Fan Fiction With Friends Part 4!!!!

CHAPTER 8

Sophie

Sophie stormed into Havenfield and up into her room. Ignoring Silveneys friendly greeting and Grady and Edaline asking what was wrong. She slammed the door shut and yelled. She needed some way to get her anger out.   

She started throwing her books around the room loving how they hit other things with a loud BANG or THUD. She crushed her imparter and was about to do the same to her spy ball but something maid her hesitate. 

“Show me Linh Song” 

She saw the face of Linh. Nodding slowly.

“Show me Conner, Kate, and Natile freeman”

She saw her family. For the first time in forever she saw the faces of her mom, dad, and her little sister. When the image faded she thought about breaking the law again. Just to see her human family again.

Nobody would really care. She thought.

She hears footsteps coming to her door. She doesn't move. Mr. Forkle opens her door. 

And Sophie feels the rush of hate and anger again. So she decided to be salty and sassy and as mean as she can be.

“Are you going to wait weeks to tell me something really important that I actually really need to know right now but you keep it a secret because of some dumb reason?” She asks, “or are you going to test my patents?”

She could tell it stung him. But she didn't care. From her point of view he deserved it. 

“I don't want-” Mr. FOrkle started but Sophie interrupted him.

“And you know what i don't want? I don't want you around me. Okay? Just leave.” 

And before she can tell herself no she opened her window and jumped. Just before she went SPLAT on the dirt there was  a thunderous BOOM and when she opened her eyes she was in the lonely ebys. She thought about the house her human family was living in currently. 

Another big BOOM and she tumbled into the woods right next to the house. It was too dangerous to just walk up and knock on the door, so she transmitted into her sisters head.

I’m home. 

A few minutes later her sister opened the front door and looked around. Sophie went to the edge of the woods and waved. Her sister, smart enough to make it look like she found something really cool, edged closer.

When she got there she flung her arms around Sophie.

“I missed you” she said

Sophie hugged her back, “So did I.”

Sophie told her about everything that was going on. Including telling her who her real parents are.

When she was done there was a silence.

“Wow. I guess things are really unravelled.” amy says 

“Yeah i guess they are” 

“Can you take me there? I might be able to help” 

“NO. right now things are messed up and nobody knows whose side they are really on, and everybody is hating everybody” Sophie tells her, “I really wish I could”

“Sophie, you don't need to protect me. I can do that on my own. But i want to help”

Her sister argues

Sophie thinks long and hard about it.

She sighs, “I’ll  come back in 5 days. Have an excuse riedy for mom and dad. Okay? It has to be a good one!” 

Her sister bounces around “YAY! Please I’m the best at making excuses”

They hug and Sophie leaves. When she gets back to haven field everyones waiting for her. Even the council. 

“You have done something very bad Sophie” Emery said to her

“Thanks Captain Obvious” she rolls her eyes

They all look at her. Then she realizes they have no idea what that saying was.

“Why did you go to the humans?” he asks

“Well you don't need to know that” Sophie snaps 

Edaline was looking very nervous. And Grady looked like he wanted to smack the Councilors in the face. He could do that. He did it before.

“We are trying to help you.” Councilor Alina says fixing her hair.

Sophie glares at her. “Of course you are. But I don't need it”

They argue about how going to the Forbidden Cities are illegal and talking to a human is even worse. 

They don't know I’ve invited one to the lost cities. Sophie thought, and that made her smile. 

“There are rules you know. And rules are made to keep elves safe.” Councilor Clarette says.

“Rules are for the weak.”  Sophie says walking towards the cliff planning to teleport again, “And just so you know,” she gets to the edge of the cliff and waits to jump. 

“I’m not weak.” Then just to be over dramatic she jumps then.

Sophie actually has no idea where she was going to teleport to. She didn't think about it until she was actually in the void.  

A few minutes later she was pancaked on the sand of the Shores of Solace.        

“Foster!” Keefe called. She ran over and hugged him, bursting into tears. 

“Why are you so sad?” Keefe asked

“I, just need someone right now, so I went to visit my sister, and then the Council was at my house, and. . .”

He probably felt her emotions before she started crying He was after all an Empath.

“Hold up. You went into the Forbidden Cities WITHOUT the councils permission?” keefe asked, “That's amazing” 

“Yes. I’ll bring you next time. Mind if I stay here for a while?” 

“Please Foster you think I mind?”  

“Well, not you. Your dad.”

“Ms. Foster, you are more than welcome.” Said Lord Cassius with an icy smile.

Keefe swung around. “Oh hey dad”

He said it unesally. Like he was still getting used to addressing him at all.

Ro grinned and sharpened a claw, “Naughty little girl, left your bodyguards.”

“Well I  had a good reason too. Not really but. . . yeah” Sophie squirmed 

“You think that’s important?” Keefe asks. 

Sophie glared daggers at Ro.,

Keefe laughs, “Hey, Ro, one word #@%& .”

Sophie’s jaw dropped. Did he just curse in front of her?

He grins, “My dad taught me one good thing.” She felt her lips stretch into a smile despite herself.

Then,  Sophie turned to Lord Cassius, “What?”

He nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

They walk inside. And Sophie only been inside once, to erase her parents memories, and then she didn’t really pay attention to what was inside. 

Like all beach houses there were lots of shells and pictures of the beach. With light cream colored couches and seats. And there were bar stools tucked underneath the island  in the middle of the kitchen. The walls were sky-blue and dove gray. Even though she wasn’t a fan of the owner, she felt herself relax.

“Come on, I’ll show you my room.” Keefe mumbled. 

“Be down in time for dinner!” Lord Cassius called  

When they got out of earshot Sophie whispered, “Your dad seems nicer.”

Keefe’s room was painted electric green. “It was originally plain white, so one boring afternoon, Ro and I did this.” He explained. She smiled. His sheets matched the wall, and his comforter was black with dancing gulons all over it.

“Dancing gulons?” 

He blushed.  

“Well…” Keefe said. “Can you think of a better pattern?”.

Sophie smiled and laughed as hard as she could, wanted to play it cool but she was really nervous for some stupid reason.

She went over and sat down on the window  seat and pulled her knees up to her chest.  

“Great view.” He told her.

“Right now, not really.” She told him, “Come look. . .” Ro had traded her armour for a swimsuit, and was doing the boogie dance. . .while surfing.

He grimaced, “Yeah, she calls them the Waves of Wimpiness, but she enjoys riding them. . .while dancing.”

“Well, I’m glad she’s content.”

“Yeah, when she’s bored she drives even my dad insane, Mr. Perfect actually bought the swimsuit and surfboard, insisting she needed a hobby that got her fresh air. Translation: he wanted her out of the house, but she actually enjoyed it, sooooooo. . .”  

  

Sophie laughed.

“How is your dad treating you two at the moment? “

Keefe sighed, 

“Better I guess. Ro has threatened to use her flesh eating bacteria if he uses her full name or is rude.” 

“Wow,” Sophie said, “she’s looking out for you. In many ways.”

Keefe shrugged. “I guess.”

“You should be grateful. Your ogre bodyguard is funny and cool.” He raised his eyebrows.

“Oh, yeah? She’s currently training me in ogre table manners.”

She laughed. “I’m sure your dad loved that.”

“Yeah, not really.” Keefe shrugged. 

Sophie got up, “Wanna go shelling?” 

Keefe looked confused, “What's that?” 

“You know. Beach combing. Its when you walk along the beach and collect shells and other cool stuff you find.” Sophie explained.

“Lets go!” They ran outside. And they got a little bag to carry their loot in.

After they found some shells, sea glass, some other odds and ends, he looped the bag handles around the porch rail he said, “Wanna go wading?”

“Sure,” she told him. He laughed.

They went out to mid-calf, but she insisted they not go any deeper, in case her leggings got wet up high and chafed her legs.

They spotted some boulders sticking out of the water a few yards away. They waded over. Keefe, who was a few steps in front of her, suddenly fell down, she stopped short, he came up spluttering. “Sand bar. It’s only a couple of inches deep.” She giggled. He stepped up, and offered her his hand.     

They reached the rocks and Sophie got a little wet because it was a mixture of mist and swimming.  

Keefe settled down. She rested her head on his shoulder. They watched the sunset. He looked at her, and she felt herself leaning in.

“HEY, LIP-LOCK!” Ro’s loud voice surprised them into jumping back. 

“RO YOU RUIN EVERYTHING!” Keefe yelled back. 

“It was the sweetest five second kiss ever.” Ro teased him.

“We didn't even kiss” Keefe argued.

“Yes you did. And I look forward to telling your dad. I saw your lips meet clear as day.” Keefe blushed.

“I dare you.” 

“Let’s not go there.” Sophie tried.

“I accept that dare. I think Grady will also like to be informed.” Sophie groaned and buried her face in her hands.

“And, Keefe thank you, I LOVE ruining everything. Can I get a badge that says Ruiner of Everything? I think it would be a nice birthday present. My 19th birthday is in precisely a week.”

“If I  can find a badge that says that. You got it.” Keefe promised.

“Atta boy.” She ruffled his hair.

“Dude, you did not just mess up The Hair.” 

“I didn’t mess it up, I ruined it.”  Ro laughed like a maniac.

Keefe glared.

Ro sighed and walked away. She turned away and yelled back

“Fine kiss her but NOTHING else! I’m watching!! Now I’m gonna show your dad my new swimsuit, I got into a fight with a shark and turned it into a bikini!”

Once Keefe was sure that Ro was done watching them, Keefe turned back to Sophie.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered. 

Sophie laughed. “It’s fine.”

And all of a sudden she moved a little closer, almost in his lap, making Keefe’s pulse speed up (or maybe it was Sophie’s) and kissed him and he pulled her onto his lap. Suddenly he fell and they splashed into the water. And he sat up pulling her up with him and wrapped his arms around her waist and he kept kissing her and she started twirling his hair around her fingers and after who knows how long they broke apart. 

Keefe smiled. Kissed her again, then said, “I like it when you ruin my hair.” 

Sophie blushed furiously and smiled.  “Yeah I like it when you flirt.”

Chapter 9

Keefe

Keefe was lying in his room with a look of contentment on his face.

