A Collection of my Writer's Games Entries

When in Rome: Task 7 (Tyber Mitango) D1

He’s definitely dead,” someone said as my arms and back were prodded.

“Why is he breathing then, bimbo?” an annoyed voice replied.

“He’s a vampire,” the first voice, Phae’s I think, said in an alarmed tone.

“Vampire’s don’t breathe and they burn in sunlight!” Nixie growled. I mentally rolled my eyes at them and sat up. Phae squealed.

“Yes, rawr! I’m a vampire,” I said sarcastically. It was what the normal me would do. I’ll just be myself – or I’ll try too. After a few years of pretending to be someone you’re not, it is quite difficult to get back to your regular personality. Though, I could just keep up the ‘bad-boy’ persona.

“Phae! Get back here!” Nixie ordered.

“You’ll have to catch me first,” Phae said musically as she skipped in circles on the field.

“Catch you then kill you,” Nixie muttered. The ground suddenly rumbled, but everyone seemed to ignore it. Yet something was nagging at me in the back of my mind. Phae’s singing was horrendously out of tune as she skipped – it was getting on my nerves. All of a sudden, the ground shifted and Phae fell right into the hole as she skipped around. My heart did a somersault.

“Phae!” I shouted. I drew my sword and ran to the huge crater, only to find that it was a bottomless pit. I couldn’t even hear Phae’s screaming. Though it seemed like a good strategy – make everyone think you’re dead then kill them while they sleep. I shuddered.

“I’m going down,” I nodded to myself. I really do hate love. Why couldn’t I love someone who wasn’t a crazy-psychopath?  Eden gave me an are-you-crazy look.’

“You’ve got to be joking,” Nixie raised an eyebrow.

“You’re welcome to come,” I shrugged but I didn’t even need to offer the invitation. The ground gave way beneath them as soon as I jumped down and I covered my ears as the screamed and shouted. I knew this feeling too well. But all I could think was why Pluto would want everyone down in the Underworld. Or was it the Gamemakers? I gave a startled yell as I stopped suddenly then dropped the final few feet to the ground. I landed on my backpack which jingled with small weapons and my metal drink bottle. I slowly stood up and took in my surroundings: we were in a huge, dank cavern. Shadows flickered and lined the walls and down a narrow straight stood two pillars with fire torches hanging off them – it seemed to light of the place like a holy entrance, or rather a deathly entrance.

“This is like fairyland but evil,” Phae whispered in my ear, I jumped at her voice and she giggled maniacally. It echoed of the stone walls.

“Can you stop acting like a five-year old for a minute, Phae?” I growled frustratingly but a part of me was joyous that she was safe.

“Nope.” She popped the ‘p’ and began walking to the end of the path. I rolled my eyes and followed her, with Nixie and Eden behind me. I racked my brain for the things I knew about the Underworld – which, of course, is all just a myth. I knew that you had to cross the river Styx on a ferry which was run by Charon – the boatman – and he ferried the souls across. Then you’d meet Cerberus, a three-headed dog who guarded the diamond gates that led into the Underworld. As for what was in the Underworld – I had no idea. Your parents. A voice whispered in the back of my mind.

Suddenly, Jonah appeared out of a side cave. I pulled Phae back and covered her mouth to stop the anticipated scream. She glared at me as I signaled to Nixie and Eden to stop. I removed my hand and watched Jonah and Charon. They seemed to be talking, only slight echoes made it to our ears. Jonah searched his pockets and shook his head. There was a yell before Jonah went flying through the air and into a the rock wall, Charon then twisted his arm back until a loud crack ripped through the air. Jonah screamed in pain but Charon ignored him, simply by grabbing his twisted out-of-place arm and throwing him into the river. Splashing water was drowned out by Jonah’s cries, he yelled my name but I stood by and watched. Then he went under. Everything was silent. Part of me wondered why I hadn’t bothered to do anything – if Jonah thought he had a chance of help, shouldn’t I have offered?