I couldn’t believe it. I was aging. How? What? Why? When? How?

I took a deep breath but it didn’t help. Butterflies of worry and nervousness erupted in my stomach. I was a freaking mortal. I was human. I wasn’t a goddess anymore.

Tears started streaming down my cheeks. “Why?” I cried. I cried until my bones all hurt from being curled into a ball. I cried until my lungs hurt. I cried until my entire being, which wasn’t much, felt broken and bruised. I felt so weak.

“Hecate?” A voice asked.

I flicked my hand at the door and it instantly locked. I still had my powers. That brought a bit of comfort. I wasn’t completely useless.

I didn’t want to talk to Nemesis. She was always concerned for me, like I was her younger sister. I wasn’t. I didn’t want her pity or help.

I knew what would happen if the Majors found out. They’d kill me. Any god turned mortal was useless. They were nothing to Olympus City.

“Hecate, open the door!” Nemesis called.

I didn’t answer the door. I needed to leave. Now. I didn’t know where I’d go. I’d go somewhere. Anywhere. Maybe the lower cities. Maybe the broken lands. Anywhere.

“Hecate! I am gonna break down this door! Answer me!”

I stuffed my bag and made my way up to my window. I could hear the knocking and banging. I felt bad. Nemesis was just trying to help. Oh well.

When the door exploded, I was gone.