Page 22 of Seeking Hades' Ember

I jumped back into bed; my daddy’s shirt hung all the way to my ankles. He said he liked giving his shirts to me and Mom; he said it makes us smell more like him. He has a nice forest smell to him. I wonder what I smell like to him when he Eskimo kisses me. It’s his favorite thing to do with his favorite girls he says.

Sitting back into bed, taking my stuffy, Macaroni, back with me, I curled up but felt uncomfortable. Someone was watching me. Sitting up, I glanced around the room to see no one. I was big and strong, so I would check every space. Under the bed, the closet, even in the toy box, there was nothing there. With a huff, I get back into bed.

“Are you finished looking for me?” the voice called to me. I stilled, not wanting to look behind me. The voice was coming from my bedroom door, the only escape I had.

“W-who are you?” My voice shook as I began to hold back tears. It couldn’t possibly be the boogieman, daddy said they aren’t real.

“I’m not the boogie man, if that is what you are thinking.” I gasped loudly as I turned around. It was a man, not overly muscular, but enough to show his strength. He wore a large helmet on his head while wearing all black clothing. His hands were also covered in black gloves with a white handkerchief in his hand.

How did he get here? I need Daddy and Grandpa! They will save me when I’m in trouble. Before I let out a loud scream, he lunged at me while I tried to get away. Kicking and screaming I pulled down lamps, toys, and pictures across the room. My voice continued to wail until he finally caught up with me. His arms pulled my weak body down on the floor and shoved the handkerchief to my face. I tried to stay awake, I did. “Please let me go!” Mommy will be so upset if I’m not at her party. “Please let me go!”

“Please let me go!” I screamed out loud. “Please, don’t take me away from them!” I cried out into the dark. It was so dark in this room as I started sobbing. “Please don’t take me back there, please!” My voice was already scratched and hoarse when I suddenly felt a pair of large arms come around my body.

My body began to still as I heard encouraging words whispering in my ear. “My little angel, you are all right, it was just a dream.” My ugly sobs become more of a whimper, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. The soothing touch caused me to relax almost instantly. Who else would have those strong arms to protect me, the one who saved me from those predators? Hades.

The voice was soothing and strong as he spoke with a rattle in his chest. I must have woken the whole mansion. The warmth of his body relaxed my muscles and I molded into him. I felt safe, for once I felt like this is where I belonged but the thought of all of it being false hope made me tense.

“Shh, Jillian it is all right,” he cooed as he petted my hair. My face was now in his bare chest as he continued to stroke my messy strands. “I’m here and nothing will ever happen to you.” The husky voice had me hypnotized as my hiccups began to subside. I take a large sigh and I gripped onto his waist tighter as I recalled the horrible dream. It felt so real, like I was there.

“Are you all right?” he whispered in the shell of my ear. The heat of his breath sent chills down my body. Was I all right? No, I wasn’t, and I gave him an honest answer because I couldn’t lie to my rescuer.

“No,” I whispered. “It was so real.” My voice shook. Hades kissed the top of my head.

“Would you like to talk about it?” I gripped him tighter and shook my head no, while closing my eyes. Somehow it didn’t seem so dark with him in the room.

“How about we try and get some sleep? Do you want me to stay?” My mind replays all the dirty men I’ve ever met. They use women, abuse, rape and hurt them but I could never see Hades doing that to me. He makes me feel safe. He gives me a reassuring feeling.

“Please,” I whispered to him. I felt the smile grace his perfect lips while they sat on the top of my head from his reassuring pecks. Hades slid down and fluffed the pillow and laid back without letting me go. My face was tickled by the small amount of hair on his perfectly toned chest. If I wasn’t so scared, I would have taken the time to admire it because what can I say, he was attractive.

“Get some sleep, my little angel.” He gave a reassuring squeeze and rubbed circles on my shoulders until I finally did drift off to sleep.

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