The Tape

Chapter 28

Josie's POV: I gaped, staring at the TV in disbelief before glancing over at Penelope. "You...you heard that too...right", I asked her uncertainly. 

"Yeah...", she got out before the lights above us went out. 

"Alright, Penelope, you've had your fun. Now cut it out", I glared.

"I'm not doing anything", she said, holding her hands up before a soft tune drifted into the room, causing me to frown as I glanced over at Penelope in confusion. 

Dropping the cord, I slowly made my way into the bedroom cautiously before freezing as I spotted Lizzie waltzing around the room as she stuffed her things into a box. "What in hell...", Penelope muttered, walking up behind me. 

The room looked almost different somehow.

Warmer.

"Liz...", I whispered, moving further into the room as I raised my hand shakily. "Lizzie", I called, reaching forward only for my hand to pass through her as I watched Lizzie pick up a familiar, blue box.

The one grandma gave to her on our fourth birthday.

Opening the lid, she smiled to herself as a soft tune drifted out of the box. 

The same tune that we heard earlier.

The tune seemed almost sinister somehow, causing a shiver to travel down the length of my spine as she picked up a photo. Her smile seemed to sadden before loud ringing echoed around the room. "Hello", she answered.

"Is that all I get after a twenty-hour work shift", Hope's voice came through, causing her to roll my eyes fondly.

"Sorry. I was just going through some old stuff of mine, and...", she sighed. "It doesn't matter", she said. "When are you getting home? I miss you...and we really need to discuss the wedding plans", she reminded, causing her to giggle.

"Lizzie, I literally asked you to marry me last month. We have time", she laughed.

"Exactly! At this rate, we'll have nothing planned for the bachelorette party, and I am not letting Penelope plan that for us. She'll probably order stripper cops or something", Lizzie pointed out, causing me to glance over at Penelope to see her eyes watering. 

"Damn right", Penelope chuckled, wiping at her eyes as I sent her a sympathetic look.

"I'm really sorry, Lizzie. I can't tonight", Hope admitted. "They're asking me to stay late. Something about a really bad wreck near Wickery Bridge", she explained apologetically.

"Fine. But don't think that this means that you're getting out of that dinner party next week. Your Aunt...Finard-"

"Freya", she corrected.

"Is expecting us, and I really need you to go dress shopping with me", Lizzie said.

"Again? I thought you liked the red one", she asked, causing her to bite my lip anxiously.

"I did, but I don't think that its...dinner material", she lied, causing the line to go quiet. "Please don't be mad", she pleaded.

"I'm not mad, Lizzie. I'm just tired", she said. "I'll take you shopping tomorrow, but you owe me", she responded before hanging up, causing Lizzie to wince slightly.

Yeah...maybe she's a little mad.

Sighing, she threw her phone onto the bed before stuffing the music box into her box before grabbing a marker. Writing her name on the front, I squinted my eyes suspiciously.

Isn't that the same box that I saw in Hope's car?

The lights above us flickered as the room seemed to change. "Wasn't it morning earlier", Penelope frowned, pointing out the darkened window.

"Hope, where are you? You said that you'll be back hours ago", Lizzie asked, walking out of the bathroom with the phone pressed to her ear. "Just...call me", she pleaded, hanging up the phone before the same tune drifted into the room as the phone rang once more. "Hope", Lizzie questioned, picking up the phone. 

"Lizzie...something....something happened", Penelope's voice echoed.

"Well that's not creepy or anything", Penelope muttered beside me.

"What? What's wrong", Lizzie asked in concern.

"It's...it's Hope", she breathed before she quickly grabbed her jacket. "There was an accident", she said, before grabbing her jacket as the lights switched back on, returning the room to normal.

"What the fuck just happened", Penelope asked, looking around the room weirdly.

"I...have no idea", I frowned in confusion.