EIGHT

Her feet were cold and so are her hands. She felt like she stepped into a whole new kind of world where everything was different. It scared her but she tries her best to convince herself that it would be temporary. That everything is going to be alright one day.

She was sitting at the edge of the bed. Perhaps it was the cold weather outside but her body is trembling. It could be because of her fear. She honestly doesn't know.

In front of her stood Maddie. She was still in her sleeping pajamas. When she called her earlier, it was obvious she was already fast asleep. But the moment Maddie heard her voice, Maddie asked her to come.

Now, Maddie is staring at her as though she was looking at a very interesting piece of artifact. One reason was also that she had told her about where she had gone. It wasn't like she didn't have any choice. When Maddie asked her where she'd been, she told her friend the truth even though it sounded ridiculous.

Maddie's face was unreadable as he continued to stare at her.

"Arent you going yo say anything?"

Maddie blinked and looked at her. She could still see the hint of her surprise in her eyes.

"Gwen, I—" she shook her head as though it would help her find the right words to say. "I don't know what to make of it—"

"No, Maddie. I know it's hard to believe but it really happened. Someone kidnapped me and—" She stopped as she saw the look on Maddie's face. She knew it would only make matters worse if she continued to explain so she sighed.

"He killed my aunt's boyfriend," she said and fumbled on the tip of her hoodie.

"Who is he?"

He's Hades. The lord of the Underworld. He wanted to say these things but Maddie would look at her as if she came straight out of a strange dream.

"I—don't know who he is. He took me and brought me to where he lives. I don't know how long I've been away but I need to find my aunt. The police are looking for me and I know they blame me for the death of my aunt's boyfriend."

She looked at her friend and what she said next shocked her.

"It wasn't just your aunt's boyfriend, Gwen," Maddie said. "Your aunt committed suicide. And worse, she left a note that it was your fault."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wanted Maddie to repeat what she said but she knew it would only make it more real. Her aunt had done it. Even in her death, she still managed to give her hell.

"Is that why the police are looking for me?"

Maddie nodded gently and she tried piecing the pieces forever.

"Does that mean I am wanted criminal, Maggie?"

She could see Maggie's eyes watering as she stared at her. "I'm sorry, Gwen. I really am."

And just like that, the door bust open and police started coming in. She was too surprised to move and before she could even think about moving, someone was already holding both her arms. She could hear someone shouting and when she looked over in Maddie's direction, she could see her friend was saying something. She couldn't hear a word. Maddie was crying and some police were grabbing her friend away from her. But what remained in her mind were the words Maddie last said.

I'm sorry, Gwen. I really am.

Silent tears started falling down her face as she stared at Maddie. She had become a wanted criminal. Her aunt's boyfriend is dead and her aunt committed suicide, leaving a note that says it was all her fault. And Maddie...

Maddie whom she'd call first. Maddie whom she thought would help her at the first sign of trouble. Maddie, who had called the police as soon as she saw her. She doesn't know what to feel. She doesn't know what to say. The police grabbed both her arms and she could feel something cold against her wrists. The police had come to take her and she couldn't do anything.

She did not protest as they took her out of the door. Her mind wasn't there. She was thinking about how her life turned upside down just because of that one night. The night when she was kidnapped, the night when it was supposed to be one of her happiest as it was also her birthday.

The voices became clear as she neared the car. There were people in their robes, nightgowns, and pajamas who came out to witness the capture of the most wanted criminal in their town. There were also cameras pointed at her and some people asking her questions she doesn't know the answer to.

She was ushered to the car and two police officers sat down on each of her sides. They were talking about something but she doesn't have the right mind to comprehend what they were saying at the moment. So she sat there silently, not even wiping the tears that had already dried up on her cheeks.

The car had started to move and silence filled the air. Or perhaps her ears were ringing too much she couldn't hear much of what was happening around her.

"That was nasty," said one police officer next to her. She didn't need to look at him to know he was talking to her but she didn't say a word.

"I'm talking to you," he said again.

"Stop bothering her," said the one on her other side. In her periphery, she could see the insistent one still looking until he let out an impatient breath before leaning back on the seat. She gripped her hands tightly, not knowing what to do. What does she usually do when faced with a life crisis? She was used to ignoring it. But now, it doesn't seem like something she could just ignore.

"I didn't kill my aunt," she said silently. But the silence inside the car was enough for the policemen to her what she said.

"Sure," one of them said. And then she felt his breath on her neck.

"You can explain in the precinct," he said and he lingered longer, smelling her neck. She squirmed and bit her lip, stopping herself from crying.

And right then, she wondered if she had traded underground with Hades with something just as worse.