↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐋𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐕 ー 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫

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Hope's POV

I'm human. I'm safe. I belong.

This is what I tell myself every morning as soon as I wake up, then again at night following the routine check of every lock and window in my room.

It's a mantra that resets my mind whenever I'm uneasy or in need of a gentle reminder. It's something positive I created for myself.

I've been saying it more ever since the Shadows broke into our home and turned our lives upside down. Since that night I've noticed changes. I'm not entirely the same anymore.

I can be a daughter and a niece, I can be a lover or a fighter. Sometimes throwing a punch isn't enough. Sometimes I'm forced to do things I'm not proud of.

For the sake of my family, I'll act first and think later.

○ ○ ○

"Need anything baby?"

"I'm okay thank you." I smile at Rosa.

She returns to the space beside me and takes my hand in hers, running her thumb over my knuckles. Touch soothes me. Luckily, Rosa always has to be touching me in some way.

"Mom are you sure you're feeling up to it?"

She blinks and looks over, but her eyes aren't entirely focused. "I'll be fine."

"You're allowed to miss a meeting if you want to."

"It's not your job to worry over me."

"It is when you're taking it out on the couch."

She stops plucking at the edge of the cushion with a guilty face. My dad pushes out a heavy breath before sitting next to her.

"Waiting on Gray to do his hair," he murmurs to her.

Mom frowns. "It was done."

"He didn't like it."

My mom sighs and drums her fingers against her knee. He's quick to blanket her hand with his own. She visibly relaxes and leans into him.

"You don't have to come with us. I know you don't like Ryan."

"I want to do this with you."

"Alright." He kisses her forehead. "Any sign of trouble and you're out of there."

"Perfect every time." My uncle disturbs the moment with his shamelessly loud voice.

"I like your hair," Rosa quips.

"Isn't that sweet."

I snort. "She's mocking you."

"And I'm ignoring you." He smiles sarcastically at me. "Let's go. I've been wanting to take a swing at this asshole for weeks."

My mom blows us a kiss. If not for the grip on my dad's hand I wouldn't know she's not feeling her best. She's good at that. Carrying on like there isn't a weight on her shoulders. I hope I'll be as strong as her.