8. Geri
Geri woke up alone in bed and immediately felt that Apollo wasn’t in the room. She stretched her limbs and yawned, blinking away the remnants of sleep as she scanned the room. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, glowing gently over the unfamiliar surroundings.
The absence of Apollo beside her left an unexpected void she couldn’t shake off. It was strange how quickly he had become a fixture in her life
She sat up, ran a hand through her tousled hair, and reflected on the bond between them. She had never allowed anyone to get so close, to burrow beneath her defenses and touch her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. Yet, something about him broke down her walls effortlessly, leaving her vulnerable and exposed in ways that both terrified and exhilarated her.
Her stomach grumbled, and she ordered breakfast and impatiently awaited its arrival. When the knock finally came at the door, she hurried to answer, eager to satisfy her hunger. She watched as the server efficiently arranged the breakfast tray in her room, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air and enticing her senses. Once everything was set, she thanked the server and poured a cup of coffee before grabbing a croissant and eagerly making her way to the balcony, craving the tranquility that awaited her.
Stepping onto the balcony, she was greeted by the sight of the sun-kissed beach of Akumal spread out before her. The golden sands glistened in the morning light while the gentle waves of the Caribbean Sea lapped against the shore with a soothing rhythm. It was a scene of peaceful beauty, a perfect backdrop for her quiet moment of reflection.
With a sigh of contentment, she settled into a chair, cradling the warm cup of coffee in her hands. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, allowing the aroma of the coffee and the sound of the ocean to wrap her in a sense of tranquility. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea, feeling a profound sense of gratitude for the beauty surrounding her.
The gentle breeze caressed her skin, carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean and the faint rustle of palm trees swaying in the distance. It was a scene of tranquility, a moment of quietude amidst the chaos of her thoughts. The rhythmic sound of waves lapping against the shore filled her ears, soothing her restless mind and offering a moment of respite from the challenges that lay ahead.
“Apollo, where are you?” she murmured, her inquiry hanging in the air like a whispered secret. To her surprise, his response came swiftly, not as sound waves but as a gentle whisper within her mind.
“I’ll be there soon,” Apollo’s voice echoed in her consciousness, sending a tingle down her spine. She paused, her fingers tightening around the handle of her coffee cup, wondering if she had merely imagined the response.
She sipped her coffee, and as the sun’s warmth kissed her skin and the gentle lullaby of the ocean surrounded her, she allowed herself to simply be lost in the beauty of the present moment.
Of course, that moment did not last. This was not some vacation, after all. She was here because she needed her grannie back.
A stabbing pain buried deep in her heart. She’d come so far, gone through so much and nearly died herself, and yet she was no closer to finding a way to bring Grannie back to life.
Well, there was one way.
“If you want a life, I must have a life back.”
The priestess’s words hung over her like a dark cloud.
Or a blade, ready to fall any moment.
She shook her head.
I can’t really be thinking about it, can I?
She pushed the thought aside—at least, she tried to. But the thought of never seeing Grannie again made her chest ache so bad. The decades ahead, her own life stretching ahead of her without Grannie being there to guide her and help her…it didn’t seem fair.
What if there was another way?
As she chewed on a piece of croissant, thoughts about death lingered in her mind. Death was inevitable, and it happened all the time. People died for no good reason. There were also people who should be dead but remained alive and thriving, like murderers, while their actions made the families of their victims suffer. Those people should be put to death.
Then there were people who were suffering. Those who were sick and dying, but because of a broken system, were not allowed to die a dignified death.
What was one more death, especially if that meant victims could find justice or the sick could find peace?
Yes…that’s it.
But before she could think on it further, Apollo’s voice reached her ears again, this time from within the room. His inquiry cut through the air, “Geri?”
Startled, she turned toward the source of the sound. “I’m out here on the balcony,” she said before stepping back into the room.
Apollo sat at the table about to take a bite of a croissant, his gaze fixed on the breakfast dishes before him.
“Couldn’t wait for me, could you?” she quipped, as she approached the table.
Apollo looked up, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. “I couldn’t resist,” he admitted, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Besides, you took your sweet time on the balcony.”
Geri chuckled, shaking her head in mock disapproval. “Well, someone had to enjoy the view,” she retorted, standing beside him.
He pulled her close and hugged her, pressing his face against her tummy.
“Where’d you go?” she asked, running her fingers through his hair.
