CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
❝︎Therapy Box❞︎

HARPER HAD DEALT WITH A LOT IN HER LIFE, THAT MUCH SHE KNEW TO BE TRUE. From killing her parents a few years back, to having to face multiple monsters almost every day it seemed, and now everything that had happened with the Saltzman family, a part of Harper wanted to escape it all. She wanted to leave it all behind, to get on a bus and never look back. She loved Josie, and she'd never want to leave her, and that's why she stayed. Whilst she stayed mostly for Hope as well, Hope could handle her own, and Harper would never leave her behind if she asked her to stay. Harper knew that she couldn't see anything else happen to Hope. If for some godforsaken reason something happened to Hope, if her tribrid side was activated, Harper had to admit that she didn't want to stay around for that. She didn't want to be around to watch her best friend burn everything to the ground.

She sat there in one of the cold metal seats, an arm crossed over her chest whilst the other arm was laying on her lap, Josie's hand tightly intertwined with hers. She didn't want to let Josie out of her sight, and she hated that she was being so clingy to her, but Harper couldn't help it. She couldn't lose anyone else. She truly couldn't. Hope and Josie were the two most important people in her life, and if she lost them, she would simply lose herself.

They were all seated in front of Emma; all being Hope, Josie, Lizzie, Harper, MG, and Rafael. Emma was standing in front of them, having stayed longer than she had truly intended just because she knew that her students needed help when it came to coping with their recent trauma's that they've all dealt with.

"As supernaturals, we all carry a burden." Emma started, looking at each and every one of them. "Our eyes are open to evil. And recently, you've had to face it. Some of us process these traumas by suppressing what happened. For others, it's easier to bury it deep inside and pretend like nothing's happened at all. Still, other's may take a different route, such as. . ."

"Pushing people away in an attempt to self-isolate?" Hope suggested. "Because everyone they love is in perpetual danger, which often results in them becoming perpetually dead." She held out her hands like it was obvious. "See? There. That's it. That's my therapy. Can I go now? Because, uh, Landon's outside trying to fly and could use a spotter."

"Afraid not, Hope," Emma dismissed her request, "because the point is we can all do better at processing the trauma's we've been through. Which is why Dr. Saltzman has asked me to conduct a special group lesson today." MG's head shot up and he immediately shook his head, not wanting to do it. Josie sighed from beside of Harper and Harper just kept her eyes focused on the floor.

Lizzie decided to take the positive approach. "I, for one, could really use this, and I would appreciate everyone's support."

MG spoke up from his spot behind Lizzie. "Honestly, I don't know why I'm here, but I'm down to help."

"You will all have an important role to play in this simulation." They all looked at Emma. "Oh, stop looking at me like that. It'll be fun!" She smiled at them before taking a cloth off of a box that had been sitting on a stand beside of her. "This device was created by Professor Rupert Vardemus."

Lizzie scrunched up her nose. "Ew."

At the same time MG said, "Okay. . ."

"The real Professor Vardemus." She assured. "He's quite famous in his mystical therapeutic circles. It's his variation on a Chambre de Chasse. All your psychological concerns will be transferred inside to form a shared narrative. Now, the world you create can be anything, from pirates on the high seas to spies in the Cold War. But no matter what it ends up looking like, it will be designed specifically to help you. Out here, you're unconcious. You have no awareness that you're in a simulation."

"So. . . it's like a game?" MG asked.

Emma nodded. Lizzie asked, "How do I win?"

"Simply reach the end of your story and you'll be given an escape word. Say it aloud and you'll become self aware again, then wake up her, having discovered something valuable in the process. Any questions?"

"Uh, yeah. I have a question." Lizzie looked at Emma with annoyance. "What the hell is she doing here?" Lizzie nodded towards the door and in walked Jade.

Jade, a beautiful blonde that had been rescued from the prison world, walked up to Emma. "Uh, hi, sorry I'm late." Jade looked at Josie. "Uh, weird dreams."

Harper looked over at Josie who had an emotion on her face that Harper couldn't quite decipher. Josie met her eyes and Harper gave her a questioning look, Josie just squeezed her hand tighter in response. "You're just in time, Jade." Jade pulled up a chair. "Don't worry. What we're about to do here is merely a simulation. And I'll be in it as well, and self-aware the whole time. I promise to keep a careful eye on all of you."

