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Description
She awoke some time later. The sun was setting, its orange hue growing darker and darker. The animals were scurrying around, getting ready for nighttime. She stood up and patted her moss green dress. Her mother would be worried sick if she got back after dark. After gathering up the flowers she had picked, she headed south.

From behind a tree he watched as she ran home. Would he ever see her again? He didn’t know. Cautiously he followed her, only making sure she got home safely. Was there something wrong with him? Never before had he been worried about someone else. He moved through the forest with ease, stealthily emitting no sound at all. He was darkness and shadow anyway. She would never suspect that she was being protected. She kept running until she came to a clearing. He stopped well away from her, hiding in the shadows. The moon was out but not fully. A small cottage stood in the clearing with light inside. She didn’t go in immediately but lingered for a little while, taking in the evening scenery.

He moved closer, hoping to see her face again. Inside her mother knew nothing of the time and continued with her knitting. He watched the curious girl closely, the way her hands moved, the way her eyes searched for discovery. Unfortunately, she would never accept him. Who would? His brother Zeus was the one everyone cared about. Unknowingly, he stepped on a branch. Her head turned toward the direction of the sound.

“Who is there?” she asked, walking toward him.

He thought she wouldn’t be able to see him but from her perspective, she could see the outline of someone in the trees.

“Please come out,” she called softly, “I won’t hurt you.”

“Yes, but I will,” he thought, “She doesn’t deserve to meet someone like me.”

He revealed himself from the shadows and her eyes became enlarged. His silver glowed in the moonlight and the black armor he wore made him appear larger. The dark cloak he wore on his shoulders slowly caressed the wind.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Do you not recognize me?”

“You seem familiar, however, your name escapes me.”

“I am Lord Hades, God of the Underworld. It is a pleasure to meet you Persephone.”

“What brings you here?”

“I was merely watching you. Please don’t be alarmed.”
She only looked at him, scrutinizing his very being. She was not frightened of him however his image might have contradicted that. Her steps were small but she walked toward him. She only came up to his shoulder and her frame was quite a bit smaller than his muscular one.

His breath hitched in his throat when she stopped right in front of him. Her shining green eyes looked up into his dull black ones. Her hands were behind her back and she stood on her tiptoes to get a closer look at his face. He didn’t move but resisted the urge to wrap her up in his arms and hold her for a while.

“Persephone!” a voice called from the house.

She turned around suddenly to see her mother’s silhouette in the doorway.

“Lord Hades. What are you doing to my daughter?” she cried, running over to protect her child.

“I have done nothing,” he said, “She walked up to me of her own accord.”

Demeter only gave him a glare. She pulled her daughter toward the house. He watched as they went inside. Persephone ran once more to the window only to be pulled away and the curtains closed.

He sighed and turned, disappearing into the darkness.