Wynn
Iggy flits frantically around Marlow's head, observing him from every angle. His panic is palpable. "Marlow's spirit can cross over, but traversing between planes requires the right tools."
Oh no. I'm starting to understand Iggy's panic. "He doesn’t have those tools, does he?"
"I hid his key, which opens the passageway, but the authorities confiscated his rings first. They have gemstones from the underworld and here. He needs them to guide him. Without direction, Marlow’s spirit can get lost in all the nebulous spaces between dimensions."
The demon mentioned none of this before he opened a passageway. If Iggy had been here, Marlow wouldn't have done it. It was dangerous to use this talent of his… but he did when I goaded him into it.
"Oh, you son of a bitch." I stomp towards him, pulling back at the last second so I don't knock his prone body into the purple light. I'm hardly an expert here and don't wanna accidentally make things even worse. "How could you be so dumb? Get your ass back here so I can kick it."
“I’m not sure what to do,” Iggy whispers.
"Damn it, Marlow," I curse under my breath.
His body sits before us, still and unmoving. He's here, but not here. It takes effort to see the faintest rise and fall of his chest, as ifhis body is in hibernation mode, powered down untilhe returns. The tattoo on his chest mocks us with its bright script that declares "vacancy."
"Please come back," Iggy pleads. He places a tiny hand on Marlow's chest.
Nothing happens. Iggy curls around Marlow's neck and whines.
"Please," I whisper, my gaze fixed on him. I can't believe he was so stupid.
How dare he risk himself when I went to all the trouble of saving him? I want to keep cursing him, but I’m angry at myself too. I vented about him being useless. I pushed him into taking this risk.
"Please come back," I whisper again.
The passage flickers as something passes through, and then the purple light fades entirely. For a few terrifying seconds, nobody speaks, moves, or breathes.
Then Marlow takes a gasping breath as his spirit returns to his body. Oh thank God. Or thank… Hades? Thank whoever rules over the underworld.
"Are you alright?" I wonder.
"Never better," he replies, his voice hoarse.
Iggy unwinds himself and flies down to Marlow's chest, colliding into him with such force that Marlow winces and huffs out an "Ouch." Iggy rejoices and hugs him tightly. Marlow brings a hand up and returns the hug.
I hover awkwardly, not touching him, my hands twitching at my sides.
"Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do?" I ask.
"It's fine now," he assures me. "I'm back. I'll be okay."
"You aren’t doing that again."
"For once, no argument here," Marlow agrees. He looks tired. “Didn’t even make it to the underworld so I couldn’t bring back any assistance.”
I slump down against the wall as everyone gathers their bearings and Marlow puts his shirt back on.
"You should have told me," I say quietly. "I wouldn't have... you didn't have to... you should have told me."
"Come on, Wynn. This isn’t anything you didn’t already know." Despite the difficulty, he eventually rises to his feet. "I'm useless."
And with that, he walks right out the door.
~
Wynn
