Ataraxia (noun): freedom from emotional disturbance

The fifth circle of Hell was an endless battle of wrath and resentment in the dark, swampy waters of the River Styx. Here, the aggrieved souls furiously battered and raked and bit one another for all of eternity.

He was obviously pissed.

Why had his fate ended like this? He already had nothing in life when everybody else had wealth, talent, beauty, or some other blessing from Lady Luck. It was so unfair. That’s why, putting other people down was his duty! He suffered, so they should, too!

And so, he went on in the fifth circle of Hell, scratching and punching for every second of every day.

Until he met his past crush.

She was like a star in his life, always shining with her smile, her cleverness, and the cute ribbons in her hair. Yet, there she was, clawing and screeching in fury at the other wrathful souls in this soggy hell.

He heard her screams, loud and clear and just like his own: she raged for cruel parents, treacherous friends, and a fate that she never desired.

Ever since that day, he’d stopped fighting. He had sank to the very bottom of the swamp, forever questioning the idea of “unfairness” in a sullen peace.