Episode 9 - Chapter 54

 Fiona feels herself hurtling backwards, as if she's strapped into a roller-coaster locked in reverse. Around her familiar words and phrases whip and crack, biting and lashing at her skin. Recognisable faces appear for the briefest of moments: her husband, Raven, Mary, the Author. All flashing before her eyes before receding into the darkness behind her. Every so often her journey slows for a second, the world around her resolving into shadows of places she's visited. One moment she's back at the Market, then it's the docks. Before she can catch her breath she's back in the car, pursued by an over-sized pen, then a child's doll shatters before her eyes. She's almost overwhelmed by the sensations when they abruptly stop, her travels seemingly done.

Around her curtains billow in a hazy breeze, soft cushions prop her limp body, a new calm descends.

“Here, little one,” the deep voice says, and she feels a cup touching her lips, cool liquid pouring into her mouth. “Drink,” the voice says, “And be at peace.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 53

 Fiona senses a large hand grab her collar behind her neck. “That's enturely enough of that,” a deep, resonant voice she hasn't heard before says. Before she can react, she feels herself hauled backwards, up and through the air. The shadowy jumble of figures before her recede quickly, though their words continue to whip and flap in the air around her. It's like she's being dragged through a bush of half mumbled phrases, each snapping and flicking at her hapless journey. She struggles to grasp at anything solid, desperate to halt her rearwards trajectory, but there's nothing to grasp hold of. She quickly realises that for now her movements are not her own, and so she tries to relax and wait for her journey to stop.

Episode 9 - Chapter 52

 After he's knocked, Raven stands in front of the door, waiting patiently. Somewhere in the distance he thinks he hears familiar voices raised in argument, but the sound is feint and he can't be sure.

“Hello?” he calls, moving closer to the door. “Can anyone hear me?” He cocks his head to side, bringing his ear as close to the door as he can.

The distant buzz continues uninterrupted. Raven's almost certain there's a heated discussion of some sort, but he can't quite make out any details.

“Hello?” he shouts again, knocking once more, this time with more force. “Mary? Are you there?”

Again he pauses, listening. Again he can hear the same hubbub. “Edward?” he shouts, banging wildly on the door. “Can you hear me? Is there anybody there?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 51

Raven approaches the front door of Edward and Mary's house, the house, reaching forward to grasp the handle. He's about to twist it and throw the door open when something causes him to pause.

“Raven is at the door,” Curly announces, to nobody present, and everybody who matters, both at the same time.

Raven stands there, hand on handle, totally still. Has some notion flowered in the recesses of his mind, some idea that thwarts his purpose in entering the house? Has he heard something not audible to the natural ear, some sound that makes him think? Has he seen something out of view, a scene that stays his hand?

Whatever it is that causes him to linger, the moment quickly passes. He shakes his head violently, as if clearing it of smog and dust.

“I hope our friends are ready,” he says to Curly, then removes his hand from the door and knocks politely.

Rat-a-tat-tat.

Episode 9 - Chapter 50

“We regret to inform you of this, M'lady,” Mo says, “But that is not the Author.”

“Not the Author?” Robert asks, “What are you talking about?”

“Please, M'lady,” Mo pleads, “It is time for us to go.”

“Go? Go where?” Robert asks. “Aren't you supposed to be helping me? Can't you just tell me what I'm supposed to do.”

“Time to go,” his companion announces firmly.

“So you say,” Robert replies, “But go where? You're not being very forthcoming.”

“We apologise, M'lady,” Mo shrugs, looking into the distance.

“I'm not your...” Robert begins, before understanding sets in. “How is it that you can speak to my wife, but not me?”

Again the midget shrugs. “But a short physical intervention,” he says, “Seemed the only way to obtain your full attention.”

“You've got my attention,” Robert says frustratedly, “What do you want with it. What do you want me to do?”

“Raven is at the door,” Mo replies.

