Red String (Under Revision)

Chapter 8

"Please give me a sign of the person fated for me," she hushes.

I open my left palm; a golden bow appears floating on top of it. I hold its handle. I position my right hand on the cord, a silver arrow become visible. I point it to the girl, pulling the cord together with the arrow. I let the arrow go, stabbing the heart of the girl. Immediately, I hop, looking for the right guy for her. There's a guy sitting beside a tree approximately thirteen meters from my spot. Calmly and confidently, I position, pointing another silver arrow to the guy's direction. I shoot him but I hit the tree on his side. Tsk. I miss. It is the first I miss from letting off my arrows. I walk pass through the people resting on the grass and benches. Even though I can get the arrow by just flipping my fingers, I prefer to get it by holding it with my bare hands without the help of powers. Just like what I say, it's more fun and enjoyable. I'm enjoying what I am doing right now. I want to pay all the wrong deeds I have done to humans.

Instantly, I grip the edge of the silver arrow the moment my feet set in front of the tree. I pull it from being stuck on the tree's bark. I struck it on the guy's back. I make sure that I will hit the spot where his heart is located.

He turns his head. I can see the sparks on his eyes when his gaze stops on the girl. The same with the girl, her eyes sparkles. The strings on the tip on their index finger connect into one and the hearts float above them filled with red, a clear evidence of love.

I make another pair - a loving couple. I smile. If I only know that it is overwhelming when you help someone to be happy, I already did this before. Even if I am alone from losing Psyche, I can still be happy and write happiness by producing lovebirds.

I hope Psyche can see all of this.

I watch the newly bonded couple as they walk together on the same path. I go back to the pond. I wipe the tears I have on the verge of falling. I am happy but I can't stop myself from crying. This might be the tears of happiness as what Psyche always mentions when she's still alive.

I stare at my reflection on the crystal clear water. What if I make a wish on this pond just like the humans, will I see my beloved Psyche again?

Minutes pass, I only stare on my reflection. I admit it. I really miss her. I miss her voice, her scent, her face, her everything, I miss her so much.

I blink my eyes. I think I am imagining. I just see Psyche's face reflected on the water for a second; her long blonde hair waves. I twist my sight. There's no one there except for the couple holding hands few steps away. I can barely see their back. My eyes grow wide.

Strands of long blonde hair float every time the wind hushes. I can tell that it is her base on her physique but it is impossible. She's dead.

"She's dead, Cupid. You know that. You see how she died in your arms," I convince myself.

Out of my control, my feet take steps towards their spot. They're walking, too, heading north. I cannot see their face. I need to see their faces to make sure and to convince myself that it's not her. Few more steps, the guy rotates his head. Our eyes meet. Suddenly, my feet stop.

Hercules.

What is he doing here? He must not be here. As far as I remember, his mission is to maintain the distance of the sky and the surface of the Earth. He's not allowed to gallivant.

He smirks deviously, putting his left arm on the girl's shoulder making it turn. "Meet my soon to be wife, Cupid."

For the second time, my eyes grow wide. How did this happen? I know she's dead. Why is she with Hercules? Why is Psyche with Hercules?

I look on her eyes. The innocence of her eyes is still there. I try to reach her but Hercules hides her on his back.

"You don't have the right to touch my beloved, Cupid. Stay back."

"H-how?"

I lose my words. My mind stops digesting everything that my eyes see. I don't understand.

"P-Psyche," I utter, striving forward.

She sneaks from the back. "Who is he, Hercules? Do you know him?" she asks with her calm and soft voice.

Hercules remains silent, grinning widely.

"I-I'm Cupid, Psyche, your love."

"I don't know you, Cupid.

That strikes me. She doesn't know me. How come she does not know me? What happen?

I set daggers to Hercules. He chuckles. "What did you do? I know she died." I grip his neck, lifting him.

"Relax, my dear cousin," he replies, trying to calm me by tapping my arm.

"What did you do?" clenching my jaw, I ask again. I plant death stares directly on his eyes.

"Stop. Please," Psyche pleads like a child. She's still the same. But the only thing that bothers me is that she does not remember me.

"I do nothing, Cupid. Why don't you ask you mother instead of me, Cupid?"

"My mother?" Slowly, I loosen my grip and put him down.

"Yes, Cupid. Ask your mother. Ask Aphrodite," he says, turning his back. He wraps his right arm around Psyche's hip. They vanish for just a second.

I am left... alone, puzzled.

What is this? What are they doing?

I don't know what is happening now. Is this still part of learning my lesson and purpose, Mother? Are you not tired from making me feel like this- for making me ignorant, miserable and helpless? I thought I already learned my lesson and know my purpose, but, what is this?

Shoulders down, head bows, I walk back to the pond very slow. I take a sit on the wall, lifeless. My tears flow on my cheeks.

A while ago, I am happy for the persons I collided with love. And now, I do not know what to feel. I want to scream. I want to burst this heavy feeling inside my heart. I want to be happy.

"Would you just let your cousin, Hercules, steal your beloved Psyche?" a low pitched baritone voice says from my side.

I glance to the owner of the voice. It's Hades, my mother's brother. He stands on top of the wall.

"H-Hades." I wipe my tears. "What brings you here?"

"Let's just say that I want to help you get Psyche from Hercules, if you will let me. I know you love her that much." He pats my head. "So, I'll ask you again. Would you just let Hercules takes your beloved Psyche? We know that Hercules always does tricks just to get everything he wants," he looks intently on my eyes. "Would you?"

"N-no. I love Psyche more than my own life."

"So, it's a deal, Cupid?" He leans down.

"Y-yes. It's a deal."

"But before everything else, I'll give your wings back but you owe me one condition," he says, sitting beside me.

"What condition?"

"I want you to take your mother's golden bracelet. The one she wears on her left pulse. I want you to lend it to me in return of my help."

"Mother's most precious jewelry," I mumble. I remember it. She doesn't let anyone touch it. It's so precious for her. I don't know the reason why.

"Yes. That's it, Cupid." He smiles, tapping my shoulders, standing slowly. "Don't let me down, Cupid." He motions the fingers on his right hand in a circular way. A black hole shows up, swirling. He leaps on it. Slowly, the black hole dissolves, swallowing him.