bewize

Note: This is the first time I've written a semi-fictional entry for the contest. I say semi-fictional, because I think that the emotions inside are real. Also, while I did remember large parts of the tale from my own education, I credit wikipedia with reminding me of some details.
Warning: This may be triggering to some. Please read with caution and take care of yourself.

Day 178

I feel like I never write anything interesting in here. I mean the first hundred days were kind of crazy - it's not easy just suddenly coming into being. It took me a while to get the hang of things like walking and eating, but I think I've got that under control now. Lately, though, it's always the same things - blah blah blah - Prometheus this, and punishment for fire that. It's all anyone ever talks about to me.

I've said this at least a thousand times, but I didn't steal the fire, people! Hello! Blame someone else (like Prometheus!). I just want people to talk to me like I matter. I know Hephaestus is a goddess and all, but I'm not the first person to be made by the gods instead of born from parents. It's not that big a deal. Everyone needs to get a life.

I need to get a life. I'm going out of my mind with boredom.

Day 193

I met Prometheus' brother, Epimetheus, today. He's nice and I think he agrees with me that Prometheus is the real trouble maker around here. He talked to me for hours, about what life is like for other people.

It's kind of sad actually. He said that it's pretty much like life is here. Get up. Work all day. Eat when you're hungry. Then sleep.

I can't help but wonder why people are satisfied living like that. It seems so boring. Anyway, I must have asked Epimetheus about a billion questions. He started laughing at me and I know I blushed like a fool, but it's so nice to have someone pay attention and answer me.

There's so much I want to know.

Day 204

Epimetheus came by again today. I didn't realize before how handsome he was. He looks a lot like Prometheus, but he has kinder eyes. He told me that I was one of the most curious people he's ever met, so he brought me books. It's the kindest gift anyone has ever given me.

I know nothing will come of it. I mean, he knows that I'm supposed to be this great "punishment" on society and all. Besides, I can tell that Prometheus didn't approve and since he's my ~~keeper~~ ~~warden~~ caretaker, I don't really get much say anyway.

But I won't forget it. The inside of the first book told me, "Keep being curious, Pandora, and you'll go places you never dreamed were possible."

Day 228

Epimetheus and Prometheus had some huge fight today. I couldn't hear what it was about - Prometheus made me leave the room and I could tell that Epimetheus wanted me to go too.

I think it was about me, though.

Maybe this is how I'm the gods' Great Punishment? I'll drive a wedge between them and they'll never forgive me. I don't even know what I did. Epimetheus gave me a necklace and I wore it to dinner. Prometheus saw it and the next thing I know they both freaked out.

I don't think I'll ever see Epimetheus again.

Day 230

Epimetheus wants to marry me! ME!

He said that's what he and Prometheus fought about, but it doesn't matter to him. He said he loved me.

And I love him too!

We're getting married! I'm so excited I can't stand it. I never thought I could be this happy.

Day 238

The gods have all agreed to the marriage. In fact, they've even given me gifts! Zeus gave me a pithos, but it's sealed. He told me that I should keep it with me always, and that I would probably be better off not knowing what's in it. It's very beautiful.

Prometheus is worried about it, I can tell. He keeps giving it dark looks, but I can't exactly give it back to a god, can I?

You know what, though? I don't care what's in it.

I just care that Epimetheus and I are going to be married. I love him so much!

Day 252

Married life is amazing. Our house is so pretty and every day Epimetheus tells me stories that I didn't know before. Soon, I'll know everything! He's really smart.

The only problem is that I'm tired of lugging that stupid pithos around. It's heavy and annoying. But, I'm not supposed to go anywhere without it.

I wonder what could be so important about it anyway. It's not that big - it couldn't be anything too dangerous.

Whatever. Epimetheus promised we'd go for a walk through the wine fields today. Maybe Bacchus will join us. For a god, he's got a great sense of humor.

Day 265

I don't think I've ever been so happy. I know I've never been so happy.

The only creepy thing is the pithos, which has started to make strange noises when no one else is around. I think maybe there's something alive in it.

Day 272

Epimetheus heard the noises from the pithos last night, too. It woke us up in the middle of the night. He put it out on the back balcony, so it was still technically near me, but it wouldn't keep us awake all night.

I admit, it frightened me. I was very glad Epimetheus was there to tell me that it will be all right. He's such a good husband.

Day 291

The noises are louder. We haven't slept in days. It doesn't matter where Epimetheus puts the damn pithos now. We can still hear it.

He got angry with me about it, too. Sort of. I told him that maybe this was how I was the Great Punishment for mankind. I'd keep us awake and drive us all mad.

He told me to stop being ridiculous and that I was over reacting. He said that Prometheus was the one who made the gods angry by stealing fire and that I shouldn't carry that shame with me.

I don't know, though. Right now, I bet Prometheus is sleeping through the night.

Day 296

It is driving me insane.

