Hope for the Underworld

26

Cora was forced to submit to another set of Doctor Kostakis' therapy sessions. But this time it was more difficult, as now she remembered everything that had happened to her. And she couldn't tell a soul, because then they would most certainly lock her up in an institution.

So, she pretended she was getting better, all the time trying to figure out a way of returning to the Underworld.

One night, very aware that she was dreaming, she found herself in a meadow. The sun was shining brightly, the nearby river cascaded over the stones, and the place had been set for a picnic.

'Hello, auntie Cora.'

She turned abruptly, recognising the voice. 'Hermes!... Am I...?'

'Dreaming? Yes,' he confirmed with a smile. 'It is our preferred method of communicating with the mortals. Would you care to join me?' He indicated the blanket.

'Is...'

'No.' He shook his head with regret, guessing the question. 'My uncle is not here.'

'Why?!' It came almost as a sob. 'Why hasn't he come to me?'

'It would be too painful. For both of you.'

'How is he?' She felt tears prickling under her eyelids.

'Heartbroken. Just as you are.'

'Is there no way?'

'No one can carry you to the Underworld.' Hermes shook his head with sadness. 'Not even the Almighty Zeus could force a living soul out of the mortal plain.'

'But there were humans who ventured there!' she insisted, drawing on her extensive knowledge. 'And I was there for a long time.'

'Others went to the Underworld of their free will,' he admitted with consideration. 'Often in search of something that was dear to them...'

She picked up on his deliberate tone. 'If I was to find a way to get there by myself, could I stay?' she questioned.

He only tilted his head in response, but she was certain that was his plan behind invading her dreams. 'Just remember,' he added hurriedly, as his shape started to dissolve. 'You already have everything you need!...'

She woke up with a start, clutching Hades' coin in her fist.

What did he mean?

Her first port of call the following morning was a local library, where she asked for books on Greek myths; with her special interest on Orpheus, Odysseus, and whoever else made it to the Underworld and back.

Doctor Kostakis noticed immediately a profound change in her. 'Why this sudden interest in mythology?' he quizzed during one of their sessions.

'I am in the place the ancients considered literally an entrance to the Underworld,' she replied, not having to fake her enthusiasm. 'That's fascinating!'

'I'm glad to see you've found a new passion,' he spoke calmly, but his tone seemed a little guarded.

'Doc, I'm a librarian!' She laughed. 'Curiosity is our default attitude. I think I am finally returning to my old self.'

He smiled and seemed to accept it in good faith.

She didn't feel guilty deceiving him; she was telling him the truth, after all. Not the complete truth, but close enough.

When they let her out of the clinic, she returned to her room in the B&B. But she wasn't planning on staying there long. She announced she was returning home, to deal with her issues, and to pick up her old life. Yet the full truth was, once again, somewhat different. Because she had figured out how to go back to the Underworld and that was the home she was returning to.