Remember My Story

015

"Fall apart"

"We would slowly fall apart."

-Falling Apart by Michael Schulte

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Hope POV

       I watch as Josie's face changes from anger and bitterness to complete disbelief. "T-t-that's not possible," she splutters. Her mouth is ajar slightly and she has wide eyes. "She wanted you but you were in a happy relationship with us. So she eliminated the two things in her way, Penelope and I," I say. She stares at us for a moment longer before she closes her mouth. "Jade's not like that. She's sweet and caring and nice. There's no way she could be capable of doing something like that."

    I shake my head as I watch Josie fall apart in my arms. I mean, I get it. It's like she's living two lives. One she doesn't really remember and one that includes a person who's very loving towards her. She starts shaking and she keeps repeating the phrase, "She's not like that, right?" Everyone is silent in the room as they absorb the information. Penelope reaches out and takes Josie's trembling hands into her own. She uses her other hand to lift Josie's head.

    "Hey, you're alright. It's okay if you don't believe it. How about we let Hope show you?" Josie slowly nods to Penelope's words. "You'll be fine, princess." Penelope pats Josie gently on her hand. She lets go and my hands take her place. Penelope stands up and walks over to Caroline. They start talking softly as I start to show Josie my memory. 

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Penelope POV

      Hope starts showing Josie her memories and they close their eyes. I'm standing next to Caroline as we talk. "You guys really love her." I look at Caroline with a serious expression. "We do. I think we'd both die for her in a heartbeat." Caroline nods with a happy smile. "I don't really remember you two, but I wanted to ask, were we close? You and me?" I smile at her and nod.

     "Yes, you saved me from a pack of werewolves that killed mine." "I'm sorry, I think you told me your story but I kind of forgot. Why did they kill your pack?" "They didn't like us because we were different. We were a pack of werewolf, witch hybrids." Caroline nods. "Right."

    "I think that's why I love them so much. I mean I loved them before I knew about my past but since finding out, my love has grown. I can relate to them so much since Hope's a tribrid, she's one of a kind. And Josie's a siphon which isn't weird but it is rare." "That makes sense. I'm just worried about Josie." I tilt my head. "You're talking about the Merge aren't you." She looks at me shocked.

    "Don't ask how I know." She gives me a curious look but drops it. "I've searched for more than a decade and I still haven't found a way to stop it." My mind travels to a thought but I shut it out. But it comes out of my mouth anyway. "What if the only cure is to turn her?" Caroline looks at me with horror but I can see the sadness behind them. "No. We aren't putting her through that." "How do you know Josie will lose?" "Because look at her. She cares too much, and it's gonna get her killed." 

    "Being a heretic isn't so bad." We both turn to Valerie who's casually leaning on the wall listening in to our conversation. "Valerie right? I'm Penelope." I stick my hand out for her to shake and she takes it. "Yup, I'm Valerie. And as for the Merge, there is no way to stop it. Only the turning of one's form. This means one of them has to turn if you want both to survive."

    She walks away after that. She walks toward Alaric who's staring at Hope and Josie with angry eyes. "I also wanted to ask you something." I don't wait for her to respond as I ask her something. She answers and I turn my attention back to everyone else. 

    "What's taking so long?" Alaric is looking at my girlfriends. "I mean, Caroline, do we really believe their story? And what about their special talents? Hope's clearly a werewolf yet she's showing Josie memories like a vampire. The only explanation is that she's a hyb..." His voice trails off as an idea forms in his mind. 

    Hope lets go of Josie suddenly and she falls forward into Hope's arms. I walk over and sit beside them. Josie's silent as she lays in Hope's arms limp. Her eyes are wide. I would think she's dead if not for her breathing and her loud heartbeat. 

    "You've killed her! I know we shouldn't have trusted you! You kidnapped my daughter and now you've KILLED HER!" I flinch as I look at him. The way he's pointing his finger, the way his brow furrows with anger, and the way his face turns red reminds me too much of my father.

   The yelling doesn't help much either. "Hope." My voice comes out in a whisper so quiet that I'm not sure she heard me. I try to touch her arm but it feels as if my body froze up. Alaric continues to yell and he starts getting closer until his shadow is looming over us. Memories flash vividly in my mind. Memories of my father beating me, or memories of him yelling at me for something I did wrong. I repeat Hope's name. 

    This time she looks up and when she see's my rigid form she pulls me into her arms as well. So she's holding Josie and me both at the same time. Her hand is on the back of my head as she comforts me. "Don't worry, love. I'll deal with him. Use the necklace." She slowly stands up as I desperately grasp the necklace she gave me the day we went to Malivore. 

    A cool feeling washes over me and I feel the charm working. Soon I'm able to move and my anxiety and fear are gone. I move Josie in my arms and I look at her. "Are you okay?" She nods slowly. "Are you sure? It's okay if you're not." She looks up at me and whispers, "I don't know what to do. One side of me wants to kill Jade while the other wants to spare her." I look at her. "Well, princess, you don't have to decide. We can just expel her. So she's gone from our lives and she's still alive." Josie visibly brightens at the idea. "That sounds good."

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Rebekah POV

        "Shut up or I'll rip your tongue from your mouth." Hope's voice sends shivers down my back. She sounds exactly like her father. But the threat. does not have the intended effect. Alaric doesn't stop but instead turns his voice towards Hope. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?" "Alaric, I would stop if I were you," Caroline warns. "I'm a vampire hunter, I think I can handle a werewolf." Caroline shakes her head and says, "Alright, just don't say I didn't warn you."

     "I would listen to her Ric. Because if you don't I'll do it for her. Except it won't be your tongue, it'll be your bloody head."  He turns to look at me and I smile sweetly at him. "I like her." Valerie's voice gives me goosebumps. It's been a while since I've heard her voice yet it still has the same effect on me.

      I turn my smile on her and she smiles back. Her smile sends butterflies flailing around in my stomach. "I would listen to her, Alaric. It doesn't seem like she's messing around." I shake my head as I remember that year in Italy. 

150 years ago...

A/N: Hi loves! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you have any suggestions, ideas, or questions please comment them.