It had been 3 days since that day in the park and I hadn't told a soul. I was scared they would think me crazy and send me to a mental ward. I'd flirted with the idea that maybe I was, that I'd made it all up, but it all had felt so real.

When Hades had gotten my answer he got me sign a surprisingly plain document by nicking my finger and place my bloody thumb onto it. I had skimmed it quickly and it was just generally about how I had to ensure that Cerberus didn't come to any harm under my protection. I wish that was the other way round because I have no doubt that dog could kill a mountain lion.

He told me it was something called a blood pact which honestly nearly worried me to death but that's the very reason I had to do it, I didn't want to die so young. I had dreams.

Ever since I was little my goal had been to perform with the Cirque du Soleil on the world's stage.

Admittedly now I was only moonlighting at a seasonal circus in town and my usual week consisted of me working as a gymnastics coach at our towns local gymnasium.

They paid the bills but it didn't gjve me the satisfaction I knew only joining the cirque du soleil and being able to call myself one of the best could.

It would have been nice if Hades had slid me a couple hundreds when he decided to let me live for looking after his dog. But until that big dog (or is it dogs?) decided I looked like a tasty snack I would have to keep paying these damn bills and falling further from my dreams.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Wait.

What do I actually do jf it gets hungry?

I'm assuming from those deadly looking canines I couldn't help but notice glinting a few times when they were playing with Arnold that its a a meat eater. Should I buy some sheep? Does three heads means three portions? How do I even store that much…

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Hades watched the amusing young man hurriedly go out and buy a large chest freezer from a nearby department store and install it in his garage. He then hopped back into his pickup and headed to a local farm only to come back with 3 sheep which he tied up in the field behind his home. He got one of the sheep and brought it into the garage and tied it up again.

He went into the kitchen and started washing his hands. He stopped to look over at a rack on the wall ans his face paled.

Oh no he wasn't going to do that was he?

He kept washing his hands in the sink. Scrubbing them harder this time. He continued for another couple of minutes before rushing to the rack grabbing something and coming back into the garage.

He stood there in front of the sheep object in hand staring into the deep black eyes sat in its head. It trotted around uncaring as his hands trembled any his face creased.

As his tears started falling he dropped his knife and it clattered on the polished concrete floor. He curled up on the ground and sobbed quietly to himself.

He could do it. He wouldn't do it.

“Yes” said Hades “The boy is suitable. You should try to have a lot of fun with him tomorrow Cerberus. He could do with it.”