Chapter Text
'Worst road trip ever.'
Lizzie snorts and sinks into her seat, lazily leaning against the headrest. She's been in the car with Hope and Josie for what feels like hours but the blonde knows too well that maybe only thirty minutes have passed from when they left the "wellness camp."
'This is torture.'
No music, no talking, not even a glance in her direction. Hope is solely focused on the road, like she was alone in this car, and Josie only opens her mouth to give her directions from the school phone in her hands.
The tension between them has never bothered Lizzie, she's kind of used to it after all these years, but now it's just unbearable.
The blonde has tried to engage in a conversation with the other two girls at least ten times by now and nothing lasted more than five seconds. The silence is starting to annoy Lizzie, so she decides to finally address the elephant in the room... or, to be more exact, in the car.
-You know I'm really trying to relax and everything- she starts, resting her chin on Josie's seat. -But the tension between you two is polluting the air in here and it's also disturbing my meditation.-
Hope and Josie seem to snap out of their trance, suddenly looking nervous. Lizzie smirks: mission accomplished.
Josie clears her throat. -There's no tension- she denies, her voice slightly quivering. -It's just been a long day.- She subtly looks at Hope. -For everyone.-
The tribrid sighs, keeping her attention on the road.
-You had a long day, I had a long week- Lizzie points out. -Can't believe those witches forced me to stay with them, I'm gonna need a long rest.-
Josie fully turns towards her, offering a genuine smile. -You're right, I'm sorry they kept you there for a week. I should have come to check on you before.-
Lizzie shakes her head. -It's okay, you couldn't know.- She yawns. -Speaking of, how much is it gonna take to get home?-
Hope looks at the school's phone on Josie's lap. -7 hours.-
The blonde gasps. -7 hours? It's almost midnight!-
Hope shrugs. -Not my fault if your culty friends' summer camp was in the middle of nowhere... in Georgia!-
Lizzie smiles sarcastically. -The cult wanted privacy, I guess- she retorts. -Keeping people hostage is something you certainly wanna do far from the public eye...-
Hope rolls her eyes. -Whatever. We're gonna keep going.-
-For seven hours?- Lizzie snorts. -I'm not waiting that long! We all need to sleep.-
-I don't- Hope clarifies. -I'm perfectly fine.-
Lizzie laughs at that statement. -You got brainwashed and fought against a cult of evil witches... this is not the time to play the cocky card.-
Hope rolls her eyes again; it has become her response to everything.
Josie stares at her. -Lizzie is right, Hope- she admits, gaining the tribrid's attention. -It's been a hard day and you didn't have that much sleep in the last ones either.-
Hope bites her lower lip, unable to deny.
-A night of nice sleep can't be so bad- Josie continues. -We wanted to get away from the school for a while, remember?-
The tribrid glances at Josie, remembering how she tried to help her when she was acting out because of Landon. The siphoner looked after her and she just wanted to make sure Hope would feel better.
The tribrid exhales. -Okay, a night of rest can't hurt.-
-Yes!- Lizzie cheers.
-We'll stop somewhere at the South Carolina border and then leave tomorrow morning.-
Josie puts her hand on Hope's, which is resting on the tribrid's leg. -We're gonna be fine, okay?-
Hope glazes at Josie's sparkling brown eyes and offers her a little smile, turning immediately to look at the road before the other girl could notice how her breathing hastened.
-That's the spirit, Andrea- Lizzie says. -you should listen to me more often.-
Hope repeats the name 'Andrea' in her head, picturing her mother smiling at her. -Now don't brag- she answers, looking at Lizzie through the rear view mirror. -It is actually nice to get some sleep after fighting a cult.-
Lizzie smiles, proud of herself. -I want an amazing room, preferably a suite.- She pokes her sister's shoulder. -Hope will surely pay so we don't have to worry.-
Hope frowns. -Geez, thanks.-
Josie giggles, turning towards the tribrid. -At least you'll have a room all for yourself- she cheers her up. -Me and Lizzie can share.-
Lizzie pops up between the front seats, looking at Hope. -Unless you want a room with my sister- she provokes, a slightly malicious tone in her voice. -In that case, I could have the luxury suite all to myself. I think this is a great idea.-
Josie's eyes widen but she doesn't say anything.
