Take care

Chapter 50

"Sofia, Sofia," she heard a voice whisper, "Come on, wake up. There isn't much time, you have to wake up."

Sofia opened her eyes, feeling the bed beneath her. She no longer felt the pain she had felt before the darkness, she looked to the side of her, and she was in her room. She looked up to see Toby.

"Hey there," he said, grinning down at her. Sofia sat up quickly, her eyes wide in confusion.

"Toby?" she questioned, "But how? You're.. you're dead..."

"Yes, I am," he said, nodding his head.

"Does that mean I'm dead?" she asked

"That's up to you," he said, "Sit up, walk with me, we don't have much time..."

"Time for what?" she asked.

"You'll see..." he said, reaching out his hand to her, and helping her off the bed. They walked towards the hallway.

"Do you know who told me to go in undercover?" Toby questioned, "Whose idea it was?"

"No," Sofia said

"It was Niall's. He thought of the entire thing. He stayed up for days on end, figuring out the best way to work it. He sent me up early, he planned everything out."

"Niall?" Sofia questioned.

"He was determined to get you out of there. He convinced Liam to send me in, and he told me exactly how to act and what to say to gain Don's trust. And then he told me that I was to keep you alive, even if I had to break my cover..."

"I didn't know that," Sofia whispered.

"Niall and you have a strange relationship. He let's you get away with the most, and I think sometimes you mistake that for him caring the least..."

"I know he cares," Sofia said, "It's just... sometimes I don't know how much, he's not very emotional with me."

"Niall didn't want to move in, in fact, he was the last to warm up to the idea. But you won him over, just like you've won everyone else in your life over. And he shows that he cares by giving you a little more leash... he shows he cares by letting you run free sometimes. His older brother and him never got along, so Niall doesn't fight with you, because he doesn't want you to resent him like he resents Greg. But he cares..."

"Why are you telling me this?" Sofia asked, "What's the point?"

"You couldn't see him when he walked into that room. You didn't see his face when he saw you in a heap on that floor. Niall believes that things will work out, I mean, he really believes that. And when he saw you, I saw his faith and his hope go right out of him. You give him hope, you bring him joy. If you were to leave, Niall wouldn't be the same... he would lose who he is. And he would probably never get it back..."

"I still don't understand," Sofia said, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"You don't see it yet, but you will," Toby said, "I know you will - I just hope it's not too late..."

Sofia found herself in her kitchen, and suddenly a woman was there. Her face familiar but she couldn't place it.

"Toby, you're time is up," the woman said gently, "It's time for you to go." Toby nodded before turning back to Sofia.

"I hope I don't see you around, Sofia," he said, before turning to walk out of the door, "Goodbye."

"Wait! Toby!" Sofia called, but it was too late, he was gone. Sofia turned back to the woman, who was pouring tea.

"Sit down, puppet," she said gently, a smile on her face. Sofia sat, cautiously looking at the woman.

"I'm sorry," Sofia said, "Do I know you? You look so familiar..."