Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 56: Mombie

"How did you meet dad?"

Josie has truly been enjoying her time with Jo, and she can easily pick out the similarities between her biological mother and herself. It's nice to gain a new sense of who she is and where she really came from.

"Believe it or not, we met at a party. Elena had dragged him out of the house that night. And I thought he kind of looked like Indiana Jones."

Josie laughs at that. The woman she's talking to now, there's no way this is a monster. She's kind and funny and caring.

Why was Hope so worried?

Jo picks up on Josie's sudden thoughtfulness, but decides not to draw attention to it, "Is there someone special in your life?"

Josie can't help but smile at the thought of Hope, "That's a loaded and complicated question, but if I were to give you the most simple answer...yes, there is."

They continue their stroll near the wickery field, and Jo suddenly takes a seat at the bottom of the bleachers, patting the spot next to her for Josie to join, "Humor me?"

Josie sits down next to her mother, seeing a sincere curiosity in her eyes, "Well...there's this girl, but we aren't exactly together right now, not officially at least. We broke up a while back, but it still feels like we're very much a couple. I trust her more than anyone in the world, and I feel safe when I'm with her...even though our circumstances should make me feel otherwise at times."

Jo studies her daughter for a moment before voicing the inkling she felt earlier, "It's Hope, isn't it?"

"How'd you know?"

"Mother's instinct, I suppose," Jo shrugs, smiling over to her daughter, who pauses at her words, "It's okay, Josie. Caroline is your mom, and she did a wonderful job raising you and your sister."

Josie lightens up a little, "Lizzie's exactly like her...You'd never be able to tell that she's not her biological mother."

"And you take after me," Jo gives her a proud look, and a wide smile forms on Josie's lips.

"I'm really glad you're here, that I'm able to get to know you."

"Me too, sweetheart. I never thought this would be possible, but here we are." After a moment of sitting in comfortable silence, Jo notices a piece of jewelry wrapped around her daughter's neck, "Where'd you get that necklace? It's beautiful."

Josie reaches to grasp the pendant, "Hope gave it to me for my birthday. It's a family heirloom, a witch's talisman." Jo studies it for a moment, noting the familiarity she senses in it. She's seen it before, but she doesn't know where. "...Speaking of Hope, we should probably head towards the school to see if she's found any answers about how you're here."

The two make their way toward the school, and Jo can feel her mind slowly cracking, and when they are approaching the front doors to the school, the feeling becomes almost unbearable, and Jo stops walking,

"Jo, are you alright?"

Jo doesn't move, but she slowly brings her eyes to meet Josie's, shaking her head no, and her voice comes out as a barely audible whisper, "I think something's wrong."

Josie is hit by a wave or worry, "Let's just go find Hope, okay?"

Josie helps her mom into the school and towards the library, "Hope?"

She sees Hope turn around in her seat, standing up as soon as she sees the concern on Josie's face, "What's wrong?"

Hope makes her way to the two of them, obviously eyeing Josie all over in search of any wounds, "I'm fine, but Jo—"