Keepers of the Underworld

Chapter14

Melanie was savoring every bite of the baklava her parents had ordered. It had been a while since she had it, and this particular one was one of her favorites. She, her parents, and Darius had been discussing how best to approach entering Travis’ dreams.

“It is easiest to do this if I am in the room with him, but I know that might be an issue. Me slipping into someone’s dreams or influencing them is easy. I can do that from anywhere to anyone. Taking you into someone’s dreams takes more work. It is like carrying someone on your back uphill,” Melanie told her parents.

“How long would it take to put me into his dreams and talk to him?” Dee asked.

“Seconds. Time in dreams flows differently. If I can hold your hand and Travis’, I can have you in and out of the dream in seconds. Yet, in the dream, it will be as long as you need it to be,” Melanie explained.

Dee gave Sephi a withering look and said, “I know I promised you a different kind of night, but we need to deal with the Travis issue.”

Sephi sighed, “I have an idea. Why don’t we go to the center tonight? I can distract the staff while the two of you visit Travis.”

“And Darius?” Melanie grinned.

Sephi smiled and said, “That’s simple. Darius can be looking at the center because his poor granny will need a home in her final days.”

“My granny died several hundred years ago, so I would say we are a bit late on that,” Darius replied as he shook his head. “But, it never hurts to be prepared in case it is needed.”

“That works for me,” Melanie said. She pointed back and forth between her parents and said, “Now, you two need to go put some clothes on. Your bathrobes are great but not exactly appropriate for going out.”

Dee stood and helped Sephi to her feet. He laughed, “Melanie, how did you ever survive in ancient times with us? The public bathhouses, flowing garments of sheer fabrics, large groups of people being amorous with one another, and yet you are offended by a bathrobe.”

“First, those large groups were called orgies. Second, I am not offended by a bathrobe. It would just be easier to sneak in and out after hours in regular clothing,” Melanie said, shaking her head.

“Come on,” Sephi said as she tugged Dee down the hallway toward their bedroom. “She’s right, and we need to get dressed, so we can get this over with.”

Melanie waited until she heard their bedroom door close before she moved to sit on Darius’ lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. This time he returned the kiss and held her tight to him.

“Will you spend the night with me tonight?” Melanie asked him after they broke their kiss. “I miss you when you aren’t with me.”

“I miss you too. But are you sure it’s a good idea?” Darius asked.

“Why wouldn’t it be? You heard what both of my parents said tonight. They are happy for us and do not have a problem with us being together. Why are you so worried?”

“Because you are a goddess, and I am nothing. I am not worthy of having you. That is why I never told you how I felt and how much I love you. You deserve so much more than your father’s servant.”

“No. That is where you are wrong. I deserve a wonderful, kind, thoughtful, loving man, who has always been there for me and protected me, and that is exactly what you are.” She kissed his lips tenderly. “I love you. I have for as long as I can remember. I just couldn’t get up the courage to tell you until now.”

Dee, clearing his throat behind them, disrupted their moment together. Melanie looked over Darius’ shoulder and smiled at her parents. She gave him another quick kiss before standing from his lap. Darius stood and averted his eyes from Dee and Sephi, embarrassed to be seen like that with their daughter.

Sephi went to Darius and took his hands. “I want you to look at me,” Sephi said, making Darius look her in the eyes. “Do not be embarrassed about showing you love someone. As long as it is not inappropriate for where you are, show your love for Melanie.”

“Yes, my…Yes, Sephi,” Darius said.

“See,” Melanie said as she took Darius’ hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. “PG and PG-13 rated public displays of affection are acceptable.”

“They are, and remember that as the two of you are in the backseat on the drive to the hospice center,” Dee said as he picked up his keys from the table. “Let’s go, so we can get this over with.”

-

There was only one visitor car in the parking lot when they arrived. It belonged to Ava’s family, which would make things easier with Travis. It meant Sephi keeping the staff out of the room would be the only thing that they would need to worry about, and that should be easy.

Dee got out and opened the door for Melanie, while Darius did the same for Sephi. They then walked back to the back of the vehicle and removed two large boxes of donuts. After they left their house, Sephi had the idea of taking sweets to the staff to keep them occupied. It would work better to keep all the staff at the nurses’ station.