As Emma walked over to the box, Lizzie said, "Everyone think of bright, sunny, tropical beaches." Emma opened the box and they were transported.

Harper stood there, her long hair in nice curl's. A beautiful pants suit covered her body as she stood behind the bar, working inside of Landon's, a place, as they called it, where all the lost things go. She smiled kindly at the men as she gave them their drinks, basking in the compliments and simply laughing at their winks they would send her way. Her eyes were focused on the publicist at the table. A dark haired beauty with a stern look but a gentle gaze in her eyes.

Hope came behind the bar, grabbing Harper's attention. Her hair was curled up to her chin, her lips painted and a bored look on her face as always. The book was in her hand, the one where she wrote the names of customers and the prices they owed her. She was talking to someone. A gentleman sat on the far end of the bar, dark skinned and a kind enough face. A detective he seemed, one Harper swore she could've seen before. She watched with slight amusement in her eyes as Hope gave a snarky comment, pushing away the photo the man had placed in front of her.

"Now, you're being nice, aren't you?" Harper asked, wiping her hands free from any alcohol that had doused them as she walked over to her friend. Hope was not keen on her presence, rolling her eyes but not saying anything that shoved her away. She leaned on the bar beside of Hope, staring at the man. "Is there something I can help you with, sir?"

"Miss Hayes," he greeted her. She smiled kindly, not bothering to question how he knew her. He pushed the picture towards her. Harper glanced at him before picking the photo up, scanning the picture and focusing on the man that was no doubt in question. "I'm looking for my boss."

"I already told him I wasn't any good with faces." Hope commented, not looking up from her writing.

"Well, I, for one, am." Harper studied the man and shook her head. "But, I am afraid, I do not know who this man is." She slid the photo back over to him.

"He's in danger, Miss Mikaelson, Miss Hayes."

"How do you know our names?" Hope turned from the book, facing him as she looked at him expectantly.

"The same way I know your liquor license is expired. So, let's help each other out."

Hope rolled her eyes. "He looks like the kind of guy who comes here for the music. If I were you, I'd ask the dame who sing, because I don't." She turned back to her book, making sure her back was facing him to ensure the end of the conversation. Harper smiled kindly once more and he nodded towards her before standing up and leaving the bar. Hope directed her conversation towards Harper. "Your publicist is back in town."

"I know," Harper smiled.

Hope glanced at her, offering her a smile that she only ever seemed to give Harper. Hope was rough around the edges, cold, some might even say heartless. However, she had a soft spot for Harper. "You should bring her a drink."

Harper looked wide-eyed, a deer caught in headlights. "Oh, I couldn't."

"Oh, you could. Let's say it's on the house."

Harper's face turned a deep shade of red. Hope just sent her a subtle smirk. Harper fixed the drink, walking over to the table where the actress Elizabeth Saltzman sat along with her sister and her publicist Josette Saltzman. Elizabeth noticed her approach first, nudging her sister under the table. Josette turned just as Harper made it to them. She placed the drink in front of her and Josette looked at it. "I didn't order this."

Harper smiled beautifully, assuring her, "It's on the house." Josette had tried to hide her smile then and Harper spun around gracefully, sauntering back behind the bar to finish her shift. When Hope dismissed her for the night. She walked home, pressing the key into the lock and pushing it open. The home was pitch black, empty. A light turned on and Harper gasped, turning on her heel.

Josette sat there, her legs crossed over the other. She watched Harper with lust-full eyes. "I'd wondered when you'd come home." Josette stood up, making her way over to Harper. She came to stand in front of her, a hand caressing Harper's cheek. Harper's breath hitched. "Drink on the house?" She questioned.

"I had to say something." Harper whispered, there noses inches apart. Josette's mouth hovered over hers and Harper couldn't stand the taunting, she just wanted her closer. Her lips pressed against Harper's and Harper's eyes fluttered closed as she kissed back. They stood like that for a few moments before Josette pulled away.

"I must go. My sister will be wondering."

Harper gently grabbed her wrist. "Can't you stay?"

"I can't." Josette told her. "I've stayed for too long already, it's time for my leave." She kissed her again. "I will miss these lips." She stepped back before walking out.

