Falling For His Charms

CHAPTER 12

Sophie ran through the woods, jumping over roots and going around trees. She kept her run at a steady pace; it would be a long trip ahead.

She ran throughout the night, taking breaks every half hour or so to take a drink of water or to rest for a while. However, the next morning, Sophie found herself at the edge of the forest, where she could see the village. Before she went to look at it, though, she put her hands on her knees and caught her breath. Who knew that it would wear her out that much?

When Sophie finally looked up, she saw the village for the first time. She gasped, and blinked away tears. No, she had to stay strong. Staying strong for her family, and also to prove herself to Fitz.

The little village of Gloria was in ruins. Smoke was still floating away into the sky, from what seemed like recent fires. Many houses were burned to the ground or looked like a tornado had passed through them. No people were in sight; not even palace guards who were supposedly "fixing the town" and "looking for the missing".

Getting over herself, she wiped away a stray tear running down her cheek. She knew that if she started letting more tears come, she wouldn't be able to stop; she would never forgive herself.

As she walked out of the tree line, Sophie pulled out a knife and two throwing stars, prepared for anything that might come. She walked quickly, eager to save Grady and Edaline before it was too late. Nothing would stop her now. But by the time she reached Gloria, she began to grow suspicious. It seemed quiet - almost too quiet. Like something was about to jump out and-

A twig snapped behind her, and without a second thought, Sophie turned around and threw the throwing star. She almost screamed when she saw who made the noise: three little children, all around the same age, about six to eight years old. Two were boys, and one was a girl, and they all had the same strawberry blonde hair, same tattered and dirty clothes. Before that the throwing star hit one of them, Sophie stopped it with telekinesis.

"Oh my Gnome, are you three alright?" She asked, shaking from the terrifying thought of possibly having killed one of them. She slid off her hood, so that she could see them better.

"Yeah, we're okay," One of the boys said, slightly taller than his two companions. "We just wanted to know... Hey, are you that girl from the bakery?"

Sophie smiled. She should've recognised the three of them right away: they were one of her most frequent customers.

"Yes, I am! My name is Sophie. And you three are... Rex, Lex, and... Bex, right? The Dizznees?" She asked, smiling to comfort them.

The three of them nodded in sync. "We're triplets!" The girl, Bex, shouted.

"Really? That's so cool! You know, I've always wanted siblings myself. You three are lucky to have each other," Sophie said.

"We know," The shorter boy said, Rex.

"But... Where are your parents? " She asked to the children.

They all looked at the ground, in a way that made Sophie feel sad for them. Bex looked up to look at Sophie in the eyes. "We don't really know, to tell the truth. We don't even know where our older brother is, either. That's why we left the house at all today - we need to find them. "

"And to find food," Lex added.

Sophie looked at them with sympathy in her eyes. Seeing them like this was completely heartbreaking.

"You know what? I'm looking for my family too. How about I bring you three home, feed you there, then I'll come back when I find my parents? They're great with kids. You'll love them. "

The triplets looked at each other, seeming to talk with their eyes, then looked back at the blonde haired girl.

"We'll do it!"

Sophie smiled, and put away her throwing stars (she kept her knife out; you never know what might happen).

"Why don't you three show the way?" Sophie asked.

The triplets let out little giggles, then they took off down the deserted street, Sophie right behind them. The four of them walked for about ten minutes, talking about random things that they loved, until they reached an old small house, not as destroyed as some other houses that Sophie had seen, but not much better. It looked like it was only just standing.

"Well..." Rex said, "Home sweet home!"

Lex and Bex laughed at their little joke, and entered the door. As Sophie looked around the small room, she felt terrible for the triplets. There was dust everywhere, half the boards supporting the ceiling hanging off or rotting. There was barely any furniture, but with what was there, you could tell that the kids had lived through a lot.

"You guys live... Here?" Sophie asked, trying not to sound rude.

"Yeah, but it didn't look like this before," Lex said.

"It was pretty-"

"And cozy-"

"And warm-"

"But also busy," The triplets kept finishing each other's sentences, and Sophie had to smile at that. They were adorable.

"Would you guys like to eat something now? I brought a few snacks," She said; Lex, Rex, and Bex all looked like they hadn't eaten in days.

They nodded hastily, sweet smiles on their faces. So Sophie walked over to a wobbly table, and took off her backpack, placing it on the worn-out wood. She took out muffins, bread, water, and let the triplets sit down on chairs before she handed out the food.

"Eat up, guys - you need the energy."

Then she took a muffin for herself, enjoying the fluffy taste of the blueberry pastry.