Hell's Gatekeeper (Chapter 4)

Ten minutes later, I’m sitting at the kitchen bench staring at a bowl of cheesy pasta Daniel calls Macaroni and Cheese. I pick up a spoonful and put it into my mouth. I chew slowly and quietly, listening to the sound of the house around me. Daniel arrives with a pen and paper, and starts eating his own Macaroni and Cheese.

“It’s really nice, thank you,” I mumble.

Daniel smiles. “It’s the least I could do. And besides, you haven’t eaten all … day,” his voice drops, and I look up. “Cleo, are you ok? You look completely miserable,” he says.

Oh you have no idea! While I was showering, I’d had time to think. I now know what I’ve given up to be the Gatekeeper, and I will probably never die. I will watch to see the world progress, and then die, and start again. Of course, all the souls would then be gone, because there will be no one alive to remember them. I have no real meaning to my life, and it was over one thousand years ago anyway.

And just like that, my whole life has been turned upside down, shaken, and then dropped.

“I’m fine,” I lie. “Just tired I guess.” I try to smile, but my lips are trembling too much, so I give up and finish my food.

Daniel leaves his bowl and walks around the bench to stand beside me. “Cleo, I can tell when someone is upset, and you’re the perfect picture of upset.” He wraps an arm around me, tentatively at first, but then a little more confidently. “What’s the matter? You can tell me,” he says.

I shake my head. “Honestly, I’m fine. I’m just tired,” I snap. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to my room. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say with finality, and walk away from him, back to my room.

I sleep fitfully that night, and all through the next day. Guess I really was tired. But when night comes again, Daniel knocks on my door. I’m half awake, so I don’t really answer. He opens the door a little to peer in, and sucks in a breath. The door closes, and I fall asleep again.

I wake up the next morning chirpy and refreshed. When I look at my bedside table, I see a small card. I pick it up and open it. When I see the elegant script written in Thoth’s handwriting, my face falls. I stare at the card for a while before actually reading it. It says:

Cleopatra,

I have been speaking with Benzaiten, and she has so kindly told me to warn you. The boy you are with, Daniel, will not be judged by you when he gets to Hell’s Gates, but all the Gods and Goddesses. Benzaiten has seen that you will develop feelings for him, and they will get in the way of your better judgement.

I say this with great regret, but I have also been conversing with your mother. She has requested that you be killed and given to Isis as an offering, so she can go back to Earth to start another life. I hope you understand that you are her only daughter, therefore her only tie to the living world. I do not wish you dead, but there is nothing I can do. I am only a scribe. I just warn you not to speak to your mother for quite some time, as there will be a feud that may last a long time.

I am also writing to tell you Happy Birthday. I know you deserve this holiday more than anyone else. You should enjoy yourself as much as you can, and when you return, I and many other Gods and Goddesses and Bastet (she thinks herself special when regarding you) have a surprise for you. We are all very proud of you, and happy to call you our friend. We have spoken to Ra, and he approves our request. So have your fun and then hurry home.

With all the love in my heart,

Thoth

P.S. (So informal, but I know you love that) If you want to write back, just write on any paper and leave it atop the card. When you do so, I will get Apollo to retrieve them, and that shall be our means of communicating.

Farewell, and be safe.

I fold the card in half and sigh. So I am to develop feelings for Daniel that will get in the way of my judgement, and the Gods and Goddesses will be judging him. My mother wants me dead so she can start her own, new life, and Thoth and the others have a surprise for me.

I put the card down on the table and get a pen and paper. I sit on the bed, looking at the sun as it rises across the sky, and sigh. I don’t know what I’m going to write because my thoughts are whirring, moving too fast for me to pin point and make sense of.

Bastet’s voice comes to my head, and I remember her teaching me to centre myself.

Always be one step ahead of your thoughts, Cleo. Listen to them, but don’t let them get the better of you, you are always in charge of your mind. Remember that. She told me.

I take a deep breath and find my centre. I calm my thoughts and then, eventually, they become a small stream. They trickle through my mind like water over rocks, and I smile. I’ve always loved that comparison over all others.

I put the pen onto the paper and begin writing.

Thoth,

I understand that my feelings will get in the way of my better judgement. Thank you for informing me. But I have to admit that you told me too early. I’ve still only just met Daniel, and I barely know him. Telling me I’ll develop feelings for him won’t help. And I’m sure you heard what happened two nights ago. If not, just ask Bastet (Though I know you won’t really want to)

And thank you for informing me on my mother’s … how to put it kindly … fit? This has happened often, even when she was alive. I think it best to just ignore her. She’s way in over her head, and she shouldn’t be able to see the living world anyway. I’m sure you all know how it drives souls insane. But I will stay clear of her, don’t worry.

Thank you for saying Happy Birthday … but when you have to read your age, it makes you realise how old you are. One thousand is a big number … it makes me feel old! I guess I am, though. Even though I was only sixteen when Ra called me to the heavens, and Isis made me the Welcomer to Hell. I will be looking forward to your surprise too. And if it’s another one of those ‘Let’s Scare Cleo’ surprise, I won’t be happy. You know what happened last time you tried that. I still have scarab beetles in my room too, thank you! I shall enjoy myself, and then hurry back. I couldn’t let you guys have a party without me! And we should let Apollo play some of his music. I know you hate his style, but I love it!

Best wishes and regards to everyone!

Cleopatra!

P.S. Thank you!

I fold up the letter and place it atop Thoth’s letter. I lie back down and fall asleep again. I wake around midday to furious knocking on my door. I sit up in my bed quickly, breathing hard, adrenalin pumping through my body.