16 Before Christmas Tuesday, 24 December 2019 (2/2)

”I have a dog?”

She smiled. ”Your repentance is over. You are now given a chance to start anew. Clear of evil. Clear of that part of you that wasn't the real you. You are yourself now. Come.” She led her to a portal that was camouflaged against the hanging leaves of a tree branch that she thought was a wall.

She didn't understand what was happening, but she couldn't bring herself to question what she meant because deep inside, she knew. Or at least, she felt it. She was reborn. She heard a barking sound and bid the beautiful creature goodbye as if it wasn't the first time that she had seen her.

~

Apollo's dachshund form was smiling like a human would. Betha's scent was stronger. She was there. He stopped digging when he saw light radiating from below the ground. Then a hand that was very familiar to him appeared, then another, and soon enough, Betha climbed up to face him. She sat restlessly, but with a big smile on her face. It was exactly how he had picture it to motivate him. ”It's you, Apollo. Why would you do this to yourself, you silly dog.” She patted him and Apollo swore to himself he could faint anytime, but he wouldn't. The extreme joy he was feeling was dangerously overwhelming because he had never been as happy like he was at that moment.

~

Mrs. Rodriguez was worried because it was almost midnight and he found out that his son had not returned. There was turkey with stuffing, roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, spaghetti, and vegetables on the dining table. They normally celebrated Christmas at midnight with Gab and Leslie. When she called Luke to check up on Apollo and Gab, he said he had not seen Apollo. Then, he was cut off and Gab was suddenly on the line. He told her not to worry because he was out with Betha and they will both be coming tonight for the Christmas dinner. Two minutes before twelve, she heard a car parking. She promptly looked through the window and was relieved to see Leslie, Gab, Betha, and Apollo coming out of the Toyota Prius Prime. She opened the door to welcome them. ”Merry Christmas, you kids. Where have you been?”

They all looked at each other innocently. ”We found Betha.” Apollo uttered. The joy in his voice was indescribable.

Mrs. Rodriguez was happy to see his son smile like that. ”Well, I'm glad you did.” She said, unaware of the real story behind Betha's disappearance and how Apollo had found her. If she knew his son had turned into a dog to find a banshee who got stuck under a tree for several months, she wouldn't have believed them. ”What are you waiting for, kids? Come in. Welcome back, Betha.”

”Thank you.” She smiled as they all went straight to the dining room and drooled over the delightful dishes that await them.