Short Stories

Bear and Wolf

There was a girl who lived her life in the woods. She didn't know where she was going or where she came from, but all she had was a stuffed bear. This bear was old and worn but meant a great deal to the girl. It was her only friend in these lonely woods so she would constantly talked to it, ate or played with it, and sometimes gone on adventures with it. Almost everything she did; the bear went with her. This bear was dirty from being in all kinds of weather, with its seams nearly busting and one button eye missing alongside an ear torn at the edge. But the girl loved the bear and its flaws as they were nothing to her, even as she grew older it didn’t matter since it was always there for her.

She grew into a young woman and everything changed, the bear became less and less important to her. She wanted more; a companion who could talk back to her, who would enjoy things with her, who could share her every sorrow and pain, who could relate to her. Sadly, as she saw it, all she had was a bear who was falling apart. The bear continually lost its stuffing and finally the other eye then both its precious ears. It no longer looked as cute as it had before, and the woman was growing tired of the silence from this childhood companion.

One day she decided to leave the bear on a cliff overlooking all the mountains and trees. The woman wanted to experience something different and went on an adventure of her own while the bear remained on that cliff edge. It felt exciting at first as she did what she liked, but as day grew into night and could barely see in the darkness, she felt fear come over her. She didn’t want to move to find a place to rest, being frightened that something may be lurking in the shadows to harm her. It was then she remembered her bear, how comforting it felt to have its fur in her arms and give it a squeeze when she felt like this, knowing that at least she wasn’t truly alone. At the moment though, she was utterly left by herself. She needed to go back to her bear.

On the cliff, the bear was more at peace while watching the sun sink down into the earth with awe, having not noticed the woman leaving till well past the sun’s own disappearance. It tried to get up but with its seams near the breaking point it stopped putting strain on them, with the stuffing spilling already, it saw that the best thing to do was to wait for its friend to come back. Although, it knew she was still scared of the dark, but it couldn’t get to her even though it truly wanted to. During its thinking, there was a noise which was the rustle of bushes behind it. The bear stayed still to play off as the toy it was, fell over for effect and in order to see who was in the plants only to find another like its friend. It was a man who was bigger than the bear’s friend, with hair on his chest and face, and held a figure in his hand. It turned out to be a stuffed plushy wolf, nearly as torn and beat up as the bear. That was when the bear filled with warmth and joy, crying out for his girl but nothing came from its mouth, so it stayed there watching them.

The man saw the bear and came over to gently carry it into his arms, taking both toys back into the forests where he had a canopy of the trees to rest in. He set the two onto a branch near his own resting spot and fell asleep into a hammock made from large leaves, vines, moss, and branches. The wolf stared at the bear who stared right back and both seemed happy. The bear put out its hand and the wolf grabbed it with its paw, knowing that they found what both their creatures had wanted all along, thus staying like that till the sun came back to light the skies.

The woman stayed in the trunk of a tree the entire night, crying for her bear to come back and comfort her but it wasn’t able to. She decided to go back to the cliff as quickly as possible when the sun lit the ground below the trees. But she only finds some stuffing where it lied, her knees shaking while she cried with tears of sorrow filling her eyes slowly till she couldn’t see. Then, letting the tears run down her cheeks and the sobs choke out of her throat, her body shook with the thought of not being able to have her bear back in her arms.

The man wasn’t far from the cliff when he awakens to the sound of the woman’s sadness pouring out of her, and it distressed him. He thought of going to see what was making the noise, or what creature could be in such pain. So walking back to the cliff, leaving the wolf and bear on the branches for now, the man followed the noise back the path he took from the cliff where he found the bear and to his home. But when the man makes it to the cliff and sees the woman there, he stops in his tracks and watches her deal with the pain she’s in. The man all the while could feel his heart pound loudly in his ears and block out almost every noise, however, a twig snaps under his foot which alarm both of them.

The woman stops crying to turn around frightened from the disturbance, seeing the man and only panicking even more so. She can’t help feel wonder and fascination right beside her fear, taking in his every motion and detail before seeing that he meant no harm just by how he stood. It brought a comforting feeling which only made the tears flood her eyes once more in remembering that was how her bear made her feel.

The man steps forward, not wanting to see her in such pain again, giving a questioning look filled with that concern toward her. She simply motions to the stuffing on the rocky ground where the bear was, covering her mouth as she tries to choke back the tears to speak to him. Seeing where she pointed only makes the man laugh with joy to know he could help, the man continued toward her till he could gently take her free hand and hold it in his own with a soft squeeze. The woman felt a burst of comfort flow through her and allows him to touch her, more in shock from the odd sensation of touching hands. He then slowly wraps his arms around her in a form of a hug, the odd feeling of each other only making them more aware of their presence to one another.