He looked up at her, and his expression turned solemn for a moment before he responded, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness. “Council business,” he replied simply, his gaze briefly flickering away before returning to meet hers. “The Olympians are still trying to figure out what to do since Zeus was banished to Tartarus.”
“Oh, yeah. Demeter told me about it. How you gods need to figure out who should rule Olympus.”
Apollo nodded, a heavy sigh escaping him as he glanced around the room, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
“Why don’t you volunteer for it?” she joked.
“No thanks,” he said with a wry grin, shaking his head. “I’ve had my fill of drama for several lifetimes, thank you very much.”
“Fair enough,” she conceded and nodded understandingly. “Let’s leave the drama to someone else, shall we?”
He reached out and gently tugged her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. Leaning in, he planted a soft kiss on her lips, his touch warm and tender. When they parted, he flashed her a charming smile. “You know,” he murmured. “I could definitely get used to waking up like this every morning.”
She chuckled softly, a blush heating her cheeks. “Yeah, it was a bit strange not having you around when I woke up,” she admitted, leaning into his embrace.
His expression softened as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his gaze meeting hers with warmth and affection. “Well, I’ll do my best to make sure I’m always here when you wake up,” he promised, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “No more disappearing acts, I promise.”
She gazed into his eyes, and a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. The warmth of his embrace and the sincerity in his gaze filled her with a sense of contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“I believe you,” she said softly. “And I’m glad you’re here now.”
Apollo returned her smile, his own expression mirroring her contentment. “Me too,” he assured her. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
She leaned into his embrace, and they held each other close. After a moment of quiet, Apollo gently broke the silence. “Are you ready to go home?” he asked softly.
She lifted her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. “Go home? No, of course not,” she replied, her voice resolute. “Not yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I still don’t have Grannie back.”
“Oh, I see…” His brows furrowed together. “I guess we could brainstorm some more and see if we could find another way.”
“Another way? What do you mean another way? I’ve been thinking about this, Apollo. There’s so much death in the world. Someone dies every second of the day, and some don’t deserve it. But there are other people who do.”
“Geri,” he warned. “I don’t like how?—”
“Please, let me finish.” She held up a hand to stop him. “Yumil didn’t specify what kind of life she wanted—only that it had to be human. What if it was a murderer? Or a rapist? Or what if I found someone who was about to die a painful death? I would be doing them a favor.”
“Doing them a favor?” Apollo’s voice rose. “Are you listening to yourself right now, Geri? You’re talking about killing someone. A live, human being. Someone with thoughts and feelings, with mothers, fathers, children…”
“But if they were going to die within minutes anyway, so what?”
“But you don’t know that.”
She stood up and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’ve killed before.”
“Yes, but that was war. And if I’m right, you’ve never killed anyone before.”
“No, but?—”
“Please, Geri, you can’t do this. Taking someone’s life…it will destroy you.”
“It won’t be someone I know, and it will be someone who was going to die anyway.”
“But who are you to decide that for them?” He scrubbed a hand down his face and then stood up. “Alright, we’re done here.”
“Done?” Irritation rose in her at his words. “What do you mean, done?”
“We’re going home and forgetting about this quest.” His ocean blue eyes pierced into hers. “I wanted to come along with you to protect you and also to help you in your grieving process. I was hoping you’d quit along the way and come to your senses, but clearly, that’s not going to happen.”
A pressure built up behind her eyes. “Q-quit? C-come to my senses.” Hot fury glazed through her. “This is what you were thinking this entire time? That I was on some fool’s errand, and you were some benevolent companion, watching over me?”
“Wh-what?” He took a step forward. “Geri, no?—”
“Stay away from me!” she commanded. “So, this is how it is. You never wanted to help me. Did you already know that the Siquijor Stone couldn’t help me? Or that the vampires wouldn’t be able to bring Grannie back? Or maybe you do know how to bring her back, but you won’t tell me because you just wanted me to run around, chasing my tail, and for what? Because you wanted to teach me a lesson?”
“Wait a minute, that’s not fair,” he said. “I never lied to you, not once. The truth is, I had to learn to accept that Hyacinthus was gone, to help myself get over the grief. And yes, I thought maybe you would too, but I never interfered, nor am I keeping anything from you.”
“Then why the fuck did you agree to come with me?”
“Because I love you.”
The shock of his confession made her entire body seize. “Excuse me?”
“I love you, Geri.” His shoulders sagged.
“You can’t…I m-mean…it’s not possible.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so too, but here we are.” His blue eyes pleaded with her. “And it’s because I love you that I can’t let you do this. I won’t let you destroy your soul for this.”
