the book (hosie)

solitary

Corrections Officer Josie saltzman nervously fidgeted in the descending elevator, her hands shaking slightly as she mentally prepared herself for what she was about to do. It was only the start of her second week, and already her newest task was one she didn't feel particularly comfortable with.

Josie had been told by her superiors that a new guard was needed for Overwatch's (and the World's) highest-profile prisoner: Doctor Hope mikelson.

Doctor Hope mikelson was once hailed throughout the scientific community as one of the world's greatest. However, they didn't know what happened behind the closed doors of the Irish geneticist's laboratory. A while back, it was revealed that Hope experimented on herself, as well as other humans. This lead to her immediate arrest and incarceration by Overwatch.

Hope wasn't trusted around others, and so she was placed in a special solitary confinement cell, which was located in a cell block all to herself. She had only one guard, and they stood by the door, ready to handle any situation. Most only lasted two weeks.

And now, it was Josie's turn. She composed herself as the door opened, revealing the cellblock. She walked passed the empty energy barrier cells, her eyes focused on the one sitting at the end.

Sitting cross-legged behind a purple energy barrier, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, was Hope mikelson. Her eyes were staring at the floor in front of her. However, her ears perked upon hearing footsteps and she looked up. Josie gasped as she saw her eyes were two different colors.

"Why, hello there," Hope's voice drawled. Josie grew even more nervous when the redhead gave her a wolfish grin with her greeting. "I haven't seen you here before."

Josie collected herself and stammered, "I-I'm new here."

Hope's eyebrows raised. "Really?" she asked a little shocked. "They put a newbie on my guard duty? They must really trust me."

Josie had no retort for the not-so-veiled insult. Hope only continued to smile. She uncrossed her legs and stood, towering over Josie behind the barrier.

"Wow, she's so tall!" Josie thought.

"What's your name, my dear," the redhead asked.

Josie snapped back to attention at Hope's question and answered, "Josie. Josie saltzman."

Hope's smile grew. "Josie, such a pretty name." She walked forward and pressed her hands against the barrier. Josie could see her fingertips on the see-through door.

"I would introduce myself, but I figure you already know who I am, m'aingeal," Hope said.

Josie only nodded, but Hope still asked, "Who am I?"

Josie cleared her throat. "You're Hope mikelson. You were once world-renowned for your groundbreaking work in genetics, but when your human experimentation came to the surface, you were stripped of your credentials, brought before the U.N. Human Rights Council, and incarcerated with your previous employer: Overwatch."

Hope clapped slowly. "Very good, my dear. You obviously pay attention to the news."

Josie nodded. "They also say I should be careful around you."

Hope looked at Josie with fake indignation. "Now why would they say that? I'm the most trusting person I know."

Josie shook her head slightly and turned her back towards Hope. She stood still as she counted down each minute until her shift was over and she could leave.

A few minutes later, the silence was broken when Hope asked, "Oh Jos, would it be too much trouble to get me some water? There's a dispenser down the hall in the room next to the elevator."