However, to the man, the woman’s happiness was more significant than thinking about the odd feelings he felt. So he grabs her hand and drags her into the woods without bothering to explain, taking her back to the tree he slept in last night. There he would climb high up till he could reach the bear and wolf from their resting spots on the branch, still holding on to the other’s paw. The man jumps back down to the ground after grabbing them, and once steadying himself he holds out the bear. He assumed this was what the woman was crying for, was happy to know he would be right. The bear felt greater happiness than achievable when seeing his friendly once more, but especially when she grabs it into a hug. Unfortunately, this would be the last time it saw her which the idea of would only make the hug even better than any of the others she’d given the bear.

The bear would feel itself beginning to bust further at its seams so it sends a single thought that it hoped made it to its friend just before it would collapse into mere stuffing, thread, and cloth.

Be happy. Here is one love and share your joys, sorrows, pains and pleasures, to talk and listen. Never forget the happiness you will bring one another. I love you, be happy. We want you to be happy.

The head of the bear was simply loosely unraveled in half, the rest of the stuffing spilling out of openings in its arms and belly, turning to tatters. The girl gasped and stood silently gazing at the remains of her friend, unsure what had just happened, of why the sudden disappearance of her only friend that would truly be forever.

The wolf watched and knows the same fate will be for it, quite soon. It rests in its friend’s arms just as it feels its own seams start to tear. Just before it busts, it lets one thought seep into the mind of its friend.

Take care of her. She will be that something to hold and to protect, to care for and to take care of you. She will be your family. Be happy with her. We want you to be happy.

It simply disintegrates into threads, cloth, and stuffing just as the bear had minutes before. The man was stunned by the suddenness just like the woman. They both knew they’d lost their only true friend and were completely alone again. However, when he looked at the woman with the pain in his eyes, they fell into each other for comfort, for warmth, for release of their pain.

Their suffering would stop as they slowly come to realize that, in actuality, they weren’t alone. The tears continued to flow as they held one another in a tighter embrace, and realized that they had each other. It was due to their friends that they weren’t alone in this world right now. It was blissful to know such a thing.

They pull apart to look into the other's eyes, with small knowing smiles that the two had found them a life partner to tend to their needs when they could no longer do so. The woman would gently rise to her tiptoes as the man leaned slightly down, letting instinct take over to make their lips touch. The feelings of happiness and joy came back but with more than just that, it was with love. This is true happiness, this is their other half to live and die with. They couldn’t part, and wouldn’t part with one another.

The piles of stuffing that were around the man and woman would slowly disappear into the forest, being carried by the wind. It would gently run the thread through the cloths and putting the stuffing back into place as new buttons are placed for eyes and noses are fixed. Slowly being repaired, put back together, and sewn into place perfectly. They travel on the wind over the hills, back into place, brand new. They hold paws as they were on that branch until the wind separates them.

It was the bear whose sadness returned when being pulled apart from the wolf. But it lands on a rock near a running river, seeing a young girl that must be barely five years old walking along jutting flat stones. It smiles brightly at the girl as she dances across each stone, playing by herself. It wouldn’t take long for the little girl to turn and see the bear. She lets out a joyful giggle while smiling, rushing over to give it a large hug. Cradling it tightly to her chest, the girl presses her cheek against the top of its head in the embrace. The bear stays still, laughing silently inside at the warmth of merriment filling it once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Zombie’s Lovely Tale

As long as I could remember, or at least what the rotting mush inside my head allows me to recall, I was a very happy man. The one who had it all, women would bow at my feet when in bed; my coworkers would envy every promotion I gained, and managed the greatest as well as comfortable way of living. That was me when I was alive, Mr. John H. Nicklestorm, the man who had it all and could find a way to get even more. 

