“Oh mom, I really don’t know.”

To eat or not to eat. That is the question.

To sleep or not to sleep,

Its really more of a suggestion.

Do i want to lookup at the night ceiling?

Or close my eye and do some dreaming.

The choice is all mine, you see.

You will learn to obey me.

Im too tiny for you to boss around,

Go ahead and try to put me on the ground.

You’re my new carrier now, I expect to never have to walk.

Don’t think I can’t hear you talking,

Hiding behind the counter in the kitchen,

I’ve had enough of your snacking.

Its mommy and baby time now.

Even if I fight, you’re not allowed to put me down.

We’re sleeping on the sofa tonight, you and I.

Well, you can sleep,

I will be watching the latest stream,

Fighting to sit up so I don’t miss a thing.

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Ballad of Chores

I crank up the volume, give a spin and caress my dancing partners wooden handle.

Careless whisper rings through my earbuds with each awkward step, as I belch out each line off key.

Bare toes tiptoe across the wet floor, forward and back, then side to side, stomping my feet to every beat.

The music dies and my arms raise the rag up high as the solo begins.

My hips swerve with my body as I perform my signature booty shake.

My feet slide across the floor as the screamer hits his frys, and I strike a pose with my mop mic.

I keep sliding, my legs go up and my body goes down, landing flat on my back.

I stare at the ceiling, counting the cobwebs I still need to clear, then move on to my air guitar solo, battling it out with the streaks on the linoleum floor.

The cleaning must go on.

Every Stroke

The most satisfying part of the day is when the pen hits the paper and ink just flows from the fingertips.

The scritching and scratching, like a long forgotten melody.

It doesnt have to be words.

It doesnt have to make sense.

It flows, like my own personal river, taking me away with every stroke.

Overhaul

It’s time for a change.

I’m ready for that leap.

Let’s focus up, tell them what I really think.

Dust off those shelves and get out the ink.

Get rid of the signs

That weren’t really mine.

Clear the space for what’s to come

I have waited for so long.

It’s almost here,

It’s almost complete.

I can’t wait to show you

What I can do.

When people ask, “You wrote a book”,

I can finally say with pride,

“Here’s my website. Go on, take a look.”

No more throwing money away,

No more drowning in misprints.

This time, I’m going to do it right,

I’m going to make it mine.

Just a little bit longer now,

Just you wait and see.

It is going to be fantastic

And it won’t be for free.

My Little Mermaid Chapter 6 – Stumbling

The god smirked, his lips curled upward in an irritated smile as he eyed her in silence.

Frantically, she wrapped her skirts around her waist.

“You do not know much about the human world above, do you?” His weight shifted and he rested his head on his other hand, now amused.

Pulling herself up again, Ariel got her feet under her and wobbled back and forth while she tried to stand.

Rising from his throne, his sandals crossed the distance to her and as he did, a thick, humid breeze swirled throughout the cavern. The sands swirled and were blown away into nothing, revealing dark, violet stone below. The walls rose up high and lifted away around them, expanding more and more until they could no longer be seen.

Ariel stepped once and fell forward, his chest catching her again. Hades did not let her go this time. His large hands held her firm against his torso, and the underwater cavern faded away, revealing the large throne room of the underworld, a floating platform with pillars that came down from the ceiling and no end to the bottomless pit below.

Her eyes were large as she looked up and all around. Hades turned her chin to look at him, “Welcome to the underworld, my little mermaid.”

Pushing away from him, she stumbled again, then stood, looking out at the open space and glowing green light that rippled against the cavern walls from the void below. “What is this place?”

“Where human souls come after death, to spend all of eternity.”

Her legs teetered back for a moment, then she pushed forward and rushed to the edge, her arms wrapping around a pillar as she leaned over to look down at the swirling abyss below.

It fascinated him, the way her curiosity drove her into the unknown. Sirens really did live without fear.

“Those are people. Humans. Why are they wailing?”

“Those are human souls. Some rest peacefully, others, those, do not.”

