That was the series of event that led this rope around my neck. Unfair, I’d agree. How is my ‘crime’ considered deserving of a death sentence?

Ah, well. Maybe everyone just wants an entertaining little show.

The crowd grows into a bigger crowd. The executioner waits for order, but he’s been ready to let the floor beneath me open. Why does it take so long?

While thinking about that, the floor beneath me opens and I fall—well, hang. The rope against my neck was a nasty sensation. I choke, coughing and struggling. My eyes start to water so I close them shut. It doesn’t take long, though, because I hear a gunshot, and I fall to the ground.

It causes commotion. The crowd gasps. The executioner must be surprised too, right? The rope is too weak it can’t hold my weight. Or maybe I’m just fat.

Or not.

Because someone catches me before I land on the ground.

I open my eyes and—oh my God, there’s no way—

“Hera!” I yell, not believing who’s holding me. I blink a few times, rub my eyes, yet I still find Hera. She must think my reaction is funny, huh, since she chuckles at me.

She dashes through the crowd as swift as possible, running away with me in her embrace. I wrap my arms around her neck, scared of falling. I glance behind her shoulder, watching the executioner pursues us. I’m going to be honest, it’s funny seeing that huge man stomping his feet unable to catch up with two ladies.

I notice a glock in her pouch. “Did you shoot my rope with this?” I ask absentmindedly.

“Yeah,” she answers, though out of breath, while her eyes still focus on what’s in front.

“Pretty risky, don’t you think?” I say. Then, I fall silent for a little before I ask in a small voice, “Why are you here, Hera?”

Hera furrows her eyebrows. “Vega, call me by my name,” she requests.

“Altair,” I say, then I repeat my question. “Why are you here?”

She grins cheekily. “I come to get you, my love,” she says. “Though, I’m almost late, aren’t I?”

I scoff. “I’m almost dead,” I say, but then I smile at her. “Why do you come to get me? Where have you been?”

Hera’s—Altair’s—expression softens. “There’s quite a long journey I have to tell you,” she says, then, “And I come to get you because—well, I need you. After all, doesn’t it take two to tango?”

We laughed at each other, dashing forward to the sunset. She owes me a lot of explanation, but the important thing right now—I’m in a happy ever after!