Hope can feel her heartbeat getting faster, but she takes back her composure in less than a second. She looks at Lizzie over her shoulder. -And I think that having your head blocking my rear view mirror is gonna get us in a car accident.-
Lizzie pulls herself on the back seat again. She shrugs. -It was just a suggestion, no need to get so defensive.-
Her devilish smile is shining on her face but the other two girls are too distracted to notice it.
Hope's grip on the steering wheel gets tighter. -I wasn't defensive, you were blocking my view.-
-Whatever, Andrea- Lizzie dismisses with a hand gesture. -Use that big ass credit card I'm sure you have and find us a good hotel.-
Josie laughs under her breath.
Hope is already losing her patience. -Do I have to remind you that we're in the middle of nowhere?!- she remarks, annoyed. -Not exactly the best place to get a five stars hotel.-
Lizzie snorts. -You made that clear, relax!-
-I'm gonna look up the nearest one- Josie reassures the tribrid. -I'm sure I'll find something to make all of us happy.-
She doesn't.
An hour has passed and the girls still have no idea where they are, only that they've crossed the South Carolina border.
Lizzie is resting her head on the car window. -Please, let's just stop somewhere...- she whines, her cheek sliding against the glass. -My back is killing me, I need a comfortable bed.-
Josie is looking at the phone, her eyes casually blinking like they're about to close.
Hope has a death grip on the steering wheel, probably afraid to lose control over the car. -Where the hell are we?- she complains, looking around.
-Near Pinecrest- Josie answers; there is a slight uncertainty in her low voice. -I think...-
Lizzie groans. -Ugh, I told dad that phone is useless! It glitches more times than it actually works.-
-Agreed- Josie replies.
-The "no phones" rule makes me feel like someone from ancient history- Lizzie goes on. -Like... the 80s.-
Hope decides not to comment on that.
-Wait, there's a motel!- Josie exclaims, seemingly snapping out of her half-sleeping trance.
Hope quickly turns to her, relieved at the thought of something more comfortable than a car seat. -A motel? Where is it?-
-Less than a mile from here- Josie states. -I'll tell you how to get there.-
Hope nods.
-Not the two of you excited about a motel...- Lizzie grumbles, wrinkling her nose. -I want my own room now.-
Hope and Josie ignore her.
Five minutes later Hope enters the motel parking lot, leaving the car in front of a staircase.
Lizzie lifts her head, looking out the window, then she starts pushing Josie's seat. -Let me out!- she demands. -I need to stretch my legs.-
Josie nods, opening the car door and getting out. Lizzie blurts something like "finally" and follows after her, inhaling deeply. -Fresh air! I've missed it so much.-
Hope gets out too, walking towards the trunk to get her and Josie's bags while Lizzie grasps her own luggage, struggling to pull it off the car door.
Josie looks around, yawning. -This place is...-
-Horrible- Lizzie concludes, dropping her suitcase on the ground. -I feel like I'm in a horror movie... a flop one.-
Josie only nods, too tired to answer.
The motel is not really substantial - its room number probably isn't more than twenty - and it would also be deserted if it wasn't for the three cars in the parking lot. It has two stairs leading to the first floor, where there is only a barricade to separate the doors of the rooms from the edge.
A led sign with the place name gleams in the dark.
-Motel Glen Capri?- Lizzie reads. -Even the name sounds creepy.-
Hope runs a hand through her hair. -Well it's the only one that was near, so I guess we'll have to settle for it.-
Lizzie rolls her eyes and turns back to her luggage. She's still wearing the cult white dress and she looks like a bride.
-Thank God I remembered to take my luggage back from my tent- she tells Josie. -I could have lost so many amazing clothes.-
Her twin chuckles. -You can finally change that creepy white robe.-
-Yeah, I can't stand it anymore...- Lizzie looks down at her dress. -But it does look good on me though.-
Josie smiles at her sister. -It does.-
Hope has already taken the bags on her shoulders and walked towards the reception. Well, calling it reception isn't exactly correct. It is a small building attached to the motel: the first floor is probably the owners' flat while the ground floor is like an unpleasant version of a lobby. The green led light outside of it says 'vacancy'.
