Stephanie put her phone on charge, and went to the convenience store. Nothing there looked even as half as good as Mara's food. She couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. She grabbed some pastries, and a smoothie, and went home.
Her life, and routine was going to be very different this week. Hades place had some stress which all routed from Hades himself, but not the same kind of stress she was use to. She didn't have to worry about setting an alarm, going to work or planing anything for that matter, Mara was always there to help her.
The next day she went to class. She felt completely alienated keeping her experience to herself.Meeting Hades was like opening Pandora's box. You now have extremely important information on the one thing everyone wants to know. She wondered what she could or should do. Most probably no one would believe her unless they already had some similar beliefs, even if they did, considering they wouldn't have probably had any proof would mean they'd probably be a bit on the crazy side. Maybe it was best to just forget it about, and pretend she knew nothing more than the average person, it's not her job to play preacher. Right, she decided that is what she will do.It seemed selfish, but in fact it was probably the logical decision.
She was so busy in thought, she only just then realised Suzuki was glaring at her. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. She wondered if Hades might of done something to him again.
Later during break she went to get a drink at the vending machine. She bought a coffee, and as she was about to leave a hand slammed onto the glass blocking her path. She turned to see Suzuki standing over her. He breathed deeply, and as he was about to speak, another classmate interrupted wanting to get past, and buy something. Suzuki looked at them, and then turned around to find Stephanie running away to the classroom. He swore under his breath, as he let the girl pass.
Stephanie could hear that girl later telling the others what she saw happen. By the end of the day everyone was mainly talking about Suzuki, how he looked crazy, and scary recently. Some speculated he was on drugs, probably influenced by his break up, or the fact he spent a lot of time with a foreigner, and maybe they started together. Stephanie did have a spacey look about her.
Normally Stephanie would lose her patience over everyones ignorant remarks, but she could only think of what happened with Suzuki. He wasn't possesed, he didn't have any signs of flames in his eyes. No, he was deeply troubled by something, and somehow that was more frightening.
After class Stephanie waited for Suzuki to leave first, except he kept sitting there staring straight at her. She saw that there was almost no one left, and got up to follow the last one, but he grabbed her arm, pulled her back and closed the door.
"Stephanie we need to talk. It's about that night. This may seem crazy, but after you left I've started having dreams about it, and once I woke up two days later!"
"Oh, I'm sorry Suzuki, but I'm not sure why you think I can help you?"
"Because in one of the dreams, the one that lasted two days, I met a girl who knew you. Her name was Mara."
"She told you to come see me?" He nodded his head.
Well if Mara suggested it maybe it would be ok to help him. Stephanie trusted Mara, so she decided to tell him about her experience too. She kept some parts secret, like how Hades told her he would kill him.
"So, how do I make the dreams stop?"
"I don't really know.. Hades was the one bringing me in, and out. You were all alone, so maybe it's a bit different. If anyone can help you though, it would be him."
Stephanie told him she would try speak to Hades, and see if he could help him.
That night when Stephanie got back for work, she was exhausted. As much as she just wanted to sleep, she promised Suzuki she would speak to Hades, so she mustered up some energy, held the bracelet Hades had given her in the palm of her hands, and prayed.
"Hades, I need to speak to you, if you can hear me, please come." She repeated it again, then waited.
Flames wrapped all around her, when they died down she saw Hades before her, half naked after just taking a bath.
"Missing me already?"
Stephanie blushed, she hasn't seen him since they kissed, and as much as she wanted to dwell on that, she had to stay focused.
"Hades.. I can't stay long, but I have a favour to ask you.."
"Oh?" He said with his brow raised.
"It's Suzuki.. He's been apparently visiting this world involuntarily."
"Hmmm has he been drinking?" He scoffed.
"What-no!"
"Well, it might be possible that some part of Hades stayed with him, and that it's somehow trying to find it's way back." Mara interrupted.
"Mara were you eavesdropping?" Hades said annoyed.
"Mara thank for helping Suzuki. He told me how he met you, and you told him to come to me." Stephanie said holding her hand.
Mara's face turned white, as she turned to see Hades face, he was fuming.
"Mara!"
"Sorry Masterrr!" Mara screamed as she ran away.
"Hades, it's not her fault. It's yours for possessing him in the first place." Stephanie scolded him.
Hades let out a big sigh."Fine! We will bring him here, and try sort it out."