“It’s my soul,” she shot back. “And it’s for a good cause. My grandmo?—”
“You loved her, I get it. But I have a feeling…that if she raised someone like you…someone as good, loyal, and brave as you, she wouldn’t want you to do this.” He reached out to touch her, but she recoiled. “Please, Geri. Let’s go home.”
For a moment, she thought about it. But her anger at him and how unfair everything was loomed in her mind, like a dark cloud that blocked all the sun’s rays from hitting the earth. “No.”
His expression faltered. “Alright then.” And with that, he disappeared.
A few moments passed before the feeling returned to her body, and it sunk in that she was alone. The weight of Apollo’s absence hung heavy in the air around her. She stared at the cup in front of her, the coffee now cold and bitter, taunting her with reminders of their moments together. Unable to contain the frustration building within her, Geri’s hand clenched around the cup, her nails digging into the ceramic surface. With a sudden burst of anger, she flung the cup against the wall, the liquid inside splattering in all directions.
“Damn it!” she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls of the room.
Why does he have to affect me like this? And how dare he say he loves me? And then leave me like this?
Feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her—anger, frustration, and a tinge of sadness—Geri paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts of him and their complicated connection. She cursed herself for allowing him to have such power over her emotions, for letting him into her heart in ways she never thought possible.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm the storm within her, reminding herself of her strength. But deep down, she knew that he had stirred something within her that she couldn’t easily ignore.
“I need to get out of here,” she muttered.
But then she realized that her only clothes were the pajamas she was wearing. Fuck, why can’t I have magic? She threw on a robe and hoped that the hotel’s gift shop had something she could wear.
As she stormed out of her room, frustration fueled each step, and she vowed to herself that she wouldn’t let Apollo’s absence derail her plans. Despite feeling abandoned and betrayed, she refused to let his actions dictate her own.
Entering the hotel’s gift shop, she scanned the racks of clothing, her jaw clenched in determination. She quickly dismissed the touristy T-shirts and souvenir hats, her anger rising with each fruitless glance.
“Excuse me, miss. Can I help you find something?” a voice called out from behind the counter.
Geri turned to see a hotel staff member smiling politely at her, oblivious to the storm brewing beneath her calm exterior. With a forced smile, she replied, “I’m looking for something more…suitable to wear for the day. Do you have any actual clothes?”
The staff member nodded understandingly and led Geri to a section of the shop with a limited selection of resort wear. As Geri browsed through the options, her frustration only grew. None of the clothing seemed to match her mood or the determination burning inside her.
Finally, settling on a simple sundress and a pair of sandals, she charged it to the room and left the shop, her resolve hardened. She may not have had the support she had hoped for from Apollo, but she refused to let that stop her from accomplishing what she set out to do.
She headed back to her room, determined to prepare for the day ahead, her mind set on finishing what she started, with or without his help. She couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal, of being left behind when she needed him the most. But beneath the anger, a fierce determination burned within her.
Back in the room, she shut the door behind her, willing herself to push aside the memories of Apollo that lingered in every corner of the room, focusing instead on the task at hand. She had a mission to complete, and she couldn’t afford to be distracted by emotions right now.
She quickly dressed and then took a moment to collect herself, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
I have to do this.
She reminded herself of her purpose, steeling her resolve as she prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Opening her eyes, she squared her shoulders and headed back out into the world, determined to continue her quest no matter what obstacles stood in her way.
Someone out there was already dying or deserved to die. There were also people who needed to find peace and solace.
Or justice.
She walked briskly until she reached the street, where the bustling sounds of Akumal greeted her. Passing by quaint shops and lively cafes, her mind raced with thoughts of her next move. She also couldn’t afford to let her anger consume her. She needed to focus and find a way to move forward.
She paused on the sandy sidewalk, taking a deep breath of the salty sea air. The sun beat down on her skin, warming her despite the turmoil raging inside her. “Okay, Geri,” she said to herself. “You can do this.”
Akumal’s streets were alive with activity; a vibrant mix of locals went about their daily routines, and tourists explored the town’s charms. Colorful storefronts lined the cobblestone streets, their windows filled with souvenirs and trinkets. Street vendors hawked their wares, their voices mingling with laughter and conversation. She set off down the street, her steps purposeful as she sought the answers she desperately needed. She may have been alone, but she refused to let that stop her from achieving her goal.