However, nowadays I just try to get through this horrid time. I was turned a while ago. I believe it was when the start of this epidemic caught the news. That would've been about…ugh…damn curse my mush…I think it was five years ago. My girlfriend of the moment was sleeping in bed with a high fever and I was stuck worrying about her the entire day until she suddenly stopped breathing then woke up to only bite my neck, dragging me to the bedroom floor. I'm not totally into those types of kinks so I was a bit shocked at her forwardness and the fact that she was one of the infected hit me on the head...then again that could have been the nightstand. Luckily, my gun was underneath the bed, I grabbed the semiautomatic pistol and blew the girl’s brains out. But it was already too late, I’d lost a lot of blood and the room was getting gray and I was getting sleepy. I just passed out, and then awoke about several hours later the sun setting and the sounds of screams coming from the city streets below. Before this, there were reports on the news of a sudden outbreak of a virus knocking people down like dominoes and that it was nothing at all to worry about, that the local government would solve the problem. Man, were they in over their head. Anyway, when actually waking up, I hadn't realized I was dead until I found that I was stiff in odd places and the mirror showed my neck was too damaged to be survivable. Then there was this new habit I got that became a certain need and craving, so I joined my comrades down on the main streets.

Now, back to our present hour, the sun is at its highest and the other fellow zombies seem to be doing the same exact thing I am. Stumbling, wandering, and looking to satisfy that aching hunger for living flesh. A bad addiction we seem not to be able to recover from, but oh well. I always thought it was stupid when Hollywood movies would only make zombies eat living people and not their own meat, but now I know why, living flesh tastes so much better. Some of us had resorted to eating the fresher un-dead but only when we have gone way too long without food.

The last meal was delicious, I remember them all well because of their desperate struggle to evade the inevitable. Two boys, a little girl, a woman, and her husband were trying to get out of the city but were stuck in one of the many clothing stores near the main bridge that would've let them leave the city. However, Bareback Jones and No Teeth Joe, two zombies whose names are perfect for their condition, spotted them inside. They started banging on the front entrance catching the attention of myself and the others I was stumbling with. Thus, when a few seem to find food the rest trip over each other just to try and get their fill. I am included in this of course. I am happy with myself as a zombie, can't say it is as good as it was to be alive but when your neighbors and family start to try to eat you...then I guess it's good to be on their side. Right?

So, these bags of meat knew they were stuck and no way to get out, but they still tried. I have to give them credit where it's due. Nevertheless, the glass shielding them from us finally cracked and shattered. The family clumped together trying to fend off as many of us as they could, but I was the one who managed to grab the little girl from her mom. I ripped off the flesh on her neck causing blood to splatter and spill everywhere, it was glorious. The little girl screeched in horror and pain as I, with another zombie, helped slam her to the ground and feast on her entrails. The other screams of the rest of the family and smell of fresh blood caused a major frenzy and let the rest know of our success. I was lucky to have a good fill that day.

Like I said, that meal was a while ago. There hasn't been a sign of the living anywhere and my buddies, Bareback Jones, No teeth Joe, and a little zombie kid called Boney Jimmy, were thinking of ditching this infested town and head toward greener pastures, literally. The country side is bound to have something to eat, but it’s farther than anyone has dared to go. I’m considering in joining but I’m not sure if it would work or if we’d just end up rotting till we are pieces of dusty, old bones worse than Jimmy (no offense to Boney Jimmy). They leave tonight sense it will be raining and the cool air with it allows us to travel faster and easier. For now, I’m resting in my secret alley. This is where I keep things I find lying around, kind of like a second home since they're mainly things to help me remember some of my life and what to do now. I don’t know if I could keep going on like this but then again I have no choice in the matter, I think I’ll go eat some of the rats in the alley at least they are fresh. 

The night is always wonderful and with the others, it reeks of potential and hope of feasting. We already passed the bridge and the new day is starting to rise, I'd decided while munching on a rat that I had nothing better waiting for me here so went with them, and the city seems to shine brightly with the sun’s glare but then a metal thing flies in the air. It reminded me of an airplane, but it seemed way to fast to be one. I look up just as do the others when suddenly the town explodes and we are knocked to the ground, the bridge collapses and we are stuck on the other side of the water with no hope of returning.

I hadn't heard the cars driving by but when Boney Jimmy suddenly gets up and stumbles toward three cars, jeeps I think, it surprised me. I decide to follow him but stop midway to see him fall to the ground with a bullet in his head. The rest of us scatter in different directions, Bareback Jones was gunned down and No Teeth Joe managed to hide in a ditch, well he just fell in it. I hid in a house that wasn't far off the road and waited till they went after Joe. Suddenly, I hear a woman scream behind me and turn to see the most beautiful thing I ever seen that I didn't want to eat. She had dark hair and the bluest eyes that showed fear and bravery, her hands shaking as she aims a gun at my chest. I give her a smile that would've made any gal squeal and give me a warm body in my bed for the night, but this only made her even more scared. I wonder how bad it looked to see the rotting flesh in my teeth, must have been awful. She was preparing to pull the trigger when I waved my flesh tattered hands in a universal way that meant “no” or “stop”. This seemed to stop her, mostly out of shock.

