Starstruck [KotLC]

Chapter 5

"Sophie!" A voice called in panic.

"Sophie, wake up! Please, Sophie, can you hear me?"

She was tempted to utter a "yes," but her mouth felt like it was melded shut. Her entire body let off the feeling that she'd just been thrown at a brick wall multiple times.

All the energy she had left was pushed into pressing open her eyelids, leading to screams, hugs, relieved sighs, and interrogations.

Whatever had happened had apparently attracted quite the crowd. Surrounding Sophie was Della, Fitz, Biana, Elwin, Alden, Grady, and Edaline. Every face spoke at once.

Alden spoke loudest, calling Elwin over to make sure there was no physical harm as everyone else strangled her with hugs and questions.

"What happened, Sophie?! One minute you went into dad's office, the next he was calling Elwin!" Fitz exclaimed frantically.

"Yeah," Biana added, "You sure know how to scare the living daylights out of people."

"How are you, Sophie? Why is it that trouble always finds its way straight to you?" Edaline sighed, exasperated.

Della and Grady nodded their heads in agreement, their expressions reading an amused Tell me about it look.

"I'm fine, really." She said, sitting up and wincing. "Just... shocked?"

After getting Elwin's approval, Alden attempted to explain the situation.

"From what I'm gleaning, there's no need to worry," Alden started with a wink, "You were simply overwhelmed by our little epiphany."

"Oh yeah." The truth came rolling back to her like a title wave. The embarrassment that followed felt like a tsunami in comparison. "Sorry. It's just a lot to take in."

"Understandable, Sophie. I suspect your mind is so powerful that it affects your emotions as well. I can't even imagine what it's like being in your head... what a beautiful and strange thing."

The next morning, Sophie shot out of bed and into the shower before sprinting to the Leapmaster. "Gotta go!" She sang as she zipped by Grady and Edaline. She was determined to learn more about her parents. It would mean everything to her to know their true identities. 

The gates of Everglen opened just as Sophie arrived on the premisis. Della's familiar smile greeted her kindly. 

"Alden is very anxious to tell you something, Sophie." She eyed Sophie suspiciously. "But he won't tell me what. Good luck in there."

"Thanks," She responded, rushing past her and inside the gate towards her life-changing news.

Sophie rushed through the large halls of Everglen, searching for Alden's office, finally stumbling upon the door. Alden chuckled as she found her way in, trying to catch her breath from the incessant running that had ensued.

"Excited, are we?" He asked with a polite smile on his face.

"Wouldn't you be?" She responded, sighing and sitting down, impatient for the rest of the information.

"Alright then, where would you like to begin?" He started.

"How about when you started looking for my parents." She demanded, leaning forward in her chair with anxiety.

"Perfect."

Alden went on to explain the entirety of the project, from the start up until the present. The idea was originally his, as ever since she'd arrived in the elvin world he'd wondered who her real parents could be, knowing from the start her two human parents hadn't provided the egg and sperm to create an elf. With the help of some technopaths that were close friends of his, he investigated further into his research, eventually figuring out how to use DNA prints found on each message the Black Swan had given her to find matching DNA with Sophie's. Not until recently did they find a fingerprint on a clue that matched her DNA exactly. They were thrilled and traced it back to an unregistered female telepath.

"Wow," Sophie managed. "Thank you, Alden. This is crazy, and probably illegal. You really are the best." He smiled back appreciatively, and she added, "Do you think that maybe I could meet her one day?"

"I don't know, Sophie. But at least we have a start."