They're gonna die. They're gonna die. They're gonna die. My parents, my family is going to die. Those are the only words pounding through my head, tearing up my skull, piece by piece. They're gonna die. A fresh wave of guilt hits me. It's all my fault. If I wasn't Project Moonlark this wouldn't be happening. If I wasn't a freak, this wouldn't be happening. If I wasn't some stupid genetic experiment this wouldn't be happening. If I wasn't special this wouldn't be happening. If I--
"Sophie! Snap out of it! We're going to find your parents before the Neverseen does. We're going to protect your family. No matter what it takes," Fitz reassured me, putting an arm around me and pushing my tear-soaked face into his broad chest, patting my head. "And we aren't going to stop until we find them. We're all best friends and best friends look out for each other. You've been there by our sides every time something went wrong with us. It could have been the smallest things. But you were still there. And now it's our turn to return the favor. Because we are, and we will always be best friends" Fitz motioned to everyone else in the room as they nodded. I could see that they really meant it. They didn't look at me with pity. In fact all I saw was a look of pure determination and loyalty. But.. if I was being honest the "best friends" term stung. But the glint in Fitz's eyes suggested otherwise. My cheeks burned and I looked away, trying to hide how madly I was blushing. Clearly, everyone still noticed. Tam, Dex, and Biana all pretended to gag while Marella puckered her lips, mimicking kissing and Linh's squealing really didn't help. I thought I couldn't blush any harder until I saw Fitz's cheeks had turned as red as a tomato.
I laughed, "Oh come here, you guys. Bring it in." We all embraced the group hug and I swear we could have stayed there like that all day.
Mr. Forkle cleared their throat. "Excuse me, for ruining the moment, but you should get going. You can enact your plan once you get into the Forbidden Cities. Tinker will scramble your registry pendent feeds. Just in case, Tam, Linh and Marella will have their Imparter on them in case anything goes wrong and you need backup. They will also hail you in case the Council finds out you're in the Forbidden Cities. If that happens, you need to take your registry pendants off," Mr. Forkle looked up, as if he was thinking. "Oh yes. I will not be able to make your acquaintance on this mission. I think all of you know the reason why." Mr. Forkle had a twin brother and they were identical. He died about two years ago in Lumineria. This Mr. Forkle was now the leader of the Black Swan.
"Anyway, I think that about covers it all," Mr. Forkle concluded.
We all said our goodbyes. Alden and Della hugged Fitz and Biana and whispered something in their ear. Dex hugged Squall, who was his mother. And Grady and I gave Edaline the tightest hug we could give her.
"Stay safe, sweetie," Edaline whispered in my ear, her breath tickling my skin. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. She then hugged Grady and whispered something in his ear too.
"We will always love you," Grady told Edaline. I squeezed them harder. "Though I think I prefer being able to breathe, honey," Grady said laughing.
I let go, "I love you guys so much."
But I was forgetting someone. I rushed into the pastures and my friends followed me. Laying there was Silveny, Greyfell, Wynn, and Luna snuggling together. When Silveny spotted me she transmitted, SOPHIE COME! SOPHIE! SNUGGLE! BABIES! I ran towards the adorable alicorns and hugged them.
I'm going to miss you guys, I transmitted to all of them. Silveny continued chanting her previous words. But there was one new one. KEEFE! KEEFE! KEEFE! My stomach twisted into a knot and my hands trembled. But there was something else there. Determination.
I promise, Silveny, I will try to find Keefe.
"I think it's time to go, Sophie," Biana reminded me. I nodded my head.
I rushed to join Biana, Fitz, Dex, and Grady. We all locked hands, twining our fingers together. I raised my blue leaping crystal.
"To Pacific Heights, San Francisco!"
Then the light sweeped us away, and we were gone.
A/N: 755 words. Please comment! Please vote! You guys are amazing!!
