The Sound of Our Souls

Can you stay with me?

Josie only felt pain, she wasn't sure where it was coming from, it was a type of pain she had never experienced, sure she had been shot before, but that was nothing like this. She opened her eyes slowly examining her surroundings, soon noticing that she was in the familiarity of her room. It took her a while to sit up, though when she did, she instantly regretted it, a stabbing pain invaded her abdomen. At first, she felt confused, until she remembered everything that had happened the night before, in her mind it all seemed like a dream, but the throbbing wound in her belly was a pitiful reminder that what happened had been completely real.

Despite the discomfort of standing up, Josie did so, it took her a few moments to get used to the sensation, it seemed she had suddenly forgotten how to walk. With somewhat uncertain steps she left her room. She wandered the halls of the school not knowing where to go exactly, she kept prowling the corridors until she heard some familiar voices, without having to think twice she opened the office door and hurried inside. When she entered the murmuring stopped, however, Josie noticed that before her arrival Hope and Alaric were arguing. It must have been a big argument because she noted Hope was breathing heavily and her dad was clenching his fists, his fingernails digging his skin. Nevertheless, as soon as he saw her, he relaxed and gave her a big hug, Josie could sense the concern that conquered his gaze.

"Hey," Alaric said gently as he took her face in his hands and checked it out in search of any injury "you should be resting, what are you doing here?"

"Mmmm, I was just walking around the school, I wanted to see if I could find someone I knew. When I woke up I was...alone. What were you talking about?"

"Nothing important, I was just discussing with Hope the details of what happened in the prison world"

Out of the corner of her eye, Josie could see Hope shrugging her shoulders. Suddenly she noticed that someone was missing from the room.

"Where's Lizzie?" she asked.

Alaric's body began to tremble, he looked at the floor and his voice came out almost like a bellow "She's not here. I think Hope can explain why when she takes you to your room"

Hope gave him a look full of resentment, but finally sighed and took Josie's arm gently "Come on, Josie, your dad is right you should rest"

"But..." Josie didn't get a chance to say another word. In the blink of an eye, Hope's grip had strengthened, and was frantically leading her down the corridor to her room.

"Hope, wait, we have to slow down"

"We have to get to your room, you need to lie down"

"Hope, stop" Despite her best efforts Hope wouldn't stop. Josie could even swear she was walking faster and faster.

"Hope, you're hurting me," it seemed like those words were the first to register in Hope's mind because suddenly the auburn-hair girl stopped walking.

"I'm sorry," Hope said apologetically, Josie noticed that she was trying her best not to look her in the eyes.

"Don't worry about it" Josie realized that thanks to the speed with which Hope had led them through the halls they were already outside her room "do you want to come in," Josie said, pointing with her head to the bedroom door.

"I don't think that's a good idea"

"Come on, my dad said you had to take me to my room"

"We're in your room"

"We're outside my room," Josie opened the door and held it that way, inviting Hope in.

Hope let out a loud sigh and reluctantly entered the bedroom.