Red String (Under Revision)

Chapter 9

Pain starts to grow on my back, tearing my flesh like there's something wants to get out. I can feel a bone grows on my shoulder blade. My knees kiss the ground; my body falls down to the grassy ground, hands slump on the grass. I clutch the grasses near me. I grit my jaw. This pain is eating me, absorbing all my energy. I don't know what is happening. It's so sudden. I don't have any clue.

"Ugh," I cry out of pain.

Even if I cannot see my back, I know that there is really something. It gets larger.

Is this a punishment? If it is, what did I do? I know myself that I did not do anything bad since the day I realize everything.

"Ugh!" I scream as the pain gets worse. Something explodes from my back. I can't take it any longer. I welcome the ground, open arms as my body falls. My body is getting weaker for every second that will pass. It exhausts me. I see drops of blood drop on the green grass.

I gasp for air, crawling to the nearest tree. This is bad. This is really bad. Even though I am an immortal, I feel like I'm almost dying because of this pain I'm feeling.

I cannot sustain it anymore. My sight starts to blur, darkness gradually eating my consciousness.

***

I blink for several times as I feel that someone shakes my body. I squeeze my eyes for me to adjust from the light.

"Time to wake up, Cupid."

I peer to the one who just talk; I'm still adjusting my sight from the brightness of the light. It is still morning. I think it's already nine o'clock in the morning base on the shadow of man standing in front of me. I creep trying to sit, laying my back against the tree beside me.

"Hades."

He smiles, timidly. "Do you like my present, Cupid?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

Confusion plasters on my face, my brows connect into a line. "What present?"

"Look at you back and see it by yourself."

Still puzzled, I follow of what he says. A smile plants on my lips. So, this is the reason of all the pain I feel an hour or two ago.

My wings spread its full length. It shines every time a ray of light dances on its silver-like feathers.

I stand on my feet, smiling. I flap my wings. I feel so light. I thought I will never get my wings back again.

I hear someone chuckles. It's him, Hades. "You look like a child, Cupid. You really miss your wings."

"Yes, I really do. It's almost a month since mother cuts my pair of wings," I reply. I'm still amaze from the feeling of having a pair of wings again on my back.

"Back to business, Cupid," he says. He pockets his smile. "I give your wings back. And now, you can do anything you want to get your beloved Psyche from your Hercules, and get your mother's favorite bracelet and give it to me as you promised."

"Thank you, again, Hades. And about the bracelet, I'll give it to you. I promise. Trust me. We both know that gods like us will never break a promise," I answer. I stop my wings from fluttering, folding it on my back.

"I'm just reminding you, Cupid." He flips his right hand. A black hole appears on his side. "I need to go now." He steps, facing the black hole. He turns his gaze once more to my direction before he enters into it. "Do not ever ruin your promise," he adds. He enters into the black hole. After a while, it vanishes like a bubble.

I gently flap my wings as my body soars; it creates mild waves of wind. I land at the top of the head of the statue kneeling on the post, seeing the overview of the park. For now, I will leave this place but I'll make sure that I will be back to grant every lovers wish. I will fulfill first my promise to Hades and to know everything about Hercules' doings; I'll ask my mother for everything.