Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 34: Execution

"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

-Confucius

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They all arrive back at the house in Rebekah's car, filing out and heading towards the front door, Hope leading the way.

She reaches out to grab the doorknob, and the door creaks open. She feels her muscles tense as she puts a hand back to stop everyone behind her. She looks to Rebekah before whispering, "Did you lock the door when we left?"

Rebekah nods, "I always do."

An eerie feeling overtakes Hope's body. Something's wrong.
She whispers again, "Someone's been here."

Hope looks back to the door, hearing Rebekah step closer behind her, "We need to check the house for monsters."

Hope nods before glancing to Josie and Lizzie, giving them a look that says 'stay behind me.' The two of them nod in understanding, giving Hope barely enough comfort to look back to the door, pushing it further open.

She takes a step inside first. The house is dark, since it's nighttime now and they shut out the lights before leaving earlier.

A few steps in, Hope notices a figure sitting in a living room chair. She reaches back to place a protective hand on Josie as she flashes her werewolf eyes to see, "Roman?" She drops her hands and flips on the light, clearly seeing the back of her ex's head facing her. Everyone can feel their bodies relax seeing that it's just him.
He doesn't move, so Hope takes a step closer, "How the hell did you even get in here? I never invited you in."

Josie can see the confused expression on Hope's face when Roman doesn't turn to face her, doesn't speak to answer her.

"Roman?" Hope takes another step forward, reaching a hand out toward him, "Roman, are you oka—" A gasp falls from Hope's lips when her hand grasps Roman's shoulder, turning him around just enough for her to see a stake through his chest, his face desiccated, jaw flaccid, eyes wide open but lacking life.

Everyone in the room loses the breath in their lungs at the sight, freezing in place.

Everyone except for Hope, who shakes her head as her voice breaks, "No—no, Roman, wake up," She standing in front of his body, reaching a hand out to cup his cheek, wincing at the cold she feels from his skin, "Roman, wake up," She bends her legs to crouch to his level. Her breathing wavers as tears build up in her eyes, "No..." She continues to shake her head, "No, no, Roman wake up! I'm so sorry, please!" She leans down, clinging to him as she breaks down into a sob.

Lizzie covers her mouth, tears falling down her cheeks seeing Hope like this.

Josie can feel her heart shatter for Hope, as she cries with her. She quickly makes her way to her side trying to pull her away from Roman's body, but Hope has—for lack of a better term—a death grip on him.

Rebekah and Caroline manage to pry her away, with Rebekah wrapping Hope in her arms as she cries out in agony, her body shaking in shock. Rebekah tucks Hope into her chest, trying to keep her from looking at the body, "I'm so sorry, love. I'm so sorry." She continues to whisper into her ear, looking up and blinking to try and control her own tears at seeing Hope like this, yet again, "Oh god, I'm so sorry."

Alaric and Caroline examine Roman's body, closing his eyes and seeing that the stake has a carving in the handle: the Triad symbol. They give each other a knowing look...
This is a warning to Hope.

Hope grows so weak in her aunt's arms that Rebekah feels the need to guide them both to the ground, Josie following suit embracing Hope from behind, feeling Hope immediately lean into her touch.