I Hate History!

he Greek Gods were worshipped by everyone," read Michelle as she sat up in bed with the book in her lap.

She yawned, "I think that's enough studying for tonight. I hope I get 100 on this test." Michelle snapped off the light and got under the quilt. Her last thought was "I wonder if the Greek gods were real?"

ichelle felt someone shaking her. "Go away Mum," she mumbled. Still the person kept shaking her. She opened her eyes. "Oh," she breathed, rubbing her eyes. Michelle was in a grand white marble hall with pillars everywhere. At one end of the hall was a marble fireplace. The furniture was made of silk and velvet.

Michelle was lying on a couch covered in white cushions. The boy who had woken her was standing off to one side looking amused.

"Where am I?" asked Michelle.

The boy remained silent. Michelle tried again, "Where am I?"

Still no answer. Suddenly he spoke. "When you are dressed, Zeus would like to see you."

"Zeus? But, but he's a Greek God!"

"I know," said the boy starting to look impatient.

"But Greek Gods don't exist - I mean, some people think they do but they don't," babbled Michelle.

"Madam, if you can't say something nice please hold your tongue," the boy said.

Michelle did. She stood up slowly. She was still wearing her nightgown! "What shall I wear?" asked Michelle.

"Here," said the boy, handing her a white tunic and a crown of fig leaves.

He then left the room. Michelle dressed quickly and waited for someone to come and get her. The boy came back and led her out of the room.

"It's time to meet Zeus," he said quietly.

he boy, who introduced himself as Hercules, led her through winding passages and more beautiful rooms until they came to a beautiful wooden door. Hercules knocked, and the door opened. Michelle and Hercules were in a throne room where a God, who Michelle assumed was Zeus, sat on a throne. There were people all around Zeus, servants waving fans, musicians playing beautiful music on instruments Michelle had never seen, and other Gods and Goddesses.

Hercules nudged Michelle. "Say something," he hissed.

Michelle gathered up all her courage and said, "Um-hi,"

Hercules cringed. "Call him Your Majesty!" he hissed again.

"Um-hello Your Majesty," said Michelle quietly.

"Hello weird girl," said Zeus rudely.

"I'm n-" Michelle started to say but Hercules nudged her. "Be polite," he whispered.

"Do you have a name weird girl?" asked Zeus.

"Yes Your Majesty, my name is Michelle."

"Hmmph. Funny name," snorted Zeus.

"And you think Zeus isn't a funny name?" asked Michelle incredulously.

Hercules fainted. Three servants rushed to him and carried him away.

"No I DON'T," Zeus said glaring at Michelle.

"Don't glare at ME!" said Michelle.

"Well, MICHELLE, I think you should learn some manners!" shrieked Zeus.

"And you shouldn't?" shouted Michelle.

That was more than Zeus could take; being shouted at by a mere mortal.

Zeus pointed his finger at Michelle. All of a sudden she couldn't move.

"For that my dear Michelle, you are sentenced to life as a ten-eyed warthog!" he roared.

"Noooooooo!" yelled Hercules as he rushed into the room.

"I can do whatever I want. Remember, I'm a God," said Zeus sarcastically.

"You cannot turn my wife into a ten-eyed warthog!" yelled Hercules.

"Your what?" gasped Michelle.

"Play along," hissed Hercules.

"And why not, might I ask?" said Zeus.

"Because it is against the law to kill the wife or husband of anyone on Mr Olympus, and I can assure you, she is my wife." Hercules took Michelle in his arms and kissed her to show they were indeed husband and wife.

"There is no such law!" shrieked Zeus, thoroughly angry.

"Yes there is," replied Hercules smoothly. "If you bothered to read the laws you'd know."

This made Zeus seethe with rage. Someone had finally discovered his secret!

"How do you know I don't read the laws?" Zeus screamed.

"You just told me!" said Hercules.

All the while Michelle was watching this. She was totally stunned. Why was Hercules defending her? How did she get into this place? How was she going to get Back? All these questions were swimming around Michelle's head, as Hercules and Zeus continued shouting. She was no longer paying attention to Zeus and Hercules. Suddenly Michelle realised Zeus was pointing his finger at her.

"Burn her at the stake!" shrieked Zeus.

Six servants rushed in and tied Michelle up. One of them pressed a cloth to her face and she blacked out.

When she came to, Michelle was in a courtyard, tied to a stake. Servants rushed all around her, pouring liquids and coals beneath her feet.

Zeus walked through an archway.

"Well, Michelle, looks like you'll never make it home now," he sneered.

Michelle looked at him defiantly, but she was crying inside. She was sick of this awful place, and just wanted to go home.

Zeus pointed his finger at the coals near Michelle's feet. They started to burn.

"Goodbye Weird Girl," he said. Hercules was standing beside him, silent now.

"Goodbye Michelle," he said, "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. You tried," whispered Michelle, tears making their way down her cheeks.

This is the end, she thought, I'll never make it home now. She started to sob silently. I'm going to be burned alive, the realisation suddenly came to her.

The flames at Michelle's feet grew higher. Her feet were on fire! Michelle started to scream. The flames kept going, up to her calves, then knees. The pain was unbearable, but she had to bear it. She had no choice.

The flames grew still higher, they had reached her waist.

Her tunic was long gone and she hated to think what had happened to her legs and feet.

The flames went higher and higher. Now her arms were on fire. Michelle's long, thick hair she had been so proud of, was burning.

Michelle opened her eyes. The last thing she saw before she died was Zeus looking coldly at her, and Hercules with tears in his eyes.

ichelle, time to get up!" sang out Mrs Kay cheerfully as she climbed the stairs to her daughter's room. "Michelle?" Mrs Kay pulled back the covers on Michelle's bed.

All that remained was a pile of ashes.