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It all started with a rainstorm: sudden, but not unexpected. Some would have sought shelter, waited out the rain, but not Orpheus. He was too focused on his goal, on Eurydice. When he thought of her face, what was a little rain? Nothing at all. Besides, it wasn’t the first time he’d been caught in rain, and his lyre was wrapped up in a protective covering.
But it turned out to be more than a little rain, and by the time it stopped he was soaked to the bone and shivering from the cold. Still, he persevered, even as a general sense of malaise descended upon him.
It was late when he finally decided to stop traveling, long after the sun had set and the moon had risen. He would have kept going- Hermes had told him night was the safest time to travel- but the truth of the matter was Orpheus couldn’t take another step. His legs had begun to feel like jelly and he’d developed a pounding headache. It had been hours since the rain had stopped and still he shivered. He needed to sleep this off. Things would be better in the morning, he told himself.
They weren’t. If anything, he felt worse. He hadn’t slept well; he was freezing until he crawled underneath his blanket and then he was burning up. He was certain he must be running a fever.
Even so, he tried to work through it. Eurydice needed him. He needed Eurydice. But the more he walked the worse he felt. It was rapidly becoming clear to him that he wouldn’t be able to carry on for much longer. His goal shifted- from “Find Eurydice” to “Find somewhere safe.”
After what felt like an eternity, he could see lights in the distance. His heart leaped. A town. And a town next to the railroad tracks was sure to have somewhere to stay- a haven for travelers. He thought he might have enough money for a room.
He found his haven in rundown-looking motel, that, while not ideal, at least promised vacancies and a bed.
The main lobby was empty except for a bored looking man behind the counter. If he was concerned by how haggard Orpheus looked, he didn’t show it.
“I need a room.” Orpheus croaked and winced at how hoarse his voice sounded. He placed his money on the counter. “Is this enough?”
The man rolled his eyes but counted the money anyways. “Yeah, that’s enough.”
He handed Orpheus a room key with no further questions and gestured in the general direction of the room. “Check out’s at noon.”
The room was tiny and dimly lit from a flickering lamp, but Orpheus didn’t care. The bed could have been made of concrete as long as it was a bed. He collapsed onto it almost immediately, only stopping to kick off his shoes and safely stow away his lyre.
“Orpheus?”
He opened his eyes. The motel was gone. He was laying in a field of flowers and Eurydice was next to him. He rolled over to face her. “Yes?”
She ran her fingers through his hair and then wrapped her arms around him. “Tell me it’ll stay like this forever.”
“It’ll stay like this forever,” He answered without hesitation.
Eurydice smiled and kissed him.
There was a crack of thunder and the scenery changed.
Eurydice was boarding a train and she was alone. Orpheus called out to her but found his voice was gone. He tried to run after her but found his legs wouldn’t move. There was a whistle and the train departed. He watched as it turned into a dot on the horizon.
There was a crack of thunder and the scenery changed.
Orpheus was face to face with Eurydice. She didn’t look happy.
“You promised me it would stay like this forever.”
Orpheus tried to answer but once again had his voice taken from him.
“I called to you and you didn’t hear!” Eurydice continued, her fists balled in anger. You were too wrapped up in yourself! I called to you!"
And she turned and walked away.
Orpheus woke up drenched in sweat and tangled in the sheets. his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. He was back in the motel room.
He had no idea how long he’d been asleep, but the room was much darker now and there was the sound of rain beating against the window. A clock on the nightstand told him it was three in the morning.
Orpheus shivered and wrapped the thin motel blanket closer around him. He felt only marginally better than before. He wondered what he would do at noon, when it was time to leave. He wasn’t sure he’d be in any state to continue his journey, but he also didn’t have the money to stay another night. Besides, his dream had opened up a terrifying new possibility to him.
What if Eurydice didn’t want him back? He’d started his journey with the expectation that she would be waiting for him on the other side, but what if she turned away? What if there was no happy ending for them?
He’d promised her. And he’d failed her.
He had to do better.
So at noon, despite the protests of his body, Orpheus left the motel and continued. He’d wasted too much time already. He willed himself on, and hoped more than anything, that Eurydice would be waiting for him.