Episode 9 - Chapter 49

“Is that wise?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

Mary stopped, turning back to look at me. I could feel her tutting, even if I couldn't hear it. “I don't think wisdom has a place in this house at the moment,” she said, her voice heavy with resignation. She let go of the door handle, taking a step toward me. “But I've had enough,” she continued, and I could see it in her jaw. “Enough of these things happening to us. Enough of feeling attacked by things that go bump....” She paused, glancing at Oak. “Enough of feeling like we've done something wrong. I don't know what's out there in the hallway, but whatever it is, I'm ruddy well going to give it a piece of my mind.”

She turned back to the door, flung it open and stepped into the hallway. “Oh!” I heard her exclaim with surprise.

Episode 9 - Chapter 48

I looked at my husband, fumbling with the clothes line uncoiling in his hands. He was hiding something, I knew that from his tone of voice. He's not a good liar, never has been. I suppose it's one of the things I love about him.

Still feeling disorientated, I glanced at Oak. He looked straight back at me, his gaze strong and steady. Solid, you might say. I found that rather comforting, I don't know why.

“Well?” Edward asked, “What now?”

He kept his eyes firmly on the washing line, so I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or Oak, but I did know what I wanted to do next.

I shook my head, trying to clear the last of my grogginess. “Now, my dear,” I said, “It's time to find out what's coming down the stairs.” And with that, I turned and reached for the living room door.

Episode 9 - Chapter 47

"Why don't you cut Mister Oak loose,” Mary said, pointing towards our captive.

“Right oh,” I replied, transferring the knife to my right hand as I leant forward to attack Oak's restraints. It was only when I got close that I realised the washing line was lying in a pile on the floor by the chair legs. Oak had obviously managed to free himself, yet had sat passively for the duration of Mary's outburst.

“Hang on,” I said, when Oak caught my eye, slowly shaking his head to silence me. I frowned at him in response, questions bubbling in my mind. His gaze was steady and unflinching. His eyes flicked to Mary, then back to me, before he cocked his head slightly to one side.

“What?” Mary asked, still a little dazed.

“Nothing dear,” I replied, gathering the washing line in my hands. “What do we do now?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 46

I honestly felt as if I'd just woken up from a long, deep sleep. I looked at Edward, concern drawn across his face, knife pinched gingerly between the fingers of his left hand. Oak looked on passively, his gaze flicking between my husband and myself.

“I...” I began to say, but found myself lost for words.

“You don't need to speak, Mary,” Edward said, “Just take some deep breaths.”

“What happened?” I asked, trying to keep the panic I was feeling out of my voice. “What did I do?”

“It doesn't matter,” Oak said calmly, “It wasn't you.”

“Wasn't me?” I asked, feeling the panic surge through me like a wave. “If it wasn't me, who on earth was it?”

He was about to reply when we heard that terrible thud again, closer now, whatever it was nearing the foot of the stairs.

Episode 9 - Chapter 45

“Once and for all,” Oak said hurriedly, “If that is the Forest, I know nothing about it.” He was sat quite still, though his binds gave him very little room to manoeuvre, but his eyes darted round the room in something of a frenzy. From Mary to myself, the ceiling, the door, the floor, then the window and back to Mary. It seemed as if he was trying to absorb every detail in the room before my wife did anything else.

For her part, my wife just stood there, blinking in confusion. As the knife slipped from her fingers and clanged to the floor, I wasn't entirely convinced she knew where she was.

“Mary?” I inquired softly, retrieving the blade before touching her arm gently. “Mary? Are you still with us?”

For just a moment the house felt at peace, before another thump from the stairs broke the moment, giving my wife a little shock.

“Still here,” she replied, regaining her composure, “Definitely still here.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 44

I glanced at my husband, catching the look of horror on his face, then at my hand, realising as I did how tightly I was holding Oak's mouth closed.

