Hades' Lost Daughter

Chapter Ten

The blowdryer made my head hurt even more and I had to bite my lip to keep from wincing in pain. I didn't know why but I was adamant about keeping my pain unseen by Alex and Barbara who had already dried themselves and were waiting for me at the door.

I sighed and turned off the blowdryer before getting to my feet and straightening my clothes. I was now wearing a pair of faded jeans along with a black, sparkly shirt Alex had picked out for me. "What do you have planned next?" I asked, trying to sound excited.

Alex smiled and shrugged. "Just something casual, to relax. I know how much you love movies so... I planned a night of movies we can binge in the common room since Andrew is going to join us," she said with a smile.

I tried to keep a groan from leaving my mouth and forced a smile. "That's... great," I said. I didn't know how to feel about Andrew joining us. Originally, I had planned on watching movies with Barbara and Alex until we fell asleep but I never imagined a boy would be a part of the plan, much less, Andrew.

"Let's go," she said, taking my arm and beginning to lead me away. Barbara chuckled and followed after us silently. It took all of my concentration not to stumble as I walked. The ground felt uneven under my feet.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, we got to the common room that was surprisingly empty. I wondered where all the other kids were, the boys must have already returned in time for dinner.

"The others are in the cafeteria eating dinner and after that, they'll be heading up to their rooms since this section has been closed off for you guys," Barbara said as if reading my thoughts.

"You aren't going to be joining us?" I asked slowly.

Barbara pursed her lips and shook her head. "In a minute. I need to go attend to some things in the kitchen and with the other children. I think I'll make it back in time to see the second movie." I nodded my head and she gave me a quick hug before disappearing.

Alex shrugged and opened the door for us. Andrew was already there waiting for us and when he heard us come in he got to his feet and smiled. He was wearing a long-sleeved, dark shirt along with some loose-fit jeans. He looked better than I cared to admit. I had to keep myself from staring at him too long, it was as if something was pulling me towards him.

"Hey, have you been waiting here long?" Alex asked as she took a seat between us and I sighed in relief. I didn't know if I'd be able to sit so close to him without repressing the urge inside of me to go nearer to him. It was odd. Whatever I was feeling, was getting stronger and more intense with more time that passed.

Andrew shook his head and pointed at the coffee table where there were bags of chips, a bowl of chocolate-covered pretzels, and candy. "I went to find all this before coming here. I don't think the kitchen would mind."

My eyes widened as I scanned the snacks on the table. All of this was kept under lock and key in the pantry in the kitchen, reserved for special occasions like Halloween, Christmas, and Saint Valentine's.

Alex giggled and shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe you got all this. I don't even want to know how you did it."

Andrew chuckled and nodded his head. His eyes met mine slightly and I quickly turned away to keep the jittery feeling at bay.

"So... what movie are we going to watch first?" I asked as I leaned back on the couch and looked at the TV.

Alex smiled and quickly reached for the remote control. She turned on the TV and the title of the movie popped on the screen. My eyes widened and I heard Andrew groan, making Alex laugh. "What?" she asked, turning to him.

Andrew shook his head and smiled, "It's a chick-flick."

"So? It's Aileen, and if you haven't noticed, she's a girl," Alex argued back and I blushed as I felt Andrew's intense gaze on me but I didn't turn to look at him.

My eyes were fixed on the Princess Diary playing in front of us. A deep silence fell over us as we watched the movie.

Alex would say something once in a while as certain favorite scenes of ours came up. Alex and I would giggle ever so often. Andrew only chuckled from afar but would keep silent.

By the time the movie was over, Alex's head was beginning to sway side-to-side in exhaustion. I was sure she was going to fall asleep any time now.

"Finally, that torture is over. What's next?" Andrew asked teasingly.

Alex didn't respond as she clicked on the remote, a mischievous grin on her face.

The title of The Princess Diary Two came to view. "You've got to be kidding me," he said in disbelief and I couldn't help but laugh. The sound resonated inside my head, making the headache worsen. I slowly reached for my temples and started to massage them softly. Neither Alex nor Andrew noticed as Andrew reached for the bowl of pretzels. "I'm going to need this to endure," he said and Alex rolled her eyes.

"Most boys enjoy these types of movies, even if they don't admit it." Andrew shrugged at Alex's comment and kept his eyes on the screen.

Somewhere in the middle of the movie, Alex leaned on one side of the couch and me on the other. We watched the movie in silence in the darkness of the night. Suddenly, I heard a small snore echo in the room and when I turned to look at my friend, I realized she had already fallen asleep. I yawned and stretched, trying to clear the sleep away. I wanted to wait until Barbara came back so that we could talk. I wanted answers as soon as possible.

