The Second Instance (Hope) PART 1

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Normally enjoyed a warm sea breeze against my face. Normally I enjoyed feeling soft sand beneath my feet and normally I enjoyed watching the sunset with Hope. Not today.

She was sat on the rock beside me, staring intently down at her feet. Her eyes were narrowed, her eyebrows were furrowed and her lips were pursed together. She had been acting distant all week, ever since Faith had come over. Something was on her mind, something she didn't want to share with me.

"Beautiful view, isn't it?" I said whilst looking at her. She was wearing a single piece swimsuit and the necklace that Faith had given her on her birthday, some years ago.

"Yeah," she said curtly. I waited for her to say something, but for a full minute I heard nothing other than the sound of waves crashing on the shore and the occasional cry of a seagull.

Then, abruptly, she asked me "Do you ever wonder whether there's more to life than, than this?" She continued to stare at her feet.

"Right now, I'm watching a beautiful sunset with the person I love most in the world. What more could I ask for?" I replied, "Are you alright, Hope? I'm worried about you, what's on your mind? Talk to me."

"Don't you ever want to be part of something bigger, something that really makes a difference?"

"I guess, but not if it meant giving up moments like this."

"Even if you could prevent so much suffering. Even..." she trailed off. Her jaw was clenched.

Where was she going with this? I stared at her silently for a moment.

She continued, "Even if you could save lives?"

"What are you on about, Hope? Look, I would give up anything to be with you, I-"

"Stop. You mean everything to me but, that's why I have to-" she choked on her words. Her eyes were wet. "That's why we need to break up." Her voice was shakey. She turned her head away from me but I could hear her sniffling.

"Hope. Talk to me! You're not making any sense. What's this all about? Just, just talk to me for a second." I felt my chest ache. Fuck, it hurt so much more than anything she had ever done to my balls.

"I can't! I can't tell you, because I love you." She sounded pained.

"Is someone threatening you? Are you being blackmailed? Look, whatever it is, we can handle it, together." I tried to compose myself, but my thoughts were racing. What had she got herself into? Why couldn't she tell me? Why did she want to break up? It made no fucking sense.

"No one's threatening me, nobody's blackmailing me. I've put you in enough danger already. I should have broken up before I-" she choked on her words again.

"Just tell me what's going on. I can't let you go through whatever it is you're going through alone. I don't care if it puts me in danger. I would die for you."

"I don't want you to die for me!" She turned and faced me, her voice was strained and uncharacteristically loud. Her face was wet and her eyes red.

"Hope, please. I want to help you, just give me a chance." I begged with my eyes.

She broke eye contact and slowly steadied her breathing. Her sapphire blue eyes locked with mine once more. Her gaze was intense, almost intimidating.

"Once I tell you, there's no going back," she said, "Are you sure you want to hear the truth?"

"I'm certain." I was prepared for anything.

"I have never worked under the deparment of transport. Hope isn't my real name." She paused, letting me process what she had said and then carried on. "I'm part of a secret government funded team that-" suddenly the air exploded behind us.

"Get down!" She shouted as she hid behind the rock were sitting on. Holy shit. I crouched down. This was all happening too fast.

"Relax," I heard a familiar voice call out from the distance, "at this range I could have easily killed you if I wanted to. Get up, Mark."

I slowly stood up and saw a female figure carrying what appeared to be a supressed sniper rifle walking towards me. As she came closer I recognised her face.

"Faith?" It couldn't be.

"You should have stuck to the plan, Scarlett. You know what we have to do now."

"Please. You know how much he's already gone through for me. He would never betray us," Hope sounded desperate

"He has to pass the test, it's the only way. Do it now, or I'll blow his brains out," Faith sounded deadly serious.

"I'm sorry." I heard hope say from behind me. Her bare foot appeared between my legs, snapping up into my swimming trunks. Pain exploded in my balls and I crumpled onto the sand. Fuck, she'd never kicked me this hard before. Hope turned me belly up. I looked up at her delicate silhouette against the red and purple sky. She grabbed a leg with each hand and placed her foot on my trunks. I felt her trap one of my balls between her toes.

"This is going to hurt. It's going to hurt a lot." She said as she curled her toes. Agonising pain spread up into my belly and I couldn't help but writhe beneath her. I struggled for what felt like forever. I couldn't breath. My vision slowly darkened.

As I blacked out I heard Hope say one more time "I'm so sorry Mark".

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