Chapter 1: Athena

1.1

Why do brothers.s feel the need to always provoke you? Athena thought to herself as she crept toward the tombstone that her brother Ares sat on. The raindrops form a shimmering veil over the tombstone. The fresh scent of rain mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. The morning sun blocked by the storm clouds, rumbling with thunder, and lighting flashed. Athena, even in her ghostly form, could imagine the cool, moist air brushing against her face, a stark contrast to the warmth she carries within.  The rough tapping of raindrops on tombstones and leaves, creating a soft symphony of nature’s rhythm. 

The closer she came to her brother, the more she started to burn with anger. Clenching her fists, she could feel her face scowling. How could this happen to her? The Greek Goddess of Wisdom to the mortals who still believed in them.  The rain mimics her emotion as she walks through the cemetery. Speeding up with every step to confront her brother. Even though she was there to report to him, now that he was her commanding officer.  Well, he may be my commanding officer, but that doesn’t mean I have to accept him disrespecting the dead. He must be doing this to provoke me. Athena unclenched her fist, but still walked with purpose. Trying to choose the right words to convey how mad she was, but still try to respect the rank structure.  

He’s never going to change, Athena thought. Thinking of all their fighting as children into their adult years. She often mortals with siblings talk about their conflicts and how they still love each other. Not her, Not him.  Sure they still loved each other, but theri fights were epic. Especially the fight they had when the patrons of Athens chose her as their guardian and named the city after her. Add on the fact that Zeus favored her until they both betrayed him to take their uncle’s side in the Ragnarok War.  The one time they actually agreed on something. Their dad casting war on other Gods, didn’t sit well with either of them, being War gods. They didn’t argue, they joined Poseidon in helping turn the war. Turning their backs on their dad and becoming founding members of Allied Olympus.  An organization to police and monitor paranormal activity on Earth. That was before she was demoted.

Chapter 1.2

Athena squared her body, jaws clenched, her anger rising again as she stopped behind him. He didn’t turn around, continuing to smoke, she knew he was trying to ignore her, trying to test her. She clenched her fist to yell, but her wisdom came back to her. She took a deep breath, inhaling the disgusting aroma of the cigar invading her nose. The raindrops darted through him onto the tombstone, the speed making the rhythm faster and louder. She hasn’t seen her brother for over 20 years during her suspension among the mortals. He wore he black suit they were required too, and his hair was brushed into a spiky style from the back..  I wonder if we’ll get into a fight. She wondered. 

“Is there a reason you decided to disrespect the dead?” Athena couldn’t help herself. She wanted to report to him professionally, but sitting on somebody’s tombstone and smoking was too much for her to ignore.  She knew her words would anger him, and that would be fair play, since he was trying to anger her. Her words were direct, to get him riled up. She was surprised that he didn’t turn around. He sat there, taking another drag of the cigar. He has never been this calm before, Athena thought. 

“Why should I respect the dead? Whoever they are, they’re dead.” he blew some of the cigar smoke out. “How about we talk about what’s important? Or do you want me to go get some fresh flowers for the deceased?”

 

His words were direct, his voice deep. No malice, but still sarcastic as he was when they were younger. Athena didn’t know how to take him. He would be cursing, yelling, trying to beat the holy crap out of her by now. He sat there, without turning, making Athena feel a little weird about her younger brother.

Chapter 1.3

“The funeral going on over there is for Hina Jarvis. A student at Village Boarding School in Camden. They found her body along with her boyfriend, Ahmad Billings. The autopsy reported her had suffered blunt force trauma from repeated strikes. Ahmad’s toxicologist reported that he had arsenic, huge amounts ingested.”

Ares paused, uncharacteristically of him, and seemed to be telling Athen every detail, again not characteristic of the god of war and bloodshed. He almost seemed concerned, even though his back was turned to her. Athena felt that Ares must have matured during her 20 year exile. She didn’t think it would be possible. His body didn’t move, outside of taking another drag. He could have been a statue.

“They are the fourth couple to be murdered from the boarding school.”

Athena’s analytical mind raced with questions she needed answers too. The boarding school she knew of, she taught there for a few years during her exile. The boarding school took over some area from the east side of the college campus of Rutgers Camden and the Promise Charter School. A dormitory for students that was gated off. The boarding school didn’t only house students in a protected environment, but it served to give students a vocational education while preparing them for college as well. She grew to like the school, she spent most of her life in European cities, and didn’t often visit black communities, and she loved Camden. Even the dangerous spots, which for her was no problem. She left the school about five years ago to get back to training.