“Am I… Am I dead?” She whipped her head back to look at him, a glint of worry in her eyes.

Hades lips spread into a wide grin, “My dear little mermaid, you don’t have a soul.”

Ariel turned her face away from him, her hands holding onto the pillar. With her shoulders tense, it was easy to tell she did not like the name.

Moving closer, his hand pulled hers from her grip on the pillar, and held onto it. “Unlike them, when you die, you will turn back into sea foam-”

“From whence I came, yes, I know,” Ariel spoke sharply.

His other hand twirled a lock of her crimson hair around his finger, “Sirens may live longer lives, but in the end, they become nothing, compared to the eternity of a soul.”

“… how do I get a soul?”

The yearning in her voice was riveting. He could see the desires in her eyes, all over again, as she reached out of the water for land, the first night he saw her.

Hades could not grant a soul. No, all he did was manage them after their body had reposed.

However, Ariel never needed to know that small detail.

Leaning down, he smoothed her hair behind her ear and spoke into it, “Nothing is ever free.”

As she turned her head to look at him, stone steps appeared off the platform, spiraling up toward the ceiling.

“But… I have no money.”

“Ariel, I am a god. I have no use for money.”

“Then… what do you want?”

He smiled again, then he finally stepped back, giving her the room to move away from the ledge. Hades motioned toward the stairs, then watched her, without saying a word.

Slowly, she stepped forward, tripping and stumbling. She had to hold onto Hades as they ascended the stairs. He let her struggle with her legs as she walked, staying behind her and only keeping her from falling to the abyss below.

She needed him to perform even the simplest of tasks, like standing. This was the way he wanted it. He wanted her to need him for everything.

Ariel fell a few times, landing on the steps, but each time she picked herself back up and pushed on. Finally, they reached the room at the top. The moans and groans of the dead were muffled in his office. 

Hades’ desk and chair were carved from a black stone, and all around were tall bookcases, stuffed with books and scrolls. There were no decorations. He brought her right up to the edge and the smoke swirled around her, forming a chair for him to let her fall in.

Hades did not sit. Instead, he stood next to her, looking down at her. “I want your voice, Ariel.”

Her hand moved up to her throat, “My voice… What are you going to do with it?”

“Do with it? Why, nothing. I want YOU to sing for me. Whenever I desire to hear it. In return, I will grant you your legs.”

Her features brightened. “That’s it? You just want me to sing?”

“Just? Oh, no. You don’t seem to understand.” His fingers gripped the chair she rested in as he leaned down. “I want YOU. If you want legs, if you want to walk on land, you will remain in the underworld with me and sing, whenever I want you to.”

Her eyes slowly became wide, “You… want to keep me here? In the underworld? No,” she shook her head, “No, I want to go to the human world, I want to see my family!” She raised up in her seat, not able to fully stand, but came right up to him. “I will not be your slave.”

“You would rather remain a mermaid?”

“Than be your slave? Of course!”

His mouth turned upward into that slow grin, and the chair Ariel held onto for balance, dissipated into a puff of smoke.

“Ah!” She let off a small gasp of surprise and clung onto his robe instinctively.

The smoke wrapped around her legs, up her torso and to her neck. Letting go, her hands grasped her throat as she began to choke.

Hades watched, a deep chuckle in his throat. The smoke faded and she had been returned to her original form.  The mermaid turned and fought as she suffocated.

“When you are ready to make a deal, Ariel, just say the word.”

Bringing her arms to her chest, her gills flicked and flexed once, then closed. She was holding her breath, when there was no water in her lungs to hold onto.

Hades’ grin slowly faded into a look of contempt. Sirens could hold their breath for up to ten minutes. But without water, she should have been begging for her life.

A thought crossed his mind. Ariel could be stubborn enough to die before she gave in. He had no intention of letting that happen, not when she was so close to his grasp. Of course, Hades would not give in. He always got what he wanted, in the end.

But, the seconds ticked by, one by one.

Thirty eight, thirty nine.

