Chapter Five: A New Hope

A New Hope

Pounding on the door Wakes Nicole from a sound sleep, Adam stills next to her as he wakes up, his arms circling her with a fierce protectiveness. Nicole kisses his hand before untangling herself from him and running quickly to the door, the person still pounding on it. Her heart leaps up into her throat as she opens it, finding Frank on the other side. He was covered in dirt and grime, blood splashed onto his shirt mixing in. His eyes held a sorrow that made her weak kneed.

 

"Frank where's Derrick?" She says as Adam joins them, slipping her arm around her waist for support. Frank just gives them a strained look making her panic rise. "Frank, Where's Derrick?" She says knowing something was very wrong. He looks down,

 

"There was an incident with an Infected women," Nicole's legs give out and if it wasn't for Adam's strong arm around her she would have collapsed to the floor. Frank opens his mouth to speak but Nicole just pushes past him, tearing down the hall and flying down the stairs, her only goal was to get to the nurses office. When she gets down the stairs  the tribe was crowding around in the hallway, talking in panicked voices, but she just shoulders her way through them, spotting Fergs, Cash, and Tony, sitting in the chairs outside the office.

 

"Fergs!" She shouts making his head snap up, the others looking in her direction as she stops in front of them. "Derrick?" She says in a wobbly voice looking at Fergs. Tears were streaming down his face as he looked back at her.

 

"God Damn Fool. He says his voice shaky, "He went back to grab Hope's rabbit and the b***h stabbed him." He says. It was then that Nicole noticed a small girl in Cash's arms, she was dirty, blood stained and clinging to a small purple rabbit. She peers at Nicole with with piercing blue eyes, high and alert, taking in everything around her. Nicole smiles at her making her bury her face back into Cash's shoulder, her small body shaking as tears fell.

 

"Is he?" Nicole couldn't finish her sentience as tears of her own flooded down her face. Fergs shakes his head.

 

"It's Derrick, he's hanging in there, But Margaery says its bad," He says, sighing. Tony stands up and it was then that She noticed his shirt was soaked through with Blood, " Nicole there was so much blood, I thought he wasn't, But he's strong he's hanging in there." Fergs says rattled. At that moment Adam finally made his way over and Nicole leans against him for support.

 

"I'm sorry, It's all my fault, I didn't mean to hurt your brother." A small child like voice says making Nicole look at the girl who was staring at her with her piercing blue eyes. Nicole smiles at the young girl and shakes her head, kneeling down so she could be eye level with her.

 

"Hope is it?" She asks gently, the little girl nods, "Its not you're fault sweetie, He must have known just how important your rabbit was to you, that's why he went back for it. Don't be sorry for that." She says brushing her hair away from her face. The little girl sniffs and leaning away from Cash she opens her arms up to Nicole. Cash lets go of her and she wraps her skinny arms around Nicole's neck in a hug, Nicole wraps her own around her body and picks her up. just then Margaery, the doctor, comes out, making Fergs and Cash jump to their feet. Her clothing was splattered with blood, Derrick's blood Nicole Realized, and her face was grim. Nicole stops breathing as she waits for her to speak.

 

"I was able to stop the bleeding, he's stable right now." She says, her voice sounding exhausted. Fergs Visibly sags back down in his chair, Cash and Tony hug in a very un-manly way and Nicole lets out her held in breath. Hope Smiles through her tears.

 

"Can we see him? Please Mrs." She asks her voice full of excitement. Margaery smiles kindly at her but shakes her head.

 

"He needs to sleep right now, and so don't the rest of you, You can all see him tomorrow OK?" She says looking at each and everyone one of them. Just then Veronica Bursts through, her gray slipping out of her ponytail, her eyes blurry with tears and sleep. She spies Margaery and barrels over to her, tears streaming down her face. AS soon as she gets there the Doctor doesn't hesitate, she just opens the door and Veronica quietly slips in. No one objects as the mother rushes to be at her son's side. Margaery turns back to look at Hope "When he is ready I'll have someone get you OK?" She says gently, Hope just nods and sniffles, Curling up closer into Nicole. Cash smiles at her then looks at Nicole and Adam.

 

"Can you take her to your room for the night? I don't think she will feel safe with the other children." He says rubbing the little girls back. Nicole looks at Adam to see if he was OK with it.

