My Queen (Posie)

Chapter 22: The Cage

"Josie. It's fine. I'll be fine." Penelope tried to comfort a sobbing Josie. They both sat on Penelope's bed back at her dorm. It had been 24 hours since they left the hospital.

"Fine! This isn't fine!" She turned to her father. "You want to look her up like she's an animal?! Over my dead body!"

"This is the only way to ensure that the people of this school are safe without shutting Penelope out." Alaric sighed.

"He's right Jo. I'll be fine I swear." Penelope tried to smile but failed.

Josie lifted herself from the bed and threw her hands down in frustration.

"Listen Josie you can go and visit her everyday until the poison is passed. We have to be reasonable about this. The Montors are obviously planning an attack so we have to take precautions. Besides, Penelope is probably safer down there."

"Down there in that cage! You're putting her in a fucking cage!" Josie spat. Everyone was taken aback by those words. Josie rarely cussed but she never ever said the f word.

Penelope now stood up and faced Josie.

"I'm sorry Jo but this isn't your choice. I'm going. I'm going and I'm gonna be fine. Andddddd you are going to visit me everyday." She grabbed Josie's hand and faced Alaric.

"Shall we?" She smiled.

Alaric nodded and Josie shook her head. How the hell could she be so positive about this?

^^^

There ,in the bottom of the school, was the "dungeon", "cage", "prison". It was called many things. Josie despised this place. Josie liked to live her would of rainbows and sunshine. Sure she wasn't and idiot. She knew the world was cruel. But she didn't like that part. This place was cruel. The cage was about as big as a regular living room, except with rusted metal, a thin bed, and an aluminum toilet. Josie was disgusted. She knew it probably wasn't a big deal considering the circumstances but she couldn't bare seeing Penelope here.

Alaric had opened the door and the three of them walked into the cage, Hope stayed outside of it. She had memories here, memories that she wanted to forget.

Josie was almost attached to Penelope. She was scared of letting her go. But part of her was still scared of those neon green eyes. Penelope knew this. That's why she wanted a wall between them. Penelope didn't want to risk hurting Josie or anyone else for that matter.

"I'll have people down here to comfort you while you are here. You have your phone so if you ever need anything call me. I'm sure Josie will spend her fair share of time down here with you. I'm sorry this has to happen Penelope, I really am." Alaric sighed and furrowed his brows like usually. Penelope nodded.

She looked down at Josie who was still holding her. Penelope reached for her hands and faced her.

"I'll be fine. I promise." She smiled once again. Josie nodded but looked down again. Alaric came and put an arm around Josie while leading her out of the cell. This was for the best. That's what everyone kept telling themselves.

^^^

It had been about 2 weeks since putting Penelope in the cage. Everything Alaric was predicting had been true. They got a call for Damon Salvatore saying that there had been reports of the Montors heading there way. He said that he and some of his friends would come to the school to help if any trouble came. They had also gotten word that Hopes father and his brother were coming to help. Still no one knew if they were prepared for what was coming.

*Knock Knock* the door of the school sounded. Lizzie went to the door and was smiled as she opened it. It was her mother, Caroline. Behind her stood Damon and some of his friends. Lizzie embraced her mother in a tight hug.

"Mom!" She squealed.

"Hey cupcake. You haven't been causing that much trouble while I was away have you?" She teased.

Lizzie scoffed and lead Caroline and the other to her father in his office. There was a lot of catching up to do. Lizzie felt like she was sitting there for hours outside of the office. Finally Caroline walked out of the office to meet her daughter. She came and sat next to Lizzie.

"So catch me up on you. How have you been?"

"Honestly... I've never been happier. I know that's not really what you were expecting to due to the circumstances but its the truth." Lizzie sighed.

"I mean I wasn't expecting that but I'm glad. I always want you to be happy. And what exactly is causing you to be this happy hmm?" She nudged her daughter. Lizzie laughed and sighed.

"I'm in love."

Her mother smiled at this comment. She quickly hugged her daughter. In the midst of the hug, Caroline spoke.

"And when do I get to meet this fine gentlemen?"

"Uh well—" they were interrupted by someone bathing into the hallway.

"Lizzie hey-. Oh sorry I didn't realize I was interrupting something. I just needed to tell you that I think Josie skipped lunch and dinner. I think she is still down there." Hope slowed her speaking.

Lizzie sighed and stood up.

"Mom this is Hope Mikaelson. My... girlfriend." She awkwardly smiled and Hope did the same.

"Oh." Caroline laughed. "Well it is a pleasure to meet you Hope. I'm so glad my daughter found someone that can make her so happy." She shook the tribrids hand.

"But what's wrong with Josie?" She continued.

"Mom I think you need to go down to dungeon. I think Josie could really talk to right now." Lizzie suggested. Caroline nodded.

^^^

Caroline walked down the cobblestone steps and what she saw at the end caused her to sigh. Josie was sitting with her backed leaned against the metal bars. Inside the cage lay a girl maybe a year older the the twins. The girl was sound asleep on a cot.

Josie eyes were closed but she wasn't asleep. She was softly crying. Caroline sighed and made her way towards her daughter. Josie heard the footsteps and her head shot up.

"Mom?" She sniffed. A small smile formed on her face.

Caroline moves towards her daughter and sat beside her.

"I guess I have a lot of catching up to do?" She nudged Josie and eyed the girl in the cage. "Who's she?"

Josie started to blush. She started at the ground. "She's— she's a hero." Now her eyes went to her mother.

"She's my hero."

———————————————————————————
First of all a huge apology for not writing for awhile. I feel like I let you guys down but I promise that I'm going to finish this story soon!! Sorry if this chapter is a little choppy it's been awhile! Enjoy!!