Fog rolled over Ariel as Hades reached his arm down. It lifted her up to him and he gripped her chin, pulling her to him. She looked into his eyes and her gills flexed once more. She had mere seconds. Her gaze has a glossy sheen to it, unable to focus properly.

Pressing his lips against her, his fingers moved through her hair as he kissed her roughly. Her fishlike fangs sunk into his tongue as he pushed it passed her lips. They quickly dulled as they were replaced with human teeth. Feeling the change, she bit his lip one last time, then tore away, still pressing her arms against his chest as her legs wabbled, gasping for air.

“Do we have a deal?”

She took a deep breath, “I never really had a choice, did I?”

“I always get what I want, in the end.”

Her hands moved from his chest to his arms and she held onto them, raising herself up to meet his gaze. There was loathing in her eyes. But, Ariel said nothing. A tear rested on her eyelash. “You promised you would teach me to walk.”

“Did I?” He paused, “So, I did. You didn’t take my hand.”

“I didn’t know you, then.”

“And now?”

“Now…” her eyes searched his.

“Now, you still desire what I can offer. Yes?” He tilted her chin to examine her features, but she pulled away again. Her hands almost lost their grasp on his body, an arm pulled her back against his chest tightly. His nose grazed her cheek. They were so close, Ariel could still feel his breath, no matter which direction she turned her head. “Your curiosity betrays you,” he leaned into her ear, “No matter how badly you want to fight, you yearn for the unknown, more.”

His other hand traced down between her shelled top, to the navel she now had and even lower, to her stomach. “Don’t try and lie. It is my job to see through lies,” he pressed his hand against her tightly, “You can feel it, here, deep within you. That fluttering feeling. And no matter how much you try and fight it, it will never go away, not until you feed it.”

He loosened his grip. Then, she turned and looked him in the eyes, “I want to walk on the shores and feel the sun on my skin,” she was searching for a give in the glint of his orbs, pleading.

“Sing for me, siren. And I will think about it.”

Ariel pushed on his chest again and he let go of her waist and grasp her hand instead. Struggling between her balance and his grip, she shook her head, “I can hear you but I won’t.” She pulled again.

Some look for trouble while others don’t.

There’s a thousand reasons I should go back to my cave

And ignore your whispers which I wish would go away.”

“But you wont.”

“You’re not a voice,” she yanked on her hand once more and he released her hand, “You’re just a ringing in my ear.

And if I believed you, which I don’t, You will just chain me here.”

Stumbling back, wisps of smoke pressed against her back and lifted her arms, to keep her from falling as she fought to stand. “Everything I’ve ever loved is-”

“Here within these walls.” Hades leaned back, watching, learning.

“I’m not your secret siren, and I’m blocking out your calls,” she fought back, balling her fists.

“You crave this adventure.”

“I don’t need something new.

I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you

Into the unknown!

Into the unknown!

Into the unknown!”

“What do you want? ‘Cause its been keeping you awake

Am I here to distract you, is this all a big mistake?”

Her change in tone was surprising, she was twisting this around on him. “There is no one out there who is the least bit like you. You know, deep down, this is what you’re meant to be.”

“Every day’s a little harder as I feel your power grow

Don’t you know there’s part of me that longs to go

Into the unknown?

Into the unknown.

Into the unknown!”

Steadying herself, she flung her arms out to push the smoke away.

“Whoa

You are right here!

Do you know me?

Can you feel me?

Can you show me?

Ooh!” She turned her body away.

Hades walked closer, commanding the tendrils of mist to return to his side and move away from her form. Her legs trembled, but Ariel remained planted where she stood. And indeed, she did stand. Her arms at her side, her hands formed tight fists as she stood still. “Where are you going?”

“Just leave me alone!” She turned and faced him.

“How can I follow you

Into the unknown?”*

As her last notes rang out, he reached a finger up, inches away from her neck, and raised his hand up to her lips, then toward him. As he did, a golden, glowing ball followed, carrying her last note with it.

Ariel clutched her throat, in shock, but unable to utter a single cry.

