Dashing away from the dark stone structure of the Underworld yet again, Anne never looked back but instead surveyed the gloomy, rocky caverns and searched for Cerberus. Normally she'd never want to look for him herself, but Persephone gave her the little flute to play to make him fall asleep. So long as it worked and Anne could get across the river, she was safe, right? Oh, and she had to find the person who would help her get back to the surface. If only she knew what he'd look like. As she ran her arm and leg throbbed, but thankfully the grecian dress she now wore didn't inhibit her running or hurt her wounds further as she neared the river and looked around for the creature. It shouldn't have been too hard, since he was a ferocious 3-headed dog for hell's sake. After a few moments of hurried searching she spotted the canine sitting near the river where she jumped in earlier, as if he was waiting for her.

Good. Anne slowed and walked carefully up to him and stopped within 20 feet of the creature. Cerberus didn't move, but 2 of the 3 heads kept their gazes on Anne at all times, carefully watching her every move. Slowly and nervously, Anne brought the little flute up to her lips and fingered the holes. Glancing around quickly, she first checked for Hades, then with the all-clear she blew into the flute. All 3 of Cerberus' heads perked their ears and drooped their eyes happily as Anne played the flute. Anne played around with a simple tune and even relaxed as her fingers flew over the holes. After a few minutes she ended her little tune and looked up at the creature, and just as she hoped, Cerberus was fast asleep. Cautiously excited, Anne first glanced around for any witnesses, then ran over to the river and jumped in. Quickly she swam across, reached the edge, and climbed up onto the shore. Anne looked back across and saw Cerberus sleeping still. Smiling, she ran towards the gate and never looked back. As she reached the black metal gate Anne suddenly realized- she had no way to get out. But didn't Persephone mention that someone would be here to help her? Anne constantly wondered who it would be, or how she would know.

As if on cue, a young man, probably in his early 20's, suddenly appeared at the gate on the other side. Startled, Anne tried not to freak out.

"Wh-who are you?" She quietly spoke.

The man laughed a little. "Well well well, haven't seen you in a while!" He laughed again as he unlocked the gate and let Anne through.

"What did you- but I've never met you!"

The man held his finger to his lips. "Hang on. Let's get out of here first."

Anne nodded and followed him up the tunnel. After a few minutes walking in darkness, finally a stream of light shone in the tunnel up ahead.

The man looked over at Anne and laughed kindly at her excited smile. "You wouldn't believe what people would give to get out of the Underworld like you."

Anne looked over at him as the two walked out of the tunnel and onto a small, rocky, isolated shore. Finally she got a good look at him. He was young, but yet had this sense of age and maturity to him. He had curly brown hair and deep brown eyes, and although he just had on a hoodie, jeans and sneakers, Anne thought he looked rather handsome. The two walked along the shore for a while in silence before he spoke up.

"So what's your name, kid?" He asked.

Snapping out of her trance, Anne smiled. "Anne. Short for Annabel, but I prefer Anne. And you? And, you seemed like you already knew me."

"Ah. Yeah, well, I was told to look for you. Anyways, the name's Hermes." He grinned did a double take.

"Wait, like the god Hermes?"

He laughed again. "Yep, actually, not just 'like' the god."

Anne smiled. "Great, more of you."

"Well how many of us have you met so far?"

"Just Hades and Persephone. I could have done without Hades though."

Hermes nodded. "Yeah, well so could everyone else. Persephone's a really nice girl, I bet she's the one who fixed up your arm. Bad run-in with Cerberus, huh?"

Anne nodded. "I'm gonna have nightmares for a while."

Hermes just laughed again.

"So… How did you know me?" Anne asked. She was very curious as to her situation, especially with the deal Hades mentioned earlier.

Hermes hesitated and shook his head as they walked on. "I don't think I'm the best person to tell you that. Not yet at least. Don't worry though, you'll find out soon enough."

Anne rubbed her bare arms, wary of the bandage, warming herself in the cool air. There were some big things she would be finding out soon, if she was entangled with the gods somehow. The anticipation gave her goosebumps as the two walked along the shore.