Unknown - A KOTLC Fanfic

Chapter 15: Sophie

"Okay, so here's what I got so far," Sophie said, pointing to the piece of paper in her hand.

After realizing what the scrap was, Sophie and her friends had teleported back to Havenfield to talk.

They had many theories on what the Ethertine would do to the goblins but the scariest one was at the top of the page.

"Will Ethertine control the goblins?"

That would be disastrous. Especially because the goblins were bodyguards and the ones Elves had the most contact with out of all the other intelligent species.

Except for gnomes, of course.

Wylie settled his back against the tree and looked down at the paper. "I just can't imagine why the Neverseen would attempt such a big feat right now. It doesn't make sense."

"Or the Neverseen could be trying to throw us off their trail. Who knows what they've been doing lately," Stina countered.

Dex looked at the paper also, panake petals in his hands. "I honestly agree with Wylie. We just destroyed their storehouse!"

Which caused a whole lot of arguing, bringing them back to the main point.

What are we missing?

With the Neverseen, it could be anything.

"Guys," Sophie finally interrupted, needing a break. "I've had a pretty hectic day so far and I'm getting a headache just listening to this so can we just take some time to think for ourselves then regroup tomorrow?"

She knew she was getting bossy but couldn't stand the thought of another argument.

Instead, her friends all smiled, probably feeling the same as she was.

"Sure!"

"Great. See you then," Sophie muttered.

One by one Dex, Stina, and Wylie all disappeared. All that was left of them were a few sparkles on the grass.

Sophie slumped down on the grass, with her head between her knees. Why was everything so frustrating lately? Her mind felt like it was blown apart in a million different pieces and she couldn't focus on anything.

Until she felt a rough hand stroke her hair.

"Grady?" Sophie's head snapped up as she looked around.

"What are you doing..." She breathed in a sharp intake of breath as the hand quickly receded next to its side.

And Grady wasn't standing there.

It was Keefe.

Looking directly at her.

Tears started sliding down Sophie's cheeks but she didn't notice them. Not until Keefe slid down next to her and put his arms around her.

Relief.

Happiness.

Joy.

A little frustration, but mostly relieved and happy.

Sophie just held on tight to him and sobbed. She felt his heartbeat against her and the shaking of his shoulders as he cried as well.

He was back.

And he was healed...

Slowly she wiped away her tears. "What are you doing here?" She finally asked. "I thought you were going to learn to control your ability!"

Keefe slowly lowered his arms and looked at her. "I did."

The first words he had actually spoken in weeks to her.

It was too much.

She sobbed again and buried her head into his shoulder.

"I'm so, so, so, happy for you. This is amazing. I really have needed you lately, this has all been too much for me."

Keefe didn't reply.

She slowly looked up.

"Keefe?"

He said nothing.

"Keefe? Are you okay?"

She said it again.

And he didn't respond.

Sophie stood up and shook his shoulders.

"Keefe! Keefe! What's going on?"

And then she noticed.

His eyes were staring blankly ahead.

Staring at nothing.

Frantically Sophie looked into his thoughts and...

Was horrified.

Everything was slowly breaking.

Shattering.

Dissipating.

Being sucked out of his mind like a vacuum.

What's going on? She yelled again. This time in his mind.

Nothing happened.

And Sophie was forced to accept the horrific truth.

He was broken.