Andrew laughed but didn't comment on it as our eyes met across the room. I quickly turned away and continued watching the movie in silence.

About an hour and a half later, the movie credits came to view and I was sniffling as a couple of tears fell from my eyes. Alex was still snoring, asleep.

"Are you crying?" I could hear the surprise in Andrew's voice as he looked at me.

I quickly wiped my nose and eyes and shook my head. "No. Something got into my eyes. That's all."

Andrew shook his head and placed the empty bowl back on the table as he turned to me.

"You don't have to be so untrusting of me. I don't mean any harm, truly." His voice was soft and his eyes held nothing but warmth in them.

Something inside of me tugged at my heart and if my head wasn't pounding, I might have found his words touching and I would have been able to think of a response faster.

By the time I opened my mouth to speak, the door of the common room opened and a silhouette appeared at the door. Barbara walked in carrying a stack of blankets and PJ's with her. "I thought you might be cold. This room is freezing at night. Also, I brought your pajamas from your rooms in case you wanted to change," she said softly.

I quickly thanked her and took my pajamas before heading to the girl's bathroom.

When I came out, the third movie was starting but neither Barbara nor Andrew were paying attention. Their attention was on their conversation that sounded serious and troubling. I walked towards them silently just in time to hear Andrew say, "she must know what she is."

"What who is?" I asked, revealing my presence behind them.

Barbara jumped on her seat and through the dimness of the light, I saw her face pale.

"Aileen-," she began but I quickly held up my hand, stopping her.

"No, Barbara. I want to know the truth. You told me you were going to tell me everything tonight," I said tightly. My patience was running thin, especially with the headache rumbling inside my head.

Barbara pursed her lips together for a moment and then nodded her head in defeat. "You're right. I shouldn't keep on postponing this. Come, sit."

I slowly returned to my seat next to Alex who didn't realize what was happening while she slept.

Once I was seated down, I turned from Barbara to Andrew who wouldn't meet my gaze.

"I don't know where to begin," Barbara murmured under her breath.

"Barbara. Don't make this any harder," Andrew said in a low voice.

My friend slowly nodded her head and her dark eyes turned to meet mine. "Aileen, I was the one that found you all those years back. I had just arrived at the orphanage. I ended up here as I ran from my past but my past caught up to me that night.

It had been raining that night. The noise was too loud to hear anything but somehow, I managed to hear your muffled cries and I rushed to see what was happening. I found you in a small basket, wrapped in your black baby blanket along with two letters. One that you now possess and another you didn't know existed." She paused hesitantly when she saw my body stiffen. I slowly moved my hand, signaling her to continue and she nodded her head.

"In the other letter, my name was engraved. My real name Melpomene."

My eyes widened as my mind processed what she had just revealed. A sudden thought crossed my mind but I quickly shook my head as the rational part of me said it was impossible.

"In the letter, there were clear instructions that told me I had to take care of you. That I had to keep you safe, away from anything that could hurt you out there. It was also emphasized that you had to grow up as a normal human child, without knowledge of where you came from or what your lineage means. That is, until your seventeenth birthday, which is when the changes start to appear."

"What changes? What are you talking about?" I interrupted. My body was beginning to tremble as I heard what Barbara was saying. Suddenly, I wished I had gone asleep when Alex did.

"You are not human, Aileen. Not like you think you are and your seventeenth birthday marks the final stage in which you receive your powers. You are what the gods call, an Elemental. You possess the power to harness the power of nature, of the elements. At least one of them, anyway," Barbara said with an intense look in her eyes.

My breaths came out in labored gasps as I shook my head. She couldn't be serious. That was impossible. I might not have been a bright student but even I knew there was no scientific explanation to what she claimed I was. But one worm resonated in my mind, "gods." What was she referring to as "gods"? And what did they have to do with me?

I turned to Andrew, remembering the way he seemed to be able to control nature to his will. The way it had rained that morning when I had confronted him. He had also called me the daughter of Hades. I had thought that had been an insult but now, I wasn't so sure.

"Is that why you called me the daughter of Hades?" I asked slowly.

Andrew looked at Barbara and then back at me before nodding his head. "Yes, Aileen. What Andrew said is true. In the letter, it was clear that you should know who your real parents are. You, Aileen Hagan, are the daughter of Hades. The Romans called him Pluto but his titles were the same. Lord of the Underworld, Ruler of the Dead."