Amidst the crowd, she spotted locals dressed in traditional attire, and their faces weathered with the wisdom of generations. They moved with purpose, their footsteps echoing the rhythms of everyday life. Intermingled with the locals were tourists from around the world, their presence adding to the eclectic tapestry of Akumal. They wandered the streets, cameras in hand, eager to capture the town’s magic.
She couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency. She knew she needed to find a suitable sacrifice for the Maize God, but the busy streets offered little inspiration. What would even be considered an ‘appropriate’ sacrifice?
As she walked farther down the road, her gaze fell upon a beggar kneeling on the pavement, a small dish beside her. The woman did not look well at all. Her skin appeared gaunt and pallid, stretched tightly over protruding bones. Her cheeks were hollow, and dark circles underscored her sunken eyes. Clad in tattered clothes that hung loosely on her emaciated frame, she hunched over, clutching her threadbare shawl tightly around her shivering body. The woman’s movements were slow and labored, betraying the burden of illness she carried.
Geri’s heart twinged with empathy as she observed the woman’s plight. She stared at the beggar, her mind racing with thoughts of potential sacrifices for the Maize God. Her footsteps slowed as she passed the beggar, her mind whirling with conflicting thoughts. The idea of offering the beggar as a sacrifice to the Maize God lingered in her thoughts, unsettling yet oddly intriguing.
Some might say it would be a mercy to end her suffering right now so that she could be free of the pain this cruel world had inflicted on her.
The beggar’s gaze met hers, and in that moment, a flood of memories surged through her mind. She remembered her grandmother’s gentle smile as she handed her a tray of roasted turkey, the savory aroma scenting the air.
“Quickly now, dear,” her grandmother’s voice echoed in her thoughts, urging her to hurry as the line of people waiting patiently for their Thanksgiving Day meal grew.
Her grandmother leaned in close, her voice filled with warmth and wisdom. “Remember, the greatest way to give back is through service,” she reminded Geri gently while they served the food. “We have been blessed with so much, and it is our duty to care for others, especially those in need.”
She nodded, absorbing her grandmother’s words with solemn reverence. Each interaction, each smile exchanged with those they served, reinforced the importance of selflessness and compassion that her grandmother had instilled in her from a young age.
Geri blinked, momentarily lost in the vivid recollection. The memory of her grandmother’s selfless acts of kindness stirred something deep within her, a sense of duty and compassion. She stood frozen for a moment, the weight of her grandmother’s teachings weighing heavily on her conscience. “No,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head as if to dispel the troubling thoughts. “This isn’t right. Grannie wouldn’t want this for me.”
She turned on her heel and hurried back to the hotel with renewed resolve. As she walked, her mind churned with conflicting emotions, but deep down, she knew she couldn’t betray her grandmother’s principles.
She stepped into the hotel lobby, and the concierge, a distinguished gentleman with a warm smile, called out to her. “Miss Geri, a moment of your time, please?”
She turned toward him. “Yes, what is it?” she asked, stepping closer to the desk.
The concierge handed her an envelope with a reassuring nod. “We’ve arranged your flight back to New York, as requested. Everything is taken care of. You just need to tell us when you want to schedule the flight.”
The concierge’s voice cut through Geri’s thoughts, pulling her back to reality. She blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected interruption. “Flight back to New York?” she echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“Yes, miss,” the concierge replied with a polite smile. “Your flight has been arranged per your request. Just let us know when you’d like to depart.”
She took the envelope, her mind still reeling from the turmoil of the past few hours. “Um, thank you,” she murmured, unsure of what else to say. “I’ll…I’ll let you know.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No…yes, actually.” Her thoughts returned to the poor beggar in the street. “Um, there’s this woman outside. I think she’s very sick. Could you please call the nearest hospital or call a doctor to attend to her? And don’t worry about the bill—please put it all on the card I have on file with you.” Surely, gods had no limit on their credit cards?
“Alright, miss.” The concierge picked up the phone receiver. “I’ll do it right now.”
“Thank you!” She turned and rushed to her room, her steps echoing in the empty corridor. The only person, no, being, that could have requested the travel arrangements was Apollo. Emotions swelled within her, and she felt the sting of tears threatening to spill over. Bursting through the door, she collapsed onto the bed, consumed by overwhelming emotions.
Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked as she buried her face in the pillow, the weight of her sorrow pressing down on her chest. Alone in the dimly lit room, she cried herself into an exhausted slumber, seeking the oblivion of sleep.