HADES: FATED TO MY EX’S DAD

ZOE ROSSI Hold the steering wheel tightly, my fingers turning pale against the leather as I drive down the dark road. The rain falls relentlessly, turning the dirt road into a treacherous maze of puddles and mud. My eyes still burn from the tears I shed earlier at my parents' house. Now, that place is empty and cold. Every room feels soaked with their voices and laughter that echoes only in my memory. It’s been three months since the accident, but the pain remains as raw as the first day. I should have returned to the city before sunset, but sorting through their belongings and reliving so many memories drained all my energy. Now, a stack of photo albums and an old sweater of my dad’s are carefully stored in the back seat, small fragments of what once was my family. I feel heavy, almost suffocated by their absence. The GPS flashes red on the dashboard. A cold digital voice announces: "The main route is blocked due to weather conditions. Redirecting to an alternative route." "Great.", I mutter, exasperated. This road is less traveled, one through the forest. Longer and even lonelier, but I have no choice. As I maneuver the car down the narrow, winding road, the sound of rain pounding on the windshield is my only companion. That is, until the phone vibrates in its holder. It’s Josh. Reluctantly, I answer. "Hi, love. It’s late, and I’m at your apartment waiting for you. When are you coming?", Josh’s voice sounds warm but laced with palpable concern. I press my lips together, trying to sound calmer than I feel. "I’ll take a while. The GPS sent me another way because of the rain. I know it’s late, but I’m driving carefully." "Why did you insist on going alone?", he retorts, his concern turning into frustration. I take a deep breath. "I needed some time alone, Josh. The house is full of memories." "But I’m your boyfriend! Why do you always think you have to handle everything on your own? That’s what worries me." I grip the wheel tighter. "Because I don’t want you to treat me like I’m going to break at any moment!", I snap, my exhaustion seeping into my voice. "Do you have any idea what it’s like trying to move on while everything around you falls apart?" "I’m just trying to help. And speaking of us... have you thought about what we talked about? Moving into my apartment?", he replies, now more controlled but still filled with emotion. "No, I haven’t had time to think about it. But please, don’t pressure me.” "I’m not pressuring you. I just think it would be good for us, good for you." "Josh, please. Can we have this conversation another time?" I bite my lip, my hands gripping the wheel. I’m about to hang up when his tone softens. "Look, I didn’t mean to argue. Just... maybe the trip with my family this weekend will be good for you. It could help you feel closer to them, you know?" "Josh, your family is rich. I grew up in a small neighborhood, and my parents never had much. We’re from different worlds. And your dad? Do you think he’ll accept me?" "He’s looking forward to meeting you.", he insists, trying to sound optimistic. I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. "I’m still grieving my parents’ deaths. I don’t think it’s a good idea." "Zoe, we’ve been together for three years. Maybe it’s time we take a bigger step." I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "I don’t even know your dad, Josh. I want to take it slow. I’m in college, trying to build my life." In three long years of dating, I’ve never had the chance to meet my future father-in-law, who’s always busy working out of state. The argument continues, but I can barely focus. The road is growing darker, and the rain complicates everything. I blink repeatedly, trying to see past the fogged-up windshield. "Josh, I can’t talk about this now. The road is awful.", I say, slightly speeding up to get through the stretch faster. "Zoe, just listen to me.", he insists, but his voice becomes a distant echo as something catches my attention. A massive figure darts across the road ahead of me. Too fast to be a regular animal, too large to be human. Its soaked fur gleams under the headlights, and golden eyes flash in the darkness, staring at me before disappearing into the trees. "My God!", I scream, slamming the brakes and swerving the wheel sharply. The car skids, and before I can regain control, I see something else. A human-like shadow stood in the middle of the road. "No, no, no...", I whisper, trying to swerve. This time, I’m not so lucky. The car veers off the road and flips over. The first roll feels like slow motion; the second is fast and brutal. When the vehicle comes to a stop, upside down, the world around me is silent. Only the sound of rain hitting the twisted metal remains. I groan, every inch of my body in pain. My leg is pinned, and I feel blood trickling from a deep gash on my forehead and arm. With difficulty, I open my eyes, blinking against the darkness. There’s shattered glass all over me. And then I see it. A shadow is outside, slowly approaching. Something is wrong. It doesn’t look human. Its red eyes glow like embers in the darkness. Panic consumes me. I try to unbuckle my seatbelt and open the car door to escape, but I’m trapped. The creature is closer now, its steps almost silent in the mud. My eyes widen as I feel a searing pain in my head, and I scream, my skin prickling with fear. The tall shadow walks toward me, getting too close. The red eyes glow in the dark, and I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. I