One Last Hope

Chapter 22

⭐"I'm sorry that somebody you loved made you think it was hard to love you."⭐
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This morning, I'm still as anxious as ever.  I didn't get much sleep last night! I had the most awful dreams.

I was being chased through the house by a family of zombies or serving meals to the Bartholys....

This food thing is really getting to me...

All the little details that I put together are forcing me to think about who my hosts really are. And the darkness that surrounds them...

I see Sarah coming to meet me. She looks in much better shape than I am. But I guess that's not too hard!

Sarah: "Hey, Nora! How was your night?"

Awesome! I went through the garbage and then didn't sleep a wink all night!

Nora: "I really need to talk to you. I've been desperate to see you since yesterday!"

Sarah: "What's going on with you? You're so jumpy!"

Nora: “You're never going to believe this...“

Sarah can see how frazzled I am. My lack of sleep, along with my recent discoveries, have put me in a stinker of a mood!

Sarah: "It would take a lot. I'm usually pretty open-minded."

I'm not sure how to admit to her that I was wrong. It isn't easy...

I decide to the plunge. I know she'll be relieved, no doubt delighted, to see me I've come to her way of thinking.

Nora: "I should have listened to you..."

As soon as these words are out of my mouth, Sarah turns as white as a ghost.

Sarah: "What happened? Are you okay?"

Nora: "Yes, don't worry!"

Sarah: "Phew! What's this all about?"

Nora: "I had another fight with Lorie. The kid's a mess..."

Sarah: "She takes after her brothers!"

I don't see Peter and Drogo as being related, but I'm much less skeptical about the blood ties between Drogo and his little sister...

We make our way slowly through the campus on our way to our first class.

Nora: "She never eats anything. She won't even touch a slice of bread."

Sarah: "I told you."

Nora: "Yes, but you didn't say anything specific! You only made a few allusions..."

Sarah: "I thought you'd read between the lines. I warned you."

Nora: "Sarah, I know... I don't need you make me feel down about myself, okay? I'm already feeling upset enough as it is..."

Sarah shrugs her shoulders, but I can sense that she's angry.

I continue, ignoring Sarah's aggressive attitude. I need to talk to someone about this. I need to clear my thoughts.

Nora: "They don't eat. You were right about that. It struck me yesterday and I just couldn't believe it. So I went to check the garbage containers. There was a heap of bags... and red stains... not to mention an unbearable smell..."