SEVEN: When marble awakens

Chapter 5: Devdrane Temporia

"Oh my god, I never thought this would happen in a million years"

"Zai! Get your ass here, and bring your team!"

"I'm here, leave it to me. Just call the elites, they need to hurry! Caleb, wake them all up, they can't stay here"

  The sound of a crowd's footsteps was what first stirred Sophia out of her slumber. She felt dizzy, and her head hurt, like it had hit the ground when she collapsed. It was the only thing she could remember.

  Slowly opening her eyes, she tried moving to the side, a slight grunt coming out of her mouth. She was undeniably hurt, and someone had the amazing idea of kicking her in the ribs with their foot.

"Get up, we've got a long road ahead of us".

  It was the annoying shrill voice of the newcomer. The newcomer. That jerk. Her memory suddenly came back to her. His intrusion, his smug face, the wind storm...

Where are the others?

"Where...where are we?". Another cry of pain. "Ugh, my head hurts", she complained.

"Who cares-", that same annoying voice whined.

"Button it, Caleb. Let me do my job". A small hand found its way on the back of Sophia's head, lifting it slowly until she could sit up. Her eyes were met with calm ones, and a small encouraging smile on a woman's round shaped face. She spoke in a confident, professional yet reassuring voice.

"I'm Zai, and I'm here to help you. You're safe here, but you're injured and you need to stay calm. Do you have any trouble sitting? Is your vision blurred?", she asked.

"No no...I'm fine". She closed her eyes again.

"Okay, great". She palpated the side of her head, earning hisses from the injured, then slowly rotated her head back and forth in all directions." It's only superficial, and your neck looks normal. I'll clean your wound, but you need an in depth checkup later, just in case".

  Sophia gestured a thumbs up and leaned on...she didn't even know what she was leaning on. It felt cold against the back of her blouse, like a metal of some kind, even though she sensed the warm sun on the rest of her body. 

"The others...where are they? Those who were with me before I passed out".

  As an answer, her arm was firmly squeezed. Zai adjusted her head so that she could finally see around. There was Sierra, sitting next to her, holding her hand, and Blake on the other side, looking worried. She could hear Jade faintly calling her name from afar, but she didn't catch anything from the background.

They look terrified. I need to do something.

  She smiled at the two girls, mouthing a faint "it's fine, I'll get you out of here", only to sense two fingers at the corners of her mouth, squishing them inward, turning her smile into kissing lips. It made her frown, making the two girls laugh.

"You don't have to pretend you're fine, Sophia. We're a team, you've worked hard enough on your own. Mariya told us. I'd rather see you doing silly faces than faking a smile",said Sierra, rubbing her friend's shoulder.

   The small gesture immensely warmed Sophia's heart. She's always been a touchy person, but receiving your love language back felt different. Sierra was definitely good at lightening the mood.

"You're an angel, Sisi".

"Please say that to the douchebag".

"I am able to hear you!",threw Arthur.

"Ew, so much love",said Caleb, disgusted.

"You found your twin, douchebag!"

  Sophia could only laugh at this. It was true, she shouldn't feel responsible for what happened. They agreed on being a team, working hand in hand, and when one is wiped out, the others carry on on his behalf. Besides, seeing Blake laugh probably healed the biggest part of her injury.