THE VOID

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕪

Alice: "I should go and check on her" ((she says to Alex))

Alex: ((nods agreeing and then stands up too))

Alice: "Wait, where are you going?" ((She asks baffled as she opens the door))

Alex: "I'm hungry" ((he shrugs, he walks past her))

Alice: ((rushes out the door behind him)) "Let me go first" ((as she gets further into the flat, she doesn't see Jo))

Alex: ((heads into the kitchen and opens the fridge)) "Alice, you need more cheese" ((he shouts taking out the last of it))

Alice: ((jumps at his loud voice and internally begs for him to be quiet)) "Josephine" ((she sweetly says, while tapping on the door))

((Alice stay outside Jo's door for about an hour, hoping she will respond. Alex eventually joins her, bring her a sandwich. They both make jokes outside Jo's door, hoping she will hear them and want to join. After a while they give up and Alice heads out to do some shopping. Alex agrees to hang out in the flat in case Jo needs anything))

***

((Hero sits in his car, still parked outside. He's desperate to go back in there, and hold her or scream at her. He hates it when they argue but he also likes the way she gets him that way. He knows it's not healthy, but there's just something about it that he loves. Maybe it's because he's never felt this way before, and maybe it's because it feels nice to have someone to fight with and for. He takes a breath and repeats to himself that he's doing the right thing. If this is the push she needs to realise, this isn't a good enough life for her then he'll do it. Nobody should live in constant fear, nobody should live minute by minute questioning their reality. He rests his head back against the seat, he's exhausted. He can't help but worry that she may never forgive him for leaving. Or worse, him never being able to forgive himself if it doesn't work. He spent hours on the phone with Stephen, and this was the idea he suggested. He wasn't sure about it at first but he figures, her dad must know what's best for her. He bashes his fist against the steering wheel before his phone goes off. His heart leaps at the thought that it might be Jo, but it drops when he sees it's Felix. He sighs and takes one last look at the apartment building before starting his car))

Felix: ((steps back from the punching bag and wipes the sweat off his forehead)) "Finally" ((he says turning towards Hero)) "Took your time" ((he adds out of breath))

Hero: "Why did you ask me in here?" ((He asks frustrated))

Felix: "To punch that bag" ((he mocks throwing a pair of gloves at him))

Hero: "I'm not really in the mood" ((he responds trying to give them back))

Felix: "You need this" ((he replies, he's not taking no for an answer))

Hero: ((takes another look over at the punching bag and then at Felix)) "Fine" ((he adds putting on the gloves))

((He takes a swing at the bag and Felix laughs, he rolls his eyes and goes again, Felix laughing even louder))

Hero: "I'm a little rusty" ((he jokes back before swinging again))

Felix: "You just need to get angry" ((he shrugs))

Hero: "I'm already angry" ((he responds hitting the bag again))

Felix: "About what?" ((He asks moving back)) "What's got you angry?" ((He adds))