I tried to talk which is something I haven't attempted since my death. I don't know why, I just wanted to not eat her and may be have a little talk. If I could though.

Me:“Mwaaa…nwaaa…naaa…naaooo…naoooo…n-noooo!”

Her: “JESUS CHRIST! THIS THANG CAN TALK!”

Me: “Yaw…ye-yesh”

She lets out a small gasp, “Ya…ya understand me?” I nod and move forward while thinking how I love her southern accent, but she instantly aims the gun again toward my head and I halt. However the next thing I know the rest of my world is silent, death the true death. Nothing but peaceful darkness. Thank god.

Nancy looks at the rotting corpse on the ground and looks at her brother who stands in the doorway with his gun still in its position from shooting the monster. He looked tired and worried while also being very angry. She hated that, but now she hated it more since he'd interrupted and possibly killed a man...not a creature. She was still shaken up though.

Nancy: “Drew…t-that thang…it talked! I swear on the lord’s name that thang was talkin’!”

Drew: “Nancy…I think ya need to rest. There is no way that thang could talk to ya. Come on, sis. Go on upstairs an’ get some sleep also…change that there rag on your wound. Don’t want it gettin’ infected now.”

Nancy nods while looking at the body, her hand going to the bite mark on her shoulder where their mom bit her just before they gunned her down. She doesn't know why that happened but all she knows is that something was wrong afterward when Nancy started getting sick. Her fever was getting worse, so she thinks she had hallucinated since that was more believable. “Alright, Drew. ‘Night.”

Drew: "Night sis."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPARTAN JOURNAL

5 May 432

The winds today weren’t as harsh as last night’s. Fortunately, I managed to put away the clothing for the master’s family before the day’s end, but I wish I laid their cloths with poison ivy. It should've been my own family resting inside this home, playing; learning, thriving with all the greatness of joy, but it isn't my family. This land belonged to my father and before to his father and even before to his father’s father and so on, but it all vanished before I could remember any joy within those fields. The reason for that is because of my master’s people coming and destroying the lives that first planted in these soils, and they took the life of my peaceful people. Now leaving me to sleep in a small home made of stone with nothing but bare amounts of clothing and the blankets to keep me warm during the cold nights, except for the lady’s insistence of have a hearth placed into my home. Yet to her husband and most of Spartans, I and the other slaves are scum to the new citizens of this city…how dare they when they are the actual refuse.

This family that I am forced to obey is largely known through the town and hold no guilt of hubris, then again they are equals. The master is a citizen who partakes in all political aspects when not indulged his teachings of ogres, by this I mean the small Spartan children. His wife, Ianthe Giannopoulos, is a kind woman to her servants behind the walls of her home but puts on an act of a harsh, strict mistress when in the eyes of company. Then there are the children…the twins are fiends, they played the most horrific tricks on me when I was caring for them stretching from bees’ hive under my bed to placing bits of brindle in my hair till it was completely embedded to my scalp. Their actual names are                                                               which describe them perfectly. However, the lady also had a baby girl who she named Kallisto which was fit for such an angelic child. I pray this child becomes nothing like her devilish brothers.

I feel great pleasure in knowing that those young boys are off in the barracks being forced into hard discipline and battles with other young males. The house is calm now, and I find it easier to go through my daily duties without nuisances

And even for a slave, my life becomes complicated with others, either by unfortunate association or by pure chance and with the help of caduceus  

15 May 432

Another day has passed, however, today I took a trip to the market area for the daily shopping of foods, cloths, and other necessities the master and his lady needs. I used to take the children with me or another helot as to keep me company yet I felt the need to be alone during these early rays of sunrise. Obviously this was a mistake, having come to the market with my baskets and walking by each stand picking the best spices, herbs, and fruits as well as some meats, I hadn’t become aware of the three men slowly surrounding me until I was trapped in a split between two marble homes. They looked unbathed, yet their bodies held the vitality of men in their early ages, however, it was their eyes that disturbed me the most, those eyes held nothing but animalistic hunger. Luckily, the gods had bestowed onto me a hero. It was his shadow that first appeared from the streets then his voice echoed through the small enclosure, its sound a sweet melody. The memory of it embedded in my mind.