After almost an hour of a whispered screaming match he’d convinced his dad to let Sophie stay in the guest room. He heard an urgent knocking on the door, he beat his dad to it by a few seconds, and opened the door; to see the anxious and sleep-deprived Grady and Edaline.

“Lord and Lady Ruewen.” Lord Cassius said icily with a dripping smile.

Edaline’s lip trembled. “Is Sophie here? We’ve checked everywhere else, and there’s no sign of her.”

Grady took over, “She jumped off a cliff and teleported. . .”

Lord Cassius gave a fake sympathetic smile, “As a matter of fact, she is here.” He clucked his tongue in annoyance at Keefe, “I wasn’t aware that my son hadn’t informed you.”

Keefe started laughing. Laughing really hard and really loud. 

They all stared at him. “ Can we come in?” Grady asked.

Sophie heard them and rushed in saying, “BOO!”she really had no reason to but she did anyway. 

Edaline looked relieved and Grady looked at Sophie carefully, back and forth from Keefe to her. 

“What's up?” Sophie asked.

“Well I’m-” Grady starts. He was probably going to say something about her spending the night at her boyfriend's house but Edaline spares her the embarrassment and nudges him in the shoulder. 

“Were are happy to have finally found you.” Edaline says.

“When did the Council and the Collective leave?” Sophie asked 

Edaline laughed now. “The council was so offended by the way you left that they left almost immediately. The collective left soon after.” 

Sophie hesitates, “Did they say anything. . . else? The Collective?” 

“Yeah actually they did.  BUT that needs to wait” Grady says 

Sophie smiles, “Oh yeah. And in like 4 days my sister is coming back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . so yeah” 

“ NOT ONLY DID YOU GO TO THE FORBIDDEN CITIES, BUT YOU ALSO INVITE YOUR SISTER TO THE LOST CITIES? That- YOU’RE GROUNDED!” Grady shouted 

Both Keefe and Lord Cassius took a step back, fanning the air in front of them like they did with Sophie when her emotions were strong. 

“Wow Grady. Thats a lot of anger. Wanna take a chill pill?” Keefe asked and they all turned and looked at him like he was crazy.

Everyone knew that talking that way to Grady when he was angry was a bad idea. Now Keefe pulls it off like its no big deal. Lord Cassius looks the most disappointed in his son.

But did Keefe care? Didn't look like it. 

“Do you have any?” Grady asked. 

“No, but you might be able to find some at Slurps and Burps.” Keefe said.

“OH my gosh.” Sophie whispers.

This could not get any more funny. Keefe thought.

This could not get anymore embarrassing. Sophie thought.

“This can get way more embarrassing” Edaline whispers.  

Sophie looked at her like ‘how did you read my mind?’.

Keefe looked at them carefully. They looked like they were having a telepathic conversation. And between seeing them between Sophie and Fitz and having many telepathic conversations himself. He thought he would take his word for it.

They walk towards the door. And before Keefe could stop himself, he asked, “Can Sophie stay the night?” 

Grady studies him then looks at Sophie, “I guess.”

Grady and Edaline leave and Sophie starts laughing.

“Guess what they called me.” She told him.

“What?” Keefe asked.

“Grady called me ‘Someone who's over obsessive with her brother/boyfriend’” Sophie laughs.

Lord Cassius looks uncomfortable.

“Yeah dad, we know all about that.” Keefe told his dad.

“Well I hope that means you two will be acting NORMAL instead of two crazy people who can’t stop laughing.” He says blankly 

He walks up stairs and Sophie and Keefe talked for a few more hours on the couch until they were literally falling asleep in mid sentence. 

“I can’t believe that your dad took that so well.” Sophie said.

Keefe shrugged, “I have no idea how.”

Sophie looked troubled.

“Should I call him dad too? Or would that make everything weird?” She asked after a few minutes.

“ I think that would make Grady and Edaline and my dad AND Juline very. . . . . . . . . . .  what's the word? Uncomfortable” He says slowly.

“Yeah. Just wanted to know.” She says. 

They say goodnight and go to their rooms. Once again Keefe lies on his bed thinking about life. Until he finally falls asleep.

He usually has weird dreams. But this one was scary. 

He was outside on the beach. The sky was very dark. And the waves were massive. One swept him off his feet and into the ocean where he couldn't reach the bottom. He was trying to stay alive and called for help but when nobody answered his call he drowned.  But with that he had another dream. After he sunk he remembered a part of his childhood he never wanted to. 

It was him and his mom in his room. Lady Gisela was telling him how he could never ever tell people that he went to the Forbidden Cities. 

“I only went there because you told me to.” Little Keefe said.

“And that's another thing. I don't want you telling them I told you.” Lady Gisela says quietly.

“Who's ‘Them’?” Keefe asked.

“People! I don't want you talking about this.” 

Lady Gisela goes to the door. Keefe waits a few minutes then goes out himself.   Following far behind but still able to see his mom. 

They are going up to the top floor. Or maybe to the roof. 

Lady Gisela stops at a door and looks to see if anybody was watching. Satisfied  that there were none, she goes in. 

Keefe waits there until he thinks he hears someone coming. He runs down the many flights of stairs to his room. That night he sneaks up them again. Hesitating a little before going in. 

