For several endless moments, Elliot Hooper simply stood and stared at the spot where his mum had been, scared to move lest he lost even that last memory of her. But the strength that had helped him to let her go had drained away. The emotions he had been holding in check finally spilt out and overwhelmed him. His legs gave way and crumpled beneath him. Elliot wasn’t angry. He wasn’t screaming. He was just . . . empty.

He ran his fingers over the spot where his mother had stood just moments ago and curled himself around it. All the love that had nowhere else to go flowed through his tears as he lay there. Should he just stay there, on the cusp of life and death? He had no home. He had no friends. He had nothing.

He was totally and utterly alone.

Elliot had no idea how long he stayed there. It could have been hours, minutes or days. He had no idea if it was day or night – it was dark in the tunnel, save for the faint glow of the golden twine. But even the magical string couldn’t tell him where to go next. Elliot Hooper was totally lost.

‘Elliot?’

He blinked groggily. He must be hearing things.

‘Elliot? Where are you?’ came the voice again through the darkness.

He had no strength to answer, even if the voice was real.

‘There you are.’

A small hand found its way into his. It was warm. It was familiar. And it was really there.

‘Elliot, we’ve come to take you home.’

He roused himself. There, her face full of smiling concern, was Virgo. There was his friend.

‘Mate,’ came another voice, taking his other hand. ‘Not being funny, but you’re a hard bloke to find . . .’

Elliot’s heart quickened. It couldn’t be . . . He propped himself up and squinted at the face beaming down at him.

‘All right, bruv,’ winked Hermes. ‘Long time no see.’

And without a second’s hesitation, Virgo and Hermes threw their arms around him in a shield of unquestioning love. Elliot had someone.

‘We got you, mate,’ the Messenger God whispered, gathering up Elliot. ‘Now let’s get you home.’

‘Where’s home?’ said Elliot. ‘I don’t have—’

‘Home is where we’re all together,’ said Hermes. ‘V – clamber aboard.’

Virgo jumped on to Hermes’s back, but quickly took Elliot’s hand back in hers.

‘It’s all going to be optimal,’ she whispered. ‘I just know it. And I’m always, always right.’

Elliot, exhausted, could say and do no more. He felt sleep starting to claim his body and his soul.

‘Let’s go,’ said Hermes softly. And, with a gentle whoosh, he took off into the air, carrying Elliot and Virgo out of the tunnel and into the dark night of the longest day.

11. Gods On

11. Gods On