Thinking your thoughts

Mrs. Shlotman

     It's heavenly to have my baby back. Hugging her felt like a physical weight lifted off of me. It's perfect, so perfect. She looked so different... so pained. She looked stricken as we walked in. What had he done to her? I need to get her home. I want us to be a family again. I doubt I'll ever comfortably let her out of my sight again.
      She looks mortified. Like she wanted me close, but was afraid? It just want to hug her closer. So I do.
      "Oh baby... your ok, your okay, we're ok..." I cry into her hair. I'm trying to comfort me as much as I'm trying to comfort her. It feels so good to have her near me again. Whatever he did to her... it's over now. We're together again and that's all that matters.
      What did he do to scare her like this?! What happened? Did he hurt her? We shuffled out of the apartment together. I need to see my baby safe at home tonight. I need to get a good nights sleep.
      In all the confusion and reunification, Jessica elected to explain to us the situation later. I can't imagine trying to figure it out now. Hope obviously wasn't ready yet either. I was burning to talk to her, but I know she needed time. It would be better for her to talk to me without nagging.
      We get to the elevator, and I press the button to go down. I look at us, finally together again, and I'm happy. I noticed Hope was still staring at Jessica. I was so glad to have her back, however damaged... but, there was something off. Well... of course! I was being stupid. She had just gone through a traumatic experience, she wouldn't be the same right off the bat. I'm dumb for expecting her to be the same.
       The doors started to close. I looked back at Jessica, right as she started sprinting towards us. What was wrong? Then my eyes landed on Hope. Why... why did she have a gun? The doors close.
       "Hope, what are you... why do you have..." I barely choke out. This isn't my daughter. This... this isn't her. This isn't my track star, loving daughter. Why would she have a gun?! What... and then she pointed it at her own father... and shot. No, no, no! I can't talk. I can't move. She shoots him again, and again. I'm rooted to the floor. Then she points it at me.
      "... n-no. No, no..." I stutter. She stands there, covered in his blood. He's on the floor... he can't be dead. There's so much blood... why is she doing this?! How is this happening? My gaze flicks between him and her. She looks terrified, and in pain. I'm numb. I hear the gun go off, once, twice, but I don't feel it. I sink to the floor. My body crumples. It's just a tiny moment of pain, then nothing.
Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter of mrs. Shlotman's take on this event. Again, please comment your thoughts and how I can improve! Thanks for reading!