He took a tentative footstep on the path. Where was Mum? Had Thanatos tricked him again? He took another step. Still nothing.

Elliot was about to turn around and give the Daemons everything they deserved, and more, when the tunnel was suddenly illuminated with a golden light. He fought every urge in his body to turn around and look, Nyx’s warning ringing in his ears:

If you look at a soul – even the briefest glance – it will return to the Afterlife. For ever.

He took another step and felt the light follow him. Was it really his mum? How could he be sure? Perhaps just one little glance . . .

‘Elly?’ came a voice that answered all his doubts.

‘Mum!’ he cried, tears of relief filling his eyes.

‘I’m here,’ said Josie. ‘I’m right behind you.’

‘Let’s go!’ said Elliot, charging ahead. ‘The sooner we get back to Earth, the sooner we can get the farm back from Patricia and find Dad and—’

‘Elly,’ said Josie softy. ‘You don’t understand.’

‘Understand what?’ he replied. ‘Let’s just get out of here and you can tell me anything you want . . .’

‘No, Elly,’ Josie said. He could feel her take a step closer.

‘No, what?’ said Elliot, the familiar sense of dread closing his throat.

‘We’re not going anywhere,’ said Josie. ‘I love you, Elly.’

‘I love you too, Mum.’

‘I know,’ said Josie, so close now that Elliot could almost feel her breath in his ear. ‘Which is why I know you’ll do as I ask.’

‘Of course, Mum – I’ll do anything.’

‘Anything?’

‘Anything.’

‘Good boy. So, Elly?’

‘Yes, Mum?’ whispered Elliot, barely daring to breathe. He felt his mother’s soft voice in his ear.

‘I love you so much, Elly,’ she said. ‘And that’s why—’

‘Why what?’ said Elliot impatiently. ‘Let’s go!’

‘No,’ said Josie again. ‘I know how much you love me, Elly. And that, my darling boy . . . is why you’re going to leave me here.’

9. Jail Break

9. Jail Break

‘Hoimes! I’m telling yous – we got more chance of my Persephone headlining at the Sydney Opera House than we do of getting outta here! I told you, I tried everything.’

‘Not being funny, Uncle H,’ groaned Hermes, straining at the locked door with all his might. ‘But you’re in as good shape as a dropped jelly, mate. This is one for the H-bomb. Just . . . one . . . more . . . pull . . .’

The Messenger God yanked at the door, his feathered hat flapping with his exertions.

‘Hold me iGod up, I can’t see what I’m doing . . . I’m telling you – it’s coming . . . I . . . can . . . feel . . . it!’ He grimaced, the veins in his temples pulsing. ‘And . . . that . . . would . . . be . . . BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!’

With a great shout, Hermes came away from the door. Unfortunately, so too did the door handle.

‘Nice one, Einstein!’ Hades cried. ‘I think the H-bomb just got diffused. Now, how we gonna get outta here?’