The Greek Gods and the Apocalypse

Chapter 25 (Edited)

I am so excited this morning. The sun is shining bright and beautiful in the sky like a gift from my father Apollo. I wonder if being the god of the sun means you actually decide the weather. Probably not since the god known for controlling the weather is not Apollo but Zeus and the Anemoi, of course. Whoever brought this beautiful day it is the perfect backdrop to finish Destiny and Ambrosia's enclosures. The new larger door for the harpy eagles has already been added next to the archway of the inner dome. All that is left is the finishing touches on their enclosures that sit side by side behind Shimmer and I's barracks.

I leave my barracks and head around the back to have a look at the enclosure. I find the handlers are already hard at work completing the final projects. I enter the enclosure to speak with Stephen.

"Hey Stephen, how are you this fine morning?" I say probably with a little too much enthusiasm.

"I am good. Clearly, you are having a wonderful day. What's making you so happy today?"

"Oh, nothing just having a good day."

"Fair enough" Stephen replies. "Got to get back to work. Talk to you later."

"Just curious Stephen when do you think the enclosures will be finished?"

"By lunchtime for sure," he says.

"Wonderful", I say and turn to leave.

I leave Destiny's enclosure and walk over to talk with Shimmer.

On my way to Shimmers, I begin to feel bad about not telling Stephen the truth. I know why I am so happy. I know it is because Destiny will be coming home tonight. I can not tell anyone that right now though. If I did I could not explain how I knew that or how Destiny had chosen me without ever being in Community. No, it was better not to tell Stephen anything but it still felt wrong.

I arrive at Shimmer's barracks and her door is wide open. I call into her barracks and knock on her open door.

"Shimmer it's me. Are you here?"

I hear Shimmer from inside the barracks.

"Come on in and have a seat. I will be right with you."

I walk inside and take my normal seat at her desk. After several minutes Shimmer joins me at her desk.

"How are you today Aurora?"

"I am good. I am just trying to figure out how we get Ambrosia and Destiny home. When I spoke with Stephen he said the enclosures will be done today."

"I agree, we need a plan. Let's take a walk to the forest and work on this as we go."

"Okay, after you," I say as I stand up.

As soon as Shimmer passes me I fall in line behind her and we leave her barracks. Shimmer stops to lock her door and then we walk towards the archway. As we walk past a shadowed space we duck in and Shimmer does her magic hands thing. Now invisible we continue.

Through the archway, we go and off towards the forest we walk. Now that we are outside the dome Shimmer and I begin to form a plan for getting our harpies inside Community. Any animals we pass must be a bit confused because they can hear two disembodied voices carrying on a conversation along with the occasional rustled leaves and broken stick noises that appear to come out of nowhere. Huh, it's kind of like we are ghosts to them. I think to myself as a smile stretches across my face.

We reach the forest and it is clear Ambrosia and Destiny could hear us coming. They are barely inside the tree line and rocking their weight back and forth from one foot to the other. Not lifting either foot completely off the ground but rocking enough it looks like an excited to see you dance.