The room was small but had a big ceiling, and it was very dark. But he could make out little notes taped to the walls. A tiny desk sites in a corner. Keefe turns on the lights. 

The first note he sees says,

Send Keefe to the Forbidden Cities and stay there. Never let him come back until necessary. 

In his mothers loopy handwriting.  He scans the walls. Words were being repeated. Words like,  Neverseen, Lodestar, Nightfall. And  the last note he sees says.

Kill them all.

Keefe jerks awake. He was sweating so hard his body was wet. He was panting and shaking his head. He needed to know what this meant. What the notes said. He jumped out of bed and ran into the guest room where Sophie was still sleeping. 

“Foster!” He yelled.

She jerked awake. Her eyes were instantly alert, “WHAT?” 

“I need you to look in my memories and find the dream I just had.” He yelled.

Sophie looked puzzled. “Why?”

“It might be important to defeating my mom!”

“And the rest of the Neverseen.”

Sophie reaches out and places her hand on his forehead. They both close their eyes. 

“Okay so I’m looking for what exactly?” She asks.

“I had a dream about my younger self. And I found a room that had notes taped to the wall that said stuff about the Neverseen.” Keefe explained.

She is silent for a minute. 

“Can you think really hard about it?” She asked.

Keefe thinks about the room and the notes taped to the wall. They wait minutes. Until Sophie sighs.

“Drat. I need Fitz.” She said.

They ran downstairs to check the time. It was actually later than they thought. In fact Lord Cassius was already downstairs.

“So what time IS it?” Sophie asked nobody in particular. 

“It is 11:42.” Lord Cassius answered her question. 

“Really?” Keefe asked, “Anyway, we are going to go to Everglen soon”

“Okay. “ 

.

After they eat they light leap into Everglen. When they don't see anyone outside the let themselves in. Well,  Keefe does. Sophie follows his lead. They walk down the halls. 

“HEY FITZY!!!” Keefe called 

“WHAT?!” They hear.

“Yeah. He's in his room” Keefe said. 

Sophie looked at him like he was crazy. “How do  you know that?” She asked

Keefe shrugged. They run up in his room and without knocking Keefe bursts in. 

“FITZY!” he shouts. 

Fitz was sitting on his bed reading a book. He looked like this was how it went every day.

“What? I’m right here!” he says putting his book down.

“Good. I need you and Sophie to probe me again.” Keefe says.

Fitz looks very confused. “Why? What happened?” 

“He had a dream that might be very important for us in defeating the Neverseen” Sophie explains. 

“And Sophie needs her beloved Cognate to do so.”  Keefe adds pushing Sophie in the room . 

“But we haven't done ANY trust exercises in forever.”Fitz argues. 

Keefe looked like he was going to cry. “ARGH! FINE! I just need to go to my old house and find that room.” 

“What was your dream even about?” Fitz and Sophie asked in unison.

Keefe explained all about his mom and the creepy room and about him drowning. When he was done they both looked shocked.

“That's really sad.” Biana’s voice came from a corner.

She appeared out of nowhere. “I think it might have to do with Linh.”

“Why?” Keefe asked 

She shrugged “I don't know. I just have a feeling.”

“And probing someone without a supervisor is very dangerous.” Alden said from the doorway 

“Hey, dad.” Fitz said. 

“As you already know Keefe, you can't do that without another trained telepath to guide you through the process.” Alden explained. 

“Are you saying Sophie and Fitz aren't trained?” Keefe accused.

Alden looked apologetically at them both, “Well considering that they haven't done very many exercises together since they became cognates.” 

Sophie nodded and Fitz looked a little hurt, but didn't argue. 

Biana studied them all very closely. 

“Can we get a trained telepath?” Biana asked quietly.

Fitz looked surprised at that. Alden nodded, “Lucky for you I know many.”

“Like???????” Keefe asked.

Alden sighed, “Well there's Quinlin. Prentice. Tiergan. Magnate Leto. Sir Astin” 

He lists many more that Keefe had never heard of before. 

“Okay . Umm. . . not Magnate Leto or Sir Astin or Tiergan.” Sophie said.

The kids laugh nervously and Alden looks confused. No one bothers to explain to him about everything that happened when they were in Atlantis.

“I can really just go to my old house and find the room.” Keefe said.                 

“I want to come too!!!” Sophie, Fitz and Biana yell at the same time. 

Keefe smiles, “That's good. I still have things I need to get back from there.”

His old home was just as creepy and sketchy as Lady Gisela. The big black building cast a big shadow across them. 

They walked to the door. Keefe tried to open it but it was locked. He called Fitz over and together when they ran into it shoulder first, it opened. 

Keefe's attitude changed immediately when they walked in. His usual cheerful joking eyes were suddenly filled with sab memories. His smile faded into a frown and he didn't say a word while they rode the Vortinater up to the room he saw. 

When they reached the room that might hold answers to all these questions, he hesitated. For awhile they just stood there. He turned to them.

“Prepare yourselves for whatever you might see. Knowing my parents, in this room there might be things  that will terrify you, scare you till you don't feel like you can trust anyone with anything.” He said it mostly to himself.  Even for an Empath his emotions were strong. 