When Hope gets inside she sees a glass with a little rectangular hole in the centre that separates the entrance and another poorly lighted room, probably an office. In that room, there is an old woman who is lazily reading some papers in front of her.
-Excuse me?- Hope speaks, her impatience slipping out of her tongue.
The woman lifts her head and rises from her screeching chair, staring right back at her. Hope notices a tracheotomy tube on her neck and doesn't let her eyes linger too much on that to avoid making the woman uncomfortable; then she sees a tag name on her floral dress: Susan.
-Yes?- Susan says, raising an eyebrow. -You need something?-
Her voice is hoarse and unwelcoming. For some reason she can't explain, Hope has a feeling this woman knows her or at least what she is. -Two rooms for tonight.-
The woman tilts her head. -There's only one available.-
Hope blinks twice. -What?- she blurts, looking back outside. -There are only three cars in the parking lot, and the third is the one I was driving.-
Susan sits back on her chair, barely acknowledging Hope's presence. -So? The other rooms can't be used: ongoing renovation.-
Josie and Lizzie enter the reception, almost bumping into Hope. The blonde twin starts looking around while Josie stares in front of her, meeting an old woman's gaze: she must be the owner. The woman, Susan, smiles eerily at her and Josie feels chills running down her spine.
-Sounds like your service is top tier- Hope mumbles, crossing her arms.
Susan turns to her again. -And I believe your other option besides being here is driving at night for hours to get back home- she retorts. -So I suggest you stop complaining like a child. You look a little bit too grown up for that, lady.-
Josie frowns. Lizzie, who was completely entranced by a creepy painting on a wall, turns around to witness what is happening.
Hope closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. Then, her piercing glare comes back in full force. -Do you want more money?- she argues. -Is this what it is about?-
Susan turns around towards the showcase on the wall; there are a lot of keys hanging in it and this detail irritates Hope even more. -Oh, I don't care about money- the old woman confesses. She takes one of the keys in her hand, making it clink.
Josie notices a little scoreboard behind Susan with the number 214 displayed. She almost asks what it is for when the owner speaks again. -Room 22 is all yours.-
-Ugh, I hate that number- Lizzie emphasizes, lifting her suitcase. -It's all yours, Hope. Me and Josie will have another.-
Hope forces a smile. -There's only one available, Elizabeth.-
Lizzie scowls at the woman. -Only one available...- she gestures around with an exaggerated disgusted expression. -In this dump?!-
-Lizzie...- Josie warns her, subtly tilting her head to indicate the old woman without getting noticed.
Susan notices, but doesn't say anything.
-What could she do?- Lizzie whispers to her twin. -Spit in my coffee because I insulted this wrecked place?- She turns to Susan again, raising her voice back to normal. -You serve coffee, right? I'm gonna need it tomorrow morning.-
The woman glares at her numbly; her eyes are so dull that she looks like a walking corpse. -I assume you shall have to wake up without it.-
Josie steps in front of them to talk to Susan. -It's fine- she claims, showing a sweet smile. -We'll take the one that you have left.-
The woman hands her the key. Josie slightly shivers. She's not sure if it was for the metal or the woman's freezing hand, or maybe the cause is the number 22 she can't help but stare at.
A sudden fear starts creeping into her and she tries to shrug it away.
Lizzie sighs. -Let's go, I'm in desperate need of a shower... even if I'll probably find rats in there with me.-
Susan lets out a coughing laugh. -I hope you won't.-
The room is... well, it could be worse. There is a queen-size bed in the middle and a single bed against the door wall. The only source of light comes from a lamp on the bedside table that looks older than the three girls put together, and the weird lines pattern on the wooded paneling makes Hope scratching her neck uncomfortably.
Josie is taking some things out of her bag: a clean change of clothes, her bathrobe and a toothbrush. Hope drops her own bag near the single bed, presuming that the twins will sleep on the queen-size together.
Josie places her things on the sheets and then looks up, her eyes scanning the room. -Where's Lizzie?- she asks. -I thought she wanted to be the first one to shower.-
The door blasts open. -This motel sucks!-
Here she is.
