I Know Now━ 𝐊𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐂

Chapter Sixteen

"That smell. It's Everblaze," Sophie told Keefe. "There's people in the museum across the street!" Sophie realized, pointing at the large building. "We have to warn them about the fire!"

She grabbed Keefe's hand, and pulled him across the empty road. It was around noon, judging by how high the sun was in the sky, so most people were likely still at work.

She ran to the museum entrance, dragging Keefe behind her.

"Whoa, whoa, Foster! Hold up! You're going too fast for my poor legs!" Keefe complained. Sophie slowed, but only a little. Soon they made it, and Sophie yanked open the door.

She stumbled inside, Keefe right at her heels. The door slammed behind them. Sophie cringed at the loud voices that flooded her mind. She tried to block the noise desperately. She soon succeeded, but not before squeezing her eyes shut, putting her hands over her ears. She slowly sank down to the ground. She hadn't been around humans in a while, so she had a bit of trouble blocking the voices.

Keefe held her and sent her calming breezes as she finally shut the voices out. He whispered to her, telling her that it would be okay, that she was strong, that he was right here.

After a few minute, Sophie felt strong enough to open her eyes and stand. As she looked around, she realized that everyone was staring at her and Keefe. The museum was deadly silent. It was likely because Sophie had randomly crumpled down to the ground. It could also be because of their elven beauty, which was much greater than that of a human.

Sophie brushed her fingers through her knotted hair, and yanked out an itchy eyelash. Keefe smirked at all the girls staring at him. Through the quiet, Sophie heard someone catcall.

Keefe grabbed Sophie's hand, holding her close, then walked into the crowd. Confidence was key, Sophie supposed.

As Sophie and Keefe began walking around, a group of teenage girls kept giggling and gaping at Keefe. One of them fainted when Keefe looked her way. A few boys kept staring at Sophie, and looking away when she turned towards their glances. And some adults looked at their elven tattered clothes with judging eyes.

"Ugh, I wish they would stop staring at us," Sophie whispered. She pulled her hair around her face and tugged out another eyelash.

"I know, but we kinda have to go with it," Keefe quietly said into her ear.

They walked towards a bench, and Sophie let go of Keefe's hand to stand on top of it. As everyone looked at her, she stuck her hands to her side to resist pulling out another eyelash.

Nervously addressing the large crowd of people, she said, "Hello, all. I have something to say."

The room went deathly silent as everyone turned their eyes to her.

"If you haven't noticed, there is a huge fire heading this way. Everyone here should quickly evacuate and drive to a fire shelter." She said, her voice carrying over the quiet.

There was a moment of silence, the world seeming to hold its breath as the crowd processed the news. Then everything broke out into mass hysteria.

People screamed. Parents dragged their children to the doors. Kids and adults alike ran outside.

The museum went quiet as the last of the people exited.