“Y...yes,” I replied, a little bit shocked if I'm being truthful. I honestly had no idea what I'd just done, suddenly aware of the weight of the knife in my other hand. “Yes, of course,” I said, releasing Oak. “W...well?” I continued, a little shakily, “What have you got to say for yourself?” I pointed towards the ceiling. “Is that the Forest.”

Oak coughed uncontrollably for a moment, apparently struggling to catch his breath.

“Well?” I demanded, feeling the anger rise in me once more.

“Mary!” Edward admonished once more, “Give him a chance.”

“Sorry,” I said, stepping backwards, allowing the knife to drop to my side, “Sorry.”

Oak cleared his throat, about to reply, when we heard another thud from the stairs.

Episode 9 - Chapter 43

“None of your clever answers,” Mary said, waving her blade at Oak's face, “A simple yes or no will do.” She nodded towards the stairs. “Is that the Forest?”

By this point, I have to say, I'd started to feel rather uncomfortable. Mary's behaviour had gone far beyond being merely irrational, it was all I could do to stop myself thinking that she was somehow possessed. I shuffled from one foot to the other, trying to decide what to do next.

“Is that the Forest?” she demanded once more, almost screaming in Oak's face, her knife still dangerously close to his face. His eyes had become filled with fear as he struggled to reply

“Mary!” I barked as commandingly as I could, desperate to get her attention.

She looked at me then, and I was shocked to realise I didn't recognise her at all. Nevertheless, I pointed to her hand, still clasped over Oak's mouth.

“At least give the chap a chance to respond,” I said.

Episode 9 - Chapter 42

Before Oak could reply, we heard another thump from the stairs. That really got my attention. At that moment all I wanted was some answers, and by god I was going to get them, whether Oak cooperated or not.

“Is that you?” I demanded, holding the knife to his throat, “What's the Forest up to now? Tell me!”

“Mary...” my husband pleaded again, his voice strained, “I really think you should try to calm down and think about what you're doing.”

But I wasn't listening. I was so sick of feeling helpless while all these....these things happened to us. Finally I felt like I'd taken some control of the situation, I was in charge, and as far as I was concerned, it was going to stay that way.

“Well?” I demanded of Oak once more.

“Sweet Mary...” he began, which felt like a red rag to the bull inside me. I clasped my hand over his mouth before he could say more, raising the knife to his eye level to ensure he saw it clearly.

Episode 9 - Chapter 41

“Tell me now,” Mary demanded accusingly, holding her blade at Oak's throat, “Once and for all, is this your doing?”

“Mary!” I exclaimed, utterly flummoxed by her actions. “What on earth do you think you're doing?”

“Quiet!” she commanded, flashing me a look.

That's when I knew something had gone seriously amiss. There was a glint in my wife's eye I'd never seen before, not in all our years of marriage. It was something that I knew, quite instinctively, wasn't her. Something that made my blood run cold with dread.

“Mary,” I pleaded, despite myself, “Try to take a deep breath and think about what you're doing.”

“I said quiet,” she replied, waving the knife at me for a moment. I stepped back, the shock of it taking control of my legs. She returned her attention to Oak. “Well?” she demanded once more, “Speak.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 40

“Position,” Robert mumbles to himself, still casting his eyes across the meadow, desperate for some clue as to what he should do. “Any ideas?” he asks Mo, but the midget just shrugs.

“I'm here for a reason,” Robert continues under his breath, “If only I could remember.” He pauses, runs his hands through his hair, takes a deep breath. “Tell the others I'm standing by,” he says to Mo, which the midget promptly does.

“Standing by for what though,” Robert mutters to himself, “What on earth am I supposed to be doing here?”

By now he's examined every tree, rock, nook and cranny at least three times, with not a single clue presenting itself.

“M'lady,” Mo says apologetically, “Both your husband and Raven are in position.”

“What?” Robert demands, “No, No I am not.” He looks at the midget pleadingly. “I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 39

“We merely sought your help,” voices reply, so many voices. It's become impossible for Fiona to tell if they're male or female, young or old, there seems to be so many of them, and all of them speaking at once.

