Never Giving Up Hope

Chapter 1

The bright light was overwhelming and Landon had no idea where he was and what happened. As his blurry vision started to return, he noticed some familiar faces around him in the room. He recognized Josie at first and he knew he was in a room in the Salvatore School. Candles were flickering around him and the air was thick with the smell of herbs and smoke. Hot burning ash was scattered all around him. Something about it was familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Landon wasn't the only one who was confused, Josie seemed to be disoriented as well. A girl Landon did not recognize rushed to Josie and placed her hands on Josie's shoulders, then she was stroking her arm lovingly. Josie's confusion quickly disappeared and she took a deep relieved breath as she looked right into Landon's eyes.

"Landon! Welcome back." Josie smiled, but Landon had no clue about what happened. He looked around in the room, recognizing more and more people. MG, Kaleb, Jed, Wade and even Cleo were all there but somehow she felt like someone was missing.

"Hope?" Landon's first instinct was to ask for her, to say her name. His memories slowly started to surface. He remembered darkness... endless darkness. Then he escaped but only to find himself in a prison world full of monsters all after him. He was terrified every moment he spent there, trying to escape, hide and eventually learn to fight the monsters... but the worst monster got him. His father, Malivore. And he was in the endless darkness again. Malivore tormented him with his worst nightmares and he knew there was only one way this could end. Malivore had to die and Landon had to die with him. The only person who could kill Malivore was Hope... the love of his life. The last thing Landon wanted was for Hope to become a full tribrid. He knew Hope wasn't ready for that just yet, she didn't want to be a vampire at such a young age. And he dreaded to think about the trauma Hope might have if she was forced to kill him... if she had to lose another person she loved. Landon hoped there was another way, but sadly it was the only way... His last memories were about her. Hope telling him she loved him. She kissed him... then she stabbed him. It was over and Landon died with overwhelming love in his heart for the only girl she ever loved. But why was he back? And where was Hope? He wanted to ask Josie, but words came rather difficult for him.

"Umm... Let's get you settled first." Josie kept smiling, avoiding mentioning Hope. "It was hell of a dark magic getting you back from the dead. You can thank the Necromancer. I've been studying his grimoire. I think we both need some rest. After that we'll explain everything." Josie said and Landon nodded without objecting.

Everyone in the room greeted Landon. They were hugging him saying it was good to have him back. Landon didn't really know what to say. He came back from the dead many times before, but this was different. He didn't remember what it was like to be dead, but he knew it was final... he was supposed to be at peace and he was somehow pulled away from that peace. He was still very disoriented but if this meant that he could see Hope one last time, it was worth giving up peace for.
The squad eventually left Landon to rest in a room. It wasn't his own room, but it was one of the school bedrooms. He cleaned up and dressed in some of his own clothes he found in the drawers. Probably Josie arranged it for him. Almost everyone from the super squad was there earlier except her and he couldn't stop thinking about her and their last moments together. Landon hated that Hope had to kill him, he remembered her eyes now... the moment she stabbed him. It daunted him... something about her eyes were terrifying. He just needed to see her. The others said he should rest, so he tried laying down on the bed in the room until he felt more like himself and his confusion passed. He couldn't wait anymore, he had to know if Hope was all right.
Landon made his way to Josie and Lizzie's bedroom. When he knocked on the door, that unknown girl opened it, who comforted Josie after the dark spell.

"Josie's here?" Landon asked and the girl opened the door wide so Landon could see Josie sitting on her bed.

"I'm Finch. Josie's girlfriend." The girl introduced herself. "It's nice to finally meet you." Landon nodded with a forced smile then he made his way to Josie. He sat on Lizzie's bed opposed to Jo.