Chapter Six

What a strange dream. Cora thought. But as she began to wake up, she soon realized that there were strong muscular arms wrapped around her. She was in Pans arms! Cora was frightened, but at the same time she was intrigued by him.

To say that his face was beautiful, and that his physique was a work of art would have been an understatement. If only she could remember who she was, or what kind of a relationship did she actually have with him. For some reason he scared her, yet he was the only person she knew.

As she continued to stare at him, she lightly placed her hand upon his face. Pan's features were strong, and powerful. Any woman in her right mind, would want to be loved by a man like him. So then why was she so afraid of him? Did he do something to hurt her before she had completely lost both her memory, and her identity?

As she continued to study his unique facial features, Pan's eyes began to open. As soon as they opened, he smiled at her. He then reach for her, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Good morning." He said. "This may be one of the most pleasant sights that I have ever seen upon my waking. I'm glad that you are still here, and that you haven't tried to run away."

"I don't know who I am." Cora replied. "I don't know where else to go."

"You are a beautiful mortal woman by the name of Cora." Pan told her. "And you don't need to go anywhere else, because this is your home. I have made you my forest queen, as well as my beloved bride. Unfortunately, you drank water from a pond into which the Lethe River flows."

"But why would I do that?" She asked.

"Even though I had advised against your drinking from the pond, you had decided that your past was just too difficult to deal with anymore." Pan sighed. "You could no longer handle the pain, of how others have hurt you."

"What do you mean?" Cora asked. She was stunned by what he had just said. How horrible was her life, if she was willing to just erase all of her memories?

"I think it's best if I tell you some other time." Pan replied. "Right now you are confused, and I think it would be better if I waited until you are able to adjust to your new existence. It's something that we are both going to have to deal with."

"If my life was so horrible that I had to erase it, then I think I have a right to know!" Cora demanded.

"Fine." Pan sighed. "But to be honest, there was a lot that you didn't tell me. All I can tell you about is what I had personally witnessed."

"What exactly did you witness?" Cora inquired.

"This forest is located in Greece, in an area that was once known as ancient Arcadia." He explained. "The very part of the forest, where we are now, is hidden from humanity. This is where the lower level gods, and deities once resided—mainly the satyrs, and as well as both the water and the wood nymphs."

"What does that have to do with me?" Cora asked.

"I'm getting to that." He answered. "Even though my forest is in what was once known as ancient Arcadia, I can view any forest in the world. I saw you, as I had observed a group of mortals exploring one of my ancient temples. I was so captivated by your beauty, but to my disappointment—you were there with another."

"Who is he?" Cora asked.

"The man was your lover." Pan replied. "But as far as I am concerned, he was not worthy of you. He talked down to you, and when you stood up for yourself—he yelled at you. He called you, 'a bitch!', and then he slapped you across your face. My heart was breaking as I watched you fall to the ground, crying as you held your injured cheek. Perhaps I shouldn't have gotten involved, but I couldn't help it. So I beckoned you to enter my forest."

"How did you do that?" Cora asked.

"I did it by playing my flute." Pan answered. "The enticing melody put you under my spell, and I led you away from the unworthy mortal."

"How long have I been here?" Cora asked.

"You have been here a year, and you have been by my side ever since." Pan replied. "Even though you and I were very happy, you just couldn't deal with all of the pain your lover had caused you. So despite my protests, you drank from the pond. And now you have no memories of who you once were."

"I was with someone who was abusive?" Cora asked. She couldn't believe it. How could she be with someone who physically hurt her?

"I'm afraid so, my dear." Pan told her. "And even though you have no memories of him, it is likely that his mistreatment of you has stayed buried deep within your mind. It is probably why you didn't trust me, after you had erased your memory."

"Oh my god." Cora cried, as she placed her hand against her forehead. "I don't know what to believe."

"I warned you that it would be a lot to take in, I'm not sure that you were ready to hear the truth." Pan stated, as he placed his hand upon her cheek.

"No, I'm glad I know the truth." Cora replied. "And if I was with someone like that, then I am glad that you saved me. Tell me, did I tell you anything else about me? Who my parents are, or the rest of my family, or anything else about me?"

"You never gave me your last name." He told her. "Nor did you tell me your parent's names. You didn't like to talk about them, because they were killed in a car accident when you were a small child."

"My parents are dead!" Cora exclaimed, as she couldn't even fathom what Pan was telling her.

"Wait, how do you even know what a car is?" Cora asked, as she was confused by what he had just said. Pan knowing about cars, let alone car accidents, just didn't seem plausible.

"You explained it to me." Pan replied.

"I'm so confused right now." Cora sighed. "My own parents are dead, and I don't even remember them."

"I know." Pan said, "But I promise that I will help you through this. Besides, it will give me a chance to have you fall in love with me all over again."

"I'm nowhere near that." Cora stated.

"I know, but I'm a very patient god." He said as he smiled. "I've earned your love, and your trust before, and I can do it again"

Cora looked into his eyes, as she returned his smile, "I'd like that."

Michael was a complete wreck, he had been crying nonstop for the past couple of days. He could barely see anything, as his vision had been blurry from his constant tears. He had been searching for her nonstop. The police eventually told him that he needed to take a break, and get some rest. Michael agreed, but as hard as he tried, he just couldn't sleep.

Where is she? He wondered. Michael remembered how he had promised Cora's parents, right after their wedding reception—that he would always love, and protect her. But he now felt as though he failed them, as well as Cora.

If only he had stayed with her the entire time. However, while he was reading a placard about Pan's temple, Cora had walked away. He saw her out of the corner of his eye, but didn't think anything of it. After all, she's an adult. But when he turned around, Cora was nowhere to be found.

It was if she had vanished into thin air. He asked the guide, and the others on the tour, if any of them had seen where she went. But to his dismay, no one had any idea where she had gone, or what had happened to her.

Cora was his everything. Michael didn't know what he would do, if anything bad had happened to her. He felt sick to his stomach, as he continued to worry. Not knowing what else to do, he sat in the hotel room, just staring at the phone. More than anything he wanted to hear her voice.

"Cora!" He cried. "Please be okay. I need you!" That was it, he didn't care if he hadn't had any sleep the past couple of days. He wasn't going to rest until he found his Cora. As Michael started heading towards the door, the phone suddenly began to ring. His heart skipped a beat, as he raced over to the phone.

"Hello!" He desperately exclaimed, as he answered the phone.

"Michael?" The woman responded.

"Cora?" Michael asked, as his heart began to flutter

"No I'm sorry, I'm not your wife." The woman replied. "I-"

"Look lady, I don't mean to be rude." Michael snapped. "But my wife is missing, I have to go looking for her."

"That's why I am calling you, Mr. Wilson. "The woman replied. "I know where your wife is, as well as who has her."

"What? Somebody has her?" Michael cried. He began shaking in fear, at the very thought of someone holding Cora against her will.

"If anyone hurts her, I swear I'll kill them." Michael cried. "Who has my wife?"

"I know that you may have a hard time believing me." The woman replied.

"Stop playing games with me, and tell me who the fuck has my wife!" Michael exclaimed, as he interrupted her.

"I can't explain it over the phone, Mr. Wilson." The woman replied. "If you want me to help you find her, do not go to the police. If you do, I will not help you."

"Please! Don't play games!" Michael begged. "If you honestly know where she is, I'll do what ever you want! I just want my wife back, safe and sound!"

"Meet me around midnight, at the cave that was once Pan's temple." The woman told him. "And come alone. Do that, and I will tell you where your wife is."

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