The Greek Gods and the Apocalypse

Chapter 15 (Edited)

I took a seat on one of the benches in front of her barracks when I arrived because it was clear she had not returned yet. Upon sitting I began to read through the table of contents looking for a definition of an oracle in ancient Greek times.

The Table of contents read page 33 so I flipped the book to page 33 and began reading. 'An oracle is a woman who has the divine power of being able to communicate with a god. Through this communication she can give guidance, explanations, or even see the future. She can also relay what she sees to the person asking via a prophecy. In Greek history the god associated with an oracle is Apollo.'

I thought about this for a minute and found I was more intrigued and curious than frightened. I wonder why that is. Shouldn't I be afraid? We are talking about someone here at Community who can speak with a god and possibly see the future. A person with such a divine power right under our noses. I can only assume they do not even know they are an oracle of Apollo. Deductive reasoning would infer the robe was left with the box because Apollo would like to speak to his oracle.

I look up from my book to see Shimmer setting the trays of food down next to me in order to walk over and unlock her front door. I close the book and pick up the trays balancing one of them on the book I am holding sort of flat across my arm. I pick the other tray up with my left hand and follow Shimmer through her front door. She closes the door behind me and takes a seat behind her desk while I set the trays of food off to the side on her desk and take my seat. The robe and box are still sitting center stage on her desk.

I open the book in my lap and proceed to tell Shimmer I was correct that the oracle is a person. We have an oracle right under our noses and I would assume they are a medic since that is where we found the items. Then I read her the definition of an Oracle straight from the book in front of me.

She looked in deep thought for a moment and then our eyes met and we both said Shaneel in unison. I smiled slightly and followed it up with "She is the person that makes the most since. She is strong, independent, and most of all has weird godly dreams. She thought she saw a shadow in the barracks last night and clearly she did. I would not be surprised if she saw the shadow of the god Apollo himself."

"I suppose that could be what is happening but as someone who has never read mythology or about the Greeks at all this is all very overwhelming bordering on unbelievable. How do we know for sure?" Shimmer asked.

"I believe we will have to involve Shaneel in our investigation into what is going on around here. She appears to be the way we find out more."

"Before we do that let's see what is in this box" Shimmer replied.

Shimmer picked the box up and held it in her hands. She noticed quickly it was still locked and had no keyhole or other way to open it up. Frustrated she looked at me and told me to get Shaneel after lunch and bring her to her barracks. Then we ate and I left to look for Shaneel.

Shaneel was pretty easy to find because of course she was in the Hospital. However, what I did not expect was she was not performing hospital duties. She was actually sitting on a stool looking dazed. Her thoughts were definitely very far away. In a very low voice, I could hear her saying. What box? What are you talking about? Over and over again with pauses here and there.

I just sat down in the chair next to her and waited and listened, not sure interrupting her was safe or even possible. I did not know much about oracles only what I had read in books that I assumed were basically fiction about what the Greeks believed, not what was actually factual. You can believe something but that does not make it true. In this case I am beginning, however, to believe mythology may be more fact than anyone previously thought.