groan in more pain as I try to move. My heart pounds wildly in my chest, and then I lose consciousness, the world going dark. The last thing I see is the shadow kneeling near the car, reaching out to touch me. Sirens cut through the night like distant wails. The sound penetrates my mind, but my eyes don’t open. Something heavy holds me down, as if I’m wrapped in a cocoon of darkness. The smell of smoke and oil fills my nostrils, mixed with the metallic scent of blood. Every fiber of my body aches, but I can’t move. Voices float around me, muffled, as if coming from far away, crossing through a storm. "Head injury. It looks like the bleeding in her leg is under control. Stable pressure, but we need to move her now!" Fingers touch my head, firm but careful. A groan escapes my lips as I slightly turn my head, trying to push away the pain. The voices grow closer, clearer. I try to understand what’s happening, but my mind is a tangle of disconnected thoughts. What happened? Why can’t I remember? Everything feels so hazy. I feel my body being lifted, the movements slow and methodical. The touch of hands is firm. Then, I’m laid on something hard and cold. "Is she going to be okay?", a deep male voice asks, heavy with concern. "Yes.", another voice responds, almost reassuring. And then the silence returns, pulling me back into darkness. When I come to, the bright light makes me blink repeatedly. My head feels heavy and throbs, and there’s a pulsing pain in my leg. My mouth is dry, and I feel a familiar warmth on my hand. "Josh...", my voice comes out weak, a whisper. "You’re awake, my love...", his voice overflows with relief. He’s by my side, holding my hand tightly, as if afraid of losing me again. I try to move, but the weight of my body pins me to the mattress. "What... what happened?" Josh lets out a long sigh, guilt etched on his face. "You had an accident, Zoe. Your car flipped. When I found out... God, I thought I’d lost you." I try to process what he’s saying, but my mind is still foggy. "I... I don’t remember everything." Josh lowers his eyes, squeezes my hand tighter. "I feel so guilty. The argument... If I hadn’t pushed you, you wouldn’t have been distracted. You wouldn’t have..." "No, Josh.", I interrupt, shaking my head slowly. "It wasn’t your fault. I was trying to drive carefully. I..." A vague memory flashes through my mind, and a chill runs through my body. "I saw something on the road." His eyes narrow. "What did you see?" I swallow hard, trying to piece together the fragments in my mind. "It was... it was a wolf. Very big. And there was someone... a person standing in the middle of the road. I tried to swerve, but the car skidded..." Josh frowns, trying to rationalize. "That area is isolated. There might be wolves out there. Maybe you got scared." "No. The eyes. They were red. They glowed in the dark.", I whisper, feeling the chill again. He hesitates, clearly trying to find a logical explanation. "It could’ve been the headlights reflecting. You were tired, Zoe. Maybe your mind played tricks on you." Before I can respond, the door opens, and the doctor enters. He’s short, with graying hair and a professional expression. "Good to see you’re awake, Zoe.", he says, checking a clipboard. "You suffered a concussion and had a deep cut on your right leg. Fortunately, the bleeding was controlled, and your recovery is going well. With a few days of rest, I believe you’ll be ready to go home." I nod slowly, trying to absorb the information. My head is still full of unanswered questions. "Thank you, doctor.", Josh says, squeezing my hand. As soon as the doctor leaves, he turns to me with determination in his eyes. "Maybe this accident is a sign. You need time away from everything. You’re still grieving your parents’ loss. Maybe traveling with me this weekend and meeting my dad will help you heal." I hesitate, but I know he’s right. I need a fresh start, even if it’s temporary. "Okay, Josh. Maybe a change of scenery will be good for me." He smiles, visibly relieved, and kisses my hand. "I promise it will be." I spent two days in the hospital before being discharged. With Josh’s help, I return to my apartment, still walking with difficulty because of my bandaged leg. The silence of the place hits me like a wave, bringing back memories of the accident and the absence of my parents. At night, my dreams are filled with images of the road. I see the red eyes in the darkness again, the giant shadow that crossed my path, and the still figure in the middle of the road. The nightmares make me wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing. I try to focus on the trip with Josh, packing my things and trying not to think too much about meeting his father. The thought makes me nervous, but I have to believe this can help me move forward. On the eve of the trip, I look out of my apartment window. The city glimmers under the starry night, but something about that road still haunts me. With a sigh, I close the suitcase and prepare myself. The day of the trip finally arrived. I try to ignore the persistent pain in my leg, but Josh seems determined to distract me. Since we left, he hasn’t stopped talking about his father’s house, describing every detail with such enthusiasm that I almost forget the discomfort. “Are you ready for the adventure?”, he asks, flashing that warm smile that makes my heart race. “More than ready.", I reply, trying to hide a smile as I adjust my posture in the rented car seat.