Cassandra and her mother timed their arrival and departure to avoid crowds in the halls. Her mom’s idea, and a great one. The few kids they did see weren’t ones she knew, and didn’t seem to recognize her. When she officially returned to classes, it would be a hassle. She’d have to give the same explanation over and over, for friends and for people who suddenly considered themselves friends because they wanted to know the gossip. She could’ve hugged her mom till she was blue for sparing her one more day of it.
Of course Andie and Henry would spread the news as much as they could. But it wouldn’t be the same as hearing fantastic runaway stories straight from the runaway’s mouth.
“Do you think you’ll be okay, to catch up?”
“What?” Cassandra asked. “Yeah, Mom. I’ll have to study a lot, but what else is new.”
Her mom shook her head. “For a few minutes there, I thought we might have to switch schools. The way Superintendent Russell was looking at you. Like she’d just caught you outside the walls with an open can of spray paint.”
“She was just trying to see if I was trouble.”
“Just trying to be a jackass, more like.”
“Mom!”
“Well. It’s not as though you’ve been in any trouble before. A detention here and there, sure. But you’ve always been an excellent student. And we participate in the damn bake sales just like everyone else.”
Cassandra laughed. They walked through the front doors and out to the visitor’s lot. Thanatos stood beside their car.
“Zack,” her mom said, and it took Cassandra a few seconds to connect the name to his face.
“Hi, Mrs. Weaver. Hey, Cassandra. How’d it go?”
“She’s back in. Starts back tomorrow.”
“That’s great!” Thanatos smiled. Cassandra wondered if her mom noticed the way his smile never touched his eyes. It didn’t seem like she did. “Can I treat you guys to lunch?”
Her mom checked her watch. “I can’t. I’ve got just enough time to run a few errands before I go back in to the office. But I suppose you could take Cassandra, if you’ll drop her at the house right after.”
Her mom got into the car and smiled at them as she buckled up. They waved as she pulled out onto the road.
“Odd how she lets me out of the house unsupervised with the boy who just brought me home from god knows where,” Cassandra said.
“Well I’m sure she wouldn’t, if she knew I was Death.”
Cassandra frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you. To see how you were. And Athena kicked me out of the house.”
“Why?” she asked, and almost chuckled at the image. Standing in the familiar spring sunlight of the town she’d grown up in, Thanatos looked different. She could almost forget the way they met. She could actually feel her brain trying to superimpose a normal explanation over the true one.
Thanatos sighed.
“Because I am what I am,” he replied. His brows knit. “There’s something wrong with Hermes.”
“What? What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s dying.”
“He’s been dying.” But something in Thanatos’ eyes told her this time was different. Hermes was dying now.
* * *
When they pulled into Athena’s driveway, Cassandra had a moment of doubt. A flash that going inside wasn’t the best idea. Ares was bound to be there. It could all blow up. But she had to see Hermes.
She knocked at the door without knowing why. She’d always gone straight in. Times had changed.
Odysseus answered, and after his face lit up, he pulled her into a hug. Her arms stuck out behind him like brittle twigs. He was alive. Alive and unhurt as if nothing had happened.
And Calypso will never know.
“Odysseus,” Cassandra said. She could only bear looking into his eyes for a few seconds. “Athena told me you were alive, but I almost didn’t believe it.”
“Yeah, well, this bloke told us about you, and I almost didn’t believe it, either.” He touched her hair. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry about Cally.”
Cassandra squeezed her eyes shut. He was the last person in the world who should say that.
“Is Hermes…?” she asked.
Odysseus nodded over his shoulder.
“Stick around, after,” he said. “I want to hear all about your time on the road. God killing.”
Cassandra let him lead her into the house. The kindness in his voice was terrible. It was only because he didn’t know. Once he did, their friendship would be over. She deserved that. But she couldn’t help wanting to put it off.