He walked on as his strength ebbed from his body. He felt his arms drooping. Scared of dropping what he carried, he fell to his knees. He fought looking over his shoulder as he struggled to get back to his feet. He couldn’t drop her. He mustn’t drop her. Dropping her would be as bad, if not worse, than looking behind him. And looking back “from whence he came” was as bad as losing what was left of his soul.

He continued walking forward through the cold and damp tunnel.

Just a bit farther ’til the end. He was almost there.

The whispering voices behind him grew louder.
“Orpheus, Orpheus,” they whispered on.

They mustn’t distract him. He will get out with her. He looked down at his prize.

“Orpheus, Orpheus”

He looked over his shoulder at a ghastly being. The cave had become much damper and much colder.

“Orpheus? What are you doing?”

“Umm, nothing!” He hid the sponge behind his back.

“Orpheus.” damn that cursed mother’s glare “Stop playing in the tub. It’s almost time for dinner.”

“Yes, Mom.”