Hades sneered. holding the orb of light, he brought it to his lips, then held it out and leaned down close to her lips. “I told you, I wanted your voice-“

Whether he was caught off guard, or she still retained her quick reflexes, Ariel slapped him as hard as she could. Then, she grabbed his robe to keep her balance and snatched the orb from his grasp.

Yes, he had silenced her, but the siren spoke wonders through those dancing eyes.

XXX

“Talking”

“Singing”

Song*: “Into the Unknown” from Frozen II.

I love how in the last actual chapter, I’m like, “Yeah! I’m back in the groove of things, you guys won’t have to wait as long for the next chapter!” Yeah…

Thank you so much for all the reviews, guys. They are really inspiring and they help to push me to keep writing. I had to force myself through this chapter, but in less than a week, I was able to finish it. I was not planning on adding a song at the end, but “Into the unknown” just popped into my head and it fit so well.

I don’t want to promise that I will have another chapter up, soon, but I have started on it. I’m diving into so much Greek mythology, I’m so excited.

My Little Mermaid Chapter 5 – Desires

A Worker’s Flame

The world is bathed in yellow shadow,

Yet, I work through the day.

The sun a blood red moon,

And here I am slaving away.

Smoke seeps through the warehouse walls,

I take a deep breath and never pause.

The ash will fall, the fires will burn, the apocalyspe will dawn,

And you will find me clocked on, head down, and working hard.

Winds whip the fires violently, the grass has no mercy.

Homes gobbled and still I cannot stay away.

Why, you say.

As the buildings fall and the earth quakes,

So long as there is demand, there is trade.

We have bills to pay, we have mouths to feed.

Taxes wont rest and neither will we.

Our hearts burn for those we adore,

It is their lives we cannot ignore.

Pottery class

Writing is like clay. You can shape it and mold it to how you want it to be, no matter how much you cut off or add on.

The more you work with it, the easier it is to handle.

Your pot will always be your own, even if it looks like someone elses.

It came from dirt, but it’s your inspiration that gave it beauty.

And even after its been fired, glazed, and stamped with a “for sale” tag, if you don’t like it, you can always break it and make a new one.

Stumbling over the Edge

The next week I felt numb. My father came on visiting day, but I didn’t really hear what he had to say.

Lover nurse brought me more pudding, and we messed around a few times during his breaks.

But mostly, I smoked. The more numb I became during therapy sessions, the more drugs they gave me. I think that’s what I wanted all along.

It was not until that next Thursday, after visiting day, that he appeared again.

I sat on the rooftop, spending my time making smoke figures when I felt a tingling on the back of my neck.

I glanced over near the door, where he was. “Thought you’d had enough.”

“… Nah, crazy girl…” his voice sounded broken.

“Then, what do you want?” I should have been nice. I should have crushed my blunt then and there, and said to hell with the drug, and turned and apologized.

I faced forward again and started making green smoke rings.

“I’m going to show you what I can do.”

He didn’t move, he teleported, pulled the weed from my lips and crushed it under his polished boot.

Reggie had dressed up.

In my stoned state, I reacted slowly, not able to stop him as he pulled my hand toward the ledge of the three story building, then jumped, taking me with him.

Edge of Hysteria

I laughed at him. I just laughed, seeing, knowing how much it hurt in his eyes.

I didn’t know whether he was real or not, whether he was telling the truth, or why I didn’t care. I just laughed, dismissing his advancements.

I laughed.

I laughed so hard.

I laughed like I couldn’t control myself.

I would later blame my lack of tack on the herbs, those sweet leaves that turned ceilings into waves. But, I knew better. I laughed and laughed until my stomach hurt. Then, I gripped my chest and laughed some more.

I thought Reggie was going to cry. Reggie Edge, or whatever his real name is.

Revealing his deepest secret to me, I should have been honored, hell, scared, baffled even.

But, I covered that fear with jokes.

Reggie was gone when I opened my eyes. It surprised me, then the guilt set in.

Going back to my bed, I sat there, staring at the wall, with an unopened pudding up in my hand, wanting him to come back.