"It's done," Georgia sighed as she trudged over to Virgil and Drusilla. 

Drusilla raised her hands up in thanks. "Thank the gods!  I'm so sorry I couldn't help more Miss Georgia. I'm usually not this weak."

Georgia shrugged. "We all have our limits."

"Did you find anything to help them?"

Georgia shook head. "There's too many demons, and no one is in shape to fight with us. I wish there was something we could do but..."

It was Drusilla's turn to shake her head. "No, I understand."

"I don't know about you ladies, but I'd love to get the hell out of here." Virgil interrupted.

Drusilla nodded her head emphatically. "Best idea you've had so far."

Virgil opened his mouth as if to reply but thought better of it and turned on his heels. The rest of them followed suit. 

They stayed along the edges of the circle hugging the wall as closely as they could. Somehow being on the outside looking in was more sickening than being in the thick of it. The people-well what used to be-seemed so hopeless, so defeated. 

Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, an overwhelming feeling of sickness and dread filled Georgia. She was caked from head to toe in filth and rot. The air was thick and putrid. Her mouth began to salivate as a lump formed in her throat. Her stomach lurched and out spilled the vomit. It seemed never ending. 

"Are you alright dear child?" Old Verge asked as he rubbed her back.

"Just...feeling...sick." Georgia choked out through waves of vomiting. 

"It's alright. Let it out. Let it all out. We'll get you out of here and rest soon."

Georgia muttered a thank you as she continued to empty her stomach. After a few more agonizing minutes, the deed was done. She couldn’t help but look down at her handiwork. Wine.

“Fuck!” She muttered.

“Now, now no need to embarrassed dear.” Old Verge assured her.

“It’s not that. It’s just…I must have been drinking before I died. Now I’m worried my body is in some alley or some weird chud’s house.”

“It can’t be helped now. Once you win, you can be anywhere you’d like.”

Georgia sighed defeatedly. “Yeah, yeah you’re right.”

“Come now, come. We all could use a good rest and a hot bath.”

 Old Verge and Virgil took lead, leading them further through the circle along the wall. After a certain point they began feeling on the limestone wall as if looking for something. It was Virgil who spotted it first. A thin crack along the surface, just big enough to dig one’s fingers in. With a pull, it gave way to a carved-out hole. The group walked through. After some time, they reached a hot spring. The water was a beautiful blue green with a small waterfall running down limestone.

“Here we are!” Old Verge exclaimed triumphantly.

“It’s gorgeous!” Drusilla exclaimed as she rushed towards the pristine water.

“Yes, a well-kept secret! Usually, a guide wouldn’t get this dirty, but on the odd chance we would, this spring works wonders.”

“I almost forgot this place was here. Haven’t seen it since I started this work.” Virgil added.

“It’s a good thing I decided to tag along then. Now my dears, you go ahead and freshen up. There’s a spicket with some buckets and towels further in by the falls where you can wash up and then have a soak. While you do that, Virgil and I will search for some new clothes for us.”

Drusilla and Georgia followed Old Verge’s instructions and made their way to the spicket. Drusilla immediately stripped off her dress. Georgia hesitated in taking off her own clothes, a deep blush creeping up her face. Drusilla noticed and smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s just us girls.” She said with a wink. Georgia swallowed and followed suit.

***

“You know, I never got to thank you before for sending Virgil to try to comfort me.” Drusilla said as they floated in the water.

“Did it work?”

“Not really,” Drusilla laughed. “But it was a nice gesture.”

“Sorry about him.”

Drusilla shrugged. “It’s fine. He’s never seemed to like me.”

“He thinks you’re using me.” Georgia replied.

She hesitated for a moment. “Do you think that?”

Another beat of silence passed before Georgia spoke. “I don’t know if you would have joined me if I wasn’t traveling through Hell. But it honestly doesn’t matter. You seem like a nice person, and I get your help in exchange for mine. Everyone wins. I don’t think you’d do anything to betray me.”

Drusilla smiled. “I appreciate the honesty. I don’t know if I would have either. Joined you I mean. I do want to find my friend, but I do like you and want to help. I don’t know if that will help you trust me, but I hope my honesty earns me some merit.”

“Well for what it’s worth, I like you too. You’re far braver than I am.” Georgia admitted.

“You must be joking! You are a lioness!”

“More like a lamb.” Georgia snorted.

“You just think you are. You’ll see. I have faith that you’ll see just how strong you can be.”

Before they could continue their conversation, Virgil and Old Verge appeared with towels and fresh clothes. “C’mon ladies, don’t want to prune up.”

“Looks like the fun is over.” Drusilla sighed as she swam towards the edge of the spring.

“Don’t worry there’s plenty of it ahead.” Virgil replied.

Georgia sighed before dunking her body under the water one last time.