Her heart aches at the thought of 8 young couples losing their lives. The murderer didn’t care about their futures, what could they have done to incur the prep’s wrath? She thought, without knowing. She placed her hand on Ares’ shoulder. He didn’t budge, yell, or react. Athena didn’t know why, but the sadness of those kids being murdered hurt her, she needed to feel comfort and this small embrace of touch, helped her a little. She spent her whole existence as a mentor and teacher or coach, especially to youths, and educational institutions, as the goddess of wisdom, were sacred to her. She supposed that’s why it hurt her. 

Chapter 1.4

Ares’ body was still, from her touch. She was still shocked by his lack or reaction. Did he feel a connection to the school as well, she thought? 

“Any witnesses?” She managed to speak. Her words almost trembled with remorse and anger. She hoped that there would be some kind of clue, someone they could talk to. Ares took a drag of his cigar, this time a little more aggressive as he pulled faster and jerked his arm down.

“None, you know inside the black community, snitches get stitches, but even the telepaths and empaths didn’t get anything from the mortals. Ectoplasm was found at the scene though.”

Athena’s eyes started watering thinking about the kids, but went wide. Ectoplasm meant that a ghost or a human psychic was involved.  To make sure she had to ask more questions.

“That means we’re dealing with a psychic, human or ghost. Did they check the victims?”

“Yes. They were all human. Whoever this psychic is, they’re pretty powerful. Taking down two humans wouldn’t be a problem for ghosts like us, but the lab is running the ectoplasm.”

His voice trembled a little, again shocking Athena. Who was this man in front of her? Who was allowing her to touch him.That wasn’t throwing an adult tantrum or saying to go out and kill everything. She didn’t know how to process him. It bugged her. She looked over at the funeral for Hina and could hear the sobs and tears being held back so that the pastor could deliver the eulogy. She heard all about Hina’s exploits at the school. Straight A student, member of the Republican Student Group.  Her heart melted with Hina’s mom screaming about her baby being gone. 

We usually don’t have to worry about that, Athena thought. Being immortal as ghosts. Unless we lose our mind and become spirits. She tightened her hand around Ares thinking about the loss of those she took under her mentorship, lives lost on battlefields, and the few lives lost at school shootings.  These mortals amazed her at their dedication to honor each other, with the limited time they have on Earth.  She wondered how the mortals would feel if they knew about her and her people, a race of ghosts, who protected them. IF they knew that their own souls became ghosts upon death. Hina’s ghost may very well be around, but Hina didn’t notice any other ghostly beings other than herself and her brother. 

Chapter 1.5

“Well, we got our work cut out for us.” Athena said, looking at her brother. He calmed down a bit. Still continued to keep from facing her and smoking. He didn’t stay anything else, which made Athena continue to wonder what happened to him during her suspension. Did he get a written up? Did he find a family? She felt she should ask him more about himself, but the crime is the mission now. She needed to help with this case to start rebuilding her reputation. She continued to hold onto his shoulder as he didn’t reject her touch. Now, she knew he wanted it. Something did change in him while she was gone. His breathing continues to be steady as he looks onward at the funeral for Hina.

Athena thought about his words that the murderer had to be powerful. Ectoplasm is the spiritual form of matter for their world. However, psychics had a glowing ectoplasm. The darker the glow, meant it was a ghost psychic. The lighter the glow, meant a human psychic. Whoever the killer was, had powers. Is that how they murder the couple, but why? Athena thought. What bothered her more was that whomever the prep was, was choosing young couples. Athena saw some cases where people targeted older couples, and even families. A young couple not even out of high school? And four of them to be exact, well, five. 10 children died. If the psychic was a child it might make sense. Maybe jealousy? But if it was someone older, which is usually the case, what would make them go this far? 

“The killer also left a message this time. For some reason, I think it’s for you.” His voice seemed distant and jaded. She could barely hear him over the heavy pelting of raindrops. She felt her heart jump a little and her chest pounded. Why would anybody leave a message for her, she’s been gone for 20 years. She knew some criminals would want revenge, but 20 years of being away and why use this crime scene?

“Me, what makes you say that?” Athena replied loud enough so he could hear through the rain. 

“The blood written message said, “Welcome back. You’re next”.