Geryon is Red. He’s a monster. He hides his wings and tries to follow his older brother. He’s an odd child, monster or not. He speaks little but is always learning. His mother is his solace and her unconditional love and guidance helps him find art. He’s able to create a space for himself while being abused by his brother. He grows, discovers photography and “somehow Geryon made it to adolescence.”
We know from Stesichoros that Geryon will be killed by Herakles. He is the tenth labor and has fate is sealed when both are born.
But in this version of Geryon’s life, how will this death happen? He and Herakles meet as teenagers. He’s fourteen, Herakles is sixteen and Geryon is doomed. He spends as much time with Herakles as he can, wanting to love him completely, but at a complete loss when it comes to approaching the unnamed and unknown. Herakles is all confidence and sexuality, and yet he seems to wait for Geryon to stumble into admitting something, or waiting for him to simply give up and give in. Geryon’s longing and frustration is tangible and Herakles’ refusal to help soon starts to feel cruel.
But eventually Herakles possess him completely. He is charming and only wants to journey and discover and find fun. When Geryon amuses him, it as if they are the only two in the world. Geryon feels unworthy and knows this attention is fleeting. He’s desperate to keep Herakles interested. He withdraws from his mother, both of them unsure how to approach each other now.
And then Herakles leaves Geryon behind. He’s bored, or Geryon is boring. Broken and sick, Geryon peers into his camera and waits. Perhaps he’ll find something interesting, or become interesting.
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Cannonball Read V 