“What are you gentleman doing?” He asks while his body stance showing his attentiveness and concern.

“Nothing at all, young man. We’re just making acquaintances with this lovely maiden.” One of the men nods in my direction with a sinister smirk.

“Well I think you’re frightening the poor girl. Perhaps you should leave her alone.” My hero says still hidden by the shadows the suns light plays whilst his back is turned to it.

“And who are you to tell us what to do?” Another man, the smelliest of the three, says with his jaw clenched tightly in annoyance.

“I’m no one of your concern, I simply came to help my friend in need. I belong to a high class family and I would not like to see this young lady harmed.” 

The tension had grown so thick a dull blade could slice the air in two. Finally, the men had succumbed to the gentleman’s story believing it true, as did I at the time, and allowed me a free path to the man who had saved me. Without another word, the man took my hand and tugged me back into the view of the people and into the rushing sea of early merchants looking for a good swindle. It was this day that I met Agatone, he lived the same life as I being a slave to a family he despises but must obey. 

“I work in the fields, plowing, planting, harvesting, and tending. The work isn’t bad it is just my issue with whose land I am tending to. The entire family isn’t terrible but I dislike being their ‘servant.’” He said as he guided me to the stall he is helping to sell its goods. “By the way, I’m Agatone Ioanaidis.”

“Korinna Giannopoulos.” I mumble, this was my first conversation with a man who was my own status and kind to me. It was still a shock.

“What a lovely name to suit a lovely girl.” He smirks in a boyish manner. It is those words and that smile that stay with me at this moment. Could the gods have given me a gift…a gift at a chance of love and happiness to be my own?

We continued to walk through the streets, winding our way through the crowds as more shoppers come into the market. He talks of his passions and dreams but it is tinged with sadness between each word, yet there is a hope beneath its surface and all I can do is listen to the sweet symphony of his deep voice. Finally, he stops at one of the many stalls and picks up three eggs and a small jar of jam then places them into the woven basket. I chuckle and begin to search into the basket to pull out a small cloth bag filled with coins.

“How muc-” I stop mid-sentence when I look up to see the person in charge of the stand. Oh! Of all the luck, my Antagone, well not necessarily mine…yet…is not only a lovely man but he is owned by the family of Elektra Ioanaidis. She is the niece of my master’s wife, a very close niece because of the bond the two sisters’ share for one another. Could this be another sign of the gods? Well anyway…

I stood there like a fish gasping for water, mouth agape. Agatone seems clueless to the situation simply looking at the young girl before us.

I clear my throat and say in a more hushed tone. “How much is it for the three eggs and the jar of jam?”

"Oh, hello! Agatone, you brought a new customer? Or is she a friend of yours?" She smiles innocently and asks.

He chuckles slightly, “I suppose she is a new friend of mine. This is Korinna Giannopoulos.”

She smiles brightly. "Oh hi! You and my aunt live together no? Oh I want to not have you pay it for it. Especially if you’re a friend of Agatone's but we need the money. How about just three coins? That ok with your allowance?"

Another girl who I presumed was her sister turns around and gasps, "Elektra not haggling for a price! My! Agatone, you saw this too right? People will think I'm crazy if I tell them with no other witness!" Then laughs and says, "Ah! Miss, you have such a pretty face, can I interest you in some- oh who am I kidding, no product can enhance an already magnificent beauty like that, right Agatone?" She winks at him and Elektra giggles.

I am unable to stop the blush from creeping up my neck to my face, the warmth burning onto my cheeks to a bright pink. I look to the eggs in my basket and say soft “Thank you.” I was too embarrassed to look at Agatone, who cleared his throat.

“I believe you are right Miss Alkestis. She is a beauty that even Aphrodite herself would envy.” He says gruffly as if he too felt awkward. Did he?

I wasn’t able to see if he was before he masked his emotions.  Perhaps something has changed the fates, could I have a chance? 

7 June 432

It has been a long while since the master had returned intoxicated and looking to beat something to dust. It would have been Ianthe to receive the beating if I had not interfered, I’m happy I did since I had taken 23 years of being treated in this similar fashion. If it had been otherwise, the master would’ve killed the poor woman who is a pure angle, it is funny how I am feeling pity for Miss Ianthe while I am the one laying on my stomach to avoid increasing the pain of the bruises and cuts on my back inflicted by the master’s frustration, of what I will never know. All I worry right now is how I will be able to wash the clothes or cook tomorrow’s meals, hopefully I could manage and if not then it would not be the worst thing. Perhaps the master would go on another rampage for wine one of these nights and return home after the dinner hours have past long ago where he could no longer inflict pain. That would be pleasant.

