Percy and Aaron: A modern day retelling of Hades and Persephone Chapter 3
     Percy happily stretched her arms upward, linking her fingers as she did so. The sun was warm, sinking bellow the horizon and painting the sky hues ranging from pink to gold to red.
     "Miss Percy, I'm quite tired today, so I thought I would go home early."
     The teen girl looked over at the old man, disappointment flashing in her eyes before she hid it.
     "Oh! All right, got it. I'll just get going-"
     "Nonsense! You're a good girl, Persephone. I'll give you the gate key and you just be sure to lock up when you're finished." Mr. Zack replied, grinning at Percy’s own bright smile.
     "Really? Thanks Mr. Z!" She said, standing and accepting the key from the man.
     "Just don't forget. Lock the gate after yourself!"
     "Don't worry Mr. Z, I promise I won't forget!" Percy assured him, tying the red string through her belt loop and giving a nod of thanks.
     "Well, I'll see you tomorrow kid. Good night."
     "G’night Mr. Z!" Percy called in return as the man left.
     The wheat haired girl smiled to herself as she went back to the tomato plant she had been kneeling at before. Her mom had asked her to bring some tomatoes and cucumbers (while she did not approve of her daughter going about her summer activities unsupervised, she was always looking for a chance to try new recipes with the fresh ingredients).
     She spent another hour there, making sure all the plants had been properly cared for and picking a few of her own. By the time she decided to head home, the lampposts had already turned on.
     Percy held her backpack by the straps, making sure it was zipped up before exiting the garden. She grabbed the key from her belt and started to lock the gate...
     The roar of an engine made her stop and look up as a pair of headlights rushed forward. It screeched to a halt, the door opening just as she realized whom was inside. The girl opened her mouth to scream, but was cut off by an overly sweet smelling handkerchief. The car, with its new hostage, sped off. A fallen backpack the only evidence that someone had ever been there.