Lizzie stops in the middle of the room, gesturing nervously with her hands. -I asked Grimhilde if I could have a deck chair to chill at the pool for a while since I fully deserve some relaxation after those weird witches mind controlled me and the lady called me a spoiled rich girl... Can you believe her? I'm not even rich!-
Josie blinks a few times and tilts her head to the side, repeating in her mind all the words her sister managed to say in just one breath.
Hope looks at Lizzie for a moment, then she grabs some clothes and goes to the bathroom to change.
Josie sits on the bed. -Lizzie, I'm pretty sure the only thing that woman will provide us is this awful room.-
-Unbelievable!- Lizzie shouts out, letting herself fall on the single bed with a thud. -Also, I wanted some damn snacks and the vending machine doesn't work. -She moves the sheets under her. -I'll just sleep for a while.-
Lizzie rests her head on the pillow and closes her eyes. Josie can't believe what she's seeing when she realizes her sister has already fallen asleep.
The brunette lets out a laugh. -Wow- she says out loud. -In seventeen years I've never seen her falling asleep so easily.-
-The cult really consumed her energy- Hope says getting out of the bathroom.
Josie turns towards her and feels her heart skip a bit. The tribrid is wearing a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a steel blue shirt that looks amazing on her. She still has her heeled boots on, the sound of her walking makes the wooden floor screech.
Hope runs a hand through her wavy hair, now delicately falling over her shoulders. -She also took the single bed- she notices, pointing at the sleeping blonde with her toothbrush.
Josie almost laughs but then she repeats Hope's words in her head, a sudden realization hits her: she is sitting on a bed, a queen-size bed, while her sister is in the single one. Which means...
-Do you mind if we sleep together in this?- Hope asks, smiling sheepishly at her.
Josie swallows. She shouldn't be nervous, she has no reason to: she and Hope are friends, she has a girlfriend and nothing is going on between them; so it surely isn't a problem to sleep with Hope. Correction: to sleep beside Hope.
-No, no... it's okay- Josie blurts. -There's no problem at all.-
But the problem is there and it's a big one.
Josie feels like she's about to combust. The window is open but her body is so hot she feels like it was 100° F in the room. Hope is laying beside her, occasionally moving around. Josie's breathing stops every time she does, her mind running thoughts that she should avoid at all costs.
'This is wrong, I shouldn't feel like this... not anymore.'
But her common sense is not helping at all because she doesn't seem to listen to it; the thoughts keep coming, racing in her mind so fast that she doesn't even realize it, and her heart skips a beat when the tribrid's body skims her own.
'It's not intentional, it doesn't mean anything.'
And it doesn't, it doesn't mean anything... not even when Josie deliberately looks at Hope to see if she got closer to her.
It doesn't mean anything, it never will.
Surprisingly, she manages to fall asleep. Sure, she has woken up in the middle of the night but still.
Josie opens her eyes and looks at the old radio on her bedside table: 4 am. -Great, I slept two hours.-
She yawns, stretching her arms, and immediately notices that the body that slept beside her isn't there anymore. She slowly gets up and wanders around but Hope is not in the room; Lizzie, instead, is still sleeping like a baby, curled against the wall.
Josie tiptoes towards the door, careful not to make any noise. She opens it and slowly closes it again, letting out a sigh. There's a cold wind outside that makes her shiver. She hugs herself, feeling chills in her arms. Looking around, Josie sees Hope in front of the vending machine. The redhead keeps punching the glass without succeeding.
Josie smiles, walking towards her. -It doesn't work- she says. -Lizzie tried before.-
Hope nods. -Yeah, I know. But I really wanted those peanut butter cookies- she admits, pouting.
Josie leans over the vending machine side, crossing her arms. -I don't think that punching it is gonna help- she giggles.
Hope smiles at her. -Had to try- she answers. -At least it's a good distraction...-
Josie puckers her lips. -You can't sleep either...-
The tribrid shakes her head, throwing a last punch at the machine. -No.-
The brunette snickers. -You're not really hitting it- she observes. -If you wanted to you could break this thing down in a second.-
Hope shrugs. -I feel like I have no energy right now.-
Josie stares at her for a moment and the numb expression on Hope's face makes her heart shrink. The redhead has been through a lot her whole life but it's clear that the last month has been really tough for her: losing Landon, finding him just to realize it wasn't really him, almost turning into a monster, being betrayed by Cleo, being left by the real Landon, being brainwashed by a cult of witches...
