The Hellhound

Hope or Misery

In just that one word, that one simple word, the rest of the room had been reduced to nothing but background noise. The movement, the laughter, the lights...everything else ceased to exist the moment I turned around. I saw her, standing there in the midst of all the chaos. Her lips stretched back into the widest grin the moment she saw me; a genuine grin that reached the light in her eyes.

Emerging behind her was the taller redhead, who came to a halt. The grin on her lips could've rivaled Sage's the moment her eyes landed on Ryan.

Just like that, the two of them were running. I pushed forward, brushing past anyone in my way and knocking shoulders with more people than I could count. But I couldn't have cared less. The moment we collided had made every second worth it. Every jolt of pain through my ankle, every nasty look...I'd have done it all again.

"Oh, Ro." Her breath was hot and shaking against my neck and I only tightened my arms around her. The feeling of her heart thudding against mine was a welcomed feeling. Her fingers tangled themselves in my hair, burying her face in my chest. "I'm glad you're okay."

I held her a little longer, giving us ample time to revel in this moment. Although eventually, I reluctantly backed up a step. I was still close enough to reach up, cupping her cheek and running a thumb along her jaw.

"Are you-?" I cut myself off, searching her face a moment before holding her at arm's length, looking her over. The blood had been cleaned up, as had everything else. Dirt and ash had been brushed from her brown hair and the cut on her forehead had been tended to. Her clothes had been changed, leaving her in a clean T-shirt and jeans. "Okay," I sighed, brushing strands of hair from her face. "You're okay."

Sage breathed out a chuckle and pressed her forehead to mine. "Always so protective, Ro." That smooth voice and airy laugh was the warmest feeling in the room at that moment. Her arms tightened around my waist until the distance between us was swallowed entirely. "I missed you, too."

I could've stayed like that forever, just lost in the tightness of her grip and the warmth of her body against mine. But unfortunately, the moment came to an end all too soon when another voice spoke up. "Alright, kiddo."

With a weight in my chest at the sound, I pulled away from Sage's touch. It was Ryan who'd spoken. Mira was cozied up against him, grinning ear to ear and perched contently under his arm. Her cheeks glistened ever so slightly under the bright lights, but her eyes remained locked on her brother.

"Good to see you, Simone," he greeted my girlfriend with a nod and an honest grin. "Glad to see you're alright. All of you." After giving his sister another tight squeeze that she happily leaned into, Ryan gestured towards the door. "Come on, then. Promised Sargent I'd get you taken care of, didn't I?"

And so with that, I'd taken a hold of Simone's hand as he led the three of us back out of the restless mess hall and into the quiet corridor beyond the double doors. The moment they swung shut, the subtle hum of the fluorescent lights were the only sound we were left with. That, at least, I could find myself grateful for.

The walk had taken longer than I'd been hoping it would, though I supposed I was likely the reason. If I wasn't careful, the pain would flare up again and I'd stagger to a halt against the wall. Simone, for the most part, had managed to keep me upright as well as keeping my attention off the pain. She talked endlessly about everything that had happened since we'd arrived at the bunker.

We'd arrived through a massive ramp, nestled between the rocks of a cliff. According to Simone, I'd dozed off about thirty minutes away from the bunker. Soldiers had greeted us the moment the doors slid shut, unloading us from the vehicles and eventually, to our rooms. Sage, along with Mira, had been able to shower and get cleaned up at the clinic after Sargent had informed them that a doctor had arrived.