Saving U(S)

Chapter Six

Get out... Get out... Get out...

Voices whispered around Hope, their darkness enclosing all around her.

Get out... Get out...

"What's going on?!" Hope cried. "What's happening to me?!"

"Get out!!! GET OUT!!! GET OUUUUUT!!!!!"

Hope screamed and covered her ears, but the voices kept ringing in her head, Get out! Get out!

"Shut up!! Shut up!!!" she screamed.

Hope curled up in a ball, the voices all around her.

"Please," she whispered. "Someone save me from the monsters..."

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"You okay, Baby Horse?" Ashlyn asked, gently squeezing Alex's thigh.

Alex nodded, gripping the steering wheel til her knuckles were white.

"You sure?"

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, I don't know," Ashlyn snorted. "Your girlfriend is AWOL, your husband is here, and you haven't gotten any sleep since Sunday. If j were you, I would not be okay."

Alex sighed and pushed her hair out of her face.

"I'm fine, Ashlyn. Really."

Alex parked the car near the A gate and turned off the ignition.

For awhile they sat in silence. Finally, Alex spoke.

"I'm sorry, Ash. It's just been really stressful these past few days. I can't stop thinking about Tobin, not even for a minute, and now, Servando is here, and although I want Tobin, I made a commitment to him! He doesn't know about 'Talex'! I can't hurt him with that! I love him too much... Ash, what do I do??" she asked, staring at her desperately.

Ashlyn was taken aback. She had never known Alex to be so stressed. The skilled forward had always kept her cool in the heated tournaments, and it almost scared Ashlyn to think otherwise.

"Well, first, stop using the word 'Talex'. It makes you sound like a crazy fangirl," Ashlyn tried to joke.

Alex rested her chin on the steering wheel.

"What about Tobin?" she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.

Ashlyn hesitated before pulling Alex into a hug.

"You'll be okay," she said. "But for now, don't worry too much. Tobin would have a fit if she knew how sleep deprived you are."

Alex nodded and sighed, pulling away from Ashlyn's embrace.

"I am really tired."

"See?" Ashlyn playfully punched her in the shoulder. "I'm sure Servando will make sure you get 'a nice long rest'."

Alex laughed and shook her head.

"I sure hope so..."

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Christen cried into Julie's shoulder as she held her close.

"I don't want to die," she whispered, choking back tears. "I want to grow up, I want to be with you and the team. I'm only 26... I c-can't leave now..."

Julie rested her chin on Christen's head.

"Don't worry, baby," she said softly, stroking her hair. "I've got you. We'll be okay. We'll be okay."

Christen clung to Julie, not wanting to let go, in fear of losing herself in the flood of her own tears.

"JJ, I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too, Chris," Julie replied.

"And you would never hurt yourself, right?"

Julie pulled back, surprised.

"What do you mean?"

Christen stared at her, her chocolate brown eyes staring right into Julie's soul.

"Jules, I know..."

"You know what??"

"That you hurt yourself... Ali over heard you crying and screaming..."

Julie looked away.

"Babe," Christen choked, her voice cracking. "I love you so much... Please don't hurt yourself..."

"You don't understand," Julie said, her voice husky. "I was scared I'd lose you."

Christen forced Julie to look her in the eyes. She held out her arm.

"If you cut yourself," she said, "you cut me."