*Weight of the World

Intro: This is the first story I wrote for NaShoStoMo. (National Short Story Month created by author Dan Wells.) I didn't intend for this story to be mythological in setting. I have always felt bad for Atlas and when I finally decided to make it mythical, I decided to take it in a slightly different direction than what is normally shown.

Aegle scrambled further back into the alley and covered her mouth. She couldn't stop her ragged breathing but maybe she could dampen the sound. The lights of the night city spilled and danced through the puddles as rain continued to fall. People walked by, their coat collars pulled up and their gazes fixed on the sidewalk in front of them. No one even looked her direction. Water slipped down her neck, under her collar. She shivered. The world pulled at the chain around her neck, digging into her flesh, growing heavier by the moment. She touched the globe gently and closed her eyes.

Maybe she was wrong. Maybe the men hadn't seen her. She would leave the city and not look back. Nothing held her here anymore. The others waited for her at the orchard. This scheme no longer seemed like a good idea.

A figure walked through the people hurrying home from work. He didn't force his way, people avoided him. Where he walked, others flowed out of the way. His red coat thrashed in the breeze and rain, snapping like a whip. He turned down the alley. The puddles splashed up under his feet, the droplets of water cascading like bells, neon light dancing on the ground.

Aegle scooted away, her hands slipping in the grim and mud on the ground. Still the man in red pressed forward.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are."

This man, as well as all the others in red, were determined to have their way with the world. Aegle had promised she would do everything she could to stop it. Now she was having second thoughts. Continue running, or escape back to the orchard and turn a blind eye like everyone else.

"You didn't think you could escape, did you."

She moved further back, knocking over a garbage can in the process. The man laughed.

"You're the last one left. Can't you feel it? The world is starting to fall. You are the last bearer."

From the way the chain continued to pull her neck she didn't doubt him. She could barely lift her head.

"Just give me the world, and you'll be free to leave."

"Never," she said, surprised at her own vehemence. "I'll never hand it over."

"Give it to me. Or you die."

She lifted her head as much as she could and stared at the figure looming over her. Going back to the orchard was no longer an option. If she handed over the world, nothing would ever return to how it was. The mortals would suffer most of all, if any were left alive. After everything that had happened over the thousands of years, it was time someone thought of the mortals, like Prometheus.

"If I must bear the world on my own, then so be it," Aegle said touching the wet earth under her hands.

The red man raged and stormed but never touched her. She sat back against the alley, her head nearly between her knees.

"Fine," he finally said. "You'll quickly change your mind. It's not as if the mortals actually care about any of us. When you get sick of bearing them up, I'll be there to collect." He turned on his heel and stalked out of the alley.

Aegle sat there, the rain dripped down her back and already sopping wet clothes. After an hour she clawed her way to the alley entrance looking at the mass of moving feet. The storm showed no sign of letting up and a cool wind tugged at everyone, making it feel even colder.

"Such a fool," she said. With the last of her strength she leaned back up against the alley wall, staring out at the hustle and bustle of people.

"Wait," a voice called out and a pair of feet stopped at her knee. She didn't even have the strength to look up.

"What did you find, Vanessa?" Another voice called.

"She looks so cold."

Another pair of feet moved into Aegle's field of vision. The tall high heeled shoes looked ridiculous in the every growing puddles. Two women, probably in their mid-thirties, bent down.

"Are you alright?" A brunette asked. "She doesn't look very good, Vanessa."

"Come on, Jill. We've got to get her out of this weather. She's soaked clean through."

With a tall brunette on one side, and a petite red-head on the other, the two women hoisted Aegle out of the filth.

"It's like the whole world's on her shoulders," Jill said.

"Don't worry, a warm shower, clean clothes, and a mountain of chocolate will make all the difference."

As Aegle let the two women half carry her she felt a little weight lift from her shoulders.