Dee led the way to the building. As he opened the door, he said, “We won’t be long. If anyone asks why we are here, remember it is because I forgot something in my office.”

Sephi giggled at his excuse but said nothing. She could not remember Dee ever forgetting anything. As a god, like hers, his memory was infallible.”

They walked in and split up, with Sephi taking Darius and the donuts to the nurses’ station. When they reached the desk, Sephi was grinning broadly. All the staff on duty for the night were there either charting or having their dinner. When Darius sat the boxes on the counter, Becky beamed.

“What is this?” Becky asked as she stood to check out the goodies.

“Dee forgot something in his office, and I thought it would be nice if all of you and the night shift had something special,” Sephi told her.

Becky giggled, “Don’t tell Roxy, but you might be my new favorite staff member.”

“My lips are sealed,” Sephi grinned.

Katie took a donut from the box and asked, “So, who is this?” She pointed to Darius and smiled.

“This is Darius. He is a long-time family friend, and my daughter’s boyfriend,” Sephi said as she smiled warmly at Darius.

“Why are all the good ones already taken?” Katie asked as she held her hand out to Darius to shake. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Darius said, shaking Katie’s hand. “But why do you think I am a good one?”

“Because it did not take long for us to trust Dee and Sephi’s opinions about everything. If you have been this lady’s friend for a long time, and you are dating her daughter, you are a good man,” Katie told him.

Dee and Melanie walked up, and he asked, “Is everyone ready to go?”

-

Dee took Melanie straight to Travis’ room. He pushed the door open a crack to ensure the man was alone before they went in. He ushered Melanie in and quietly closed the door behind them. Melanie walked to the bed, took Travis’ hand, and frowned.

“Is something wrong?” Dee asked her.

“No. It's that I have never made a connection with someone who has had a brain injury like this one. It feels different. Like part of him is missing,” Melanie whispered.

“Will it work?”

“Yes. It won’t change anything. Are you ready?”

“As ready as I can be.”

Melanie reached for her father’s hand. When his hand was firmly in hers, she gave him a smile. Almost instantly, Dee found himself standing at the edge of a lake in the woods. Travis was standing beside him, looking around with a stunned expression. A smile crossed his face, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

“I never thought I would see this place again. My grandpa used to take me fishing here. I haven’t been here since he died,” Travis said as he turned to Dee. “I know you. You work at the place they put me. Why are you here with me?”

“My name is Dee. I need you to tell me what happened the night of the crash.”

“Why?”

“Because I do not believe it was your fault. I want to make sure the people responsible are held accountable, and your name is cleared. I’m sure you know that your life is nearing the end, and I want it to end well, with everyone knowing the truth. I need to know the truth to ensure you can go to the land you deserve, and I do not believe it is one of torment.”

Travis wiped the stray tears from his cheeks and said, “You don’t just work at that center, do you?”

“No, I don’t. I am Hades,” Dee told him. He saw the fear spreading across the man’s face. “Travis, please do not be afraid of me. I do not punish those who do not deserve it, and I believe you are one who does not. That is why I need you to tell me what happened that night.”

Travis nodded and began, “I don’t remember everything. I was in the back seat. Keith and Justin were in the front seat. Justin was driving. They had been drinking, and I did not want to be with them, but he wouldn’t stop and let me out. When I got upset, Keith started laughing and told me I needed to be upset about him sleeping with my girlfriend. He thought it was funny because I loved Jennifer. That’s why he brings her to the center.”

“I’m sorry, Travis. I will see what I can do about banning her from the center, so they can’t do that anymore,” Dee told him.

“Thank you,” Travis said as he wiped his eyes. “Anyway, Justin kept speeding up and driving crazy. When the cops tried to pull him over, he ran. There were no seatbelts in the backseat, so I knew if he crashed, I was a deadman. Somehow, he got ahead of the police, and that was when he crashed. I remember flying around in the car, but after that, it gets fuzzy.”

