Hopelessly Hopeful Novels & Stories

Something like hope. Something dangerous.

Desperately. The battle raged. Reality convulsed. The between-space shattered and reformed and shattered again. And the rescue party waited. Helpless. Desperate. Hoping. Hoping the philosopher could win. Could defeat Hunger. Could free Hope. Hoping. Desperately. Absolutely. Hoping.

The ranch was technically Carter's, but he'd given her the space to make it all about kids. Mia had all sorts of amazing ideas for this place. She wanted foster kids to come and learn tools to make their lives better, to give them confidence, and mostly a place to belong. Mountain Hope Ranch in Silver Springs was going to change a lot of kids' lives for the better, Laura knew it in her bones.

I wanted to scream in pain but I held it in and just laid on the cold ground covered with dirt and grass, blaming my situation. "Why..is this.. happening..to me, I..*cough* *cough*, agh! I..need water..," I cried Just as I was about to give up, I was slowly starting to realize the gravity of the situation I was in. If I gave up now, I'll be as good as dead. I struck my hands on the soil and supported my body to rise from the dirt-covered ground. I can't keep laying here forever like a defeated person I reassured my uneasy self by telling this to myself

She survi⁠ved. I heard abou‌t your fundraiser‌. I‌’d like to help. And‍ maybe s⁠har​e our s⁠tory—sho‍w people tha⁠t so‍metimes the⁠re are h⁠appy‍ endings. I​ stare at the email‌ for​ a l‍ong time. Happy ending‍s. The phrase feels obscene.⁠ But also… necessary. People need hope.

“I know it doesn’t look good right now, but… but—” But Hidi will forgive me. Father will be well. He will return. The court will remember itself. The Bulgeons will become citizens the way I promised. The kingdom will settle. All of this will become a bad season we survive. The words rush toward my mouth like a prayer. And then I hear them in my head—how they sound. Not like strategy. Not like leadership. Like wishful thinking. Like a girl trying to bargain with time. Dangerously hopeful. My jaw tightens. I swallow, tasting smoke and bitter medicine once more, and the sentence dies unfinished on my tongue.

But something far more dangerous. Hope.

His gaze drops to my lips and I swallow hard, my chest tightening with hope. He called me beautiful, and for a moment, it sounded like he really meant it. It didn’t sound like he said it to manipulate me or get something from me. It didn’t sound like he was lying. But as quickly as the hope blooms, I force it back down. Because hope has only ever been dangerous for me. Every time I’ve allowed myself to hope, I’ve ended up broken and bleeding. I hoped I would one day be healed of this sickness, but here I am, still fucking struggling to breathe everytime it rains.

Hope for the best. For all of us.

Only when he can’t see my face. --- Hope is my favorite leash. It doesn’t tighten. It glows. It doesn’t bruise. It burns. And Duncan? He’s glowing. He’s burning. And he still thinks he’s the one holding the match.