He slowly pushes the door open. The lights turn on. Keefe goes in first and studies the walls carefully. FItz, Biana and Sophie step in slowly. 

Biana reads the notes. So does Fitz. But Sophie wanders to the desk in the corner. 

CHAPTER 10

Sophie

The desk had 3 drawers. Sophie didn’t dare to open then. She held back, wasn't sure if Keefe wanted to be the one or if she should just go ahead. 

“Open it.” Keefe told her. 

Sophie looked up at him. He wasn't even looking at her. At anyone, just looking at the ground. Tears starting to form in his eyes.

Sophie opened the top drawer. A note and a pin. Sophie picked up the note and turned to Keefe. 

“This is for you.” She handed the note and pin to him.

Keefe took it and shoved it in his pocket. 

Keefe turned to the walls, stared at them long and hard. But then left the room. 

“Should I go talk to him?” Sophie asked.

Fitz looked a little helpless. 

I feel like I should but I want to give him some space. Sophie transmitted to him.

I know what you mean. But I really don't know. 

You know what he’s thinking about. He’s thinking about his mom, the Neverseen. And all of those awful things he remembers from his childhood. I’m going to go talk to him. Sophie decided.

They all go quietly outside and find him on the edge of the cliff. Looking at the sun. 

Sophie walks up to him quietly. And thinks of something to say. 

“Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.” Sophie said to him. Having no idea she was quoting him.

He shakes his head. “It’s nothing like that. We have been chasing the Neverseen for years and every time we face them. We end up more broken and lost than ever. Then my mom treats me like I know everything about the Neverseen and there plans. She claims I’m the key to everything they have planned. And I have secrets nobody knows that are very important to the evolution of our world”

“I know it’s hard to take this all in, but believe me, I know what it’s like. To want to take down the Neverseen the day I was kidnapped. To be taunted endlessly about knowing secrets and keeping then. About being THE ONE. but I think she’s trying to play with us” sophie said

“If you were trying to make me feel better. . . . it didn't work” 

“I wasn't trying to make you feel better. I was trying to give you advice” 

“I DON’T NEED ADVICE!!! WHAT I NEED IS ANSWERS!” Keefe yelled

Biana looked shocked. Fitz looked at the ground, not saying anything.

“WHAT?” Keefe asked him.

“I might know how you feel. I might not be an Empath but I can see that you feel lost, hurt, and abandoned. Believe me, I’ve been there. When my dad’s mind shattered. I felt the same way. I felt like nobody could ever bring him back, nobody could ever make my family  whole again, I felt angry at everyone, even when they tried to help me. No. All I would do was scream and hate every little thing, I was even mad at my dad for choosing Sophie over me.” Fitz explained.

“WELL NONE OF YOU ARE ME! You don’t know what I’ve been through!! You don't know what it’s like to try to earn your way into the family. You don’t know what it’s like to have parents that hate you. A mom that is an assassin. A dad that breaks down my every dream.” Keefe starts crying.

Biana stays silent. Probably not having anything to say. 

“What about you?” Keefe asked her.

She stutters awkwardly, “Well. Yeah I have many secrets that even Fitz doesn't even know. I’m adopted” 

Everyone was shocked by that. 

Biana? Adopted? She fit so well into her family. She looked like them. HOW?

She nodded, “Yup. Not really a Vacker. But a Teimoso. A very stubborn family without any love for their kids. I had three sisters that were the vainest people in the world. More vain that Alina. My mom and dad just cared about looks. “ 

“So how did you end up being adopted?” Fitz asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t remember. I was 3 when it happened” 

But it didn’t help Keefe in any way. He started pulling at his hair. Looking like he was going to rip it out.  They all were silent. Letting Keefe have his time. 

Sophie decided that he needed to figure it out alone. She gave him a big hug and went back to Havenfield. 

“How was your time?” Edaline asked when she walked into the kitchen.

“It was fun.” Sophie said. Not a complete lie, but not a complete truth.

Edaline smiled, “Glad you had fun.”

Grady studies her closely. 

“What?” Sophie asked him.

“Somethings up. I can tell.” Grady said. 

“Well. I need to do more Cognate training with Fitz. and I need to shower.” 

Grady groans, “Not That Boy.” 

“Yes. That Boy.” Sophie was already up halfway the stars . 

“Make sure you feed Iggy!” Edaline called. 

“I will!” 

Sophie shut the door, and went over to Iggy’s cage. Dex must have died his hair again because it was a light green. 

She opened the cage door and he flew over to her shoulder and Iggy let out a giant fart.

“Eugh!” yelped Sophie “Sometimes I do wish I hadn’t decided to keep you in my room.” 

But he answered her with another fart. Sophie sighed and put him back in his cage. 

After she took a shower she went downstairs to get a snack. And no surprise she found Edaline baking. 

“It smells amazing. What are you cooking?” Sophie asked her.

“Mallowmelt. Do you want some?” Edaline takes a pan out of the oven.  

“Yes please!” 

When it cools down Sophie cuts into it and the amazing smell makes her mouth water. She sits down at the table and starts eating the delicious treat. 

“So why did you make this?” Sophie asked Edaline.

