05

Thea shook her head, beyond listening. She was on the verge of a mental breakdown, she was sure. « None of this is real, it can’t be. »

« Damn it Lissandre, I don’t have time for this ! You’re like a petulant child refusing to accept reality. This is all very real and the sooner you realise this, the sooner I can get the hell out of here. »

« My name is Thea, » she ground out. « Now get out, I’ve had enough ! »

« I’m not leaving, I’ll be staying here until I talk sense into you. »

« You’re trying to talk insanity into me ! » Thea cried. « My friend just died ! I don’t know who you are and while I’m grateful you saved my life, I am not letting you stay here. Now please leave, I want to be alone. »

Hermes moved away, disgust in his eyes. « I can’t believe I got sucked into bloody mess. Stupid ignorant woman. » He paused. « When’s your friend’s funeral ? »

The question shocked Thea. « I don’t know. »

Hermes muttered something, Thea couldn’t hear. « I’m giving you one week, Thea. If you’re still alive by then, I’ll be taking you by force and trust me, I’ll take great pleasure in doing it too. »

Thea blinked and he was gone. Thea didn’t care she’d been trying to convince herself it wasn’t real, she was just relieved to finally be alone. The tears she’d been holding back started spilling over and she slid to the floor as the day’s events caught up to her and she let it all go.

Thea hated three things in her life, brussel sprouts, Steven Segal movies and funerals.

She was currently at the latter, wishing she could be anywhere else.

Matt sat on one side of her, Josh the other. Matt held her hand, anchoring her to reality as she watched the priest finish his opening sermon and invite Shae’s mother to the dais. She was a replica of her daughter, the laugh lines and grey streak to her hair the only noticeable differences.

She looked out at everyone, her eyes briefly resting on Thea. « I’d like to thank you all for being here today. » Her voice trembled, knuckles white as they gripped the dais tightly. « It says how much Shae has touched all our lives, for you to all be here honouring her life… »

Thea felt herself drifting away, tears falling as Shae’s mother told stories of her daughter’s life. Small pattering noises sounded as it started to rain, the sound of drops hitting the small cathedral adding to Thea’s grief.

Nearing the end of the eulogy, Shae’s mother met Thea’s eyes. « I’d also like to say a special thank you to Thea Gibson, Shae’s workmate. She stayed with my daughter, giving her comfort in her final moments. »

Josh reached out and took Thea’s free hand, his large hand smothering hers.

« You’ve always been good to my Shae and though she’s gone, I’m so thankful your life was spared. » Her voice broke and she walked back to her seat.

Thea wished she could feel comforted by those words but she didn’t. No one knew what truly happened three nights ago but herself and her saviour, Hermes. She hadn’t seen him since he insulted her and vanished. Thea was beginning to feel like it had all been a dream ; Hermes, her powers and her so called destiny involving this Cronos.

She’d looked up Cronos, discovering he was an old Greek Titan who ate his children, afraid they would steal his power. When Zeus was old enough he sent Cronos and the other Titans to Tartarus.

Obviously Hermes had her destiny wrong. It was Zeus he should be talking to. If any of this was real which Thea was trying not to believe.

Unfortunately, Shae’s eyes reminded her it was real every night.

For three nights Thea had barely slept. Whenever she finally drifted off to sleep she was back in that forest, searching for someone. Instead, she always found Shae lying on the forest floor, eyes boring into the sky.

Last night as she had tried to force herself awake, Shae’s head twisted up, whispering, « Don’t let them win, Thea ».

How was she meant to pretend it was a dream when Shae wouldn’t let her ?

Everyone stood as the service ended. It was a closed casket and the burial would be family only. The family had asked Thea to join them but she turned them down, feeling as though she didn’t deserve to be near them. Their kindness only fed her guilt. Thea would rather they hate her.

« Thea, » Matt squeezed her hand, « you alright, love ? »

« I’m okay, » Thea whispered.

« Come on. » Matt patted her hand. « I’ll take you to the bar. »

The wake was being held at the bar. Matt had offered to host it and Shae’s family were grateful. They weren’t rich and Thea knew Matt was feeling guilty for leaving them alone that night. He looked as tired as Thea felt.

Matt’s wife, Sharon stood up and pulled Thea with her. « Come on dear. Do you need a lift, Detective Cooper ? »

Josh shook his head. « No ma’am, I’ve got my own car. I have to stop at the station first so I’ll meet you there. Please take care of Thea. »

« We will. »

Josh squeezed Thea’s hand gently before leaving. Thea wanted to cling to him and tell him to stay. Instead, feeling like a zombie, Thea let Matt and Sharon lead her outside and help her into their car.

Unaware of her surroundings, Thea didn’t see the dark haired man watching her from the tree line, fading away with the wind as Matt and Sharon drove off.

* * *

The bar was quiet, the most reserved Thea had ever seen it.

She knew it was a wake but it still felt strange to her. She was used to loud, boisterous men drinking and calling to her from across the bar for another beer.

Unconsciously, she started picking up empty cups before Sharon stopped her. « You’re not working today dear. » Her voice was gentle.

Thea sat the empties back on the table. « Sorry, I guess it’s just a habit. »

« It’s alright, just sit down and rest. Have you eaten anything today, you’re looking quite pale ? »

« No, I’m not hungry ».

« I’ll bring you some sandwiches, you might find you feel a bit hungry. »

Thea smiled as Sharon bustled off. She’d always been good to Thea and Shae. Sharon could never have children and so she often treated the girls as her own.

The bar was slowly filling up with mourners. Thea recognised some of Shae’s family and friends she’d met when Shae dragged her to parties. There was no one there she really knew though. Thea didn’t have many friends. She’d always been reserved, preferring solitude after working long hours in a bar full of people.

A photo of Shae sat atop the bar, smiling and eyes shining bright. Thea felt her eyes begin to sting and quietly slipped into the kitchen before she started crying.

Leaning against the preparation table she closed her eyes, breathing deep. Thea wished she had someone to hold her and tell her everything was going to be alright. More than anything she wished it was Josh’s arms.

Tilting her head skyward, Thea felt dizzy. She knew she had to eat something but she wasn’t in the mood. She felt thirsty though and wondered if it would be enough. Thea felt something wet hit her cheek and she opened her eyes.