't actually think I'd find her though. I was wandering around, trying to remember the path we had been on when I heard running and shouts. I followed the noise and that's when I saw her. She was amazing, for lack of better words. I saw her bend the forest around her to her will, stopping whoever was following her in their tracks. I was still able to follow closely behind and I saw her stop at the lake. Curious, I watched her.

"Are you OK?" Damn, this girl has got a set of lungs on her. I stepped out from the trees that were hiding me.

"Who are you? Why were you following me last night? That was you, right?" There was an edge to her tone, threatening. That made me chuckle.

"You don't know who I am? Really" My smile grew as she fixed me with a hard glare. Hands tensed at her sides.

"If I knew who you were I wouldn't be asking. I know you're not from around here. I've never seen you on our property before."

"Your property huh?", if looks could kill and I wasn't an immortal being with immeasurable powers I'd probably be six feet under by now, "OK, OK. I'm Hades, God the dead, King of the underworld. Ringing any bells? Now it's your turn. What's your name little goddess." I saw her eyes widen just a fraction. Got her.

"I'm Kore. The goddess of spring and daughter of Demeter." Now it was my turn to be surprised. I knew Demeter had a child but she kept her hidden from the rest of Olympus. If i'm not mistaken I thought I detected a little animosity when she mentioned her mother.

"Well Kore. Goddess of Spring. What has you so troubled that you're out here in the middle of the forest all on your own letting your obvious frustrations out."

"I'm more than capable of handling myself King Hades," That smirk gracing her lips told me just because I'm king it didn't mean shit to her. Then it went away as she continued "There's something wrong with my powers." She looked at her hands as if she was scared of them. I felt my heart pull for her, wanting to comfort her. She sat back down on the ground and ran her fingers through the water.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want but I can also tell that isn't the only thing bothering you. I've been told I'm a very good listener." I shrugged as I sat down next to her and she looked at me with eyes that held sadness and fear that I had never seen before. I wanted to reach out and wipe the tears that threatened to spill but in fear as coming across as weird I kept my hands at my sides. She looks away and down towards the water. Surprisingly she keeps going.

"It's just, I've been fighting with my mom a lot recently. She never lets me have my freedom. Everywhere I go I have to have a chaperone. Everywhere. I can't even work in the fields by myself. She just keeps me so sheltered. I've never even been off the property before, she won't even let me go to town with her. I'm surrounded by all these nymphs and my mom, and don't get me wrong I love them with my whole heart, but I feel so alone, like I don't belong here. So at night I sneak out and go off on my own, just so I can feel the tiniest bit of freedom. Then my powers... I'm the goddess of fucking spring for crying out loud. I'm supposed to create life, not destroy it. I don't know how but I destroyed our whole crop field. Everything's dead. And it's my fault but didn't know what to tell my mom so I ran. I ran and then I ended up here. Gods, I feel like such a freak, everyone is going to hate me when they find out what I've done." My heart ached for her and this time I didn't stop myself from wiping the tear away that escaped her.

"I know what it's like to feel alone. I was chosen to rule the underworld for all of eternity while my brothers are up in Olympus surrounded by the rest of the gods and goddesses. Though I'm content with not having to deal with the politics and drama they all get up to up there. But sometimes I look across my kingdom and wish I had someone to share it with..." Kore snapped her eyes to meet mine and I choke feeling my cheeks start to heat up, realizing how my words sounded. "I meant just that- that uh I know how it feels to be alone. You know?" She smiles at me in understanding and I think my heart stopped. I never want to see her without a smile on her face again.