Before her, she's sure that more figures have gathered, but again she can't count them as each seems blurred and surrounded by shadows. The shadows themselves running into each other, while the churning in her stomach grabs most of her attention.

“Help with what?” she manages to gasp while concentrating on her breathing, swallowing desperately to keep her stomach down.

“To keep Olympus safe,” they all reply at once, a cacophony that assails her from all directions.

“Safe?” she sputters, gagging as she speaks.

“In the trials that are to come,” they say, almost overwhelming her, “Yours is the voice that will be heard.”

“That's entirely enough of that,” a new voice, deep and resonant says behind her. She feels a hand grasping at her collar, pulling her backwards.

Episode 9 - Chapter 38

“Stop speaking,” Fiona gasps in reply, “That'd be a good start.”

“Maybe if you sat down,” a new voice, or voices, says to her. These are definitely female, she thinks. She's sure that the figure before her has been joined by a second, shorter, curvier companion. “It may help you get your bearings,” the voice(s) continue, “Here.”

Fiona feels hands on her arm and at her back, gently moving her to one side and backwards, until she feels an edge pushing at the backs of her knees. The hands guide her firmly, steadily supporting her while her rear finds a solid resting place.

“Now breath deep,” the female voices say, “And accept our deepest apologies. It was not our intention to cause you such distress.”

“No?” Fiona gasps in reply, “Well what was your intention?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 37

Fiona is starting to feel dizzy just trying to focus her sight on the figure before her. She knows in her mind that it's one man, yet her eyes are telling her there are several figures, all trying to occupy the same space.

“What do you want from me?” she asks as nausea begins to ferment in her stomach.

“This place,” the figure replies with the voice of many, gesturing in all directions, “This, that you would call the Weave, yet we have known as Olympus these many millennia.”

The turmoil in her belly threatens to overwhelm her, causing Fiona to gasp and swallow. “Deep breaths,” she says to herself, “In...” and she sucks air until her lungs are strained, “...and out,” she continues, releasing it with relief.

“In...” she says again, repeating the process, “...and out,” letting her breath go.

“Good lady?” the single figure chorus inquires, “You are in distress. Is there something we can do to help?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 36

Fiona looks round in surprise, almost seeing her surroundings for the first time. Right in front of her stands Larry, looking more than a little cowed and anxious, rubbing his right hand with his left.

“What did you...?” she begins to ask, but the midget interrupts.

“We apologise, M'lady,” he says, “But a short physical intervention seemed the only way to obtain your full attention.”

“You slapped me?” she demands, shocked, causing Larry to bow his head with shame.

“Good Lady...” another voice begins, familiar and silky as before, but with harsh undertones and strange echoes, as if spoken not by one mouth but many.

The speaker is the same golden haired adonis that had so captured her attention mere moments before, yet now his features have blurred, shadows hang around his shoulders. Fiona finds it difficult to focus on any of his features.

“Just a few more moments of your time,” he says, with the voice of a chorus.

Episode 9 - Chapter 35

“Not...?” Fiona begins to ask, only vaguely aware of what's been said to her. Those eyes, so deep and rich and beautiful, how she could lose herself...

“Please, M'lady,” pleads the voice below her, and she feels a tiny hand slip itself into hers, “It is time for us to go.”

“Go...?” she echoes without comprehension.

“Please, Good Lady,” the man before her says, his voice gently tickling at her spine, “You have great power. Do not allow them to change this place just to suit their whims.”

“Time to go,” says the voice below. She feels a sharp tug at her arm, dragging her from the warm cocoon of those eyes, followed by a sharp sting in her cheeks.

Episode 9 - Chapter 34

“What?” Fiona demands irritably, looking down to see Larry's hand on her coat.

“M'lady,” he says apologetically, “Both your husband and Raven are in position.”

