HOUSE OF HADES

Chapter 30

The next day at school, Annika, Jamal and Elayna talk in Drama Class.
"After he found the relic, he screamed." Annika explains.
"I wonder what he knows." Jamal smirks. "I sneaked back and saw him put it in his safe."
Jason comes. "Attention, everyone! The play is tomorrow night! We have to be prepared! Dress rehearsal in 5 minutes!"
Danya comes in a cactus outfit.
"Wow." Elayna laughs. "You REALLY don't want a part?"
"Jason says I have to have a part." Danya shrugs. "So, I suggested the cactus. It involves no talking!"
They laugh.
~
Everyone practices during dress rehearsal.
Annika plays Sarah.
Jamal plays Victor.
Danya plays the cactus.
Elayna plays the god Hades.
Tyler and Hunter play the camel.
Mark plays Mr. Frobisher-Smythe.
Savanna plays Mrs. Frobisher-Smythe.
Annika explains her plan to the Sibuna Club.
"The only time we can get into Victor's office," she says,"is if he's not there. Tomorrow night is the play, so he'll be gone. After my first scene, I'm not on again until the second act. Which leaves me enough time to grab the relic and get back."
"Amazing!" Jamal says.
"Um, you're forgetting something." Danya says. "What about the combination to Victor's safe?"
"Oh." Annika looks away.
"Idiots." Danya rolls her eyes.
~
After school at Hades House, Jamal gathers the Sibuna Club.
"I remember the combination from when I saw Victor put the relic in his safe!" He tells them.
"Really?" Elayna gasps. "What is it?!"
"3357." He says.
"Yes!" Annika smiles. "Now I can get in!"
~
At school, Mr. Sweet reads his e-mails.
He sees one from Savanna.
He opens it and sees the photos of Mark and Mrs. Robinson together.
~
At Hades House, Annika and Jamal play video games on the couch.
"See?!" Jamal smiles. "I told you this would be fun!"
"Aw! You won again!" Annika laughs.
"I AM the champion." Jamal laughs.
They stare at each and blush.
Jamal's uncle bursts in, ruining the moment. "Hey, guys!"
"What are you doing here?!" Jamal hugs him.
"I came for your play."
"That's tomorrow." Jamal rolls his eyes.
"Oh." His uncle laughs. "Well, I brought you this good luck gift."
He gives Jamal a book on Ancient Greek history.
"This is so cool!" Jamal exclaims. "Thank you!"
"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
His uncle leaves.
Jamal faces Annika. "We can use this book for answers."
~
The next morning at breakfast, everyone talks.
"Today's the big day!" Jamal exclaims.
"I'm really nervous." Annika looks down.
"Don't be." He says to her. "You'll do great."
She blushes.
Hunter comes in. "Good luck cards came in the mail today."
Everyone reads their cards.
"That's weird." Elayna says.
"What?" Savanna asks.
"I got one card from my family and another that just says to open in private only." She explains.
"That IS weird." Savanna says.
"Aw, man!" Tyler lets out. "My parents are coming!"
"And why's that bad?" Mark asks.
"They think I'm perfect!" Tyler explains. "You all have to pretend I'm king of this house!"
"Yes, sir!" Danya jokes.
                                           ~
After school, everyone gets ready for the play.
Jamal runs to Annika.
"Annika!" He shouts. "I read the book my uncle gave me! It's about a Greek treasure that was stolen and hidden in the House of Hades! The treasure is a cup. It's called the Cup of Hades. When you drink the Elixir of Life, it's only making you young temporarily. If you drink the Elixir of Life from the Cup, it will make you live forever."
Annika gasps. "So, the treasure we're looking for is a cup that makes you live forever?"
"Yes."
~
In Mr. Sweet's office, he calls Mrs. Robinson to see him.
She arrives. "What is it?"
He shows her the pictures. "Is there something going on?"
"There is nothing going on between me and Mark!" She shouts.
"We can't take risks. I'm sorry but, you're fired."
"I'm not accepting this!" She runs away.
~
That night, everyone gets ready backstage.
Annika and Jamal peek through the curtains to see who's there.
They see Victor.
"Uh-oh." Annika says.
"What?" Jamal asks.
"Rufus is here!" She points to where he's sitting, in the front row.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Robinson goes to Mark backstage.
"Mark,"she looks down,"you should see this."
She shows him the pictures.
"Who took these?" He asks.
"I don't know, but I've been fired. And they're going to expel you."
"No way!" Mark shouts.
~
Before the play starts, Elayna goes to Annika and Jamal.
"I read the card!" She says. "It's all in coded writing! I can't tell what it says! All I can tell us G4."
"That's a seat number!" Annika says. "Row G, Seat 4. Maybe it's Rufus!"
"What?!" Elayna exclaims.
"He's in the audience." Annika says.
"But Rufus is in Row A." Jamal reminds.
"Then, who's in Row G?" Elayna asks.
Jason comes. "Everyone! Get in your places! The play starts in 5...."
Annika and Jamal go backstage.
Elayna, Savanna and Mark go behind the curtains.
Mark sees Mr. Sweet talking to Mrs. Robinson and goes to them.
"Mark!" Savanna goes after him.
"Guys!" Elayna shouts.
The curtains rise and the lights shine on Elayna.
She searches the audience and looks for Row G, Seat 4.
She locates the seat and gasps when she sees who's there.
"Sami!"