Breaking out of Eden.

When Hope Fails

The team gathered in mission control. We were ready; it had been five days now, five long painful days were I had to refer to Mary and Able in the past tense.

 We didn't know what to expect but we were going regardless. I knew it was stupid and irresponsible but I had too. Mary and Able were my family I wasn't leaving them in there alive.

 "OK" Matt looked at all of us. “Now this is dangerous, very dangerous. Some of us may not come back. Now if anyone wants to back down and walk away, nobody, least of all me is going to think any less of you." He pulled me to the side “Valery, you don't have to do this, you know" I was shocked. Matt hated staying out at the side line and whatever he said he hated it whenever anybody stayed on them either.

 "I have to Matt don't you know that?"

 "Valery," he gave me a pained look “No you don't have too. I just don't want you to get hurt."

 I felt my temper rise and I gave him a cold look “you mean you don't think that I can handle it." I snapped at him and he gave me a hurt look. I sighed. "I'm sorry it’s just, I have to do this they're my family. I'm not leaving them at the Serpents mercy."

 He looked away from me. "Just don't do anything stupid. OK."

 I tried to feel offended but he had a point I was known for doing rash things without thinking. I nodded and smiled at least he said I could go.

 ****

 An hour later we were there. I'll admit I was terrified but I would never tell Matt that.

 We left the car and continued our journey on foot. As we crept further into the darkness a scream broke the perfect silence. The unearthly sound got louder the further we went into the total darkness.

 We must be getting close I thought, pictures of what I thought hell would look like floated to the surface of my mind but I pushed them back. I couldn't think about that right now, not with Mary and Able in there.

 Up ahead I heard someone shout “What the hell...."

 I ran up to them. It was a recorder playing the scream. I went to turn it off but Matt caught my hand.

 "No, if we turn off the sound they will know we're here. Come on, I think I see a light up ahead.

 We moved towards the light and my jaw it the floor. There was no torture chamber, no fire, no big men with guns walking around like I had imagined. It looked like a fancy hotel. I started towards the entrance but Matt pulled me back.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" he hissed

I stared at him nonplussed "I'm going inside."

He looked at me as if I was insane, which I probably was. “No, it could be a trap."

"Well, only one way to find out," and with that I got up and ran towards the entrance causing the others to follow.

"Hello, how may I help you?" I looked around there was a small man sitting at a desk and behind him was a sign saying welcome to The Corinthian. I remembered someone at work talking to their friend about it as they bought coffee; it was the place you went to if you wanted to escape, if you were willing to pay that is. A plan began to form in my head.

"We would like two rooms please." He looked us up and down.

"Do you have a booking?" I bit my lip, thinking fast. "No but we're with the Ser...I mean the Council." I smiled and his demeanour changed completely.

“Of course mame here are you room keys. You must be the Hopes, strange; I thought you checked in a few days ago." He looked a bit confused

My whole body went cold, what did he mean the Hopes? Mary and Able were in the Crossroads waiting for death not in some posh hotel for the Serpent. I suddenly realized that he was expecting a reply but before I could say anything Matt stepped in.

"No we're not but were are here to visit them, not if you don't mind the room keys” he said with ice in his voice and an angry expression on his face.

The man looked as if he was about to cry, Matt may be young but he was scary when he wanted to be. He put his arm around me after getting the keys and led us to the elevator. Once the door closed Matt still didn't let go of me and I was grateful for it, I didn't think in my state I could stand on my own.

"What was that down there?" I looked over at Cain; he had come on the mission too. "He was talking about Mary and Able."

"I tell you what that was about" Matt growled “We were double crossed; Mary and Able Hope were working for the Serpent all along."

Then I felt it, a burning anger. I made a sound in the back of my throat and Matt looked at me

"Valery what do you want to do? Should we go back?" I looked at him "No, like I said earlier, we're not leaving them here alive.

A/N

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