Josie just wants to hug her and tell her everything is going to be fine.
-I'm sorry, Hope- she whispers instead, lowering her head.
The tribrid looks up at her, frowning. -You didn't do anything.-
Josie sighs, stepping towards Hope until she was right beside her. -I didn't wanna push you to get over Landon, I just hate to see you hurt.-
The redhead's gaze is fixed on Josie now, almost entranced.
-You are so strong and selfless- the brunette continues. -When we were younger you never let anyone's opinion get to you, no matter how harsh it was.-
Hope tilts her head to the side, listening to the other girl like she doesn't want to miss a single word.
-The way you always stood up for yourself, without fear...- Josie smiles. -That was the thing I admired most about you- she admits.
Hope swallows nervously. -That's what you liked about me?-
Josie clears her throat, avoiding Hope's profound gaze. -Yeah- she sputters. -That and your blue eyes and your smile...- Josie keeps rambling and her cheeks redden a little. -And... I'm embarrassing myself right now.-
Hope lets out a genuine laugh and Josie thinks that maybe that embarrassment was worth it.
The brunette keeps staring at the other girl and bites her lower lip, suddenly nervous. -I really wish you realized how special you are and that no one should ever be allowed to fade the light you have.-
Hope stares at her for what feels like forever. Her pale skin shines under the moonlight, every detail is clearer now: from her sharp jawline to the soft curve of her lips.
Josie takes a deep breath, completely struck by the view in front of her. Her heart beating faster is the undeniable sign that she can't stay anymore, that she's about to do something wrong.
The siphoner awkwardly hacks. -Maybe I should go back to the room and try to sleep again- she murmurs; the hesitation in her voice is making her intentions less believable, especially to someone who knows her well like Hope.
She doesn't wait for an answer before moving to walk back but the tribrid is faster: she steps in front of her, blocking the way. Josie, not expecting it, hits the vending machine with her back. A gasp escapes her lips while Hope gets even closer to her, their noses almost touching.
It was just pure instinct, Hope didn't want to scare her... so when the tribrid realizes their positions, her eyes widen a little. She shifts on her feet and takes a deep breath.
-I'm sorry, I...- Hope whispers. -I just wanted... I just wanted to tell you something.-
She gets closer to Josie, resting her hands at the sides of the brunette's head.
A brief pain blooms in Josie's stomach and she feels a shock making its way through all of her body; it's addicting, makes her feel alive. The dim lights on the wall at her back flash intermittently; Hope's eyes look darker, like thin ocean blue rings around her pupils. If she didn't know Hope so well she would think she looks dangerous.
-I've always thought I wasn't worth it- Hope starts, her voice slightly trembling. -My family fought so much to protect me, and my parents died to do so...-
Josie instinctively strokes Hope's cheek with her hand, trying to reassure her.
The redhead melts into her touch, staring at Josie with even more intensity than before. -But you always make me feel like there's no reason to torture myself. You make me see that light you're talking about. I don't feel wrong or afraid... you're like a safe place. When I'm with you it's like my mind can relax, just for a moment, and I don't have to worry about anything.-
It is true, it is the most honest Hope has ever been with someone, and it isn't easy for her. Opening up about her feelings has always scared her because she saw them as a burden that must be only hers to carry, but everything comes naturally now: being with Josie, staring into her brown eyes and telling her that she's the only one capable of ceasing every storm that torments Hope's head. It's perfect, it's meant to be.
And maybe it is this thought that pushes Hope to lean in, her nose brushing Josie's. The Saltzman twin knows they're about to cross a line, that this should stop immediately, but her reason is collapsing in front of Hope, almost dissolving completely. She can smell Hope's fancy perfume on her neck and feel the lingering touch of the tribrid's fingers on her waist. It feels right even if it is far away from the being so: it's wrong, it's completely wrong.
