I've been here for twenty minutes staring into the void while my father keeps scolding me for what I did.
Well... it would be better to say for what I didn't do.
I'm twenty years old and I'm the descendant of Hades and Persephone. It's not possible that I don't have powers, right?
And instead yes. Zero. The most total void.
My father can't stop repeating it: "You're the firstborn, fuck! You have to work harder!»
And as if that wasn't enough, now he wants to send me to that university for daddy's sons with the stench under his nose.
The God University.
«ZOE, FUCK, ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!»
Dad's voice rumbles in the room like thunder. The walls tremble slightly, and for a moment the air smells of iron and wet earth — signs of when it loses control of its powers.
«Pack your bags, leave tomorrow morning for Good University!»
,Exclaims as usual. But hey, the Afterlife and the largest funeral home of honors on the planet don't run themselves.
His duties have him a little... stiffened, let's say.
«Dad, I don't think it's the right environment for me, I don't feel at home—»
«I don't care anymore!» I interrupts me, raising his voice even more.
«We've tried in every way, and since you can't do it alone, you need an extra push! Run up and get ready, I don't accept replies!»
Forced, I go up the stairs snorting, while I try to hold back the tears that burn behind my eyes. I don't want to go there. I don't like it. There's no comfort at home.
And how am I going to settle in well, I, who don't even know who I really am?
I pass in front of a mirror and stand still. I look at myself.
I'm not the typical Greek goddess one expects. I'm not tall, I'm not slim like those perfect daughters of Aphrodite who, I'm sure, will make me weigh every inch more.
I sigh, dry my eyes and continue to pack my suitcase. When I slam her out the door, my mother appears.
She is... the embodiment of perfection.
The only thing we have in common are the freshly bloomed pink lips, the nose and the dark eyes.
But she has that spark of life that I've never felt inside.
"My little sunflower," he says in his soft voice, "Dad is just worried. He does it for your own good, try to understand it. He loves you more than his own life and would do anything for you. Don't take it too badly. You'll see that you'll be fine.»
I hold the pillow to my chest.
«Promise?» I murmur sniffling.
"I promise," he replies, and hugs me tightly.
«I brought you a little gift. I hope you like it.»
Take out a necklace with a pendant in the shape of a red rose. It shines with a delicate light, almost alive.
«Mom, she's beautiful! What's so shiny?»
«Turn all, I'll put it on you.»
I feel his fingers cold as dew brushing the back of my neck, then the necklace closes with a slight click.
For a moment, the metal heats up against the skin, and I seem to hear a distant whisper, like three voices speaking in unison in a language I don't know.
When I open my eyes, the light has faded.
«This is a special necklace,» says my mother with a thin smile. «It's imbued with some of the power of the three Moire. In exceptional cases he will show you a possible future... and when you are in danger, he will protect you. Remember that, and never take it off.»
"All right, mom. Thank you.'« Good night, honey. Rest and be positive: tomorrow will be a new day.»
I remain alone in my room, the necklace pulsating slightly against the skin.
A new day. A new adventure.
And the feeling that everything is about to change — for worse or for worse.
I didn't know it yet, but from that night I would never feel the same again.