“Position...?” she asks, mildly confused for a moment before memory hits her. “Oh yes, of course,” she replies, “I'm just having a quick word with the Author and his...friends. Wont be a moment,” she finishes, returning her attention to the golden angel before her. “Now,” she continues wistfully, feeling herself falling into those eyes, “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

“This place,” he says, spreading his arms to include the world around him, “It is so much more than it seems.”

“Yes,” Fiona replies with some certainty, “Yes, I think I've got that now.” She's vaguely aware her companion has been joined by others, but she can't take her eyes off him.

“It is more, even, than our overlords understand,” he continues, his voice haunting and melodic.

From somewhere else, below her, she hears another voice. “We regret to inform you of this, M'lady,” Larry says, “But that is not the Author.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 33

Fiona turns to find herself being addressed by....well, a man certainly, but what kind of a man.

He stands before her, tall and proud, his body almost chiselled from the air around them, his hair alive golden, eyes the deepest blue of any ocean. His voice is soft, yet possessing and insistent. When he speaks it's the only thing she can hear, when he stops she longs for it to resume.

“Do you mind?” he asks, bathed in warm light, “We shall not keep you long.”

“No,” she replies, “No, not at all. You...you go right ahead.”

Fiona feels lost to her surroundings, and yet totally aware of herself in the presence of this....her mind falters at the word 'man', for while he is a man he is also so much more: a universe with arms and legs, a smile that feels like a Mediterranean holiday, and eyes...

A tug at her jacket brings her crashing back into herself.

Episode 9 - Chapter 32

“Well,” says the Author, bright smile once more returning to his lips, “You might learn something new.”

“I think I've learned enough for one day,” Fiona replies bitterly.

“Besides,” the Author continues, ignoring her response, “How many of your species get the chance these days? You'll be unique among your kind, and have a great story to tell your grandchildren.”

“My grandch...” she begins as a wave of anger washes through her. “My species?” she demands, turning that fire towards the Author, “Unique among my kind?”

She's really not sure what she'll do next, her rage makes her want to lash out at everything around her.

“How dare you...” she starts to say, when Larry's distant voice reaches her.

“Robert is standing by,” he says, causing the wave of Fiona's anger to crash on the shore of the moment.

“Please, Good Lady,” a new voice behind her says, “Just a moment of your time.”

Episode 9 - Chapter 31

“What?” Fiona exclaims in shock. “Meet who?”

“The Gods, of course,” the Author replies with another condescending smile.

“What!?” she exclaims again, “Why would I want them?”

“Why wouldn't you?” the Author asks suspiciously, “What's wrong with them?”

“What....?” Fiona begins, then corrects herself, “There's nothing wrong with them.” She pauses to think, then asks cautiously “Is there anything wrong with them?”

“Of course not,” the Author chastises with a mocking frown.

Somewhere in the distance, Fiona hears Larry's voice. “Raven is almost in position,” he says.

“Almost in pos...” she begins to say distractedly, then catches herself, turning her attention back to the Author. “So tell me,” she continues, “Why should I want to meet these Gods of yours?”

Episode 9 - Chapter 30

Robert sits, feeling just a little confused. Mo, meanwhile, has perched himself on a rock, a gentle smile licking at his mouth.

“I'm sure there's something...” Robert says, trying to prompt his own memory by speaking out loud. “Something important.” He looks at Mo. “Are you sure you can't remember?”

The midget shakes his head sadly, without ever dislodging his smile.

Robert is tapping his forehead abstractly when Mo speaks again.

“Raven is almost in position,” he says loudly.

“Beg your pardon?” Robert asks, but the midget stays silent.

“Position,” Robert says to himself, “Almost in position. That should mean something, shouldn't it?” He looks around him desperately, trying to catch sight of something to jog his memory, but he finds himself at a total loss. “Why didn't I write myself a note?” he wails, “Then I'd know what I should be doing.”