Within two days, their singer at the bar had been killed, and now the famous reporter Jade had been killed as well. Harper was on edge as she stood behind the bar, forcing her smiles. She had a feeling. . . one she knew all too well. A gut feeling. She glanced up, watching Hope stand at the table where the reporters camera man sat, drinking away his sorrows. Hope walked over to the bar, handing Harper the tray they sat the drinks on.

"It's connected," Hope whispered to her, not looking up. "The murders."

"A serial killer?" Harper softly gasped.

"Keep your voice down," Hope warned. She placed empty shots upside down on the tray, Rafael approaching her.

"I still talk to Landon, you know." Rafael told Hope.

Hope paused for a moment before continuing. "How is he?"

"He's good. Promotion in California is going good for him." Hope hummed in response. "But he still misses you, Hope."

"He's the one who left." There was a hurt bitterness in her voice.

"Because you didn't go with him. But you can change that with a phone call. He'd buy you a bus ticket tomorrow."

Hope held up her hands. "I can buy my own ticket." She picked up the tray and turned to face him. "And you can develop those photos." She walked away from him.

Rafael walked up to the bar, taking the shot in his hand. Harper turned and grabbed the drink, pouring him another glass. At that moment, Harper didn't know that Josette was confessing the murders of the dame, reporter, and Detective Greasley's partner. "You deal with her every day."

"Oh, she's the best." Harper smiled. "The best friend a girl could ask for."

"You seem to be her only friend."

"She likes it better that way." At the same moment as this, Josette and Detective Greasley were both shot and Josette was killed whilst the bullet hit the flask in Detective Greasley's pocket, keeping him alive. "She's a loner, that one. I myself am one too."

As the bar closed, Harper offered to stay and clean up. Hope thanked her and not too long after she'd brought out a suitcase full of clothes and a bus ticket. Harper paused, frowning. "You're leaving?"

Hope looked at her. "Harper. . ."

Harper smiled and nodded. "It's for him. You're leaving for him."

"I don't want to leave you behind." Hope shook her head. She held up a second bus ticket. "You can come with me."

Harper shook her head. "This. . . this is a journey you have to face on your own. I will be okay here without you."

Hope grabbed her hands. "Harper, I don't want to leave you behind."

Harper smiled. "But you have to."

A knock came on the bar doors. "We're closed," Hope yelled, dropping her hands from Harper's.

"Hope Andrea Mikaelson." Lizzie's voice echoed from outside. "Open this damn door! Someone's trying to kill me!"

"I'll handle it." Harper stopped Hope, walking over to the door and pulling it open. "We're closed."

"Harper, thank god." Lizzie's breathed.

"Aren't you the movie star?" Harper asked. Hope came to her side.

"How do you know my name?" Hope asked. "And how do you know Harper?"

"It's a long story." Lizzie breathed. "Which neither of you will believe. But, um, oh, I can prove it. I know your deep dark damage, you don't get close to people that isn't Harper, because they leave you or die, right? Well, that's exactly what's gonna happen if you don't let me in. So, please, help me help you."

Hope nodded. "You're right, I've spent my whole life pushing people away. And I'm about to change that by going after the man I love. So, sorry, but I have a bus to catch." Hope closed the door.

"Hope, we should help her." Harper frowned.

"You're too trusting, Harper."

"I know." Harper frowned. "But Hope, it doesn't feel right."

"Fine. You want to follow her, let's go." Hope grunted. They went down an alley and Hope didn't hesitate to grab the gun the other woman was pointing at Lizzie, Harper running in to protect Lizzie. Hope struggled before a gun shot went off and the woman fell to the ground. The gun fell to the ground.

Lizzie smiled. "I thought you had a bus to catch."

"I want to be with the man that I love more than anything." Hope said, walking towards Lizzie. "But I couldn't get on that bus if it meant an innocent person had to die. And Harper convinced me to come."

"That is such a Hope and Harper move." Lizzie smiled. Hope looked up, noticing a word. "Let me guess. You're seeing a word right now."

"Yes. What does it mean?"

"Say the word, and I will tell you in the real world."

"Fatum."

Hope and Lizzie disappeared and it was just Harper standing there. When Hope and Lizzie woke up in the real world. The two girls stood up and hugged each other. MG walked over to them. "Now, um, what are we gonna do about Josie and Harper?"

