Gehenna's Gate

Blessed Be

Holy shit, so many missed calls and texts.

Vena's face was tilted in a frown, trying to read through the various texts she'd received from Kazuha, her mother, Rae and a few other friends from school, feeling a bit overwhelmed as she struggled to read everything and respond.

Maooooooo.

Patch had woken up from wherever he'd been previously napping once he'd heard the sounds of someone in the house and had come to investigate.

"Oh hi, baby. Sorry I didn't come home yesterday, please forgive me." Vena slid her phone into the pocket of her leggings, being sure to also snag her knife from off the kitchen counter before she leaned down to pick the feline up in her arms.

"I hope the storm last night didn't scare you too bad."

The cat purred in her arms in response to her petting, clearly just happy to have her home and safe regardless.

Vena scratched under his chin, the feline's favorite spot as she caressed him happily in her arms.

Crazy how such a small animal could bring her so much joy.

Taking a seat on the couch, the girl rested Patch in her lap, continuing to pet him with one hand while the other reached into her pocket for her phone again.

'Coming back' a message from Xiao had just been received.

Wonder if he found anything useful...

Vena exhaled, returning the object to its previous place and continuing to pet her beloved cat while she waited.

"Want some wet food, cutie?"

Patch meowed happily in response, quick to jump up out of her lap and prance his way happily to the kitchen.

The girl laughed at that, standing to her feet to follow him. The meowing continued, clearly looking forward to his favorite little treat as he continued rubbing against Vena's legs the entire time she prepared his bowl.

Placing it down on the floor, she couldn't help but smile to herself as she watched Patch waste no time in devouring his meal.

"Apology accepted?" The girl giggled, leaning down to place one last stroke across his back before standing up straight again.

The sound of a loud click reached her ears, a soft yellow glow now emanating from behind her- where the couch and chairs were in the living room.

Vena's entire body froze, the hairs on the back of her neck standing straight up, far too afraid to turn around as she held her breath.

"I think it's time you and I had a little chat, don't you think?" The voice sent a chill down her spine, her worst fears now come to life, yet she didn't dare move.

What the fuck do I do..?

Patch could be felt at the girl's feet, his body ridged and tense as he let out a hiss at the woman across the room.

It was humorous how spot on the feline's intuition was.

"Hi, Maya." Vena struggled to keep her voice leveled, turning her body slowly to face the woman, trying not to make any sudden movements.

Sapphire eyes rested on the foreign form now seated on the recliner, perched back and relaxed with her legs crossed.

Maya looked much differently than she usually did as Mrs. Nixon. Her hair was curled, make up dark and dangerous as the grin adorning her red lips. She almost looked 10 years younger.

Maya's head titled with curiosity, eyes brimming with sadistic intent.

"You know my name?" There was no surprise or shock it the question, it was just simply put.