Josie's reason completely shatters and she leans in too, feeling Hope's lips skim her own. The pain in her stomach comes back, deeper than before, and she exhales. Hope lowers her intense gaze at the siphoner's rising chest and she stills for a moment.
-Hope?- Josie breathes.
Her voice is husky, so much that Hope almost doesn't hear her. The siphoner can taste the forbidden desire on her tongue when she swallows. It is too much, it is all too much, but she's paralyzed on the spot.
Hope's eyes come back to drown in hers, darkest than ever. She holds her hand up and brushes her thumb on Josie's lower lip, so delicately that the twin only feels a ghost touch. She wants to say something but the only thought crossing her mind is 'Hope, Hope, Hope'.
The tribrid breathes in again, resting her thumb on Josie's chin. The siphoner swears she can feel her heart beating against Hope's. Having the other girl's body so pressed against her is a sensation she never thought she could experience, but here she is: her breasts touching Hope's, the tribrid hands on her, her skin burning like it's on fire even though the air around her is bitterly cold.
The tension between them is intoxicating, Josie has never felt so entranced before: Hope's touch has bewitched her in a way that no one else has ever done and maybe never will.
Hope leans in again, almost brushing Josie's lips with her own.
That's when it all comes down.
A thunderous noise of tolling bells shatters the silence. Josie hits her head on the vending machine, cursing under her breath.
Hope retreats from her and bends, covering her ears. -What the hell is this noise?!-
Is it unusually loud and it sounds like it's coming from every direction.
Josie looks around, stepping towards the other girl until her sight becomes black. She blinks twice but nothing happens: the only thing she sees is utter darkness.
Hope wails, letting the fingers run through her auburn hair like she wants to tear it out. Josie stumbles against the vending machine, hitting it again.
Suddenly, the noise stops.
Hope pulls herself up, her face still wincing. -Fuck, that was way too loud.-
-H-Hope?- Josie mumbles.
Hope is too distracted to hear her; she hangs out the barricade, looking at the parking lot. Her blood boils. -Josie, there's something wrong...-
-Hope?!-
The panic in Josie's voice makes her head quickly turn to her: the siphoner has her eyes wide open, her arms trying to grasp the air.
-Jo?- she calls, getting closer to her. When she brushes her arm, Josie flinches. Hope feels panic rising in her chest. -Jo, what is it?-
The siphoner is wheezing. -Hope... Hope I can't see.-
Hope puts her arms on Josie's shoulders to calm her down but the brunette keeps trying to touch her without succeeding. Hope steps in front of her, taking her hands in her own. -Jo? Jo, I'm here. Hey...-
-Hope, I can't see!- Josie cries out, her eyes watering. -I can't see anything!-
The tribrid feels like she can't breathe any more; the air around her is suffocating, the ground is about to swallow her. Something bad is happening, something that is out of her control. She can feel the black magic circling her... but who is using it?
A piercing scream rings out from behind them; the voice is scarily familiar.
-Lizzie?!- Josie shouts back; concern makes her voice tremble.
Hope takes Josie by the arm and walks towards their room, pushing the door open. Josie sprints inside, desperately trying to touch something around her. -Lizzie? Please tell me you're alright.-
Hope turns to the bed and a growing fear blows up in her stomach. Lizzie is half-sitting on the bed with her back against the wall. She's panting, incapable of forming words to answer her sister. Blood is spread across every part of her body, her skin looking even paler under the crimson red stains.
Hope searches for a wound but she doesn't seem to find it.
-Lizzie?!- Josie calls again.
Hope's sight becomes blurred. She's trying to keep her eyes open but that suddenly turns out to be an impossible task. Her legs feel heavy like they can't hold her anymore.
-Josie!- Lizzie cries out. -Josie, this blood appeared out of nowhere!-
-Blood?!-
The twins' voices sound so far away from Hope: she feels like she's in another room and can only hear their muffled words through the walls.
-Jo, what happened to your eyes?!-
-I don't know!-
Now their voices are barely discernible: they sound the same and completely different at the same time.
Hope blinks one last time and her body falls numb on the floor. The last thing she hears is Lizzie calling out her name and Josie touching her right arm, her hands trembling with fear against the tribrid's skin.
Everything goes black.