𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧

Chapter Eighteen

The leap felt like tiny needles stabbing Sophie everywhere across her body, she felt like mushy pizza dough, as someone kneaded it and twisted it. Sophie struggled to remain focused, but she concentrated on Keefe's soft hand, and clung to that. After what felt like hours but was probably only seconds, Sophie collapsed to the ground in a shower of sparkles.

"You, okay?" Keefe asked. Sophie noticed that he had fallen on the ground as well. His ice blue eyes were dimmed in the dull light of the cave.

"Yeah, I think so." Sophie rubbed her head in an effort to calm her headache. She shivered. The cave was ice cold, which surprised Sophie. Sophie rested a hand on the walls of the cave. They were hot. Which meant that they probably trapped heat. So why was it cold? Only the work of a Froster could have made an atmosphere like this, which meant the Neverseen had gained more backup from other elves than before.

"A Froster did this," Sophie told Keefe, holding back another shiver.

"Smart."

Sophie blushed and grabbed Keefe's hand, "I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too Foster," He whispered, squeezing her hand.

Sophie gave a sweet smile. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. No time for boys right now. They needed to find a way to the Neverseen, and get everyone back. Before it's too late.

"Sophie, look."

Sophie realized Keefe had used her first name. It must have been something serious. She looked over to where he was pointing, and saw a dark tunnel, almost identical to the one down in Loamore with the dwarves.

"It looks like the tunnel in Loamore," Keefe whispered, giving a voice to her thoughts.

"Do you think it has the same properties?" She asked.

"I guess there's only one way to find out."

But neither of them stepped forward. If the tunnel could exclude all light just like the one in Loamore, there's no telling that they would make it out a second time.

"I'll go first," Sophie stepped forwards, "Also, if the Neverseen wanted us so badly to come, don't you think they wouldn't have wanted us to get trapped in this cave forever? Besides, this is the only way out of this cave, and the Neverseen had to use this same cave to transport everyone to wherever they are now. Wouldn't it affect them too? Unless they had protection..." She trailed off, her brain already thinking of a thousand different possibilities.

"Worry, fear, confusion-"

It took Sophie a second to realize that he was listing off all her emotions.

"Curiosity, hesitation, and... Determination."

"You got all of that from just standing next to me?" Sophie asked.

"Your emotions aren't usually this strong. But they are right now."

"Hmmm... Okay. Am I enhancing you?" Sophie said.

"No. At least, I don't think so."

Sophie closed her eyes and focused on her enhancing. She waited for the very soft tingling sensation in her hands—something she could only feel if she was enhancing someone and was concentrating on feeling it—But she didn't didn't feel it. So she wasn't enhancing Keefe.

"I'm not enhancing you. Maybe this cave is?" Sophie suggested, confused.

"Maybe..."

Sophie shivered again and clung tighter to Keefe. He was surprisingly warm.

"Body temperature regulation," He answered as if he was reading her mind.

"Ah. Right." Sophie rolled her eyes at herself. Sometimes she became so lost in the elves' talents she forgot their natural abilities. She snapped her fingers in the air just like Keefe taught her too, and imagined all her warmth into that one snap. Then she bottled up all the warmth into a huge bucket, and dumped it all over herself.

She suddenly felt much warmer.

"Thanks," Sophie said.

"Anytime, Foster."

"Okay, we should get going. Like I said, I'll go first. If you sense any trouble at all, run. Even if I'm not there."

"Ha. You and I both know I'd rather die than leave you."

The truth to that statement was like a blaring siren on a firetruck. Well, at least she tried.

"Okay, follow after me. I'll whistle if it's okay to come. If I scream or don't respond, just... Run away."

"Sure," Keefe said sarcastically, "And, Foster?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful."

"I will," Sophie reassured him, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"I love you," She whispered. She needed him to know that she did. In case this was the last time she ever saw him.

"I love you too," He squeezed her hand once, and Sophie swore she saw his eyes glaze with tears. But then she turned around, and headed into the pitch black tunnel.