They moved down river in silence for quite a while, although without the concept of 'time' to use as a guide, it was difficult to determine just how long or how far they actually traveled. The fog swirled lazily past them as David kept a keen watch for anything that might be out of the ordinary--which meant, basically, anything other than fog. Charon still hummed softly as he pushed the punt along, the water whispering gently past the boat as they moved down river.

Eventually, David held up his hand and said quietly, "Charon, hold up. I think I hear something." The punt slid to a gentle stop and David cocked his head to try and pick up the faint sounds, again. Although slightly muffled by the fog, he was sure that he had heard voices, somewhere up ahead.

As the thick mist eddied around them, the voices once again became clear enough to understand. They distinctly heard someone say, 'Hey, I've never died before, either, but I'm not letting that little fact get in the way of possibly expanding my horizons a bit.'

David turned around to look at Charon as the voice continued. 'I just need someone to show me the way. If you help me, we can do this together, my friend.'

He gave the boatman a quizzical look and Charon slowly shrugged his hidden shoulders. They then heard a deep, hollow voice say, 'Very well, "friend." We will do this.'

David gave forth a quiet groan as he heard his own voice say from the mist, 'Yes! Let me just turn around, so I can see, well, whatever there might be to see.' There was a pause and David's voice called out eagerly through the fog, 'Ready whenever you are.' They heard a small splash, as if a pole had been pushed through the water, then another, sounding faint and farther away. Then nothing.

David was quiet for a moment, then looked up at Charon. "Well, I guess we have our answer as to where this river goes."

"So it would seem," the boatman answered, quietly.

He sighed and offered Charon a weak smile. "I suppose we should finish our journey, then, eh, my friend?"

"Indeed," he replied, and after a short pause, added, "friend." Charon then turned the punt so they were headed back in their original direction and began to push the boat along, slowly.