“I don’t know. It looked like you were sad so I wanted to cheer you up.”  Edaline confesses, “We need to save some for Grady. So what’s going on?” She asked as she sat down with a piece herself.

Sophie shrugged, “Well. I went to investigate a certain room in Keefe’s old house and we saw a bunch of things that Lady Gisela wrote about the Neverseen. And there was a note for Keefe and he got really angry. . . so yeah.” 

Sophie was so surprised she actually told Edaline. 

She slowly nods. “I see.” 

Did she though?  

 “I just don’t know what to do, Keefe seems so sad, and. . .”

“So, make him feel better, you could invite him over for dinner, make some starkflower stew and ripplefluffs.”

“Is that what you used to do for Grady?” Sophie asked

 Edaline smiled sadly, “Close, but I made him mallowmelt and lushberry juice instead.”

“Is Grady okay with Keefe coming over?”

“I’m sure it would be fine.” 

“It is.” Grady said descending the stairs.

“Alright!” Sophie grinned, gulped down the rest of her mallowmelt and ran upstairs to call Keefe on her imparter.

But when she called him he didn’t answer. And that amid Sophie panic. 

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek followed by another.

Her imparter screen lit up. She snatched it up.

“Foster?” Keefe asked. He gave her half of one of his crooked smiles. “Have you been crying?” He asked suddenly very concerned.  

“Hey Keefe. How are you?” She laughs nervously, trying to disguise any trace of tears.

“Answer me first. ‘Have you been crying?’”        

“Yes, I was so worried about you.”

“Don’t waste any tears over me Foster. And I’m fine.” 

“You are so far off the mark. I will waste all my tears on you whether you like it or not. No you are obviously not fine. I don’t need to be an Empath to see it.”  Sophie said matter-of-factly “Tell me what's going on.” 

He laughed softly. “First, tell me why you called me.”

Sophie rolled her eyes, “I wanted to invite you to dinner.” 

 “Consider your invitation accepted.” He said.

  

Sophie practically laughed out loud for joy.         

“Now,” Sophie said, “Tell me what's going on with you.”

Keefe sighed again. “You know that note you found with the pin? That was for me. But then again not. My mom wrote the note telling me she wants me to stop trying to be like ME. she wants me to work for the Neverseen, but I don’t know if I can.” 

“Again?” Sophie asked.

Keefe had already gone undercover once and that didn't really end well. 

He nodded solemnly, “Yeah- what should I do? She says that it was in my destiny. She gave me the Neverseen pin. I don’t know what to do Foster. Should I do it?”

Sophie thinks long and hard, “I don’t know. All I know is that I don’t want you to do what you did the last time.”

They were both silent. Thinking about the last time Keefe ran off and joined the Neverseen. He stole back Sophie’s cache and met up with her when Lumenaria was breaking down.  Keee says he needs to go and they hang up. 

Sophie goes to bed while thinking about school starting tomorrow. And she was getting her sister tomorrow. 

Chapter 11

Amy

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssss! I’m going back to the Lost Cities! And seeing Sophie! Thank goodness Mom and Dad believed the story about me going to spend a few weeks with Gran and Popsy! Thank goodness that Gran and Popsy dislike Mom so much they said she can never visit them in Hawaii again! Thank goodness Dad had a business trip so I could ‘visit Gran and Popsy’ (translation, Sophie and her friends) alone! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I’m so happy! Now I’m having an epic freakout! This is the best day of my life! I can’t wait! Hopefully while I’m in the Lost Cities Mom doesn't call Gran or Popsy to check in on me. That would be a disaster. But Sophie is going to pick me up in an hour or so. That means I’ve got to pack! But Sophie told me she would take care of my clothes so I only get my toothbrush, toothpaste, my phone, and other essentials. 

I peek out my window and see Sophie in the woods. I run downstairs and say goodbye to my parents. 

“See you in a few!” I yell as I open the door and meet Sophie in the woods. 

“Ready?” She asks. 

I nod. She takes my hand and we light leap. 

It’s been so long since I was in the Lost Cities. Everything seems so different. 

As Sophie takes my bag she explains that if the Council sees me she will probably get exiled. 

“And I’m skipping school for you.” She says as we walk in her house. 

Sophie puts my bag on her bed and hugs me.

I hug her back. “So, where’s Keefe?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” she says, “but I can get him to come over.”

She gets her imparter, walks over to her bed, and sits down. I sat next to her but not to close. After a few seconds a blond boys face lights up the screen.

“Wasup Foster?”  He asks with his trademark smirk. 

“Oh nothing. I was wondering if you wanted to come hang out.” Sophie says innocently.

“Sure. Wait! Can Fitz, Biana, Tam, Dex, and Linh come?” He asks.

My Sophie looks at me and I shrug, “Sure.” Then she clicks off.

“I’m so glad he’s coming!” I say. “I mean. . .that they’re coming. . .”

Sophie gives me a funny look, then she grins. “You have a crush on him!” She practically shouts. 

“NO I DON'T!” I shout back.  “Besides, isn't he YOUR boyfriend?”  

“Yes you do, and kind of, we haven’t defined the relationship yet. THAT’S THE SWEETEST THING EVER! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON KEEFE SENCEN!!!!!!!”

