Crazy Grin

I didn’t trust a smile with that many teeth... I mean, how could I? When formed together to create a maniacal-looking grin, they looked so jagged and sharp. They were like triangles of doom. But, still, I had to try and trust this guy. He had help to get me to the underworld, and did seem like the guy who would know, since he was a demon. Oh, what I go through to try and save the day, sometimes...1

"?yas ouy od tahw ,oS"2

The talking backwards thing also took me a long time to figure out what he was talking about.3

"Well, what do you want in return?"4

".traeh A"5

"... A atre?"6

". T R A E H"7

"Oh. A heart... Um, what kind of heart?"8

".ynA"9

"Okay, you've got yourself a deal!"10

So, we started our journey to the underworld. Stepping into the boat, I was appreciative when he started pointing the way instead of trying to tell me it. He led me past the harbor to a giant island mountain thing. That's the only way I can describe it. It was just a giant mountain in the middle of the ocean. As we docked at the slanted harbor, I noticed that everything was either slanted or sideways. How could people stand living there, I didn't know, but my demon friend was already moving through the village and up the gigantic mountain. Near its peak, there stood a black doorframe, spider webs adorning each corner.11

".ouy evael I erehw si sihT"12

"You're leaving me alone in there?"13

".seY"14

"Why?"15

".dehsinab m'I"16

"... Banished?"17

".seY"18

Sighing, I went into the underworld, all alone, as he waited at the entrance for me. It was a spooky place, but eventually I found the head chief. Hades himself.19

"What do you want, mortal?"20

"I have come because the oracle told me to do so," I declared, sounding braver than I was.21

"Are you a healer?"22

"Yes," I replied, wondering how he knew.23

"Then I do have one use for you. Cerberus has been moping around and crying for a few weeks now. Figure out what's wrong with him."24

"What do I get?"25

"Brave one, aren't you? Well, what would you like?"26

I pondered for a moment and then answered, "A heart."27

"Very well. Now tend to him," he demanded, pointing across the room to the three headed dog.28

The second I took three steps towards it, though, it tried to bite me. After I ran back, it didn't try to chase me and made a puny whining sound. How could I get close to it? If I could get close enough to it, I could use my sleep powder, but how to avoid limb detachment, or worse? Making a bold decision, I ran when none of the heads were looking, then, right as they turned to see me, I threw the powder on it. Hades looked quite surprised and amused for a moment, after which going back to his regular state of keeping the underworld in order.29

Cerberus had an infected, disgusting looking, scratch on its underbelly. It was huge! How could he have gotten this, I wondered, but then heard Hades mumbling something about 'that damned Hercules', and then I knew. After healing the scratch and retrieving the heart Hades had promised me, I made my way to leave the underworld, but he stopped me with his words.30

"I can't wait to see you next year!"31

I couldn't see his face, since my back was turned towards him, but there was cheer in his voice; a chilling sort of cheer.32

I gave the heart to the demon, who I now decided to call "Crazy Grin."33

"So, Crazy Grin, where to next?"34

"!lleH oT"