“The One and Only” Ch.13

Patricia felt air get forced into her lungs as she shot up into a sitting position, coughing hoarsely. Dionysus looked down at her, the sun behind him darkening his form.

She was silent for only a few moments. Then she brought her knees up to her head and began to sob. The weight of all she had experienced sat on her shoulders, tears streaming down her face until her head was aching and her body stopped trembling. Then she looked up towards Dionysus, his form blurred through her tears.

“That was fucking awful," she said simply.

She stood up carefully, looking slowly at the world around her as if she were trying to remember where and who she was.

“So it's done," she said plainly.

Dionysus nodded. His face was blank.

“What happens now?"

Dionysus sighed. ”Now you go back to your child, and with any luck you won't ever see me again."

Patricia frowned a little. “You are going to just end it with that?"

He nodded. ”Doesn't matter that Typhon is gone. I don't belong here. And let's be honest. I'm a terrible influence."

Patricia went to smile, but held it back. A thousand thoughts ran through her head. Things she should say. Perhaps another plea that he try and help humanity again. That he could do real good. But she knew that it would be silly. He wasn't the god of wisdom or healing or even love. He was the god of drink and madness. He was never the best of the Olympians. But, he was the last of them.

Patricia reached out to him and gave him a warm hug. Dionysus flinched, but accepted it as it was. Eventually she let go and said goodbye. He felt the heat of her body after she pulled away.

Then she headed back through the woods towards the old diner.

Dionysus watched, measuring himself as he did what he knew was right.

Dionysus turned around and headed in the opposite direction, to a restaurant some miles away of which he knew kept a very good wine.