Stranger's arrival

Back at his home Heat woke up to the sound of a spider walking on the floor. He lifted his head, he felt dizzy. Slowly, he got off the couch Supido had laid him on and staggered to his room. He pushed the door open and slumped into his bed—a sudden chill run down his spine, jerking his body off the bed. The startled teenager was baffled at the sight of a stranger sleeping in his bed. Heat walked across his room and picked a coat hanger from his wardrobe. Cautiously, he approached the lady and poked her toe with the hanger. Like a wild cat whose tail had been stomped on, she leaped at Heat and flung him across his room. Heat crashed into a wall, but before he could completely process what had happened, two knives headed for the wall but none seemed aimed for him. That perception changed when two barely visible strings flew through holes in the handle of the knives, perfectly wrapping themselves around them. The lady flicked her fingers and the knives' trajectory immediately changed—they were coming for Heat's head. Instinctively, he ducked and dived at in her direction and the knives followed him but he was still quite a distance from her. He ducked again as the knives just missed him. This time, he leaped at her, covering the entire distance and slamming her into the wall. Heat threw a punch but with impeccable skill, she grabbed it and turned his hand against him, used her body as a pivot to toss him onto the bed, and placed a pillow on his head. A suffocating Heat gathered his strength and lifted the pillow off his face, before kicking her off the bed. Conveniently, she landed next to one of her knives, so when Heat tried to form his Hebikaze, she sliced the snakes clean, threw him off balance and covered his head with a pillow again. This time, Heat couldn't push her off. He could feel her strength increasing. She lifted the knife and was just about to stab him through the pillow, but was interrupted by a sound from the door. Two children ran inside and she quickly lowered the knife. Her hand felt weaker on Heat now, and he shoved her aside. Heat gasped as he looked back and forth at his siblings and the stranger.

"Sorry!" Debbie said. "I didn't know you were having a pillow fight. It was Dan's idea."

She ran out of the room and dragged Dan with her.

When his siblings ran out, Heat watched the lady's arm revert from an amaroq form. He tried to rise to his feet, but she kicked him down and brought her claws to his face.

"Why am I here?!"

"Who are you?!"

The girl hesitated, she was coming to a realization—she knew him.

"You tried to kill me!"

"Quit talking out loud. My kid siblings are out there!"

"I should kill them then."

"Don't you dare threaten them! Or else I'll kill your body and then chase your soul to She'ol and kill it as well."

"Sheesh. Someone has some temper. Relax, I don't kill innocent people. You tried to kill me a few days ago. Does the name Mel ring a bell?"

Heat tried to remember but couldn't recall the name.

"It sounds somewhat familiar, but I don't really remember."

"Oh really?"

"You don't expect me to remember the name of every person I fight do you?"

"I do if you ask their names."

"Why the heck would I ask for your name in a fight?"

"Stop pretending that you don't remember anything!"

"You're in my room, I'm the one supposed to be asking questions. First, why in Ananse's name are you in my room?"

"Who says 'Ananse's name'?"

"Are you going to answer the question?" Heat's question was followed by a deafening silence for a few seconds.

Mel took her hand off Heat and retreated to a corner.

"I have no idea. Unless you kidnapped me, but you don't look like one with muscles strong enough to do so."

"I guess we'll just have to test that theory as I carry you out of my house."

"Your house? Like you've ever owned something."

"My parents are virtually non-existent and this house is registered in my name."

"Where am I?"

"My home."

"I don't remember coming here, I remember the snakes attacking me and then…that's it."

"Maybe try to figure this out of my home?"

Mel stood up and headed for the door but paused when she got there.

"What?"

"You live alone with your two younger siblings…"

"Yes."

She walked closer to him.

"What's your name?"

"Heat Fury."

A smile drew on her face.

"Are you the human turned amen?"

"Yes, why?"

"Nothing."

She walked out of the room with Heat following behind. Dan and Debbie quickly jumped into the couches as the two of them walked out. They giggled as Heat walked past with Mel. When Mel went outside, Heat stood there to make sure she walked out of the huge compound. Then he returned, took the remote control and turned off the TV.

"What're you guys watching?" he asked.

"But you already turned off the TV."

"Shut it smarty pants, you know what I'm asking."

He looked at Dan, waiting for an answer.

"What? You said I should shut it."

"Do you love to sleep early?"

"James gave it to me. He said it was a very good show," Debbie said.

"A very good and age inappropriate one. Don't forget homework after supper."

"Ha! I beat you again," Dan said.

"I'm just not in the mood lately," Heat replied and walked into the kitchen.

He opened the drawers only to be greeted by empty spaces.

"Crap."

He sat on the counter, pondering his next action. His next salary was not due till about a week. He remained there, laid down on the kitchen counter for about fifteen minutes till there was a sudden knock on the kitchen window. Against the backdrop of beautiful green, Mel waved. A confused Heat got off the counter, but she wasn't there any longer. The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it."

Heat said to Debbie who was ready to go check out their guest.