“The Rise of Zeus – Chapter VI (Pt 3)”
Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!
BASIL (cont.)
“There it is,” she says.
“Gee thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The house disappears momentarily as the road dips downward. As the shadows from the trees flash over us, I turn to watch Neera as she drives. I’m honestly trying not to be creepy, but I’m also trying my best to understand a bit more about this robot-like girl who’s driving me out into the middle of nowhere. Maybe she is actually a robot. Some form of artificial intelligence? Has AI already taken over the world and we just don’t know it yet?!
“Stop staring at me.”
My head snaps back to the front. “Sorry.”
The whirring of the engine takes centre stage as we re-emerge into sunlight.
“Okay,” Neera says with a sigh, “this is excruciating. If you’ve got something you want to ask me, just ask.”
I almost blurt out, “But you’re scary!” Luckily, I catch the words before they fall out of my mouth and swallow them up hopefully to never ever be heard.
Somehow, I manage to ask an actual question. “How do you know Silas?”
She throws me a sidelong glance and says slowly, “Silas took me in after my parents died.”
“Typical orphan sob story?”
“Yep.”
“Same.”
She glances at me again with a strange look in her eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah. Parents died when I was seven. House fire.”
“Nine. Car accident and cancer.”
Laughter suddenly bubbles up into my chest. It comes out as a dry chuckle.
Neera frowns. “Are you seriously laughing at how my parents died?”
“No. I’m laughing because instead of asking each other about our favourite colours and pet peeves, the first real conversation we’re having is about how our parents died. I’m not sure if that follows the typical orphan sob story?
She adds her own chuckle to mine. “Just because our origin story is typical doesn’t mean that the rest of our lives will be.”
“That is true. I mean, you’re wearing actual armour for crying out loud!” I pause before adding, “Wait, are you guys superheroes?”
Final Comments: Not quite sure why I decided to make them orphans… Maybe I’ve been watching too many Disney movies lately.
Overall Rating: 🤔