 

"Of course w can take her, we have a couch in there that she can sleep on. Is that OK Hope?" Adam says smiling at her. Cash says his goodnights and stumbles down the hallway towards the room he shared with Tony who with a quick wave follows his roommate and soon they disappear. "come on Hope, Lets go to the Gym area and get you cleaned up first OK? then we can go to bed.  Adam says and the three head over to the Gym where the showers in the locker rooms had been fixed. Adam jumps up on the Semi Rotting bleachers and sits down, as Nicole takes Hope into the Girls Locker room. Hope's blue eyes wide as she takes everything in. Some of the lights had stopped working so it gave the whole place an eerie cast, the rows and rows of lockers covering every inch of available space loomed around them like silent sleeping giants. Frightened Hope gasps and slings to Nicole's Leg, her little hand slipping into hers gripping it tightly. Nicole smiles down at her and leads her to the very back wall of lockers,opening one that was marked Young Girls, sleepwear, and takes out a light pink nightie.

 

"Here we go, something to sleep in, now come on we need to get some shampoo and soap and we can get you all cleaned up." Nicole explains to the frighten child, who just blinks up at her and lets her tug her over to Another set of lockers that when she opened them revealed bars of ugly brown soap, and small bottles of clear liquids. Grabbing a bar and a bottle she shuts the locker and goes over to one of the shower stalls. She turns it on, the water rattling in the pipes before hissing out, spitting out luke warm water. She turns around as Hope wiggles out of her dirt and blood covered clothing and steps into the shower, a sigh of childlike happiness escaping her. Nicole hands her the soap and giggles when she hears a slight gasp. "Be careful of the soap, it stings if you have any cuts, we have a few people here who can make homemade soap, they make it all for us unless we can find some when the boys go out." She says handing the bottle of shampoo for her. About ten minutes later she hears Hope turning off the shower and her face peeks out from behind the shower curtain.

 

"Can I have a towel?" She whispers. Nicole goes over to the closest row of lockers and grabs a dingy towel, handing it to the little girl. She carefully dries herself off and Nicole hands her the nightie which she easily slips on. "Um Nicole, I need undies." She says her newly clean face blushing an adorable shade of pink. Nicole chuckles and walks back over to the wall that had the nightie in it, easily finding a pair of clean underwear for her. When she was all dressed she slips her hand back into Nicole's and the two girls walk out of the locker room to find Adam laying across the bleachers, an arm thrown over his face, slightly snoring. Hope giggles and scrambles up the bleachers to poke him in the side. "Adam?" She says hesitantly. Adam yelps and shoots up in fright, making her laugh, her first laugh since being found. Adam looks down at her and smiles before lifting her up and picking his way carefully down them to where Nicole Looked on with a smile on her face. The three leave the gym and quickly walk back the way they came, Hope looks at the large wooden doors that lead to the old auditorium. "Whats That?" She asks point to them. Adam follows her finger and smiles.

 

"That is the old auditorium, when this place was still a functioning school that's where we would have plays and where the bands, chorus, and orchestra use to have their concerts. Now we use it as a church and meeting place. Want to look?" He explains as Hope nods. He puts her down and the three go over to the doors. Using his shoulder Adam pushes the heavy doors open and the two girls slip into the vast dark room, the door banging shut behind them as Adam steps in After them. The room was cold and dark, the silence deafening. Hope clings to Nicole as they walk down the small isle. Rows and rows of folding metal chairs surrounded them, some were so rotted the cushions were black with mold, their stench making her wrinkle her nose. What little lighten was there were trained onto the large stage that the tribe had fixed up, Hope stares at it in awe. Currently the podium was placed in the center of the stage, behind it was a statue of the virgin Marry, and a statue of a cross with Jesus on it. Nicole lifts Hope onto the stage and the little girl stumbles over to the Virgin Marry.

 

"She's so pretty who is she?" She asks, awe in her voice as she traces the plaine of her face. Adam hauls himself onto the stage and walks over to her, standing next to her.

 

"That's the Virgin Marry, She is His Mother." He explains pointing to the cross. Hope wanders over to it, recognition dawning in her eyes.

 

"That's um God's son, My mama use to pray to him, like this." She says putting her hands together in a praying motion, bending her head over them and closing her eyes, "Then she would whisper so softly that I couldn't hear her, just see her lips move, she would tell me that she was talking to God and Jesus." She says letting her hands fall to her sides. "She said that when we die we go live with them, I guess she's living with them now." Tears start to fall from her eyes as a sob claws its way out of her throat. Adam squats down so he is eye level with her and opens his arms as she hurls herself into his arms, crying for her mother. Nicole Hauls herself onto the stage and rushes over to them, Hope lifts her arms to her and she quickly picks her up, her small body trembling in her arms.

