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Zoe watched as the glowing light fluttered from the bedchambers, and out into the vista beyond, taking her hopes and dreams along with it. She sighed, knowing that she’d done the right thing. She just wished that it didn’t leave her back at square one.
She returned to her bedside and packed her belongings, preparing herself for the journey ahead. But as a gentle buzzing drifted through the air, she turned in surprise to see the will-ó-wisp hover before her once more.
“You’re back already? Don’t you have some friends to play with?” The will-ó-wisp fluttered towards her satchel, as if peering at her belongings. “Oh, this? Well, I think it’s best that I leave now, and forget about all of this, before I cause any more damage.”
The will-ó-wisp let out a high-pitched shriek, while its body flashed a deep shade of red. But Zoe sighed and looked at the path that led from the Underworld to the distant city beyond. She studied the frozen waters of the River Lethe that glistened beneath its bridge, knowing that once she crossed its boundary, her memories of the Underworld would fade to nothing.
“Perhaps it’s for the best that I forget about the Underworld. And I’ll still have some memories of my time here.” Zoe admired the photos on her camera, each one depicting the beauty of the Underworld. She paused as she reached the photos of Shadow, his body no more than a blur of darkness, invisible to the human eye. She gazed at the faint golden shimmers of the photograph, hoping that some memory of him would remain, and blinked back her tears. “Besides, don’t you think Spooks and Misty will get suspicious soon? They think I’m some kind of travel blogger for the undead…”
The will-ó-wisp fluttered towards her laptop with a defiant buzz, and flickered in a spectacle of colors. Zoe looked in surprise as her screen flashed with a golden hue, until her travel blog appeared on the screen.
“How did you find that?” Zoe glanced at the treasure trove of photos and articles, each one depicting the wonders of the natural world. But despite the will-ó-wisp’s insistent buzzes, Zoe shook her head. “Spooks might have believed that I’m a travel blogger, but I haven’t touched this website in years. That thing is long-dead…”
The will-ó-wisp flapped its wings in protest.
“Okay, so perhaps a dead blog is fitting for the Underworld. But even if I resurrected it, how exactly do you expect a bunch of ghosts to read it?”
The will-ó-wisp buzzed, while its body shone with a kaleidoscope of different colors. Zoe watched as the screen flickered with an otherworldly glow, while a golden light emanated from beneath the keyboard.
“Huh, I guess Shadow wasn’t exaggerating when he said you were the messengers of the Underworld…” Zoe peered at the screen curiously, while her fingers flexed with anticipation. But despite the hopeful buzz of the will-ó-wisp, she shook her head with resignation. “Look, I might have had many roles in my corporate life. But something tells me I’m not cut out to be the Ferrywoman of the Underworld. I’m sorry, but I think it’s better for me to return to where I belong.”
Zoe gently guided the will-ó-wisp from her laptop, before she packed the last of her belongings. She gazed at the room, now returned to its former state, all signs of her erased. With a glance at the frozen waters of the River Lethe, she drew a breath to steel herself, and began her journey home.
She tiptoed through the Underworld Motel, not wishing to wake its spectral inhabitants. She peered at Spooks as he slumbered on the chandelier, his snoring gently swinging him back and forth, while the Phantom Fiestadores dozed beneath their sombreros. Despite the tug in her heart, she forced herself to continue her journey. Any goodbyes would just make things harder.
A low whine drifted from the shadows as Zoe reached the motel lobby. She turned to see Cerberus pad silently from the gloom, his tail drooping behind him. He gazed at her with his glossy dark eyes, before he let out a mournful whimper.
“I’m sorry, boy. But I have to go back to where I belong.” She lowered her satchel as she scratched each of the dog’s heads affectionately. “Just keep an eye on Shadow for me, okay?”
Zoe watched as the will-ó-wisp perched on Cerberus’ ear, until it buzzed softly, as if whispering to the dog conspiratorially. She cursed as a mischievous gleam filled the dog’s eyes, until he snatched her belongings in his jaws, and bounded playfully down the hallway.
“Hey, where do you think you’re taking that?” Zoe groaned as she chased after the dog, wary of waking the slumbering spirits. “This isn’t a game of fetch. Give that back!”
Zoe raced after Cerberus, following him around the twists and turns of the motel, until she sped through the doors of Misty’s saloon. She looked in surprise to see the emerald-hued specter surrounded by a vast array of material, masterfully conducting a dozen enchanted sewing needles as they wove through the fabric.
“Morning, darlin’.” Misty waved cheerily in Zoe’s direction, while she fussed over the mound of material before her. “Looks like you’re just in time!”
“In time for what?”
“Your fitting, of course. I asked Cerberus to fetch you, and it seems that for once, he obeyed his orders.” Misty tossed Cerberus a treat, before she gestured to Zoe. “Now, stand closer so I can see what looks best on you.”
Zoe watched in bewilderment as the ghost held an array of different fabrics to her skin. Within moments, the saloon was filled with reams of elegant material; the vibrant flashes of azure blue, the opulence of deep amethyst, and the classic elegance of honeyed gold. But Misty hurled each one over her shoulder with a dismissive tut, until she reached for a roll of deep scarlet material.
“I wonder…” The specter gasped with delight as she held the rich silk against Zoe’s skin. “Of course! Why, this is the perfect shade of pomegranate red. It will be perfect!”
Zoe watched in confusion as Misty eagerly cut the fabric, before the enchanted sewing needles stitched the material together.
“But what exactly is this perfect for?”
“Why, the Spectral Soirée, of course.” Misty let out a laugh and shook her head. “We can’t have you turning up in those fleshie clothes of yours…”
“The ball?” Zoe sucked in a breath as the specter bound her waist within the material. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I have time for…”
“Oh, surely it won’t kill you to take one night off from work? It’s the best night of the year, sugar! And something tells me this will be a night to remember.” Misty broke into a knowing smile, before she pulled the material tighter. “And I won’t take no for an answer. Now, let’s get you out of those clothes, and into something truly spectacular…”
Zoe drew a startled breath as the silk bound in her place, wrapping around her body so fast that she struggled to move. A dozen enchanted sewing needles darted through the air as they stitched the material together, while a pair of scissors flashed menacingly before her, warning her not to place a toe out of line. Zoe narrowed her eyes as the will-ó-wisp perched on her shoulder and buzzed happily, while Cerberus contentedly munched his treat. So much for her quick escape. She’d been outsmarted by a firefly and its slobbering side-kick.
Minutes turned into hours as Misty masterfully oversaw the enchanted needles and thread as they stitched the garment into place. Zoe glanced through the windows impatiently as the light of dawn became a fiery sunset. But as the material bound her in place, and her own clothing lay in a crumpled pile nearby, she knew her chances of making a quick escape were slim.
