Page 68 of Styx

Some of them must know

the kindness of mercy.’

A few minutes passed by

and then we heard the sound

of footsteps.

We looked at each other,

fear caught inside our eyes.

Was it our fathers?

Had we been seen?

What would the punishment be

for listening to what we should

never have heard.

Styx

SECRETS AND SALUTATIONS PART III

A Silhouette Shadowed the Cave’s Mouth

and as it came closer,

Asteria and I heaved a sigh of relief.

It was only Leto, my friend’s younger sister.

Asteria reached her hand out

to welcome her into the cavern.

Usually, I would glower,

as the cave belonged to just Asteria and me,

but Leto’s expression gave us both pause.

‘Leto?’ Asteria asked with concern,

looking into her sister’s terrified eyes.

‘You must come with me now.’

Her tone was urgent, and for a moment,

I thought she was just talking to Asteria.

Instead, she was looking at us both.

‘It’s your mother, Styx.