HOUSE OF MASKS

Chapter 29

At the hearing, Savanna and Mark sit with Grace.
"Begin the speech." The judge says.
Grace stands.
Savanna grips Grace's hand. "You've got this.."
Grace smiles and begins. "I grew up not really knowing my dad. I never got to meet him until this year. He was my dad and I didn't know what he was like, what he looked like... until this year. And now I just want to spend every second with him. I need him in my life. I didn't have him before, but now that I do.. I feel like that one last piece of the puzzle was found and the puzzle was finally finished and put together. He's a good man and I promise you he will be one from now on."
"Thank you." The judge says. "I call a recess so I can contemplate."
"Ooh, recess!" Mark cheers. "Is there a playground here?!"
"You're dumb." Savanna rolls her eyes.
~
Meanwhile, Elayna and Tyler bring Tommy back to the House.
"Why were you at the warehouse?" Elayna asks.
"I was looking for you and saw you at the warehouse, I found a door at the back and I went through... but this man knocked me out. He took Hunter and drove away with him. This fell out of Hunter's pocket."
Tommy holds up the Gem.
"Keep it for him." Tyler says. "I'm gonna go to the library and check on the girls."
Tyler runs away.
~
Jamal follows Rufus and Hunter all the way to the library, where Rufus finds the passage to the tunnels and goes inside, taking Hunter.
Jamal is about to go in after them, but people enter.
"Jamal?" one of them asks.
It's Annika, Danya and Sami.
"What're you guys doing here?" Jamal asks.
"We checked the House to see if the Gem was in Hunter's room, but it wasn't.." Sami says."So we came back here."
Tyler runs in. "Hey, guys! What'd I miss?!"
"Rufus took Hunter into the tunnels." Jamal says. "I think they're after the Mask!"
"Oh no.." Annika groans. "I left it there for safety, now they're going to get it!"
"Not on my watch." Danya says.
She grabs Tyler's hand. "Tyler and I will go after them!"
"Oh, okay.." Tyler says as Danya pulls him into the tunnels with her.
~
In the tunnels, Rufus pulls Hunter towards the Mask.
"Yes!" Rufus exclaims. "I have it!"
Rufus takes it.
"You got what you want." Hunter says. "Please let me go!"
"You're staying with me." Rufus grins.
"No!" Tyler shouts as he and Danya arrive. "He won't!"
Rufus smirks.
Hunter snatches the Mask from his hands and throws it to Tyler.
Tyler catches it and runs off with it.
"Run, Tyler!" Danya shouts.
Rufus charges after Tyler.
Danya faces Hunter.
"Hunter!" Danya runs to him. "You're free. Let's go home."
~
Meanwhile, Elayna tends to Tommy in his room.
He stares at the Gem. "What's this gem called?"
"I don't remember." Elayna says. "I think the Gem of Aphrodite or something."
Tommy bolts up. "This is my destiny!"
"Say what??" Elayna asks.
"Where's Annika?!"
"Um at the library I think, why?"
"This is what I came for! It's my fate!"
"I think your head was hit too hard..."
Tommy runs off and Elayna chases after him.
~
At the library, Jamal waits with Annika and Sami.
"There's only one month of school left." Jamal says. "I think I should probably choose between you two soon."
Annika and Sami face each other, then look away.
Danya and Hunter burst in from the tunnels.
"He's safe!" Danya gasps.
Tommy and Elayna dash in.
"Tommy??" Jamal asks.
"I think he's going crazy.." Elayna says.
Tommy goes to Annika and shows her the Gem.
"You have it!" Annika gasps.
"Annika, you need to know something."Tommy
starts. "The whole reason I came to this school was to fulfill my destiny. My destiny is finding you, the Sorceress."
"Wait, are you-"
"I'm the Sorcerer." Tommy states. "My birthday is on December 21. The winter solstice. You and me. The Sorcerer and the Sorceress. We were destined to come together and save the world."
Tommy takes Annika's hand. "Together."
Tyler charges in with the Mask.
He gives it to Annika. "Take it! Rufus is coming!"
Senkhara appears. "You have everything. The Mask and the Gem. Put them together."
Rufus runs in and charges at Annika, trying to steal the Mask.
"Rufus!" Annika screams. "STOP!"
"You shall not get in my way!" Senkhara shoots dark magic at Rufus, killing him. "Do it NOW."
Annika and Tommy put the Mask and the Gem together, making it glow.
"Now, Annika... put on the Mask."
"Why?" Annika asks.
"Just do it."
Annika puts on the Mask.
But her eyes glow red and she goes under Senkhara's control.