22 October 432

Another harvest festival! I love these times! Such joy courses through the city, and the people just as bright as the lights that shine the streets. Agatone had asked to become my boyfriend after we came to know each other more and this is the first time we were going out alone in public, that is until Ianthe insisted on having everyone join us, thus leading to a night of babysitting as she and the master enjoyed themselves. Either way, I wouldn’t have gotten to spend time with Agaton since he had to help the farmers with the harvest. When I had Kallisto under control, I showed her the basics of weaving cloth when spotting two old women sitting in front of a stall brimming with yarns, strings, ropes, and silks. Later on that day became an exhausting event of hosting some of Ianthe’s companions as well as some of her husband’s gentleman friends. I am simply glad the day is done and the bed is greeting me with a warm blanket. Good night, sleep well me.

5 November 432

Such tragic news plagues the home of Giannopoulos…Ianthe’s sister had passed away today, the lady is in her room sobbing away the pain. I am keeping the little one company for now. She doesn’t seem to register what the grief is all about and continues to play with her toys, but she will cry too when I tell her it is time for her lessons. She dislikes them especially music, I can’t teach her but I’ll show her the music her mother insisted she play. Kallisto will figure the rest out, my own heart is weighing heavy with tears for Elektra, such a sweet girl. How the gods are cruel to the innocent. I pray she will overcome this sadness perhaps I will make a special meal for her. I will use the best spices there is in the house since it is raining heavily outside, the mud is heavy and walking would be very difficult. I’d better get started.

 19 March 431

Ianthe’s niece has been coming to the home frequently. She is taking lessons from her aunt and stays quiet, I would’ve asked if she was alright if it wasn’t inappropriate for a helot to speak so comfortably and freely with a higher class. Agatone seems to spend time with Elektra when he can, he also tries to steal days with me and when desperate even nights. It is wonderful to be with him but I feel more than just giddiness, could it be love? Well, no time to dwell on those matters, tending the fields has become difficult with the somewhat frozen ground.

30 August 431

This year had been a very early harvest, I suppose it was because of the warm weather in the early months that allowed us to have the harvest festival now. It is a lovely time, especially when I am with Agatone and the rest of my family: Inathe and her children, Elektra, and Alkestis. These are the coming of the last days before winter sets in and freezes the ground beneath us.  I presume spring will take a longer time than usual to thaw through but it will return and we will once again have to be tending the fields. For now, I will go back and join my loved ones for dinner to which I have prepared.

20 September 431

The city is buzzing with the biggest news and one of the darkest, we are at war. Those that Sparta is fighting against are the people north of the city, the Athenians. Unfortunately, I don’t know much of the details about what is going to happen except for the obvious, the men will put on their suits of armor, shields, and blades then go off to fight.  The women will be left to care for the things while they are away, and the elders will do as they always do in their feeble age. Then the others, such as Agatone and my-self, will work in the fields endlessly for the benefit of the war since the army takes the harvest for their supplies. There is not much else people can do but pray that Sparta is the victor.

13 November 431

Today is the happiest of days since the war! Not only has my Agatone, having courted me for quite some time, asked for my hand in marriage but my master’s wife had agreed to allow the marriage! Agatone decided to move into my stone home since I could not bear parting from this place, we share my old bedroom and plan on asking to increase the size as to have a room for a future child. He is the perfect husband, I could ask for nothing more from him except that of his love. I am thankful the Spartans do not request the helots go to war alongside them, especially because most of us despise them for the pain they place on us since their victorious conquer. I have a husband, a home, and a happy life. Could there be anything more? Well, besides the war ending, that would’ve made this even better since the army has demanded we, the helots, work more and harder to harvest all the foods as the suppliers from outside slowly begin to diminish. It is hard labor, but it is nothing new to me or to Agatone or any of the other slaves. It is our new way of life, the best we can do is push through it. 

22 March 430

Life has changed so much since the past two years and I can’t imagine how it was like before all this. I’m now married to a man I love dearly and holds the same amount of love for me, my master’s wife is a perfect woman who is polite and requests meager things from me when she is unable to do them, and her niece being such a sweet girl and spending so much time with her cousin it cheers even the gloomiest of hearts. Even with the veil of war upon our city, odd how I had placed an “our” there when I despised the people here, there is still a shine of happiness when the tears of worry cease or the frustration of managing to get by, no longer trouble the mind.

