The only Hope

Hope’s pov:

I had been brought back to my room. Some Japanese lady had come in and started cleaning my wounds. She had a stern look on her face. I had seen her before, just walking around the building.

I was tied to the bed again. Everything was sore.

Suddenly the door swung open and Korse entered the room. He was holding something.

“Leave.” He ordered the Japanese lady.

“So…” He started after she had left. “There’s a rumor your friends are in town.” He grinned.

“What?” I sat up. No, no, no! They had to stay away, they had to run!

“Well, it’s not really a rumor, I’ve just got cameras in most places of the city.” He walked over to the bed and placed some stuff on there.

“What’s that?” I tried to move away from it. You never know what Korse is going to get you.

“Clean clothes.” He smiled and walked around the room. Clean clothes? What the…

“I want to make you an offer.” He lifted his hand to his chin. “I thought about it and I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t want to kill Gerard.”

I held my breath. There was always a catch with this guy.

“I’d rather see him suffer. That’s why I need your help.” He looked directly at me now. “Gerard loves you, doesn’t he? Or was it just a one night thing? I mean, it only took him a couple of hours to get here, to save you. That’s too much effort for just a one-night-stand if you ask me.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I won’t hurt him, physically, if you play along. I won’t lay a finger on him or his friends, I promise.” He smiled and got to the point now.

“Pretend you’re one of us.”

“Never.” I looked away.

Korse nodded. “Okay, if that’s what you want. This is your only chance to save his life and you’re just ignoring it. I thought you loved him, I guess I was wrong.”

“I do.” I spat. “I do love him. And that’s something you of all people will never understand.”

“Well then, it’s very simple. Just pretend you were working for me all along and no-one will get hurt.” Korse came closer and leaned in.

“Choose, Hope. Will you do it? You have five minutes, then I’ll be back for my answer.” He laughed at my despair and walked away.

Fuck! What was I supposed to do? If I didn’t do anything there was a chance Gerard and the others could get killed. But what if I took Korse up on his offer? It will completely destroy Gerard – if he loved me the way I loved him – but perhaps it will save his life. I knew there’s always a catch with Korse, but I would hate myself the rest of my miserable life if I did nothing.

After a few minutes Korse came back. I had put on the clean clothes. He smiled when he saw it.

“I take that as a yes.”

He led me to the top floor. There was this huge panel. I saw Frank on one of the monitors. Where they here!?

“Looks like it’s showtime.” Korse was standing in front of the panel and grinned. Sicko.

Why wasn’t I tied up? I could actually move around, it felt amazing. I saw Korse keeping an eye on me.

“Tying up an employee is a bit suspicious, isn’t it? Just make sure you stay close.” Korse looked away and gestured a Drac. It walked over to me and I took a few steps back. The Drac stopped.

Okay, got it. Stay close.

God, was I really going to do this? I was going to crush Gerard’s heart. I sighed. If this was what I had to do to save his life, fine. But I could cry about it, I really could. Then I thought about what Korse had said. That the Killjoys weren’t there to help my father… I snapped back into reality when Korse asked me something.

“You okay, darling. You look a little pale.” I didn’t answer.

Suddenly I heard a shot behind me. Korse and I turned around. It was Gerard! I was about to cry when I remembered what I was supposed to do. My face went neutral.

Gerard took out all three Dracs and pointed the gun at Korse. He looked at me real quick, but I casted my eyes on the floor.

“Good job. Very good job.” Korse was clapping. He grinned. “Too bad you’re wasting your time, Gerard.”

Oh shit, here we go. He called him by his real name.

“How do you know my name?” Gerard sneered.

“She told me everything.” I looked up and saw Korse pointing at me.

Now Gerard was looking directly at me, I looked back. I kept my pokerface.

“Hope?” Shit, that broke my heart. His eyes began to water.

If he only knew why I was doing this.

Notes