“Anything for you” Morrie then gently clasped her hands together.

Her eyes peered from behind her dark hair like a sacred treasure. She pressed herself against him as she let the words slip from her lips. Words that gave Scarlet envy.

“You're so cute”.

They continued as if nothing happened. Scarlet held Penelope’s hand until they reached school. Kip was standing near the gate and walked towards them. Nero was walking into the school but turned when he saw Lucius. Scarlet knew Lucius and Kip weren't exactly friends. Lucius had beaten him after all. Not to mention in front of Aurora, Kip's girlfriend. Scarlet was afraid they would get into a fight.

“Hey bitch!” Said Kip charging towards Lucius.

Scarlet stepped in front of Lucius. Morrie and Havana did the same. Kip was inches from Havana just before Nero grabbed his shoulder.

“What do you think you're doing?” Said Nero with clenched teeth.

Kip turned and pushed Nero who was just over a half foot taller. And Kip was no small boy but was looking at a boy who stood at six foot one.

“What do you want Kip” Said Lucius.

“I was afraid you wouldn't ask,” Said Kip “you must think you're real tough. You just hit me when I was off guard to make me look weak. But I'll show you”.

He took a step forward and Nero tossed him like a rag doll. Kip hit the floor and stood up quickly.

“Go away before I hurt you” Said Nero.

Kip walked away but not before saying “Yeah, just keep hiding behind them”.

Lucius shook his head and thanked Nero.

“Since when were you two friends” Said Scarlet.

“Don't really know” Said Nero.

Scarlet feld most of the day fly by. Lucius spent most of his day with Allison. Scarlet envied her but knew she would never admit it. Scarlet was in no way friends with Allison. But Scarlet had her party on her mind. For once Aurora wouldn’t be the one to bear the burden of getting everything with her. She planned on having the party on Friday. Scarlet had invited more people than usual. Before she knew it Friday had come and she was sitting in bed with a list of things she still needed.

“What should we get” Asked Scarlet looking at her notepad.

“Cake” Said Azrin and Penelope.

“Anything you haven't said fifty times already” Said Scarlet.

“What about that boy you like” Said Penelope.

“You mean Lucius?” Azrin looked over at Penelope.

“I don't like him” Said Scarlet slowly.

She knew the feeling was far deeper. She knew she loved him.

She looked at the list and said “This should be all”.

She stood up and looked at Aurora who had gotten dressed up for the occasion. She looked at Aurora and wondered why she was so beautiful as well. Her creamy brown hair was wavy and her brown eyes seemed unbelievably beautiful. She had a ancient beauty in her eyes.

“Let's get the stuff” Said Azrin. Azrin didn't know much about buying or money.

They walked to the store and found everything they needed. Scarlet saw Lucius walking with Allison. They were holding hand and his eyes seemed broken. His smile told the same story. She felt like someone had punched her gut. A cold pit began to grow in her chest.

They had changed. They seemed to be just nearly holding on the the last dying ember. They had once held a primordial flame but now we're on the brink of extinction.

Did you take another pill?

His eyes meet hers. She felt it. She knew he had seen her. Azrin was walking right up to them. Scarlet wanted to tell her to stop but nothing happened. Her words never left her lips. They began to talk. Aurora was on her phone talking to Kip. He would be on his way. Athena was with Nero. Lucius had asked her to attempt to become more accustomed to his presence. He thought forcing them to spend a day together would work just fine.

“Hey Kip will be here soon” Said Aurora.

“Thanks for the heads up” Said Scarlet.

Morrie was taking notes on everything in the meanwhile. She was unable to spend much time with Lucius because Allison didn't like him being alone with other girls. Athena was an exception. Azrin walked over with Lucius and Allison soon after.

“Did you get my invitation?” Asked Scarlet.

“I did” Said Lucius with that meaningless smile.

She could not understand how he could smile. He was alway in pain but kept smiling. They talked and Kip arrived. He was glaring at Lucius. Aurora was holding him back ever so slightly.

“Why is he here” Said Kip.

“Because he’s my friend” Said Scarlet.