I haven't slept in a week. Epimetheus is going on a trip tomorrow. I think he's relieved that he'll be away from the noise for a night.

I don't blame him, but I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't keep living like this.

Day 297

Epimetheus is gone. The servants have all fled the house to escape the noise. I'm going to take the damn thing into the fields today and hope that maybe the sunshine and wind will relax me enough to let me sleep.

Day 298

Epimetheus gets home today. I didn't sleep again yesterday or last night. The fields helped some, but not enough.

I have an idea. Zeus told me that I would be better off not looking inside, but he didn't tell me that I couldn't. Prometheus would call it a technicality, but if he can defy the gods directly, I don't see why I can't try this one little thing.

Really, what harm could it do?

Day 299

It's true.

I am humanity's Great Punishment.

I can't stop shaking and crying. Epimetheus returned home only two hours after I opened the pithos and I didn't even have to tell him what I'd done. He knew. Everyone knows.

It was terrifying - so much horror and misery and sadness. It's all my fault.

Prometheus told me that I should kill myself. Epimetheus punched him in the face and threatened to kill him if he ever said anything like that again.

But I think maybe Prometheus is right.

Day 315

Epimetheus has hidden all of the knives and poison in the house. It's sweet of him to love me, but there is no point. Everything is awful now.

It's all my fault.

Day 319

The pithos is making noises again, but these are different. Epimetheus asked me about it and I told him that I had tried to slam the lid back on the pithos before everything escaped, but War was too strong and Violence made it hurt too much.

There was only one plague I kept inside - something called Hope.

He seemed really thoughtful after that. I wonder if it will make him forget to lock the balcony doors. I suspect that if I jumped off headfirst, I could end this. I might try tonight.

Day 320

I had no luck opening the balcony doors last night. Epimetheus caught me and carried me back to bed, ignoring my sobs and pleas to just let me end this misery. He loves me, I know he does.

And I still love him.

But I cannot bear this for much longer. If I cannot find another way, I believe I will die of heartache.

Day 321

I fell asleep for a few minutes last night. It was a surprise, but it wasn't as surprising as what I saw when I woke up. Epimetheus was sitting next to the pithos, prying open the lid again.

I screamed and ran to stop him, but he caught my hands and pulled me into his lap. "Trust me, beloved." He whispered that to me over and over and finally I agreed.

Together we opened the lid and let loose the last of the gods' torments. I'm not sure what terror Hope will wreak on the world, but surely it can't be as bad as the others.

I find that thought strange and alien. It's the first time ever that I felt that way.

Day 322

Hope.

I don't know if the gods will find a way to use it against us. I can only assume that they will try, since it is brethren to Pestilence, Despair and Fear.

But Hope feels different.

I told Epimetheus that I didn't need him to hide the knives and poison anymore.

For the first time that I can remember, he cried. Only, it wasn't because he was sad.

It was because he was happy.

I think, no, I hope that things will be all right now. I'm sure that the bad things will still be there, but as long as there are people like Epimetheus in the world, it's not such a bad place after all.

This entry was written in response to the

therealljidol Challenge 7: Hope. There will be voting for this week's entries. I will make sure to link to the poll once it is put up and I would appreciate it if you would vote for me if you enjoy my entry. As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

momebie.livejournal.com

Hope. ♥ I have a strange relationship with hope, knowing that it belonged in that box with everything else. I think you've done a brilliant job.

bewize.livejournal.com

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a strange take on the prompt, but of the dozen I began this was the one that was loud enough to carry me to the end. :)

supremegoddess1.livejournal.com

Excellent.

Thank you! I kind of wish that I'd thought of it in time to use it for Nanowrimo. *shrugs*

Oh well. :)

Thanks again!

shadowwolf13

Awesome! Very different take on it all. :)

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

jenandbronze.livejournal.com

This was awesomely written! You have my vote this week.

Thank you so much. I appreciate it!

My first writing love is fiction, but I've really been enjoying doing the non-fiction bits too. This contest is making me grow and I love it!

I agree, it is making me grow, and I did an entry about how it is educating me, with so many new things... learning lots of great new words and all that great stuff!

rejeneration.livejournal.com

This is just bloody brilliant. -smiling- This is the second entry of yours that I have read and I'm sure these will stay with me. That's a real feat! =D

Thank you so much! I'm really flattered.

I have to say, also, that your entry this week is probably my favorite thing that I've read in this competition so far.

Anyway, thank you again!

chix001.livejournal.com

I really love this, the format and emotions really, really drew me in. Would love to see you expand on it sometime.

Thank you!

I appreciate that. I mentioned upthread a bit that fiction is my true writing love, and I hadn't really thought to use fiction pieces for the LJ Idol contest before now.

I do, however, quite like the story that I crafted here. I can see a love story hidden in it and I hope to one day come back and revisit it.

Thanks again!