Sophie started blushing and I give her a look that says “Unimpressed.”

“Who has a crush on me?” Keefe asks striding into the room.

“Sophie.” I point at her.

“But that was Sophie talking. Oh. . .” He breaks off when the realization hits him. “Amy, I think-” Dex, Tam, Fitz, and  Biana enter the room as well.     

“Hey! When did you get here?” Biana asks me.

“Let her get settled in.” Fitz says.

    

“Just now.” I answer, ignoring Fitz 

Biana strides closer. “And what are you wearing?” 

I look at my hunger games t and shorts. “Clothes.” 

“You’ve grown. You’re the same height as Sophie now. And me.” Dex adds. 

Sophie and I look at each other. Dex was right, I was the same height. I smile smugly at her. She just stares at me blankly.

 “Can I talk to Amy and Foster alone? Please?” Keefe asks.

Dex looks around and shrugs, “Sure.” They all walk out and down the stairs.

I blush. 

“Amy, I want you to know I’m very flattered-” Keefe starts.

I interrupt him, “No! Don’t treat me like I’m a little kid!” I yell. “I have to lie to my parents every day! I had to tell them I’m visiting my grandparents to come here! All you do is play stupid pranks on people! You don’t care about how I feel! You only care about you and Sophie!”

“Amy-” Sophie tries.

“Just stop! Take me home! I’ll tell Mom I wasn’t able to catch the plane! That I was to late!” 

Keefe waves frantically at the air, like he was trying to swat flies.     

“That's not what I was going to say. I was going to say that I’m glad you and Foster are sisters and . . . I think I met you before Foster brought you here.” 

I look at him confused.  “What?” 

“I’ll explain later.” 

He calls everyone else back in and Biana immediately started talking to me again.

“So what are you wearing?” 

“A t-shirt and shorts. Why? Does it look bad?” 

“Not at all! We just don't have anything like that here. So what do you do in the Forbidden Cities.” 

I pause to think, “Well, school, and hang out with friends. It all depends on the day, really.” 

“So you don’t almost die?” Tam asked.

I’d hardly noticed him. He is so quiet. Unlike Biana who seems very extroverted. 

“Umm, no. my life has been pretty safe.” 

They all laugh. Like it’s the funniest thing they heard. I really just looked confused. 

Sophie looks at my clothes and gets up to go to her closet. She opens the door and reveals a thousand gowns and tunics. The ones higher up look like she’s never worn them before. She was about to choose a simple blueish greenish tunic but Biana rushed over and bumped her out of the way.

“Lets see what we got” she says looking through her clothes.

After a few minutes she pulls some leggings and a tunic out of Sophie’s closet.

“Tada!” 

She pulls me in the bathroom and leaves me with it, slamming the door behind her. 

I look at the tunic and leggings. The leggings are a simple lilac, but the tunic is definitely one Sophie’s never worn before. It’s a rich brown, with blue-gray flower embroidery, and there are miniscule pink diamonds sewn into the collar.

I get dressed, and grab a hairbrush. I tame my curls into a braid that starts on the right side of my head, and curls around to the left. I hurry through all of it, so I don’t keep everyone waiting.

I walk out to, “Oh, Amy.” Then Sophie’s hugging me and telling me I look so grown-up and beautiful, and Biana’s telling me that with a little eyelid make-up, she could make my eyes look blue, and I would look like an elf, and the boys are eyeing me up and down, which makes me nervous.

Then Keefe lets out a long whistle. “If I weren’t dating. . .”

Sophie punches him playfully. And they laugh. 

“But, I can feel Fitzy’s emotions all the way from here”

“Does it really look that bad?” 

“NO!” they all shout.

Grady runs up the steps and throws open the door “WHAT?” He yells

“Oh, hey.” Sophie says to him.

“What’s with all the yelling?”

“Oh, Amy just looks great.” Biana says.

“O.K. just no more yelling. - Wait, WHAT?!?!” He does a double take when he sees me. “Hello, Amy.”

“Hi.” I wave. 

He gives Sophie a look that says ‘we’ll talk later’ and she smiles.

“So. . .” Marella says.

Keefe and Fitz look at Sophie. Sophie looks at Keefe. Marella and I look at Fitz. Biana looks at Tam. Tam glares at Dex.

Edaline walks in carrying a tray of chocolate-cherry ripplefluffs and lushberry juice. She set the tray down and fanned her face as though she were hot, (though she couldn’t possibly be. She was wearing a sleeveless pale blue gown.) “It’s like a soap opera in here.” She says.

We all turn red. But Keefe of course starts laughing. 

“Hello Amy. When did you get here?” She asks sweetly.

“Umm. Maybe half an hour ago.” I say.

“Well I hope you enjoy yourself.” She snaps her fingers and a stack of cups and plates and napkins appear.

Then she leaves. And I get uncomfortable because it’s so quiet.

“Anyway, how long are you staying?” Biana asks

“A week probably.” I say.

She groans. “That’s not enough time! Let me guess, Sophie is skipping school?” 

Sophie throes a ripplefluff at her and she catches it in her mouth. 

