This year had been Corinth’s worst year of harvest. All year, the city was getting constant downpour and thunderstorms. All of Corinth blamed it on one person: Hayes.

For 14 years, since Hayes was born, Corinth had been having troubles every single year, which never happened before Hayes was born.

The Elders constantly spoke about how Atticus, the governor god of Corinth, was angry with them. They weren’t able to ignore the significance of Hayes’ presence and how it was costing them their livelihoods any longer.

One night, all citizens from Corinth brought Hayes to the main palace to tell him the news; he would be given up as sacrifice for Atticus. They told Hayes that it was for the safety of Corinth.

Hayes cried and begged not to be sacrificed because every child in Greece had learned that sacrificed people didn’t go to the pretty Overworld, they went to the dark, hideous Underworld.

All of Corinth helped get the panicking Hayes in an old food sack, dragging him to the sacrificial temple of Atticus.

The religious figures of Corinth said the prayers to Atticus, summoning him and saying words of sacrifice.

As soon as the smoke rose and it was clear that Atticus was now present, the citizens of Corinth scurried off, dumping poor Hayes out of the bag and leaving him there.

All people were afraid of Atticus because of how cold and mean he was, always emotionless and wearing a scowl on his face.

Little did everyone know, Atticus had been waiting for this day, waiting for the day that little, sweet Hayes would be his.

God, he watched Hayes for years, dreaming of touching that sweet skin and relishing in the boy’s beautiful laugh.