The Long Lost Tribrid

28. There she is

Hope's Pov:

I stirred gently on the couch where Josie, Reece, and I had fallen into a peaceful slumber. My arms instinctively tightened around Josie's warm form, while Reece's small body rested comfortably between my legs. A soft, cozy blanket was draped over her tiny frame, providing a sense of security. Josie's whisper that she'd be right back barely registered in my sleepy state. The soft daylight filtering through the long, elegant drapes created a serene atmosphere, lulling me back into a light doze. After enduring restless nights in the confines of the cell, I granted myself the luxury of a few more hours of much-needed rest. The soothing quiet of the room was eventually broken by hushed voices, gradually pulling me from my slumber. As consciousness slowly returned, I became aware that the familiar weight on my legs had vanished—Reece must have risen earlier.

My eyelids fluttered open, adjusting to the gentle light of the room. As my vision cleared, I took in the heartwarming sight before me: Josie, Lizzie, Jade, and Penelope were huddled together on the floor, wrapped in soft blankets and nursing steaming cups of coffee. Their presence filled me with a sense of comfort and belonging that I had sorely missed.

"There she is," Lizzie said, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with warmth and relief. As if on cue, everyone's gaze shifted towards me, their eyes brimming with a mixture of concern and joy. The overwhelming emotions coursing through me manifested in a pained yet genuine laugh, a release of the tension I'd been holding onto for so long.

"I missed you guys so much," I confessed, my voice thick with emotion. The words had barely left my lips before I found myself enveloped in a group hug, their arms wrapping around me tightly, as if afraid I might disappear again. The physical contact, the warmth of their bodies, and the love radiating from them was almost overwhelming after my time away.

As the intensity of the moment subsided, we all settled onto the floor, cocooned in soft blankets. The familiar comfort of being surrounded by my friends was a balm to my weary soul. Jade, her voice gentle, informed me that the boys were currently engaged in training at the arena, explaining their absence from our impromptu gathering.

"How are you?" Lizzie asked, her blue eyes searching mine with sisterly concern. She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Are you okay—as much as you can be?" The question hung in the air, loaded with unspoken worry and understanding of the ordeal I had been through.

"I'm dealing," I responded, mustering a smile that, despite the lingering pain, felt genuine. My gaze swept over the faces of my friends, my family, as I continued, "I'm back home with the people I love the most. It might take some time, but I know I'll be okay." The words were as much a reassurance to myself as they were to them.

We continued our conversation, enjoying the warmth of each other's company. As we chatted, I noticed movement from the corner of my eye. Emily, Reece, and Nick were approaching us, their faces a mixture of curiosity and relief. They made their way towards our little gathering, each finding a spot to settle. Nick chose to sit on the couch behind me, his presence a comforting reminder of our shared ordeal. Emily joined him, her quiet strength adding to the sense of security I felt. Reece, ever the bundle of energy, bounded over to me with a bright smile that lit up her entire face. Without hesitation, she leaped onto my lap, snuggling close as if to reassure herself that I was really there.

Penelope's eyes sparkled with interest as she took in the sight of the little girl. "Who's this little cutie?" she asked, her voice soft and welcoming.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could get more than a few words out, Reece beat me to it. "This is Reece, we shared a cell together—" I began, only to be cut off by the enthusiastic child.

"We shared a cell and Hope was my hero!" Reece exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration and excitement. It was clear that she was thrilled to be surrounded by people who meant her no harm, a stark contrast to our recent experiences.

The room filled with laughter at Reece's proclamation, the sound a balm to my weary soul. As the chuckles subsided, I noticed Nick leaning forward, his expression a mix of fondness and something deeper - perhaps a shared understanding of what we'd been through. I found myself focusing intently on what he was about to say, curious about which of our experiences he might choose to share.

"Hope protected us," Nick began, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "She took all the pain and endured it herself so Reece and I didn't have to." He paused for a moment, his eyes meeting mine, before a hint of mischief crept into his expression. "I do have a funny memory, though," he added, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Instantly, I knew which story he was referring to. "Oh no, do not tell that story," I shrieked, a mix of embarrassment and amusement coloring my voice. Despite the gravity of our situation at the time, the memory he was about to share had become something of an inside joke between us.

Before I could protest further, I felt small hands cover my mouth. Reece, her eyes twinkling with mirth, declared, "Let him tell it, it was funny despite the moment." Her infectious enthusiasm was impossible to resist.

"Fine," I conceded, shooting Nick a playful glare. Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself looking forward to hearing the story from his perspective. It was a reminder that even in the darkest times, we had managed to find moments of levity.

Nick settled back into the couch, his posture relaxing as he prepared to recount the tale. "Okay, so it was right after Hope had taken a rough beating," he began, his voice taking on a storyteller's cadence. As he spoke, the memory seemed to come alive, transporting us all back to that moment in the cell.

"Nick bit into his own wrist, offering it to me without hesitation. I grasped his arm weakly, looking up at him for confirmation. When he nodded encouragingly, I gently bit into his wrist. The metallic taste of his blood filled my mouth, familiar yet different from human blood. As I began to drink, I could feel my strength gradually returning, my wounds slowly knitting themselves back together. I started to pull away, not wanting to take too much, but Nick whispered for me to continue. 'Take more,' he urged softly, 'You need it.'

Gratefully, I complied, feeling a surge of power course through my veins as my body eagerly absorbed the healing properties of vampire blood. I curled into a fetal position, continuing to drink until Nick gently tapped my head, signaling me to stop. With great care, I licked around his wound, cleaning the remaining blood before the punctures healed completely.

"Damn, killer," Nick chuckled softly, a hint of admiration in his voice, "you'd think you were a vampire yourself with that technique."

"Sorry," I mumbled, feeling a mix of gratitude and slight embarrassment. "I could feel my strength coming back. I mean, I can feel power coursing through my veins now. It's... intense. I think... I think I might have enough to get us out of here," I said, a small spark of hope igniting in my mind for the first time in months."

As Nick finished recounting the story, the room erupted into laughter once again. The sound was cathartic, a release of tension that we all desperately needed. While we were all acutely aware of the gravity behind why Nick had been giving me his blood, there was an unspoken agreement to focus on the lighter aspects of the memory. It was a testament to our resilience, our ability to find humor and connection even in the darkest of circumstances.

As the laughter subsided, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for these people around me. They were more than friends; they were family. Their presence, their laughter, their willingness to listen and understand - it all served as a powerful reminder that I was no longer alone, no longer trapped. I was home.