“Yummy”  she says

“So, what are we going to do with all this free time?” I ask.

Quen Onen Ruewen     

“Wanna play Base Quest?” Fitz, Biana, Sophie and Keefe shouted all together 

“Whats Base Quest?” I ask

Keefe laughs again. “You sound JUST like Sophie did when she heard it”

“Shut up.” Sophie says shoving him.   

“Its like this. You have a base, I have a base and one team tries to get to the other team’s base without getting tagged. If you get tagged while hunting for the base your out and the other team wins” Keefe explains

“Wanna play?” They all ask.

“Sure.” 

They all let out an excited squeal and dash outside. 

“Okay! I want Biana, Tam, and Amy. Fitz you get Keefe, Dex, and Marella” Sophie says.

“WAIT! Why did you chose Bangs Boy and not me? What’s he got that I don't?”  Keefe asks her.

“A lot.” Tam says

Keefe smacked him in the face. “What? Tell me.”

Biana in turn smacks Keefe.    

“Well I have an ability that can actually do something for one!” Tam yells.

“Get over yourselves.” I tell them. “You’re acting like complete babies.”

They don’t listen. Keefe tackles Tam and they start wrestling. 

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Dex yells.

“DEX!” we all shout

“Wow! Okay! We haven't even started the round!” Sophie says.

“I’m having fun.” He protests.

Sophie sighs. Tam and Keefe are rolling around on the ground, trading punches, and there’s no way to break it up.

And I have to admit, it is pretty funny. 

“Sophie, you're the leader. Do something!” Biana yells

“I never said I was the leader!” 

“Yeah, but your the only one they’ll listen to!”  

Sophie shouts to be heard, “IF YOU DON’T STOP FIGHTING, I WILL SIC MR. FORKLE ON YOU!”

They immediately sit up. Keefe has a bleeding lip. Tam has a black eye. 

Keefe sticks out his tongue at Tam. and Tam glares at Keefe. 

“OMgosh! Are you okay?” Biana asks, running over to Tam. She crouches on the ground beside him. 

“It makes him look even more emo.” Keefe jokes.

“Okay, that was uncalled for.” Fitz tells him. But it's really hard to tell if he's sincere because he high-fives Keefe.

“Moving on. I call Calla’s tree as my team’s base!” Sophie yells, taking off. 

“I guess I’m obligated to follow.” I say to the others, as I follow her. 

CHAPTER 12

Tam

UGH! Keefe is so annoying! Can’t he keep his mouth shut for ten minutes? Whatever.

Good thing in this round abilities are allowed. So once I find him I can give him a piece of my mind.  Fitz’s team are questing first. 

“Okay everyone split up and look for them!” Sophie whispers. Her voice cracking because of excitement. 

I walk down the hill into long grass.

“AGH! I can’t use abilities!” I say to myself.

Or can I? Suddenly I get an Idea. if I can gather enough shadows than I can make a big cloud of them. And I can move around in them! 

It takes more effort than you’d think. And by the time I have enough shadows, I’m sweating so bad.

I walk around in complete darkness until I bump into someone.

“Who's that?” Keefe asks

I punch him in the gut. “No one. And by the way your out.” I call off the shadows and run away.

“SOPHIE!!!” keefe calls like a four year old calling for his mom. “Tam hurt me!!!!”

I hear a whoop of joy.

“YES WE WON!” From Sophie.

We all join back up at Calla’s panakes tree.

Keefe comes up clutching his stomach. 

“What happened?” Sophie asked him

“Tam, would you like to tell her?” he asked me

“Tam!” Sophie yelled at me.

“HE deserved it!” I yelled back.

She talks to me about being nice. After that we play until the sun goes down and then I leave. Back to Teirgan’s place. 

CHAPTER 13

Sophie

“Well, don't you think that that was fun?” I ask my sister when we go inside.

She nods her head. Her face was bright red from running around so much.  I show her the guest room and give her some P.J.s and say good night.  

While I’m getting ready for bed I hear  Iggy clawing at his cage door. I got sit on my bed and cuddle with him, but after the first fart I put him back.

The week passes by so quickly, it feels like Amy and I did nothing.  I mean sure we went to Atlantis with Biana, and flew around on Silveny and Greyfell, and did other stuff, but still. . . . 

So the day came for Amy to leave and I personally teleported her back to her house. She gives me a hug and thanked me for the fun week. 

When I got home I felt empty.  And personally, a little bored.

It’s a Saturday. I’m alone. I’m empty. I feel like I’m about to cry. Thank goodness my imparter screen lights up.

“HEY!  Keefe?  And Tam? Where are y’all?”
Keefe replied, “Amy said one set of her grandparents are in Hawaii right? Where are the others?”

“London.” Sophie said, “OMgosh?? You have to be kidding me? You’re in london?”‘’What color is your grandmother’s eyes?” Asked Keefe.

“Green.” Said Sophie and then everything clicked.

How ya'll like it? Thanks a lot extra empath for writing a good part of this!

Sorry that I havent posted in a while highschool is super stressfull and I'm not fealing my best!

If you guys can get me to 10 fallowers I will post some fanart!!!!!!

Love ya'll lovlies

Sparkly T-rex