The God and His Moon

14 ~ Unveiling

Io was very unfamiliar with the territory they were passing through. Pan said he knew the place, but that didn't make Io, nor Angela, any less anxious about it.

He wished the nights would last longer. It was far too hot during the day, even with the snow flurries here and there.

As they walked, Io was again reminded of how very little he knew of Pan. Looking over, he saw a face hard with determination, and maybe frustration.

Io wondered how Pan had met him, at first. How all those centuries ago, he had come into contact with this strange man. This strange Greater that seemed to care so much about his wellbeing.

"Pan," Io opened his mouth, looking to him as he walked just a few feet away. "How do you know the way to this place? How do I know you? And why have you helped me all these years?"

The man's frown deepened. But instead of looking angry, he simply looked weathered, worn.

"It was years ago." He murmured. "Hundreds of years. You um... helped me through something. They were trying to..." Pan trailed off. His hand went to his stomach, as of remembering something there. "...you know what, just wait till you get to the pool. Then you'll remember."

Io watched Pan, sadly. From what he could tell, the man was damaged, within. He held a deep dark burden that Io wasn't sure he even wanted to carry. That was what Io felt, anyway. He had to do a lot of guessing.

Without thinking, he stepped over, and put his arm around Pan's back, giving him a little squeeze from the side.

"I am sorry for whatever happened to you." He murmured. "I hope it does not happen again."

Pan glanced down at Io with surprise in his eyes. For a moment, everything sensual, or sleazy, faded from his gaze.

Then his smirk returned, and he put his arm around Io's shoulders, squeezing back. He held his other arm out for Angela, who smiled and stepped to his side, so that the three of them walked shoulder to shoulder.

"We'll get through this." Pan smirked. "Just you wait."

~

Io didn't like trying to cross highways, crosswalk or not. It put his life in the hands of the other cars too much. Any of them could just floor the pedal and mow him down.

But in order to get to the park, they had to cross them. So he would go.

The sun was far too bright out here, where there were no trees to mask it. Io winced.

But something was wrong. The sun wasn't warm, like it used to be. It was a cold, harsh, angry light. Almost artificial.

Amory was weakening. Io felt his heart sink with the thought. Whatever they were doing to him was working.

"Io?" Angela spoke from his side. She looked up at him and managed a weak smile. "Do you remember how we met, at all?"

Io shook his head with an apologetic sigh. "No." He puffed some hair out of his eyes. "How did we meet?"

"It's probably better that you don't remember." She laughed quietly. "I would rather that part of my life stay out of your mind."

Io raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Should I try to avoid it, in the Pool?"

"Probably best."

"Alright."

"Look alive, ladies." Pan called from up ahead, where he was stepping into the edge of a huge national forest. "Pools are ahead about a mile. Keep your eyes peeled. Wouldn't want anybody following us."