THE VOID

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥

((Hero takes Mel into the living room. As Alice and Josephine make their way to the kitchen))

Alice: "How are you feeling?" ((She asks a clearly stressed Josephine))

Josephine: "I honestly don't know how to answer that question" ((she sighs)) "How are you feeling?"

Alice: "Honestly?" ((she takes a seat)) "Let's make a run for it, let's tell them to handle it all by themselves" ((she says but it's obvious she's not serious))

Josephine: "Yeah" ((she adds)) "I mean this truly has nothing to do with us" ((she laughs)) "It's so messed up"

Alice: "More like they are so messed up" ((she corrects))

Josephine: ((nods smiling in agreement)) "They're our friends now though" ((she adds and they both sigh))

Alice: "Would you ever hide something like that from me?" ((She asks))

Josephine: "No" ((she answers quickly)) "You're the one person I would trust with anything" ((she adds))

Alice: "Same" ((she smiles)) "Why did they keep it from Hero and Mel then?" ((She asks confused))

Josephine: "I don't know" ((she frowns)) "Everyone is different though and I figure maybe they felt they couldn't handle something like this" ((she adds))

Alice: "Not fair of them to make that decision" ((she counters))

Josephine: "That's true" ((she looks down and then back to Alice)) "But in the little time I've known Hero, I can see how fragile he is. I think they just wanted to protect him" ((she defends them))

Alice: "I still think they should have told both of them, and now that we're involved they should have told us" ((there's a hint of annoyance in her voice)) "I mean Jo, we are now risking our lives for this" ((she shrugs))

Josephine: "Yeah, they should have been honest" ((she sighs)) "But if you've been lying for that long, maybe the lie starts to feel more like the only truth you find bearable" ((she offers))

Alice: ((gasps a little)) "Josephine, why are you defending them so much?" ((She asks already knowing the answer)) "You can't" ((she adds))

Josephine: "Look, I get it. He's mad they lied but more lies isn't going to solve the situation" ((she states)) "We don't have time right now to let our emotions control our actions. I just need this to be over with" ((she adds))

Alice: "I agree" ((she sighs)) "But I also understand where Hero is coming from, he wants to do this without them. We should respect that" ((she pleads))

Josephine: "Don't you think this whole thing would be over sooner if we all work together, we need them to fix all this bullshit" ((she responds trying to lower her voice))

Alice: "Josephine" ((she's scared for her friend))

Josephine: "After this is over, he can be mad at them and hate them. If he leaves them out and something happens..." ((she can't finish the sentence)) "He will regret it, that will haunt him more than the anger he feels right now" ((she adds))

Alice: "It's not our place, to make that decision" ((she shakes her head)) "I don't think you're considering how he will react if you do this" ((she offers her concern for their relationship))