The mystery of little Hope

Chapter One

Today had simply not been Hope's day, no matter what she did it seemed like small things were just out to annoy her. It took all of her will power to not simply lash out at whoever or whatever was annoying her at that particular moment, or worse yet let that other side of herself escape. The other side of herself that she kept away from everyone. That side of her had stopped screaming at her all day, no matter how much Hope wished that voice would just be quiet and that was part of the reason for Hope's frayed nerves and quick temper. Not her wolf, that voice was always more cooperative and had been silent, no it was the little insistent voice inside her that wanted, demanded to be let out, burst into tears, cuddle her plushie wolf toy with her pacifier for extra comfort. More than anything Hope wanted to give into that, but she couldn't, classes demanded her attention, and she could not afford to show her little side to anyone not only was it a hug embarrassment, normal people even super-natural people did not feel this way, but it was also a major weakness. As the daughter of Klaus Michealson, she could not afford to show any weakness, or it would get everyone she cared about killed. Hope had made that mistake once; she was determined not to make it again. It was expected of her as well, whenever something happened, Hope was the one that everyone turned to, pretty close to begging her to protect them. Expecting her to be strong, powerful, and unwavering often expecting her to do things they would not or could not do. So, she had ignored her little voice and had forced herself to continue on with her terrible day.

With the school day ended Hope had decided to let her wolf of its leash, she had of course received permission from Alaric first, she had wolfed out running round the Salvator schools immense grounds especially enjoying zig zagging around trees in the wooded areas. When Hope got board of running she changed back, immediately annoyed that her general annoyance at everything had not left her. Usually, Hope had found that wolfing out left her with a calm tranquillity. A peace of mind that usually defeated all signs of annoyance or anger Hope might have been feeling before wolfing out, but not today. Sighing Hope decided that she would go back to her room, maybe sleep was the answer.

The corridors were quiet as Hope walked towards her room, it was not terribly late only around eight oclock but by this time almost everyone had vacated the corridors having decided where they would be for the evening. Approaching the dining area, Hope saw Penelope and Josie sat at a table in lively discussion. Penelope had returned from Europe a few weeks ago enrolling at the Salvator school. Hope felt an overwhelming wave of jealousy at the sight of them, but which one she was more jealous of was unclear to Hope. Just as quickly as the ware of jealousy and with even more some came her little voice, wanting desperately now to be let out to play.

"Hope. "

Both girls noticed her presence at the same time and called her over to them.

"Where have you been?" Penelope asked as Josie all but pulled Hope into the seat next to her, in between Penelope and Josie, Hope began to tell Penelope of her day, letting it all out and explaining about wolfing out, there were really only two people alive that had the ability to make Hope spill her guts like this, and she was sat next to both of them. Both Josie and Penelope listened intently as she talked making sympathetic noises at times. The only thing that Hope kept secret from them was her suspicion that the route has cause for her bad day was her little side, not even to them did she feel comfortable talking about that, not that it mattered anyway just talking to Josie and Penelope made Hope feels safe, unfortunately for Hope that safety merely emboldened her belligerent little self. Suddenly ,midsentence Hope felt the inevitable she was sliding down into little space in front of her two crushes and there was nothing she could do about it, nor in that moment did she really want to.

Penelope was more than a little surprised when the usually stoic Hope mid-sentence began to burst into tears and even more surprised when Hope got up from her seat, still crying, dashing towards her, arms outstretched. Despite her shock Penelope instantaneously pulled Hope into a tight embrace. Making soft shushing noises Penelope tried to reassure Hope, she pulled the smaller girl onto her knee, thankful of Hope's somewhat diminutive size. Penelope felt hot tears on her neck as she cradled the tearful girl in her arms.