HOUSE OF RETURN

Chapter 6

The next day at school, Elayna and Savanna talk in the student lounge.
"He's staying here for me." Savanna says.
"And what's wrong with that?" Elayna rolls her eyes.
"I feel bad! He's choosing me over his family and an amazing school! I have to stop this!"
"What are you saying?" Elayna asks.
"I have to make Mark break up with me."
~
After school, Hunter goes into his room at Hades House and sees Grace going through his things.
"What are you doing?!" Hunter yells.
"What is this?!" Grace shows him a letter.
"It's from dad."
"Dad?" Grace tears up. "Can I read it?"
"No. Get out."
Tears fill in Grace's eyes as she leaves, reluctantly.
~
Later in the hallway, Savanna goes to Hunter.
"Why are you so mean to Grace?" She asks.
"What?"
"She just wants to read the letter!"
"She told you!" Hunter gasps.
"Just let her read it. For me."
"Fine!" Hunter takes out the letter.
~
In the living room, Jamal talks to Gran.
"Alright." Gran says. "What are you going to give to whichever girl to show her how you feel?"
"I wrote a poem." Jamal reads the poem.
'The quest was long and
Difficult. I sought treasure.
The treasure was you.'
"What kind of poem is that?!" Gran shouts. "It doesn't even rhyme!"
"It's a haiku." Jamal explains. "The first line has 5 syllables, the second has 7 syllables, and the last has 5 syllables."
"Whatever." Gran sighs. "Which girl is it for?"
"I guess you'll have to wait and see."
~
In Savanna, Sami and Elayna's room, Savanna and Grace read the letter.
"It's nothing big." Grace says. "But the stamp..... It's some kind of logo."
"We should look it up!" Savanna suggests.
"You want to help me?" Grace smiles.
"Of course!" Savanna goes on the computer.
~
In the living room, Tyler goes to Danya.
"Done!" He shows her a magazine.
It's a magazine for a costume store and Tyler's on the cover, wearing different costumes.
"This isn't what I meant!" Danya says.
"I still got on a magazine cover." Tyler smirks.
"Ugh. Fine! You passed test 2! Now all you need is a ride to drive me around." Danya laughs. "Good luck with that."
~
That night, Annika has a dream she's going into the attic.
The ghost is there.
"Why am I here?" Annika asks.
"You seem to think you don't have to find the Mask." The ghost surrounds Annika in dark powers. "It's time to ensure you find it."
Annika screams.
She bolts up from her sleep with a gasp.
Her bicep burns. She looks at it and it has the Hades symbol imprinted.
"It's a Mark. The Mark of Athena." Whispers say. "If you don't find the Mask, I will use the curse to kill you and anyone you involve."