 

15 July 430

Another blessed day for me, but this is because of my husband as well. I had missed several of my cycles and the signs of child bearing had become evident, I feel joy and fright all at once. I am pregnant with my first child, as soon as I notified Ianthe of the news, she instructed me to conduct vigorous exercise as to bear a strong and healthy child. My nerves are driving me to clean rooms I’ve cleaned twice before, pluck weeds in the hot air, and even shift the furnishings around for Ianthe’s liking. I pray this child would be born healthy and perfect, please grant me this wish Eilithyia, Hebe, and Hygieia.

21 December 430

The days go on slowly, one by one. Most of the men are gone, either to their death or to face its sinister face with their blades. I hope it does not last long, I pray it does not. I am lucky to have married Agatone and life indeed is bliss on the land with Ianthe, for once I feel no contempt of her life, instead I am thankful for her to have given me a chance at all. She is so kind to our son, Eros, who is still only an infant but well and strong, Kallisto takes a liking to the young boy and always wants to play with him. That child always makes me smile when she says that she sees the nymphs swim in the waters or that Apollo smiles down on our home when it is a sunny day. These children are bliss in this world, I just pray that our world will not crumble before us…and that Kallisto and Eros will not live to see it happen. Miss Elektra is doing well from what I hear from Agatone tells me when he visits her, though she does miss her husband, Draco, dearly. Her sister is off somewhere awaiting for her husband’s return as well. At least, Elektra and even Ianthe are helping in the fields when they can, the children mostly play than work and perhaps that is for the better because whenever the war ends, it will give the people a chance to smile again. Luckily, the children smile for us during these days.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ENDING

The sound of birds singing in the distance is all that Eric heard, his feet were bare against the dew covered grass and patches of noiseless wet dirt. He'd been walking in the forest for days, unsure of where he was going and how he'd gotten there in the first place. However, the more he traveled into the reaches of the trees, the more he wanted to find its end, something possessing him to continue forward. Eric barely paid

