Tending to my prisoner [ Locked to a_soul_awake ]

[cantseethis]

Atticus wasted no time in seeking out Hope once he'd been informed of what happened. The problem was, he hadn't received the whole story. Or at least he couldn't have because when he arrived to the Medical wing instead of finding Dr. Chandler he had found a temporary replacement instead. He was even more surprised to learned that her new

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[a_soul_awake]

Hope had never done well when left to her own devices with no entertainment. The cell they threw her in was pretty basic. There was a bed, a little desk and a toilet with a sink. That was it. There was nothing, absolutely nothing to distract her mind and considerable intellect. This was a problem.

She paced for awhile, then did some mental math, went back to pacing and finally just laid down to try and sleep. She thought she might be losing it when she heard Atticus's voice. It seemed rather soon to be developing hallucinations.

"Well, at least I'll have some company," she said as she sat up.

[a_soul_awake]

"I know, I know, but a cell's different than you getting scolded." And she was protective of him. She didn't want him dragged into her trouble.

[cantseethis]

He waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes. What do you want?"

[a_soul_awake]

"To take it back," she admitted. "I didn't mean to, I never wanted to. I just... I hate what I've done."

[cantseethis]

Atticus sighed and rubbed his hand over his face roughly. He should have known this would be harder to boil over for her. Taking her hand, he led her back to the cot and pulled her to sit down with him.

"I understand you're upset because you took a life and that's understandable. But you can't torture yourself for it, dear. You will always be your cruelest prosecutor, judge, and executioner. And if you were truly a bad person then you wouldn't care about what you've done."

[a_soul_awake]

She sat with him, but it was weighing on her. She had always respected life, considered it sacred. She wasn't supposed to be capable of that and she was.

"But I'm not... I'm not supposed to be the killer around here. I'm the healer, the doctor."

[cantseethis]

"You're also a living being with a mind, body, and spirit just like everyone else. And like everyone else, you had the fear of dying, and the instinct to protect yourself and your friend. No one can fault you for that."

He leaned over to kiss her forehead tenderly. "I don't fault you for that, and neither should you."

[a_soul_awake]

"I'm trying," she closed her eyes and leaned towards him. "I know what I did was self-defense, but it's still eating at me."

She knew it was just a matter of time. She could rationalize it eventually, maybe but right now it was still fresh.

[cantseethis]

"I know." He said gently, moving to wrap an arm around her so she could lean against him. "But trust me, you will be fine. In time."

[a_soul_awake]

She did lean against him, almost as if she was trying to hide. "I hope so."

[cantseethis]

He would be there for her if she did want to hide. Or for whatever else she needed him for. "I know so."

[a_soul_awake]

She sighed slightly. "Thank you for coming, even if you are going to end up in trouble."

[cantseethis]

"I'm going to pretend that all I heard was 'thank you'." He said with a smirk. "And, you're welcome."

[a_soul_awake]

"I've always wondered if you had selective hearing when it came to me." She managed a half smile. "There's no other way anyone could put up with my rambling."