Scarlet saw something she did not expect. Nero was walking out of a flower shop with Athena. She seemed grumpy but held a stuffed bear. Nero he had gotten nice clothes it seemed.

“Hey everyone” Said Nero.

Scarlet only turned to face him so she could look away with disapproval.

“Hello Nero, hello sister how has your day been?” Asked Lucius.

“Fine I guess, maybe I will let him hang out with you,” She turned to face Nero. “But if you do anything I'll put you in a meat grinder”.

“I promise not to do anything” Said Nero.

When Athena let her once braided hair free she released a new standard for the word goddess. She could have bump into Medusa and turn her into a supermodel via osmosis.

“Why are you so freaking beautiful!? Like really you make us all look like potatoes with eyes” Said Raven.

“She make you look like a flat potato with eyes” Said Hex.

“For the last time in not flat chested!” Screamed Raven.

“Just low fat” Said Hex placing bunny ears in the air.

“Sorry I took my makeup off today” Said Athena.

Scarlet felt like she was telling the truth.

“You should dye your hair the same color as Lucius’s eyes” Said Hex.

“That’s not as easy as it sounds” Said Lucius.

“Why” Asked Hex.

“I'll explain it to you later. If you can hang out” Said Lucius.

Hex had her beautiful smile etched across her face.

“Thanks” Said Hex.

Allison nudged Lucius and looked at him with a frown.

“Sorry Hex I forgot I can't” Said Lucius.

“Oh okay” Said Hex obviously disappointed.

“Hey would you all like to go to an amusement park?” Asked Nero.

“We are having a party for Scarlet today” Said Morrie.

“Can I talk to you in private?” Said Athena facing Allison.

Allison nodded and followed. Athena waited till they were out of sight and out of earshot. Her smile left her.

“What do you think you're doing?” Said Athena with eyes so cold they could freeze a star from the inside out.

Her eyes gave Allison a chill so deep she could feel her bones splinter.

“What do you mean…” Muttered Allison.

“Why aren't you letting my little brother hang out with his friends?” Said Athena.

Allison wanted to say something but only a choked cry came out. She took a moment to get herself together.

“I just don't trust them being alone Lucius” Said Allison.

“Are you saying you don't trust him? Because it takes two to tango” Athena narrowed her eyes.

“No I do trust him…” Allison stopped when Athena lifted her hand.

“Listen you may think you control him but he knows I would only do what's best for him and if I told him to break up with you he would. And if we have another problem like this I won't let you be around him” Said Athena walking away.

They arrived back and Athena had her near permanent smile. Allison walked over to Lucius and hugged him.

“Well let's head back to my place” Said Aurora.

As they walked to Aurora's home they saw something strange. Scarlet was the third to spot it. It was unbelievably dark. The being stood far away from them to be hidden in the trees. Lucius began to walk out towards it.

“Lucius?” Asked Scarlet.

He didn't stop. He continued to walk at a quick pace. It moved out of sight and he began to run after it. Scarlet followed and everyone soon had their eyes on Lucius as he ran into the woods. Scarlet followed closely. He was quick but she was faster. She continued to follow him and he walking down a cave. The cave had once been used to mine iron. Scarlet did her best to spot whatever he had been chasing she could hear Athena yelling his name. The others were calling her name for the most part.

“Lucius” Yelled Scarlet.

She felt the floor shift and her body come crashing down. She had stepped on something. She continued to tumble down the cave. Lucius stopped and turned to face her. His face told her he had no idea she had been behind him. He ran to her and helped her up. She had twisted her ankle. She felt the cuts she had gotten begin to burn.

He moved her towards a corner and said “Whatever you do don't speak”.

She felt terror overwhelm her. She saw the things that he had been following.

They looked like him in a unnatural way. They had cracks across their bodies and massive burning pits in their chests. She began to cry. One snapped its head to face her. She saw something move on the top of the cave. Several of the creatures were moving towards them.

“Stop crying, please you have to stop” Said Lucius.

They continue to move closer. She felt frozen. She could nearly see how many of them moved in the darkness but the fact that Lucius seemed worried scared her to death. She could hear her heart beat like a war drum.

“You have to stop or they will kill you,” Said Lucius. “Stay back!”.