Eric didn't know that the day would come when he discovered that he would never reach the end. His goal was etched away and carved into a different one the moment of his realization. It was when the day was covered in low clouds that clung to the earth with sun peeking through small holes in the white sky that Eric would get up with hopes of reaching the end by nightfall, as he always had every morning, to only find his real path. To him, a man who is yet a man and a child having lost his innocence with growth, the shock of coming to terms with it would knock him off balance but learn the necessary lessons. What he will learn is dependent on him alone, how he will use it shows his character, and why he makes his choices will be based on that moment.
During that day of fog, he couldn't see what was in front of his path, only that he was going forward somewhere. As the day wore on, Eric would see the sun's burning touch whisk away the clouds of ground to let him see where he was actually going, but he would stop in his tracks when seeing that the trees were growing thinner and grass was growing taller with bushes. He knew that this had to mean something different, and even though his feet were aching with the hours of walking, he sprint in that direction and gulped in air as he did. The stinging in his lungs meant nothing, the burning of his legs never phased him, the protest in his sides never came to mind and all that did was the vision of seeing what was beyond this small section of bushes and thinning trees. It was answered with bluntness as he no longer saw a bush but was treading in open grass on either side of him.
The feet that carried him there disappeared to leave stones in their place, Eric couldn't move himself anymore and it was either from panic, amazement, or disappointment. He couldn't tell which emotion overwhelmed him more, what pushed him, but for now he only knew that he'd done it. He'd reached the end, or so he believed. For some reason, he couldn't help a sensation rise in his chest to escape from his mouth and throat as torrents of laughter. They ripped from his being despite the feeling of tears beginning to stream down his cheeks. Relief came by in drowning waves and for once he heard his voice, but he never said a word, only screamed with joy and loved the sound of it as it echoed across the plain with a brief lift of winds. He could see for miles until the blue of midday sky and green ground touched in a faint line, hear sounds different than that in the forest, feel the air as it graced his cheeks. Before he knew it though, his knees fell forward and arms gave out just before pushing himself to roll on to his back and watch the world above him.
Life seemed better to him, suddenly more relaxing and with that feeling came a slumber he never knew possible. It was deep yet shallow and entwined with both worlds he was in, the sounds and shapes before him to form items but he could never remember when he awoke. Knowing that he'd seen things and opening his eyes to reality was all he could do, but he could feel that familiar pain from the forest slowly resurface, that loneliness.
The sky was dark but in it were bright stars, closer than he'd ever seen and amazingly stretched out, the sight surprised Eric and he wanted to share it but he wasn't aware that he already was. Instead, he continued to look up at the endless image and continued to think to himself, wondering where he was and if this was truly the end and his goal. It was with those thoughts that fear crept inside and took a strong hold. Eric thought that this was not an end but another beginning to another large walk of loneliness, it made him writhe inside and choke him slowly.
It seemed then that Eric lost his will, his strength, even his curiosity. He'd given himself to that fear and to that ache that was pecking at his soul ever since he'd thought of reaching the end. He wanted it to stop, just to never walk again, to never think again. Eric wanted to be as silent and painless as the wind, no worries and no glories. The tears from before once more started, streaming down with his soft sobs of sadness while his body curled on to the side to be peering back toward the forest's trees, he thought it would better back where he'd come from. But this feeling wouldn't last and he knew that he didn't want to go back there. His cries grew louder becoming more like the sounds of agony as his hands tore at the grass and raised him on to his knees in the darkness while feverishly ripping the green covering from the ground.
He never heard her, how could he? She was as silent as him while the grass barely made a noise itself. That's why when he felt a hand press against his back, he froze in his place. The air from his lungs having grew to solidity and sticking into his throat, the hand was cold but thin and delicate with soothing qualities. The voice he heard next would make him turn to see who was behind him, and to see that he wasn't alone.
"I'm glad I found you."
Eric couldn't believe it, a woman stood before him but that wasn't quite the right term for her. You see, she was like him, not yet a woman but having grown out of her childish whims. She was beautiful as he could tell with deep eyes that matched the sky and hair that appeared to shine like thread spun from the stars above. It was in a mass of curls that danced in a tied up knot when wind blew, her body was shivering due to a delicate dress not protecting her from even the slightest breeze and having been torn from her own journeys. Although, it showed a young figure that was growing and fit with her light skin being perfect. He wondered if she knew how beautiful she was, how happy he was to see her, how long ago the ache of loneliness left him. He didn't care and understood her with a simple glance of her face, now he just needed to reply. How could they speak when they were total strangers? It didn't matter.
"Me too."
She laughed with a bright smile that made Eric mimic her since he couldn't deny his own content. He'd shifted so as to sit on the grass and she followed suit, crossing her legs to let the dress flow over and hide them from view. He'd forgotten about the tears earlier, only interested in the girl before him.
"Claire."
Her voice was magic, but he was lost on the meaning of the word. "What?"
She laughed again. "My name. It's Claire."
"Oh, I'm Eric."
She seemed so amazing and proved to be just like himself. "Did you look for the end?"
"Yes, and I came here. This isn't the end is it?"
"No, it isn't. It's another beginning. I looked for the end too, I didn't find it."
"I don't think there is an end, is there?"
"..."
"I thought so."
She fidgeted for a little before reaching out and grabbing Eric's hand, giving it a small squeeze. Her eyes held a light that was her spirit or the stars being reflected, either way Eric never looked away. "I think we don't need to find the end."
"Why not?"
Even in the darkness, her cheeks shone with brilliance of pink and he didn't know why until he could feel the sudden heat rush into his own. It only grew worse when she answered.
"Because we're supposed to be the beginning. We've got each other now."
This very notion sunk into Eric's thoughts as he needed to change what he'd been thinking was his goal for days, months, or even years. He had a different route now, one that was new to him and scared him especially when he didn't even know Claire that well. She was only a great beauty and wonderful relief to his ache. He was so frightened at what could lay before him, or rather them. He knew he wanted her to stay, but would they stay there or would they go elsewhere. Would they stay in the grassy plains, head toward the dense forest, or go to wherever she came from? He didn't know but he had to answer, he needed to pick one of the choices. He found it easy to swallow that he wasn't the end instead he was much like the meadow. He was a beginning and so was Claire.
"Let me be the beginning with you. As long as we never separate from one another."
Her smile greeted him, and the world couldn't have been more right yet upside down to him. Eric loved it and couldn't help a laugh escape again. She squeezed his hand and lay back on the grass, tugging him down with her. They silently looked at one another before looking up to the sky and watch the lights dotted on its surface. They began to tell stories by connecting shapes of the dots to which they melded into legends of great heroes and sorrows with beasts or damsels in distress. Eric felt alive that night, and prayed to one of the many heroes they created that it would never end...and if it did, then let it turn into a beginning