Chapter 17:

Birds were chirping me awake. My eyes felt puffy, to heavy to open. The whole night was filled with coughing and vomiting. I hung over the toilet for most of the night, we were probably friends by now. Last night was the worst night I have ever had, between the damn hallucinations and toilet parties I felt drained.

"Hope?" Frigg popped in with a soft voice. "How are you feeling?" I could only give her a sickly laugh. "I heard the whole night. You hardly got any sleep in?"

"No." I groaned out and rolled over onto my stomach.

"You should go home, Hope. You do not look well."

"No-no-no. Please." That was the last thing I wanted. The whole trip was for us to find ourselves and then the worst happened. I was confused and scared to go back. My whole life was in one question, one I was not yet ready to answer.

"Still don't know what to do?"

"I am scared-" I started to cough again, "I don't know. My whole family is expecting me to go to med school and become a doctor like my parents. They are counting on me, but... I don't know." My tears were hot and smeared on my cheeks. My emotions where everywhere, I was never like this. I was usually calm and collected, one quality I was proud of.

"What do you want Hope?"

"I don't know." I cried out and cuddled into Frigg's arms.

"Say the first thing that comes to your mind." We used to do this in high school when we did not know what to do. We asked the other that question and answer without thinking. We believed the answer was your true feelings and emotions.

"Medicine?"

"No."

"You have your answer."

"I can't go home." I might have my answer but did not dare to tell my parents yet.

"Then stay." Gina came in, scaring both me and Frigg. I wonder how long she has stood at the door. "Take Olive's offer. You're always welcome here, Hope." Frigg hugged me tighter in her arms and we listen to the birds chirping away.

***

"You guys must enjoy everything. Send photos." I pointed at Frigg laughing. We hugged one last time before she got into her car and Sam on the driver's side.

"Look after her." We heard Gina warn poor Sam. He just laughed while starting the car. As they pulled off, I and Gina embraced each other and waved them off. I decided to stay there. We called Olive to let her know I was staying and accepted her offer. Olive was ecstatic and both her and Michael where going to eat tonight at Gina's. We were going to go over the details and I was going to call my parents and let them know of my decision. I was so blessed to have friends like Olive, Frigg and someone as amazing as Gina to help me.

"You alright?" Gina asked as we retreated into the house.

"Yeah. I hope they enjoy it."

"I mean you, child."

"Yes, thank you." I laughed, "We probably need to start cooking?" I tried to change the topic for the second time.

"I was thinking of showing you my favourite rosemary chicken roast. What do you think?" she asked, taking the bait and moving onto a new subject.

"You want me near the food with my cold? I would gladly help, but I don't want to get y'al sick."

"I know, I was thinking of placing you in the far corner of the kitchen to keep me company, while I... cook." She stated with a laugh.

"It will be my honour to keep you company." We both laughed and went to the kitchen. I sat on one of the kitchen chairs at the small breakfast table near the big window. Gina played some Spanish music and started to prepare the chicken. I felt a bit bad for not helping, but it was better to stay out of this task for the other health. We talked and I watched in amazement as Gina prepared the food. She looked like a pro.

Soon it was time to get ready for Olive's arrival. I set the plates on the dining table and went upstairs to change. Sitting in front of the vanity and brushing my long blonde hair, I felt content and happy. It felt like a mountain off my shoulders after choosing to stay. I still needed to tell my parents, but knowing my mind has chosen, I felt relieved. Looking at my reflection my mind drifted back to Dmitry. I wondered if he found me pretty? How did it feel like to have him brushing his hand through my hair? Where he was now? Shanking my head, I took the last swig of Gina's tea. It took away that nauseating feeling that I felt which was a blessing from the sky above. I heard the doorbell go off and smoothed out my white dress. It was a pretty dress, one of my parents bought for me before the trip. It was soft with a bit of lace and came to my knees. I was in love with that dress.

Sprinting down the stairs, I greeted the ever glowing Olive and brooding Michael. Olive was standing with her belly protruding and a big smile on her face as usual. Michael had one arm around her protectively, in his other hand was what looked like cherry pie. Tonight was going to be fun, although I was still not better even worse in some case, nothing could stop me from enjoying it.

"Hope." Gina hugged me or tried to at least, her belly to big. "I am so excited you're staying. You are going to enjoy it here in Fortbridge."

"Thank you, Olive. I too am excited."

"Welcome to Fortbridge, if you ever need help just call." Michael smiled. That was new and a bit frightening, but it did not stop the smile that grew on my face.

"Yeah and I am benefiting out of this too. Now the house won't be so quiet." Gina added, threw her arm around me.

"You. We were starting to worry about you, you know. Those voices you said that spoke to you. I was scared the silence was making you go madder than you already are." Michael joked at Gina, which earned him a backhand on the chest from Olive.

"Don't forget you're in my house, Michael. I will be serving you your food. I believe you don't want one little piece of chicken?"

"Please, ma'am. I beg for your forgiveness, please don't let me starve. Your chicken is the best." Michael jokily begged for forgiveness that made us all laugh.

Dinner was relaxing and Michael came a bit warmer forth. He made a lot of jokes and even shared some romantic stories of him and Olive. The thing that amazed me the most was the amount he and Olive ate. He probably ate a whole chicken.

"We eat a lot." Olive explained when she saw my shocked eyes, gaping at their plates. "I need to eat for two and well," she looked at Michael who was stuffing his face, "This brute just has a mean appetite." She said while rolling her eyes at his stuffed cheeks. "Where are your manners." She glared at him, while he just shrugged her off, focusing solely at the mountain in front of him.

After dessert, the tea's effect wore off and the sickness was back. I said my goodnights and went upstairs. My head was pounding, and a spine-chilling feeling went over my body. Maybe I should not have had that pudding, but who could say no to that.

Gina said she was going to make me some more of that tea, since it helped, to see if that would help with tonight's attempt at sleep. I fell onto my bed and massaged my scalp to try and sooth that headache.

The pounding got worst and worst and I was starting to pray for Gina to be almost done with that tea. A wave of nausea hit me and a sprinted to the toilet. That nasty smell filling the bathroom. My throat burned from all the pressed-up liquid. It felt like there were cracks my mouth felt dry and distasteful. I brought up all my food and was heaving out sweet nothings. My stomach turned and my nose ran. Where was Gina.

"You need help."

"I am losing my mind, that's what's happening." I heaved into the toilet, "Leave."

"Move."

"What?" my body started to move. I was freaking out inside myself; my body was moving on its own, out the bathroom and down the stairs. I wanted to cry; something was wrong with me. I walked to the backdoor not being seen by Gina or Olive, who were all in the kitchen. I heard them talking. I wanted to scream for help, but none came. The backdoor was in my view. My hand turned the silver knob. A soft screeching sound came from the opening door, a light breeze moving its way into the house and threw my hair. My body slowly neared the woods in a zombie-like state.

I was screaming inside my head to stop. Stop! The pounding increased and my vision blurred, I could feel the cold air nipping at my skin while branches were scratching my arms. My bare feet walked over sharp rocks and the muddy ground. I screamed again and again until my ears rang. I felt something run down my nose, something wet.

"Your journey starts tonight. Be quick, be smart, for enemies has arisen. From fire, you have died and from ash, you shall rise." With that the shadows last words, it left me in the middle of nowhere, deep in the woods, the wind whistling between the trees.  

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