Riding the T had become something of a pastime for Mina after her encounter on the tracks, one she derived no joy from nor looked forward to. It was little more than an obligation, a service, and as someone who worked nothing other than the service industry, it smacked of the shift-work she’d come to associate with long hours and fickle reward.
At first, she’d been keen and expectant as she sat in the rocking carriage, anticipating the underworld to belly up against reality again and push. Weeks turned to months and time ate at her resolve until her memories of the Phlegethon were little more than that, just memories. Had she not her hitchhiker poisoning her mind with visions of Hades, and had she not known what she knew, maybe Mina could have written it off.
But here she was, like Orpheus, descending into the underworld. Only he had a clear mission. And tonight’s descent would be like any other; she’d ride the train until she fell asleep and Tisiphone would take her home, but only after a time, for there was much for her to do in the twilight.
Mina threaded briskly through the topside crowd towards the Newton T-stop. She did this to the bustling calls of a food truck and the tantalizing aroma of kebab meat and spices mingling with the smells of the city. She almost made it through unscathed, but misjudged a closing gap in the throng and brushed a little too close to some guy.
As he apologized and she made to the do the same, pulling her expression into something contrite, she caught a look at his chipmunk'd cheeks and startled in recognition. Eyes widening in surprise, her apology floundered to be replaced by a baffled oh of her lips. “Ah, hey—hi…” She stammered, greeting her boyfriend’s roommate.
At first, she’d been keen and expectant as she sat in the rocking carriage, anticipating the underworld to belly up against reality again and push. Weeks turned to months and time ate at her resolve until her memories of the Phlegethon were little more than that, just memories. Had she not her hitchhiker poisoning her mind with visions of Hades, and had she not known what she knew, maybe Mina could have written it off.
But here she was, like Orpheus, descending into the underworld. Only he had a clear mission. And tonight’s descent would be like any other; she’d ride the train until she fell asleep and Tisiphone would take her home, but only after a time, for there was much for her to do in the twilight.
Mina threaded briskly through the topside crowd towards the Newton T-stop. She did this to the bustling calls of a food truck and the tantalizing aroma of kebab meat and spices mingling with the smells of the city. She almost made it through unscathed, but misjudged a closing gap in the throng and brushed a little too close to some guy.
As he apologized and she made to the do the same, pulling her expression into something contrite, she caught a look at his chipmunk'd cheeks and startled in recognition. Eyes widening in surprise, her apology floundered to be replaced by a baffled oh of her lips. “Ah, hey—hi…” She stammered, greeting her boyfriend’s roommate.