The Greek Gods and the Apocalypse

Chapter 17 (Edited)

It has been a couple of hours now and it is apparent that we will not be home by dark. There is just no way. That thought is now sitting in the back of my mind. It would not usually matter but tonight, out here, it does. Months ago, in my forest I would have been completely comfortable in the dark but those days are gone. The forest is no longer mine. These grasslands are the unknown. A part of me is frightened. I am rarely frightened but this is not good. I can feel it.

Shimmer and I just walk on. Not talking, just walking one foot in front of the other. We will get home eventually.

"Aurora, does it seem to you that dusk is lasting far too long?"

I look around curiously and then reply "Honestly, I had not been paying that close of attention to the light or lack of. I have had my attention on the sounds I have been hearing for the last several minutes."

"What sounds" Shimmer asks.

"The sounds of large wings flapping and animals fleeing fast. Running away from our location. Something is watching us from above. Just out of sight with the limited vision we have as the sun sets and takes the light with it."

Shimmer stops in her tracks and peers up into the evening sky. "I hear it. What do you think it is?"

"I think it is one of those giant birds I saw in the forest. I am just hoping it does not think we are dinner, because the weapons we have will not bring it down. I do not even think they will wound it much."

"Then for our sake I hope it is not hungry" is all Shimmer says.

We continue walking a bit faster now. Both of us have a renewed since of urgency to get home.

Out of the sky the huge bird of prey comes. Swooping down a few feet over our heads and landing in front of us. Its back is maybe ten feet away. As it turns to face us it is clear to see it has a rider. A large male human looking rider, although much larger than Shimmer or me. He is sitting in a saddle that resembles a horse saddle but larger and very beautiful.

Something begins to speak to me, not out-loud though, in my mind. The look on Shimmers face reveals it is speaking to her as well.

"I am Hermes. Zeus has sent me with a gift for you both."

Our mouths fall slightly open and our eyes widen but we say nothing in response. "I will take that as a yes. You want his assistance. As the god of time, the day and night cycle itself, he will grant you two extra hours of daylight here in the outer dome. The time will not be altered inside of the inner dome you have erected. There is no need since time moves so much slower in and around Community anyway."

We both look at each other and then at Hermes still saying nothing.

"It is done" is all he says and then his raptor takes flight and they are both gone almost instantly.

Soon after Hermes' departure the sun moves in reverse through the sky. It is daylight again and apparently for two hours. That is still not a significant period of time since we are still so far from home so Shimmer and I exchange looks and start running.

Our pace continues at a run for thirty minutes or so and then we both slow to a jog and then a walk. Never stopping but slowing enough we can have a much-needed drink. There is no time for talking if we want to beat dusk when it comes for a second time. So as soon as we are finished drinking we begin to jog.

We jogged until we no longer could. At this point we slowed to a walk and drank the remainder of our water. Neither of us had the energy to run, jog or talk at this point so we walked in silence the rest of the way home.

Dusk appeared for a second time but we could see the inner dome and would soon be home so it was of little concern.

Shimmer entered the code and we slipped back into the safety of what we knew, the inner dome. Upon entering Shimmer turned to me and said a bit out of breath, "We really must address our security measures."