 

"Come on, Lets go to bed." She whispers, looking over at Adam. they leave the auditorium and head for the stairs, the halls now deserted since the Tribe went back to their rooms. On the Second floor they briskly walk down the hall to the very end, Nicole casting a look at Derek's empty room before stopping at theirs next door. Adam opens the door and lights the lamp that was resting on a rickety table near it. Nicole puts Hope down so she can look around. "This is our room and this," She says walking over to the large puffy red couch that was in one corner, "This is where you will be sleeping, Adam go get the extra set of sheets." She says as she takes off all the cushions, tugging at the bottom until the pull out bed gives a rusty squeak and obeys her pulls. Adam hands her the sheets and she makes quickly work making up the bed for her, but when they turn around Hope is nowhere to be found. "Hope?" She says her voice full of alarm. Adam nudges her elbow and nods his head to the opened connecting door to Derek's room. They go over to find Hope standing next to his bed holding a dirty framed picture that had been on his bedside table. When Nicole goes over and stands behind her she sees that it was a picture of her and Derek when they were younger, sitting on the swings in the same park they had first met in. She smiles as she remembers that day. "That's me and Derek, it was my 13Th birthday." She says making Hope look at her.

 

"Can I sleep in here? please?" she asks her voice full of hope. Nicole looks at Adam who just shrugs.

 

"If it makes her feel better let her, she's been through enough." He says wandering back to their room, getting ready to go back to bed. Nicole turns to Hope and laughs as she sees the girl had climbed onto the bed and had nestled into Derek's blanket, sleeping soundly, her rabbit clutched tightly to her chest. She creeps out of the room leaving the connecting door open, in case Hope cried out, and walks over to their bed, where Adam was already laying down in, his chest bare. Nicole slides under the covers and snuggles up  to her boyfriend, sighing when his lean muscled arms wrap around her in a loving embrace. "You're so good with children" He whispers, his breath tickling her ear. She looks up into his brown eyes and smiles at him, leaning up to place a feather light kiss on his lips before settling down to sleep.

 

once again urgent pounding on the door startles her from her dreamless sleep. Adam stirs next to her, muttering under his breath something like never getting a good nights rest. Slipping out of bed Nicole rushes over to the door, opening it slightly to peer out it at who was waking them up for the second time. This time it was Margaery's granddaughter who was only a few years younger then Nicole.

 

"Grandmother say that he is awake, and is demanding to see you." She says, a huge yawn ripping from her. Nicole thanks her and watches her stumble back down the hall to the stairs before closing the door. Adam was still in bed but his eyes were alert, already guessing what was going on. He watches as his girlfriend grabs a pair of his baggy sweatpants and slips them on.

 

"Take care of Hope, I'll be right back." She says to him, going over to kiss him. She quickly and quietly slips out the door and runs down the hall, flying down the stairs, taking them two at a time. By the time she got to Margaery's office Fergs was just emerging, throwing his arms out to steady her as she barrels into him. Muttering an apology she opens the door and slips into the office, the smell of dried blood and disinfectant making her halt in her tracks. The old nurse who was at her desk looks up at the sound of her approach, pointing to one of the two rooms, the larger of the two.

 

"He's in there, he's waiting for you." She says going back to looking at her journal which she was writing furiously in. Nicole goes to the door and rests her hand on the nob, stilling with sudden nerves. Taking a deep breath she turns the nob and quietly slips in. The room was dark, the stench of dried blood more pungent in here, pushed up to the back wall was the small twin sized bed, a still figure resting on it. Her breath halts in her throat as she inches over to Derrick. His shirt had been ripped away showing his well toned stomach which was currently heavily bandaged, dark liquid seeping out of his wound, spreading onto the gauze. When she was right next to the bed she hesitantly sits on the edge, her hand reaching out to touch his arm, making him stir and moan in pain.

 

"Nikkie?" He mutters in a pained voice. He moves his head and his eyes flutter open, staring up at her. She smiles as his hand finds hers, squeezing it with little strength. tears flood down her face as she leans down, gently giving him a hug, careful not to touch his injured side. His arms wrap around her and surprisingly crush her to him, not caring about his wound. "I thought I would never see you again." He whispers into her hair, his strength momentarily returning to him as he hugs her closer to him. She wraps her own arms around him and hugs him back just as hard, her tears flowing harder.

 

" I thought I lost you, Don't you ever do that to me again Derrick Reid, do you hear me." She says through her tears. He lets go of her so she could look at him. He takes in her tears and reaching up wipes them away. A look she didn't recognize flashes across his face before smoothing away.

 

"Want to know what I was thinking about right before I passed out." He says, his voice low. Nicole gives him a look before nodding. He closes his eyes and takes a shaky painfilled breath. "I was thinking that if I died I would never be able to tell the girl I Loved that I was so madly in love with her that it took me a while to finally admit it." He opens his eyes and stares at her, her breath catching in her throat.