“That’s fine, Travis. I have heard enough to know that you had nothing to do with what happened. When it is your time, would you like to come here and be with your grandfather again? You can spend the rest of eternity fishing and enjoying your time together the same as you did when you were a boy.”

Travis lunged at him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you! Thank you for not punishing me. I would give anything to be here with my grandpa again. He was the only one who ever made me feel loved or wanted.”

“Then it will be done for you. I will also make sure my wife gives you the best care possible,” Dee told him as he released him.

“Your wife?”

“Sephi is my wife, Persephone. We work together at the center to ensure everyone goes to where they belong in the underworld. You, my friend, will be going to Elysium, where you belong. I’m afraid the rest of your living relatives will not be as fortunate.”

“Does it make me a bad person that I do not feel bad for them?”

“No. You are not a bad person for wanting someone to get what they deserve. That is on them.” Dee sighed and said, “I’m sorry, but we need to go back now. I will see what I can do about letting you dream of this place often until it is your time.”

“Thank you,” Travis said.

In a blur, Dee was instantly standing beside his daughter once more. He looked down at Travis to see tears on the man’s cheek. Dee took a tissue and gently wiped them.

“I will see to it that Travis has nothing but good dreams until he passes. His brother and cousin are a different story. I need to think of some extra nasty ones that leave them quivering little piles after they lose control of their bodily functions,” Melanie whispered.

“Hearing you say that makes me so proud. Just promise me you will never use that on Darius.”

“I would never dream of it. He already has nightmares that he does not deserve because of what he was forced to do before he came to us. I have been giving him pleasant dreams, so he can sleep.”

Dee smiled lovely at his daughter and said, “Come on. We need to go. I think both of us have plans at our respective homes.”

“Eew. Gross,” Melanie giggled as they walked toward the nurses’ station.

Dee and Melanie walked up, and he asked, “Is everyone ready to go?”

“We are,” Sephi replied as Melanie stepped to Darius and took his hand. “Ladies, this is our daughter, Melanie. Melanie, this is Becky and Katie.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Melanie said as Becky and Katie waved when they were introduced.

“Ladies, we hate to run, but we have plans. We will see you tomorrow,” Dee told them as he turned to leave.

“See you later. Feel free to drop off donuts anytime you want,” Becky called after the group as they walked down the hall.

When they got in the SUV, Dee let out an explosive breath. He pulled Sephi over to him and kissed her before he started the vehicle. After they were out of the parking lot, he took her hand and kissed it.

“Are you alright?” Sephi asked.

Dee nodded as Melanie answered, “He will be. Travis told us what really happened that night. Travis was in the backseat with no seatbelts, and they would not let him out. He had nothing to do with what happened any more than the people who were hit.”

“I just need some time with you, my love,” Dee told Sephi as he kissed her hand again. “I’m sure Melanie and Darius would like some time together after tonight.”

“We would. I don’t take someone into dreams often, and that was intense,” Melanie said as she leaned onto Darius. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. “Are you going to spend the night with me so I’m not alone after that?”

“I will,” Darius whispered.

They finished the drive to Dee and Sephi’s in silence. Everyone could tell that Dee and Melanie were bothered by what Travis had told them in his dream. When Dee parked, he again opened the door for his daughter while Darius helped Sephi out of the vehicle. Dee hugged Melanie and kissed her cheeks.

“Thank you for helping with this,” Dee told her as Darius and Sephi joined them. “Darius, take care of my daughter. Whatever she needs, give it to her.”

“I will. If you don’t mind, I will drive Melanie home, and she can leave her car here,” Darius said as he slipped his arm around her waist.

“Of course, we don’t mind,” Sephi said. “Take care of yourselves, and we will see you later.”

Darius nodded before he escorted Melanie to his car and helped her get settled in the passenger seat. After he got in and started the car, they waved to her parents before they left. Dee and Sephi waved back and smiled.

Sephi said, “I’m so glad they have each other. Let’s go in so you can tell me what Travis said.”

“Alright, but I might need some comforting after I do,” Dee smirked.

“I can do that. Especially since we still need to finish our evening as planned.”

“Oh, I like the way you think,” Dee chuckled.