I watched as he made the orders for the builders to begin excavating. Though only a child, I realised the weight of The Paracosm Project and the money it was taking to make it happen. I felt safe, as the businessmen were taking care of me like they were my Father.

The machinery was loud and rather obnoxious, yet, some of the builders saw that it was becoming distressing for me, and chose to make light of the situation. It calmed me down.

I watched as the rubble fell away, revealing the array of gravestones. Each had their own insignia and made my adolescent self feel rather uneasy.

The builders blew away more rock to expose the greater mausoleum. It was pristine and untouched for many centuries. I remember it so vividly, despite being only a child. At that age, I had a tendency to wander. So, once the businessmen were not looking, I walked into the mausoleum. I heard the slap of my sneakers on the very well-maintained marble.

That’s when I saw him. His trident caught my eye first, but it was only a distraction. His height caught my eye too. He did not look upset, but rather stoic as he is usually written.

I ran like a child and found myself in his labyrinth. Every notion of fear came over me, yet my heartbeat remained rather steady.

Turning the corner, my cheek pressed against those marble walls, I waited to see if one of them would show up. For a moment, I felt peace, thinking I had escaped.

I turned to my left, to see another one of my orphan friends. He was older and back then, I thought he was wiser than me, but the look on his face still comes to me. He could see them.

To the corner of my eye, one of them had already latched onto me. I could not do anything about it. I still can’t.

Every time I look at the corner of my eye, it is still latched around my neck.