 

"And who is this lucky girl?" She asks, her voice barely above a whisper, knowing but not knowing the answer to her own question. Derrick just stares at her, and with a strength she didn't think he was capable of in his weakened state he manages to push himself up onto his elbows "easy don't strain yourself." She says trying to push him back down, but he just captures her hands in one of his, crushing it to his bare chest. He takes one hand and grips her chin, pulling her face closer to his until his lips were connecting with hers. She gasps and without realizing it she sags against him, kissing him back with the same fierce passion he was showing her, a Moan leaving her. NO! Snapping out of she tears herself away from him, slapping him hard across the face. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" She hisses. Derrick touches his cheek and flinches slightly, his cheek already showing signs of her slap. "I am with Adam, You're BEST Friend, Jesus Derrick, You're like my brother!" She stands up and turns her back on him, her anger flaring up inside her chest.

 

"But I'm not your brother," He whispers behind her. With her back turned she hears him struggling to Sit up, finally she turns around and sees him propped up on his good side, staring intently at her. "Nicole, I'm not trying to upset you, but you know what. I almost died, and it made me realize that My feelings for you isn't just that of a brother," He says in a strong confident voice. Nicole closes her eyes and shakes her head.

 

"Stop Derrick" She says her eyes still closed. He snorts.

 

"No I wont stop, Nicole I have loved you for years, I never knew it until this trip, But I was content just being there, Please look at me." He says, his voice filled with pain and begging. Nicole opens her eyes and stares down at the man who had always been there for her, looking at him in a whole new light. He loved her? He holds out his hand and hesitantly she moves closer and grabs it, gasping when he draws her closer. She stares down at him as he wraps his good arm around her waist, trapping her to him. " I love you Nicole, and I think you feel the same way." He says honestly, looking up at her. She sucks in her breath as He tugs her down to his level, sitting on the edge of the cot. He looks into her eyes, his eyes piercing into hers making her blush. He leans in and to her surprise she finds herself leaning into him, their lip connecting for a second time. his arm tightens against her and she moans against his lips as she deepens the kiss. Feelings that had always been there but she never  let surface finally breaks free, crashing into her. She rips herself away from him, her breath stolen from her and she breathes heavily trying to regain it. Derrick's breathing is also ragged as he too tries to catch it. "Nicole-" Nicole puts her hand up.

 

"Stop, I can't do this, its wrong, I'm with Adam, I LOVE Adam," She says in a rush. Derrick drops to the bed, gasping in pain as the pain of sitting up finally gets to him, The red spot on the gauze deepens and spreads. He gasps and grabs his side, the red liquid seeping its way from between his fingers. Nicole gasps and runs to the door, ripping it open. " Margaery! Help his side is bleeding again!" She shrieks to the Nurse. Margaery throws down her Pen and rushes to the room, grabbing more gauze on her way in. Nicole turns back to Derrick to find him passed out. Margaery pushes her way inside, pushing Nicole out of the way and gets to work trying to fix him.

 

"His stitches were pulled, Nicole you need to leave, I need to concentrate on fixing him, he's loosing more blood." She says going over to the cabinet full of supplies and grabbing a pair of scissors. She turns to see Nicole standing there her face pale as she stares at Derrick, tears running down her face. Her face softens and she goes over to the younger girl, Resting a hand on her arm. " Nicole you need to go, go take care of Hope, I promise I will call for you again when he is stable again OK?" She says gently. Nicole turns her ice blue eyes to the older women and nods, her tears still streaming and lets her drag her to the office door. She winces when the door closes softly behind her. A strangled sob escapes her and she tears down to the auditorium, shouldering the heavy doors open and flies down the isle. When she reaches the stage she climbs onto it and sinks to her knees in from of the statue of God. She puts her head down and cries, deep heavy sobs.

 

"God I don't even know if you exist or not but alot of people do, so they have to be on to something right?" She whispers lifting her head and staring up at the statue. " IF you're real, please don't take him from me, He is needed by so many people, Veronica, Hope, Adam," Her voice catches but she pushes on, " I need him." the sobs come harder and she cries out her fear.

 

" He means it when he says he loves you you know?" Say a deep familiar voice from behind her. She turns her head to see Fergs sitting in one of the front chairs. In her rush she didn't realize he had been sitting there.

 

" How'd how'd you know?" She says wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She gets up and slips off the stage, settling herself in the chair next to him. He looks up at the statue and speaks.

 

"Who do you think was the person who made him wake up and realize he was in love with you?" he says looking at her from the corner of his eye. "you love him too don't you?" Nicole looks down,

 

"I'm with Adam." She whispers. Fergs just laughs.

 

"You can be with someone but love some one else Nicole, Its easy." Nicole shakes her head.

 

" I couldn't do that to Adam."

 

"Listen, If you think about it, whats worse, being with someone you don't love while pining away for the person you do love, or saving him from that by being honest, not only to him but to yourself." He says, patting her knee before standing up. Without a word he turns and walks up the isle, slipping out with a soft thud of the door. Nicole stares up at the Statue, her mind in a whirl wind.

 

 Did she Really Love him?