"If I know what love is, it is because of you." – Hermann Hesse

***Hope's POV***

It has been one day so far since I was drugged, and I still feel like I have been hit by a truck. My body has been aching since yesterday.

I do try to eat, but I can't keep much down. I eat something and it comes back up after a few minutes. The only thing I can keep down is water and other liquids. So Nifty and Vaggie have been giving me broth soups. Basically, broth with seasoning in it since solid foods I can't have solid foods right now.

It appears that I have also developed a massive headache. I want to take something for it, but the pain distracts me from the constant negative voices in my head. Unfortunately, with how much it hurts I can't sleep. I have gotten 2 maybe 3 hours of sleep since this whole thing started.

Its not just my head and stomach that aches though. My whole body hurts. My lungs must be in rough shape. I get winded just using the bathroom. I have to lay down after to catch my breath.

I miss Alastor already. I wish he were here. He could probably help with this. Even if he couldn't I miss his company.

His silly jokes. His crazy stories. His staticky voice. His genuine compliments. I miss everything about him.

Over the time I met him, I have developed feelings for him. I might even go so far as to say I am falling in love with him.

I hug one of my pillows against me as fresh waves of pain run through me. I take deep breaths until the pain eases up.

'Alastor......I wish you were here.'

***Alastor's POV***

It has only been one day since I left, and I already find myself missing a certain girl who seems to have captured my attention. This is ridiculous. I never once before felt this way about a girl. I shouldn't be thinking about these silly little feelings. I shouldn't be missing all the little things about her.

I shouldn't her smile or her laugh. Her beautiful voice or stories. Her kind and gentle heart with a beautiful body to match. I shouldn't be missing her.

'But I do. I do miss her.' I think to myself with a sigh.

Why is it hard to be away from her?

Why do I miss her so fucking much?

Some would probably say I love her. How silly. I don't even know what love is. At least not the romantic kind. I did feel love for mother, but that was different than this.

As the questions raced through my head, I was rolling the painted stone in my hand. I don't know why but holding it while I think is soothing in a way.

'What is love anyway?'

As I think that the stone in my hand became warm. It's a soothing type of warmth. I look down at it. The stone is glowing a deep purple color and the symbols glowed a dim white.

After a moment of this the room around me fades away. I was starting to think something wrong was happening. That was until I saw Hope.

She couldn't have been more than 10 years old. The room around us was a kitchen I didn't recognize. There was also another woman in the room. I somewhat recognize her from pictures I saw in Emily's home. I believe this woman is her mother.

Is this a memory? How did that happen?

"Hey, mommy? I have a question." Hope asks from her spot at the table.

Her mother turns to look at her.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"What is love?"

Her mother's eyes widen in shock for a moment. After a moment she answered her.

"Why do you want to know about that sugar cube? I think you're a bit too young to be falling in love."

"I know. I just wanted to know in case I find one day. If I do find it one day I want to know its real."

"Ok." She says as she sighs.

She sat across the table, across from her daughter.

"Love means knowing that no matter what, you have someone to count on. It's unconditional and makes you feel good on the inside. You can trust the person you love and are comfortable around them. It's like your heart tells you that it is good for you. It's the constant tickle of happiness. Support though ups and downs. It's valuing their life above your own. Love is a lot of things sweetie. Listing them all would take a long time. Sometimes romantic love can be hard and scary, but I believe it's worth it. I know you'll find it one day and I believe you will know it when you find."

"Really? How do you know that?" Hope asks her mother.

"Because I know you will feel it in here."

As soon as she says that she points to Hope's chest. Right where her heart is.

"You see somethings you must listen to your mind for, and others are best listened with the heart for. I believe love is a matter of heart, dear."

After she said that Hope had a thoughtful look on her face. I don't know if she understood all that, but who knows. She might have.

Hope's mother gets up and walks over to her daughter. She picks her up and smiles warmly at her.

"Now how about you help me make dinner. We are having your favorite."

"Yes! I wanna help. What can I do?" Hope asks excitedly.

After she ask that the memory fades away and I am back in my home. Same place as before. The warmth and light from the stone fades. I look down at the stone.

It has gone back to being a painted rock. Pretty, but cold. Hope had painted it herself. Some of her memories and energy must have been in it.

Regardless of that though it showed me what I wanted to know.

The question is: Do I feel this way for her?