My mother died shortly after I was born. I can still remember her looking at my eyes, a curse that will last forever. The voice the lady has, haunts me, filling every crevice of my body.

“You have a choice to make,” she says calmly to my mother. “You can either choose a new name for your firstborn, or you can die and curse her with immortality.” She falls to her knees, screaming in agony as death greets her…Persephone looks at me, and binds the curse with me.

~~~~~~Present time~~~~~~~~

I blow out the candles absently. Today was my 150th birthday. I had seen all my family, all my friends, and pets too, wither and die. I don’t want to celebrate, I just want to die. “Yay! Happy 25th birthday to me!” I exclaim, noticing that the people surrounding my table were watching. “Come on! Dig in, it’s marble cake.” I laugh. I’m not suicidal, I just don’t want to live to see robots take over. Once everyone parted ways, I went to bed, hoping this curse will one day part ways with me.

I glance at my watch, the time is 06:30. Though I have been awake since 03:00. I sip the coffee from my mug, rinse it, then head to work, unsure what day it is anymore.

Walking across the sidewalk on my way to work, a semi-truck speeds past, missing me by an inch. I should be happy that I’m still alive, instead I can’t help myself from sighing. “Hey!” The driver screams at me, after getting out of his truck. “Watch where you’re walking dum-dum!” I spin to face him. “YOU watch where you’re going. YOU almost ran ME over.” I step off the sidewalk and start to walk over. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but my body certainly does. I am this close to him and I slap him, crisp across the face, then walk away.

“Hello boss, I sincerely apologize that I am late, I alm-” my boss interrupted me. “I don’t care. You’re fired, effective immediately.” I purse my lips shut, and walk to my cubicle to retrieve my items. My ex-boss stalked over to my back, “Well, aren’t you going to answer me?!” I shake my head no. “I demand you to talk!” She screamed into my ears.

“Fine. You want to know why I was late today?” She nods. “It’s because I almost got run over.” I replied, my rage running cool off my tongue.

I wasn’t shocked at her reaction. Her jaw was open and her eyes were wide.

“I’m so sorry..” I walked away, shrugging my shoulders.

“Wait,” she calls. “You can have-” I just walked away, I mean, I had enough money to last me years.

I walk, walk until my feet stop, and I look up. I was at the gym.

“Hey,” I exhale, “Could you sign me in, just today? I didn’t plan on being here.” The man at the front desk looked up; “Yeah, what’s your name?” I grab a pen and paper and write, Persephone. He raises his eyebrows, and I shake my head.

I ran into the bathroom, to wash my hands. I just needed a quick workout session. I get on the treadmill and just start running at slow trot. I notice others looking at me, giving me a confused look or a side eye.  I realize that I’m still in my work clothes. I must look ridiculous. I kick off my sensible shoes and start to sprint. By the time I finished my workout, I was sweaty and sore. Just what I needed.

I needed to burn energy, release frustration. Find a way to vent the anger and hatred that was bubbling inside of me before I exploded. I knew without it I would just take it out on someone undeserving of it. In all my hundred and fifty years of existence I’ve seen it happen so many times.

Just then, as I stood there slowly simmering down, and pondering my next move. I see a bus drive by with a billboard along the side. The sign read “Looking for Authors”.  Suddenly I feel a rush of adrenaline that replaces my feelings of disdain and listlessness with curiosity and, dare I say hope.

I replace my pursed lips with a smirk and think of all the stories I have to share. Maybe I can warn them about the robots, reminisce about loved once, that are now gone and lost to me. I frantically check my bag for a pen, I see the bus start to move from the stop in front of the gym. I chase after it so I can write the number on the back of my hand.  Just as I catch up and start writing I notice my skin is still glistening with sweat from my workout.

I see a piece of trash blown by, ushered along by a breeze from another passing vehicle.  This confirmed to me that it was fate reaching out. Throwing me a lifeline, giving me an outlet.

I carefully placed the piece of trash that someone discarded carelessly, that was now my savior, in my pants pocket. A man stops me as I turn to walk toward my home and says “must be important”.  I reply, “you have no idea”.

On my way home, I can’t stop thinking about all the stories I want to share. All the memories and experiences, all the love, and of course loss. The emotional highs and lows rush over me like waves over the rocks along the shore. I think to myself how maybe this ”curse” has really been a gift all along.

Just as I arrive on my block, I see a man standing by the front door leading to the lobby of my building. I can’t help but feel nervous, as though something is screaming at me from within to turn away. I keep walking toward the doorway, my feet and legs acting on their own, while in my head I hear a voice screaming at me to turn back. Just as I decided to turn away, the man gazed at me, his eyes were green like emeralds. He says “Hi Persephone”……

I don’t talk, thinking to myself, maybe, just maybe, he’ll leave…but he doesn’t.