They began to make a low pitch noise and she felt her head begin to num from the pain. She felt his hands grasp hers.

“Look at me, look at me, I won't let them hurt you. I won't let them hurt you” Said Lucius.

Scarlet knew he would find a way to protect her. He was a man of his word. He walked away from her and tried drawing the attention of the beasts. He was barely visible in the dark. But she could see one of the things ram a sharp jagged hand through his leg. He grabbed it's face and it screeched. It's body seemed to fuse into his body. He fell over and clasped at the gash.

“Scarlet, please cover your ears” He chanted with a unholy voice.

It wasn't the seemingly harmless voice he alway had. It was old beyond words and seemed to come from everything but him. She knew he had something in mind. She did as she was told. She waited and waited. After twenty minutes she had opened her eyes. Her heart sank. She could see blood over most of his body. His eyes were back to the raging hell. With more anger than ever before.

“Lucius!” Scared Scarlet.

She attempt to stand but felt her foot almost snap. She began to crawl to him limp body. She placed her ear near his chest. She could hear his heartbeat. She ripped her clothes to shreds attempting to dress his wounds. She did her best to get him out safely. Her eyes were fixed on the light at the end of the tunnel. Sgw reached the mouth of the cave and saw a strange girl standing before her. Her green eyes danced behind the curtain that was her eyelids.

“Astraeus!” Yelled the girl snatching him from her.

She pulled him out and placed something in his mouth.

She proceeded to kiss his cheek.

“Wake up I need you” Said the girl running her finger over his face.

He opened his eyes once again and she lifted him towards herself. Scarlet wanted to scream at the girl but she felt too much pain to move or speak. She kissed Lucius and placed something in his hand.

“When you are fully awake the next time we meet I'll marry you” Said the girl.

She gave him a final kiss and looked over to Scarlet. “Thank you” She tossed something at Scarlet and her pain vanished, just before she vanished into the woods. Athena ran out of a bush and ran up to Lucius. Scarlet wanted to know why she had called him Astraeus. Scarlet crawled over to Lucius.

“Atlas?” Said Scarlet.

His lips moved slowly. “It feels a little painful.”

“How the hell did this happen? And what were those things? You know what never mind I'll call Evelynn and she will.”

“Don't!” Said Lucius with a hint of distress.

“Why not”Athena finally taking a break from crying just long enough to say something.

“Because, I made a deal with Evelynn. She told me if I got hurt again she would have to be around me all the time. I don't want to be treated like a baby again” Said Lucius.

“I’m sorry but I'm calling her” Said Athena.

Everyone else popped out of the woods and stood near by waiting. An ambulance took Lucius away. They walked to Aurora's home and they tried to relax.

“He deserved it” Said Kip.

Scarlet felt fear once more as Athena moved toward Kip.

“Athena, I don't think Lucius would be happy if you did that” Said Nero.

She stopped and puffed her cheeks for a few seconds.

“Fine” She hissed.

Scarlet waited as people began to enter the house for the party. Scarlet was standing next to Hex and Aurora.

“Do you think he will be okay” Said Aurora.

“I really hope so and I think Allison is mad at you” Said Hex.

“Why would she be mad?” Asked Scarlet.

“Well Raven saw you kiss him but she didn't tell Allison but Allison did get mad at you running away with her boyfriend” Said Hex.

“I didn't kiss him” Said Scarlet.

She held the ring in her hand and wondered if it had been a bad idea to take it.

She only took it because she was afraid that girl really would marry Lucius.

That girl was almost as beautiful as Athena and that was saying something.

“Who did?” Asked Aurora.

“That girl we saw at the park. The girl with ashy hair” Said Scarlet.

A noise came from Hex’s handbag.

“Crap, My mom is going to be home in half an hour” Said Hex.

“Do you want me to walk you home?” Asked Aurora and Scarlet.

“I'll get Azrin to walk me home” Said Hex.

Scarlet didn't feel happy and asked herself why. She felt selfish. She had more than she needed but still wanted more. She didn't know what she wanted but she still felt like asking for anything more than enough was wrong. She looked over at her baby sister Penelope who was on Nero's shoulder.