"Harper's gonna see her face." Hope whispered. "Her darkest secret is fearing losing anyone else. If she faces that reality. . . she should come back."

"Why would it leave Harper as the last one standing?" Lizzie asked.

"Harper is Josie's weakness." Hope answered. "If Harper sees what Josie's hiding on the inside, she'll face her fears. She's not gonna be happy when she comes out."

"How do we protect her from this?" Lizzie softly questioned.

Hope frowned and shook her head. "I don't think we can."

Harper stood there in the alley, her attention on the dead woman Hope had shot. A familiar woman. Harper stalked over to her and kneeled down, removing the black veil the covered her face. She gasped, tears springing to her eyes. She placed a hand on Josie's cheek, shaking her head. "Oh, Josie." She noticed the black veins that etched the edge of her face. "What has become of you?" Her eyes darted to a puddle of water, watching as a word appeared. She looked down at Josie, caressing her cheek before whispering the word.

Harper slowly opened her eyes, coming to. Her hand fell from Josie's, noticing that she was still out. Harper slowly stood up, Lizzie and Hope watching her. She approached the two of them, trying to hide her tears. "It's bad, isn't it."

"Harper. . ." Hope softly said before pulling her into a hug. Lizzie joined in on the hug and for a moment the three the girls just stood there in each other's embrace.

"I can't stop this." Harper cried.

"It's going to be okay, Harp." Hope carefully pulled away, wiping away her tears.

Lizzie placed a hand on her shoulder. "We're going to figure this out." Harper just numbly nodded her head.

As they took Josie to a cell, Harper sat in her room, fiddling with the bracelet Josie had given her. A knock came at her door and Harper didn't say anything but the person came in anyways. Lizzie opened the door and entered the room. "Someone told me that ice cream was the cure to a cry pile." She held up some ice cream and two spoons. "Can I come in?" Harper smiled at her and nodded.

Lizzie sat beside her, handing her a spoon. They both dug in. After a few moments, Harper spoke. "She's going to wake up, and it's not going to be her, is it?"

Lizzie looked at her and sighed. "I wish I had better news, something to comfort you."

"This is enough." Harper assured, eating another bite of ice cream.

Hope appeared in the doorway and smiled at the two. She walked in the room and Harper gave her her spoon, letting the girl take some of the treat. "As much as I want to stay in here and sulk, I think she's about to wake up." Harper and Lizzie looked at each other before softly sighing and making their way down to the cell.

Harper, Lizzie, Hope, MG, Alaric, and Rafael all stood there, waiting for Josie to wake up. After a moment, she did. Josie sat up, and turned. She stopped, looking at them. "Looks like the gang's all here." She was normal, for a moment. She stood up. "Why am I locked up, exactly?"

"Well, you've been through a lot." Alaric answered, standing closest to the cell. "How are you feeling?"

"Never better. I think the therapy was really good for me."

Hope and Lizzie exchanged looks and Hope reached out and squeeze Harper's hand. Lizzie looked back at her sister. "You're full of black magic. I was too selfish to see it before, but. . . I can feel it. This isn't you, Jo."

Josie smiled and her eyes turned black. She smiled and nodded. "It is now." The black faded from her eyes. "So get used to it." She snapped her fingers and suddenly her hair was curly and much darker, her lips a shade of dark purple. She had a completely black outfit on and although Harper knew she shouldn't think it, she still looked very attractive. "'Cause this look's here to stay."

"Josie, it's okay." Hope assured her. "I'm just gonna put you back to sleep until we can figure out what's going on, okay?"

"Good idea." Josie's eyes turned back and suddenly Hope was falling to the ground.

"Hope!" Harper quickly caught her, lowering her carefully to the ground with MG's help.

MG looked at Josie with narrowed eyes. "Oh, don't look at me like that, MG." Josie said, kneeling down to look at him. "Every Super Squad needs a villain." She stood back up and cocked her head slightly before her eyes turned black. "Autem." Suddenly the whole place began to shake. Alaric looked at his daughter. "Stop trying to help me, dad." The lights started to explode around them. "'Cause I've never been better." She held out her hand and suddenly the cell she was in began to separate from the ground, letting her leave the building.