KotLC One Shots

She's Gone (SFiD 2)

Warning:  Contains spoilers for Unlocked and all books previous.  Also, this is a later time line, so there is more reference to cursing (no actual cursing) and some mild innuendoes.  I am very conservative (nonpolitical statement) so it shouldn't be offensive, but just in case , I'm letting you know.

Disclaimer:  All characters aside from Cathy and The Photographer belong to Shannon Messenger.  Similarly, the locations aside from those within the Forbidden Cities (name derived from Messenger's series Keeper of the Lost Cities) belong to Shannon.  As for the song, it is "Memories" by Maroon 5.  

Three Years Later ~ Keefe's POV

          "Make love to the camera," The Photographer called, and I leaned against the wall, casually throwing the jacket over my shoulder and smirking slightly.

          It took me one day to discover that to survive in the human world you need: money, money, and more money.  I mean, you also need I.D., but if you have money you can by fake papers so... money.  Within that same day, a thousand different people asked to take a picture of me.   Not knowing what that meant for humans-- having heard Sophie's warped view of doctors I was wary of the little things-- I refused.  It was assumed that I was famous and after Cathy got hold of me, I was.  She was a broke YouTuber struggling to gain a sponsorship when she met the ultimate click bait-- me.  I knew I was handsome but dang.  The humans practically worshipped me and all I had to do was exist.

          I'm pretty good at that, you know.

          "Beautiful, beautiful!"  The Photographer said excitedly.  "Now, give me a smolder."

          "You want me to make a kiss-y face at a camera lens?" I scoffed.  "Isn't that a bit juvenile?"

          "Hey, I hear you and I agree," The Photographer lied in an attempt to appease me.  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.  "But your fans will go wild.  Even straight men are entitled to one man-crush aren't they?  Be that crush, give 'em a kiss."

          I made a face and my manager, Cathy, shouted out, "Remember that visualization technique we talked about?  Just think of something you love."

         That was unhelpful.  There was only one person I'd ever felt even remotely that way for and she'd shut me inside the friend zone and threw away the key on the day we met.  I mean, sure she'd get flustered every now and then when I flirted with her but that was just her personality-- humble, bashful, sweet... No.  I refuse to think about her.  If I think about her, I'll want to see her and I can't see her.

         "Keefe!"  Cathy smoldered then pointed to the camera.

         I copied her expression, feeling like an idiot.  How is this a thing?  Humans are weird.

         "Visualize!"  Cathy said cheerily, but when I glanced her way she was tapping her foot.  I was getting on her nerves.

         No... it had taken me so long to stop thinking about her 24/7-- and the dreams!  I can't start having the dreams again.

          I looked over at Cathy and sighed.  Maybe... maybe just a quick peak at the past.  It's not like it would kill me.

         Before I'd finished the thought a thousand images of The Lovely Lady Foster swirled through my mind.  At first it was just little things.  Sophie tugging out her eyelashes.  Sophie grabbing my hand.  Sophie glaring at my father darkly.  Sophie snarking off at the adults.  Sophie laughing.  Sophie calling me ridiculous.  Sophie's brows crinkling together in worry.